barcelonahotelblog

Barca rulez!

2009-06-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

summer in Barca is amazing, so many people. tapas. life. music. craziness.

Renoir-Floridablanca

2008-08-12T03:22:00.001-07:00

This is the closest first-run original-version cinema you’ll find to the centre of town. Renoir-Floridablanca has four screens and shows up to eight independent, off-beat foreign and Spanish films per day, though make note that programming can tend towards the worthy, rather than the particularly exciting. So if your friend doesn`t speak Spanish, is a perfect place for him, as he has a wide range of good movies in English and Spanish, as well.

With a roaring telly, fruit machines and tables so cramped the waiters have to frisbee the food at you. This neighbourhood caff is a local institution, catering principally to hungry local workers. But place has his specific climate and for this ( and good snacks!:P ) is worth stopping by.

industrial style

2008-06-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

This is quite small, industrial styled club.
But it has been visited by some big names. ( e.g. Jeff Mills )
It’s open on Sundays too when the entrance fee comes down to 5 euros but you don’t get the free drink. The club isn`t big but it is dark so keep hold of your friends! You have to late-night bars but beware there have been incidents of drink spiking here.

Sandwich & Friends

2008-06-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

In the heart of the Born neighbourhood, just in front of the old market, this trendy café and bar is a common meeting point for groups of friends.

The interior is dominated by a huge mural painted by popular illustrator Jordi Labanda, though in fine weather the crowds try to grab the chairs out on the plaza first. Spacious and never too noisy, this is a good spot for getting a group together before heading out for a night in the bars of the Born.

ENCHILADAS Spanish Style:)

2008-06-04T00:56:00.000-07:00

Spaniards love cooking. Eating is a part of it`s culture. They have many dishes which are easy to make. One of them is ENCHILADAS.

To prepare ENCHILADAS you need to have:
An enchilada is a traditional Mexican dish.It`s made in many very different ways. Typically made with a corn (maize) tortilla dipped briefly in hot lard or oil to soften then dipped in the chosen enchilada sauce. The tortillas are filled and rolled up, placed in a casserole dish, then layered with sauce and possibly other additions such as cheese and chopped onions or olives.

Enchiladas can be filled with almost anything. depending on the cook's taste and means. The most popular enchiladas are made with meat or cheese fillings as well as vegetables, seafood, eggs, or bananas may also be used. Spaniards like also the one with potatoes and white cheese.

Do you still remeber ? Freddyyy;)!

2008-05-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Majestic Hotel Group - Hotels in Barcelona & Paris

2008-01-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

Los Tarantos

2007-11-03T12:39:00.001-07:00

This flamenco tablao has presented many top stars over the years. It now caters mainly to the tourist trade, but avoids the fripperies of some coach-party venues.

When my friend show me this first time I was moved. It was amazing experience, as I love every form of dance. I invited my sisters when she visited me last time and I must admit that the level of performance went down, but it`s connected with the fact that the local is under new ownership, I presume. But good thing is that the prices have gone down.

Marbella at a glance

2007-08-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Marcelo admires Spain's own culinary leaders Juan Mari Arzak, of longtime Michelin three-star Arzak Restaurant in San Sebastián, and Ferran Adrià, the creative force behind three-star El Bulli in Catalonia.

Although Marbella is known for its great golf courses, it is much more than golf. It has been the play-ground of the rich and famous since the early 50's and since the inauguration of Puerto Banús in 1970, Marbella became legendary on the international scene. Yet, Marbella is also much more than this. When the city was founded is uncertain, but when the Romans inhabited the city before the birth of Christ, there had already been Neolithic settings in the area and the Romans left a town of considerable dimensions. The Muslims invaded the city in the 8th century and the city castle stems from their reign. They were finally expulsed in 1485 following the Spanish reconquista initiated by the Catholic Kings, Fernando and Isabella, and Spain was on the treshold of its long-lasting Golden Epoche and subsequent reign as a colonial power, which symbolically ended with their loss of Cuba in 1898.

