holiday apartments in barcelona Archive

Spring Break in Barcelona

Published: March 18, 2013Posted in: Barcelona Events, Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spring is probably the best season to visit Spain and Barcelona in particular. A pleasant climate, away from the really hot summer, in Spring during the day the temperature can reach the 25 degrees celsius, allows you to enjoy long days outdoors. In addition, in Spring there are some of the most fun and interesting events in Barcelona, more over that the Easter celebrations.

Each year, the calçot, a sweet onion variety similar in appearance to the leek, is harvested all over Catalunya just before Spring and served by the dozens in restaurants and on dining room tables across the region. Translated, the tradition known locally as la calçotada would be something like, “the eating of the spring onion”. That doesn’t quite capture it, though. It ‘s a real ritual, in which the onions are cooked on the grill and you have to eat it, accompanied by a delicious and mysterious sauce.

Sant Jordi 2013 in Barcelona

April 23 is the Saint George or Sant Jordi day, the patron saint of the six million inhabitants of Catalonia. Known as “The Day of Lovers,” La Diada de Sant Jordi is often compared to Valentine’s Day, but with some uniquely Latin twists. The main event is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts — men give their novias roses, and women give their novios a book to celebrate the occasion. Due to popular legends about Barcelona, roses have always been associated with this day since medieval times. However, the giving of books as a gift is a more recent marketing twist prominent of our times.
Even though La Diada de Sant Jordi is not an official non-working holiday, most romantics ditch the office to take a stroll through the beautiful Mediterranean streets and enjoy the sultry springtime weather. The whole city is celebrating, full of stalls selling roses and books and many famous writers meet readers to sign their books.

In the same Spring days, from Friday 26th Abril to Sunday 5th May 2013 , Barcelona celebrates the Fira de Abril de Catalunya at Parc del Forum, in the Diagonal Mar district of Barcelona. The Feria de Abril in Barcelona is a feast of colour, music, food, dancing and fun fair attractions. That is the Barcelona version of the renowned Andalusian ferias, the most famous of which, is in Sevilla every year in April. It’ s not the same, but it is undeniably a very colourful and festive event. The Feria de Abril in Barcelona has an fairground with a big ferris wheel and plenty of the usual fairground attractions, directly on the seafront of Barcelona. At the Feria de Abril, you can find endless traditional opportunities, where you can taste delicacies from all over Spain. But most of all, you can dance. Each big tent it houses a restaurant and a dance floor for the sevillana, a typical dance from Andalusia. There will also be a lady in traditional dress wishing to teach you to dance…

Feria de Abril 2013 in Barcelona

Finally, 22 to 26 May, at the Primavera Sound Festival, you will find all the best bands of independent international music scene.

Choose the Spring season to visit Barcelona and you will not regret. Our beautiful apartments in the city center or on the seafront, near the Forum, will be the ideal start point to explore Barcelona.

Barceloneta, beyond the beach

Published: February 21, 2013Posted in: Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Barcelona is a puzzle of little villages, each piece is a district. Barceloneta is one of these piece. One of the most fascinating and one of the least known, at least with respect to the area beyond the beach and the restaurants touting for trade on Passeig de Joan de Borbó.

Barcelona holiday on the sea

La Barceloneta was constructed during the 18th century for the residents of the Ribera neighborhood who had been displaced by the construction of the Ciudadela of Barcelona, where now there’s a park. The neighborhood is roughly triangular, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. La Barceloneta‘s beach gained notoriety as “the best urban beach in the world” and overall “third best beach in the world”, according 2005 Travel Channel show Worlds Best Beaches.
La Barceloneta is known for its sandy beach and its many restaurants and nightclubs along the boardwalk. Amongst the attractions on Barceloneta‘s beach are German artist Rebecca Horn’s “Homenatge a la Barceloneta” monument, and, where the beach gives way to the Port Olimpic, Frank Gehry’s modern “Peix d’Or” sculpture.

