Gill Fisher and her daughter were off again for a city trip to the increasingly popular and sight-filled Catalonian capital, Barcelona ...

Soon after we'd unpacked, we headed off for a light lunch in the delightful square just off Las Ramblas, Plaça Reial, and then, in order to get our bearings, we spent the afternoon walking around the area close to Las Ramblas. As luck would have it, there was a delightful street market selling everything from home-made jewellery, silver, leather goods, candles and the like.

As I was accompanied on this trip with my teenage daughter, it was necessary to check out the retail benefits of Barcelona. Strolling happily in and out of department stores and clothes shops, we eventually got as far as the old town, where you could take guided tours if you wished. There were also numerous little side streets with individual boutiques.

A day before we had seen a long queue outside one restaurant in the Plaça Reial, so figured it must be good. Called Les Quinze Nits, they don't take reservations and queuing begins around noon for their excellent Catalan cuisine at very reasonable prices. If you're not there by 1, expect to wait quite a while. We got a table outside (but you can sit in) and had a delightful lunch, comprising three appetisers – well, we couldn't decide! – then we each chose Veal for the main course, one with Roquefort and the other with mushrooms. Including wine and soft drinks, plus coffee, the bill came to less than £25. Despite the queues, you weren't pressured to be on your way, so you could look out over the square and watch the world passing by.

The next day we were up and about early, and decided to walk up to Parc Guell, which can bea fair hike but perfectly do-able, even if you're only semi-fit, like me! We strolled round and took some photos – the amazing art and fairy-tale architecture has to be seen to be believed – and then headed back to the Familia Sagrada cathedral. Be warned though, the queues were right round the corner and an early visit is highly recommended. The Cathderal is still under construction and was therefore shrouded in scaffolding, which made it difficult to take even one photograph.

We treated ourselves to some Tapas in Las Ramblas, taking a well-earned rest in the warm sunshine, and watched the street entertainers, of which there were many. Sadly the market had left, so we walked on and had a look round the Port. As Lindsey is collecting Hard Rock Café pins from round the world, we decided we might as well eat there that evening. There was a great atmosphere due to a ‘Pink Ladies' Hen Night. All the usual fare available, but at half the price of the UK – we ate more than enough, with wine and drinks, paid only euro 30! And even though it was 1am by the time we walked home, the streets were full of people in high spirits, but we didn't feel at all threatened.

On our last night, we decided we would splash out a little and went to a restaurant that had been highly recommended by a friend of ours, called 4 Gats, at Carrer Montsio 3. The restaurant is situated on the first floor or a neo-gothic building, and has been on this site since 1897. We each had a glass of Cava, then Lindsey had a seafood pasta dish followed by the most enormous leg of lamb that completely dwarfed the plate, and I had salmon crepes, with a steak to follow. There was no way we could do justice to dessert, although the trolley looked absolutely divine. A couple of glasses of wine completed the ensemble, plus soft drinks for Lindsey, total cost Euro 68. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, for the eccentric atmosphere as well as the food. We were seated in a tiny ‘gallery' above the main restaurant, looking down over the other diners.

On our last day we thought we had better do one of the sightseeing tours, so jumped on the open-topped Bus Turistic. This is a hop-on, hop-off, guided service that offers tours around the city. We did the Red route, which heads north, passing the Familia Segrada and Parc Guell and begins its return journey outside Stadium F.C. Barcelona which I found disappointing from the outside. There is also a Blue route, which heads south towards Port Olympic, and then west to Monjuïc and the Olympic Stadium but we will have to save that for another time. Remember to take sun cream as it can get pretty hot on these open-top buses. All 3 routes (there is a Green route to take you out to the Forum, held every summer) are offered for just 16 Euro for one day, or 20 Euro for two consecutive days, which is recommended, if you have the time.

We stayed in the Avenida Palace, a 4* hotel, which was in a perfect spot. Located on Gran Via Cortes Catalanes (almost at its junction with Pg. de Gràcia), just one block away from Plaça de Catalunya, and about 5 minutes from the start of Las Ramblas. The rooms were spacious, and the staff courteous. The buffet breakfast was taken in an ornate dining room that you could well imagine as having once been an elegant ballroom in years gone by.