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BCN THE BEST OF…

BARCELONA THE BEST OF…

This fantastic city has so much to offer to visitors that you have to create a clear picture in your mind if you want to succeed in visiting everything as you’ve planned. Carefully choose your accommodation in Barcelona to make your trip exciting and easy in the same time. You´ve got huge offer the hotels in Barcelona so decide to stay in one which is well located respect the things that you wanna to see. This beautiful city is absolutely spectacular, so here are a few of the places that must be on your list; if you want to understand the true spirit of Barcelona, visit these places and you will have the kind of experience that can never be forgotten.

La Sagrada Familia

The jewel of Antoni Gaudi’s work is the icon of the city, even though he couldn’t finish it. What tourists love to do is to climb the steps leading to a tower in each of the facades; this offers them a perfect view of the architectural splendor and of the city.

La Rambla

La Rambla is the street that never sleeps; it is always packed with street performers and pavement bars which serve the famous tapas.
Catalunia’s National Art Museum

Those who are in love with art will adore this place, which is a celebration of Catalan Art. Main attractions of the museum are the objects designed by Antonio Gaudi and Romanesque Collection.

The Montjuic Gardens

Ideal place to escape of the city’s noise. In the Montjuic gardens you will be surrounded by lush vegetation in the middle of civilization; is the perfect place for a meeting with your thoughts, as the views that surround you are extremely relaxing.

L’Eixample

The place where the buildings have exquisite modernist facades which please the eye of the tourist.

Museum Picasso

The Picasso Museum is the perfect place to spend a few hours surrounded by his genius work and by his ideas.

The Santa Maria Mar Church

This Gothic Church shows us how the Spanish people adore religious. Visit and you will understand why…

Park Guell

The park is a place full of good taste and architectural magic. You will adore.

Camp Nou

A pearl of the city is the football club which plays on the famous Camp Nou Stadium. You will have a great experience along with the other 100,000 spectators and understand the fighting of Spaniards.

The Maritime Museum

The sea occupies an important place in Spain`s history, visit this museum to better understand all the past events.

They say that the season to be jolly has arrived to Barcelona…

Here in Barcelona there are a lot of traditions for Christmas time.  They might be a little bit different of what we are used to, but different is not bad, is just DIFFERENT.

In most of the world we have the traditional Santa Claus.  You know, the fat man with the bear that brings the good kids presents.  He arrives December 24 at midnight and leaves our presents under the Christmas tree, and afterwards eats the cookies and milk we leave him.  Some countries think Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, others from Madrid.  Basically the story is more or less the same.

Here in Catalonia the story is more different.  They have what is called “Caga Tío”.  It is a piece of wood that people dress up in Christmas clothing and the night of Christmas they  hit it with a wood stick and sing a traditional song asking for presents.  The “Caga Tío” literally pops the presents for the kids.  For those that have behaved, he gives candy, toys or nice things, and for those that have been bad get Charcoal. 

Also the traditional dinner on Christmas Eve, you know, the one with the big turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc, it’s not so traditional in Catalonia.  It’s more a tradition acquired because of the big immigration that Catalonia has received from the rest of Spain.

San Esteban´s day, is one of the most important meals of Christmas time in Catalonia, is the day of the big meal.  Traditional people eat the traditional Canelones made of the leftover of the Christmas night meal. The Canelones have become one of the Christmas symbols for Catalonia.  It is celebrated on December 26.

Catalonia is full of traditions, we invite you to explore then and enjoy them.

Tips for your travel

Holiday is a time of joy, the winter holidays, when we’re ready to drag and spend holidays in a resort in the country or abroad.

Therefore, your concern about foreigners during the journey is dangerous as it may be natural and is very natural to want to protect your own person, and assets that you took with you on a trip.

Nobody wants to ruin their vacation because of acts of theft, money or other property left in the hotel room …

Here are some tips that can prevent such troubles:

To protect your own person:

Hotel room door must be closed permanently. When you back in the room, from your walking during the day, do not forget to close the door lock with key or a chain and use it with confidence for your safety. Better to be precautious from the beginning than to be sorry later …

When you leave your hotel room, close the door behind you and close it completely. Make sure you’ve done this. Before leaving the front door, try it, to make sure that you have not twisted the key for nothing.

