What to pack for Barcelona

Miscellaneous: When heading to Barcelona,the most important thing on your packing list should be a moneybelt. This is the only way you'll keep your money/ creditcards and passport safe from pickpockets. Trust me. Those thieves are so skilled that they'll rob you in a split second, and you won't even notice it. There is even some kind of a school in Italy that teaches pickpockets how to steal from tourists in Barcelona. Scarry!.

Luggage and bags: Not a medium size suitcase!!!! Most of our group had the smaller carry on bags and soft over-the-shoulder bags. I thought I was okay for a ten day trip with a medium. Here were the problems--I brought tooooooo much stuff, two pairs of shoes to many and clothes that were never unrolled. Most important, my back started to hurt towards the end from lifting the suitcase onto beds and airport weighing machines. Of course my fanny pack was also the culprit on this one along with hilly cobblestone streets (Porto, Portugal)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Absolutely - COMFORTABLE shoes. Barcelona and Porto have serious cobblestone streets that will do your feet and body in!!!!! Two pairs with plenty of socks--'cause focused tour freaks like us will go for hours and those tootsies get sweaty. (Did Rome with only one good pair and I was a mess by the end.) Pic of my worn Clark espadrilles!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Any kind of allergy medicine. Benadryl, Claritan. There are many different kinds of plants so always be prepared. Ibuprophyn, and Tylenol. I was taking Tylenol every day for my back.

Photo Equipment: Digital camera with two battery packs. A lot of the new cameras have video capabilities which can drain the camera. I ran out of juice several times. I do advocate for the cameras with some video ability, I did short little vids that are priceless memories.

Miscellaneous: Tour books - I'm a Lonely Planet fan. They give you enough history to let you have a sense of the country, but not so much your glassy-eyed. They also note some unique places that no other book will have. For Barcelona it was the Fira de Sant Ponc--Saint for Bees and Herbalist festival. AAA Travel Board Book. Doesn't give an in-depth review, but definitely shows great walking tours that are easy to follow.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If visiting during summer months, remember that it is intent to get hot and humid here, have light cloths and sandals that comfortable for walking as in such beautiful city you would probably walk a lot.

Photo Equipment: Barcelona is full with beautiful architecture sites and in some cases a wide lens will be useful to catch the whole site into the frame.

Miscellaneous: If you happen to carry any electrical stuff like hair dryers or just a simple charger for your mobile telephone - you will have to take into account that the electrical systems admit only the 2 pin round plug as shown in the picture. If you are coming in from Britain you might want to buy an adapter to be able to use your stuff in Spain. It may be a little difficult to get it in any normal electrical store. If you happen to have a El Corte Ingles department store near you - they sell adapters for different systems.
The Spanish system is compatible with most European plug sockets – except mainly for the British 3 pin plug - so get that adapter.

Luggage and bags: * Map and guidebook;
* Crackers;
* 2 Liter of water;
* Fruit / power bars.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: * Hiking boots;
* 1 extra t-shirt;
* Shorts with many pockets;
* Sunglasses;
* Fleece type jacket;
* Hat / cap;
* Raincoat.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: * Lip balm;
* (Neck) sunblock;
* Band-aids.

Photo Equipment: * Camera and lots of films!
* Filter;
* Extra batteries;
* Lens 210 mm.

Miscellaneous: * Binocular;
* Compass.

Luggage and bags: Rivaldo has issued an angry ultimatum to the Barcelona president Joan Gaspart accusing the club of failing to honour the multi-million dollar contract he signed last year.
The Brazilian international says that if he does not receive a salary increase he claims he is owed he will assume that the club do not want him to play for them in the forthcoming season.
In an open letter to Gaspart - part of which is reproduced on Rivaldo's personal webpage (www.rivaldo10.com) - the former World and European Player of the Year says he will not join the club for pre-season training unless the matter is resolved.

Miscellaneous: THE RAMBLAS is Europe meets Spain.It has more in common with the Champs de Elysees than a sreet in Spain to me. Sidewalk cafes, flower vendors, leathergoods, purses, newspapers..its all here..along with sumptious oportunities to 'people watch'...just take up the Spanish habit,,,'Dar un Paseo'...make strolling the Ramblas a daily habit. I can still here the vendadore now...'Loteria,,todos son equales....Loteriiiiia,, todos son...' (its all a pleasant dream;-)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In the summer Barcelona is very hot, so you will need T-shirts, shorts, light shirts, etc. In the winter/spring months it is not so hot, so you will be needing trousers, jumpers, etc. In the spring months it is prone to rain a fair bit, so water proofs are a good idea.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can get all the usual toiletries and medical supplies in Barcelona, at reasonable prices.

Photo Equipment: There are loads of photo opportunities in Barcelona, so be prepared to have loads of films to get through everything!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: The beach isn't far from Barcelona centre, so bring your beach wear with you. The beaches are hot and clean, but they are also very busy and touristy. Remember to bring sun screen, or you'll get burned by the hot sun!