Archive for June, 2011

Madrid, the great movie set

Published: June 30, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , ,

Most of you know Madrid for its tourist appeal, good food and fantastic temperature. Some of you may have even been in the city to spend a few days visiting museums, the Retiro Park or having a good dinner by taking the “Tapas” delicious small dishes. But, did you know that Madrid have been many times, set of worldwide famous movies?

The attractive city centre, which remains of ancient times, have acted as a perfect scenery for historic films such as “The fall of the roman empire” (1964), which used the city’s walls as a background for its battles. Also 8000 trained soldiers from the Spanish infantry participated in the film to double the roman fighters.

City Center Madrid

City Center Madrid

Another very remarkable example is “The Bourne Ultimatum”, starring by Matt Damon. In all the Bourne’s films, it is a kind of tradition to use a train station as the location for a scene. In this move, the chosen set was the Madrid’s train station, Atocha. It also quite funny to see one of the typical Madrid’s taxis appearing in the screen, especially for the Spanish viewers.

The five Oscar’s winner, “Doctor Zhivago” (1965) is one of the major cases of foreign films which decided to take Madrid for their locations. The streets of the capitals became, after professional “make up” and hard construction of entire buildings, the ones in Moscu. Only analysing accurately the pictures, we can recognise the exact place of Madrid, which belongs to the surroundings of the Canillas’ cemetery.

Apartments in Plaza Mayor

Apartments in Plaza Mayor

Other titles we should mention here are “55 days at Peking” (1963) or “The tourist”, directed by Marcel Langenegger, which was filmed in the Plaza Mayor and the Paseo del Prado.

As you can see, Madrid has secrets to be discovered. Its mysterious streets and majestic architecture make this city a good place to film in, becoming a beautiful set of outstanding movies.

After knowing all this, why not planning a tour through this city’s corners, to identify them with the ones you may probably have seen in the big screen? You can enjoy some days in the Spanish capital and have some rest in our Madrid luxury apartments. If you want to feel the activity and life of the centre, you better choose a Madrid city centre holiday flat. Or if you rather prefer more calm, you can take a look to other offers we have prepared for you, all of them with the most commodity, fashion-style and quality.

 

Photos: r0x sm – Jérôme

 

Mercè 2011, “Festa Major” in Barcelona

Published: June 29, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , ,

La Mercè Plaça Espanya

La Mercè Plaça Espanya

Mercè 2011, the Barcelona’s “Festa Major”

From the 23rd to the 26th of September, Barcelona will dress its best clothes to welcome thousands of Catalan, Spanish and worldwide visitors to the greatest celebration of the Catalonia’s capital: La Mercè. As every year, this enormous event will surprise the participants with an extremely long menu of activities for all kind of people.

From the very first day, La Mercè brings the Catalan culture to those who are willing to get involved with its fantastic traditions: The “gegants”, the giant big figures dancing through the streets; the “sardanes”, the typical Catalan dance; or the “correfoc”, a magic adventure that transports you to the heart of the fire, music and demons dresses.

This year, the guest city to La Mercè is Dakar. The Senegal’s capital is one of the richest and most interesting cultural focuses of the African continent. Several activities will take place in Barcelona allowing the visitors to find out its amazing spirit, by attending music and dancing events, Dakar’s fashion exhibitions, or family activities to start learning wòlof, the Senegal’s official language.

Up to 500 proposals are already programmed to make the most of these four days that will light Barcelona and fill it with festivity sounds. This is a great moment to travel and visit the city, as you will see it in its best mood, and a joy-feeling attitude. Moreover, as it will take place at the end of September, you will avoid the hottest summer months, and will enjoy a perfect weather.

But the programme doesn’t end here. La Mercè likes to focus in culture and art, and it achieves it by getting the support and collaboration of all kinds of institutions and locations: The Ciutadella Park, Montjuïc, etc. will become the set of outside visual and musical plays. Also the museums will join the celebration, proposing children and adults activities and free tickets to visit their outstanding exhibitions.

