Archive for September, 2011

The Innocent’s day

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

28th of December, “El día de los inocentes”

It has its equivalent in the 1st of April, also called “Aprils Fools’ Day”. In Spain it is celebrated every 28th of December, under the name of “The Innocent’s day”. Following the tradition of the April’s version, this day is full of the jokes that everybody, without exception, likes to do and dislike to receive.

If you visit Madrid or Barcelona this day, you can “play” the game of searching jokes (in Spanish, “inocentadas”). The mass media such as TV, newspapers, radio, etc. use to join the population in this celebration, and publish crazy news, some of which achieve convincing the most innocent audiences.

Innocent's Day Symbol

Innocent's Day Symbol

The graphic symbol of the day is a “llufa”, a human figure made with paper, originally newspaper’s paper. Traditionally, some of the jokes consisted in hanging this figure on the back of the people, trying them not to realize it. Although nowadays this is not so frequent, the symbol remains as a representative of this day.

 

The origin of the 28th of December, Innocent’s Day, can be explained by the Bible. When baby Jesus was born, the king Herod, scared and jealous of the power the child was supposed to gain (actually, the little one was who would replace him as a king), ordered all the 2 years old children of the territory to be killed. What Herod didn’t know by then, was that Jesus and his parents had already left Egypt, so he had been tricked.

Since then, this day is celebrated as a funny event, even though most of the people aren’t aware of the sad incident that inspired the tradition.

If you are having holidays in Barcelona or Spain at the end of December, be prepared to receive an unexpected joke on the 28th of December. Probably, after some minutes, who is tricking you will start shouting “Inocente, inocente” (Innocent, Innocent), which is what people say to reveal the joke.

Don’t miss this opportunity to have a funny and original day in Spain. Our luxury apartments in Barcelona and Madrid will be absolutely ready to satisfy your needs about comfort, facilities, decoration and elegance. Just ask us what you need for your dreamed days in Barcelona or Madrid, and we will do our best to offer you the perfect holiday flat to rent.

 

Photos: Jove -

 

Healthy food to take away

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

Lots of people fancy booking a holiday apartment when they go abroad. This is a comfortable manner to visit a city, as for some days, you have the keys to your home, a private site where you can live following your own rhythm.  Moreover, this is the only way of living the experience of integrating in a city. While in a hotel or hostel you live in a place with other tourists, isolated from the real outside reality, an apartment creates the most realistic scenario for your 100% authentic holidays.

Barcelona Apartments

Barcelona Apartments

 

Booking touristic apartments doesn’t mean that you have to give up comfort, elegance and luxury. Our list of exclusive apartments for rent in Barcelona proves that privacy can go together with a VIP service, to create the most unforgettable experience for your days abroad.

Barcelona Luxury Apartments

Barcelona Luxury Apartments

But, what happen during the meal’s time? You may want to eat with your family or friends, comfortably in your apartment, in order to have your own space, talk with freedom, and design your perfect moment without restrictions. But at the same time, when you travel to another city, cooking can be tired, can’t it?

Well, now we will present you a good alternative to solve this little problem in Barcelona: The name of the company is “Nostrum”. It can refer to the “Mare Nostrum” name, which is the Latin way to call the “Mediterrani” Sea.

Anyway, the company has several chain stores in Barcelona and other cities of Catalonia. The philosophy of the company is built on the healthy food, and specifically on the home-made recipes. This way, buying food to take away in “Nostrum” will let you try traditional Catalan food, really tasty, good price, and 100% natural.

Barcelona Healthy Food

Barcelona Healthy Food

The popularity of “Nostrum” and similar companies is getting bigger and bigger. Although cooking can be boring, tiring or can need time which actually doesn’t exist in our day to day, people tends to promote good habits about nutrition, as the conscious of the food’s importance is now higher.

Travelling abroad doesn’t let us start eating bad: Freedom, comfort and healthy combines in this good alternative to eat in our touristic apartment, with our companions, and without cooking anything! Try the rice and pasta recipes and the delicious “croquetas”!

