Archive for October, 2011

Buying your Christmas presents in Barcelona

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

Christmas is the sweetest time of the year. Not only for the delicious deserts that traditionally decorate all the dinner’s table, but for the presents that families and friends give each other as a symbol of love. However, buying these presents can be a difficult task, especially if you want to be original and fit with the expectations of your beloved ones.

A good manner to guarantee your presents are unique is by buying them abroad. When you visit another country, you usually find fantastic products, original objects and nice souvenirs that bring an exclusive attribute to your personal collection.

In this article, we want to give you a few ideas about buying your presents in Barcelona. This is a very good place to find little “treasures” in the most exclusive shops:

One of them is “Wit Lab”. This shop, located in “Travessera de Gràcia, 82”, started as a familiar business and now, with the growth of its popularity, has request the incorporation of more staff in the team. The aim of the shop is to create personalized objects that combine the massive consume with the unique individual details. A good example are the customized giant Coke cans, that are produced with your name instead the Coke’s traditional logo. Moreover, you can use your personal pictures to create posters, clothes, curtains, etc. This shop also has precious objects that the team recollect from the most special markets in the world.

Barcelona christmas

Barcelona christmas

Another shop to buy presents, this time for children, is “Imaginarium”, where one can find beautiful toys designed with a lot of tenderness, and with a clear educative and entertainment focus. There are several “Imaginarium” shops spread all around Barcelona.

For a bit more exclusive present for the little ones, you can visit the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s shop. This Spanish fashion designer has also a large collection of objects, toys and home-products, with her personal and unique stamp. You will find this sweet shop in “Consell de Cent, 314”.

For a magic present, reach the “Rey de la Magia” shop, devoted to the magic world, which contains all the necessary objects to become a professional trick’s king. Visit this original shop in “Carrer de la Princesa, 11”.

Our last recommendation is thought for women of all ages. “Keka” is located in El Born, in “Carrer d’ Esparteria, 17”, and has plenty of dolls in sell, from exclusive Barbies to Mariquita Pérez, Blythe o Ashton Drake. Give a good surprise to your friends, mother, daughter, sister or girlfriend, and buy them the doll of their childhood.

Barcelona at christmas

Barcelona at christmas

Although in Barcelona you can find almost any present you have in mind, the most valuable present is your stay in the city. This is why you have to take the most of it, and book the accommodation of your dreams. To achieve it, we have a selection of exclusive apartments to rent in Barcelona, with all the luxury, comfort, smartness and sophistication you like to have around. Check online our holiday flats in Barcelona and choose the special one for you!

 

Photos: Michelangelo-36 -

 

The Prado Museum in Madrid

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

It is the most famous museum in Madrid and the sightseeing premium attraction of the city. Located in the Ruiz de Alarcón Street, 23, this huge art gallery contains plenty of masterpieces by national and international painters.

Madrid_Prado_Museum

Madrid_Prado_Museum

Although the general entrance costs 10€, you can very easily visit the museum for free if you can fit with one of the following conditions: if you are less than 18 years old, if you are a student and you are between 18 and 25 years old, if you are an unemployed person, etc. The entrance will be also free for everybody from Tuesday to Saturday from 18h to 20h and Sunday from 17h to 20h. We really recommend you to go to the museum with time, as probably you will have to wait a long time in the cue.

However, the wait will precede a valuable experience: Inside the Prado Museum, incredible paintings by Goya, El Greco, Velázquez, Bosch, Botticelli, Rubens, and others will delight you with its incredible intensity. You will have the chance to admire sculpture pieces as well.

The Prado Museum can be visited in three ways: On your own and without any kind of guide, just reading the information plates on the walls next to the pieces; booking a virtual guide in your language; or joining an itinerary leaded by a professional guide. Obviously, this last option will bring you the deepest details and information about the works displayed on the site, but if you prefer to enjoy the art following your own rhythm, the first option is made for you.

The Prado Museum offers workshops, special activities for children and young people, conferences and special exhibitions among other options. The agenda is dynamic and interesting, and a good way to ensure you take the most of your visit, is checking the official Prado Museum webpage before you come to Madrid.

 

The Prado Museum in Madrid

The Prado Museum in Madrid

After discovering the Prado Museum, you can keep exploring the art in Madrid by visiting the Reina Sofia Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Gallery. And to combine with the art experience, you can reach the Retiro Park, the Casa del Campo, or find out the magic corners of the centric Plaza Mayor.

