A 1960s guide produced for Caronia reads…
Barcelona, one of the busiest and most flourishing of Spanish cities, is beautifully situated on the shores of the Mediterranean. The newer quarters are well laid out with handsome boulevards, fine modern buildings, wide streets and spacious squares; but in old Barcelona the streets are mostly dark and narrow and are flanked by picturesque old houses.

Barcelona Map

An exception is the Ramblas, a spacious thoroughfare running through the heart of the city, with a central avenue of plane trees forming a shady promenade. It is here, in the Ramblas you feel the pulse of the city; with the news-stands, the flower sellers; the cafes with the outside parasol-covered tables; the shoe-shine boys; all adding to the charm and character of this former capital of Catalonia.

Barcelona is a very lively city laid out on a plain six miles long and two and one half to four miles wide, surrounded by mountains and sloping gently down to the blue Mediterranean Sea. To the east and west the city is enclosed by two rivers, the Llobregat and Beros, to the north west it is bordered by an arc of mountains; the Cordillera chain with Tibidabo its highest point at 1,745 feet. To the south the Montjuich hill, bedecked with splendid gardens; sa most beautiful luminous fountain and housing the Pueblo Espanol or Spanish Village.

Spain is today a tourist power of no mean strength which day after day is growing in importance. The natural beauty of the country, the miles of golden beaches, above all the long hours of warm sunshine; coupled to reasonably low prices and a friendly, courteous, amiable people make Spain a real paradise for tourists.

[Produced for the Spring Mediterranean Cruise departing New York 07 May 1966]