Posts Tagged barcelona

Barcelona Chairs – An Example of Elegance & Style

Oct 29

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With the variety of modern design furniture available, choosing a chair can be demanding at times. The chair chosen should make you feel comfortable as well as enhance the look of your home. The Barcelona chair is one piece of modern furniture, which is regarded as sophisticated and stylish furniture produced in the 20th century. The chair was originally designed for the King and Queen of Barcelona. It not only made them happy, but gave the world a new and trendy chair for their home.

History of Barcelona chair

Mies Van Der Rohe designed the first chair in 1929, which was inaugurated by the Royal Highness in International Exposition in Barcelona, Spain, and is considered to be the peak of a harmonized approach to material and design. It is said that the chair was a result of partnership between Rohe and architect Lilly Reich. In fact, some historians say that Reich was more influential in making the chair’s design. It is said that his inspiration was an Egyptian folding chair and a folding stool, the ones on which the pharaohs and Romans use to sit.

Design of the Chair

The initial design of the chair included frames which were bolted together. It was then redesigned in 1950 using steel and flawless pieces of metal on frames, which gave it a smoother look. The framework is made by embedding two pieces of steel bars in the front and back of the chair. Steel gives the chair high strength and supports the seat. Cushions are covered with rubber, foam and buttoned leather placed on the seat and backed by saddle-leather straps.

The Barcelona chair has a Green guard certificate which means that it is eco-friendly and hence, will not release harmful products into the air. The material from which it is made is not cheap and is properly assured by testers before going under production that it is up to the required benchmark. The leather is smooth and is soft to sit on. On the other hand, the steel frame means that the complete frame can be made with one piece of metal.

Original or Reproduced version?

In 1953, Rohe gave the production license to Knoll Company, which still holds the rights and trademark. Although it is the only authorized manufacturer to produce Barcelona chairs, a lot of companies offer reproduction. Some are excellent while others are fair enough. However, an original Barcelona chair is still the most desirable furniture of the current century. The quality of material and workmanship cannot be compared. But, if you cannot go for the original one, a reproduced chair with similar design and material used and which can fit into your budget, will also work.

The Barcelona chair, because of its rise to fame and history, has enjoyed popularity and increase in sales and production worldwide. It was almost 80 years back when the first piece was finished, and now, it has taken the world by storm with only minor changes in its design from the time it was first designed. The Barcelona chair is a masterpiece that is highly recognized by the designers and architects, regarded as one of the lucky connoisseurs for those who are able to purchase the original chair.

Connor Sullivan and his wife just purchased modern furniture for a new office facility he is renting. He and his wife decided on modern design furniture for their new home.

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5 Best Places For Holiday Rentals in Barcelona, Spain

Oct 29

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Staying at a holiday rental in Barcelona has several benefits, among which is the opportunity to live in the city like a citizen of Barcelona. The city offers a wide range of stylish, well-equipped and comfortable apartment rentals for long term as well as short term stays, suited for any type of budget, any length of vacation and any type of tourist. Although vacation rentals are available all over Barcelona, tourists are advised to research each location carefully before booking any apartment rental there. Fortunately for tourists, most of the neighbourhoods in Barcelona are close to its beautiful museums, parks, churches and theatres.

1. Eixample District – Tourists who want to live in the midst of a neighbourhood filled with elegant shops and restaurants should choose an apartment rental in the Eixample District. The location is a literal paradise for fans of Anton Gaudi because it houses famous buildings of Gaudi such as Casa Mila. The area also has huge boulevards and avenues lined with trees.

2. Barcelona Gothic Quarter – Barcelona Gothic Quarter is an immensely popular area in Ciutat Vella, where the famous Cathedral of Barcelona is located. The area features exquisite narrow streets, shops, restaurants and beautiful squares. The Barcelona Gothic Square is an ideal place for an apartment rental if tourists want to be close to Gothic structures.