Marbella was put on the map as an international jet set resort with the arrival of Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe in 1946, purchasing the finca Santa Margarita, which he later converted into an American-style resort hotel and the prestigious and legendary Marbella Club opened in 1954. The Guadalmina golf course opened in 1959 leading the way to the subsequent golf boom and the pioneering real estate developer José Banús initated the works with the residential area Nueva Andalucía in 1963, consisting of villa urbanisations, residential complexes and its very own bullring, along with the ever so famous leisure port in 1970. A modern parallell to Banús's efforts and touristic visions was the controversial mayor of Marbella, Jesús Gil y Gil, who after his election in 1995 effected the 2nd boom in Marbella with construction works characterized as "frantic," nevertheless, the honour of having restored some of that faded glory from Marbella's brilliant past has been attributed to him.

First an important mining town, then an avant-garde agricultural zone, Marbella was converted into Spain's foremost resort town in the last half of the century. Marbella today, is a modern city with a large number of quality restaurants, art galleries, glossy magazines, night clubs and trendy cafés and bars, most of the in names in haute-couture are present, so are the exclusive car manufacturers and the chic interior designers. But it is also a city that lives out its roots, with traditional Andalusian customs and ways of life, its rich gastronomy - and the sun. The feel-good-factor is high in Marbella.

The beaches

2007-08-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Beaches in Bcn can offer much more than a good tan. ;)

There are activities as diverse as tai-chi by the sea, astronomy sessions, exercise workshops, story-telling, volleyball and biking on the beach, and there are also books available from the Biblioplatja or you can meet the lifeguards and find out more about what they do.

And, of course, there is information on events for children. If you have children, you will certainly find something they especially enjoy.

Holidays:)!

2007-07-24T03:32:00.001-07:00

London Shopping this weekend

2007-07-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

I visited Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
I`ve noticed that Oxford Street has all of the high street names and Selfridges, Regent's Street is home to Hamley's, for designer shops head to Bond Street, and for jewellery shopping visit Hatton Garden.

I bought a lot of lovely things, it was great break from working:) !

NATURAL PARK OF SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I DE LA SERRA D'OBAC

2007-06-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

Forty kilometers from Barcelona, this park is a mountainous area with spectacular crags and rocks. There are more than 1,000 varieties of plants, including rosemary, rockrose, heather and white pine groves.

In the interior, mountain oak, maple oaks and other types of trees are found, and in the springtime primrose and violets are in bloom. Thriving on the highest areas of the cliffs, we find interesting rupicolous vegetation.

Boars, genets and a large variety of birds, birds of prey, inhabit the park. Accessed from Barcelona by A-18 highway to Terrassa. From there, the Talamanca roads goes up the Estenalles pass, where you can visit Montcau, the second higest peak in the park.

Wandering...

2007-06-07T05:24:00.001-07:00

Finca Güell

2007-05-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

The Finca Güell, or country estate of Eusebi Güell, features three works by Antoni Gaudí, the industrialist's favorite architect. Still on a private estate, they can only be viewed from the street but that doesn't detract from the impact they have upon the viewer. Eusebi Güell Vicens they were designed early in Gaudí's career when he was influenced by Islamic architecture and feature turrets and white walls contrasted with brightly colored tiles.

The first is probably one of the most stunning pieces of wrought-iron work in the world. Locally known as the Drac de Pedralbes a huge reptile literally jumps out at you, his tongue extended and ready to attack. The dwellings are no less powerful; like the Casa Gaudí took inspiration for the finca from the Greek myth of Hesperides.

Port Vell

2007-05-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

In 1992 Barcelona hosted the Olympics, and took the opportunity to rejuvenate the city, and particularly the port area. Barcelona was a major Mediterranean port from the 13th to the 16th century, and the modern Port Vell offers a shopping centre, cosmopolitan restaurants, and a pedestrian walkway along the seafront

Philharmonic

2007-04-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

Philharmonic is a part pub, part country bar and part social club. It draws all sorts with its friendly attitude and varied calendar of events and theme nights.

More than one international group uses this bar in L'Eixample as an unofficial clubhouse. Other expats are drawn by the international sports shown on TV and activities like the Thursday night pub quiz. There are other special nights too — every Tuesday night line dancers take over the floor, while Mondays are dedicated to Swing dancing and weekend nights are for live jazz concerts.

Love this view:)

2007-04-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

Bagel Shop

2007-04-10T03:24:00.000-07:00

Since most Catalans don't even know what a bagel is, this place is generally filled with foreigners — expats and homesick tourists alike.