Madrid is majestic and humble at the same time, familiar and secret, close and unattainable. Madrid is everything you can find out in your holidays and all you can expect. Discover this incredible city and let us help you with our top rent flats in the best districts of Madrid. Luxury apartments in the centre, with spacious rooms and fantastic views. Meet them all in our website!

 

Photos: Brian Snelson - van Ort - losmininos

The Extraordinary Christmas Lottery

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

Every 22nd of December, the Spanish inhabitants follow through the TV, the evolution of the biggest lottery contest of the year: The Extraordinary Christmas draw. The popularity of this event is huge and most of the people buy one or various tickets to participate. Although the illusion to wait the good luck is something that people never lose, the numbers say that the probability to win is not very high. However, if we analyse the awards, we can see it is not impossible either.

Barcelona Lottery

Barcelona Lottery

The main prizes of this lottery are the following ones:

-          1 first prize of 3.000.000€. This is the biggest prize, known as “El Gordo” (The Big One).

-           1 second prize of 1.000.000€.

-          1 third prize of 500.000€.

-          2 fourth prizes of 200.000€.

-          8 fifth prizes of 50.000€.

-          1.774 prizes of 1000€, known as “La Pedrea”.

There are plenty of other prizes with a lower economic value, and all together reach the amazing amount of 13.334 prizes.

To participate in this lottery you can buy from a “décimo” (tenth part of a ticket) up to as many tickets as you want. Every ticket costs 200€, so the “décimo” costs 20€.

The celebration of this lottery is massively followed by most of the people in Spain. As they have been doing for ages, the orphan students of the San Ildefonso School, are in charge of taking out the balls with the digits that will compose the magic awarded number.

Once the celebration is over, the lucky ones are presented to the rest of Spain by the TV news, newspapers, and other information platforms. The luck has visited them, while others will eagerly wait for the following occasion.

If you want to participate in this lottery, you can take advantage of your visit to Madrid or Barcelona, and reach a lottery office. The 22nd of December, you will know, either by TV or by Internet, if your life has changed.

In any case, your dreams cannot stop growing, and the first thing you should do is enjoy as much as you can, your stay in Spain. Madrid and Barcelona are now two of the most popular destinations in the world, and you cannot miss their excellent cuisine, their cultural treasures and the warmth of their people.

Moreover, you don’t need to win a lottery to live a good life, so we propose you to book a luxury apartment in the best locations of Madrid and Barcelona: they are top rent flats that will make you feel as a real star.

Photos: HombreDHojalata

“Grease, the musical” in Barcelona

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

Both teenagers and adults know exactly what “Grease” is about. Ones lived in person those years, others just discovered them through the catchy songs sung by the “Pink Ladies”, the hansom John Travolta or the beautiful Olivia Newton John. We all think about that movie with a smile on our face, and when the songs come to live in a club or pub, no one can avoid moving and following their rhythm. “Grease” is high school and love, fun and jokes.

 

Grease in Barcelona

Grease in Barcelona

But all this belongs to the past, to that movie so far away. If you think so, we have to say that you are wrong. “Grease” is still with us, and more alive than ever. Get ready, prepare your flights, holiday apartment and luggage, and come to Barcelona these Christmas, to meet “Grease” again, in one of the most successful musicals of the history.

 

Barcelona Entertainment

Barcelona Entertainment

The premiere’s day is the 15th of November 2011. The theatre that will host the play is located in “Las Arenas” shopping centre, in the top dome, from where the views of Barcelona are absolutely fantastic. This theatre has 1800 available seats, and was designed with a modern and spectacular style. You can take advantage of your visit to this centre, and have dinner before the play starts, in one of the 25 top restaurants. “Las Arenas” is located in the Espanya Square, a very centric location that you can reach by metro (L1 and L3), taxi, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat or bus.

This “Grease” musical version offers Spanish translated songs that keep the same essence of the movie. The dancing has been directed by the famous Spanish dancer and teacher, Coco Comín, while the singing parts evolved under the supervision of the music Manu Guix.

Although more than 40 years separate the original film and this new representation, we really recommend you to attend the musical in Barcelona: Let the melodies that you still have in mind, make you feel young again.

The tickets for the musical cost between 22€ and 100€. Before the 15th of November, there will be previous shows from the 3rd to the 13th of November, with a 20% of discount. For more information, visit the official webpage of the “Grease, the musical”.