3. Barceloneta – Barceloneta is an ideal location for tourists who feel energized by loud noise and large crowds. The most popular areas in Barceloneta are the beach and the waterfront of Barcelona, which offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Gourmets will also be delighted to stay in the Barceloneta area because of the large number of high-quality restaurants it houses.

4. El Raval – Fans of Barcelonan culture should book an apartment rental at El Raval to be close to the Centre of Contemporary Culture and the Museu D’Art Contemporani De Barcelona. El Raval, which was previously a notorious red light area, is today renowned as a great hotspot of culture and beauty.

5. El Born – El Born, also referred to as La Ribera, has many apartment rentals and is an ideal location to stay in because it is stylish and modern with elegant and upbeat shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels. Die-hard shoppers and romantic couples will be delighted to stay here. Moreover, the Basilica de Santa Maria, which is one of the most popular venues for weddings in Barcelona, is located close by.

James Burrows writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for apartments, Apartment rental Barceloneta, hotels and Raval holiday rentals.

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Using the Barcelona Card For Savings and Convenience on Your Vacation

Oct 29

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The Barcelona Card offers tourists a way of enjoying the city at minimum cost for travel, attraction visits and purchases from a whole host of selected stores and restaurants. With the card you have no excuses not to visit as many of Barcelona’s attractions as you have the time to.

The Barcelona Card is a combination of a travel card, shopping card and reduced price pass to tourist attractions, and you also get reduced prices at selected restaurants and entertainment venues. It is an absolute must for visitors to the city that want to visit as much as they can while they are here.

The Price

First to the cost, so that you are not wondering what that is while you read about the rest, and then you can decide whether or not the advantages it offers you are worth what you pay. It is an absolute no-brainer, but here are the facts for you to decide for yourself. These prices are per person:

2 Days: 27€ per person (for adults), 23€ for kids between 4 and 12
3 Days: 33€ per person (for adults), 28€ for kids between 4 and 12
4 Days: 37.50€ per person (for adults), 30.50€ for kids between 4 and 12
5 Days: 44€ per person (for adults), 34.50€ for kids between 4 and 12

Free for children aged under 4.

You must purchase the Barcelona card 24 hours in advance of visiting Barcelona, and once paid you will be provided with your card, a map of the city and a travel guide when you get here. Naturally, if you are already in Barcelona, you can order the card and it will take 24 hours before you can pick it up.

Visitors who have used the card when visiting Barcelona have been delighted with the value it offers, and the more you travel around Barcelona, the greater the benefit you will get. Here is a brief discussion of the benefits of using the card during your visit to the city.

1. Free Travel
The Barcelona Card enables you to travel free throughout the period of the card. So, if you pay the 44€ for 5-day card, you can travel free on Barcelona’s public transport system for the entire 5 days. That includes the majority of the city bus lines and the metro, so you will be able to travel anywhere within the city free of any further charge. No more grumbling about the price of the metro train or the buses!

2. Attraction Discounts
You receive discounts at large number of Barcelona’s popular tourist attractions. For example, 50% off the normal entrance fee for the world-famous Picasso Museum on Montcada street, and 20% off the Museu de Joan Miro, the Spanish surrealist painter and sculptor. Plus many, many more.

3. Restaurant and Entertainment Discounts
You will receive 10% discounts off your bill at many of Barcelona’s popular restaurants and 20% of many entertainment venues, such as the classical music theatre Palau de la Musica and the operas at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. In addition to these, and lots more discounts, many other museums and attractions are free when you present your card. You will also receive a 12% discount on purchases in the famous Pla?a Catalunya in the centre of the city.

The card is about the size of a credit card, and well worth several times the price you pay for it. The free offers and discounts amount to more than 100 all over the city, yet you will save more than its cost on transport alone. Consider how far you would get in your own home city for 40€, and your card lasts 5 entire days at that price.

It is not only worthwhile, it’s a must for anybody intending to spend their time in Barcelona travelling about and visiting the great attractions this beautiful city has to offer. The guidebook and map provide you with everything you need to travel in Barcelona, and is available in a range of languages including Catalan, Spanish, English, Italian, French and German, and a load of extra cut-out coupons you can use in the city.

