Corrie - the play
We have two pairs of tickets to give away to Corrie, a new stage show based on the soap opera
FIND OUT MOREFree beauty products
Your chance to win a fantastic three-piece 'skin perfector' set worth more than £120.
FIND OUT MOREAspiring entrepreneur?
Chartered Accountants Lucas Reis are offering an hour's free business consultation.
FIND OUT MOREAah, Barcelona!
From its Gothic cathedral to its Modernista Sagrada Familia and from its revamped Port Olimpic to the medieval Barri Gotic, Barcelona is a city of fascinating contrasts. It is also a fun, feel-good city, which is why Kim Brown is visiting for the sixth time in four years this Easter weekend.
There's no better way to shake off the cobwebs after a long winter than with a weekend strolling along the buzzing promenade or sinking your toes in the sand while you sip frozen lemonade in the beautiful city of Barcelona.
This is a city geared to show you a good time. From its playful, striking architecture to its wide Mediterranean coast and from its fresh seafood to its sparkling cava, you are bound to find something to make your day here.
Having visited the city numerous times, I now tend to spend my days there sitting on the pier near Port Olimpic with a sketchbook, or wandering around aimlessly in the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, stopping for lunch and chilled red wine (seriously, don't knock it until you've tried it) at whichever little restaurant tickles my fancy. But if you are visiting for the first time, I strongly recommend that you bring a pair of good walking shoes with you because there are dozens of places to marvel at and things to try here. Here is a brief selection:
What to see
Sagrada Familia
No picture can do justice to Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, the world's wackiest, most magical church.
Barcelona's most famous architect and pioneer of the late 19th century Modernista movement, Gaudi dedicated the last 40 years of his life to the Sagrada Familia. In 1926 the architect was killed by a tram while crossing the street near his still unfinished church.
Since then, sculptors and architects have continued to work on this project at incalculable cost (and not a small amount of controversy), and construction is forecast to be completed by 2030 - nearly 150 years since the first stone was officially laid.
This awe-inspiring, almost hallucinogenic church, with its majestic spires, striking sculptures, beautiful stained-glass windows and trencadis tiling will take your breath away with its sheer scale and exuberant beauty.
Barcelona Cathedral
The centrepiece of the city's Barri Gotic, Barcelona Cathedral dates back to 1298. With its Gothic facade reaching up to 70 metres, you would have to try hard to miss it. Inside the building are lavishly decorated choir stalls, a cloister featuring a fountain, palm trees and roaming geese, and an immense nave housing a 16th century organ.
Museu Picasso
Made up of five inter-connected medieval palaces, this museum in the Barri Gotic houses the world's largest collection of early works by Pablo Picasso. Born in Malaga, Picasso moved to Barcelona with his family aged 14, and the museum reveals his special relationship with the city, where he blossomed as an artist.
La Pedrera
One of the most emblematic of Gaudi's works, La Pedrera, at 92 Passeig de Gracia, is an apartment block like no other. Completed in 1910, it features a gravity-defying undulating facade, intricate wrought-iron balconies, swirling ornate staircases and a surreal sculpture park on its roof top. Inside the building is a temporary exhibition room hosting regular free art shows.
What to do
Explore the Gothic Quarter
The Barri Gotic, a very atmospheric neighbourhood of beautifully preserved Gothic buildings, medieval squares and quaint, narrow alleys, is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. Some of the structures here date back as far as the small Roman settlement that preceded this booming metropolitan city.
The area's labyrinthine street plan makes exploring ever more exciting, with the promise of an ancient treasure waiting around every corner. The Barcelona Cathedral is here, and so is the Museu Picasso, but the best way to enjoy it is by putting away your street map and allowing yourself to just wander around.
In addition to the many cultural gems, this district is teeming with boutiques, tapas bars, cafes and nightclubs attracting a young and hip crowd.
Stroll down La Rambla
A 1km-long pedestrian street stretching through the old town from Placa de Catalunya all the way down to the sea, La Rambla is perennially packed and lively - a perfect place to lose yourself in for a couple of hours. Here you will find all manner of stalls and kiosks, open-air cafes, street musicians and other artists, from caricaturists to spray-painted human sculptures, flogging their skills.
Check out Mercat de la Boqueria
This open-air market on La Rambla is a foodie paradise. Myriads of stalls sell a dizzying variety of food, from spuds to snails and from scallops to sausages. But the market is not just a feast for the eyes; market cafes serve delicacies sourced from the stalls, so you can perch yourself on a stool and enjoy a light lunch of steamed razor clams with fresh bread and wine, while shoppers bustle about the stalls.
Head for the sea
At the end of La Rambla you'll see the Mirador de Colom, a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing out to sea. Follow his finger to the Port Vell area and stroll around the tree lined boulevard, taking in the magnificent views. Continue your stroll down Rambla de Mar, an undulating bridge that leads to the Maremagnum mall.
To the east of Maremagnum is Passeig Joan de Borbo, which is lined with posh seafood restaurants boasting fantastic sea views and serving mouth-watering seafood paellas. This area is beautiful but very touristy and pricey. For better value for money (albeit less glamorous setting) keep walking further into Barceloneta.
Step back in time in Barceloneta
Passeig Joan de Borbo runs along the length of Barceloneta's western edge. Bordered by the Mediterranean, this atmospheric neighbourhood of narrow streets, old houses and ancient drinking holes was traditionally inhabited by fishermen and sailors. There is a village feel to this place, with residents chatting in the streets and unassuming seafood restaurants serving the day's fresh catch. Try the Catalonian baked sea bream and the arroz negro (a cuttlefish and rice dish).
Take a walk on the beach
Once, Barcelona's beaches were a no-go zone. Dirty and deserted, they were hidden from view by industrial buildings. In the run-up to the 1992 Olympic Games, however, the city cleaned up its act. Tons of sand were transported, palm trees planted, public art created, top-notch facilities built and water cleanliness standards implemented, resulting in miles of glorious sandy beaches from Barceloneta to Port Olimpic and beyond, where locals and tourists alike can chill out in style.
Feel the buzz at Port Olimpic
Port Olimpic is a vibrant, stunningly regenerated place, with countless seafood restaurants, bars and clubs facing a port packed with yachts of all sizes. After a sunset walk on the beach, settle down with a jug of sangria and a seafood paella and let the night roll away.
Try some retail therapy
Head to the Passeig de Gracia for some upmarket shopping with a view. This grand avenue is not only the address of premier fashion stores, including Chanel, Cartier and Hermes, but it is also a showcase of Modernista buildings, with Gaudi's La Pedrera taking pride of place.
Find serenity in Parc de la Ciutadella
If the city starts to wear you out, escape to the Parc de la Ciutadella, where you can spread a picnic blanket or rent a boat and row down the park's man-made lake. Located to the east of the old town, this green oasis dates back to the late 1860s and features greenhouses, two museums and a zoo. It also houses a spectacular fountain, with sculptures of winged dragons and cherubs, standing by the lake.
Where to stay
Hotel Villa Emilia (www.hotelvillaemilia.com), a stylish, four-star hotel conveniently located near the Rocofort Metro stop, is great value for money from around [euro]150 per night. It has a gorgeous roof terrace, where you can chill with a glass of cava in the evenings, and live piano music in the restaurant area. Hotel 1898 (hotel1898.com), on La Rambla, boasts a stunning decor, 4-star luxury and a great central location, from around [euro]160 per night.
How to get there
Monarch (www.monarch.co.uk) offers flights from Manchester to Barcelona from just £26 each way, including tax. For a range of other flights available from Manchester to Barcelona visit www.manchesterairport.co.uk.