Barcelona

Seek out the plazas, buildings and churches designed by Gaudi for an eye-filling excursion into the surreal.

From Port: Anyone can direct you to Las Ramblas, the famous walking street. Or possibly your cruise ship will offer a shuttle.

Must Try: Butifarra, the classic Catalan sausage at any tapas bar. Have what everyone else is having along with a cold caña - draft beer. Or try salt cod croquettes at the popular Bar Pinotxo.

Review: An amazing place with all sorts of foods, bars and restaurants. Explore! $

From Port: Take the city shuttle bus from the cruise ship dock. It goes to the foot of the pedestrian mall Las Ramblas, and from there it is not more than 10 minutes' walk up Las Ramblas to Restaurant Egipte.

Must Try: Lunch

Review: A truly wonderful and large afternoon meal for 16 Euros: wine, bread, first course, second course, and dessert. We've enjoyed it twice -- in 2010 and 2009. Few tourists there -- mostly Spanish people. The main restaurant is upstairs and not apparent from the street. Downstairs you look at all the tapa choices.

Anne and Jack Landau

First Course - Traditional White Beans

Second Course - Fish of the Day

From Port: Plaça Reial is the beautiful tree-lined square off La Rambla.

Must Try: Caña - draft beer. And a plate or two of tapas.

Review: There are a number of interesting cervecerias on this historic square.

From Port: Two blocks north of La Boqueria Market.

Must Try: Iberian flauta, a crispy sandwich of lightly smoked Iberian ham.

Review: A simply great place for sandwiches and pizza. $