Tour the City Free
Using the Barcelona card, there is no need for you to stop at every metro station to buy a ticket, or no need to worry about having the correct change in Euros for your bus fare. Just show your card and stay on the bus or the metro for as long as you like. You can take a ride right round the city on the same bus, or even changing buses when it suits you. Get a feel for the Barcelona, and where everything is by following your bus route on the map provided, and then tick off the places you feel you would like to see more of.

Barcelona offers a great deal of things for visitors to see and do, and with a Barcelona card you have the freedom to travel as you wish without any more cost. Add to that the discounts and coupons in the guide and you have a fabulous offer that you would be mad to turn down.

That’s why most visitors to Barcelona who buy it once, go on to buy the Barcelona Card every time they visit Barcelona on holiday.

Further information on benefits to tourists in Barcelona as well as a range of luxurious short-stay Barcelona Apartments for rent for business trips and vacations are available on http://www.way2barcelona.com where you will also find great photographs and maps of the city.

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Flyhub Way: A Mediterranean Beauty, Barcelona

Oct 29

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Beautiful Barcelona, the pulsating Catalonian capital, is more than a football mecca. Its overflowing markets, wide boulevards, ancient cathedrals, and gracious architecture make it one of the most gorgeous tourist spots in the world.

People visit this dazzling Mediterranean ciudad for different reasons. Historians soak in its rich past: Barcelona is said to have been founded during the 2nd century B.C as a Roman Colony. While strolling across the city it is possible, even today, to run into ancient Roman walls and turrets.

Cultural pundits love visiting its museums including the Museu de Ceramica and Gaudi architecture while the more musically inclined simply dig the Barcelonian musical festivals and fiestas like Son?r and Festes de la Merc?.

And how can one forget football fans all over the world for whom Barcelona has almost become synonymous with the great game?

Whatever your reason for travelling to this glistening pearl on the Iberian peninsula the best time to go is January or February. The weather is chilly but you still get a fair bit of sunshine. What is more, the place remains unclogged with touristic traffic making it easy to mingle with the local populace and learn Spanish with an exotic Catalan edge!

If you are one for vast, gold-flecked beaches you would love the Nova Icaria beach which is practically cheek-by-jowl to the Olympic marina. Its sparkling bars and restaurants, not to mention its vast promenades make it a highly popular tourist sport.

But if you are seeking something on the more tranquil side do check out the Mar Bella, the city’s single ‘naturist beach’ pleated away at the rear of a bamboo hillock. Not too far is a park, also hailed as a great picnic spot.

As far as parks go, a visit to the Guell Park is an absolute must. Known for its ‘outrageous modernism’ it has been designated by UNESCO as a World heritage Site. Going through the entrance and past the Hundred Columns’ Room is a surreal experience in itself.

Your itinerary could stretch to include a stroll down Las Ramblas or a visit to the Temple de la Sagrada Familia, depending on your time availability and interest. With so much to do and see, why not leave the rest to FlyHub? We can help you get the best deals on your airline tickets. Don’t forget to visit flyhub.com

FlyHub.com offers a unique marketplace to buy, sell or transfer cheap air tickets and other airline products. Find just what you need for the right price!

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Planning a Whirlwind Tour of Barcelona

Oct 29

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Of all Europe’s popular city break destinations, Barcelona is perhaps its most attractive. For starters, it’s smaller and less crowded than London and Paris but is home to just as many world-class museums and galleries. And while it may not have Rome’s grand ancient sites, the unique nature of its architecture – in particular, the buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi – give Barcelona a distinct ambiance that crosses the boundaries between Gothic intrigue and contemporary sophistication. However, with so much to see, navigating this city can be overwhelming. If you only have a few days in Barcelona, here’s how to make the most of it.

