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See all the Barcelona sights in just one day!

For those who rented a Barcelona apartment and are wondering how they will be able to see all of Barcelona's main sights... Bus Turistic is the solution.

You get on the bus, plug in your headphones and select in what languages you want to be guided along Barcelona's main sights. You pay EUR 19.- for a whole day and you get off the bus whenever you want. So if you wish to see La Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc, Parc Guëll, pay a visit to the Picasso museum, or get a snack at La Boqueria near to the Rambla... You can. If you want to get back on the bus, just wait in line at the bus stop for the next bus to arrive and get back on.

Sometimes you have to stand in line to get back on the bus again, especially during the weekends. That is why I recommend you to take the tour, pick the attractions or sights you want to see while taking the tour and go back later by metro. This way you can see the most of Barcelona, get the background information and go back to take a look with the information in the back of your mind.

Parc Guëll

Fiësta de La Merce Barcelona

In my previous post I told you about La Merce. Well I have to say it was a great success! I sspecially liked the fireworks on plaza España. I was so happy to have my own Barcelona apartment! Watch the video and look for yourself!

September Events Barcelona

                           

La Mercè

One of the biggest festivals known in Barcelona is La Mercè. They celebrate La Mercè with more than 600 events from the 21^st till the 24^th of September. Most of the activities will take place on the streets.

It's a festival in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, she is the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The story of Mare de Deu de la Merce comes from the 17^th century. The city asked the Virgin of Mercy whether she could end a plague of locusts. The plague ended soon after that and they declared her the Patron Saint of Barcelona.

 I especcially like to watch the castellers. They build human towers by standing on top of each other, breath taking to watch. After some drinks I will be off to my appartment Barcelona.

 To give you an idea of the traditional activities here is an overview.

 Toc d’Inici (The Starting Procession)

Friday 21 / 19:45

Plaça de Sant Jaume

The giants and mythical figures of medieval Barcelona take to the streets to celebrate the festival. In the Plaça de Sant Jaume they perform their dances, accompanied by the early music orchestra of the Camí Ral Minstrels who meet just once a year for this event.

Xambanga de Gegants (Giants’ Xambanga)

Sunday 23 / 22:00

From the Plaça dels Àngels to the Plaça de Sant Jaume

A street procession which is quite different from that above: this one involves giants carried by groups from all over the city. The curious thing about this procession is that the giants themselves and the groups surrounding them dance in costume, to the drumbeat...

Correfoc (Fire Run)

Saturday 22 / 20:30

From the Avinguda de Cambó (Santa Caterina market) down Via Laietana, along with dragons and other fire beasts.

• Warning!
  The Fire Run can be dangerous and everyone is responsible for themselves.To dance with the “devils” you need to wear clothes which cover you well to avoid burns from sparks. Hats, cotton clothes and even special goggles are recommended. Children seeing the fire run for the first time can become frightened, and so they should not stand in the front rows. In the      case of accidents, ambulances will be stationed at the end of Via Laietana.

Matí de Festa Major (Festival Morning)

Sunday 23

On the morning of Sunday 23, a walk through the old quarter will bring you a host of surprises: popular cultural groups from all over the city will invade the streets to celebrate the city’s biggest day of the year.

• 8:00Matinades de Grallers (Pipers’ morning): popular music groups go around the city waking up the neighbours. From the Plaça de La Mercè to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 10:00 L’Assalt dels Trabucaires (The Blunderbuss Assault): the ancient bandoleers fire their weapons in honour of the Virgin of La Mercè. From the Avinguda de la Catedral to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 11:00 Matí Gegant (Giants’ Morning): a show of dances and processions by the giants. From Plaça de Sant Jaume to Plaça de Catalunya
• 12:00 Seguici d’Autoritats (Authorities Procession): the most historical beasts come out again to parade around the institutional heart of Barcelona. From the Plaça de la Mercè to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 12:30 Matí Casteller (Human Castles Morning): the well-known Catalan tradition of building human castles – a homage to team work. All the groups which exist in the different neighbourhoods of Barcelona will take part: Castellers of Barcelona, Sants, Vila de Gràcia, Poble-sec and Sagrada Família

Cavalcada de La Mercè (La Mercè Parade)

Sunday 23 / 18:00

From Portal de la Pau to the Avinguda de la Catedral

A crowded street parade, dedicated this year to the maritime culture of Catalonia. It includes giants and symbolic figures representing marine creatures, naval captains and ancient mariners...

Exhibitions of popular culture

The beasts, giants and other figures participating La Mercè will be exhibited when they are not parading...

• The Barcelona Popular Parade, 15-24 September, Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla, 99)
• Exhibition of Barcelona Giants, 16-30 September, Manning Courtyard of the Casa de Caritat (Montalegre, 7)
• Exhibition of Dragons and Fire Beasts, 16-22 September, Entrance Hall of the Barcelona City Hall

Source: www.bcn.es

For the whole programme of La Mercè you can also look download a pfd file

Oh-barcelona.com launches special accommodation service for 3GSM Worldcongress 2007 visitors

 With hotels being almost sold out within an 80km radius of the Barcelona trade fair premises, oh-barcelona.com promotes central furnished city apartments

 

 

 
Barcelona, Spain, October 18, 2006 – The online portal oh-barcelona.com today announced the launch of a special webpage offering a broad choice of apartment rentals available for the attendants of the 3GSM Worldcongress 2007, to be held in Barcelona from February 12th to February 15th on the Fira trade fair premises.

