Barcelona Accommodation Guide

Welcome the New Year and Broaden Your Mind?

2011-10-27T14:55:00.002+01:00

The expression “travel broadens the mind” is well travelled, but how often do we embrace it. With New Years Eve fast approaching many will be thinking of what their family’s plans will be. Why not welcome the New Year and broaden the mind? If like many others you wish to enjoy a warmer New Years Eve period then look no further than Barcelona for your all your festive needs. Barcelona is home to many different cultures and can offer something for all through out the New Year period. Below are some examples of how to best celebrate in Barcelona.

The tradition embraced by many Spanish and Catalan inhabitants is a family meal on New Years Eve. This can happen in the home or many of the restaurants around the city which creates a great friendly atmosphere where ever you are. Regardless of where you eat in Barcelona at midnight, you will find all the inhabitants and tourists pour onto the street and welcome the New Year.

Why not try something new and embrace the Spanish dance culture by showing your salsa or flamenco skills off in many of the street parties. These can be found in Plaza Catalunya or Las Ramblas and are always packed with locals. The unique Mediterranean atmosphere will ignite any dwindling New Years spirit with its infectious laid back attitude, sangria and flowing tapas.

Barcelona offers so much to all that visit it and all it asks in return is that you enjoy yourself. If you would like to experience something new then a Barcelona New Years Eve is for you. Treat your family and meet the New Year by broadening your mind to a different culture and way of celebrating.

Barcelona’s best hostels – Vote and win 2 free nights

2011-03-09T10:13:00.006+01:00

Barcelona 3D Video

2010-12-30T11:33:00.002+01:00

I have just watched Oh-Barcelona.com’s recently launched 3D video featuring the city of Barcelona. It provides a new and innovative take on the traditional travel guide and a fresh and exciting way of planning your trip to Barcelona.
You area able to experience the city like never before. This new way of exploring Barcelona enabled me to get a real feel for the city, the sights, the size and the sounds. A great way to see the real Barcelona come to life before your eyes rather than struggling to imagine it through the more conventional guide book.

See the extended video’s version

Tibidabo in Barcelona

2008-10-22T10:50:00.003+02:00

This Magic Mountain can be seen from many different view points in the city of Barcelona and looks particularly striking at night when it is lit up and shines like gold. The Mountain of Tibidabo is 512 metres in altitude and is the highest point of the Collserola hills. Up until recently the amusement park there was in disarray but has recently been restored by the Generalitat of Catalunya. Famous for its hall of mirrors, it’s old charm and the fact that it was created 100 years ago, Tibidabo amusement park now has new attractions such as; the Plane, the Carrousel, the Automata Museum, the Talaia, the Panoramic and three children's rides Les Llaunes, Pony Rodeo and Río Grande.

There is also a 12minute film, subtitled in Spanish and English in the Cel building which tracks the history of Tibidabo over the years starting from the 1920’s to the present day. It primarily celebrates the 100th anniversary of Tibidabo and shows its close links to the history of Barcelona. The amusement park dates back to 1899, to the founding of the “Tibidabo Company” by the pharmaceutical pioneer Salvador Andreu. One of his aims was for people to have somewhere in the city where they could come and relax and thus created this special recreational area on the hilltop.

After leaving your Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment, make your way over to Tibidabo by train (L7) to “Av Tibidabo”, then take the funicular, Tramvia Blau or Tibidabo Bus up to the top. You can also catch the Tibibus from Plaça Catalunya, which runs from 10:30 everyday. The Blue Tram and the Funicular were inaugurated on 29th Oct 1901, and shortly afterwards the first attractions were installed on Tibidabo. The park still conserves some of the most significant ones that have filled it during its hundred years of existence: for example, the Castle of Terror and the Big Dipper. One of its most unusual items is the aeroplane, which dates from 1928 and is a replica of the model that made the first flight between Barcelona and Madrid.

If you want to see a bit more than just the amusement park, Tibidabo is home to other interesting sites such as The Fabra Observatory and the Experimental Physics Museum. As well as this, the two buildings erected between 1901 and 1905: the first by Camil Fabra, the Marquis of Alella, who built the astronomical observatory which bears his name, designed by Josep Domènech i Estapà, and the latter, nearby, in 1905, built by Ferran Alsina; the museum of experimental physics named “La Mentora”, which, due to the great interest of its collection of scientific apparatus of the time, has been conserved to the present day. Finally, in 1908 the slopes of the mountain were converted into a municipal park and it is lovely to take a walk here and leisurely make your way back to your Barcelona accommodation.