Every newcomer to Spain’s hippest city should start their journey on Las Ramblas, a wide boulevard that forms the epicentre of Barcelona’s tourist trade. Despite the overpriced eateries and ubiquitous street vendors, it is an excellent place to get your bearings in the city. Its most popular attraction is undoubtedly the world-renowned La Boqueria covered market, where you’ll find piles of gleaming seafood, fresh meat and delicious fruit and vegetables. If you’re staying in a self-catered apartment in Barcelona, La Boqueria is the ideal place to gather your provisions. Alternatively, grab a bag of cherries and move on to the next stop on your itinerary.

Near Las Ramblas, you’ll find the Gothic Quarter, a mesmerising jumble of streets and alleyways which house the imposing Barcelona Cathedral. This building is not to be confused with the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s crowning glory, which is located in the Eixample district. Still unfinished – despite construction having started in the 1880s – this magnificent Gothic cathedral is Gaudi’s most famous work. There might be long entrance queues, as well as loud noises from ongoing construction, but it’s worth it to catch a close-up glimpse of Gaudi’s still unparalleled style.

Sagrada Familia isn’t the only spectacular Gaudi sight in town. La Pedrera and Caso Batll, both on Passeig de Grcia in Eixample, showcase his typically warped approach to architecture. In contrast, Gaudi’s Parc Gell, located further north in Grcia, is home to stunning mosaic work and leafy open spaces, its elevated position offering visitors wonderful views of Barcelona’s skyline. But while Gaudi might be Barcelona’s most famous son, the city also pays tribute to two other famous Spanish artists: Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, both of whom have excellent galleries devoted to exhibiting their work.

Of course, the main feature that sets Barcelona apart from most major European cities is its bustling beach. Once a no-go area, the renovation process sparked-off by the 1992 Olympic Games has meant that Barcelona’s beach is now the ideal place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Along its lengthy stretch of sand, you’ll find trendy seaside bars and first-class restaurants serving authentic Spanish paella. And if the weather should turn bad, just pop into the nearby IMAX Cinema or Barcelona Aquarium and wait for the rain to pass.

It might seem like a lot to pack into a short break, but Barcelona’s compact nature means that it’s relatively easy to get from one place to another by foot. And if you’re really pressed for time, its extensive metro network provides frequent and inexpensive travel across the city. Moreover, Barcelona flights from London have a journey time of around two hours, so the travel process will be fast and simple, allowing you to spend more of your holiday enjoying the sights of this vibrant city.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

Bob Taggart writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

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Montserrat Monastery (Monasterio De Montserrat) Near Barcelona

Oct 28

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Montserrat is a mountain range in northern Spain, in the heart of Catalonia, near Barcelona. The mountains are extremely beautiful, whimsical stone shapes at times resembling castles made of wet sand or huge statues that inspire you both with fascination and horror. A Benedictine monastery is situated in the mountains, which can be accessed by foot from the valley of the Llobregat river through a mountain trail. This place has been attracting pilgrims and tourists since long ago, and in 1892 a rope way was built from the town Monistrol de Montserrat to the Monastery. It was later replaced by a cable car, but the old funicular still carries travelers from the monastery to the top of the Santa Magdalena Mount, from where a trail leads you to the hermitage of St. Jeroni.

The Monastery of Montserrat was founded in 1025 by abbot Oliba of Ripoll and Cuxa. The first small Catholic churches and chapels appeared here even earlier, in the 9th century. Then the land was conquered by Muslim Saracens as they were called. Abbot Oliba apparently led the construction of the monastery, he was a famous architect and had a great influence on the development of Catalan architecture, introducing elements of the Lombard style. In particular, under his leadership the monastery of St. Michelle de Cuxa was expanded and rebuilt. The Montserrat has seen many renovations, it was once destroyed by the Napoleon’s army and then re-built again. The last renovation dates to early 20th century. Currently the convent accommodates about 100 Benedictine monks. There is also a hotel for pilgrims.

The monastery houses a statue of Black Madonna (La Moreneta), the sacred object of pilgrimage. According to legend, the statue was carved by St. Luke and then moved to Spain by St. Peter. In 718, the statue was hidden in the mountains of Montserrat from the infidels, Saracens, and then was lost. In 890 La Moreneta was miraculously discovered by shepherds in a cave where they saw mysterious glow and heard angelic singing. At this place a chapel was built and the cave was named Santa Cova.