Christelle Perrin, Marketing Manager of oh-barcelona.com comments: “Last year over 50,000 visitors attended the congress which left no rooms available in the city. This year the 3GSM is set to be even bigger. Already now hotels are almost fully booked for the dates next year and visitors will have to be accommodated up to an 80 km distance from Barcelona.”  She continues: “On oh-barcelona.com we still have apartments available in close proximity to the trade fair premises as well as directly in the city-centre of Barcelona. Many business travellers are not aware of short-term apartment rentals as a central and comfortable alternative. Despite their often luxurious décor, they usually work out cheaper than hotel rooms and add a homely feel to the business trip.”

In response to the troubles 3GSM visitors might go through when looking for a place to stay in Barcelona, a special landing page was designed and is now available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. It highlights apartments that are particularly well suited for the needs of 3GSM attendants. Within seconds a special search function brings up a list of all available apartments including prices, location maps and former client reviews. All rentals can be booked directly online with an instant confirmation, creating a fast and straight-forward reservation process. Dedicated customer service agents are also available to assist with the accommodation search and provide advice on which apartment best fits the individual needs of the client.

Oh-barcelona.com has been one of the major accommodation providers for Barcelona for the past 8 years, offering a broad selection of holiday and short-term rentals with a product portfolio of more than 300 furnished apartments and 200 hotels in Barcelona and surroundings. The website is recommended by organisations such as the Barcelona City Council, Easyjet or BusinessWeek online. 

Book 3GSM Accommodation

Viniculture in Catalunya, Spain

The warm and sunny wheather during May and August among the Mediterranean coast attracts a large amount of tourists every year and initiates the wine-season at the same time. Both, the tourist season and the viniculture are linked directly to each other and there are many special tours to wineries and the characteristic landscape. Among some of the most popular wine regions like La Rioja or Jerez with its famous Sherry one will also find Penedes, Catalunya. Penedes is located in the north of Barcelona and still today profits from its direct connection to the Catalan capital, which makes distribution easy and which gives an image support due to its international reputation. Generally, viniculture was established in the 1960s but traces back to the year 400 a.d.. Later on, the hills were cultivated by Romans, who even had their own wineries because they were already realizing the high quality of the regional wines. In a whole there are three different zones: Baix Penedès (up to 250 m sealevel), Mitja Penedès (up to 500 m) and Alt Penedès (up to 850 m), which sum up 27.500  hectare of land. 2500 hrs of sun each year and different types of grounds complete the high attractiveness for viniculture. In 1960, the mayor even decided that red wine of that region should only be produced for the citizens of Barcelona in order to keep prices low and to secure the citie's supply. Today, this manner has changed, of course. Many different types of wines are produced and more than ¼ are exported. Well-known is certainly the famous sparkling wine Freixenet, which again shows the changing habit of producing white wine as well.

Spain has a total amount of 1.200.000 ha of cultivated ground for viniculture, which is the largest acreage for wine in the whole world. The different areas are cultivated by 150.000 vintagers, who work in nearly 5.000 wineries. 300 of them are in Catalunya, where they produce the famous 'Cava' (sparkling wine) and several red wines. Some of these vineyards are in the direct surrounding of Barcelona, which offers the chance to sample wines on a sunny weekend. The mentioned winery of Penedes is known worldwide and surely has a superb reputation. Further vineyards are Conca de Barberá and Alella in the same region or Priorato and Taragona in the south of Barcelona. All destinations can be reached within approx. 1 h by car and are ideal for a daytrip. Especially, because you will be able to gaze at the lovely countryside when you drive all along the mediterranean coast. Several stops can be made at beaches like Sitges, Rosas or Miami Playa. Moreover, you can also visit the city Taragona and enjoy a day off Barcelona.

In order to travel independently people should consider hiring a car if they arrived by plane or by train. Having an own apartment in Barcelona (search on www.oh-barcelona.com , for instance) would additionally simplify tours like these because one does not depend on the eating schedule of hotels. As living in an apartment is usually cheaper, visitors would also be able to afford more money on a daytrip and doing a wine-tasting, for instance. Thus, one could profit more from a short stay in Barcelona without sticking to the usual attractions.

A Walk through Barcelona

Whoever visits Barcelona for the first time will be amazed by the town's diversity. Whether it is the architecture, the Catalan culture, the history or the nightlife: visitors will get the impression of a neverending journey when they want to explore the city's major objects or its lovely details. Therefore, it is recommendable to have a schedule which covers the most important sites. Different ways can be proposed and the following description will focus on the inner core of Barcelona and serves as an introduction on the first days.

