Formula 1- April 27, 2008

The Circuit de Catalunya north of Barcelona has hosted the Formula 1 since 1991. It was built as part of the urban facelift that transformed Barcelona for the Olympic Games of '92. Although the Circuit is a popular test run for the F1, it nevertheless poses a challenge to even the most experienced driver. It is a tricky combination of high and low speed corners and is notorious for its rough, uneven surface. The track is exceedingly hard on the tyres and unpredictable wind gusts demand a high level of concentration from all race participants.

The greatest challenges to the drivers are the final two turns - collectively known as New Holland. The track seems to have been particularly lucky for Michael Schumacher, who has won a total of five races here.

The audience, however, is best served at the Elf corner, since this is a rare overtaking opportunity on the track and promises to be the scene of some of the most exciting moments in the race. After Alonso-fever gripped the nation, the Circuit organisers decided to expand the grandstand capacity, adding an entire new section. Further changes include the splitting of ticket prices into four, different categories.

There are a total of 14 grandstands, three of which are covered. In addition, 25 gigantic TV screens will be projecting the action up-close throughout the race, ensuring that no one in the audience will miss even a single, exhilarating minute of the world's 20 best drivers competing neck to neck.

The Circuit is 4,627km long, and the race consists of 66 laps (305,256km). The lap record is held by Giancarlo Fisichella: 1'15.641 in 2005.

As you watch these professional daredevils tear up the asphalt, try to imagine this scene taking place on Montjuic, home to the Spanish Grand Prix from 1969 to 1975.

The Formula 1TM - 52nd Grand Prix Telefónica de España 2008 will take place on April 27th at the Circuit de Catalunya. Ticket information and purchases can be made at http://www.circuitcat.com/ or http://www.servicaixa.com/.

If you buy a three-day pass, you can also stop in at the pit-lane for a visit on Thursday April 24th (10am-12:30pm or 4pm-7pm) and watch the training runs and qualifying races on the days leading up to the race.

On Sunday, April 27th the doors open at 7am. Below you will find a detailed programme of the scheduled events leading up to the 2pm race:

10-11am: support race

12:30-12:40pm: grid presentation

1:30pm: pit-lane opening

1:45pm: pit-lane closing, grid formation

1:46pm: Anthems

2pm: 52nd Grand Prix Telefónica de España 2008 (66 laps)

If you are a true die-hard fan and don't mind investing a little extra in your F1 experience, then rent a helicopter for an incomparable and astonishing view of the Circuit. For information call +34 93 720 5522 or send a fax to +34 93 712 3722.

If you are looking for a place to stay during the Formula 1, Top Barcelona Apartments can provide you with a wide variety of nice apartments located in and around Barcelona and Montmeló (where the Circuit de Catalunya is located).

Getting there:

Train: Renfe C2 from Sants Estació to Montmeló. 20 minute walk or shuttle to Circuit. Extra train service on F1 days.

Car: Please see maps and directions on Circuit de Catalunya website.

Bus: Autocares Segalés provides service between Barcelona (Sant Joan corner Diputació) and Montmeló. Tickets cost approx. 6€. More info: 93 231 2756.

Barcelona Safety

Barcelona is not a dangerous city, in the sense that there are few violent crimes committed compared to major urban centers in the United States, for example. Only pick pockets are especially aware of tourists and are experts at taking advantage of newcomers' naivety when caring for belongings, especially in crowded areas such as Las Ramblas, the metro cars and buses.

While it is not necessary to walk the streets of Barcelona in fear, it is important to be aware of those around you, and be smart about where and how you carry your bags and wallets. For example, keeping your wallet in your back pocket is paramount to asking someone to snatch it.

If you must keep money in your pockets, the front pocket is a much safer option. The best idea is to keep important items such as passports, credit cards and large sums of money in some sort of pouch underneath your shirt (around your neck, for example).

Backpacks are also extremely vulnerable, so you might want to lock any pouch containing valuables or at least bury them in an inaccessible interior pocket. If possible, women should wear their bags strapped diagonally over one shoulder, with the bag in front rather than resting on their back. (It may not be the most attractive way to wear your bag, but it's the safest! That way no one can snatch your purse off your shoulder, and you can keep an eye out at all times).

The rule of thumb is to be on guard and use common sense. Petty thiefs are experts even at robbing the most aware tourists, so just be especially careful in crowded areas.If you are robbed and want to report a theft, you should go to the national police ("policía nacional").

There is a police station ("comisaría" in Spanish, "comissaria" in Catalan ) near Las Ramblas at the metro Paral.lel on Carrer Nou de la Rambla 80.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR BARCELONA

For all general Barcelona information, you can call 010. From there they will refer you to other numbers as well.