Christmas in Barcelona

2008-10-22T10:38:00.004+02:00

Christmas time in Barcelona is to say the least, very special. This is a time for family, friends and fun, and whether you’re young or old, there is something for everyone to do here. It is important to have things to do at Christmas time because for many of us who have to spend copious amounts of time with family, (namely really old relatives or really young annoying cousins), the festive period can be a bit boring or trying, and thus it’s a good idea to plan ahead a bit in advance. This includes getting your flights and Barcelona apartment or Barcelona hotel sorted!

Then relax in your accommodation in Barcelona and put your Tio Nadal (Christmas Log) on the ground. This little chappy is the Catalan’s answer to Father Christmas and is a small figure with eyes, a nose and mouth. This log has the strange and magical ability to poo delicious treats such as sweets, nuts and torrons. Just like children believe Father Christmas is the one who brings all their presents on Christmas Eve, Caca Tió (the pooping log) brings the childrens’ presents too. When the children have sung the song to Caga Tió, (Caga Tió, almonds and turron, if you don’t poo sardines that are too salty or poo turrones that are the yummiest, Caga Tió, almonds and turron, if you don’t want to poo, I’ll hit you with the stick!) and hit Caga Tió with the stick, they lift up his cloak and underneath a heap of goodies is revealed. However, when the children find out that it is mummy and daddy who hide the sweets under Caga Tió’s cloak just before they sing the song, it is a sad day for all.

Make sure you stick around in Barcelona for 6th January. This special date is something that you should not miss, as it is the night of the Three Wise Men. This night is the night of presents and there are many parades with camels and trucks full of presents through the streets of Barcelona. The children of the city believe this is a unique event and thus every effort is made to pretend that it is only happening in Barcelona. The shops stay open until 12pm for parents to do last minute present shopping, and toddlers are weened off their dummies because they collectively give their dummies to the Three Wise Men.

Fireworks light up the sky, and at a certain time during the night, a special event takes place at the Town Hall, the mayor comes outside and presents the Three Wise Men with a huge magical golden key so that they can unlock all the doors of the city to bring the children their presents…

Don't forget to check out our really cool Travel Blog!

Vintage Clothes in Barcelona!

2008-10-13T10:43:00.003+02:00

Are you desperately trying to search for some cool vintage clothing in Barcelona? I’ve been living in this fantastic city since June, and I must admit, although I’ve wanted to, I haven’t done much exploring of the city’s second hand and vintage clothes, simply because there is so much to do… That is, until now. If you want to check out what Barcelona has on offer in the vintage section during your holiday, make sure you stay in the centre in a Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment.

To my joy and amazement, Barcelona is full of pretty little boutiques and funky, Aladdin’s cave-like vintage clothes and furniture shops, you’ve just got to know where to go and how to seek them out… I started off with a trip to Raval, Barcelona’s slightly dingy but cool part of town, where the coziest bars and friendliest restaurants can be found, not to mention the millions of beer sellers who line the streets shouting; “sexy beer” “cold beer”. Raval was stocked with little vintage clothes shops, as well as second hand shops which are my favourite.

Amongst these I found the shops with the most variety to be Gallery on Carrer Torrent d’Olla and Lailo on Riera Baixa – this shop was amazing, not only because it sells clothes from as far back as the 1900’s, but because the jewelry it sells there is truly beautiful. Retro City – a shop that can be found in Gracia and Raval is a good place if you are looking for one off pieces in order that no one can steal your look, and Le Swing near Pintor Fortuny focuses on clothes from the forties Fifties and Eighties.

As well as this, there are many chains of second hand/vintage shops in Barcelona, although one off shops outside the Gracia or Raval area are few and far between. One of these; Moda Amiga, works in conjunction with the Obra Social de Caixa de Catalunya and is special in that like a charity shop, it sells people’s unwanted items but you deposit your unwanted items in bright orange bins which are then sorted out and many will end up in the Moda Amiga shop. The shop in Carrer Sant Salvador in Gracia caught my eye as it is a lovely shop that immediately invites you in due to the bright colours and exciting display in the shop itself. The prices here are quite high, many of the unwanted clothes are designer and the look of the shop is definitely retro, but you’ve got to bear in mind that this shop is a job creation scheme. Cheaper versions of this shop such as the one in Cornellà or Mollins de Rei will not sell designer or retro gear.

So, now you’ve got your vintage clothes sorted, go book your accommodation in Barcelona!

Be sure to check out our Twitter account for cool updates and also our amazing Travel Blog which will give you loads of great information about the events happening in Barcelona all year round!

Dance Classes in Barcelona

2008-10-13T10:37:00.004+02:00

I don’t know about you, but the end of summer and the start of the dreary, drab winter months makes me feel depressed, cold and chubby. Eating stogy meals, wearing thicker clothes and getting the metro everywhere has certainly made me feel that I am not getting enough exercise. Luckily, one of the most exhilarating forms of exercise – dancing, takes place in bars across Barcelona all year round, keeping the heat and passion of summer going. Make sure you get your Barcelona accommodation booked and make the most of the dance classes Barcelona has to offer.

