Danielle Roberge

What was your favorite place to eat in Barcelona? Favorite food?

My favorite place to eat in Barcelona was Can Romonet in Barceloneta. Eating out is usually a challenge for me because I have a very serious food allergy to milk products. This makes it nearly impossible to eat anything that wasn’t prepared by me. At this restaurant, I was able to speak to the chief and explain my allergy to him and he made sure the shrimp I ordered didn’t have even the smallest trace of milk (you’d be surprised what milk can hide in). This restaurant is also very cute inside and has a nice place to sit surrounded by shrubs outside. It is very close to the beach which is always a plus.

What is you favorite place in Catalunya? Why?

I really loved the Costa Brava region of Catalunya. The coast line here is stunningly beautiful and there are plenty of hiking trails that allow you to hike right along the cliffs by the sea. My favorite little beach town is Begur where I went camping right by the beach.

Is there a site in Barcelona that you would recommend to future students that may be a little more “off the beaten path”?

One of my favorite places in the city is by the old port. That area is still very touristy, but I often enjoyed sitting on the steps by the port and watching the boats come in and out. You can also walk along the board walk to Mar Magnum, a shopping mall, and sit peacefully on the dock to people watch. I also enjoyed spending time at the Castle of Montjuic which is on top of a mountain that over looks the sea. There are a few walking paths where you can see unobstructed views of the sea and the port where all the large cargo ships come in. Here you can truly see how busy Barcelona is as a city.

If you had one perfect day in Barcelona where would you go, and what would you do?

A perfect day in Barcelona would mean waking up to perfect blue skies and taking a quick stroll in one of Barcelona’s many parks. After that I would head to the beach, and spend my afternoon laying in the sun. I would likely get drinks at one of the chringuitos on the beach and find my way to one of the many festivals that always seem to be occurring in the city.

What is one piece of advice that you have for future students coming to Barcelona?

Don’t be afraid of the metro. Barcelona has one of the easiest metros to navigate. It is so much easier than in New York or Paris. If you have a smart phone with you, you can download an app that shows you the easiest route.

What do you think makes Barcelona unique?

I think Barcelona’s location makes it stand out from other cities. It’s location right between the beach and the mountains which means there is something for everyone. If you are the kind of person that loves the excitement of a city but also likes to escape into nature, than Barcelona is the perfect city for you. Not to mention it has beautiful beaches.