Starting in the center, at the Plaza Catalunya, visitors will be able to enjoy the animated main Rambla with its painters, living statues, jugglers, acrobats, clowns and entertainer. Lingering along the promenade down to the Maremagnum (a big shopping center at the harbour), people will see the famous theater Liceu, which appears on the right side of the Rambla. Furthermore, they will pass by the wax museum which appears nearly at the end of the ramblas on the left side. Finally, at the end of the rambla, there is a huge statue of Christopher Columbus in the middle of the crossing, where visitors should turn left and go along the harbour or head over to the Maremagnum-promenade. Both ways will lead to the entrance of the old parts of the town: the Gothic and Borne district. Entering these two quarters, people can explore the little alleys and should make a checkpoint at the cathedral Santa Maria del Mar. Afterwards, different cafes and bars invite to have a break and to relax in the sun before heading to the crowdy shopping district around the Plaza Catalunya with its variety of shops. However, the more you go up the Passeig de Grácia the more exclusive brands you will find. Visitors will also pass by many famous buildings such as the Casa Milá or the Casa Batlló, both built by Gaudí. Generally, the whole street is marked by the modernistic time and old buildings by Josep Puig i Cadafalch or other small details like the lanterns built in little banks by Pere Falques tell the importance of the beginning of the 20^th century.

Once having reached the end of the Passeig de Grácia it is highly recommendable to visit the Parc Güell by using the metro line 3 (green), which takes you to the station Lesseps or by taking the metro line 4 (yellow) to the station Alfons X. From both metro stations you would have to go 10minutes more to get to the park where you can rest and enjoy the nature as well as the magnific view of the city. A walk through the park should lead you to Gaudi's house and to the highest point of the park, which is marked with a little artificial hill made of stone chippings. During summer season, visitors can amply relax in the twilight and head to the center for having diner in one of the numerous restaurants. In case they rent an apartment, travellers can also improve their cooking skills and savor the delicious Catalan cuisine by preparing some fish or having some typical Tapas.

Apartments are spread all over the city and the most popular districts are certainly the Gothic and Borne quarter, which are directly in the old part of the town and still offer a certain tranquility. Moreover, they are the perfect starting point to have walks to every part of the town: the beaches, the center, the monuments, museums etc. Additionally, Barcelona is said to have one of the best metro-systems of the world, which has been copied by various other big towns. Therefore, travelling within the town is easy and cheap. Other districts like the Grácia, the Barceloneta and the Eixample have their charming character as well and will make a stay unique. People can get an impression of apartments in Barcelona by visiting some online-providers, for instance www.oh-barcelona.com . On that page, you will also find some special housings like an apartment which was used by Picasso in his early ages. Other apartments offer the typical Spanish style and vary from basic ones to luxury lodgings.

Honeymoon in Barcelona

Whereas many couples and honeymooners consider beachy areas as the best place for spending some romantic time, it becomes more and more popular to stay in a cultural capital as well. Barcelona is certainly among the Top10 of European metropoles and gets constantly more famous due to its many beautiful sites and manifold offers. Especially non-European couples and people from Great Britain explore this new opportunity and make their wedding a lifetime memory in the Catalan capital thus, inspiring other couples to follow their footsteps.

Whether being on honeymoon or just spending a romantic weekend in Barcelona, visitors will be amazed by the huge variety of the town. Culturally unique, couples can visit the arquitecture of Gaudi such as the Parc de Güell, the Sagrada Familia or the Casa Milá. Furthermore, they will be amazed by the lovingly decorated buildings in the antique alleys of the district Born or Gothic. Marrying couples will find the cathedral Santa Maria del Mar in the Born district, which is the most beautiful church of Barcelona and which attracts the most weddings of the city. If either the bride or the groom is Catholic, they are allowed to have an official church wedding. In 2005 nearly 150 couples used this opportunity organized by different organizations.

Once in Barcelona there are several ways to spend the time. At night it is certainly recommendable to visit an orchestra at the Palau de la Música. This modernist opera was built in 1905 and hosted the most famous orchestras and festivals since then among them Strauss, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Jose Carreras or Ella Fitzgerald. Furthermore, there is the Gran Teatre del Liceu, which is in the middle of the Rambla. It is the oldest theater of the city and was built in 1847. It went through two major changes after the fires in 1861 and 1994 and holds a current capacity of 2.292 visitors. Last year, 400.000 people visited the theater and could choose between 40 different shows. Some minor theaters offer additional options and complete the manifold possibilities to enjoy a cultural stay.

After having spent a day travelling throughout the city, couples are highly adviced to dine in one of the various restaurants of the city. The Catalan cuisine is marked by mediterranean food like the paella and regional delicacies such as different types of tapas. There are plenty of restaurants and tiny bars and recommendations vary from the upperclass Commerce24 to the cheaper and cosy bars in the old part of the town. Because of the international character of Barcelona, you will also find various national specialties: Asian food ,for instance at the 'Shoko' right at the beach, French cuisine at the 'Quo Vadis' right next to the Teatre Liceu or Italian restaurants such as the 'Little Italy' in the Born district.

Finally, the right accommodation creates a harmonious atmosphere and apartments of different styles, from luxury ones to basic ones, will add their special touch to an unique weekend in Barcelona. Providers such as www.oh-barcelona.com have already experience in hosting short-term travellers and are an ideal alternative to hotels. Couples will have privacy and independence at the same time and combine their togetherness with the Spanish way of life.

Festivals in Barcelona

It is not unknown that Barcelona is one of the liveliest cities in the world. Many visitors surge to the Catalan capital during the summer season and enjoy the warm wheather and the town's diversity. Every year there are many events organized both by the City Council and by private organizations and each national holiday has its specific charme.

