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Casa Batlló - Passeig de Gràcia
Casa Batlló, along with Casa Lleó-Morera and Casa Amatller, is part of the so-called Illa de la Discòrdia, a block of buildings remodelled by the three main Barcelona's modernism architects: Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Antoni Gaudí and Josep Puig i Cadafalch. The architects had different styles and their buildings contrast quite a bit with each other and with the other houses around them.
The interior of Casa Batlló can be visited for around 17 euros (with discounts, if you bought the guide book from the Modernism Centre in Plaça de Catalunya) and you will probably be queueing for around 15 minutes.
The façade's mosaic is made of broken ceramic tiles.
Casa Amatler - Passeig de Gràcia
On Passeig de Gracia there are 3 famous houses, built in modernista style: Casa Amatler, Casa Batlló and Casa Lleó-Morera.
This area is always crowded with tourists, visitors, admirers and locals taking pictures or drawing.
Casa Amatller
In front of the house, a tile in the ground marks the 0 km of modernism.
The house is privately owned, so the interior cannot be visited. However, the entrance is open and it is often used for different exhibitions.
There is also an interesting chocolate shop at the entrance, with beautiful pictures of the house, over the time. Chocolatier Antoni Amatller bought the building in 1898 and commissioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch to remodel it.
Fancy houses in Barcelona
I took these pictures while walking on Barcelona's streets. Inspiring architecture.
This one is on the Passeig de Gracia avenue, I think.
This house is very close to where I stayed in, Fontana Metro Station.
Enjoy an afternoon in the Jardin des plantes, Paris
One garden you shouldn't miss when in Paris is "Jardin des Plantes".
It's the main botanical garden in our city and the entrance is free. It is little known by tourists coming here for the first time, but if you ask for a local, he will surely recommend it to you, especially in spring and summer.
There are many tropical flowers from Mexico and Argentina (the greenhouse is closed for renovation, but it will be open again starting with the 2nd of June 2010).There is also an alpin garden (1 Eur/pers), open only in spring and summer time.
It is one of the largest botanical garden in France (covers around 28 hectares) and it is situated on the left bank of the River Seine in the 5th arrondissement.
You will probably see lots of people jogging, exercising while listening to music, young couples walking on the long alleys or families on picnics. You can take pictures, but you're not allowed to use tripods without authorization. Unlike other gardens in Paris, it closes at 19:00. After this hour, you are kindly invited by guardians to head to the exit points.