Have the best meals ever in your apartment’s dining room, or your Barcelona’s touristic apartment’s terrace. Barcelona means good life…and good food!

Merry Christmas in Barcelona

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

The “Santa Llúcia” Fair: Merry Christmas in Barcelona

There would be no Christmas in Barcelona without this market. Its origins are supposed to be around 1786, where some documents ensure there was the first “Santa Llúcia” Fair of the history. Till now, this winter celebration has kept alive thanks to the tradition, and the love of the people who participate in it.

Barcelona Santa Llucia Fair

Barcelona Santa Llucia Fair

This fair is not only a winter event, but has his whole meaning around the Christmas topics. All the stalls of the market have relation to this special time: Christmas trees and flowers, nativity scenes (three kings, Jesus, angels, etc. in little figures to decorate the house’s living rooms), instruments to sing the Christmas songs, and much more.

Barcelona Christmas

Barcelona Christmas

This market uses to take place during the first weeks of December, in the Barcelona’s Cathedral Square. By then, the weather is cold and everybody needs to wear coats, hats and gloves. This is why the hot food stalls are also common in the fair.

The fair is also a place where the Catalan Christmas traditions find protection and promotion, by activities for children and family. It is a good way both for Catalan inhabitants and foreign tourists, to participate in a rich culture and share illusions.

Take your photo camera to the “Santa Llúcia” Fair and take pictures of the thousands of little and cute Christmas products of the stalls. You can buy the most beautiful one and take it back to your country as a very authentic souvenir.

The nicest moment to visit the fair is once the night has fallen and the sky is dark enough for the lights to turn on. Then, is good to know that a cozy apartment is waiting to welcome you after a good dinner in the centre.

We have plenty of  luxury apartments that can make your days in Barcelona unforgettable. They are all top rent homes, well decorated, well equipped and above all, very well located, in order to make you as comfortable as possible to reach the principle attractions of Barcelona. In your holidays, ensure your comfort by renting a exclusive holiday apartment.

 

Photos: joan ggk - arquera / Emi Yañez

 

Ave Madrid-Barcelona

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

Yes, it  is  usually difficult to decide which city you will visit the next holidays. Travelling to Spain, for example, can easily make you wonder which city is better to see: Madrid, Barcelona…You will probably like to know that you don’t need to choose, as you can stay some days in the capital, and then travel by AVE, the fastest national train, to Barcelona, crossing the country to the coast, and stay some more days in Catalonia.

AVE Barcelona

AVE Barcelona

The AVE train departs from Atocha Station in Madrid and arrives at Sants Station in Barcelona. The construction of this railway line was completed in 2008. From then, millions of people have enjoyed the speed of this mean of transport, which is achieving the aim of interconnecting the two most important cities of Spain.

You must be wondering how fast it is. Well, you have to know that between Madrid and Barcelona, there are around 500 kms. In the 80s, the train itinerary was the same as the XIX century one, and it used to take more than 6 hours to go from one city to the other. With the arrival of the AVE, the journey’s approximated duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes with direct trains and 3 hours and 20 minutes with stops in the intermediate stations.

AVE Madrid

AVE Madrid

This service makes easier the life and work experience of thousands of Spanish people. Imagine the affluence of customers of the train, as every day there are up to 56 departments (28 to each direction).

Besides, the inside’s design of the train mixes the modernity and the comfort with relaxing colors. It is spacious and has all the equipments the passengers can need during the journey.

Our proposal is to take advantage of the AVE on your holidays to visit both Madrid and Barcelona. This way, you’ll not only visit two worldwide important cities, but you will also travel by AVE, the fastest train transport in the country.

AVE Madrid Barcelona

AVE Madrid Barcelona

In both cities, you can book a luxury holiday apartment to guarantee you and your travel companions have the comfort you deserve. They are spacious, modern and exclusive flats to rent for some days in the city, and they are available in the best areas of Barcelona and Madrid. Check our offer: you will have a great surprise!