This occasion deserves the best accommodation. By taking a taxi from Las Arenas, you and your family or friends, will move to the luxury apartment you will have previously booked in Las Ramblas, El Born, Plaza Catalunya or Passeig de Gràcia, and will have a delicious evening. Check our range of top rent apartments in Barcelona, and let your memories come true.

Photos: AvidMusicInc

 

Barcelona at Christmas

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

Do you know the Catalan “Pessebre”?

As in all Spain, Catalonia keeps alive the tradition of creating nativity scenes (Betlems) with small figures that recreate the religious characters. The aim is to build a very realistic situation, with all the details: the river made with brilliant paper, the grass of the mountains with moss recollected in the forest, and snow, scattered with cooking flour. This “pessebre” brings love to the houses during the Christmas days, and helps to wait the arrival of the three kings, the 6th of January, after New Year.

Barcelona Christmas

Barcelona Christmas

The principle figures to compose a “pessebre” are the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the Jesus Child. Some homes prefer a simple representation with only these three figures, while others like to decorate it and add every detail to set up the most beautiful nativity scene: angels, shepherds, all kind of animals (lamps, swans, cows, ducks…), trees, forests, rocks and valleys…and obviously, the three kings, with refined clothes, travelling on their camels and conducted by the pages. The king’s entourage can be as long and ornate as your imagination lets you!

All the “pessebres” follow the same structure and have the same appearance look. But in Catalonia and Valencia, they have a particularity that can be quite surprising for those who have never heard about it: one of the shepherds appears defecating half hided next to a tree: He is called “el caganer”.  The real origin of this figure is still a bit confusing, but it is known that the incorporation of this shepherd was a symbol of good luck. The love to this character and his sympathy has made the most modern markets and shops offer funny versions of him. Instead of the original, famous world-wide characters appear in the same position, as the current “caganer”: Politicians, Hollywood stars, singers, etc. You can find all these versions in any Christmas market in Barcelona, such as “La Fira de Santa Llúcia”, or the Sagrada Família Market.

Barcelona Christmas Holiday

Barcelona Christmas Holiday

Once the “pessebre” is completed, all the figures are established in their position and the nativity scene seems to start living, there is still one thing missing: the magic. Blinking lights are usually added as a colourful decoration, which brings brightness to the special night. The three king’s star, which is supposed to guide them to the new born Jesus, is also one of the main objects of the scene.

Walking through the centre of Barcelona in Christmas is a good way to see different “pessebres”: the shops’ windows or the public squares usually join this beautiful tradition, keeping the religious tradition and maintaining the love’s flame through the small figures.

Don’t let your friends tell you: Live yourself the experience of a Catalan Christmas. It will surely surprise you thanks to the warmth of the people and the lovely traditions you can breathe and feel everywhere. Book now a holiday apartment in Barcelona, after choosing the best luxury flat for you. Amazing homes with all the luxury are waiting for you in Barcelona.

 

Photos: Slastic - Year of the Dragon

FITUR, Madrid 2012

Published: October 24, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,

 

Fitur Madrid

Fitur Madrid

Lately, Spain has become one of the most popular countries for tourism. People from around the world see this beautiful and full-of-contrasts country as a good destination for their free days. This has made Spain an expert country regarding the touristic options and last trends, and the FITUR fair proves this fact.

FITUR is the name of one of the biggest fairs taking place in Madrid every year. Devoted to the touristic world in an international approach, from the 18th to the 22nd of January 2012 it will reach its 32nd edition, with amazing expectations and outstanding participation figures from the previous year. In 2011, almost 10.500 companies, from 166 countries, exhibited in the fair, and up to 209.000 visitors could enjoy the endless content all along the enabled spaces.

This year, the organisation of the world’s areas contained in the event, will present the following groups, spread along the ten available pavilions: Asia-Pacífic; America-Africa; North of Africa, Middle East and Europe; Europe-Companies; Companies and Spanish official organizations.

The target of the fair will be especially professional, although the last two days of the event (21st and 22nd) will be opened to the general public. Definitely, the FITUR’s aim is to provide material and resources to the touristic professionals, in order to manage the big changes of this sector, but at the same time, show all the news and the trends of this field, to the real protagonists of the festival: the customers.

During the first day (18th of January) the FITUR Congress, a sister event, will take place at the same time of the regular FITUR fair. This simultaneous activity wants to bring a space for professionals, where to promote new business, partnerships, and interchanging of useful information.