Starting in the first week of June (1^st - 3^rd), the Primaverasound Festival will hit Barcelona with different types of music. There will be approximately 90 groups playing at the Barcelona Forum, which is on the outskirts of the city, right at the beach. It takes place for the 6^th time and attracts famous bands from every type of music such as Mogwai, Dinosaur Jr., Motörhead, the Flaming Lips, 2 Many Djs and many more.

Already 2 weeks later, from the 15^th - 17^th of June, people can enjoy the famous Sonar Festival, which is the biggest festival of electronic music in Europe. Famous Djs like DJ Shadow from San Francisco, the label Nightmares on Wax or the Hip Hop group Ugly Duckling turn the city into one big party and play their music at different locations throughout the whole center and on the beaches. Indoor sessions will be held in the MACBA, which is the Museum of Contemporary Arts of Barcelona and which provides an exclusive atmosphere for all visitors. All other locations are spread all over the different districts.

Arriving in June, people can enjoy the famous Sant Joan festival on the 23^rd and 24^th. This is however a more 'Spanish' event thus, it will put visitors into a closer contact with the national culture. People celebrate the shortest day of the year by building bonfires and having fireworks all night long in all parts of the city. The whole city will be on the streets and the biggest and longest party will be held on Mount Monjuic. Obviously, the next day, the 24^th of June, is a holiday and people relax from an exhausting night and there will be still a slight smell of gunpowder in the air.

On the second weekend of July (14^th and 15^th), one more festival will take place in Barcelona: the Summercase Festival. It will be located at the Forum as well and hosts music like Belle and Sebastian, Fatboy Slim, New Order, Dandy Warhols, Adam Green and the Chemical Brothers. Accompanied by a manifold set of other musicians, visitors can enjoy the festival day and night.

One more important event will take place from the end of June until the beginning of August: the Grec Festival. During this period of time, visitors will have the opportunity to watch different theater plays, musicals, artistic performances, concerts and many many more. Actions will take place throughout the whole city and there is a wide range of regional and international artists. Because of the length of the 'event', visitors have the daily opportunity to watch the attractions. Some of them are performed only once, others are repeated constantly.

Many of theses events take place on a weekend and attract thousands of people. Due to the additional 'regular' tourists, the city will be very crowded during these dates and spin-offs like housing problems will be a topic as well. Visitors are adviced to inform themselves about it in advance, whether they book apartments on the internet, for instance www.oh-barcelona.com , or hotels on pages like www.oh-holidays.com . It is also recommended to visit such events when being already on vacation along the costs of Costa Dorada or Costa Brava as Barcelona is always worth a trip.

Sports in Barcelona

Since the Olympic Games hit Barcelona in 1992, the Catalan city flourished even more in case of sports. Various parks have been built and citizens were animated to do more for their health. Today, one quarter of all inhabitants is said to do sports regularly. Possibilities to do so vary from popular activities like soccer, basketball, tennis or running to regional opportunities such as sailing, beachvolleyball and (wind-) surfing.

Of course, people are not only motivated by the Olympic buildings, which have been constructed throughout the whole city and especially in the south-western part of the town. There are also several famous personalities such as the former tennis star Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the current FC Barcelona star Ronaldinho or the basketballstar Pau Gasol, who plays an amazing season in the NBA. Inspired by these sportsmen, people go and do running on the boardwalk in order to get into shape for the Barcelona Marathon, for instance. Or they train their fitness in order to strengthen their soccer performance when playing on one of the several soccer fields which are spread all over the city. Moreover, there are various parks, e.g. the “Parque de la Ciutadella Villa Olímpica”, and green spaces throughout the city, which are equipped with little running tracks or invite to do cycling, hiking (especially the Montserrat Natural Park) or just to take a walk. Visitors who would like to improve their golf skills can enjoy their time in the warm climate and explore some of the various surrounding golf courses. Many sportsmen also come to Barcelona in order to do water sports in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the windy climate at the sea, it is possible to do every kind of surfing. Especially windsurfing, kitesurfing and surf riding are famous and attract many people among the different beaches of Barcelona up to the Costa Brava. A very special event will take place in the north of Barcelona from the 12^th - 14^th of May, 2006: the Formula 1. It will perform one out of its worldwide 19 races in Spain on the  “Circuit de Catalunya”. The track exists since 1991 and attracts fans from all over the world as it is known for its modern style and its fast circuit.

However, visitors should be aware of more than just sports sites and certainly need some time to rest as well. Therefore, it is important to have a well-located accommodation and some interesting sightseeing attractions nearby. This will give the stay a cultural touch and it will also appeal to the sportsmen's preferences in case of the lunch schedule and the meals itself. Many sportsmen prefer their own food or have a certain timetable because of their training, which makes it difficult to stick to the hotel's offers. Apartments are an ideal alternative and  providers such as www.oh-barcelona.com make searching for the right location pretty easy. This will allow visitors to make up their own personal plan for a sporty stay in order to enjoy their time in Barcelona.

Churches in Barcelona – From Sant Pau del Camp to the Sagrada Familia

Barcelona looks back on a very old history, which is reflected in its many different “Barrios” (quarters) and in its buildings. Most significant and telling buildings are certainly the churches and cathedrals, which are spread all over the town and which mark each district's origins in case of both architecture and atmosphere.

