Barcelona & Sitges. Spain. Travel feature

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city after Madrid, an enclave of Catalan Culture and a world apart from the rest of Spain, here both Spanish and Catalan are widely spoken. This is a city where Culture, Architecture and Gastronomy makes it one of the most attractive cities in the world; A city that is always on the move and ever changing, so there is always new things to discover. Barcelona has certainly reinvented itself since hosting the 1992 Olympics, it is now a cultural mecca and gastronomic capital.
For me apart from the obvious touristic attractions , there are no better ways in getting to know a city and it's people than through it's Cuisine and markets and Barcelona has plenty to offer on both fronts.
Probably best known for the fantastic architecture of Antonio Gaudi, the genius of Catalan modernism, so we started our trip in doing just that; Discovering the works of Gaudi, whose imprints  are scattered all around the city, leaving the rest of our trip for exploring and immersing ourselves into the life of the city through food.

SHA Wellness&Spa,SHAMADI restaurant, ALTEA, Comunidad Valenciana, SPAIN

Bordering the coastline of the Costa Blanca, about 1 hour away from Alicante is Playa d'el Albir, and nestled snugly into the flank of the mountainside is the award winning SHA Wellness&Spa.
This is no ordinary hotel but rather a pioneering resort with its very own clinic dedicated to improving and preserving its guests health and well-being through an effective combination of the best natural therapies and macrobiotic diet. Without doubt it is an undisputed temple, where the most advanced techniques of Western medicine blend harmoniously with the ancient wisdom of the East.
Built on split levels, it is imposing rather like a ship, with breathtaking views over the Sierra Helada mountains on one side and overlooking  the bay of Altea on the other.
We were warmly greeted by Mr Bataller Pineda who  gave us a grand tour of his impressive establishment and immediately made us feel very welcome. The decor is modern and attention to detail is king.White marble, lots of glass and contemporary slick furnishing gives this place an air of tranquillity,elegance and well being. A place, where you instantly feel, that both your body and soul can relax.