Travel around Nicaragua but staying in Barcelona.

If you live in Barcelona and you are one of those who enjoy the solitude of the city during August we highly recommend visiting the photo exhibition Nicaragua, the country of the little things of our friends Arthur and Ruth Estellers Isalo (Artisal Travel Photography).

Since several weeks ago that Arthur and Ruth had sent me an invitation to the inauguration of the exhibition, but it was not until today when I had the opportunity to visit. This is a photo story that make up the sum of experiences that made that Nicaragua would become for these photographs in a very special destination. 'The little things that we have visited and lived during our trips to this beautiful country has resulted in an intense photo that talks about the current Nicaragua, its landscapes and its people, "commented Arthur and Ruth.

The exhibition is in the Biblioteca Jaume Fuster (Barcelona Plaça de Lesseps from 1920 to 1922). A good plan would go on a Sunday morning, visit the exhibition and then use the small terreza out there in the library for a refreshing drink in the summer in Barcelona. You have until September 11 to visit.

Fiesta Mayor de Sants 2010 in Barcelona

Just as the Festa Mayor de Gracia finishes another big neighbourhood Festa Mayor starts in Sants district of Barcelona. Although not quite as famous the Festa Major de Sants it is absolutely worth visiting. Many of the main activities take place in "Parque de la España Industrial" and 13 streets in Sants will be decorated by the residents with many entertaining themes. The Catalan actress Amparo Moreno open the festival on Saturday 21 August 21 at 20.00 in the evening at the "Parque de la España Industrial." There will be many chances to see festivals traditions like correfocs - fireruns, castellers - human tower building, Gegants and capgrossos - giants and other Catalan festival traditions. A highlight of the Sants Festa Major is the Sants Festival cycling race, called the Cursa Ciclista 'Memorial Antoni Andrés Sancho' which takes place for the 29th time in 2010 on streets of Sants from 10:30 on Sunday 29 August 2010. This year also see the premiere of a new running event called "El 2000 de Sants Cursa atlètica de la Festa Major 2010" which is a 2k run (2 circuits of 1000 metres) taking place on Sunday 29th August 2010 from 09:00.

Don't hesitate to come and spend some holidays in Barcelona! Why don't you chose an apartment close to Sants or to the city centre to enjoy the last days of August?

Festival in Gracia, Barcelona

This week, the famous festival in the Gracia neighbourhood of Barcelona opens on Sunday 15th August every. The Festa Major de Gracia is the biggest of the local neighbourhood festivals in Barcelona and a big street party with many wonderful Catalan traditions and a full programme of concerts and activities filling the streets of Gracia every night during the festival.


We are pleased to present you the program of each day of this amazing party of 7 days:

Saturday 14/8-2010
Time: 19:00
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Pregó de la Festa Major de Gràcia 2010
Opening speech of Festa Major de Gracia by Catalan celebrity chef Isma Prados

Saturday 14/8-2010
Time: 19:30
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Espectacle de lluïment de les Colles de Cultura de Gràcia
Presentation show by all the cultural groups of Gracia.

Sunday 15/8-2010
Time: 10.30
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Sortida en cercavila
Morning parade with various groups Parade route

Sunday 15/8-2010
Time: 10:30
Start junction: Pg. Sant Joan-Travessera (Jardins)
Pedalada popular Festa Major de Gràcia 2010
Bike ride from Pg. Sant Joan-Travessera (Jardins) to Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. Bike ride route.

Sunday 15/8-2010
Time: 13:30
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Ball de Gegants i Capgrossos, Ball de Diables, Pas de Dracs, Lluïment dels Trabucaires, Ball de Bastons i Castell
Festival dance with giants, big heads, devils, dragons, trabucaire bandits, bastoner stick dancers and castellars towers builders. More info.

