Sant Jordi in Barcelona

April 23rd is the feast of Sant Jordi (Diada de Sant Jordi), the patron Saint of Catalonia. The tradition is that the man buys the woman a rose and the woman buys the man a book, although this is not just between lovers, it is also between friends, workmates, … . It is a very colourful day as you will see almost everybody carrying at least one rose.

Although Sant Jordi is not a bank holiday, city center is totally packed with people walking around looking for books and roses or simply enjoying the atmosphere. As it is also Book´s day (Dia del Llibre) there are lots of bookstalls where you can even see writers signing their own books.

It is a very romantic day, although in recent years is getting more commercial, but still a very enjoyable day

Tip: April 23rd is the only day of the year that the Palau de la Generalitat is open to the public. It is a magnificent building so it is a highly recommended visit. Big queues are expected so try to get there early.

Must See: Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família

“La Sagrada Família (Catalan, ‘The Holy Family’) is a large Roman Catholic basilica under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Its formal title is Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Antoni Gaudí worked on the project for over 40 years, devoting the last 15 years of his life entirely to this endeavour. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have joked, “My client is not in a hurry.” After Gaudí’s death in 1926, work continued under the direction of Domènech Sugranyes until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1935.”“Parts of the unfinished building and Gaudí’s models and workshop were destroyed during the war by Catalan anarchists. The design, as now being constructed, is based both on reconstructed versions of the lost plans and on modern adaptations. Since 1940 the architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari and Francesc Cardoner Jordi Bonet i Armengol, has been introducing computers into the design and construction process since the 1980s. Sculptures by J. Busquets, Etsuro Sotoo and the controversial Josep Subirachs decorate the fantastical façades. have carried on the work. The current director and son of Lluís Bonet,

Detail of the Passion facade

According to the newspaper El Periódico de Catalunya, 2.26 million people visited the partially built basilica in 2004, making it one of the most popular attractions in Spain, alongside the Museo del Prado and Alhambra. The central nave vaulting was completed in 2000 and the main tasks since then have been the construction of the transept vaults and apse. Current work (2006) concentrates on the crossing and supporting structure for the main tower of Jesus Christ as well as the southern enclosure of the central nave which will become the Glory façade.”

Official web site: La Sagrada Familia
Address: Calle Mallorca, 08034, Barcelona
Opening hours 09:00-18:00 (Oct-Mar) 09:00-20:00 (Apr-Sep)
Admission : 8 Euros, or 5 Euros with Barcelona Card.
Disabled Access: Yes
Metro: Sagrada Familia (Blue Line, L5) and (Purple Line, L2)

Want to know more?

Just Enter to the Sagrada Família Official Site.

Gaudí Designs Site.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuic

When you live and work in a city every day, then you start to take it for granted and sometimes you forget about all of the possible things there are to do and places there are to visit!!! …But it is nice have a break from the routine and to do these things every so often! Last weekend a friend of mine came to visit and I switched to ‘tourist lifestyle’!
I recalled a wonderful place: the Magic Fountains of Montjuic! Why magic? Because the water in the fountains comes to life and dances to the rhythm of the music! The foot of the Montjuic hill, between the two towers on Plaza Espanya and the last fountain before the museum, is transformed into a huge light show! The water of the fountain is illuminated by wonderful coloured lights, which create abstract forms and continuous patterns and which then move to the sounds of internationally famous pieces of music and theme tunes from accross the world! The show is repeated every 30 minutes, so there is more than one chance to see it! Unfortunately we actually arrived too late on Saturday and so we tried again on Sunday, at the right time!

During the winter months, the shows take place from 19.00 hours to 21.00 hours at the weekends. During the summer period, from 20.00 hours to midnight!

“It’s so simple!” I thought! But, even though i have already been there several times before, I was hypnotized in front of the gorgeous light show! The magic fountain is a spectacular display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics. All these elements are mixed together in a perfect combination, the synchronism of music, lights, colours and the movement of the water…. you end up with pure magic!

The big fountain is at the bottom of the hundred steps of the Montjuic hill! The background to the show is also amazing! We took the metro to ‘Plaza Espanya’ and we walked down the big “corridor” called ‘Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina’, where there are many smaller dancing fountains on the way. It feels like the entrance to a Royal Palace!

I really enjoy the “magic fountains”, it makes you feel like a small mesmorised child! I recommend a visit to the water show to anyone who is looking for a few magic moments!

- Laura -

F1 Spain Circuit Tickets

Here’s the last race classification:

1. Massa - Ferrari
2. Hamilton - McLaren
3. Raikkonen - Ferrari
4. Heidfeld - BMW
5. Alonso - McLaren
6. Kubica - BMW
7. Trulli - Toyota
8. Fisichella - Renault

But in 3 weeks, is the Spanish Circuit, so you should prepare all your stuff and come to Barcelona to enjoy the very best race ever.You could buy the flight here, and enjoy the city the same day of the race or stay in the city until the rain strikes again. It’s up to you.
Alonso, Raikkonen and Hamilton are draw in 22 points, so this race would be the perfect oportunity for them to win even for Massa (with 17 points) to surprise everyone.

Want some tickets? Want to come to Barcelona? This website has the very last ones tickets, so don’t miss this oportunity and buy your tickets now. And don’t miss the oportunity to visit Barcelona!

Barcelona Apartments

barcelonation.com – Holiday flats and apartments in Barcelona. A good alternative to booking a hotel - short and long term apartment rental in Barcelona. We offer apartments by day, by week and even apartments by month. Apartments available in the city centre and other areas in Barcelona and Catalonia.

Cheap Apartments in Barcelona by month, week or days here.

Are you going to Barcelona? This is a great opportunity to enjoy a peacefully stay at this amazing city. Rent your flat, apartment or room in this website.

See some examples or great Barcelona apartments:

The Cheesepe Apartment in Barcelona

• Fantastic Apartment in the Eixample!!!
• Sleeps 4
• 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
• 55m2
• Rates starting at €100 for 2 people per night

The Timbaler Apartment in Barcelona

• Great location, Eixample near Plaza Cataluña!
• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
• 65m2
• Rates starting at €140 for 2 people per night

The Ludmila Apartment in Barcelona

• Wonderful, colourful Gothic Quarter apartment!
• Sleeps 10
• 5 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
• 125m2
• Rates starting at €250 for 4 people per night

The Colon Ramblas Apartment in Barcelona

• Luxurious and spacious, on Paseo Colom by Gothic!
• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
• 115m2
• Rates starting at €250 for 4 people per night

Virtual Experience in the FC Barcelona Tickets

A new experience have born in the FC Barcelona Museum.

Barça Virtual Experience

Have the time of your life with FC Barcelona. Take the opportunity to play alongside your heroes. An amazing new experience using the latest technology for an innovative, top class football experience. Fly over the Camp Nou and enjoy spectacular views of the stadium. Be a Barça player for a day and feel what it is like to play alongside the best.

That’s what the flyer says, but in my opinion is an oportunity that you can’t miss if you want to enjoy the power of a FC Barcelona player.

Do you want to play with Ronaldinho or Eto’o?

Do you want to feel the emotion of the public?

Come, see, and enjoy a Virtual Experience in 3D. Football has come to life!

Buy your tickets for the Virtual Experience of FC Barcelona here