Take salsa for example. I can’t think of a more passionate, hot and lively form of dancing and it is for this reason that I decided to do a bit of research into what is available in Barcelona. To get an idea of some of the best ones, you simply have to try. Some classes will be more suited to your style and tastes, but needless to say, you’re bound to have a good time once you get the hang of it. Barcelona has an abundance of salsa classes for you to try out if you are living here or if you are staying in a Barcelona apartment or Barcelona hotel as a holiday maker.

With this in mind, I also thought about learning a bit of burlesque dancing… sexy, lively and definitely good for toning up your muscles, Barcelona is suprising low in the number of burlesque dance classes available. On the 9th October 2008 at 10pm there is a show with Little Victor and Dj Nino plus British Burlesque star Miss Polly Rae at Apolo. Burlesque dancing is certainly becoming a major form of entertainment and exercise, if not in Barcelona, in Paris. With the increase in traffic to websites such as suicide girls, which promote the average woman as beautiful and the ideal, not skinny models with no figure, the “burlesque look” is definitely making a comeback.

Buenavista is a specialist Salsa and Latino dance school who can mould your unrestrained energy (that I know I have and its fighting to get out), into something more artistic. To begin the only thing necessary is to have rhythm and enthusiasm although later on you might decide to buy some dance shoes. There are a range of different classes from beginners to experts. Dancing is always done with partners although you can attend the classes by yourself as the dance school will pair you up if necessary. Classes are run on a ten weekly basis and cost €10 for one hour. (Salsa courses: www.salsabuenavista.com C/Roselló 217, Tel: 932376528 / Salsa Clubs: www.mojitobcn.com)

Fish and Chip Shop in Barcelona

2008-10-13T10:31:00.003+02:00

Finally, a little taste of England has come to Barcelona! On Rambla del Raval 26 has graced us with its presence. For those of you who don’t live in Barcelona as a Brit, you won’t know the craving that we get every now and again when think about what we would be eating if we were at home in England on a Friday night, or when we really cant’t be bothered cooking but don’t really fancy an Indian or Chinese. Yes, it’s that kind of hunger that only a lovely portion of home made chips, mushy peas and a lovely battered cod can fill. Make sure you get your Barcelona apartment and Barcelona hotel near to this wonderful smelling restaurant!

This fish and chip wittily named; “Fish and Chips”, has only recently opened and is the creation of two mothers; blah and blah. The cuisine here is taditional, authentic fish (just how we like it), where typical fresh cod in batter and chips made from freshly cut potatoes as well as all of the extra side dishes such as mushy peas, baked beans, curry sauce and much more are served. There are British drinks too, such as the lovely sugary obligatory drinks Vimto and Lilt, and for the Scots out there, good old Irn Bru and to add a Spanish touch you can even get a beer or a glass of wine with your meal.

In May 2008, the very special restaurant was featured in that months edition of Easy Jet Inflight Magazine and the two ladies who run the British food hot spot had their say. Julie, 43, who ran a bar in Liverpool, while Julia, 40, was in marketing in London, before they moved to Barcelona seven years ago.

After setting up a nanny service in the city, Tender Loving Canguros, the women seized upon the idea of running a fish and chip shop late one night, while trying to come up with money-making plans to ensure they need never leave Barcelona. (Aren’t we all!)

Besides the joys of the usual chip shop fare —everything freshly battered, cut, peeled and cooked on the premises—the Catalans have also been initiated into the pleasures of crumpets, haggis and English pies.

“As something new in Barcelona, it’s created a lot of excitement,” says Julie. “We’re the first stop for a lot of people straight off the plane. Some people come in every day and some find us at the end of their stay. We’re also fully licensed and sell the cheapest pint in town.”

“We haven’t had a day off in nine months, but we love it, especially now the weather is warm and we can chat to customers outside on our terrace. We also hold regular themed parties—Easter, Halloween, Christmas. All the locals watch us with amazement,” she laughs.

So, be sure to visit this spot on your trip to Barcelona, and right by it you will find a fine selection of Barcelona accommodation.