Sunday 15/8-2010
Time:18.00
Start: Carrer de Verdi.
Cercavila de Cultura Popular
Big and festive evening parade with all participating groups of the Festa Major, the gegants (giants of Gracia including “la Gresca i el Torradet”) caps grossos (big heads) dracs (dragons), castellers (human castle builders) and , bastoners (stick dancers) grallers – (pipers) and more! Worth seeing. Parade route

Monday 16/8-2010
Time: 10:00
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Sortida en cercavila
Parade with Gegants (giants), Castellers (tower builders), Trabucaires (bandits) and Bastoners (pipers)

Monday 16/8-2010
Time: 17:00
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
9è TORNEIG DE BOTIFARRA (vila de gracia)
9th Butifarra Tournement – Sausage Tournement. More info

Tuesday 17/8-2010
Time: 20:30
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Assaig a plaça dels Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia.
Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia make human towers on Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. Assaig means rehearsal or attempt. These sessions are usually to warm up before a big castellars event. More info

Thursday 19/8-2010
Time: 20:30
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Assaig especial dels castellers de la Vila de Gràcia Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia make human towers on Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. More info.

Friday 20/8-2010
Time: 20:30
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Assaig a plaça dels Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia
Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia make human towers on Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. More info.

Saturday 21/8-2010
Time:18:30
Start: Plaça del Nord
Correfoc infantil
Correfoc firerun in a smaller format for children. More info

Saturday 21/8-2010
Time: 20.00
Place: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Baixada del Pilar Caminat (the walking column)
Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia build a human castle and attempt to walk it from Plaça del Sol to Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia in front of the town hall. Get there early! More info

Saturday 21/8-2010
Time: 20.00
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Tabalada Infernal
Tabalada Infernal, the drum parade, where drummers from the colles de foc, (fireworks groups), parade round Gracia's streets More info.

Saturday 21/8-2010
Time: 20:30
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Diada de Vigílies Festa Major
Popular Day of Castellars. Various castellers groups take part. More info

Saturday 21/8-2010
Time: 22:00 to 23:30
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Correfoc
Correfoc is the traditional "firerun" where Festa Mayor visitors i.e. the general public are chased by "devil" groups brandished sparkling fireworks. Very dramatic. Wear a cap! More info

Sunday 22/8-2010
Time:12:00
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Diada Castellera de Festa Major
Day of Castellars. Biggest castellers event with many groups. More info

Sunday 22/8-2010
Time: 00:30
Start: Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
Espectacle de foc
Small firework display marks the end of the Festa de Gracia. More info.

Fiesta de Gracia a Barcelona

Barcelona is currently celebrating its famous and important Fiestas de Gracia. Gracia has always been considered one of Barcelona’s beautiful districts and it’s hard not to tell why. There are many little bars, coffee shops, romantic plazas and tiny streets to enchant us. The Fiesta de Gracia takes place on 14th – 22nd of August so it’s in full swing at the time of writing! It’s a great festival where all the neighbours transform the area into a paradise of colourful decorations. This year, most of the events will be taking place during the daytime.

There are many concerts to enjoy with many different music styles along with shows, traditional Catalan attractions and workshops. Famous musicians, like Maria del mar Bonet, Marina Rossell, Joan Isaac, and Luis Eduardo Aute, as well as classical music groups like Manel, Cuidado con el Perro or Cochambre Hotel will be playing their music for the residents of Gracia. Also, there will be culinary activities, like the “Tasta Gràcia” at the Plaza Manuel Torrente. In the magician’s area “Área de la Magia” at the Plaza del Norte professional magicians, as well as beginners in this magical art, will astonish you with all their exciting magic tricks.

Many years ago the Fiestas de Gracia had much more of a religious significance but over the years this has changed and it has become more of a social affair. The residents and citizens of Gracia put in a lot of work to get their street decorated in time for the festivities and as every year, the most beautiful street in Gracia wins a prize.

The Fiesta de Gracia is for everyone: both young and old alike. Unforgettable days full of entertainment for you and your friends will be guaranteed. Why don’t you rent the best apartments in Barcelona and spend a relaxing and fun filled holiday in the beautiful capital of Catalonia Spain?