 

Photos: Kim FOR sure - Thealx - Mikel Ortega

Catalan Christmas treasures

Published: September 26, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,

Delicious treasures! Typical Catalan Christmas’s pastries

Visit Barcelona during the Christmas season is something special. By walking through the centre’s streets, you will feel the sweetness of the Barcelona’s feasts, but only if you know what Christmas means in Catalonia, you will enjoy completely your experience.

 

Barcelona Christmas

Barcelona Christmas

One of the things you should know, for example, is what the Barcelona’s inhabitants use to take during the Christmas days. Only this way, you will be able to live some 100% Catalan days in the city, and take the most of your touristic purpose.

It is called “turró” in Catalan and “turrón” in Spanish. It could be translated as “nougat” in English. Anyway, this is a sweet product that uses to be eaten at the end of all the meals. Attending the traditional stories, the “turró” has to be given as a present from “El tió”, the Catalan character of Santa Claus, which actually is a piece of wood (we explained this tradition in a previous article). Currently, the “turró” has plenty of different tastes: chocolate and almonds, coconut, orange, etc.

 

Barcelona Xmas

Barcelona Xmas

Another product which is very consumed during the feasts is called “polvorón”. They are sweet pastries with sugar on the top, which seem something between a muffin and a cookie. Part of the reasons why people tend to gain weight during these days, is related to the “polvorones”.

 

Barcelona Christmas Holidays

Barcelona Christmas Holidays

You can buy both “turrones” and “polvorones” in any bakery shop of the city, supermarket or food shop. It will be very easy for you to provide your luxury apartment in Barcelona with these delicious marvels that will bring the special and Catalan attribute to your holiday lunches and dinners.

And for breakfast, a universal cold’s antidote: hot chocolate! You can buy it and cook it in your Barcelona holiday flat, accompanied with “melindros”, another bakery pastry, soft and perfect to mix with chocolate, jam, etc. If you prefer to live the life of the streets in order to get part of the Barcelona Christmas’ fantasy, you just have to go to some “Cafeteria”, “Forn de pa”, “Pastisseria”, etc. and ask for your favorite winter pastry.

Merry Christmas in advance for all of you, or better….”Bon Nadal”!

 

Photos: Rogernot - Slastic - Marianne Perdomo

The Madrid’s River

Published: September 23, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,

If a city has a river or a beach, it has almost everything. The power of the water is incredible, and it offers lots of possibilities, both during the hot season and winter. During all the year, the river becomes a friend that doesn’t let you feel alone amid the urban territory.

Madrid Manzanares

Madrid Manzanares

The Madrid’s river is called Manzanares. It longs up to 10km and nowadays, its surroundings have created a beautiful park full of equipments: Historic monuments such as the Puerta del Rey (King’s Gate), Puente del rey (King’s Bridge) or the Virgen del Puerto Chapel, are only three of the attractions.

Another interesting thing of the Madrid Río Park is the green zone. The Madrid’s inhabitants use the green spaces of the river to relax or do exercises going footing, walking, etc. Actually, the sport’s followers can find a good source in the park: tennis and padel courts, a rock climbing centre and three football pitches, show the importance of doing sport in the day to day city life.

Madrid has found in this part of the city, a resource for all purpose. During the summer, for example, they can join the tourists in the urban beach, where different water effects achieve to refresh the hottest days.

The Madrid’s river site is also a good place to enjoy amazing views of the city. The principle viewpoints are the Huerta de la Partida viewpoint, the San Vicente viewpoint, the Puente de Segovia viewpoint and the Puente de Arganzuela viewpoint. Most of them are situated in one of the many bridges located above the Manzanares.

The opportunities that the Madrid Río offers are incredible. Together with the Retiro Park, this part has raised as a green, full of life and beautiful oasis of nature, presenting lots of leisure proposals and historic and sightseeing attractions.

Madrid Segovia Bridge

Madrid Segovia Bridge

Living in Madrid for some days will let you discover, little by little, this amazing spot.