The oldest church in the Catalan metropolis is called the Sant Pau del Camp, which is located in the nowadays district of Raval and which is the only Roman building in Barcelona. Some foundation can still be seen nearby. The Benedictine monestary was originally constructed in the 9^th century and was rebuilt in the 11^th and 12^th century after it had been destroyed by the army of Almanzor. Further destructions made additional rennovations necessary and nowadays one can see different epochal influences, which underwent Barcelona. However, the Sant Pau del Camp is not that flamboyant compared to the higher decorated church of Santa Maria del Mar, which was built in the 14^th century (1329 – 1370) and which attracts the most marriages in Barcelona because of its breathtaking interior. Due to the fact that it was only ruined by the anarchists during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, it has kept its straight plain architecture and one can clearly see the gothic structures. It is located in the quarter of Born and was built for the sailors and mechants of Barcelona, as the the church is dedicated to Saint Mary of the Sea, the patron saint of sailors.

One more famous ecclesiastical building in Barcelona is the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia. Or also known as La Seu. The cathedral is located in the heart of the city and its history reflects the different stages of the city's development. Already in 343 A.D., the Romans built a basilica on the same ground, which was then destroyed completely in 985 by the Moors. Later, it was replaced by a Roman cathedral again in the 11^th century. However, one more time the church was demolished by King Jaume II, who reconstructed it as a gothic cathedral in the beginnings of the . Only the chapel of Santa Llucia remained. The construction of the main cathedral itself took from 1298 to 1460 and additional works on the gothic facade were finished in the late 19^th century. While many changes have been made in case of the cathedral, the Santa Llucia chapel has kept its cosy character and the famous 13 geese. Each goose represents one year in the life of the martyr Santa Eulalia, who was tortured to death in the 4th century by the Romans for her religion.
Certainly the highlight of Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia with its lovingly detailed decoration and its huge dimensions. The popular Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí started planning this monumental work in 1883 and kept working on it until his death; which does not mean that he finished his lifework. On the contrary, constructions still go on and there are people who claim it to be a neverending endeavor although the original plans for the cathedral already have been reduced to a third of its former layout. Rising difficulties with adding further parts and the problem of failing funds complicate the building and extend its completion.

If people also want to get in touch with other famous buildings like the Casa Milà or the Casa Batllo by Gaudi, museums like the MACBA or parks like the Parc de Güell, it is highly recommended to spend a weekend in Barcelona. That should be enough to enjoy the culture as well as to relax the wheather and the friendly atmosphere. Accommodation can be found easily but should be compared to other offers. Therefore, visitors should think about renting an apartment instead of paying higher prices for hotels. There are also providers, which offer both hotels and apartments like e.g. www.oh-barcelona.com, which makes comparisons easier and the organization more comfortable.

Architecture and Influence of Gaudí in Barcelona

Visitors who come to Barcelona have various reasons for doing so such as the climate, the beaches, the nightlife and different events, the culture and the architecture. Especially the last point is very characteristic of Barcelona and attracts yearly a huge range of visitors. The city puts a lot of effort into the construction of new buildings and the restoration of existing ones in order to maintain its unique town character which is coined by one of the most famous architects of the world: Antoni Gaudí.  People consider him as one of the most influencing and controversial creators in Barcelona and just taking a look at the Sagrada Familia clearly shows his popular and checkered status.

Antoni Gaudí was born nearby Barcelona on the 25th of April, 1825. Although not being one of the best pupils in school, he specialized in drawings and layouts and started working in different architect's offices right from the beginning. Furthermore, he got to know the industrialist Eusebi Güell at an inicial stage of his carreer. This contact was highly important as he supported Gaudi in his creative layouts and financed many of his projects. Gaudí in return dedicated many parks or buildings to him like the Parc de Güell or the Finca Güell. Touring throughout Barcelona, visitors will notice the all-over existence of Gaudí and it is highly recommendable to walk up the Passeig de Grácia and  to pass both the Casa de Batllo and the Casa Milà. The Casa de Batllo was built in the beginning of the 20^th century (1905 – 1907) and many sculptors helped creating the outward appearance, which tells the story of Saint Georg, the patron of the Catalan capital. The Casa Milà was built right after the Casa Batllo and is also known as “La Pedrera” (“The Quarry”) because of its bulky facade, which is made of concrete and iron. After visiting both houses, the Parc de Güell invites its visitors to relax in a perfect melting of nature and architecture. Furthermore, there is a wonderful view of the whole city and a small finca off the park's central terrace, where Gaudí used to live for a while. Certainly the highlight of all his buildings is the Sagrada Familia with its lovingly detailed decoration and its huge dimensions. Gaudí started planning this monumental work in 1883 and kept working on it until his death; which does not mean that he finished his lifework. On the contrary, constructions still go on and there are people who claim it to be a neverending endeavor although the original plans for the cathedral already have been reduced to a third of its former layout. Rising difficulties with adding further parts and the problem of failing funds complicate the building and extend its completion. Further visits to Gaudí-buildings could be made to the bishop's palace of Astorga (in Castilla-León), the Palau Güell, the Casa Vincens and others in the heart or in the region of Barcelona. However, there are also non-Gaudí buildings like the tower AGBAR, which still provide his unique touch. The tower contains bureaus and was financed by the water supply company of Barcelona (Aguas de Barcelona). Its architect Jean Nouvel designed the tower in order to render homage to Gaudí and included some of Gaudís former considerations. Moreover, there was even the idea to take up the design of Gaudís 5-continent-towers from the year 1920 and have them built on the former WTC-area. Can there be better signs for his ongoing influence?