How To See Barcelona with (Seemingly) No Effort

2008-10-08T15:45:00.007+02:00

So, you want to take a weekend break in Barcelona? Be smart, book your Barcelona apartment or Barcelona hotel as early as possible. Also, book flights as far in advance as possible, because no matter what people tell you, the more seats that are taken on a flight, the more expensive the price gets…

Research where you want to go before you head off. A weekend is not that long and even if you’re going for a long weekend, that’s still only four days with travel included. I would recommend that you do a shortlist of important places to see. For me, these would include;

The famous works of Antoni Gaudí; La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllò (fantastic interior and spectacular roof) or La Pedrera (famous for its ornate mosaic chimneys) and Parc Güell. La Rambla (make sure you got to La Boqueria market here), Port Vell/Barceloneta, Parc de la Ciutadella, Plaza Espana, Montjuïc and the Picasso Museum are all must sees too. By doing this you can schedule in a bit of shopping, a lovely meal and a bit of tapas at the top floor restaurant of El Corte Ingles!

To accompany your top 10 list, it is always a good idea to jot down the metro line needed to get there and or any information with it beforehand. This means you can relax and take your time with no need to stress about getting lost when you get there. Luckily, we’ve done this for you!

1) La Sagrada Familia – L2 Sagrada Familia, 10€ entrance fee, 8€ for students, open 09:00-18:00 (Oct-Mar) 09:00-20:00 (Apr-Sep), go round to Calle Mallorca 401 to enter.
2) Casa Battlò – L3 L4 Passeig de Gracia, (Address: #43 Passeig de Gracia, (+34) 93 216 03 06, infovisites@casabatllo.cat, 16.50€ with 20% discount for students)
3) La Pedrera – L2 L3 L4 Passeig de Gracia (Address: Provenca, 261-265, 08008, 9.50€ entrance)
4) Parc Guell – L3 Vallcarca then follow street signs
5) La Rambla – L1 L3 Catalunya or L3 Liceu (further down la Rambla)
6) Port Vell/Barceloneta – L4 Barceloneta
7) Parc de la Ciutadella – L4 Ciutadella Via Olympica
8) Plaza Espana – L1 L3 Espanya
9) Montjuïc – L3 L2 Para-lel, then take the vernicular up to the top, then a further ski car upto the castle.
10) Picasso Museum – L1 Arc de Triomf, L3 Liceu, L4 Jaume I (Address: Montcada 15-23 08003, (+34) 93 256 30 00, museupicasso@bcn.cat)

Once you’ve got that sorted, you can sleep easy in your Barcelona accommodation, enjoy a cracking paella at Barceloneta and be inspired by the amazing works of Gaudí!

El Bulli and Michelin Star Restaurants in Barcelona

2008-10-08T14:43:00.005+02:00

If you are looking for top of the range cuisine and service during your stay in Barcelona, we have the guide to Barcelona’s best Michelin star restaurants. Why not book your Barcelona apartment or Barcelona hotel now, in order to make the most of these sumptuous restaurants? Follow the Oh-Trip guide to the best of Barcelona’s service, sophistication and most importantly, fantastic cuisine.

El Bulli, just north of Barcelona towards Girona, was voted “The Best Restaurant in the World” in 2002, 2006 and 2007. Possibly one of Spain’s most talked about restaurants, this 3 Michelin starred restaurant is definitely worth a visit. The work place of the best chef in the world; Ferrán Adrià, the cuisine lovingly produced in this restaurant is simply fantastic, and according to experts, Adrià is the greatest food genius of all time… The menu is unique and full of inventive creations: “Caipirinha with concentrated tarragon”. “Natural prawns” and “Chocolate Mound” However, with more than 100 creations or variations every season, we can not be certain that these dishes will still be there when you visit! Needless to say, getting into this magnificent restaurant is easier said than done. The restaurant is fully booked for 2008, so it is worth booking your table as early as possible and checking for cancellations. E-mail: bulli@elbulli.com or Tel. +34 972 15 04 57.

One of Barcelona’s only Michelin star restaurants, “La Dama”, which is situated in the heart of the city at Avinguda Diagonal, 423, 08036, offers fantastic service and a beautiful dining room for you to enjoy your meal, built by Manuel Sayrach in 1918, it is in a truly Art Nouveau building. The head chef at la Dama; “Josep Salsona” has created spectacular dishes including; “Small lobster and mango salad with spice vinaigrette”, “Sea bass supreme with potato flakes and spring truffles sauce” and “Cherry soup au cava with cinnamon ice cream”. The director of the restaurant, Josep Bullich, who has worked here since La Dama first opened its doors, said in an interview with Enric Ribera Gabandé that La Dama; “embodies the concept of Catalonia, which is the concept of majesty. The Catalonian kitchen is one of the most important in the world. It is one of the most refined kitchens in the world.” The restaurant is open from 13:30 - 15:30 then 20:30 - 23:30 all year round. Please phone: 93-202-06-86 to make a reservation.

