Barcelona beckons with its architectural charm

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Fanciful balconies of Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo are made of stone and shell-shaped, reflecting the architect's marine inspiration. Tours are available. We recommend the Barcelona tourism card.

MANY CITIES in the world boast of an architectural theme, a cohesive style. A distinct design plan inevitably catches the eye and satisfies the viewer.

For us, the list includes Rome, New York, Jerusalem, Chicago and Singapore. There are many other cities whose design is pleasing and seems to work together to impress the viewer. Barcelona stands out in this regard for the colorful, organic, nature-inspired forms of designer and architect Antoni Gaudi. For many, Barcelona is Gaudi, and vice-versa.

Gaudi's Park Guell is a fantastic mecca of the architect's playful imagination and love of nature., here enjoyed by Bruce Keller and Cookie.

His Catalan Modernist style is known worldwide for its ornate detail and pleasing shapes resembling shells and sea creatures, trees and flowers.

We've visited Sagrada Familia and Park Guell many times, but our favorite Gaudi inspirations are those designed as homes for aristocratic Barcelonans, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila or La Pedrera.

Barcelona's Palau De La Musica Catalana is one of Barcelona's many inventive architectural creations.

BEYOND GAUDI, the city showcases a rich mix of styles, including medieval architecture, Art Nouveau elegance as seen in the gorgeous Palau De La Musica Catalana, and an array of modern 21st Century towers and business centers.

Barcelona's creative spirit and interesting history have created a striking blend of historic and contemporary buildings. In short, Barcelona is a vibrant urban landscape unique to Europe and the world.

A stroll along Barcelona's streets reveals stately buildings, wide boulevards, gardens and fountains.

More information on Barcelona and the money-saving Barcelona tourist card: www.barcelonatourisme.com

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Thanksgiving in Turkey was a fun way to try appetizers. We don't necessarily have a full meal when we're celebrating a holiday abroad.