The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain. That holds good for Madrid, possibly. Barcelona, on the other hand is a city that is is more rugged in a geographical, political and architectural sense! Need I elaborate? Ok, your ignorance is condoned. Parts of Barca, as locals endearingly refer to their home town is almost San Franciscan in terrain. Many slopes to climb especially in and around Gaudi's Parc Guell. Catalunyans are fiercely proud of their heritage and a clear indication of that is seen when one lands at the airport. You'll see signs in Spanish, English and Catalan. Barcelona's architecture does not have to cry out loud to seek attention as is seen in many 'wannabe' cities around the world. When the city has mothered artists and architects such as Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi, does it even need to further its aspirations on getting on the 'map', so to say? I understand that this sounds like it's right out of Barcelona Sightseeing's travel brochure, but if a city has an elegance that is worthy of glorification, then I'm sold and it's offerings I'm vending in the form of this virtual pamphlet!