Ambulance: 061

Catalan state police (Mossos d'Esquadra): 088

EU standard emergency number: 112

Fire Department (Bombers): 080, 085

Local Police (Guàrdia Urbana): 092

Military Poilce (Guardia Civil): 062

National Police (Policía Nacional): 091

Hospitals: 93 454 60 00 / 93 418 34 00

Dental emergencies: 93 227 47 47

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS FOR BARCELONA

R.E.N.F.E (National Train Service) 93 490 02 02

FGC (Generalitat Trian Service) 93 205 15 15

Post office 902 19 71 97

Customs 93 301 30 08

CREDIT CARD NUMBERS IN SPAIN

If you have a credit card mishap and need to make a cancellation, you can call these toll free numbers:

American Express: 900 994426

MasterCard: 300 371231

Visa: 900 991124

24-HOUR PHARMACIES

Here are a few 24-hour pharmacies in the center of Barcelona. You can also call the general info number (010) or 098 for more listings.
Farmàcia Clapés, La Rambla 98, tel. 93 301 28 43

Farmàcia Torres, Carrer d’Aribau 62, tel. 93 453 92 20

Farmàcia Álvarez, Passeig de Gràcia 26, tel. 93 302 11 24.

Eixample

Eixample means “extension” or “enlargement” in Catalan. During the city’s 19th century industrial boom, architects planned wide diagonal boulevards reaching out from old Barcelona to form a new bourgeois stomping ground.

The Eixample remains mostly upper-middle class, characterized by fancy shops and tranquil street scenes, yet its uniquely modernista character makes it a fascinating place to get to know. Nearly every architectural attraction from the turn of the 20th century is located in the Eixample.

A good way to get to know the Eixample is to start at Plaça de Catalunya and work your way up Passeig de Gracia. An important shopping avenue, Passeig de Gràcia has everything from restaurants to high fashion boutiques. It also gives the visitor a nice general feel of the Eixample's personality as a neighborhood.

The Eixample holds a ton of great places to experience Barcelona culture. The National Symphony of Catalonia is based out of L'Auditori, a modern concert hall with excellent acousitcs. Alternatively, the Fundació Caixa always has an interesting activity or event planned. Cinema fans will find 4 art house movie theaters and music lovers can head to a number of great locales, such as La Boite or Luz de Gas.

Even though the Eixample is a more upscale neighborhood and not known for being particularly "hip," it's certainly got a stellar cultural offering. Rent an apartment in this area.

Saint Valentine's Day - February 14

Love is in the air, now more than ever in Barcelona

Love is in the air. The gifts fever at the showcases is coming. Valentine’s cards, flowers, chocolates,papers around a candy, hearts shaped pillows and winged cupidos…Milions of objects are ready to become the best love declaration. At the same time, Gods of marketing have already prepared themselves to celebrate the super famous 14th. Everything in honor to Valentine, saint who without noticing it became the pattern of the couples in love. According to the legend when the Christian religion was persecuted, he, secretly, married couples under Church ritual. Some people think that it is a cristianizated way of a pagan celebration, because in the old Rome, by this time, Eros was adorated as the god of love.Although in Catalunya, Saint Valentine competes with Sant Jordi (23th of April) to assume the lovers representation, 14th of February has become the unquestionable date, in which the romantic ones unfold their art. There is no better excuse to break monotony and to turn this winter day in some special day.

The most romantic Barcelona

Do not loose the romantic side of Barcelona. Beyond the Ramblas hubbub and the most crowded touristic places, Barcelona offers millions of less famous sites that you can visit with your partner. Great settings where you can shoot your personal love story movie. An evening in front of the sea, a stroll to the dusk through the recondite streets of the Casc Antic district, a cup of tea in some tiny square in the heart of the city , a panoramic sight from the hills that surround Barcelona, an intimate dinner in some restaurant fashion in the Born district or a winter stroll across the beach are some of the attractiveness that Barcelona offers to its visitors in these days. Let’s surprise your love with a short break in Barcelona and discover how much magic Barcelona has in its streets.To book Online your accommodation in Barcelona just click here.

Walking tour - Diagonal and Pedralbes

Here tradition and modernism live together in perfect harmony. Innovative structures like the Torres Trade rise up from the modern office blocks, residential builidings and hotels and spacious shopping centers.

1- Monestir de Pedralbes
Dating from the 14th century.

2- Pabellones de la Finca Güell
Work of Antoni Gaudí




3- Palau Reial de Pedralbes
Built by King Alfonso the Thirteenth in 1929. Accomodates the Museum of Ceramics and the Decorative Arts.

4- FCBarcelona Stadium "Camp Nou"
Inaugurated in 1957, the stadium with a capacity of 100,000 spectators has been awarded by 5 stars, the maximum distinction granted by the UEFA due to the quality of its facilities.

