Catalan bread, paella and copious amounts of Spanish wine -- food is what first comes to mind when I think of my past visits to Barcelona. (Tip: I had several scrumptious meals at vegetarian gem Venus.) Then there is the inviting Mediterranean breeze, the winding stone alleyways and the entertaining Las Ramblas street performers. And of course, best of all (in my opinion) there is the art! My very favorites are the Gothic architectural masterpiece, Santa Maria del Mar and Picasso's stunning Las Meninas series. But I've hardly scratched the surface...

Barcelona offers up an endless array of activities, sights and culinary delights. Which is why a book like Frommer's brand new Barcelona Day by Day can be a traveler's best friend. This about-to-be-released pocket guide is structured around "19 smart ways to see the city", which includes suggested neighborhood walks, special-interest themed tours, practical day-trip options and the best lodging, dining and shopping around. And it's packaged quite efficiently in a compact glossy 180-pager. The book contains 39 easy-to-read maps and includes a larger regional Catalonia map tucked in a rear-cover plastic pocket.

Let this handy travel partner help plan your stay in Barcelona, whether it's for 24-hours or a week -- just be sure to get there, eventually, one of these days!

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Spain, Books, One for the Road