Book now your  selfcatering apartment in Madrid, and start organizing your days in this special European capital. We invite you to feel the Spanish particular way of life, with the comfort of a luxury apartment, just for yourself!

 

Photos: Nacho Castejón Martínez - esetena - Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez

22@, the innovation’s area of Barcelona

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

“22@” is the weird but inspiring name of a very new zone of Barcelona. It is born in Glòries, just at the south and left site of L’Eixample, and ends by the sea. Now it has become a place that brings modernity to the city, but not many years ago, it was holding lots of abandoned factories and unused ground.

 

Barcelona 22@

Barcelona 22@

From the City Hall, a project was approved in order to reinvent this big zone and use it to promote a new face of it. The result was the current “22@” district, which is the most cosmopolitan, innovative and modern spot in Barcelona.

Barcelona Hub Design

Barcelona Hub Design

This area is holding plenty of research institutes, innovation companies, university buildings, etc. Little by little, a kind of city of knowledge is being created and is growing, both in an external and internal way: The silhouette of the new city of the future is already being drawn on the Barcelona’s profile.

Besides a confluence of media, technology and business companies, this area is equipped to welcome residences, green parks, and in general, spaces to live.

This amazing district has some interesting points where you can go during your stay in Barcelona: The National Theatre is quite near it, for example, as well as the Glòries Shopping Centre, the Pompeu Fabra University, and the beach. Plan your day in the “22@”, and take your time to discover one of the most interesting and entrepreneur zones of Europe.

 

Barcelona Apartments

Barcelona Apartments

During your days in Barcelona, we recommend you to rent a private apartment in an attractive zone. Besides enjoying the views from the flat’s terrace, you will have the privileged of living your holidays on your own and integrating to the Barcelona’s life with all the comfort of a private luxury apartment.

Madrid’s Royal Palace

Published: September 21, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , ,

Changing of the guard in the Madrid’s Royal Palace

 

Madrid Royal Palace

Madrid Royal Palace

It is not a London’s exclusive attraction. Although the change of the guard in the Buckingham Palace is famous worldwide, the Madrid’s equivalence has nothing to envy the English one.

If you are having holidays in Madrid, you should reserve the Wednesday’s morning to attend this event in the Royal Palace. Every Wednesday from 11am to 14pm (except July, August, September and specific celebrations), the guard of the palace dresses as the Alfons XII and Alfons XIII époque. In total, up to 27 guards and 6 horses take place in this ceremony, which keeps alive the traditional Madrid.

This is, definitely, a very good opportunity to get in touch with the history of Spain and in particular, of the city of Madrid. Using your imagination, it will be easy to travel through the time and recreate the original scenes.

 

Madrid Royal Palace Changing of the Guard

Madrid Royal Palace Changing of the Guard

And if you are lucky, maybe you can attend the “Solemn Changing”. It happens only once a month (the first Wednesday of the month), at 12pm. This is the greatest changing of the guard, and it joins 400 people (both men and women dressed in the original soldier uniforms) and 100 horses. The event takes place with music helping to create the beautiful atmosphere for the history memory.

Everything takes place with solemnity, and following a concrete rhythm, according to the drum and other instrument’s compass. The public is aware of the theatricality of the show, but it is the best way to represent the history, and to do homage to the Madrid’s origins.

Lately, most and most tourists decide to book an apartment for their holidays. They realise of the freedom it brings to their families, the intimacy, and the great amount of benefits of having your own flat in a foreign city. That’s why we want to recommend you having a look to our list of Madrid’s top class apartments, available in many different areas of the city, depending on your priorities. Take a look at it, and let your dreams start growing!

 

Photos: Daderot -

 

Equiplast 2011

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

It is a sister-fair of the Eurosurfas 2011. Equiplast will be celebrated the same days as the fair of the surfas treatment and at the same Gran Via Venue. From the 14th to the 18th of November, the little sister festival focused on the plastic industry, will offer complementary material to the visitors of the Eurosurfas 2011, and first-hand information for the professionals of the plastic sector. This year, Equiplast celebrates its 16th anniversary. If your job is highly or slightly related to the plastic and rubber processing, don’t miss the opportunity to meet the very best of the worldwide experts of this field in Barcelona.