Do not open the door to strangers! Use the viewfinder to see who is in front of your door. If you have not used the services of hotel staff, it is not wise to trust people who claim to be part of the hotel and staff and who present themselves at the door of your room to solve various problems.

If you are unsure, call reception to check the identity of the person who rang at the door. If you are informed that everything is okay, open the door, but do not let the chain of safety added for your protection.

Check all doors and windows in the room every time you enter and leave the room and make sure they are tightly closed and locked. This tip is especially useful if the “live” during your stay on the ground or some lower floors of the hotel.

Have a great time in Barcelona!

Learning Spanish in Barcelona

Travelling is learning … therefore I believe that the simplest and most practical way to learn a foreign language is to travel around the country and to talk. You can try proving this thesis in the best possible way: by studying Spanish in Barcelona. You can look for a Spanish course and for accommodation separately or you can leave it for the language school. Sometimes the language school can also offer you accommodation.
If you would like to participate in an intensive Spanish course during the holidays, prepare for an exam or simply want to learn in a relaxed atmosphere in Barcelona, you can be sure that learning takes place in a very pleasant and cheerful manner. Learning abroad allows you to share the pleasures of everyday life and events of the people of this beautiful country, it also perpetuates the knowledge that you gain in the classroom.

Learning should not end up on the seat and work in the classroom, which is why the extra-curricular activities-from relaxing on the beach to sightseeing should be included in your course.

Today we can enjoy a range of language learning. The choice may be something like this: the individual classes or a course in a group a language school.

The advantages of individual lessons alone with a teacher are above all the flexibility and convenience. You meet with a teacher at a convenient time for you and the duration of the meeting is controlled by you. Imagine that you came to Barcelona, you have booked your room in a hotel and you have your private Spanish teaches coming to teach you whenever you want. Sounds prefect, doesn´t it?

There also many advantages of learning in a group. This solution allows the lecturer to diversity; for example, work in pairs, contests, games, fun and competition. In groups there are very different people, which encourage the sharing of information, experiences and different attitudes to life. Students learn from each other. This weekly meeting promotes social contacts. In addition to the routine which calls the course, ie regular meetings on the same days at the same time, work mobilizes the course participants.

pay attention…

pay attention…

Car in Barcelona
The car… the best way is to leave at home (or at least in the garage). Although the road system has been expanded, but anyway some periods of a day you can get stuck in a traffic jam. There are few parking spaces in the center, some of the hotels in Barcelona dispose of the parking places but majority of accommodation in Barcelona don`t. Car parks are quite expensive as well like parking in prohibited places. Never leave valuables in your car!

Gambling
When someone invites you to play (in the three cups or something like that…), it’s better to stay away, you can only lose! Organized groups operate mainly in the Rambla area. Improvised tables disappear really quick..faster than you can get the police.

Do not let yourself be cheat by vendors of souvenirs and beaters
When someone (especially on the Rambla), offers in shops especially “cheap” leather products, wants to refer to the “typical” restaurant or the premises of flamenco, the better to stay away! Quality has the price, “typical” gifts often turn out to be “Made in Taiwan” and the flamenco – cheap performances for tourists.

Opportunities for pickpockets or robbers
Due to the rapidly increasing number of assaults and pickpocketing, moving around the city should proceed with caution. Money and credit cards should not be carried in your pocket, but (in a discreet manner) with each other (identity documents as photocopies are the best!). Especially in the old city to be specially careful with the presence of criminals also during the day. Most of them working in pairs, a distraction while the other snatches purse from the arm or neck. You should never walk alone after dark and tiny streets of old town! Also, Metro should be avoided at night. Carrying the guide in the hand is showing up for a thief who is a tourist, so it is best to put it in the bag. It is better to pick up a Spanish newspaper. And if someone tried to make it clear that something in your car is not ok, in any case be allowed to stop! Note the red light, particularly in the center! One turns out, while another in the same moment clears rear seat of a car or take a bag from the front seat. Anything of value should not be kept in a visible place! The windows must be closed and locked the door. Under any circumstances should you get out! The number of such robberies in recent times has increased alarmingly. If the keys from the car were killed, preferably replace locks – these criminal groups operate on an international scale.