Mercè Barcelona

Mercè Barcelona

For the young ones, La Mercè is a good meeting point to discover music and new trends. Among the invited music bands, you will find “La Salseta del Poble Sec” or “Quimi Portet”, both Catalan famous music groups perfect to create a Mediterranean and fresh atmosphere. You will also enjoy international names, such as the British band Woodentops, or the Argelian Neila Benbey.

When the night falls, the feast doesn’t go to sleep. A lot of activities are prepared to delight you with lighting shows, incredible fireworks, concerts, and much more.

La Mercè will arrive to every single corner and street of Barcelona. You can’t miss this great celebration of summer, life, art and relax. It is definitely, a very good way to meet Barcelona and its welcoming population, as well as to discover several new cultures, in this cultural big forum.

In order to stay the whole celebration in the city, you can book now your accommodation to ensure there is still availability. Our range of Barcelona luxury apartments, located in different main areas, will help you not to miss any second of the event: From the Las Ramblas flats to rent, to the sea side holiday apartments, just ten minutes far from the Barcelona’s centre. Any of this excellent Barcelona top rent apartments will let you have the best holidays ever, being part of the amazing Mercè 2011.

 

Photos: larry&flo – Miguel Carminati www.80iso.com

Feradz

 

Giftrends Madrid, September 2011

Published: June 29, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,
Giftrends in Madrid

Giftrends in Madrid

Dismissing the summer, from the 14th to the 18th of September 2011, IFEMA will host in Madrid the International Gift, Jewellery and Fashion Jewellery week (GifTrends). This great event concentrates three different fairs at the same place, each one focused on different issues:

InterGift is the exhibition for the gift business, including home products, all kind of travelling souvenirs or luxury objects. It is organized in different categories, named as atmosphere, fantasy, life table, textile, decorative objects, diverse gifts and travel. InterGift takes place every two years, and this 2011 will celebrate its 61st edition. Thousands of brands and companies will meet to find out the last trends of this fashion branch, very popular among the consumers.

The second fair we will find in GifTrends is IberJoya, dedicated to the jewellery world. It is also divided in different sections and stands, to let the visitors make the most of their time in the event: gold jewellery, silver jewellery, precious fine stones and pearls, silver work, watch-clock-making, machinery, shop equipment, jewellery boxes, design and technical magazine.

Giftrends Accommodation

Giftrends Accommodation

The last name of this great trio is Bisutex, which presents the season news of the Fashion Jewellery and Accessories for professionals and fashion lovers. Through the categories glasses, belts, foulards, watches, hats, etc. the fair makes sure every single complement is covered.

This event is a good opportunity for the companies to show their new products to the clients, discover the competitor’s offer, and start business with important companies. It is also a good way to test the reaction of the potential target in front of proposals that aren’t in the market yet, and, obviously, a way to keep being alive through the media channels that are going to broadcast the whole GifTrends.

If you are planning to attend this major fashion celebration in Madrid, the best accommodation option are the Madrid holiday apartments placed in different areas, some of them really close to the IFEMA pavilion. These flats will give you the space, freedom and privacy you need to relax and work, mixing the enjoyable time out to break your day to day with the professional agenda in the fair.

 

Shopping in Barcelona

Published: June 27, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,
Barcelona Fashion

Barcelona Fashion

In previous articles, we have talked about the cultural, gastronomic and touristic marvels of Barcelona. In this post, we want to give a few advices for those who want to spend some time in one of the most popular hobbies of our days: shopping.

Barcelona is a huge and crowded shop. Especially its central areas are absolutely full of all kinds of stores to satisfy the requirements of the heterogenic target that travels to the city for this purpose.

We are going to talk about three main Barcelona commercial areas: Plaza Cataluña, El Born and Las Ramblas.

The Plaza Cataluña is the meeting point of several international fashion brands, such as Zara, Oysho, Bershka, etc. but also, a big square where you can find shopping centres such as El Corte Inglés, or El Triangle, each one in one side of the plaza.

