Barcelona

In Barcelona I am staying at a charming boutique hotel, the El Jardi, which is on the tiny Plaza Sant Josep Oriol, a peaceful haven off the heavily pedestrianised Las Ramblas Promenade. From my balcony I can look down on the square with its beech and olive trees and onto the imposing façade of the 14th century Basilica del Pi. I had a good look around Barcelona when I first arrived so, aftet settling in at the Jardi,  I took a local train to the beach resort of Sitges, some 40 minutes southwest of the city. This former fishing village was where Santiago Rusiñol, a late 19th century distinguished local painter, started the Modernisme Movement, which paved the way for Picasso and his peers. I took a stroll around the Old Town's narrow,  cobbled streets and made my way to the 17th century Baroque Iglesia Sant Bartomeu and from the terrace in front of the church I could look down on its series of beaches, separated by breakwaters, and onto the green waters of the Mediterranean Sea lapping the beaches. I next went to the Museu Cau Ferrat, the gorgeous 1890 former home of Santiago Rusiñol and full of his paintings as well as works by Picasso, a couple by El Greco and a wonderful collection of local glass, ironwork and ceramics. After returning to Barcelona I took a stroll down Las Ramblas for some people watching.