If you’re planning to stay in Catalonia and want the most authentic experience you can get then it pays to be prepared. Much more than a tourist guide, listing the usual attractions for the casual tourist, Going Native in Catalonia digs deep beneath this nation’s psyche to give you a warts-and-all induction into the Catalan way of life. Inside you will discover: * why Catalonia is not just another part of Spain * the quirks of the Catalan people and language * a brief history of Catalonia and its politics * intimate guided tours of key towns and cities * advice for short, long and medium term stays * personal photographs from the author’s travels * Catalan culture, art, style and partying * witty anecdotes and interesting facts to share * the inside scoop on Catalonia’s culinary delights * tips on ‘going native’ yourself and living there * much, much more… ‘Going Native’ guides are written with a rare type of traveller in mind… longer term visitors who want to become a true part of their new home. So, whether your stay is a month or a lifetime this guide will give you everything the tourist travel guides won’t.
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"Quirky, crazy and a lot of fun. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the observations because they rang so true," Pete Osborne, Badalona "Going Native in Catalonia is the most enlightening of reads. A resident (expert) of the region for more than 20 years, Harris shares recommendations which other writers might wish to keep secret for their own enjoyment. For example, Reus, despite its size, is often overlooked by visitors to the area but what Harris writes about the town makes me want to base myself there for my next Catalonian trip. At times, Going Native in Catalonia feels like a lecture, particularly in the exhaustive sections on architecture. However, forget the image of a dreary old professor drumming on about the history of Catalonia. Harris is more like a groovy lecturer, entertaining his students with off-curriculum references which educate at the same time. Harris has fully immersed himself into his locale, revealing he's become a massive fan of Barca. A seemingly natural-born cule, he compares Real Madrid fans celebrating a goal to the response of their FC Barcelona counterparts in a two-TV bar he used to frequent. "Madrid's goals were celebrated with 'Ole' and flamenco twirls, whereas when Barca scored, "recalls Harris, "the tables were hit in a way that was full of restrained aggression and pride." "The Catalan reaction was less attractive than that of the Spanish, but much closer to how I naturally reacted myself." Having consumed Going Native in Catalonia in one sitting, I now know a lot more about the author's adopted region. And not only that the Catalan word for cold is fred. A very human narrator, admirably many of the anecdotes shared by Harris feature the author with a beer in his hand. After all, the drinking stories are always the best.Going Local in Gran Canaria How to Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home", Matthew Hirtes, author of Going Local in Gran Canaria
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
From the Publisher
This is the second book in our "Going Native" series. The first was "Going Native in Murcia". "Going Native in Alicante" and "Going Native in Tenerife" will follow shortly and we're keen to hear from expats living in other regions of Spain keen to write the "Going Native" guide for their home region. So be sure to get in touch!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Iain Jones
Format:Paperback
This is a book that you can read at home and it will jog your memories of the tastes , scents and sounds of Catalonia. But if, like me, you haven't been to Barcelona and Catalonia for a couple of years it offers a witty and insightful guide that you can use on your next trip to discover
new and even greater pleasures. Well done Simon !
new and even greater pleasures. Well done Simon !
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Going Native in Catalonia is the most enlightening of reads. A resident (expert) of the region for more than 20 years, Harris shares recommendations which other writers might wish to keep secret for their own enjoyment. For example, Reus, despite its size, is often overlooked by visitors to the area but what Harris writes about the town makes me want to base myself there for my next Catalonian trip.
At times, Going Native in Catalonia feels like a lecture, particularly in the exhaustive sections on architecture. However, forget the image of a dreary old professor drumming on about the history of Catalonia. Harris is more like a groovy lecturer, entertaining his students with off-curriculum references which educate at the same time.
Harris has fully immersed himself into his locale, revealing he's become a massive fan of Barça. A seemingly natural-born culé, he compares Real Madrid fans celebrating a goal to the response of their FC Barcelona counterparts in a two-TV bar he used to frequent. "Madrid's goals were celebrated with 'Olé' and flamenco twirls, whereas when Barça scored, "recalls Harris, "the tables were hit in a way that was full of restrained aggression and pride." "The Catalan reaction was less attractive than that of the Spanish, but much closer to how I naturally reacted myself."
Having consumed Going Native in Catalonia in one sitting, I now know a lot more about the author's adopted region. And not only that the Catalan word for cold is fred. A very human narrator, admirably many of the anecdotes shared by Harris feature the author with a beer in his hand. After all, the drinking stories are always the best.Going Local in Gran Canaria How to Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home
At times, Going Native in Catalonia feels like a lecture, particularly in the exhaustive sections on architecture. However, forget the image of a dreary old professor drumming on about the history of Catalonia. Harris is more like a groovy lecturer, entertaining his students with off-curriculum references which educate at the same time.
Harris has fully immersed himself into his locale, revealing he's become a massive fan of Barça. A seemingly natural-born culé, he compares Real Madrid fans celebrating a goal to the response of their FC Barcelona counterparts in a two-TV bar he used to frequent. "Madrid's goals were celebrated with 'Olé' and flamenco twirls, whereas when Barça scored, "recalls Harris, "the tables were hit in a way that was full of restrained aggression and pride." "The Catalan reaction was less attractive than that of the Spanish, but much closer to how I naturally reacted myself."
Having consumed Going Native in Catalonia in one sitting, I now know a lot more about the author's adopted region. And not only that the Catalan word for cold is fred. A very human narrator, admirably many of the anecdotes shared by Harris feature the author with a beer in his hand. After all, the drinking stories are always the best.Going Local in Gran Canaria How to Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Barça Toon
Format:Paperback
What this book is not is a rival for the "Lonely Planet" type guide that you would buy ahead of your first weekend trip to Barcelona. Instead it goes under the skin of life in the Catalan capital and surrounding areas. Where this book differs from the dozens of "guide books" available are the sections where the author takes us on a tour of the districts of Barcelona recalling observations, anecdotes, humour and sharing his experience of a Catalan life, the depth of these you would not find elsewhere.
What comes across throughout the book is a clear passion for life in Barcelona and I would recommend this book as essential reading for travellers returning to Barcelona having first skimmed the surface with a guide book and tourist map.
Overall it is a very good read and the more the reader knows of Barcelona and Catalunya the more they will enjoy (or even envy) what is presented in this book.
What comes across throughout the book is a clear passion for life in Barcelona and I would recommend this book as essential reading for travellers returning to Barcelona having first skimmed the surface with a guide book and tourist map.
Overall it is a very good read and the more the reader knows of Barcelona and Catalunya the more they will enjoy (or even envy) what is presented in this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better to trust an authority
A lot of travel guides and geographical region information books appear to me to be one step removed from reality. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Christopher Gamble
1.0 out of 5 stars
Criticism aabooks.uk.com and Amazon uk
I bought "Going Native in Catalonia" which was advertised as a phrasebook. It is a guidebook only with a few phrases at the back of the book. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2010 by rollande
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good overview
The book was good on the 'feel' of Catalonia - the personality of the region, it's people and food. It begins with a very interesting overview of the historical events that defined... Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2009 by Lisa78
4.0 out of 5 stars
No parlo catala
The book is aimed squarely at the British. The authour`s views on "Sunday Roasts", sandals with socks and a lack of asassimilation of the average Brit with the Spanish are very... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2008 by J O Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The real Spain
A facinating insight into Catalonia, well written with sections for everyone; the tourist, the would be 'native', the curious, the historian and everyone in-between. Read more
Published on 15 July 2008 by Susan Gee
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