Restaurant Gaig, founded in 1869, offers exciting, modern cuisine, created by Carles Gaig and his team. Carles, a true culinary artist, carries on the fourth generation of this family, and keeps surprising us with unique dishes which have won awards with his particular style of cooking which distinguishes him as an expert and heir of skills passed down to him. Eating at Gaig is a special experience as it combines years of exquisite cooking with the smells, sights and tastes of modern cuisine. Gaig can be found at Carrer Aragó 214 (Aribau Corner) Tel: 934 291 017 or email: info@restaurantgaig.com. So now you've got your restaurants sorted, get your Barcelona accommodation booked!

Beautiful Valencia apartments and luxurious Valencia Hotels

2008-07-22T12:04:00.001+02:00

Valencia apartments

Oh-Holidays.com offers a wide range of Valencia apartments for rent.
http://www.oh-holidays.com/en/spain/valencia/apartments_1/

Luis Buñuel's “The Exterminating Angel” adaption by Joan Ollé in the Theatre Today!

2008-07-10T16:13:00.006+02:00

Joan Ollé’s adaption of the infinitely successful film “The Exterminating Angel”, or in original Spanish “El ángel exterminador”, by Luis Buñuel, is hitting the stage in Barcelona on Thursday 10th July. There is plenty of central Barcelona accommodation so you can be close to the theatre. A film which explores the relationship between reality and dreams, this show is set to be an exciting portrayal of human nature in the most dire situations. The film, originally entitled "The Outcasts of Providence Street", was renamed "The Exterminating Angel" after Buñuel picked it from an unfinished play his friend José Bergamín was writing at the time. After a night at the opera, a group of wealthy aristocrats meets for dinner. As the evening draws to a close, none of the guests are able to leave the dining room. There is no reason for this; they simply ﬁnd themselves trapped. The days wear on, and etiquette is gradually forgotten. Food becomes short, and the ﬁlth begins to pile up. Conﬂicts begin to appear amongst the trapped partygoers. The movie was released in Mexico in 1962, and was just as critical as its predecessor “Viridiana” had been.

Bunuel made “El ángel exterminador” following his long exile from Spain after the Spanish Civil War, where he was invited back to his country of origin in 1960 by General Francisco Franco and asked to direct a film of his choice. Buñuel wrote and directed Viridiana, which starred Silvia Pinal and was produced by her then-husband, Gustavo Alatriste. It was the first film Buñuel made in his native country. Released in 1961, it sparked great controversy both in Spain and the Vatican, and as such, all existing negatives were ordered to be destroyed. The film, however, won the Palme d'Or at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival, and copies of the movie that had been shipped to Paris survived and were subsequently distributed. Viridiana was released in Spain 16 years later, in 1977.

The play is set to take place at Teatre Grec, Pg Santa Madrona, 36 (Poble Sec) and it would be an idea to rent a Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment in the centre of Barcelona (only a few stops away from Poble Sec on the green line). The play is being held here between the 10th and 13th of July and starts at 10pm, costing 28€ per person.

Of his adaption, Ollé says that just as Marcel Duchamp painted a moustache on Mona Lisa, he has painted a moustache on Bunuel. Olle describes his work as a game that ‘won’t do any harm to the film’ as his script stays loyal to the film. Olle hasn’t wanted to speak about the political motivations of Bunuel’s film as he sees them as obvious and it’s just as obvious that the interpretations speak of a fear of freedom, rites of sacrifice and of the opposition between activism and passiveness.

The Great Grácia Festival

2008-07-01T11:39:00.002+02:00

The festival of Grácia is one of the most anticipated events in Barcelona. Hosted in Grácia, the most bohemian of ‘barrios’ known to the city (a sort of Spanish Camden); this carnival will certainly blow you away. The festival is celebrated at the end of August every year and the locals spend months perfectly planning every last detail. The festival lasts around 9 days and exciting events are planned for each. Twelve streets are decorated for the event, the effort for which is commendable as everyone on each street is competing for the traditional prize of best ‘Party Street’. Input from the varied locals, students, intellectuals, artists and families, ensures a varied and original event. The history of the festival dates back to the 17th century when Grácia used to be autonomous from Barcelona. In 1897 Grácia became part of the city and is now said to be one of the trendiest areas in the city.

During the days of the ‘fiesta’, the streets are vibrantly decorated and street performances are a plenty. Acrobats build human towers, performers dress up as giants and devils, and there are stalls, dances, plays and much, much more. Catalan folklore is proudly demonstrated throughout the day with local arts and crafts being sold and demonstrated. By night, the partying continues. In traditional Spanish style, the streets provide the venue for the endless partying, with live music performances, dancing, fireworks and general street partying. The Grácia festival is one of the most authentic festivals in the whole Catalan region, allowing you to mix with the locals of the ‘barrio’. Fun can be had for all ages and even young children take part in the demonstrations and stay up late; you can experience a real friendly family atmosphere as the locals are very welcoming.

