Following our five-day stay at Jordi's centrally-located airbnb apartment, we embarked on a 10-day cruise. We returned just late last night, and I am just now having the opportunity to provide this review:
My wife, another couple and I had the great good fortune to stay at one of Jordi's apartments in the heart of Barcelona. It was everything quoted online and more:
Convenient to major sites (e.g., the Gaudi-designed church, the Basilica Sagrada Familia, was a five-minute walk; restaurants and friendly cafes were as close as one minute; supermarkets four minutes). Taxis, buses and subway stops were all within a few short blocks, allowing us to visit all parts of town freely and safely (he also mapped out how we could best get to and enjoy the Montserrat monastery a little more than an hour north of Barcelona---so we hit the museum there (Dali, Picasso...dozens of priceless works of art) and caught the Montserrat Boys Choir in performance...the school dates to the early 1400s)
A second-floor apartment (with elevator), in-unit washing machine, two bedrooms---wonderful for the two couples. We had a breakfast or two and late snacks a few times at home, mostly to plan or talk over the day's itinerary.
Jordi met us upon our arrival from the airport, and took the time to discuss what we might be interested in seeing and doing. He mapped out the sites and restaurants, recommended how to get around to the several Gaudi sites we were most interested in (the Basilica and Parque Guell---each best described as "fantastic!" He noted the little "locals eat here" cafes and restaurants, and told us how much to expect to pay for meals, etc. It was like having a favorite cousin who knew the town and wanted ensure a top-notch visit to his beaufiful city and country.
Thank you Jordi for the trip of a lifetime!