But inside the neighborhood there are many little treasures and an authentic atmosphere, made up of fishermen and port workers, which it’s difficult to breathe in others parts of the city.
Negra y Criminal, a book shop specializing in crime and Noir novels, is one of that treasures. Building on the inter¬national popularity of local crime writers such as Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, they organize the annual BCNegra festival taking place this year from February 1st through 9th, bringing international authors to Barcelona to celebrate the genre. Fans of the dark and grisly are well catered for here, and if a crime author isn’t available in this shop, they’re probably not worth reading. The owners are knowledgeable and passionate, and it’s everything a good bookstore should be. Every Saturday morning they offer fresh mussels and white wine to visitors.

Barceloneta neighborhood

To visits Barcelona and not lose any of its secrets, the ideal solution is to rent one of our apartments in the center or with a amazing seaview, as a starting point for an unforgettable holiday.

The New York Times Magazine Photographs

Published: November 12, 2012Posted in: Barcelona ExhibitionsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Palau Robert in Barcelona shall play host to the exhibition The New York Times Magazine Photographs from 28 September to 2 December, which reflects upon the nature of photography and the role played by print magazines at this pivotal moment in their history and evolution.

The New York Times Magazine Photographs

The exhibition is co-curated by Kathy Ryan, photo editor of The New York Times Magazine, and Lesley A. Martin, publisher of Aperture Books. It has been organised by the Palau Robert, the Aperture Foundation, a pioneer institution dedicated to serve photography worldwide, and the company Canopia, Aperture’s exclusive representative in Spain, which is dedicated to the integrated management of cultural projects and firmly established in the sector thanks to its work in disseminating photography.

The public can enjoy more than 130 works by 35 renowned artists.
The New York Times Magazine, undoubtedly a point of reference for contemporary photography in the media, has become a space of freedom for photographers at large. For over thirty years, the publication has explored the myriad possibilities and applications of photography. Kathy Ryan, photo editor of The New York Times Magazine and curator of this exhibition, provides a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the magazine’s creative processes: contact sheets, snapshots, videos, the editor’s personal correspondence, tear sheets and original magazines. The exhibition is sponsored by Banco Sabadell. It was presented recently at the latest edition of the photo festival Les Rencontres d’Arles and at the Foam Museum of Photography in Amsterdam.

Luxury holiday in Barcelona

Barcelona’s Palau Robert is an exhibition centre run by the Government of Catalonia. With more than one thousand square metres devoted to its activities, the centre is housed in a neoclassical building at the junction of Avinguda Diagonal and Passeig de Gràcia, two of the most important thoroughfares in the Catalan capital. The building also houses a Tourism Office, where qualified staff provide information about the whole of Catalonia.

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

The Horta Maze in Barcelona

Published: August 15, 2012Posted in: Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Horta Maze was created when a Catalan aristocrat decided to convert an old, extensive family property at the end of the 18th century. The garden’s layout, buildings and ornamentation were designed by Bagutti – an Italian architect – and Delvalet – a French gardener.

The Horta Labyrinth of Barcelona

It was enlarged in the mid-19th century, this part adopting a romantic style. In 1969 the family reached an agreement with Barcelona City Council who acquired the estate and opened it to the public. Restoration works began in 1993. Although the extraordinary maze is the best known part of the gardens, its other areas, statues and especially its luxuriant vegetation make a visit thoroughly enjoyable.

The park occupies an area of 9.1 hectares and become oficially open to the people only in 1971. The Horta park is divided into two parts: a neoclassical garden and a romantic garden. In each corner there are sculptures, some of them are inspirated to Greek mythology and others have a rustic decor, as well as a great number of fountains and ponds.
The Horta Maze is a perfect activity to do with your family, away from the busiest tourist routes. While your children play in the vegetation and nature, hiding in the maze, you can enjoy a romantic moment close to a waterfall or water features surrounded by caves, flowers and stones. In fact, part of the garden is dedicated to love, as evidenced by the big statue of Eros in the center of the park. You can also enjoy the architecture of the ancient palace of the family Devalls, with its neoarabo style.

Rent luxury apartment in Barcelona

The park is located in Mundet (Mundet Underground stop, the green line), on Wednesdays and Sundays the tour is free, but the garden is open all the week. Feel free to leave your apartment in Barcelona for a pleasure picnic in the park under the shade of century-old trees during a beautiful sunny day.