If visitors want to get in touch with all this scenery and explore Barcelona's characteristic houses built by Gaudí, they should be prepared for more than just this. Architects and artists like Frank Gehry or Pablo Picasso have added their characteristics and helped shaping the city, consistently supported by the town council. Visitors can even feel the flair of one of these famous persons. They can live in the former first studio of Picasso, which is located in the Carrer de la Plata and which can be rented e.g. via www.oh-barcelona.com ;a perfect start into a stunning stay.

Bachelors Enjoy Their 'Last Night in Freedom' in Barcelona – Party for Stag and Hen

Barcelona already offers a lot to the most different tourists. Whether they are interested in arts, sports or simply want to spend their time shopping or enjoying the sun. However, there is also an increasing group of visitors called stags and hens (UK and Ireland) or bucks (Australia), who spend their “last night of freedom” in the city. This new way of celebrating his/her farewell to the unmarried society and announcing his/her status as being promised to someone is getting highly popular. Especially the English people seem to travel a lot in order to enjoy this last opportunity and to have a hilarious, unforgettable time among their friends.
Groups of 4-15 people are now searching for new adventures and Barcelona is the right place to be. Known as one of the hippest places in Europe and worldwide, the Catalan city stands for a unique town charakter with its arts and arquitecture, its modern lifestyle, the sunny beaches and a  neverending nightlife; perfect conditions to stay on short-term in order to enjoy an unbelievable time with the best friends. Staying together in an apartment instead of searching for some hotel rooms which are close to each other is probably the best solution for these groups. Therefore, services like e.g. www.oh-barcelona.com could be used in place. They offer a wide range of either luxury studios, high-class apartments or satisfying basic accommodation in different districts. Thus, offering you to start your activities from the ideal initial point. Of course, this starting point depends on the groups' activities as they search for very different opportunities among them paintballing, karting, golf, sightseeing, nightlife and much more. In particular, paintballing is highly popular where groups spend a day in an especially-constructed park chasing each other with paintball-shooting guns . After this exhausting but hilarious battle, several restaurants in the city-center invite to taste the Catalan cuisine or a traditional Spanish paella, have a glass of the regional wine and launch the terrific nightlife in one of the various clubs of Barcelona. Having had a night-out, stags and hens can go to the spa the next morning in order to relax and recover for another exciting day in the city. They could use the opportunity to be in Barcelona and visit some of the most important attractions like the Parc Guell, the Sagrada Familia or the Cathedral. After some sightseeing, it is worth watching a match of the famous FC Barcelona in an amazing atmosphere at the Camp Nou. Nearly 100.000 fans will be cheering the match with some of the most technical players in the world like Ronaldinho, Eto'o or Deco. Celebrating this unique experience, it is time again to enter the clubs in the different districts of Barcelona. However, visitors should remember that the Spanish nightlife starts later and clubs like the Razzmatazz are opened until 8 o'clock in the morning. Bachelors who tend to prefer a more tranquil stay in Barcelona are highly recommended to extend their cultural visits to museums such as the MACBA or the Mueso Picasso. Furthermore, they should visit the Tibidabo and enjoy the tremendous panoramic view of the whole city. However, these visits should avoid the high-season in summer because temperatures will rise up to 40° C. Therefore, planning a trip in June, July or August suggests going to the beach and enjoying the nights and festivals such as the Sonar Festival in June,  15^th to 17^th.
Even if this way of celebrating the bachelor's life maybe new and strange to some people, it offers the possibility to have an unforgettable, melancholic and funny time. Bachelors can organize their weekend however and wherever they want to and it can be seen as an alternative to having a night-out in a familiar surrounding. Still, they should be aware that they focus on partying with their friends and that they resist the manifold temptations as honeymoon will be soon afterwards.

