SPAIN - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1398

toursdepartfromtheTIatPlaçadeCatalunya(excepttheMaritimetour,whichbeginsatthe
Columbus Monument); it's always smart to reserve in advance.
The Ruta del Modernisme desk inside the Plaça de Catalunya TI also does tours of
specific Modernista buildings that are otherwise not open to the public (see
www.rutadelmodernisme.com ) .
“Free” Walking Tours
Several companies offer “free” walks that rely on—and expect—tips to stay in business.
Thoughledbyyoungpeoplewho'vebasicallymemorizedacleverscript(ratherthantrained
historians), these walks can be a fun, casual way to get your bearings.
I like Runner Bean Tours, run by Gorka, Ann-Marie, and a handful of local guides.
They offer 2.5-hour, English-only walks covering the Old City and Gaudí (both tours
depart from Plaça Reial at 11:00 daily year-round, plus daily at 16:30 in April-Oct,
www.runnerbeantours.com , mobile [phone]). They also do night tours, family walks,
and more. Groups can range from just a couple of people up to 30.
Discover Walks does similar tours, with three different two-hour itineraries: Gaudí
(daily at 10:00, meet in front of Casa Batlló); Ramblas and Barri Gòtic (daily at 15:00,
meet in front of Liceu Opera House on the Ramblas); and Trendy Barcelona, covering the
El Born neighborhood (daily at 17:00, meet at Plaça de l'Angel next to Jaume I Metro
stop). This company distinguishes itself by using exclusively native-born guides—no ex-
pats (suggested tips: €5/person for a bad guide, €10 for a good one, €15 for a great one,
www.discoverwalks.com , tel. [phone]).
Local Guides
The Barcelona Guide Bureau is a co-op with about 20 local guides who give personalized
four-hour tours (weekdays-€216, per-person price drops as group gets bigger; weekends and
holidays-€256, no price break with size of group); Joana Wilhelm and Carles Picazo are
excellent (Via Laietana 54, tel. [phone] or 933-107-778, www.bgb.es ) .
José Soler is a great and fun-to-be-with local guide who enjoys tailoring a walk through
his hometown to your interests (€195/half-day per group, mobile [phone],
www.pepitotours.com , [e-mail] ).
Cristina Sanjuán of Live Barcelona is another good, professional guide who leads
walking tours and can also arrange cruise excursions. It's best to reserve by email (€155/2
hours, €20/each additional hour; €195 extra for a car for up to 2 people, €220 extra
for up to 6, can combine with airport transfer; tel. [phone], mobile [phone],
www.livebarcelona.com , [e-mail] ) .