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Ok, let's start with a few basics: Barcelona is not Cataluña, it is the CAPITAL of Cataluña. They DO speak Spanish there, although everyone speaks Catalán, and some people know enough English for you to get by with a lot of sign language. Learn the basics: Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, your welcome, and how much?
Barcelona is a HUGE town with tons of architecture, art, food, and the beach (of course, in the winter, there probably won't be any swimming, unless you find a polar bear club).
It IS like being in a different country, so when you either come or leave Barcelona, you will notice a marked difference. The really hot young party scene is there, but please be careful, as I've heard a few horror stories. Don't pay as much attention to the gentleman who said to worry about the pickpockets in Madrid, because they're actually WORSE in Barça. (not that you should let your guard down in Madrid, either...danger there), but luckily, the worst crimes all over Spain (for tourists) are mostly pickpockets, and not violent. Alway be aware of your surroundings, and where your valuables are, and NEVER carry everything in the same place.
Seville is the most beautiful city in the world. The people there are even warmer than anywhere else, and you will have a blast! Their history includes a lot of Moorish influence, and the people there are dark, and lovely. (if a bit short for me - but then I'm a bit on the tall side). Gypsy? not sure where that came from, but while there are gypsies in Sevilla, they are all over the place, with large populations all over AndalucĂa. There is a good party life, there, as well, but you really don't want to be going out with anyone you meet on so short a trip, you can't possibly know them well enough to know they won't take advantage. There are a couple of great places to go out there, and there is a large University, which was the Royal Tobacco Factory until about 100 or 150 years ago. It is where the Opera Carmen takes place. Really cool (I studied there). Anyway, lots of college-aged people wandering around. (oh, and for food, DEFINITELY go to La Campana for pastries and sweets, but skip the ice cream. It's no longer homemade - I heard it's Ben and Jerry's, so, why waste your calories when you can have all the other sweets that are made there...North end of Calle Sierpes, shop, then eat - but do the shopping before 2:00 because everything shuts down).
Madrid...Great art, there are three superb art museums there. Someone suggested a flamenco show. The best dancers go to Madrid. Bullfighting, Madrid or Seville, they don't do it in Barça, and both bullrings are beautiful and historic in their own ways, but the better fights will be in Seville. They are inexpensive, and held on Sundays and feast days, a bit gruesome if you have a weak stomach, but a cultural feast that may not be available much longer. The season begins in March/April and runs through October, so if you're not there during that time, don't waste your time trying to find information...it won't be there. Also, Fútbol is huge! Games on Sunday evenings, tickets are NOT cheap! (75€ for cheap seats in Madrid), but definitely a cultural treat if you like soccer!
As for food, of course Paella, and Seafood, best in Barcelona, but the country is so small that it's pretty fresh and available everywhere. You MUST try the hams...Serrano is really good, but Ibérico is a must try. The cheeses are really good, too. Manchego is like the national cheese, and comes in three types, young, medium and aged. Try to taste them all. Olives are good, too. Tortillas - what we call omelettes, come with a variety of fillings, and are very tasty...a tortilla española has potatoes, garlic and some onions...yummm! Be sure to try some pulpo (octopus) which is typically prepared either "romano" (with a tomato sauce) or gallego (a salty vinegary sauce). Calamar (squid) in any number of different preparations...I like it prepared in its own ink sauce. caracoles (snails) are yummy, too, as well as croquetas, lord! so many great foods, I can't list them all...at a tapas bar, just look in the cases on the bar and point to anything that looks tasty.
Clothing, they are much more formal than we are, but the advice already given is good...they will know you are a foreigner, but if you dress pretty conservatively, you will look good.
As for the boys, men and grandpas comment, the young men will probably be fine, and, yes, they will be very interested if you are fair, you will probably hear men calling out stuff to you, such as "guapa, guapa". there are all sorts of sociological things going on there, but the best thing you can do is just ignore them. You won't be there long enough to care what they are saying, but if you answer, you can get into trouble.
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