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Barcelona y Andy Warhol

Published: November 8, 2012Posted in: Barcelona ExhibitionsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Until November 25 you can visit the exhibition “From Factory to the world: photography to the Warhol community“, an exhibition that is at the center of the image, in the Virreina palace, on the Ramblas street in Barcelona.

Barcelona y Andy Warhol

This interesting exhibition shows an unknown portrait of Andy Warhol‘s universe. Beyond his legendary pop-art and his most known characteristics, beyond his statements, there is the mythical Factory, a place where all his artist friends gathered and the ideas flowed. Now, with this exhibition, we can enter into this universe. The result of this exploration: pictures that equally shocked that fascinate.
Christopher Makos, Billy Name and Jonas Mekas, among other photographers portray the evolution of the Factory from the 60s to the disappearance of the artist. In the first period we find compilations of pictures about Warhol and his friends, photographs of great personalities who passed through the studio. As Warhol becomes more famous and mediatic, we see an evolution of the photographs that move the focus more on hir figure and hir obsessions as an exhaustive exploration of the male body in its nakedness.

Away from his colorful and massive art, this black and white exhibition shows the intimacy of the great artist and all his friends, and for those who are unaware, it shows that the Factory was a place of ideas, but also, parties, drugs, music and “debauchery”.
The exhibition is complemented by a very interesting video that contains a series of images in super 8 about the Andy Warhol’s life, beginning with the first concert that made his group The Velvet Underground, and focusing primarily on those images that show the everyday life, as Warhol relationship with his friends.
For more information about the exhibition you can check the official website.

Luxury flats in Barcelona

Spend a holiday in Barcelona, the city of beauty and creativity, which all over the year offers infinte possibilities for entertainment and culture. Book one of our luxury villas or apartments in Barcelona in the city center, as amazing flats in Las Ramblas, Gothic and Born quarters, for an unforgettable holiday.

Joan Miró and Jackson Pollock in Barcelona

Published: October 8, 2012Posted in: Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One of the best museums in Barcelona it is certainly the foundation dedicated to the great Catalan artist Joan Miró. The Joan Miró Foundation is located in one of the most beautiful places of the city, the promontory of Montjuïc.

The Joan Miró Foundation at Montjuïc Barcelona

Joan Miró was born in 1893 in the historic centre of Barcelona, between the Ramblas and the Plaça Sant Jaume, near the Gothic quarter. His childhood was spent among the hustle and bustle of one of the most cosmopolitan streets in the world, and the historical weight of an area housing the Cathedral, the City Hall and the Government building.

This itinerary will follow some of the places Miró frequented as a child, but also the places where he was formed as an artist and as a person. For the young Miró, Barcelona could also offer the collection of Romanesque paintings he was able to admire at the Museu de Belles Arts (then in the Ciutadella Park), and Antoni Gaudí‘s art; it was the city where he would come and go from Paris, Mont-roig or Palma, and the home of some of his early friends with whom he shared a studio, drawing classes and the fun of going out at night to the various haunts around the Paral·lel and the old town. Barcelona was his birthplace and the city where he wished to leave his imprint.

Apartments for rent in Barcelona

The Miró legacy is evident throughout Barcelona: at the airport, a work to welcome people arriving by air; on the ground, a 30-metre monument to welcome people arriving by road (at present Woman and Bird, situated at the Parc Joan Miró); a mosaic at the Pla de l’Os, in the Ramblas, for people entering the city by sea; and a Centre for Contemporary Art Studies, at the Fundació Joan Miró, as a door to the future and a place for international cultural exchanges.

The Joan Miró's mosaic at the Barcelona airport

From 24 October 2012 to 24 March 2013 the Joan Miró Foundation offers to its visitors, the exhibition dedicated to another great genius of the twentieth century: “Explosion! The legacy of Jackson Pollock”.
Pollock was undoubtedly the greatest exponent of “action painting”. Through this exhibition, the Fundació Joan Miró investigates the structure of influences and connections that were produced from this art technique, the interest of which lies in the fact that artists confer the same importance on the creative act as the result itself, and which leads to an experimental and conceptual attitude towards painting. This exhibition includes several works ranging from the forties to the present day, and offers samples from artists such as Jackson Pollock, Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Allan Kaprow, Andy Warhol, Lynda Benglis, Murakami, Bruce Nauman, John Baldessari, Paul McCarthy and Francis Alÿs.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a holiday in Barcelona, taking advantage of its extraordinary artistic and cultural offer. Rent one of our luxury apartments in the city center or one of our amazing penthouses with breathtaking view and live an unforgettable experience.