New Year´s Eve in Barcelona

New Year’s Eve is an amazing moment of farewell the old year and to welcome the new. We always have hope that the coming year will be better, happier and unique. This is an unforgettable night so we want to spend it with the person close to us.  We want to step into something new together. Often, for this reason there is a problem of how to spend New Year’s Eve. Since it will be a special night, spend only in your own company, the whole preparation of this event should not be trivial.

In fact, even a movie night spent on the couch might be something special if only the atmosphere will be good. Together you can prepare a romantic dinner, delicious food, which does not have to be sophisticated, it’s important that it is a homemade. Lighted candles, good wine and then everything goes with it is own rhythm.

No matter where you are you can make this night special. Even if you are in such a city as Barcelona is. Hundreds of tourists and parties today.  You can stay in your hotel in Barcelona and enjoy the peacefulness of being with somebody you love. You can go out and spend the night on one of the squares partying in the city centre. Especially, to the main boulevard “La Rambla”, which reflect the true nature of Barcelona. This avenue leads from Catalunya Square – the place of social gatherings to the column of Columbus. Along the way, you can meet the costumed group of artists, many shops, restaurants and expensive hotels. However, the most special it gets after dark when the glow of street lanterns and colorful neon signs on both sides of the pedestrian walking embraces the characters create a romantic mood of typical Spanish streets enriched with warm breezes from the sea. Happy New Year!

A Walk in Barcelona

As befits a capital of Cataluña, Catalan is heard most often than Spanish which is especially evident in the numerous bars, taverns and clubs, where each night the local residents come together to share a bottle of wine and regional tapas, watch their beloved Barça game. But as a tourist who does not speak Spanish you do not have to worry – there is always somebody who will help even if he/she does not speak your language.

BBarcelona is best explored on foot with a map in hand. With so many qualities of the town and considerably long distances between key attractions, it is difficult to decide where to go first.  In Barcelona you have everywhere something to admire. It soon turns out that you did not have enough time to see even half of the attractions the city offers. I am sure that when you walk out of your hotel there is something interesting within sight.

While visiting the city, it is easy to get lost among the winding streets of one of the districts. The easiest way would be asking about the way the local residents. The Catalans are in fact generally open and friendly. In part because the tourist traffic in the city continues with varying intensity throughout the year. Much more, however, we will need a good map, which will adjust the route so that we saw on the occasion of something more interesting. Remember also to pay special attention to money and items of significant value. Tourists on the streets or in shops are recognizable without any problem and they become easy prey for pickpockets. Statistics show that Barcelona is infamous in this respect, first in Europe. It is worth remembering about this issue, in order to be able to remember the time spent in this beautiful city in a positive way.

A Perfect Holiday?

Apparently the perfect holiday exists only in our head. At least that is what psychologists say. That is why it is so important a positive attitude and belief that this will be a great holiday. A secondary issue is where we go and for how much. But what if you can find a perfect place to spend your perfect holiday? I know such a place, it is Barcelona. It allows you to enjoy your holidays in full, provided that you leave so leave work behind. Here are some tips on how to plan your vacation in Barcelona.

Recipe for a successful holiday

Things should be carefully planned and preparations spread in time. Do not leave packing until the last minute packing or making necessary purchases. If you travel with your family, it is a good idea to ask family members, you should look for all members can do in Barcelona. You will be surprised by the amount of things to do in your leisure time.  Holiday is a time when you have the chance to “chill out” instead of being tightened to the schedule. Once you’ve decided with whom to go to Barcelona you should remember that:

* Listen to yourself – go where you really want. Choose a hotel in Barcelona which you like, the means of transport to get there which does not give you sickness. Do what you like to do.
* A sound mind in a sound body- Eat healthily. Barcelona´s cuisine gives you opportunity to eat well but healthy.
* In the family circle – if you travel with your family, take care of it so that everyone can relax. The cultural and entertainment offer of Barcelona will fill up your entire itinerary.
*Do something for the first time – During the year you often lack the time to expand your interests. What about trying bungee jumping, or kite surfing or skateboarding here?