In this crowded centric location, there are very attractive accommodation you may be interested in discover. The Plaza Cataluña luxury apartments offer a top comfort place to rest and enjoy some days in this great city.

El Born is a young and trendy area which hosts several brands and new fashion names emerging in the Spanish industry as a powerful competence for the worldwide companies: The romantic-atmosphere Natalie Capell, a fairy-tale clothes designer; Lucia Natural, whose pieces are born from the nature and commodity of the materials; or BIU, a two-women brand who is starting to open to foreign markets and is becoming a potential proposal in the Spanish fashion, are only three examples of the endless list.

Barcelona shopping

Barcelona shopping

To have the time to discover this absolutely fantastic neighbourhood of Barcelona, you can book an El Born holiday flat to rent, and feel the real experience of the Barcelona’s life.

The last, but not the least is Las Ramblas. This is, actually, the main artery of Barcelona, bringing a huge range of shops, theatres, markets, restaurants and bars to the people who can’t help staring at its colourful corners.

In one of the perpendicular streets, el Carrer Ferran, you will find various original fashion shops. Maybe the most known one, and also the most famous is Custo. This Catalan designer is recognised for his use of the colour and shapes in his very expensive T-Shirts. He is also exporting in the principal fashion capitals of the world, as one of the most artistic current exponents.

If you would like to buy similar style cheaper clothes, you can enter to Paramita, located in the same street and just in from the Liceu tube station.

Another unique store in this area is La Boheme. It was built in an ancient barber’s shop, and now it is remarkable thanks to its original and quality products, and its colour-explosion floor mosaics.

Barcelona Luxury

Barcelona Luxury

We couldn’t miss this location in the Barcelona apartments’ offer. Las Ramblas city centre flats are the most centric ones and will delight you with views to the vital activity of this well-known street.

Make the most of your shopping by renting a five-stars apartment in the very best of the Catalan’s capital commercial points. Feel the fabulous weather, life, music, flavours and buy all you are wishing, in the biggest showcase of Europe.

 

Photos: Kevin Krejci – Mangowiki

 

The Barcelona’s beaches

Published: June 23, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , ,
Barcelona Beach Apartments

Barcelona Beach Apartments

Are you waiting for the summer all the year? Are you wishing spending your holidays near the sea, and lying in the beach? We propose you to move for some days to the best place of the Mediterranean: the Catalan coast.

We want to talk specifically about the Barcelona’s beaches, to let you dream about the perfect vacations in the European’s favorite holiday city at the moment.

Barcelona apartments with sea views

Barcelona apartments with sea views

Barcelona has seven beaches along four and a half kilometers. They are ready for the summer season since the 30th of May, and all the public services, such as toilets, towel rentals, first aids, etc. are already operating.

In the south part we find the Sant Sebastià beach, just in front of the port. In the opposite ending, there is the Barceloneta beach, very popular among the tourists and Catalan inhabitants. It has playing areas with volleyball equipments in the sand.

The Mar Bella beach was created thanks to the urban development for the Olympic Games in 1992. Its “sister”, the Nova Mar Bella, was also born in this context.

Barcelona Beach Accommodation

Barcelona Beach Accommodation

In the Mar Bella area there is a nudist zone, and during the night, some outside discos offer nocturne music parties, mainly focused on the gay target.

For a quiet day in the seaside, the best option is the Nova Icaria beach. Besides the calm of this place, the swimmers can also use the several entertainment facilities currently available.

The Bogatell beach is perfect for those who love a young atmosphere, with DJ’s offering animation during all the afternoon.

The last beach in the Barcelona’s list is the Llevant one. It is the newest part of the city’s coast, as it was born in 2006. In this zone is now being built the future Marine Zoo.

All the beaches have excellent seafood restaurants with amazing views to the sea and the port, and stalls providing cold soft drinks and ice-creams.

Joining the tourist community who loves Spain, Catalonia and the Mediterranean, will allow you to experiment the sun and the happy life style of the warm season.