The new Born Market, culture and history

Published: September 19, 2012Posted in: Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

On the occasion of the celebration of the Catalonia National Day, the September 11, 2012, the old Born Market, reopened after being closed many years for the rehabilitation of the building, which has been converted into a cultural center, where you can see the remains of the city in 1714. This reopening coincided with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the siege of 1714 by Bourbon troops.

The remains of the city in 1714, under the New Born Market

Excavation in 2001 at the former Mercat del Born, a late-19th-century produce market built of iron and glass, unearthed great chunks of one of the districts flattened to make way for the much-hated Ciutadella. Historians found intact streets and the remains of houses, dating as far back as the 15th century. Excitement was such that plans to locate a new city library in the long-disused market were dropped. Instead, the site will become a museum and cultural centre.

The Center will open every day of the year. You’ll be able to see the remains from a platforms system, and walk among the archaeological remains, which have a clear structure of streets. There will be a permanent exhibition, which can be visited by paying a ticket. This exhibition, will have a total of 1.500 objects and an audiovisual, which will be in perfect working order from December 2012. In addition, the new Born Market will have a library, a cafeteria and a reception room, and there will be several programs of cultural activities.

Rent cool apartments in Born, Barcelona

The center director, Quim Torra, explained that the New Born Market wants to become “a spearhead for the national ambition”, and that the remains that we can see, are only the 5% of the buildings that were demolished after the siege in1714. For the mayor of Barcelona, the conversion of the Born Market building “explains what Barcelona and Catalonia were, are and want to be”.

Barcelona has a new cultural and historical point of interest, situated in one of his most characteristic neighborhoods. Rent one of our cool apartments in the Born district, the shopping and art heart of the city.

Mercè 2012, the Festival of Festivals

Published: September 17, 2012Posted in: Barcelona EventsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

La Mercè is the Festival of Festivals, the mother of all parties of the city. La Mercè is the Festival of Barcelona. From september 16 to 24 the city will be full of events and, in particular, in the weekend several big shows will take place throughout the city, ending with the traditonal fireworks show in front of the magic fountain of Montjuïc.

Mercè 2012, Barcelona, The Festival of Festivals

This year’s event is much more decentralized, happening all over Barcelona during the day and night. Too Parc de la Ciutadella and the Castell de Montjuïc will provide a mirror to reflect the unique excitement of the circus, dance and street arts here in Barcelona. And from lots of stages around the city, from Plaça de Sant Jaume to Parc del Fòrum, will come the latest sounds of music “made in Catalonia”, which compares favourably with anything heard on the most innovative stages in Europe.

After Pope Pius IX declared the Virgin of La Mercè the patron saint of the city, Barcelona began to celebrate a festival in the month of September. La Mercè really took off in 1902, when under the impulse of Francesc Cambó, the festival became the model the those that are currently held all over Catalonia. However, the history of La Mercè would suffer many high and low points that extended throughout the Civil War and the years of Franco. With the arrival of democracy, La Mercè became a truly popular celebration thanks to the participation of organisations from all over the city.

La Mercè today it is a festival held in a large number of public places with a programme centred on Mediterranean culture. In less than a week Barcelona brings together a huge programme of events which forces you to choose between them: street arts, street processions, concerts, traditional dances… The most traditional activities of the Mercè Festival are a compendium of popular culture from all over Catalonia. There is the Gironese Sardana, the human castles and devils from the Camp of Tarragona, dances that still survive today all over the Catalan lands. But the great Barcelona speciality is its street parades, originating from the spectacular processions which took place centuries ago for the celebration of Corpus Christi. Find all the information on the official web of La Mercè 2012.

Rent luxury apartments in Barcelona

La Mercè is more than a festival: it is a journey that begins in our past and leads us towards a tomorrow shaped by the talents, capabilities and efforts of an entire people. So you can not miss this unique event, let’s book in one of our beautiful and comfortable apartments located throughout the city, from the city-center, to the sea and the hills, and you’ll enjoy the Mercè 2012.

