Needless to say, Barcelona was exciting.
But our success during our week long holiday was due in part to the help that Pere and his apartment played. We were met by Pere at the apartment which was scrupulously clean and very comfortable. Pere had even baked an apple cake for us and spent time with a map, showing us where many of the sights were, what tickets we should get in advance and how we worked the Metro.
The apartment opened directly onto Boqueria St right in the heart of the Gotic district, near the cathedral and only metres away from La Rambla. We had no trouble with thieves but be careful we were once approached by a women near the Segrada Familiar giving away flowers. Soon two more joined the first. Fortunately we became suspicious and realised that they were trying to get us to take our wallets out of our pockets. They didn't succeed and ran away.