I've used Julia 4 years ago when I first visited Monserrat…read more The office was located in Placa Catalunya; as city centric as you can get. This location is a bit harder to find: located in lower level of Estacio del Nord. One of a few bus stations in Barcelona. How obscure is this address for Julia? Extremely since I stayed at Ilunion Auditori hotel the first visit which is a five minute walk to the agency! Who knew? I'm unsure if Ilunion knew because I asked them how to get to the Plata Catalunya address.. insane.
Here's some positives: I enjoyed the Monserrat tour immensely for two reasons: a visit to Monserrat is a must, a beautiful mountain top monastery which looks across the Pyrenees( France). And, this is big, my tour guide was amazing! So, as you know when you book a tour it's location AND knowledgeable tour guides!
Thus, I booked Julia for my combination tour to Girona and Figueres(Dali's hometown)
The Girona tour guide was excellent, wherever she guided us to she knew everything there was about Girona's historical content. Amazing! Gave us great recommendations as to what to do in our free time and where to find best local desserts, Xiu Xiu is a local dessert: think croissant with custard.
Here's the negative: I knew the minute our tour guide repeated a second time in English and Spanish the following: " You must try the Xiu Xiu in Girona" " When we get to Dali's museum, you must open your mind, it's crazy.." She was the guide for the Dali museum.. let me tell you how embarrassing it is for a rep who rehearsed the two Dali paintings and one exhibit that lasted an hour. Which left us with 90 minutes to roam the museum by ourselves with no audio guide. If you've visited this museum you know it's quite large. No other expertise to guide you.. wanna talk about crazy!
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this agency for any tours. It's either the pandemic affected the hiring of expert guides or there is a sufficient lack of training.
I'm not trying to ball out any guide but one can't hire a novice to explain Salvatore Dali's works, it just doesn't work. I'm still scratching my head...
When you charge 82 euros you're basically charging for bus transportation, driver and a novice guide. That's it folks! You might as well take Renfe to Girona and Figueres, study and review where to go and what you will see. I also did that with my cousin in Portugal.
Here's some recommendations: find free walking tours. I have done that in Prague, Austria and now Barcelona.
The guide who guided my walking tour through the Gothic Quarter was excellent!
As for Julia, please update your Yelp listings: you no longer have the office in Las Balmes and you are not in La Segrada Familia, you are BEHIND the church.
Also, give better directions to your location in Nord. This is what I was told: get off at Arc de Triomf ( Napols exit) and bus station is right there. Not!
Here's the real directions: leave Metro station, cross the street, walk almost 2 blocks to the station that says Estacio del Nord take elevator or stairs down to Julia.
There!