bus turistíc

BUS TURISTÍC

Bus Turístic is a network of three lines of two-storey, touring buses, representing an excellent way to short look at all the attractions of Barcelona in one day. Lines: red, blue and green (coastal, seasonal – from 3.IV to 27.IX) meet in a few points providing a convenient and synchronized to change buses. The network has more than 40 stops at every major attraction in Barcelona. One-day ticket costs € 21, two days (2 days in a row) – 27 €, both types of tickets are valid for all three lines. As part of such a ticket can get on / get off / change buses unlimited number of times during the period of validity of the ticket. Included in the ticket book with more than 40 discount encouraged to take advantage of travel at the start of his visit to Barcelona. Discounts are not only tourist attractions but also the most popular chain of rapid self-service restaurants – Fresco, KFC, Pans, Mc Donalds. You can get all the information about this service in almost every hotel in Barcelona or any accommodation in Barcelona you stay in. Some of the hotels in Barcelona give away for their clients 6 euros vouchers for a Bus Turistíc so don`t forget to ask about small gift for you on your receptiom desk…
Buses are equipped with voice guides in several languages.
In Barcelona you can find also other companies than Turístic Bus, offering a similar service for a similar price. They usually have got only one line and the route look slightly different, but the most important is that they don’t join the ticket book discount.
Bus Turístic brights the white-turquoise-red body. The names of the lines: blue (Spanish-azul, Catalan- blava), red (Spanish- roja, Catalan- vermella), green ( Spanish -Verde, Catalan-verda).

Barcelona is good any time…

Barcelona is good any time…

You can always find a reason to visit Barcelona. This magic city whole year long provide visitors with lots of attractions.  From January to December you can come to Barcelona without fear than you gona get bored … Boss has given you a holiday in February, don´t  worry .. just book  hotel in Barcelona, and certainly you not gona  have worse holidays than you could have in a summer time because Barcelona is great any time in the year. And you can get cheaper flights and cheaper accommodation in Barcelona during the winter period;). Festivals and spectacular events are close to the catalan soul  and even the popular holidays which have a religious background really count  with a diversity and fun.  The Catalans are true experts in a FIESTA field.

JANUARY

Cavalcada de Reis, colorful procession of the Three Kings by the old city on January 6th.

MARCH

International Rally Oldtimers. The parade between Barcelona and Sitges on the first Sunday of March. Tel. 938 94 93 57 Rallye Barcelona – Sitges

Marató de Catalunya. The popular marathon on the third Sunday in March. Start and finish at the Plaça de Espanya. Applications up to 6 hours before the start. Tel. 932 68 01 14 Marathon de Catalunya

APRIL

SANT JORDI  (Te Books Day). In honor of St. George, the saint patron of Catalonia, April 23, people will offer a red rose. On the streets and squares selling books by 10% cheaper than on other days.

From APRIL to JUNE

Primavera del Disseny / Primavera Fotografica. International biennale design and photography. Tel. 01 933 77 75, www.bcn.es / icube

MAY
SALO Internacional del Comic.  International exhibition of comic books. In middle of the May, at the train station Estació de França

JUNE

SONAR  International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Arts is one of the most important festivals of avant-garde: the contemporary sound art, techno music, net-art., Interactive installations. In mid-June. www.sonar.es.

NIT DE SANT JOAN  The whole city is celebrating the shortest night of the year (23/24 June), jumping through burning bonfires and fireworks

JULY/ AUGUST

GREC International Cultural Festival. Concerts, theater, dance and spoken around the world. Games guest stars and performances exciting rising stars. Tel. 01 933 77 75, www.grec.bcn.es

SEPTEMBER

Festa de la MERCE  folk festival around 24 September. You have to survive Castells, the towers of the people giants parade, a huge, fire-breathing dragons, devils dancing, a huge fireworks.

From OCTOBER to DECEMBER

International JAZZ festival: concerts at the Palau de la Música, Auditorium and Luz de Gas.

DECEMBER

Fira de SANTA LUCIA  Christmas nativity scene from a Gothic cathedral from early December to 23 December.