You plan to assist to a game at Camp Nou? Rent an apartment for the weekend.

Walking tour - The Eixample

On foot. Approximate duration: 2 hours.

"Exaimple" means extension and here it refers to the urban expansion of the city which was carried out in the second half of the 19th Century according to the plans drawn by Ildefons Cerdà. The "Exaimple", which is divided into two by the Rambla Catalunya, is the greatest interest from the point of view of "Modernism" on the right and it is there that we have routed our itinerary. It begins Plaça Catalunya.

1- Plaça Catalunya
Similar in size to Peter's Square in the Vatican and the Etoile de Paris.

2- Passeig de Gràcia
This was the favorite promenade of the bourgeoisie at the turn of the century. Worthy of admiration are the iron lamp-posts by Pere Falqués.

3- Passatge Permanyer
One of the jewels in the "Exaimple"'s crown. Post-Romantic houses with gardens in front.

4- "La Concepció" Market and Church
The architectural structure of the market buildings is lovely. The annexed church is gothic and has a marvellous cloister dating from the 14th Century.

5- Conservatori Superior Municipal de Música
Carrer Bruc, nº110. The work of A. de Falguera.

6- Casa Montaner
Carrer de Mallorca, nº278. The work of Domènech i Montaner.


7- Palau Casades
Carrer Mallorca, nº283. Pompeian style small palace. Houses the College of Lawyers.

8- Casa Thomas
Calle Mallorca, nº291. The work of Domènech i Montaner.

9- Casa Terrades or "Casa de les Punxes"
Calle Diagonal, nº416. The work of Puig i Cadalfach. Modernist style with medevial overtones, rich us of brick woek.

10- Casa Quadras
Calle Diagonal, nº373. The work of Puig i Cadalfach.


11- Casa Mila or "La Pedrera"
Passeig de Gràcia, nº92. The work of Antoni Gaudí. Considered to be Modernism at its best with its impressive façade of ondulating stone and wrought-iron balconies.

12- Casa Montaner i Simó
Carrer d'Aragó, nº255. 1880, work of Domènech i Montaner. The first catalan modernist building. Headquarters of the Tàpies Fondation.

13- Casa Batlló
Passeig de Gràcia, nº43. The work of Gaudí. Mosaic and ceramic tiled façade.

14- Casa Amatller
Passeig de Gràcia, nº41. The work of Puig i Cadalfach. Neo-Gothic style.

15-Casa Lleó i Morera
Passeig de Gràcia, nº35. The work of Domènech i Montaner.

You can rent an apartment on the Passeig de Gracia from walking distance of all these points of interest.

Walking tour - Montjuïc

A vehicle or public transport (cable car, tram or bus) is recommended for a tour of the entire mountain. Partial tours might be made on foot. Approximate duration: 2 to 5 hours. Our itinerary begins in the Plaça de Espanya.

1- Torres de Exposició

47-meter high, these towers line the Avenue María Cristina.

2- Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona Fair)

The exhibition area covers 250,000 m2.

3- Illuminated fountains

The masterpiece of the engineer Carles Buhígas. Water and coloured lights are combined in 50 different formations.

4- Pavello Mies van der Rohe

Reconstruction of the German lodge which Ludwing Mies van der Rohe built for the Internacional Exhibition in 1929.

5- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

Collections of Romanesque art (unique of their kind for their range of mural paintings), Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque and Modern Art, including important collections of drawings, engravings, posters, numismatics and photography. Temporary exhibitions.

6- Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village)

The most characteristics aspects of spanish achitecture from all over Spain are shown in this magnificient replica village. Craft workshops in glass, ceramics, etc.

7- Caixa Forum

Multipurpose Cultural Center, located in the ancient Casaramona, awork of art of Industrial Modernism.

8- Piscinas "Picornell"

Swimming pool

9- Institut i jardí Botànic

10- Palauet Albéniz

It is a royal residence and the Town Hall Holds gala receptions here.

11- Joan Maragall Gardens

"Palauet Albéniz" gardens. Open to the public on Sundays.

12- Olympic Circle

Olimpic Stadium; inaugurated in 1929, Palau Sant Jordi; its designer, the architect Arata Isozaki. Galeria Olímpica; Permanent exhibition on the Games of Barcelona 92.

13- Fundació Miró

The artist's permanent collection is exhibited in this building.Museu EtnològicTeatre GrecReproduction of an ancient Greek theatre which can hold up to 2,000 people.

14- Museu Arqueològic

15- Mercat de les Flors

Former Agricultural House of the 1929 Exhibition. The vault of the hallway is the work of Miquel Barceló.

You can rent an apartment from walking distance of all these points of interest.