To be able to ensure having somewhere to stay during the Grácia festival, make sure to book your accommodation early as Barcelona hotels and Barcelona apartments do become full up during this period. However, do take into consideration when booking your Barcelona accommodation that the Grácia area dose not sleep during this whole event and so neither will you if you decide to stay in one of the hotels there (even the locals tend to relocate to a few streets away). Accommodation is easy to come by in Barcelona and Grácia is only a short walk away from Placa Catalunya and Las Ramblas, which is the best place to stay as it is central to everything.

Fantastic Barcelona Beach Festival: Hogueras de San Joan!

2008-06-23T12:39:00.012+02:00

San Joan is celebrated on 23rd June every year not only on the Mediterranean coast of Spain but also in Portugal. It begins with bonfires on the beach, lasting through the night of the 23rd. It is one of the most popular, lively and vibrant festivals in Barcelona, with spectacular fireworks displays and with people often setting fireworks off in the squares, streets and parks. The night sees that the city´s bars are flooded by tourists and party goers and the beaches are jam packed full with people celebrating around their bonfires, sharing delicious sweet and savoury pastries called ´coques´.

The festival, which dates back to pre-Christian times and marks the arrival of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, is popularly known as the Nit del Foc, or "night of fire". According to historians, the strong tradition of pyrotechnics in Catalan culture comes from the Arabs, and was revived in the 12th and 13th century.

The festival is rich in symbols ranging from fire, whose purifying flames frighten off and force back the imaginary beings that abound during the hours of darkness, through to "coca", a type of bread base, which can be sweet or savoury, topped with pine nuts or bits of pork crackling. Water is also a strong theme of the festival, people gather at the Barceloneta beach on the night of 23rd and rush into the sea at midnight as water is said to have curative powers on this night and the story goes that by washing your feet in the sea on this night, you effectively cleanse your sins. There is also the tradition of jumping over the bonfire to burn away your sins (due to the symbolic nature of fire at the festival) but luckily this isn´t obligatory!

For somewhere comfortable and central to stay during your stay in Barcelona, you´ll find some of the best Barcelona apartments and Barcelona hotels can be found in the central prestigious district of Gràcia where you will be 5 minutes away from Placa Cataluyna and Las Ramblas. Being near to the beach at Barceloneta or Villa Olympica is important to fully take advantage of this magical festival and luckily there is lots of Barcelona accommodation in this area.

The festival of Hogueras de San Joan has lots to offer for all ages, so prepare to have your socks blown off at this amazing festival!

Mostra Lambda Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

2008-06-16T12:01:00.004+02:00

Along with the EuroGames, Barcelona will also be celebrating homosexuality with the annual Mostra Lambda Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The festival is dedicated to cinema that tackles key homosexual issues and includes the Premio Lambda, which is awarded to those who have contributed significantly to raising homosexual issues in films. Past winners have included Oscar-winner Javier Bardém for his representation of all types of masculinities throughout his career, most notably his gay character in Las Edades de Lulú.

The Mostra Lambda Gay and Lesbian film festival is dedicated to cinema that addresses important homosexual issues. Screenings, talks and short film cycles take place in venues in both Barcelona and Girona.

An important part of the festival is the Premio Lambda, awarded to those who have contributed significantly to raising homosexual issues in films. The 2007 award went to Javier Bardém, who has represented all types of masculinities throughout his career, from a gay character in Las edades de Lulú to a macho bullfighter in Jamón, Jamón.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday 2nd July and a full programme of showings and events can be viewed online at http://www.cinemalambda.com/. Here's a comprehensive guide to Barcelona Accommodation.

Salamanca, spanish city. Who said hotels salamanca...

2008-05-29T17:38:00.001+02:00

http://www.oh-holidays.com/it/
Oh-Holidays offers superb, centrally-located salamanca apartments and salamanca hotels. To find apartments and hotels salamanca to suit your needs...

Eating in Grácia, Barcelona

2008-05-08T09:04:00.004+02:00

Opening Hours

Spanish people eat very late. Normally, they go to restaurants for lunch between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in the afternoon and leave their Barcelona apartments for dinner no earlier than 9:00 pm. Restaurants therefore mostly open their kitchens at 9:00 pm and close at about 12: 00 am. Nevertheless, due to the huge number of tourists who are
not used to eating late, many restaurants in Barcelona start to serve earlier, especially around Las Ramblas and the Barrí Gotic where there is a lot of Barcelona accommodation.

