Thursday 31 January 2008

Sant Jordi's Day - April 23


Barcelona celebrates its very own version of St Valentine's Day, otherwise known as "Lovers' Day", on St George's Day (23 April). Many join in the romantic tradition, as sources estimate that over four million roses are bought on this day alone.

While men traditionally give their girlfriends a rose, girls present their knights in shining armour with a book. A stroll down Las Ramblas reveals hundreds of stalls, which sell some 400,000 books on St George's Day, designated the Day of the Book.


The celebration comes from the legend of the Saint himself - he famously slayed a dragon and a red rose sprouted miraculously from a drop of its blood, which he, in turn, gave to a princess.

You can take the opportunity to spend a romantic weekend in Barcelona enjoying this special day in couple. Suprise your girlfriend and rent a lovely studio just near the Ramblas where the event takes place.

Carnival 2008

Carnival in Barcelona epitomises some of the more gluttonous aspects of traditional celebration. The time before the Lenten fast is spent indulging in the very best of soon-to-be-forbidden pleasures, and for Barcelonans this means a gargantuan feast dedicated to anything particularly fatty.


Carnival weekend sees revellers converge on the market places and streets to watch as the local carnival guilds and commercial establishments compete for the best costume or representation. On Saturday afternoon the celebrations come to a climax with the Gran Rua de Carnaval, a colossal parade of adorned carriages and carnival groups and a snowfall of streaming confetti.


All good things must come to an end and the celebrants mark the occasion appropriately with a funeral. The king of carnival has, after all, died and taken the carnival with him. A funeral cortege of his widows and entourage, all suitably dressed in black, mourn his passing.
Carnaval in Raval, also called “Ravalstoltada” this year.

On Saturday 2th February at 16.30, the “ Rambla del Raval” will be the meeting point for all the diferent parades organised by neighbourhood associations.

Meeting point: Rambla del Raval and Carrer de Sant Oleguer
District : Ciutat Vella

You still have time to book an apartment near this area to enjoy the Carnaval at the Raval.

Family accommodation

This apartment is located in the heart of the city, in a pedestrian street called "Calle Tallers". It is just within 2 minutes walking distance from the "Plaza Catalunya" and the Ramblas.


This type of accommodation is perfect for families or groups of friends, you have more space than in a hotel room, and you can feel more like "at home".
This apartment will allow you to cook and enjoy meals with all your family and make feel more like a local barcelonian.


This is a 3 bedroom's apartment and accommodates up to 8 people.
The living area provides the guests with a pullout sofa . You will find TV, DVD and air conditioning/heating in the apartment.
Internet ADSL WI-Fi.

The kitchen is fully equipped with all of the comforts of home. The apartment has got also a bathroom with a large shower unit, toilet, modern sink unit and vanity mirror, and also hairdryer.



Would you like to know more about this apartment? Click here.

Wednesday 30 January 2008

Alimentaria 2008


Alimentaria is one of the most important trade fairs in the FFB calendar of events attracting both national and international exhibitors looking to access the Spanish market.FFB encourages British companies with distribution in the market to exhibit at Alimentaria. Benefit from new contacts with the potential to generate increased sales in the market.In 2006, this 5-day exhibition was attended by over 150,000 visitors of which 32,892 came from outside Spain. A move to the new exhibition centre in Barcelona, Gran Via, is welcomed and should ensure a much higher quality of visitor.

Alimentaria is divided into a number of product sector halls. Food from Britain will build pavilions subject to demand in the international hall and the drinks hall, aimed at producers of wines and spirits ensuring a high profile for individual companies looking to build business in Spain.

Some 25 companies joined the group in 2006. Applications are now being received for the 2008 edition of the show.
It is the Spain's largest and most important trade show suitable for British suppliers targeting the mainstream retail, ex-pat, foodservice and drinks markets.


Why Spain?


--> Spain - the 3rd largest export market for British food & drink products with huge potential in both mainstream and tourist markets.


--> Good potential exists for ready meals, biscuits, frozen foods, beer, ethnic foods, cheeses, spirits, cereals, tea, and confectionery products

--> Total food and drink imports = £13 billion of which the UK has a 7% share


Rent an apartment for the upcoming exhibition.

Port Aventura

PORT AVENTURA - SALOU
HOW TO GET THERE ???


PortAventura is a unique spot in the heart of the Costa Daurada.

Each day at PortAventura offers the most exciting of adventures and a whole range of experiences that you will remember forever. Family holidays, a weekend break with friends, a business convention with your company... it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from or what you come for.The important thing is that once you've been, the experience will stay with you for a long time to come.

