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Go Car tours Barcelona |
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Barcelona's talking Go Cars!
BarcelonaYellow interviews Damien Harris, director of the “other Yellow” company in Barcelona, called Go Car tours. We wanted to find out if the yellow talking Go Car really is most fun way to see the sights of Barcelona.
The interview really didn’t last very long. About 10 seconds! “It’s yellow, it talks and it's fun! Why not have a go?”
The next thing I know I was behind the wheel of a Go Car on one of Barcelona’s busiest streets, Via Laietana. Before I tell you how that went, let me tell you more about the Go Car itself.
The Go Car is basically a very cute little 2-seater, 3-wheeler, heart stealer yellow buggy car built over a 49 cc scooter engine. And it talks to the passengers! What's not to love about it!
The Go Car is very easy to drive. The gearbox is automatic, so you only have to accelerate and brake using the handle and levers. There are no foot controls. How easy it that?
The Go Car has a built-in GPS guided audio system so your Go Car is being tracked by satellite all the time. This might sound complicated, but is completely foolproof for the driver. The Go Car does the navigation. All you have to do is listen to your Go Car talk - and follow the driving instructions.
The driving instructions come out of two huge loudspeakers, so you just have to listen, while enjoying the stories and tips about Barcelona along your way.
Before your leave the Go Car staff will give you a full vehicle briefing and make sure that you are comfortable with all the controls.
I headed out onto Via Laietana in the rush hour, so there was plenty of traffic, but I felt at ease within minutes. The top speed of a Go Car is 45 km/h, which is very safe for driving. The trick to safe driving in Barcelona is just stay in your lane and before you change lane, make sure to check your mirrors and look back to be absolutely sure you can change. Then you will be fine.
I found that the cars and buses around me actually seemed to slow down to get a good look at me and my cool Go Car, so there was plenty of time to change lanes and make turns. Once or twice I did miss a turn, but it was not a problem. Go Car found an alternative route for me, so there was no need to worry.
My Go Car generally told me in very good time which lane to get into so I quickly learned to just do what I was told. I was also warned when to be extra alert for tricky road sections. All in a nice friendly tone with some funny remarks mixed in. I did my tour in English, but my Go Car spoke more languages that I do - 6 in total; English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German and Italian!
It is undoubtedly the most fun city tour I have ever been on. It is kind of like driving with a friendly, but very chatty driving instructor, who is great at telling you when and where to turn, while telling you interesting and funny stories about Barcelona in between driving instructions.
And with music and sound effects to make it more fun. You get a some jokes, pranks and also practicals tips about where to eat! It's hard not to love a car like this! It would make driving to work a lot more fun!
After ten minutes you feel as cool as Danny Zuko in Greased Lightning. The Go Car is still a new sight in Barcelona and it is quite an attraction in its own right. I had my picture taken by several locals and tourists. When I waved and smiled I got big smiles and waves back.
Once I was at a red traffic light and two girls on a scooter stopped next to me and examined me, well examined the car, at length and exclaimed, "QUE GUAY!" which means "HOW COOL!"
I did two hour Uptown tour and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The great thing about a Go Car, is that you can stop whenever you want and decide how long you want to spend at each attraction. Parking is easy. Just park in a scooter spot, which is free. I suppose you could park in a regular car parking space, but that is not free in the centre of Barcelona.
Or you can do what the scooters do and park for free on the pavement.
But remember the Go Car does not have a reverse gear, so you have to push it out on the road again if you are in a tricky parking place. But even by myself I was easily able to push the Go Car.
There are several Go Car Tours to choose from:
Barcelona Uptown Go Car Tour
The Barcelona uptown tour takes you through the straight streets of Eixample to see Gaudi’s most important creations, then a visit to bohemian Gracia and up the mountain of Tibidabo with spectacular views of the whole city. You also visit FC Barcelona’s famous stadium Camp Nou. This route generally takes 2-3 hours depending on your stops and traffic.
Barcelona Downtown Go Car Tour
The Barcelona Downtown tour takes you deep into the Gothic quarter and the Raval. Then cruise down the world famous Ramblas street up to the many parks and sights of Montjuïc Mountain. Your downtown tour culminates in a trip
along some of Barcelona’s beautiful beaches. This route
generally takes 2-3 hours depending on your stops and traffic.
Sights on Uptown tour
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Sights on Downtown tour
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Arc de Triomf - modernist arch
Parc de Citadella - Barcelona's nicest park
Torre Agbar - Tower Agbar
Plaza de Toros - Bull fighting ring
Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's unfinished church
Parc Güell - Park by Gaudi
Tibidabo - hill with old amusement park and church
Monestir de Pedrables - Monastery
Camp Nou – Barcelona FC Stadium
Avenida Diagonal - Shopping street
Passeig de Gracia -Shopping street
Casa Mila (La Pedrera) Famous Gaudi building
Casa Batlló - Also by Gaudi
Gracia - bohemian neighbourhood
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Arc de Triomf - modernist arch
Parc de Citadella - Barcelona nicest Park
Chocolate museum
El Born area - part of old city
Santa Maria del Mar - amazing gothic cathefral
Plaza Merce - in the Raval
Mirador de Colom - Monument to Columbus
Rambla de Raval - Ravals own rambla
MACBA - Modern Art museum
CCCB - Culutral centre
Plaza Universitat
Las Ramblas - Famous boulevard
La Boqueria - Fabulous food market
Montjuïc hill - hill with parks and sights
Poble Espanyol - Spanish village on Montjuic
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - Art museum
Olympic Stadium
Fort on Montjuïc - Old castle with stunning views
Port Vell - Marina and port of Barcelona
Beaches of Barcelona
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One Hour City Highlights Express Go Car Tour
This is a compact one hour tour and experiences up close and personal access to the icons
of Barcelona. You also have the option to stay on for longer if you choose.
All Day Go Car Tour
Combine all of the above for a grand tour of all of Barcelona from the
sparkling Mediterranean Sea to the mountain vistas. This option allows
you to take your time and take lots of detours, stops for shopping,
visits, coffee, tapas, relaxing on the beach, etc.
This option is the most economical per hour and ensures that you don’t miss anything that Barcelona has to offer.
Blaze your own trail!
The Go cars are also available for general hire for those who want to
blaze their own trail through the city. Explore the city streets,
neighbourhoods, beaches and parks on your own listening to your own
music.
Go Car Prices start at 35€ for the first hour, the second hour 30€, third hour 25€ and 4th hour 20€ so €110 for 4 hours .- or just book a full day for 99€
The Go Car is very popular so advanced booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Please note to drive a Go Car you just need to be over 18 and hold a driving license
 Book your Barcelona Go Car
 Find Barcelona Go Car tours
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Temp:
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7°C
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Wind Chill:
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7°C
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Humidity:
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76%
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