City break in Barcelona?

sali_mali

Hello everyone, I hope someone can help me!

I have never booked a holiday before so have no idea where to start! I've come into a bit of money and have decided on a whim to go to Barcelona for a few days. I have no idea how to find the right hotel/deals/flights etc.

I'd like to stay in a hotel in the city center, 3/4 star. I'm hoping to spend my time exploring the city, visiting museums and having fun in the bars and restaurants, so need to be central! Flight would ideally be from Heathrow on the 23rd, but I can also travel from Bristol, Cardiff or Birmingham on a date after this.

So... can anyone point me in the right direction? The cheapest direction possible!

spiro

At the moment given possible BAA strike I would avoid Heathrow. Try looking at Ryanair or Easyjet for cheap flights, mid week flights will be cheaper than weekend.
Check Tripadvisor for hotel reviews.

TechnoBadger

You could fy Ryanair Bristol to Girona (bus connection to Barcelona) in a few weeks. Out Monday 20th Sept return Friday 24th Sept currently £43 return + baggage + credit card fees. Then try Laterooms or similar for a hotel deal. I'm taking a small group soon to the ACTA BCN 40 hotel - cetainly not 3 star but is cheap! There are hop on, hop off sight seeing bus routes when you're there.

mrweetabix

Cooperative Travel Telephone Deals have 4 night breaks to Barcelona from Manchester from £214.

Think they put the whole package together themselves and get group discounts so generally very cheap.

Their telephone number is 0844 238 9991. If your dates are flexible you should be able to find a good deal.

I hope you find something.

missile

Any travel agent will be happy to sort you out with a cheap deal to Barcelona.

BA offer £209 for flight + 3 nights B+B

See here> http://www.britishairways.com/travel/cheap-flights-europe/public/en_gb?DM1_SRC=UK|UK|DIS|48272613|223054198|&utm_source=937936&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=LPyearroundlowfare&utm_term=&utm_content=48272613&refevent=LondontoEurope_B

TechnoBadger

"BA offer £209 for flight + 3 nights B+B"

Couldn't see anything for less than £400 each when I put some date in (23rd August, 3 nights).

missile

TechnoBadger wrote: »

"BA offer £209 for flight + 3 nights B+B"

Couldn't see anything for less than £400 each when I put some date in (23rd August, 3 nights).

This is what comes up on the link >

£209 Flight + 3 nights hotel, BB

Meson Castilla
06 Jan 11 - 28 Feb 11
£219 01 Aug 10 - 31 Aug 10
£279 01 Mar 11 - 31 Mar 11
£289 01 Oct 10 - 31 Oct 10
£279 01 Sep 10 - 30 Sep 10

hethmar

Have a look on trip advisor for the hotels' reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HACSearch?geo=187497&q=Barcelona,+Spain&inDay=20&inMonth=08/2010&checkIn=20/8/2010&outDay=22&outMonth=08/2010&checkOut=22/8/2010&adults=2

If you are a bit nervous of planning everything/going on your own, have a look at some of the holiday companies that offer a package with a group.

ailuro2

Third vote for TripAdvisor here, the reviews have never let us down yet.

Ignore the 5/5 star gushing reviews aloing with the 1/1 cockroach infested don't stay here's and look at the majority of reviews in the middle.

Get decent travel insurance booked as soon as you book your flight, if not before (for dates) as you might not know you can't buy insurance to cover cancellation once a holiday has already gone belly up.;)

Try to stick with names you see on these forums and avoid ones you've never heard of... might cost a wee bit more, but the Goldtrail and sun4u collapses would make any first time traveller nervous.;)

Have fun, enjoy the trip!

Nelsonpk_2

If you want a good hotel close in the center I can recommend Hotel Lleo
http://www.hotel-lleo.com/

My wife and I have stayed here 3 times. It’s very close to Las Ramblas, very close to Plaza Catalunya with the tourist buses and the underground. It even has a swimming pool on the roof
If it’s your first trip I would recommend the tourist hop on-hop off bus, useful for getting your bearings. If you feel they are a bit pricey then the underground is excellent, cheap and easy to navigate, and has the next station indicated by LED signs in each carriage.



This was the view from our room the last time, Plaza Catalunya and Las ramblas is just behind the Habitat.
As for flights, EasyJet from Bristol is an option, just don't forget all the 'extras' when looking up the price. KLM fly Cardiff to Barcelona for £227 return (and no extras!) leaving 23rd and returning 26th. Or Heathrow on the same dates for £203.

Fi_83

For flights - the best website to compare different Airports and budget Airlines for the best deal is skyscanner.net. This is always my first point of call when booking flights ;-)

Also agree with TripAdvisor. Pick one reasonably priced, with good reviews and go to hotels.com or google to find the best price

If you do decide to go the packaged holiday route teletextholidays.co.uk or Icelolly.com normally have good deals. Happy surfing!