ALE-HOP is a cute novelty and gift shop filled with cute items you never knew you wanted or needed…read more Stuff is pretty inexpensive; it's almost like a Temu brick & mortar. If you see a huge cow while walking by, that's the right place on Carrer Jesús. There is another ALE-HOP in Sitges on Carrer Marquès Montroig, and probably a hundred more in Spain, Italy and Croatia. It's amazingly popular. Walk in a circular path through the store. There are kitchen gadgets, beach gear, phone covers and accessories, notepads, flip-flops, umbrellas, sunglasses, massagers, stickers and more. ALE-HOP is a mishmash that's bright, fun, friendly and yes, cute. When you enter, you'll know why.

Such a lovely little poster and postcard shop in Sitges. I got to meet one of the artists, who also…read moreowns the place, and he took the time to explain his creative process - super interesting and inspiring. It was great chatting with him in the cool AC while it was scorching outside. All the art prints are created by him and his wife, and everything is produced in limited editions. So much talent in one place!

This is a framing shop and art gallery, offering a selection of low-cost ready-made frames as well…read moreas a good-value framing service. They also sell a wide and slightly odd range of art the selection seems to feature quite a lot of local scenes in a variety of styles, some of which are OK; some amazingly kitsch pictures (coy little children, crying clowns, that sort of thing) and some rather heavy 'modern' art, which looks as if it was painted to feature as part of the décor which, thinking about it, is probably the aim. Personally, I'll stick to the frames

Large and fabulous ironmongers in the centre of Vilanova. Huge and comprehensive selection of nuts,…read morebolts, screws, nails, screwdrivers, hooks, locks, hammers, glues, drills, etc etc - over three floors in a deceptively large shop. It's the sort of place you could never get my father out of. (And as you can probably discern, I get pretty excited, too...). They have a basement selling garden equipment (including some work attire - safety shoes, hard hats and overalls), and an upstairs selling kitchen items, including electricals, crockery and utensils. There is a help counter with (mostly male) staff, who really know their stuff, and provide really practical advice (both Spanish and Catalan spoken). The shop has a lift to all floors, making it reasonably accessible. Also a good web-site.

A small florist, nursery and garden shop near the railway station in Vilanova…read more There are two small shop areas at the front, but behind is a large courtyard and a glass house, all containing both indoor and outdoor plants. They have a large service for making up flowers for special occasions. Prices are reasonable compared with the UK, with a wide range of plants available for under EUR15. As you would expect, the range tends to a greater emphasis on Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants, including lots of succulents and cacti. They sell a range of fertilizers, insecticides and other garden chemicals, as well as seeds, compost and decorative pots. It's actually quite a nice place to stroll around during a morning's shopping.

This is a small but well organised branch of a chain of shops selling toys and educational gifts…read morefor children aged 6 months to around 8 years. The exteriors are distinctive for having two entrance doors: a big one for adults, and a half-height one for children. It's an attractive idea, and certainly eye-catching. Inside, it's well organised, with gifts separated clearly defined by age, sex (where appropriate) and price. It most closely resembles the early learning centre in the UK. Most of the toys have an educational element, even if they're primarily for play, and the labelling is great for ham-fisted childless Uncles and God-parents looking for something age appropriate but otherwise clueless about what is right (and safe) for your average four-year old. You pay for this helpfulness, of course, but the quality seems worth it. Service is pretty good if you want help, although queues can form at busy times of year, not helped by the habit (otherwise charming and helpful) of gift-wrapping purchases at the small till. Beware that it is standard at Christmas and before Three Kings (Epiphany) to tape a free lollipop to every gift-wrapped item. It seems like a thoughtful touch, but I suspect in most households the little darlings are likely to have had far too many sweets already. They'll forego them if you ask.

Super cool place to spend a Sunday morning I remember back in my young days I used to go dancing to…read morea club called Chic located in what is today this fancy market where you can find objects, paintings, clothes, furniture, etc, from different decades, mostly from the Catalan region. It is a very welcoming market, no fee to enter and you have a mix of stores (mini boutiques of the retro), booths, and ever a covered space with old brick ovens from early years of last century. You will love it. People who frequent this market look pretty posh, nicely dressed, hair all done...it is nice to sit by the tables next to the food trucks (really cute small and nicely decorated trucks) and do some people watching while having some very local vermut.

Pretty great large antique and thrift market in San cugat...25 mins from central Barcelona maybe…read moreless. Need a car. Lots of Kool stuff. update; can get there by train from plaza catalunya. approx 45 mins but straight shot. get off at the stop AFTER sant cugat. easy walk then.

During a Vacation, there's always the backup plan to buy gifts at the Airport, before returning…read morehome. It gets to that point when I run out of time or imagination during Trip. If the Departure Airport happens to be Heathrow, Schiphol, Singapore, or Vancouver, I have been very fortunate and pleased. On the other hand, Barcelona El Prat was disappointing and I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a few previously identified items while I was wandering through the Barri Gòtic and other City neighbourhoods. Gayle and I were on the passenger side of the Inter-Europe Terminal 1 and maybe International has better stuff. But aside from some smart fashion choices, the usual "Duty Free" shops, and a cool FC Barcelona store, the commercial area wasn't all that interesting or cheap. Thinking Barcelona (Aldeasa) vaguely reminded me of a Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco) gift shop. Gayle and I ended up buying a few nice last minute gifts here, but we had to first wade through a lot of schlock. Plus some of what I was looking for (like a 2012 Sagrada Familia Calender) just wasn't available. But since I didn't plan well enough when I had the chance, I'll just sit here with my glass of Reserve Torres Brandy (of which I purchased a whole bottle near the Departure Gate) and intend to do better next time.