Apartments in Barcelona Spain

Being one of the most beautiful cities, Barcelona still attracts people from all over the world. With its unique arquitecture, manifold cultural highlights, a flourishing economy and its historical background, the city has kept its special character and still continues to strengthen this position. However, problems arise at the same time when it comes to the costs of living and the renting of an accommodation. Taking a closer look at the entire Spanish economy and the Catalan in particular will lighten some concerns. Growing three times faster than any other European economy for the past 5 years (2005 the GDP achieved a growth of 3,5%), Spain now has to face its effects like higher living costs, increasing rents and growing competition within the market of accommodation. Especially the renting of accommodation has considerably grown and indicates a rate of 4,3% in the year 2005 in the case of Catalunya. Additionally, the costs of living have risen steadily and in the year 2005, Barcelona found itself for the first time under the top 50 (rank 46) of the most expensive cities worldwide. Combining this data with the fact that Barcelona is still accumulating more tourists at a pace of 11% more in 2005 compared to 2004, this leads to further problems for the Spanish people and even more for the tourists visiting Spain. They will have to face a more expensive holiday-country with a capital (Madrid), which is 3rd rank of the most expensive cities in Europe. As a consequence, new ways of finding a flat have been established and internet-providers are growing constantly, thus reaching a fairly high costumer-rate. The internetprovider www.oh-barcelona.com , for instance, has risen to a flourishing company since its beginnings in 1998. They offer a wide range of apartments, hotels or vacational rentals. Data like the 15.000 daily visits clearly point to the growing demand in this sector and indicate a high use of this service. However, focussing on students and other visting foreigners, they also have to face higher prices for renting and accommodation. For incoming tourists this implies to make a selective choice in searching for a flat or a hotel. Furthermore, due to higher costs when renting a flat, they tend to spend less time on their vacation in Spain. This leads to a loss of competitiveness of Spain in comparison to other summer-destinations like Egypt, Greece or Turkey. Online services will benefit by these costumers, who look for a flat on the spot or just for having short-term vacations. Concerning companies and business-travellers however, this option of short-term stays could mean a better use and higher savings for companies as offers are generally cheaper than hotels. Moreover, this internetservice provides a manifold variety of accommodations and therefore should be considered as a serious alternative by managers and different corporates. Eventually, the economic development in Spain and its accompanying circumstances which have been illustrated will not stop owners to react on the increasing demand for accommodation with higher rents. However, competition within this sector may open more opportunities for tourists and generate a more transparent market.

Renting apartments becomes popular!

As Hotels became quite expensive within the last years due to the strong demand that pushed up the Hotel rates (especially in Europe's Metropolis), renting apartments is becoming increasingly popular these days. For people who are asking themselves which benefits a stay in an apartment provides in comparison to a Hotel a few examples may be given here: Whereas Hotels especially those ones situated in the city centre of Barcelona are often already booked out for month in advance and are related to their area really expensive, you can easily find an apartment located in the heart of the city for a lower price - even in holiday peak-seasons. Especially when there are more than 3 people (e.g. Group of friends or family) traveling you can save even more. The average rent for an apartment is less than the price of a double-room in a Hotel. There exists a range from simple to luxurious apartments so that everyone is able to choose his or her preferred category. Prices are depending on location, conveniences provided, seasons, and number of people. Besides of being the more cost-effective alternative you can enjoy your holiday in a more private and calmer atmosphere and you are more flexible for example regarding meal times as self-catering facilities are provided in every apartment. The maybe easiest and best way to rent apartments is via the Internet. Websites like e.g. www.oh-barcelona.com are renting apartments in Barcelona, providing photos, descriptive texts detailing the size, comfort, number of sleeping-facilities etc., and comments of former clients for each apartment.

by Simone Hohoff

Open House Spain, S.L.

Enjoy Barcelona following Picasso's footsteps

Barcelona is known throughout the world as a cultural city with considerable heritage of the artistic modernism movement. Whereas Antoni Gaudi is considered to be the most famous representative of this period with regard to architectural outcomes, the works of the young Pablo Picasso is likely to be the counterpart for the art-scene. Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born on the 25^th October 1881 and spent his childhood in Malaga and Coruña before his family decided to move to Barcelona when he was 13. There he visited the La Llotja School of Fine Arts to further strengthen and develop his academic skills. Besides school he enjoyed painting urban scenes from his surrounding like from the sea, the beach of Barceloneta, and scenes from the park of Cituadella. By that time his father José Ruiz Picasso who was the indisputable promoter of Picasso's artistic career and the mentor of his early years encouraged him to take part in his first official competition. Hence in April 1896 he presented his first painting 'Primera comunión' at the Exhibition of Fine arts and Artistic Industries in Barcelona which shows the first communion of his younger sister Lola. With that being the starting-point of his professional career he rented his first studio in Carrer de la Plata, no 5 in the Barri Gotic ( old-town of Barcelona) and in 1987 he began to frequently visit the Els Quatre Gats in Carrer Montsio No 3 where he met up with other contemporists and friends of his like the painters Carles Casagemas, Ramon Pitxot, Isidre Nonell,Ricard Canals, Sebastia Junyer-Vidal, the writer Ramon Reventös, and the sculptors Manolo Hugue, Juli Gonzalez and Pau Gargallo. He designed pictures for the cafe and cabaret and published illustrations for the art and literature magazine of modernism like ElsQuatre Gats or Pel i Ploma. Many of these works Pablo Picasso created during these years can nowadays be seen in the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. To experience a special touch of Picasso when visiting Barcelona, tourist have the possibility to rent Picasso's first studio in Carrer de la Plata (for example via www.oh-barcelona.com).

by Simone Hohoff

Open House Spain, S.L.

Visit the apartment here:

http://www.oh-barcelona.com/accomm_descr_short.php3?lan=1&refnr=323321

www.oh-barcelona.com

Three bedroom apartment in Barcelona beside the Santa Caterina Market

  More apartment info: Three bedroom apartment on Gombau street, beside the new Santa Caterina market. The apartment is ideally located in the Born area, famous for it´s small art&craft shops, coffee shops, eateries etc. The Picasso musuem is only a few minutes away as well as the Gothic Cathedral and the Ramblas can be reached on foot in a few minutes. The Santa Caterina market has only re-opened after a thorough renovation and sells everything from fresh food to ceramic souvenirs, you can also try out local dishes or sample the coffee in one of it´s many cafe´s. The apartment itself is on the first floor or an old building with an elevator. Upon entering the apartment you come into the kitchen/dining room area and the bathroom is on your right. Down the hallway are two of the bedrooms, one with two single beds and the other with a set of bunk beds. At the end of the hallway is the living room with a balcony looking onto the street and the living room is the third bedroom also with two single beds. The apartment sleeps up to eight, including the double sofa bed in the living room, but bear in mind it is more comfortable for less as there is only one bathroom. There is the possibility to rent an identical aparment on the next floor, which also sleeps up to eight, again with one bathroom, the reference number is 366323. The apartment´s location makes for a good base for getting around Barcelona and enjoying all it has to offer.