Christmas in Barcelona

Published: November 10, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , ,

Lately, we have been talking about visiting Barcelona during the Christmas time. We have been recommending different options for a perfect getaway in the city. In case you missed some of them, we are going to summarize the principle ones in this article, in order to show you that choosing Barcelona for a different Christmas is something that you are not going to regret.

Christmas in Barcelona

Christmas in Barcelona

If you want to feel the life of Barcelona in the most direct and real way, but still with luxury, comfort and smartness, you should check our range of holiday apartments in the city. These flats to rent for some days will bring to you plenty of freedom, as they will become, during your stay, your Barcelona’s home.

Without worrying about schedules, noises and sharing your accommodation with other guests, you will have time to walk through Las Ramblas and try some hot chestnuts, a very typical product of the Catalonia’s autumn, as well as “churros” with chocolate.

You can also be aware of the decorative “pessebres” of the shops, or of the public spaces, such as the giant one, in the City Hall’s Square (San Jaume Square). The “pessebre” (Bethlehem) consists in creating the nativity scene with little figures: the three kings, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and the shepherds. Most of the homes in Barcelona and Catalonia have their own “pessebre” during Christmas.

Barcelona in Christmas

Barcelona in Christmas

Besides visiting the most representative tourist attractions of the city: The Sagrada Familia, the Tibidabo amusement park, Plaça Catalunya, etc. you can reach the FCBarcelona stadium and enjoy a funny time skating on an ice rink.

And if you want to buy some presents for the rest of the family, to surprise them with unique Spanish objects, you can go up and down the Passeig de Gracia, full of all kinds of shops, or go to El Corte Inglés, L’illa Diagonal, Diagonal Mar o FNAC, all of them shopping centres, very crowded during these dates.

Renting a luxury apartment in Las Ramblas, Passeig de Gracia, Plaça Catalunya or the beach, has plenty of benefits. One of them is the comfort of living in the centre, something that lets you move without needing the public transport; another one is the tranquillity of a top quality flat for rent, that ensures you have all you need, and you feel as special as you deserve; an another one, is the freedom and intimacy, that only by booking these kind of accommodation, you will achieve.

Photos: Tinou Bao - Carquinyol - Year of the dragon

 

 

“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

 

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!

 

Gràcia, a town inside the city

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

Not so long in the past, the current Barcelona had another very different appearance.  Some of the neighbourhoods that now compose the big city were separated towns, which in time, and with the growth of the Barcelona’s size, have been absorbed and so integrated in the capital. Now, those towns, transformed into areas, maintain their name and their particular identity, so different one of the others.

One of these towns is “Gràcia”. This area is characteristic for its tinny streets, its big squares without cars, its distinctive restaurants and bars, and its so strong town’s personality. The neighbours participate in this community feeling by doing lots of things together, organizing the famous street’s decoration content of the Gràcia’s Feasts, etc.

 

Barcelona Gracia's Feast

Barcelona Gracia's Feast

 

 

Gràcia is a very good district for those who want a quite evening surrounded by people, and far from the cars and the road. This is an isle inside Barcelona, a travel to the history, the memory of that moment where people in the town of Gràcia, lived the rhythm of the tranquillity.

Now, precious shops and delicious restaurants, with a design’s style and presenting a mix of fashion and tradition, have set their business in the expensive streets of Gràcia.  It seems like the truth and the authenticity were more valuable in our days, and especially in a city were sometimes is difficult to find a quite place to take a beer, a cocktail or have dinner.

Barcelona Gracia Town

Barcelona Gracia Town

In Gràcia, you can also watch a BSO film in the “Verdi Cinemas”, learn music in the famous “Orfeó de Gràcia” or get inspired by the green-toned squares, full of trees, that were used as the literature’s landscape for most of the Mercè Rodoreda’s (a famous Catalan writer) novels.

Another way to find calm in the city is by staying in your own private luxury holiday apartment in Barcelona. This option is becoming more and more common for all kind of travellers. It is the only option that can bring intimacy and the warm of a home, to the tourists living for some days in a foreign city.

