Ave express train - Barcelona <> Madrid

The Madrid-Tarragona-Barcelona line was inaugurated on February 20, 2008. 17 trains run now every day between the hours of 6am-9pm. This line is now one of the world's fastest long-distance trains in commercial operation, with non stop trains covering the 550 km between the two cities in just 2 hours 38 minutes, and those stopping at all stations 3 hours. It previously took almost six hours. It was originally forecast that, after reaching Barcelona in 2004, the line would run at 350 km/h the maximum capable speed of the new Siemens AVE trains which have replaced the Talgo Bombardier AVE S102, after the installation of level 2 of the ETCS/ERTMS, which is scheduled to be installed in 2008. But on the AVE's first day of operating at 300 km/h to Tarragona the Minister of Public Works, Magdalena Álvarez, stated that the maximum commercial operating speeds of the AVE on all lines would be 300 km/h . It is forecast that the AVE will substantially replace air traffic on the Barcelona - Madrid route.

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The route between Madrid and Barcelona by the provinces of Madrid, Guadalajara, Soria, Zarazoga, Huesca, Lleida, Tarragona and Barcelona. 29 percent of the Spanish population, 11.5 million people, live in these provinces. Conurbations are the regions Madrid (3.2 million inhabitants), Barcelona (1.6 million inhabitants) and Zaragoza (0.6 million). (Status of all data: 1998). The stations between Madrid and Barcelona are usually altitudinal free mostly on interconnection curves connected. Among other things leads a 21.2 km long stretch of track at Zaragoza and a 13.1 km-long section of Lleida.

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Length of pipe: 744 km

Maximum speed : 300 km/h, geplant: 350 km/h

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Barcelona Metro

The Barcelona Metro was build in 1924 with the construction of the 'Gran Metro' between Lesseps and the Plaça de Catalunya, part of the modern line 3. Two years later the 'Metro Transversal' (now part of line 1) was built between the Plaça de Catalunya and la Bordeta to link the city centre with the Plaça d'Espanya and Montjuïc, the site of the 1929 Universal Exhibition.
In modern times the network consists of nine lines managed by two different operators: Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), which manages the major underground lines; and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC - Catalan Government Railways), which manages three integrated commuter lines running out into the extended metropolitan area. Fares are integrated into Autoritat del Transport Metropolità, a city-wide system that also includes local and regional buses and some regional train services. 98% of its railtracks are subsurface.

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Metro timetables

From Monday to Thursday, Sunday & holiday
5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Fridays
5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Saturdays and day prior to 1/1, 24/6, 15/8 and 24/9
Non-stop service

Prices
Zones --Euros
1 -------1.30€
2 -------1.95€
3 -------2.70€
4 -------3.60€
5 -------4.60€

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L1 Hospital de Bellvitge - Badalona Centre - L2 Fira 2 - Morera - L3 Zona Universitària - Trinitat Nova - L4 Trinitat Nova - Sagrera-Meridiana - L5 Cornellà Centre - Vall d'Hebron - L6 Pça Catalunya - Reina Elisenda - L7 Pça Catalunya - Av. Tibidabo - L8 Pça Espanya - Molí Nou-Ciutat Cooperativa - L9 Aeroport Terminal Sud - Can Zam - L10 Zona Franca - Gorg - L11 Trinitat Nova - Can Cuiàs

Barcelona Vs Celtic - Barca enchanted Celtic

After a sacrificially battle succumbed Celtic Glasgow at home against FC Barcelona with 2:3. Two times the Scots were in the lead, but the Catalans close in on the Scots. In the 78th minute Messi reached the 3:2. Goal: 1:0 Jan Vennegor of Hesselink (17), 1:1 Messi (19), 2:1 Robson (39), 2:2 Henry (53rd), 2:3 Messi (78th).
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The rematch is on 4th March 2008 at Nou Camp

Barcelona play Celtic in the last 16 of this year's Champions League at the Nou Camp stadium.
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Do you want to watch the game? click Here you find a nice apartment in Barcelona

Primavera Sound Festival 2008

Barcelona's redeveloped Port Area hosts the excellent Primavera Sound festival, featuring a massive line-up of top-class live acts and DJs.
The highlights of the last year include Band of Horses, Comets on Fire, Bola, Explosions in the Sky, Built to Spill, Dirty Three and Isis.

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Here it is a big part of the artist who will perform at Estrella Dam:

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808 State, A Place To Bury Strangers, Alan Braxe, Animal Collective, Apparat Band, Dj Assault, Atlas Sound, Autolux, Awesome Color, Bill Callahan, Bishop Allen, Bob Mould Band, Bon Iver, Boris, British Sea Power, Buffalo Tom, Caribou, Cat Power, Clipse, The Cribs, De La Soul, Deerhunter, Digital Mystikz, Dinosaur Jr., Dirty Projectors, Dr. Octagon aka Kool Keith + Kutmasta Kurt, Edan & MC Dagha, El Guincho, Ellen Allien, Enon, Eric's Trip, Fanfarlo, The Felice Brothers, Fuck Buttons, Dj Funk, Gentle Music Men, The Go! Team, Grande-Marlaska, Health, Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, Holy Fuck, It's Not Not, Kavinsky, Kinski, Les Savy Fav, Lightspeed Champion, Madee, Man Man, The Mary Onettes, Mary Weiss, The Marzipan Man, Menomena, Messer Chups, Midnight Juggernauts, Mission Of Burma, Mixmaster Mike, Model 500, MV & EE with The Golden Road, Nick Lowe, No Age, The Notwist, Okkervil River, Om, Para One, Pissed Jeans, Polvo, Port O'Brien, Portishead, Prinzhorn Dance School, Public Enemy performing It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Robert Hood, Rufus Wainwright, The Rumble Strips, Scout Niblett, Sebadoh, Shipping News, Silver Jews, Simian Mobile Disco, Six Organs Of Admittance, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, The Strange Death Of Liberal England, Subterranean Kids, Supermayer, Surkin, The Swell Season, Tachenko, Tarántula, Thomas Brinkmann, Throbbing Gristle, Tiefschwarz, Tindersticks, Träd Gräs och Stenar, Vampire Weekend, Vórtice, Voxtrot, White Williams, Why?, Young Marble Giants.
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Visit the homepage of Primavera Sound Festival here!

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Do you want to enjoy this event? Rent an apartment in Barcelona.

Tibidabo, Barcelona's mountain

The mountain of Tibidabo is the highest point of the Collserola hills, in Barcelona, it hosts an amusement park. Everyone in the city remembers its fantastic grottoes, the dizzying experience of the Talaia, the Hall of Mirrors with its grotesque reflections, the excitement of the Aeromàgic, the fascination of the old fair of automatons. Sensations which can now be rediscovered by young and old.

Summer hours: noon-10pm weekdays, until 1am on weekends

Off-season hours: noon-6pm on weekends only, with varying closing times depending on the weather

Tel (+34) 93 211 79 42

Entrance fees: €22 full admission; €11 for limited access to rides; €19 with youth ID; €9 senior citizens; €9 children

With rides dispersed over the slopes of the Tibidabo mountain, Barcelona's amusement park provides a wonderful excuse to ascend Barcelona's highest peak for ample views of the city, the Pyrenees, and even the Baleares Islands on a nice day. You can enjoy attractions as diverse an an antique fairground and rides from the 1920s to modern roller coasters.

The FGC To Avinguda Tibidabo (last stop on the Tibidabo line) will drop you right at the gates of the Tibidabo Amusement Park. On weekends and holidays you can take the antique tram service up the hill.

You should come and rent an apartment and enjoy this fabulous attractions park.

Montserrat

About 40 km northwest of Barcelona lies the mountain of Montserrat, with a beautiful Benedictine monastery perched atop its eastern peaks. Its oddly shaped rocks, rich history and religious significance make Montserrat one of Catalonia's most interesting destinations.

The Montserrat monastery, which houses "La Moreneta" (the Black Virgin), Catalonia's patroness, is a magnet for tourists and pilgrims the world over. The legend of the Black Virgin dates to the 9th century, when the monastery's first chapel was constructed. Jump to the 20th century and you find the monastery of Montserrat playing an important role in the Catalan nationalist movement. The first Catalan bible was published here during Franco's rule (1939-1975) and it was an important anti-Franco stronghold during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Tip: visit the Montserrat monastery at 1pm on weekdays or noon on Sundays to see its phenomenal boys choir is chanting the Ave Maria.

How to reach Montserrat from Barcelona

By Train

FGC trains towards Manresa leave hourly from Plaça d'Espanya and take aproximately 50 minutes to the "Montserrat Aeri." That's where you have to get out to take the "Aeri" cable car, which leaves about every 15 and drops you on a terrace just below the monastery. It's a breathtaking trip! Alternatively, you can stay in the FGC train until the next stop, "Monistrol de Montserrat." From there hop on the " cremallera," the mountain railway, which leaves every 20 to 60 minutes. Prices: €11.80 - €35.50, depending the combination of transport you choose.

By Bus
Cheaper than the train, but for sure lacking the thrill factor, is the daily morning bus service from Barcelona. Ask for "Julia Tours"at the Barcelona tourist office (Plaça de Catalunya). A one-way bus trip costs about €7.

By Car

Take the A2 motorway as far as Martorell, and then follow the N11 and C1411.

Penedes Wine Country Tour

Just south of Barcelona lie the green valleys and rolling hills of the world renowned Penedès, Spain wine region, the perfect place for a day escape side trip. Known as “cava country” due to being the biggest and best producer of Cava (Spanish champagne), this Spanish wine region boasts many notable red and white wines, as well. The hills of Alt Penedes can be your destination for this wine excursion, where you can enjoy exclusive visits to the vineyards and cellars of small wine and cava makers producing the most innovative and high quality wines in the Penedes wine country.

Catalonia Wine Country

Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, about 35 minutes from Barcelona, is the city's closest vineyard. If you're interested in Catalan sparkling wines, this is your spot.

Vilafranca del Penèdes, on the other hand, is Catalonia's most important production area for still wine. It's been an important trade center since the 11th century and holds a small musem and church in addition to wineries.


Getting to Catalonia Wine Country

"Rodalies" trains depart every 30 minutes from Barcelona Sants or Plaça de Catalunya to Sant Sadurní (€2.25) and Vilafranca (€2.75). Travel time is approximately 45 minutes. If you decide to go by car, head west along Avinguada Diagonal and get on the AP-7 motorway.