Three bedroom apartment beside the Santa Caterina Market

More apartment info: Three bedroom apartment on Gombau street, beside the new Santa Caterina market. The apartment is ideally located in the Born area, famous for it´s small art&craft shops, coffee shops, eateries etc. The Picasso musuem is only a few minutes away as well as the Gothic Cathedral and the Ramblas can be reached on foot in a few minutes. The Santa Caterina market has only re-opened after a thorough renovation and sells everything from fresh food to ceramic souvenirs, you can also try out local dishes or sample the coffee in one of it´s many cafe´s.
The apartment itself is on the first floor or an old building with an elevator. Upon entering the apartment you come into the kitchen/dining room area and the bathroom is on your right. Down the hallway are two of the bedrooms, one with two single beds and the other with a set of bunk beds. At the end of the hallway is the living room with a balcony looking onto the street and the living room is the third bedroom also with two single beds. The apartment sleeps up to eight, including the double sofa bed in the living room, but bear in mind it is more comfortable for less as there is only one bathroom. There is the possibility to rent an identical aparment on the next floor, which also sleeps up to eight, again with one bathroom, the reference number is 365323. The apartment´s location makes for a good base for getting around Barcelona and enjoying all it has to offer.

Apartment in Gracia, Barcelona

More apartment info: Three bedroom apartment in the Gracia district of Barcelona. The Gracia district is known as a safe, trendy part of Barcelona, renound for its cafe´s, bars and bohemian style. The apartment is 80m2 with three bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double be and it´s own bathroom and the two other rooms are individual rooms and there´s a second bathroom. There´s a large living room/dining room with access to a small balcony, as well as a kitchen fully equipped with a dishwasher, cooker, microwave, pots, pans and cutlery. The apartment has heating and air conditioning and is ideal for families with children. The closest metro station is Diagonal (less than five minutes from the apartment) and has direct connection with Sagrada Familia or the line to take visitors to Parc Güell. From the apartment, Passeig de Gracia - one of Barcelona´s most famous streets is just a short walk away. The Gothic Quarter aswell as Plaza Catalunya can be reached on foot or by taking a bus.
Please note: For monthly rentals the utility bills are not included in the rental price. Tenants will be given an invoice for the amount consumed during their stay.

Large studio in Grácia, Barcelona

  More apartment info: Beautifully renovated attic (fifth floor, no elevator) in the heart of Gracia surrounded by a magnificient shared terrace overlooking the city, close to all Gaudi’s attractions and 15 minutes walking from the city centre. The apartment is bright and sunny all day. It has a bedroom area, that looks onto the living room but is divided from the kitchen by a wall. The double bed measures 135 x 200 cm and the sofa bed in the living room is 140 x 200cm so that the apartment can comfortably sleep up to four people. All the bed linen is provided. There is a dinning room, bathroom and a kitchen which is fully equipped. Fridge, vitro-ceramic stove top, a microwave/grill/oven, all the necessary kitchen utensils. Washing machine and air conditioning. Two minutes from Bus, Metro station and all services.

Two bedroom apartment in Barcelona Grácia

More apartment info: Located in one of the pedestrian streets of the Barcelona District Gracia, the flat is on the second floor (no lift) and has a small balcony. Its surface area of 65m² makes it spacious and comfortable. Fully refurbished in December 2001, it is ideal for 4 people, although there is room for 6. The main bedroom is provided with a double bed, which can be converted into two singles, a toilet adjoins this room. The second bedroom has a bunk bed. It also has an annexe, with a desk in front of a picture window. Both bedrooms have double-glazing. The main bathroom has a shower. The spacious kitchen/dining/living room has a double sofa bed. The high ceilings have nice visible wooden beams. The flat has a colour TV, hi-fi, air conditioning, (hot and cold), fridge, microwave, electric cooker with ceramic hob, toaster, iron, vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, etc. Sheets and towels are provided. The flat is located in the heart of Gracia neighbourhood, in one of its most famous streets: Carrer Verdi. In recent years many of the streets have become pedestrian-only. In this area there is one of the best cinemas in town (showing original-language films, a rarety in Spain), a parking only few meters away, small shops with original designed clothes, two markets, hundreds of restaurants, bars and cafes, many of them on charming, and very nice atmosphere, squares. It's also considered a safe area of Barcelona and the "graciencs" are generally well disposed towards visitors. You will feel well surrounded mostly by local people and not by toursits as in other parts of the Barcelona. The flat is few minutes away from Fontana tube station (Green Line 3), from where you can reach the Plaza Catalunya and the Ramblas in 5 minutes. You are also at ten-minutes walking distance from one of the most chic boulevards in the city Passeig de Gracia.