Prices

Spanish restaurants very often offer three course lunch menus (menú del día) that include salad, meal and a drink for a low price (5-15 Euro). In the evenings prices are a bit higher, starting at about 15 Euros. Nevertheless there are restaurants in every price category.

Tipping

There are no fixed rules for tipping and local people tip very little. It is common to tip about 5 percent for a waiter in a restaurant. Leave the money on the table when you are leaving.

Bilbao - Fresh cuisine
city: Barcelona
district: Grácia
address: Perill, 33
tel.: 93 458 96 24

Bilbao is a very traditional restaurant in Barcelona. At lunchtime, enjoy the “menú del treballador” with a delicious soup, aromatic chicken with wine or fish. Even though the restaurant was renovated lately, it has not lost its original charm.
prices: > 30 EUR

D.O. - Creative cuisine
city: Barcelona
district: Grácia
address: Verdi, 36
tel.: 93 218 96 73

In Barcelona’s multicultural district of Gràcia you will find many restaurants and many apartments in Barcelona. The restaurant D.O. offers a great variety of wine that can be ordered alongside delicious tapas, croquetas de jamòn, or Catalan olives. This restaurant in Barcelona is very small with only seven tables and a bar, so be aware that you may have to wait.
prices: < 18 EUR

Envalira - Creative cuisine
city: Barcelona
district: Grácia
address: Pl. del Sol, 13
tel.: 93 218 58 13

This restaurant is located in an impressive modernist building at the lively Plaça del Sol in Barcelona. The Envalira boasts delicious food at moderate prices. The rice dishes and the cannelloni come highly recommended.
prices: 18 - 30 EUR

Jean Luc Figueras - Creative cuisine
city: Barcelona
district: Grácia
address: Santa Teresa, 10
tel.: 93 415 28 77

The ambience of this restaurant in Barcelona is very elegant, it is indeed a restaurant for very special occasions. Jean Luc Figueras is one of the best chefs in Barcelona; his dishes are individual and creative. The desserts are especially delicious.
prices: > 30 EUR

Apartamentos Paris: disfrute sus vacaciones en Paris

2008-04-23T17:18:00.002+02:00

Entra en nuestra web y descubre el encanto de Paris. Aprovecha los apartamentos en Paris. Reserve en línea el alojamiento en Paris: apartamentos, estudios, hoteles y B&B para sus vacaciones en Paris. ¡No se arrepentirá!

all-paris-apartments

Descubre Paris y sus oportunidades: Hoteles y Apartamentos en Paris

2008-04-23T16:53:00.002+02:00

This Summer's Sonar Festival

2008-04-22T16:01:00.003+02:00

The 15th Sonar festival will take place this year on the 19th, 20th and 21st June in Barcelona. The focus of the festival for 2008 will be female artists and ‘hybridation’ which will create a thoroughly entertaining mix of musical genres and sub-genres.

The Sonar festival unites over 84,000 people from the four corners of the globe for 3 days and 3 nights of non-stop, unforgettable concerts.

Kicking off the festival will be some fantastic female artists. Goldfrapp will perform an acoustic set on the 19th and will be followed by Roisin Murphy from Moloko. Both of these women will be representing divas of modern pop and providing a mouth-watering contrast to the multicultural and glam style of M.I.A.

Those lucky enough to make the event will have the opportunity to watch brilliant live acts such as MC Tara Long, Mar Sellars (founder of the Dulours) along with the obscure minimalism of Chloé and the queen of the dancefloors, Miss Kittin.

These immense artists all have indefinable, yet truly entertaining styles and it will be a pleasure to watch acts such as Justice, Yelle, Diplo, Spank Rock and Boys Noize who will be providing the ‘hybrid’ element to this year’s Sonar.

Sonar is also the best way to remember and indeed ‘re-remember’ artists. I’m talking about Yazzo, a techno-pop duo made up of Allison Moyet and Vince Clark, son of Depeche Mode. Another comeback will be from Mike Banks and Jeff Mills, originally from Underground Resistance.

On a more contemporary note, Jamie Cullum and his brother Ben will team up with Darren Emerson, an old member of Underworld to put on a show entitled BC vs JC featuring Darren Emerson.

I would recommend forking out the 170€ for the 3 day pass which gives you access to all the daily and nightly concerts which will take place at the Fira Gran Via. If this price is a bit steep then it’s possible to buy a day pass at 30€ or a nightly pass at 40-48€.

To buy your ticket online visit http://www.ticktackticket.com.

Things You’ll Need:
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Shorts
• Cap
• Rucksack
• To book Barcelona accommodation for your weekend as there's no festival camping!

Beautiful Apartments & Hotels In Barcelona

2008-04-21T17:14:00.002+02:00

Barcelona accommodation: Online booking of Barcelona apartments and hotels in Barcelona with lowest price guarantee; Barcelona hotels. Holiday rentals in Barcelona self catering flats. Rooms in budget to 5 star hotels. Also B&B accommodation and Barcelona shared flats.

