Barcelona Travel Guide: Iconic Itineraries from Condé Nast Traveler : Iconic Itineraries. Day 2: Gaudí and L'Eixample Today you’ll explore the newest part of Barcelona, L’Eixample (The Extension).
In 1854, the city’s medieval walls were destroyed so that the community could expand into the farmland outside. In 1869, L’Eixample, the northern city, was created based on plans by Ildefons Cerdà, whose innovation was a grid composed of blocks (called manzanas, or apples), square enclosures with courtyards in the center. Meet your driver and guide in the lobby of your hotel at 10 a.m. for the trip to Spain’s most-visited church, Gaudí’s still-unfinished La Sagrada Familia. The neo-Gothic structure was begun in 1882 by Francisco de Paula del Villar, but Gaudí took over construction in 1883 and worked on it, almost exclusively, for the rest of his life.
Only 8 of the basilica’s 18 spires are complete—the bell towers that represent 8 of the 12 apostles. At 11:30, you’ll head up to the comparatively secular Park Güell, just above the neighborhood of Gràcia. The Balearics. Insider's Guide to Ibiza. Insider's Guide to Formentera. A 30-minute ferry ride from Ibiza, this 12-mile-long slip of an island is the under-the-radar Balearic: There’s not much more to it than white sand licked by cerulean sea.
Which is absolutely fine, as far as the plugged-in, often-swimsuit-less Spaniards, stylish Italians, and smattering of media industry Londoners are concerned. The beach bars change owners (and names) from time to time, and the sleeping options recently improved with the addition of two upscale properties, but otherwise Formentera continues to resemble big sister Ibiza 40 years ago.
Most visitors come for the day by ferry or private yacht, but to appreciate the unflashy, utterly tranquil nature of the island, stay for a few days, rent a scooter, and set out on a beach crawl. Beds. Insider's Guide to Menorca. Make space at the top of your best beaches list: Mini Menorca’s coastline has quality (unspoiled gems with soft sand and peerless, pellucid water) and quantity (more beaches than Ibiza and Mallorca combined).
With the greatest concentration of prehistoric monuments in the world—enigmatic megalithic stone structures, overgrown with fig and wild olive trees and prickly pears, are sprinkled all over the island—and fine port cities with cobbled streets and Baroque architecture, it’s the Caribbean in Europe. In 1993, UNESCO designated the whole island as a biosphere preserve, which has kept tourism low-rise and low-key. With fine food and an easy atmosphere, Menorca is an underrated isle that won’t be so for much longer. Beds New last year, the 1 Hotel Tres Sants occupies an ancient shoe factory—with Roman tombs underneath—in the elegant port town of Ciutadella, founded by the Carthaginians. Insider's Guide to Mallorca. Tables A short stroll from Palma’s colossus of a cathedral, 1 Forn de Sant Joan serves haute tapas—to avoid groups on tapas tours, go in the evening (Sant Joan 4; 34-971-728-422; entrées from $18).
For free-range mutton, brave the white-knuckle drive (or hike—it takes about 90 minutes) from Alaró up to 2 Es Verger, close to the town’s castle. Sheep encircle the restaurant, providing bells and baas, and the meat melts off the bone (Camino Castillo 143; 34-971-182-126; entrées from $20). At 3 Ca Na Toneta, in Caimari, a 15-minute drive northeast of Alaró, sisters Maria and Teresa Solivellas source all produce for the seasonal menu locally—Maria is vice president of the Balearic Slow Food group—and their uncle makes the olive oil (Horitzó 21; 34-971-515-226; prix fixe $34).
Book a table for sunset at the white-glove, Michelin-starred 4 Es Racó d’es Teix, in Deià, and watch the mountains fade from orange to black. Beaches.