A tiny, funky-feeling café, here you can get bagels in a half-dozen flavours either plain or filled with everything from turkey and a honey-mustard sauce to mozzarella and tomato.

The drinks and desserts are equally international — accompany your bagel sandwich with a cold, sweet tea and finish off the meal with a big chocolate chip cookie or a fat piece of carrot cake.

2007-03-30T03:25:00.000-07:00

I love spring time! Have time to spend time with friends outside. Amd what`s the most important you feel like travelling;)!!

Los Tarantos

2007-03-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

This flamenco tablao has presented many top stars over the years. It now caters mainly to the tourist trade, but avoids the fripperies of some coach-party venues.

When my friend show me this first time I was moved. It was amazing experience, as I love every form of dance. I invited my sisters when she visited me last time and I must admit that the level of performance went down, but it`s connected with the fact that the local is under new ownership, I presume. But good thing is that the prices have gone down.

Ciutadella Park

2007-03-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

The Ciutadella Park is on the site of the old Citadel fortress which was destroyed in the 19th century.
:)
The Park is now a good place to relax. In the centre of the park is a large lake where visitors can hire boats to row around the lake.

:)

Fiesta de San Medir

2007-03-02T07:43:00.001-08:00

Barcelona's Fiesta de San Medir is held in the artistic district of Gracia. It`s organized in early March. Some 30 neighbourhood groups take part in a colourful parade of decorated carriages, horses, flags and costumes. It was originated in the 16th century as a pilgrimage in honour of Santo Emeterio, or Sant Medir, the patron saint of broad beans.

How does it look like?

At around 8pm the masses gather on Calle Grande de Gracia. They collect the volley of sweets thrown from the carriages into the crowd. The festivities come to a glorious end with a firework display in the Jardinets de Gràcia. There is lots of fun and you can always meet many interesting. crazy people.

Bussy, not lazy?

2007-02-26T00:53:00.000-08:00

och! It`s almost a month since I wrote last time . This exams time is killing me!

A flower straight from Barca:)

Fish, fish ...where are u ?

2007-01-28T03:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we visited Barcelona's Aquarium. I love animals, especially all kinds of fishes so it was a paradise for me, because it is the biggest aquarium in Europe.

It contains over 10,000 fish.

I was admiring the colorful phenomena. The most terryfying for me was the the 80 m long glass tunnel with sharks.

Dancing through the streets of Barcelona! ;)

2007-01-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

The annual carnival has started!! Today I am beginning the celebration.

The theme of the event can be summed up in one simple word: excess. From food to costumes, evertyhing is extraordinary!

I am going to start with a traditional tortilla competition as I love cooking.

But I can`t wait the final weekend with a colourful parade, complete with banners, streamers, carriages and marching bands, marches through the streets.

Let the fun begin!

Picasso Museum in Barcelona

2006-12-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

Barcelona's Picasso Museum celebrates both the great artist and his unique relationship with the city, via a collection of over 3,500 paintings and artworks by the co-founder of cubism.

The museum also has space for nine separate halls for temporary exhibitions, meaning that visitors have the chance to view work produced across the course of Picasso's life.

A series of early works ranging from early masterpieces to scribbles done in school give a unique insight into the formation of Picasso's artistic sensibility. With the artist having lived in Barcelona between the ages of 14 and 23, the city was the setting for some of his key formative influences.

Undoubtedly one of the finest tributes to an artist found anywhere in the world the Picasso Museum seems likely to continue providing inspiration to both Barcelona citizens and visitors alike for many years to come.

La Sagrada Familia

2006-11-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Sagrada Familia is a significant landmark characteristic for Barcelona city like Notre Dame for Paris. It`s real piece of art made by famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. What is interesting- the project started in 1880 and is under construction works all the time. It is going to be completed around 100th anniversary of famous constructor`s death. (2026) Catolic symbolism is strongly exposed. The farcade which represents the birth and his early life was completed in Gaudi`s life time. The sculptures are amazing.

2006-11-21T08:42:00.000-08:00

Barcelona offers diversity of population and supports diferent lifestyles. It`s cosmopolitan city full of extraordinary spirit. Emanates energy and gathers interesting people.