Mas i Mas Festival 2012

Published: August 7, 2012Posted in: Barcelona EventsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With the idea of providing first class cultural activity during the quietest month in the city, the Mas i Mas group, with the help of  San Miguel beer, launched a festival in 2003 that has become a classic nowadays on Barcelona’s summer nightlife scene. From July 27 to August 31, jazz, techno, pop rock, flamenco and other genres concerts take place in several halls of  Barcelona.

Mas i Mas Festival 2012

From small clubs like Jamboree to enormous venues such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Mas i Mas group has invaded dozens of spots each August in a city that had always remained in absolute silence during the summer holiday period.

Marianne Faithfull, Nina Hagen, Omara Portuondo, Wayne Shorter, Brad Mehldau, Peret, Alaska, Diego el Cigala, Martirio, Lucrecia, Pastora, Jarabe de Palo, Brian Auger, Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer. They are some of the hundreds of artists that have performed at the San Miguel Mas i Mas Festival in less than ten editions.

The 10th San Miguel Mas i Mas Festival began with an inaugural performance by the pop rock band Level 42 in the Palau de la Música. Until the closing concert by the young Andrea Motis with Joan Chamorro Quintet and Scott you will have more than a month full of concerts of all kinds in Jamboree, Moog, Tarantos, La Cova del Drac and the Palau de la Música.

In addition to the above mentioned band you will be able to enjoy the Roberto Fonseca Quartet jazz, which in its turn inaugurates the Jamboree Festival 2012, the classical music of Harmonia del Parnàs in the Capella de Santa Àgata, the techno of Kink & Neville Watson within the Moog Festival 2012 or the flamenco of A Media Luz in the Sala Tarantos. They are just the highlight concerts of the dozens and dozens that form part of this 10th Mas i Mas festival.

Holiday apartments in Barcelona

For all jazz lovers, but, in general, for every fan of quality music, the Mas i Mas Festival is a great opportunity to spend a wonderful and different evening. After than the relaxing on the beach or a shopping day on the streets of Barcelona, a good concert is what you need to make your day perfect. In addition, of course, to staying in our luxury apartments, so close to the sea and to the most emblematics sites of the city.

Gandules 2012, outdoor cinema at CCCB

Published: August 6, 2012Posted in: Barcelona what to doTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The open-air cinema in Barcelona is a classic in summer. You can choose between different options: the mountain of Montjuïc, the beach of  San Sebastià and the patio of the CCCB (Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona) with the cycle “Gandules”, which converts the Pati de les Dones in a movie theater every tuesday, wednesday and thursday from 7 to 24 august.

Gandules'12 at CCCB

Gandules’12 salvages and screens films which, though acclaimed by the public and critics at principal film festivals, have not yet found their way onto the commercial circuit: nine films selected by an excellent committee of experts, plus a tenth chosen by the public to celebrate ten years of Gandules.

You’ll be able to see titles like Venus noire, by Abdel Kechiche, The day he arrives, by Hong Sang-soo, or El ángel exterminador, by the grat spanish director Luis Buñuel, chosen by the public to celebrate this anniversary. That special session on friday, August 24, will close the review.

Many tourists want to go to the cinema when they visit a city, in order to associate the memory of the holiday to a special film. Barcelona offers many opportunities to see any kind of movies, but, especially in summer, proposes some unique settings to enjoy the open air cinema.

Our wonderful apartments to rent feature all kind of facilities, including dolby surround TV installations, despite that we recommend you to try the experience to enjoy a good movie, classic or new, in the frame of the clear sky of Barcelona.

Holiday in Barcelona

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) organizes and produces exhibitions, debates, festivals and concerts, programmes film cycles, courses and lectures, and encourages creation using new technologies and languages. It is a space open to groups of independent artists, creators and programmers, and to various bodies with which we have forged bonds over the years.

Yoy’ll find all the information on the official website of the event.

Sala Montjuïc 10th edition

Published: June 18, 2012Posted in: Barcelona EventsTags: , , , , , , , , ,

There is a magic place in Barcelona, where the summer heat not comes and where, for people who reach it, there’s an oasis of peace, culture and art. This place is the Montjuïc.

Sala Montjuïc, movies & music in Barcelona

For the tenth consecutive year the Sala Montjuïc opens at the lawn of the Montjuïc Castle. From June 29 to August 8, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you’ll be able to attend greats concerts and the projections of the best films of the season and all times. This will be the tenth edition of Sala Montjuïc, an open-air festival, with a selection of the best movies of all time, concerts, picnics and short films.