Moreover, by renting a Barcelona holiday apartment in the beach, you will feel the comfort of having the sea in front of you, without worrying about the transport. From the sea side, you can also get easily to the city centre, Las Ramblas, Plaça Catalunya, etc. For a more centric flat to rent, check the Las Ramblas luxury apartments.

 

Photos: Power max – Sergi Larripa – W Barcelona

The best Tapa’s restaurants of Madrid

Published: June 22, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , ,

Every year, more and more people decide to travel to Madrid to spend their holidays in a relaxing and live-the-day environment. The night parties, the sunny afternoons lying in El Retiro Park, and the slow walks through the old streets of the centre, help to create the perfect atmosphere for a getaway enjoying the Latin happiness.

A must in this kind of holidays is the food. Madrid is one of the best destinies of Europe to eat great meals, a quality guarantee made with the best ingredients and following the traditional cuisine expertise.

In this article, we want to present you some of the top restaurants and bars to create a culinary itinerary, full of innovation, art, ancient recipes and the very best of the “tapas” culture.

La Bardemcilla Madrid

La Bardemcilla Madrid

One of the emblematic names of the city is “La Bardemcilla”. It is an exclusive restaurant owned by the actors and actresses Bardem family. The most famous international member of it is the Spanish actor Javier Bardem, whose mother, the actress Pilar Bardem, uses to cook herself some of the most delicious dishes of the menu.

Ojalá Madrid

Ojalá Madrid

If you want to go to unrepeatable places, you can’t miss “Ojalá”. This ultra-modern restaurant is located in the Malasaña area, and shows audiovisual projections in its walls every evening. You can enjoy the excellent food and decoration in its main room, with real sand in the floor.

For the wine experts, “Entrevinos” offers a very long wine menu, and a range of pairings consisting in cheese, Jabugo ham, carpaccio, etc.

Another interesting option is booking a pair of evenings to discover the Basque and Galician cuisine. “Txoko” is a centric Basque restaurant where you can taste outstanding pork meat, cod, and all kind of “food treasures” from this exceptional cuisine, a clear referent in the Spanish gastronomic world.

O'Caldiño Madrid

O'Caldiño Madrid

On the other hand, “O’Caldiño” will let you taste the Atlantic food from Galicia, while submerging in the Salamanca neighborhood.

For those of you who are football fans, and especially for the Real Madrid supporters, “Puerta 57” will surprise you with a delectable meal in the Bernabeu Stadium itself. The name of the restaurant comes from the fact, the customer have to enter through the 57th gate of the stadium. This is, definitely, a good opportunity to take some great pictures of the surroundings of the Bernabeu, before or after the meal.

A very delicate place where you can experiment with the five senses and let the atmosphere surround you is “Pan de lujo”. This restaurant’s aim is to make you feel as many feeling as possible not only with the taste of its food, but also with the decoration, fragrances and music.

This gastronomic tour can be accompanied by luxury shopping and cultural visits to the fine art galleries and museums of the city.

We also want to recommend you the ultimate accommodation choice: The Madrid city centre luxury apartments are located in the main areas, and come completely ready to satisfy all your holiday expectation. You will fall in love with their views and cool furniture. After the greatest dinner, you deserve even a better sleeping in the Passion’s capital.

We hope all our recommendations help you to have the best holidays ever in Spain.

Photos:  Juan Fernández - La Badencilla – Ojalá – O’Caldiño

 

Juan Fernández

The Sagrada Familia

Published: June 20, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , ,

The Sagrada Familia, a majestic cathedral

There are many reasons to visit Barcelona. Some of them are the modernist buildings from the architect Antoni Gaudí, which have become the biggest treasure of the Catalan architecture.

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Família Cathedral (The Sacred Family Cathedral) is the main example of Gaudí’s work, and one of the most impressive architectural buildings of the world, also considered the universal catholic temple. Recently transformed to a basilica by the Pope, its monumental construction process has been keeping on since 1882, when Gaudí started the greatest project of his career. The complexity of this work was so huge, that Gaudí never saw his masterpiece completed, as he died in 1926.