PortAventura Park
A theme park full of action-packed adventures from all corners of the globe: imperial China, the wild Far West, exotic Polynesia, Aztec México and the mellow Mediterrània.

Caribe Aquatic Park
A huge water theme park where you can really take the plunge. There is also a covered area so you can have fun all year round.

It can be a good idea to go to Port Aventura for a day trip with your family or your friends during your stay in Barcelona. Looking for a place to stay in Barcelona? Click here

How to get to Pot Aventura from Barcelona ?

By Train

RENFE
PortAventura has its own train station which can be reached from other mainline stations. You can take the train from Barcelona at Passeig de Gracia train Station.
It takes only 1h20 approximately.
Information and reservations:
0034 902 24 02 02

By Bus
There are numerous regular lines of buses that realize periodic trips to PortAventura from Barcelona. Calling to the park they will inform you closely.

From Barcelona city up to Port Aventura offered by Autocares Plana. More information and reservations (Tel. 0034 977 35 44 45). Segales buses and other companies offer excursions including transportation and entrance to the park.

By Car
PortAventura is located at exit 35 of the AP-7 or Autopista del Mediterráneo.

You can also use the following national roads:
N-240 Tarragona-Lleida
N-340 Barcelona-Valencia

GPS coordinates:UMT (X=344975,1205; Y=4551203,34)

Ciutadella Park

The Parc de la Ciutadella is right next to the area called "El Born", a very popular suburb of the "Citutat Vella" (Old City) in Barcelona . In 1888, the World Exhibition in Barcelona partly took place here and numerous Modernism architects contributed to the design of the park. Nowadays, it is a space for Barcelonans to enjoy nature, culture and their free time in the centre of Barcelona. On Sundays the park is full of young people who play drums, sell food and clothes.



The Ciutadella Park is the perfect place to relax and do some jogging. The Park houses the Barcelona Zoo and the Zoology Museum. It has a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere and pleasant attributes such as the spectacular waterfall, the pond, gardens and abundance of trees will give you the feeling of being far from the city. You can sip a beer, and the kids can have an ice cream at the no-frills cafe opposite. Stroll over to the lake and rent a rowboat. A leisurely, purposeless float around the small lake is a great restorative after a hard day.





A picnic in the Ciutadella Park with your couple or friends can be a good break to rest from a tiring day.


If you are travelling with children, the "Parc de la Ciutadella" is a great place to spend a sunny day with your children. Usually on Sundays, there are plenty of activities for children such as clowns shows.



Rent an apartment to spend a family holiday in Barcelona.

Bread & Butter 2008


Tradeshow for Selected Brands. At the crossroads of Fashion, Music, Art and Design, as well as Visual and Performing Arts.

More then 99.500 international fashion professionals visited the 18th edition of BREAD & BUTTER – tradeshow for selected brands from 16. - 18. January 2008 in Barcelona.

KING SIZE was the theme of this year’s BREAD & BUTTER and an appropriate slogan for the event, which reported an estimated 20% increase in visitors in comparison to the previous year. Even the record attendance set in July 2007 could climb another 9% in 2008.

On the first day, immediately following the fair’s opening, exhibitors were thrilled by the exceptional attendance at their stands. The halls were full and trade visitors were enthused by the creativity of many brands. Companies such as Nike, Ed Hardy, Converse and Nudie Jeans felt right at home in the Fira de Barcelona and promoted their collections in individual presentations outside the fair’s halls.



Facts & Figures

Total number of visitors: 99.543
Visitor growth compared to January 2007: 20%
Visitor growth compared to July 2007: 9%
Exhibitors: 954



Rent an apartment for the next edition of Bread & Butter in July 2008.

Monday 28 January 2008

La Pedrera - Casa Milà

Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1905–1907. It is located at 92, Passeig de Gràcia ('passeig' is Catalan for promenade or avenue) in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia. It was built for Roger Segimon de Milà. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".





If you are travelling to Barcelona between May and August, we strongly recommend to visit La Pedrera during the evening. In the summer season the roof of La Pedrera can be visited and once you get to the top you get welcomed with a glass of "cava" (Catalan champagne). Its a romantic experience in Barcelona and you will enjoy stuning views of Barcelona at night.






To complete a romantic holiday you can rent a penthouse apartment very close to La Pedrera.






If you are interested in booking this, or any other apartment in Barcelona, just visit:
Top Barcelona Apartments