Oh-Barcelona

Beautiful Barcelona Hotels & Apartments

2008-04-21T17:00:00.002+02:00

Barcelona accommodation: Online booking of Barcelona apartments with lowest price guarantee; Barcelona hotels. Holiday rentals in self catering flats. Rooms in budget to 5 star hotels. Also B&B accommodation and shared flats.

Oh-Barcelona

La Diada de Sant Jordi

2008-03-06T12:45:00.003+01:00

Did you forget Valentine’s Day? Did it turn out a new iron wasn’t such a good gift after all? Well have no fear because that initial yearly sentence in the dog house for such a blatant lack of chivalry or romance can be dramatically shortened thanks to one Saint George.

On the 23rd April the Catalan population will be exchanging roses and books in a historical, yet highly commercial, display of affection. Sant Jordi (as he is known in Catalan) is the patron saint of the six million inhabitants of Catalonia and he was said to be a very romantic and chivalrous guy. ‘The Day of Lovers’ begins with men giving their novias a rose in exchange for a book. The rose has been associated with this day ever since medieval times, but the introduction of the book was a clever marketing ploy taking advantage of the fact that the deaths of both Shakespeare and Cervantes occurred on precisely the same day in 1616.

In the few days leading up to the event, down Barcelona’s main street, La Rambla, hundreds of makeshift rose and books stalls pop up. It is estimated that by the end of the day, some four million roses and 400,000 books will have been purchased in the name of love. You will be hard-pressed to find a woman without a rose in hand, and half of the total yearly book sales in Catalonia take place on this occasion.

As this day is not well recognised across Europe there’s not the usual tidal wave of tourists crowding the centre, leaving many Barcelona apartments available for couples to rent. La Diada de Sant Jordi is not an "official" holiday, but most romantics ditch the office to stroll along the beautiful streets of Barcelona and to take in the sultry springtime weather. Elsewhere, events have included hundreds of Jordis, Georges, Yuris, Jorges, Gorkas and others named after the Saint forming a chain to try to get into the Guinness Book of Records. And there’s always a variety of street performers and musicians on hand to add a romantic ambience to nearly every public square and plaza.

I personally think that this tradition needs to be adopted across the UK. It would give our wallets sufficient time to recover from the onslaught of Christmas shopping and there is no room for error with the gift; a rose or a book…simple!

barcelona tourist guide

2007-12-12T13:30:00.000+01:00

“Che! Revolution and Market” exhibition

2007-12-12T08:53:00.000+01:00

There is a pervasive irony from start to end of Trisha Ziff’s exhibition which brings together a plethora of posters, t-shirts, tattoos and other objects adorned with the most reproduced image in the history of photography. Korda’s iconic portrait of the Argentine doctor who abandoned his middle class background and career in medicine in pursuit of social revolution and the emancipation of the world’s poor, has become the symbol and role model for bourgeois romantics and ideal seeking youth decades after his execution.

So exactly what is this exhibition trying to achieve? The irony of this icon as a capitalist brand is made explicit from the beginning of the exhibition with a particularly striking pair of posters displaying a collage of the image made of the logos of consumer giants of the 20^th century. Yet the diverse worldwide appropriation of this image, from a small pin-badge on a businessman’s suit to the proud logo on a young Mexican boy’s homemade machine gun; in many ways these tell more of a powerful story than the image itself.

Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s execution at the age of 39 and his resultant likening to Jesus Christ features heavily in the exhibition from the subtle changing of portrait features to a contemporary Latin American painting which places him in the place of Christ on the cross. This Christ like iconography contributes further to the myth-making which is so essential in the interpretation and evaluation of such a figure. Ultimately the exhibition culminates with the resultant ‘fetishism’ of Che’s image, demonstrated both physically and figuratively on photographs such as a brash tattoo upon the peeping cleavage of a nun.

While a certain level of empathy is implicit, one cannot help but think of the darker side of the man and his ideology: the blood thirsty desire for revolution, and the physical and psychological torture which this socialist hero inflicted upon innocent people.

It could be argued that the exhibition lacks background information, yet the visitor’s intelligence is not insulted by over simplified analysis of the reasons behind this pervasive icon. Instead, these powerful images inspire reflection and a desire to read more about this intriguing character and his fundamental role in modern culture and iconography. For this reason the exhibition is best visited with another person, to cogitate and discuss.

The “Che! Revolució I mercat” exhibition is currently in the Palau de la Virreina on las Ramblas, where it will stay until 20/01/07. For accommodation near to las Ramblas click here