Is very easy to get used to live in Barcelona: the welcoming attitude of the people, the thousands of corners to find out, the activities to do, the areas to visit, the restaurants to celebrate the joy of the moment…all of this make Barcelona, a good candidate to become one of the best cities to visit. Check our range of fantastic touristic flats in Barcelona in our website: all of them are waiting for you!

 

Photos: Slastic -

The Maremagnum, Barcelona

Published: August 29, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,
Barcelona Maremagnum

Barcelona Maremagnum

This is the name of the shopping centre located in the port of Barcelona. You just have to walk down Las Ramblas, pass by the Colom monument and reach the wood walking platform above the sea, that will let you arrive to the building. Not only the centre is a touristic attraction, full of shops and entertainment options, but also the previous space, where all kind of people decide to stop, sit down in front of the sea and observe the boats swinging on the waves. You can sit down on the floor with the legs hanged above the water, or in one of the seats distributed all along the platforms. This is a great relaxing way to breathe the Barcelona sea and feel the magic of the enormous ships that begin a cruise or arrive from one of it.

Barcelona Turistic

Barcelona Turistic

One of the best moments to sit here is when the sun starts to fall. The red light seems to play with the water mirrors surrounding the people with a very special atmosphere. Enjoy this great site, where the city and urban life joins the savage beauty of the Mediterrani.

Barcelona Shopping

Barcelona Shopping

The Maremagnum Shopping Centre offers lots of options about clothes (Bershka, Desigual, The Barça Shop, Friday’s Project, Jack and Jones, Mango, and much more), complements (Calzedonia, Parfois, Claire’s, Watx, etc), fragrances, technology, toys and restaurants/bars.

There is also a cinema, Cinesa, with different rooms where you can choose among the newest films.

Everything is ready for a complete day of fun, entertainment, shopping and good food, in a privileged space surrounded by the sea, in the great port of the city. Both the summer and the winter are perfect to spend a day or an afternoon here. The tranquillity and the calm of the Maremagnum, and the life inside it, remain alive all the year.

Would you like to live all this experiences by yourself? It is so easy! You just have to book a fly to Barcelona, and rent one of our apartments located in the most centric and interesting sites of the Barcelona. Some of our luxury flats to rent for holidays, getaways or working days in Barcelona, are in front of the sea. If you are a sea lover, you can’t miss our perfect accommodation option. You won’t regreat it!

 

Photos: Year of the dragon -böhringer friedrich -  Michelangelo-36

Djm1279

 

 

Meeting the Catalan language

Published: August 26, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , , ,
Catalan dialectal's map

Catalan dialectal's map

Before traveling to Spain, you should know that Spanish is not the only one living in the country. Instead, there are several languages, dialects and variations living together in specific territories.

This is the case of Catalonia, where there are two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. At the same time, neither the way to talk Catalan remains the same in

the whole Catalonia, and sometimes the dialects become so unique that seem completely different to each other.

We want to give you some advices to be able to understand and talk a little of Catalan during your days in Barcelona. The inhabitants of Catalonia really app

reciate when foreign people talk to them in their own language, as for lots of them, it is their only mother tongue.

When we are lost and need to stop someone to ask for some advice about directions, for example, we would say “perdoni”, the Catalan equivalent to the English ex

cuse me.  “Em podria dir com anar a…” will tell in Catalan, could you tell how to get to…. Once they give you the answer, be aware of these words: “dreta” (right) “esquerra” (left) and “recta” (straight).

Before leaving that person, and if you are polite, you should say “gràcies”, as thank you, and “adéu”, as good bye.

Two other words you should know to talk to a Catalan are “hola”, hello and “de res”, you are welcome.

Spanish and Catalan aren’t much different but for those who have learned Spanish at school as a second or third language, will be almost impossible to understand a word in Catalan.

We hope you have a fantastic time in Barcelona. As you will soon realize, this city, and Catalonia in general, is a rich territory with strong personality and cultur

e. Let it surprise you and be opened to its particularities as they will enrich you.

For your days in the city, trust our range of luxury apartments for rent, located in the Barcelona’s centre, Las Ramblas, El Born, the beach, and much more. Our Barcelona flats for rent are privileged homes that will help you enjoy your holidays incredibly.

 

Images:  Keepscases – Pepetps

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