Either you have a small or a giant touristic company, you must attend this event in Madrid. There is nothing better to start the New Year, than travelling to the Spanish capital and grow as a professional, as well as a person, thanks to the beautiful days you will live in Madrid. You will soon find out the potential and the hided corners of this city.

And if you want to enjoy 100% your experience, only trust a private apartment for you, that will give you all the facilities for a top class accommodation. Luxury, comfort, amazing views and 100% security in the best locations of Madrid. Check our top rent apartments in Madrid, and you will understand the kind of experience we are offering you.

 

The Medieval Market in Vic Barcelona

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

As every year, Vic, a beautiful city located one and a half hour far from Barcelona, will welcome thousands of visitors to its medieval event: The Vic’s Medieval Market. This city is famous around Catalonia for its frequent markets and fairs, and the principle one during the Christmas holidays, is focused on the Middle Ages’ products and traditions.

Barcelona Vic Medieval Market

Barcelona Vic Medieval Market


 

As Vic is a rural city, where both the agriculture and livestock are very important, the fair gives a lot of importance to the natural products, quite exclusive and appreciated for its top quality: cheeses, pork meat, chocolates, honey…all of them have the guarantee of its pure origin, just as it used to be during the Middle Ages.

The event will take place from the 5th to the 8th of December, all along the ancient town of Vic, both inside and outside the city walls. Vic offers an architecture set, perfectly adapted to this past scenario, as buildings such as the Roman Temple, the cathedral, or the Romanic Bridge, help the visitors to imagine how would it be many centuries ago.

 

Barcelona Medieval

Barcelona Medieval

 

 

One of the most attractive activities of this market is composed by the shows, which are represented several times in a day, to let most of the people attend them. One of the most amazing shows is featured by owls, eagles and falcons, which fly over the public’s heads and realize incredible movements breaking the air. For the little ones, a walk on a pony represents a cool adventure and a funny experience!

 

Medieval Market Barcelona

Medieval Market Barcelona

The animals and food products mix with different stalls where diverse professionals show their abilities regarding the most ancient trades: blacksmiths, carpenters, restaurateurs, etc. They create what is called “The trades’ route”.

This fair is perfect for the winter season. Hot chocolate, chestnuts, hot pork meat’s sandwiches, and other typically winter products, are offered in the restaurants and bars established in the way.

Are you going to miss this beautiful opportunity to meet a different reality? This is a very interesting excursion to find out more from Catalonia, and discover another face of the country. You can easily travel to Vic from Barcelona and return at the same day, to sleep and rest in your top rent apartment. Check our range of luxury flats to rent for days in Barcelona, located in privileged areas and the best districts. The experience of your life is waiting for you in a top rent apartment of Barcelona.

Merry Christmas 2011!

 

The Food Show of Barcelona

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

Celebrating its 4th anniversary, the following 2nd, 3rd and 4th of December 2011, the “Food Show for the Consumer and the Specialized Channel” will be set in the Barcelona’s Fair’s space, in the “Recinto de Montjuic, Palacio 1”.

Barcelona The Food Show

Barcelona The Food Show

This is a great chance for both consumers and professionals of the gastronomic sector, to find out new recipes and products, trends, and meet culinary secrets thanks to the sharing time offered by the fair.

The exhibitor profiles go from “Producers of food specialities”, to “Organic produce and integrated production”, passing by “Catering schools and cooking courses”, “Associations and Cooperatives” or “Major distribution outlets”.

Barcelona Degusta

Barcelona Degusta

Exclusive products, the best companies in the world, and the most passionate food lovers, will converge in this year’s food show of Barcelona. Getting new ideas for your most original menus, finding business’ partners or welcome new commercial possibilities, are only some of the aims of this event.

By paying the 12€ general ticket, you will also have right to taste two different products chosen among all the stalls in the fair.

The prepared activities consist in culinary demonstrations and workshops, conferences with the best specialists or the possibility to buy directly in the fair.

Barcelona is one of the richest cities regarding the gastronomy and restaurants’ world. The density of good places to eat is outstanding, and part of this can be explained by the importance and the health power of the Mediterranean diet, so present in the kitchen of the Barcelona’s homes and restaurants. Sometimes, this diet is reinvented thanks to the modernity and the influence of the worldwide culinary traditions.

