Barcelona Card (Official Tourist Card) saves time and money touring Gaudi's architectural masterpieces and more

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 cards offer huge savings to travelers. Barcelona's is among the best for its access to the world of famed architect Antoni Gaudi.

Barcelona Card was a perfect match for our interest in architecture and the genius of Gaudi. We returned to his classic buildings with the card, enjoying Gaudi's distinct design and appreciating the card for its huge savings.

Barcelona Card (Official Tourist Card) is a must. We've used city cards in Rome, Amsterdam, New York, Jerusalem, Chicago and Singapore, cities whose design is pleasing, cohesive and impressive. Barcelona stands out in this regard for the colorful, organic, nature-inspired forms of designer and architect 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, which the pass covered, are those designed as homes for aristocratic Barcelonans, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila or La Pedrera. Barcelona's city card admitted us to these wonders.

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

BEYOND GAUDI, the Barcelona Card (Official Tourist Card) allows free or discounted entree to the city's classic buildings, a rich showcase of styles, including medieval architecture, Art Nouveau elegance 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 how to purchase the money-saving Barcelona tourist card: www.barcelonatourisme.com

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