Equiplast Barcelona

Equiplast Barcelona

Among the subjects of the fair, we can find raw materials and additives; machinery, equipment and automation systems; peripherals, parts and components; moulds and dies; semi-manufactured and finished products; measuring, control and automation; hardware and software; environment, recycling, industrial and occupational safety; research, development and innovation and subcontracting and services.

The Equiplast is taking part of the “2011, International Year of Chemistry”. The aim of this celebration, and the contribution of the Equiplast fair, is the transformation of our world by the conscious actions of these important sectors, so influent in the biggest countries of the world.

All the activities of the programme have the aim of bringing new opportunities to the industry, helping the companies to evolve by putting them in touch and creating synergies. Moreover, it is a very good chance to promote the creation of new business or the strengthening of the already existing relations.

Joining the Equiplast 2011 in Barcelona will let you not only enrich yourself as a professional, but have a very good time in the city. Lots of tourists can’t help falling in love with Barcelona, and you will figure out the reason if you visit it in November. Especially in this season, when the slightly cold winter is waiting in the corner, Barcelona becomes a very magic place, always full of movement, life, dynamism. Its lights never stop moving, and the agenda of activities seems to be infinite.

Equiplast 2011

Equiplast 2011

We love Barcelona, just like the people who decide to book our exclusive apartments in the city. We know that in order to meet Barcelona as truly as possible, there is only one accommodation option: the private apartments. They allow you to live, organize, cook and sleep just like living in your own home, something that will make you have a unique holidays, completely different to the standard ones, in a hotel. Try it and tell us your livings. Trust us: Barcelona is magic!

 

Eurosurfas in Barcelona

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

Barcelona is usually chosen to hold very different kinds of fairs and festivals. It has become a referent in many subjects, and the city itself invites the visitors to have a good time relaxing and discovering a cosmopolitan, Mediterranean and warm destination.

 

Eurosurfas Barcelona

Eurosurfas Barcelona

This next November, the professionals of the surface treatment industry will have the chance to attend one of the best fairs, specialized in this particular issue. From the 14th to the 18th of November, in the Gran Via Venue, a great festival will be ready to offer seminars, stall’s information and much more. The Eurosurfas fair reaches this 2011, its 24th edition with an interesting programme where the professionals of this sector will be sharing their day to day work interests.

Among the topics that will be discussed during the fair, or available in the exhibitor’s site, there are paints and varnishes; equipment and plant for surface preparation and paint application; equipment for control, testing, analysis and measuring; environment and industrial and employee safety; research, development and innovation; miscellaneous services and outsourcing; etc.

 

Eurosurfas 2011

Eurosurfas 2011

The Gran Via Venue is a huge space prepared to welcome lots of visitors. If you decide to rent a car for your days in Barcelona, you will be able to park it in the parking of the venue. Otherwise, if you want to move by public transport, you will have to check the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat map, as the Plaça Espanya station is one of the nearest one. Also the Espanya metro station will be useful in this case.

The fair will open every day from 10am to 7pm, except the last day, which will close its doors at 5pm. During your free time, or in the breaks, you can advantage for sightseeing or have fun in Barcelona. There are plenty of options waiting for you in Barcelona: a walk by the sea, shopping in Las Ramblas, a coffee in the old zone of El Raval or Ciutat Vella, or going out in a club. Museums, beautiful streets, bars, small shops with exclusive pieces and big shopping centres presenting the main international brands. Everything is possible in Barcelona.

We invite you to the Eurosurfas fair this November in Barcelona. To stay in the city, there are many options, but no one will satisfy you more than a private holiday apartment in Barcelona. We have different flats to rent presenting a high standing style and comfort that surely will surprise you.

 

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