Barcelona Review

Barcelona is one of those amazing cities that is constantly overlooked and underrated. The beautiful thing about visiting Barcelona is that it has something for everyone. It's one of those rarified places that is actually fun for kids and grown-ups. It isn't hard to please the kids (hey, just hit Disneyland) or the parents (any old urban setting will probably due just fine). Barcelona is actually great for the whole family.

Here are things the kids will love:

• The Barcelona Zoo is very nice, with a lovely natural setting right in the middle of the city and loads of cool animals to see
• Barcelona Aquarium is another wonderful attraction here for kids
• Barcelona's beaches, fun places for kids to splash and often near some great fine dining
• Las Ramblas is a vendor and souvenir shop lined avenue which is just exciting for kids, and features a section with pet shop vendors selling animals that kids will love

Here are the things parents will love:

• Fine Catalan cuisine, as well as several bustling fresh produce markets that both kids and parents will love (in fact, grab some fruits and vegetables to snack on back at your hotel)
• The vibrant nightlife (just be sure you get a hotel that offers babysitting)
• Amazing architecture, including the unique Moderniste buildings

It's worth a visit for the two stunning cathedrals, the Moderniste Sagrada Familia that resembles something right out of a surreal dream. Kids will also think this funky and unusual building is cool.

On the downside, the Barcelona (Catalan) schedule isn't the most family-friendly. Lunch tends to be at 2 p.m., and dinner is at 8 p.m. on the early side. You can take advantage of the time zone change and just get your kids on a later dining schedule. Otherwise, you will find that your options for family dinners before the crankiness kicks in full force are pretty limited.