From then, different artists and architectures have joined the Sagrada Família crew, bringing to the temple their own style, while making an effort to preserve the unmistakable modernist beauty, which uses the nature as a constant source to be combined with the construction materials, emulating the real patterns and forms of  forests, trees, flowers and branches.

Privileged visitors have the chance to get an accommodation in the Sagrada Família area, known as “l’Eixample”. New-brand luxury apartments are located in the surroundings of the temple, allowing the guests to enjoy the views, and the life of Barcelona’s centre. The towers of the cathedral can be seen from sea, air and from many locations of the city. That’s why the Sagrada Familia has become the heart of Barcelona.

The Sagrada Família was designed as an enormous alive holly book. Each element of its body is dedicated to a character, cycle or symbol of the Christian religion: We find, for example, the frontage of the Jesus’ Born, preciously decorated with statues representing the three kings’ adoration, the shepherd’s adoration, and the sacred family in the centre; we also find the Passion frontage, with sculptures from Subirachs, whose style is clearly different from the first door, but still respects the Gaudi’s unconventional signature.

Sagrada familia passion

Sagrada familia passion

Inside the temple, every column is linked with a Catalan, Spanish or worldwide diocese, responding to the Gaudí’s aim to concentrate in the same place, all the world Christian faith.

Observing the temple from the outside is a well worth journey to another universe: Thousands of details remain in the walls, some of them hided symbols which persuade the visitor to figure out their own story. Going inside is travelling even much further: the characteristic natural aesthetic comes to its greatest expression through the very tall tree-columns, and flower-full domes. The colorful windows play with the light to bring the sun inside the building and create a warm praying space, where life, art, faith and nature, become all the same.

Sagrada Familia Portal

Sagrada Familia Portal

There is no better experience than getting in touch with the most artistic and beautiful God’s House of the world, by choosing a Sagrada Familia apartment to stay during your days in Barcelona. Near the temple, with all the facilities and a very cool decoration, these flats to rent in the Sagrada Familia zone are exclusive for those who are looking for a unique and unforgettable holidays in the capital of the modernism artistic movement.

 

Photos: Marek Holub – Rp22 – Francesco Severi – Bernard Gagnon

 

ESDR DERMA 2011

Published: June 17, 2011Posted in: Barcelona CongressTags: , , , , , , ,
ESDR 2011

ESDR 2011

The Barcelona’s International Convention Centre (CCIB) is the chosen place to celebrate this year 2011, the 41st annual meeting of the ESDR, the most important conference of the dermatology field.

The organizers of this year’s event have showed their aim to offer the best content possible for both scientific and clinic professionals interested in the dermatology issues. This confluence of different profile participants will let a powerful interchange of knowledge, which is very important for the progress of this specialization.

The event runs from the 7th to the 10th of September, and combines different talks, a postgraduate course, guest lectures and a social programme, that includes a magic visit to the Maritime museum, with a fine food dinner inside.

To maintain this fantastic atmosphere and keep it to the night as well, the best option is rent a Barcelona luxury apartment for the days the ESDR conference longs. There are unique holiday flats to rent around the CCIB location, so it would be a comfortable accommodation perfectly designed for this occasion.

We also recommend you to take advantage of your days in Barcelona by visiting the most famous attractions. If you have already been in this amazing Mediterranean city before, you can explore hided corners, enchanting locals, or enjoying the last days of the Spanish summer in the beach.

Joining the ESDR DERMA 2011 in Barcelona is guarantee of interesting approaches currently in the last news agenda of the dermatology: neurobiology of the skin; drug development in dermatology or natural gene therapy of the skin, are only a few exemplas. These and other topics will be discussed along workshops, coffee breaks to talk about the sessions, various symposiums and award ceremonies.

Don’t hesitate, and don’t miss this great opportunity to mix science and research, with tourism and relax. This September, Barcelona is waiting for you.

 

SIMM Madrid 2011

Published: June 17, 2011Posted in: Madrid EventsTags: , , , , ,
SIMM 2011

SIMM 2011

As it has been taking place for decades, IFEMA is organizing this year the 66th edition of the SIMM, the Madrid International Fashion Fair. From the 1st to the 3rd of September, around 450 fashion companies and up to 600 brands, are meeting in this key event, considered among the three top fashion celebrations currently existing in Europe.