Before each screening there is usually live music. On the 10th edition of Sala Montjuïc you’ll have the posibility to listening to jazz, bogaloo, soul, balkan, brazilian and many more genrs.

That is a fantastic opportunity to enrich your vacation in our luxury apartments in Barcelona, with a original cultural activity.

Rent Top Apartments in Barcelona

Screenings start at 10 pm after nightfall, and all films are in their original version with Spanish subtitles. All concerts start at 21.00. You can reach the Montjuïc Castel by car, motorbike, Montjuïc “teleférico” or by bike. TMB buses starts from the Towers on Plaza Espanya from 20.30 (free with the TMB integrated tariff) and they go back down once the film is finished.
The entrance is 5,00 euros, and the deck-chair rental is 3,00 euros. 2,000 tickets are available at the box office each day, starting at 20.30 and advance sales (5.50 €) on the website, mobile app o on Atrápalo.

If it rains, the organisation will not return the entrance fee or the deckchair rental fee. However, if the session is cancelled for technical reasons, the entrance will be valid for another day if the ticket is shown at the ticket sales.

You’ll can find all kind of information on the oficial website of the Sala Montjuïc and you can even download the free aplicacion for your Smartphone: Sala Montjuïc 2.0.

Romantic evenings in Barcelona

Published: July 21, 2011Posted in: UncategorizedTags: , , , ,
Barcelona Accommodation Casa Batlló

Barcelona Accommodation Casa Batlló

Although Barcelona is a romantic destination itself, if you want to surprise your partner with a lovely surprise, you may need some help.

Barcelona has an unless list of this style’s activities, so you have to choose which one is better for you and that special person you have traveled with.

After a fine and unique dinner, you can bring your partner to an enchanting space where you can take cocktails below the stars, while listening to live music. This beautiful corner is the floor flat of La casa Batlló. As you probably already know, this is one of the Gaudí’s major works in Barcelona. It is located in the Paseo de Gracia and usually has long cues outside for those who want to enter in. You can ask to visit one of the rich floors of the house to complement your surprise. Accompanying this magic evening, you can drink champagne and wait for your wishes to come true, amid a candle light fantasy set.

 

For a vanguard’s style corner, better go to the Café Vienés Jazz Club, located inside the Hotel Casa Fuster , at the Pase de Gracia as well. This place is one of the most luxurious ones in Barcelona, and offers a complete entertainment with dinner and drinks during a Jazz concert. You may like to know that this Café was chosen by the cinema director Woody Allen to become one of the sets for his film “Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona”. You can enjoy this romantic and special plan every Thursday from 09.00pm.

After your evening, you can have the pleasure to come back to your own private Barcelona home. Our luxury apartments will give you all the freedom you deserve, without schedule restrictions, and without sharing the space with other people. If you really want to have a fabulous only-the-two-of-you getaway, gift you and your accompanier with one of our glamorous Paseo de Gracia or Las Ramblas apartments, that will make you feel as real

Barcelona Holidays Café Vienés Jazz Club

Barcelona Holidays Café Vienés Jazz Club

celebrities in the very main centre.

Luxury apartments Barcelona

Luxury apartments Barcelona

Another romantic and young option for those who prefer a little more rhythmic plan, is reaching the club Up&Down. It is placed

in Diagonal, close to the FCBarcelona stadium

. This club offers a complete program for your evening and night, so you don’t need to worry

about either the dinner or the later dancing. You can eat in the terrace, while you assist a monologue show. After it, you can enjoy

an intimate moment with cocktails and champagne. To finish a perfect romantic night, let your desires fly by dancing in the amazing disco of this

top famous club of Barcelona.

If you want a very unique and original gift for your special one, you may avoid crowded places, or popular restaurants and clubs. For a different moment, ask your partner to close

his or her eyes, and take him/her to the Maremagnum site, or to a quite beach corner. The port and the sea are beautiful when the night falls and the sky fills everything with little bright stars. Let yourself dream while you observe the lights of the boats swinging and reflecting on the sea.

Welcome to Barcelona, the city where the dreams come true.

Photos: tato grasso – Year of the dragon