Does anyone have any pointers/tips about travel to Spain, specifically Barcelona? My husband has accepted a new job offer and he will be spending some time there for job training and neither one of us has traveled internationally before (other than Canada). Thanks!

No tips, but I'm definitely jealous!! Spain is one of my "bucket list" places to visit!

To be honest, it's not a place we had really thought about. I'm more nervous about him navigating such a large city! He grew up as a small town farm boy. We have no idea what to expect. Time to brush up on some Spanish...

more nervous about him navigating such a large city!

International setting on GPS?

Una palabra--autobus!

Yo quiero - taco bell!

Not only Spanish, but Catalan. Barcelona is in Catalonia, a province that has had thoughts of independence from time to time. I've never been there, but I'd love to go. It is also a great region for red wines.

We went on a trip to Europe for spring break when I was in high school in the late 90's. A girl on the trip was wearing a 'Yo Quiero Taco Bell!' shirt when we got off the plane in Madrid.

MBH, you are correct, Catalan. One of my husband's co-workers has learned it thru communicating with his counterparts in Barcelona. My husband has met a few people from the headquarters and having taken Spanish in high school, he was able to pick up a difference...but he is by NO means fluent! He actually took Chinese in college.

Ed, maybe! I imagine his iphone will be his best friend...

Hostelworld has good information about Barcelona

http://www.hostelworld.com/guides/city-guides/barcelona/spain/about

That's the last stop on our cruise.

What an exciting opportunity for you! I'd love to go to Spain. Hubby is being deployed in the fall and Spain was one of the deployment sites...unfortunately, not the one he got assigned to though.

Stayed there a little while after graduating college. Beautiful city. A lot of the retailers speak English or you can get by with Spanglish and pointing. I can't give too much tourism advice as we spent most of our time drinking sangria, hanging out at the topless beaches, and going to clubs.
Do make sure to get some paella though.

I,ve never been to Spain, But I've been to Oklahoma!

Just know that it is pronounced "Barthelona"....part of the regional dialect.

Enjoy the trip.

Autobus=bus=good advice from Dani.

If I can manage on the subway in Seoul, you can handle their mass transit in Spain.

Beware of parking tickets in the cities. The signs are posted high on buildings. Everyone's paella is different and most are delicious. You MUST eat Percebes if you make it to the northwest. They were VERY expensive outside of the coastal cities but relatively cheap near where harvested.

Do everything you can to visit Toledo, San Sebastian and Santander. Toledo is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities I have visited. The sunset view from the hotel on the cliff across the river overlooking the city is amazing. The Sans cities are coastal cities with beautiful beaches and people.

The Spanish wine country is beautiful. The vast majority of Spaniards are friendly and welcoming to visitors (my experience was very unique and may not be the norm).

If you like skiing, visit Boi Taull.

Most of all, enjoy it. It is my favorite country to visit. The people are nice, it has an excellent night life, the food is unigue and very good. I will let you know if I think of anything else.

Me too! We lived in Norman while my husband was going to grad school at OU.

Thank you everyone for the tips! While I will not be making the trip with him this time, I will have opportunities to in the future. It sounds like he will be going there a few times a year. The nightlife comment is kinda funny because the company has had people come here (Nebraska) from Barcelona, and they can't stand it. One comment was "you go out in the streets in Lincoln at 2am and they are empty, there is NOTHING going on!" Uh, right now, if we are up at 2am, it's because our toddler is having a bad night!

I was there 32-18 years ago. We took the subway to several spots. I remember I huge outdoor market we went to, the park done by gaudi, the cathedrals. Barcelona is great. Enjoy yourself! Oh and it can be hot. We were there in July and it was all about dressing to keep cool.