Every day, visitors will have access to the exhibition from 9.30am to 7.30pm. During all the day long, they will be submerged in a “sea” of new trends, style and arts, through the different sections the fair is composed by: “Man”, male fashion; “Moon & Sun”, for intimate female fashion; “Natural”, from natural materials pieces, etc.

Two of the most important sections are “Agents” and “Ego”. The first one represents the traditional and consolidated brands now operating in Europe, a guarantee of quality and prestige, while the second one introduces the new talented young names of the industry.

SIMM is set in Madrid thanks to the city’s well-known confluence of inspiration, creativity and fashion innovation. Its streets are elegant catwalks full of luxury shops, such as Giorgio Armandi, Versace, Hermès or Chanel. At the end of each fair’s day, the participants will feel the glamour of this city.

In the evening and night, Madrid dresses up as an explosion of music, dance, party and social life. The intense living philosophy of Spain mixes with the fashion delicatessens that can be seen in different exclusive locals.

To rest and get ready for the following day in SIMM, foreign participants can get some information about the luxury apartments to rent in Madrid. They are holiday flats available in privileged venues and magic corners, allowing the guests to own, for a few days, a top five stars private accommodation, with everything at their disposal and a beautiful decoration.

Either you are a fashion lover or a related professional, you shouldn’t definitely miss this extraordinary event in Madrid, which is gaining participants in every new edition. Plan your three days in the city with itineraries to the shops, museums, galleries and more, to get a 360º complete experience.

 

World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid

Published: June 15, 2011Posted in: Madrid EventsTags: , , , , ,
World Youth Day 2011 Madrid

World Youth Day 2011 Madrid

This summer, a huge celebration of youth and Christian faith will take place in Madrid in the context of the World Youth Day 2011 (WYD). From 11 August, pilgrims from different countries are expected to arrive to their host dioceses in several Spanish cities. During five days, each diocese will offer a range of cultural, religious and charity activities to prepare the start of the event.

The WYD programme itself will be kick off in Madrid on 16 August. Once the registered participants have picked up their accreditations, the WYD will officially begin at 8pm with a Mass in Cibeles Square, presided by the archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Maria Rouco Varela.

The following day will be focused on the catechesis sessions. These will be organised according to language groups, and will discuss important issues with bishops from all over the world.

 

WYD Madrid 2011

WYD Madrid 2011

Madrid will surely welcome the visitors with its hospitality. Many different entities must be coordinated to provide the best possible service.  One of the available options the city already offers, we want to highlight the luxury apartments to rent, located in different attractive areas of the city. These holiday flats will help the WYD participants to feel the peace and commodity of a private and idyllic accommodation.

Pope Benedicto XVI in Spain

Pope Benedicto XVI in Spain

Keeping on with the WYD programme, 18 August will be one of the most exciting days, as the Pope will arrive to Madrid. At 7.30pm, a welcome ceremony will take place in Cibeles, where the Pope will arrive by his Popemobile.

Until the last day, participants will combine the catechesis sessions and cultural activities, with the Pope’s itinerary through the monastery of El Escorial, the Almudena Cathedral and the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome.

Moreover, an interesting representation of the Via Crucis, using sacred statues from all around Spain, will illustrate the Christ’s Passion, inspired by the Spanish Holy Week.

At 9.30am on 21 August the Pope will celebrate the Final Mass, with a symbolic gesture towards the young followers, who will be treated as the “witnesses of the faith”, emulating the Holy scenario between Jesuschrist and his Apostles.

At 6.30pm of the same day, there will be the Papal Farewell at Barajas airport.  Besides the WYD, the pilgrims can also take advantage of their visit to Madrid by discovering it deeper, and stay longer in this outstanding city. For this purpose, it is good to look all the Madrid city centre flats to rent we have available, which will guarantee a great time.

 

 

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