Visiting Barcelona in this occasion can be a fantastic way to enrich your “inside” cooker or to improve your job’s skills. Moreover, Barcelona is a city that deserves to be consumed slowly, as a good wine, by walking calmly through its streets, taking some drinks in a terrace and maybe having dinner in front of the sea.

And for those who like to live comfortably, with the peace and luxury that can make your journey, an unforgettable experience of pleasure and emotions, we invite you to check our range of luxury apartments in Barcelona, and find the style that best matches your desires.

 

 

 

 

Dabadum 2011

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

DABADUM, children and family’s entertainment in Madrid

Dabadum 2011

Dabadum 2011

From the coming 6th to 11th of December 2011, Madrid will welcome the first edition of a new fair, devoted to the “children’s leisure time with the family”. Following this concept, the event will propose plenty of activities to do both in a family context, and with the school.

The general philosophy that will put together the diverse companies and the range of presented activities will be the mix of the fun and the education in all those free time options. The pedagogical contribution is also a distinctive attribute in the fair, which guarantees a good combination of diversion and personal enrichment.

The fair is focused to children from 0 to 12 years, and the parents play a big role, as the aim of the event is to join all the family during the entertainment time.

You can visit this interesting fair every day from the 6th to the 11th of December, from 11h to 20h. The 7th will be the reserved day for the school’s visit, where the companies will show their proposals, thought for this specific target.

Besides inside activities, shows (cinema, theatre), workshops, etc. the fair will also have the Dabadum Club, with great advantages and a wide range of extra services.

Among the areas contained in the fair, the visitor will find: games and toys, the digital area, sports for everybody, fathers and mothers’ school, Christmas walk, pet world, etc.

So close to the Christmas time, when the toy’s shopping can get out of control, attending a fair like this can, definitely, help to focus and decide which is the best way to educate the children, in order to make them happy, as well as, well educated.

Moreover, don’t forget that the most important thing, although the digital and modern world can make it difficult, is to keep all the family’s member together. The Dabadum fair will help you and the rest of visitors, to discover the best way to achieve this beautiful wish.

While visiting the fair, you must take advantage of your days in Madrid and visit the most important attractions. Take the children to the Retiro Park and sail on a boat in the lake. At the evening, try a ham sandwich and for breakfast, the delicious chocolate “churros”.

When travelling with children, the accommodation can be the number one worry. That is why we want to satisfy you, by offering one of our flats to rent for your days in Madrid. They are luxury and top comfort Madrid apartments located in privileged centric areas, that will make you and your little ones, feel like having your own home in Spain.

 

“Las mil y una bodas”, inspiring weddings in Madrid

Published: October 13, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,

This is the biggest event devoted to the weddings’ world in Spain. This year it reaches its 13th edition, absolutely consolidated as an important referent for those who are about to become wife and husband.

Madrid "Las mil y una bodas"

Madrid "Las mil y una bodas"

Among all the services, products and activities, the visitors to the feast will find bride’s dresses’ catwalks, ideas for the most original celebrations, and different options that are able to make a wedding, something unforgettable. The participant companies to the catwalk show will be Protocolo, Deuralde, Félix Ramiro and Pasarela By Félix Ramiro.

This year, the visitors can participate in a draw just in the entrance of the pavilion, by putting a personalized paper inside a box. If your paper is one of the lucky ones, you will win one of the four fantastic money prizes, prepared to help the couple with the payment of the dreamed wedding. The first prize consists in more than 15000€, while the last one, will give the awarded couple, up to 2000€.

Madrid wedding fair

Madrid wedding fair

Besides an exclusive styling advice service, the visitors will be able to buy products and services, directly from the fair itself. After comparing between the 150 participating companies, you will be able to decide which way is the best to accomplish your most personal desires.

Fairs in Madrid

Fairs in Madrid

 

Trust this great fair to help you to create what is supposed to be the best day of your life. Everything has to be perfect, and a good idea to put a distinctive detail on your wedding, is getting inspired by the Spanish outstanding style.

Travel to the Spanish capital and live 3 fantastic days with your beloved one, dreaming about the special day, and taking advantage of the trip by living the Madrid’s essence and sightseeing during your free time. Madrid is a very romantic and majestic city, with a very vital energy, and a welcoming attitude able to make happy every single person.

Feel by yourself what we are telling you! And if you want to have an unforgettable getaway with your dear one, book now a luxury apartment for your days in Madrid. All the romanticism, intimacy and comfort, available for you two in a unique and exclusive flat to rent in Madrid.

« Older Entries