Fernando's apartment was just perfect for our needs and is wonderfully located, just a little outside the bustle of the touristy areas, but within easy walking of the Ramblas and all the sights.

The apartment itself proved roomy for three of us and was spotlessly clean. Fernando and Alejandro had kindly bought us juice, milk and bread for our arrival as it was a Saturday evening, and the flat has teas, coffee, sugar and all the facilities you'd need to cook - though we didn't bother. Fernando's recommendations for eating out nearby were spot on. He left us a local map with various things we'd need to know like supermarkets, metro stops, good restaurants etc. I recommend the Menu del Dia at Ordesa (a non-stop bar/tapas restaurant a few blocks down on the right, towards Urgell metro). Ordesa's menu is a fine 3-course meal for Euro 10.50. Lunch starts at 1pm and runs til 17.45! So you're bound to hit it. Their tapas and burgers are brilliant too. We ended up eating there 3 times for lunch, popping back to the apartment in the mid-pm heat to rest so we could head out again later.

The little patio out back of the flat would have been nice to sit out in for breakfast or evenings late, but we hit a heatwave while in Barcelona so kept the door out back closed and wallowed in the flat's aircon!

There's a great wine shop two doors on from the flat - so enjoy!

If we return to Barcelona, we will for sure stay at Fernando's place. Can't fault it in any way. Just perfect! Thanks guys!