The Pope Benedict XVI in Barcelona in November 7th

As you probably already know, Pope Benedict XVI will be paying an official visit to Barcelona on the 7th of November where he will be celebrating mass in the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The Pope will be blessing the Cathedral and the altar. Once the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral that Antoni Gaudí designed, has been blessed, it will be designated a basilica for its monumental and artistic features by the Pope himself.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for faithful churchgoers to take to the streets and show their devotion via the itinerary that will span the different streets of Barcelona.

His first visit in Spain will be in Santiago de Compostela, after which he will be travelling to Barcelona where he will arrive on the 6th of November. During his visit to the city, he will be staying at the archbishopric and will be escorted to the Sagrada Familia by an entourage where the consecration of the Cathedral will be taking place. The Pope will make the journey to the Sagrada Familia in the Popemobile and will be making a detour beforehand round the Cathedral so he can greet his faithful followers already gathered there.

Following the consecration of the Cathedral, Benedict XVI will be celebrating the Eucharist before the Kings of Spain and once all this has been done, the Ángelus will be recited from the Sagrada Familia`s façade of the birth of Christ.

The Sagrada Familia has a 9,000 person capacity, but for security reasons only 7,500 people will be allowed to enter and celebrate mass inside the Cathedral. However, those faithful followers that have congregated outside the Sagrada Familia can follow the homily thanks to the gigantic screens and chairs that will be placed in the streets and the plazas adjacent.



In the afternoon, the Pope will be visiting the Nen Déu en Guinardó Institute, where religious Franciscans will be looking after down-syndrome children and other disabled children. Meanwhile the Pope will be chatting with families and carers, and will receive a present from the children.

For security reasons, the Sagrada Familia`s doors will be closed a few days prior to the Pope’s visit.

I am sure you will not miss these event!! Then we propose you to rent an apartment for you and your family which is really much cheaper than an hotel. Barcelona is full of apartments for rent, so don't hesitate!!! Come to our beautiful city to visit the Pope visit!!!

La Fiesta de la MERCE, en Barcelona

The party of Barcelona
From this September 23 starts the festival of festivals that fill Barcelona with more than 500 arts and leisure proposals full of fantasy and imagination. Let the party continues until Sunday 26. Say you will see 20 presented scenarios where you will find street arts shows, theater, circus, music and dance. And that there are also various traditional events, entertainment and sports that usually accompany it. We are talking about Merce: THE big party, the party of all locals, the highlight of Barcelona.

La Mercè '10 will be officially opened with the proclamation, which this year will carry the voice of the poet and architect Joan Margarit. Then the popular seguici will walk through the downtown streets proclaiming the good news: you start the party and the best thing is starting again. From here, anything is possible. At the MERCE of this year, there have created a new festival, the MAC (Mercè Street Arts), full of exciting cutting-edge creations aimed at a family that will take place mainly in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The same scenario will be the central space of the dance and when the sun sets will experience a transformation that will become the Parc de la Llum, with a range of color and light shows surprising. The city of Dakar will be involved in many corners of the festival, the city is invited, with film, dance, percussion, art and more contemporary proposals, from Africa and the Senegalese capital spearhead.

Among all the activities taking place in the city, You don't have to miss the traditional Correfoc, the feast of circus in the Castell de Montjuïc, the dyad castellera, the parade or Piromusical. This year stands out as a new a new arena, the old race track in Barcelona, which opens with a fun street arts and entertainment multidisciplinary Pandora. The Albéniz Palauet reopen their doors, like the museums, the BAM will reveal a new selection of the best independent music in the Plaça Catalunya will lift the Mostra d'Associacions of the city and the Festival Asia will continue to build the best cultural bridge with Asia.

Joy, fun, culture, creativity, art, civics ... From 11 am to 5 am, with a set of proposals for all audiences. So that everyone can enjoy their own party, the party ... of all Barcelona.
If you are looking for an apartment in BARCELONA for the WeekEnd, come on in!!!!

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?

20th European athetics Championship in BARCELONA

Yesterday, July 26th, was held in Barcelona, the inauguration of the 20th European Championships of athletism. The championship which really started today until next sunday takes place at the same location as the 1992 Olympics Games.

Visitors saw a water show of dance and acrobatics in the Magic Fountain of Montjuic with the under a beautitiful full moon in the Olympic Stadium.
During 70 minutes, a spectacle staged by Hansel Cereza, a founding member of "La Fura dels Baus, the group that designed the Olympic ceremonies, entertained thousands of spectators and reached a moment of great beauty.

The water was the main reason for the ceremony. The director mixed it with dance and sports with music by Nacho Cano, former member of Mecano, and Salvador Niebla, author of the music used in the Spanish synchronized swimming team.









Then we could see a parade ofrepresentatives of the 50 countries participating in the championship, with sounds of the anthem of Europe. Chema Martinez, candidate for the Marathon medal, was the flagship of a Spanish team of 88 athletes.
The Organizing Committee Chairman, José María Odriozola, said that chamionnats held in Barcelona is a good opportunity for the Catalans to enjoy the beauty of the sport in the Montjuic stadium or on the street.


President Montilla closed the ceremony, announced opened oficially the european championships. On sunday the championship will end with a concert of the famous group of Catalan rumba, Troba Kung Fu, in the Avenida Maria Cristina.

Do you want to take holidays in Barcelona and enjoy everything this city offers? We know where you can rent apartments close to the city center and Montjuic at really good price!!!