The statue, currently housed in a monastery dates from the 12th century. There are various theories explaining the strange black color of the Madonna and the child, but none of them is sufficiently substantiated. It is likely that the statue was darkened by the soot from so many candles which were lit around it for days and nights over centuries.

Black Madonna was the pilgrimage destination for so many historical personalities, including St. Ignatius Loyola, who hung weapons at her altar and embarked on the path of religious asceticism. In 1881 the statue was canonized by Pope Leo 13th and declared as the patron saint of Catalonia. It is believed that the Black Madonna can help women find the happiness of motherhood, that is why there are so many women and young couples visiting this monastery.

The gallery of the monastery contains a small yet rich collection of classical (El Greco, Caravaggio, Morales) and modern (Degas, Picasso, Dali) paintings.

The extensive library of the monastery was almost completely destroyed during the Napoleonic wars. Currently, the library contains over 400 original manuscripts, including Egyptian papyri, rare medieval manuscripts, as well as the famous collection of hymns Libre Vermille (Red Book), compiled by monks of the monastery in the 14th century to be sung by pilgrims during the night vigils.

In the church of Santa Maria de Montserrat degli Spagnolo two of the Pope Borgia family were buried: Callistus III (1455-1458) and Alexander The 6th (1492-1503).

Hours:

From June 21 to December 20, daily: 7:00 – 20:30.

From December 21 to June 20, daily: 7:00 – 19:30.

Admission is free.

Planning a visit to Barcelona? View options for Barcelona hotels with a range of information, such as descriptions, maps, photos and rates from various providers.

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Learn Catalan Cuisine at These Cooking Classes in Barcelona

Oct 28

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Madrid has recently become one of the most exciting culinary destinations in Europe. But we love the cuisine of Catalonia. Just as Barcelona has unique language, art, and architecture, the food there is also fresh and original.

The sunny climate means there’s wonderful produce in abundance, and plenty of Mediterranean seafood and shellfish. And, of course, plenty of good wine to accompany your meal.

One of our favorite beverages in Barcelona was sangria made with Cava, the Spanish version of Champagne. Lighter and cleaner than the traditional red wine sangria, Cava sangria is made with lemons, limes, oranges, and occasionally strawberries. It’s delightfully refreshing on a hot, summer day.

Cooking is an integral part of Catalonion culture and many of their traditions are based around food and enjoying good meals. Taking cooking classes in Barcelona will acquaint you with not only the cuisine, but also the culture, which the Catalonians fiercely try to preserve.

Romans, Jews, and Arabs have all been the dominant culture at one time or another, and each has left a mark on the local cuisine. Delicious and healthy, it makes the most of local ingredients, especially seafood.

Barcelona is blessed with one of the best food markets in Europe – La Boqueria – and many of the cooking classes in Barcelona start with a visit there. It’s a great place to gather ingredients for a feast or simple picnic lunch. And it’s a fun spot to grab a churro and hot chocolate for breakfast.

One of the most popular cooking classes is taught by Cook & Taste, which has taught more than 4,000 students. They offer 3-1/2 hour classes at 11AM and 5PM every day of the week. Following a trip to the market, students learn to make traditional dishes like paella, gazpacho, tortilla Espanol, and assorted tapas. Students with more time can take a three-day advanced class.

Another good choice is Catacurian, which has general classes, as well as classes that focus on tapas, paellas, or other specific dishes. Meals are served with wine from Priorat, cava, coffee, and brandy. The cost depends on how many people sign up.

GotoLearn offers both half and full-day classes from their school near the Placa San Jaume. Because classes are limited to a dozen participants, students receive personal attention.

Travelers staying in an apartment with a kitchen in Barcelona can call CatalanCooking. They’ll come to your apartment and give you a cooking class there. Classes can be taught in English, German, or French, and you can choose from several three-course menus.

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