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February 29, 2008

The hidden Barcelona Ferry Bar

Busc de les Fades.jpgIf your are staying in a centrally located Barcelona Hotel or a Barcelona Apartment, you may already walked by the Ferry Bar, as I call it. It is loacted in a small niche next to the Barcelona Wax Museum and close to the metro station Drassanes on the lower part of the Ramblas (seaside).

It's real name in Catalán is El Bosc de les Fades Café and the English equivalent would be Magic Forrest Cafébar. Only walking through the different rooms is an attraction itself, as each room has its own theme. During the afternoon hours it is very suitable for families with kids, as smoking inside is not permitted. In the later evening ours teens and twens take over the place.
So if you are coming with your family, Barcelona Point can offer you a variety of centrally located Barcelona family apartments. The same is true for friends looking for Barcelona Group Apartments.

Have a nice stay in Barcelona and don't get lost in the ferrytail's forrest.

Posted by Verena at 11:41 AM |

February 28, 2008

Bollywood Hype conquers Barcelona

Bollywood.jpgLive! "Bollywood. The Show" premiered in the Tívoli Theater of Barcelona two nights ago. So if you want to dive into the Bollywood-fever, you might want to get some tickets, since the musical crew only stays for four weeks. It is definitaly worth a visit if you like oriental dance and Indian 80ties music, because this is what the musical is all about. Not to forget the story-line - a typical one, starting in the Temple of Shiva - the grand-dad and the grand-daughter having a fight and the rebel girl fleeing from the town to the city to follow her dreams. Until 23 March you can watch the Indian Musical, tickets ranging from 20-40 €.

500,000 people have already seen the show, so if you're staying in a Barcelona hotel or a Barcelona apartment and have a night off, you might want to consider following the hype - even if it is out of curiosity.
Enjoy your stay in Barcelona and the colorful spectacle - maybe you will end up singing Indian 80ties music on the way back to your Barcelona Hotel or your Barcelona apartment.

Get your Bollywood Tickets online at the Caixa Ticket Sale.

Posted by Verena at 11:13 AM |

February 27, 2008

Signal in the Barcelona Metro?

tmb couverture telephonique.gifIf you are staying for business or private reasons in Barcelona and you're on the way from your Barcelona Hotel to a meeting, be aware of the fact that not every Barcelona Metro station is covered by the mobile phone operators. The center of town as well as the business districts, however, are covered since 26 February 2008:
  • Line 1: Espanya - Clot (10 stations)
  • Line 2: all (17 stations)
  • Line 3: all (24 stations)
  • Line 4: Verdaguer - Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica (7 stations)
  • Line 5: Cornellà Centre - Sagrada Familia (15 stations)
  • Line 6: Casa de l'Aigua - Can Cuiàs (4 stations)
Until 2009 another 24 stations will be covered by the major mobile phone operators, so you can tell your boss or friend you're coming late or got lost and you can use the WAP on the way from your Barcelona Hotel or Barcelona Apartment to work.

To prevent you from getting lost in general, you can also long on the TMB Homepage and enter the starting and end address of your trip through Barcelona and choose the feature "virtual itinerary" that will show you a short "cartoon movie" of your way through town. Pretty funny!

Posted by Verena at 10:13 AM |

February 25, 2008

Barrio Gotico - The oldest district of Barcelona

Barrio Gotico.jpgHave you booked an Barcelona apartment or a Barcelona Hotel located in Barrio Gotico? Then there is a lot to explore for you. The official Barcelona Website has prepared a Barrio Gotico itinerary for you to explore the old city center. It is particularly interesting for all that are interested in the history and architecture of Barcelona. Some of the buildings of the windy roads date back to the Roman settlement in Barcelona, many date back to the Middle Age and few have only been built "recently" in the 18-20th century. Points of interests in the quarter of your Barcelona accommodation include:
  • Nova Square - with engravings of Picasso
  • Cathedral Avenue - local crafts and astonishing facades of buildings from the Roman and Middle Age
  • The Roman Tower, Roman Wall
  • Angel Square - The former entrance to the Roman city
  • Sant Jaume Square
...and much more. Enjoy your stay in the Catalonian sunshine capital and its rich cultural heritage!

Posted by Verena at 2:52 PM |

February 22, 2008

Palau de Musica Catalana - 100th Anniversary

palau de musica.jpgPalau de Musica - the building itself is worth a visit. Not only from the exterior, but also for the interior with its amazingly big color-stained windows. Anyone that likes to take pictures will most certainly get a chance to do so there. Guided tours are given daily for up to 55 people, more details on the Homepage of the Palau de Musica Catalana. If you are staying at a Barcelona Hotel you should most definitely consider a tour, especially now, where it is the 100th anniversary of the Palace. Due to the anniversary a series of concerts will be held featuring singers and bands from all over the world, including Jarabe de Palo, Rosana, Nana Mouskouri, a lot of classical music concerts also including the famous Vienna's Boy Choir. Barcelona Point would be glad to help you find the Barcelona Hotel most suitable for your stay in Barcelona. You can also book the concert tickets online at Palau de Musica Catalana.

Posted by Verena at 2:22 PM |

February 20, 2008

IceBarcelona - The Trend goes on

icebarcelona.jpgOpening snow and ice hotels and bars has long been a trend in the Northern countries and has then spread to the south, where no ice and snow are to be found. Now, since November 2007, you can be sure, no matter how hot it is, you can find a place with negative temperature besides freezers in Barcelona. The IceBarcelona Bar in Vila Olímpica. Here the exact address: Ramon Trias i Fargas, 2 - 08005 Barcelona (Vila Olímpica) Metro L4 Vila Olímpica Now if you go there from your Barcelona Hotel or Barcelona Apartment, you do not even have to bring a jacket, since they offer them to you upon entry. So if you decide to make a short detour before going home to your Barcelona Hotel or Barcelona apartment, you can stop by any day for a drink - the bar is opened 7 days a week from 12 - 2:30. With the entrance fee of €15.- you already get a cocktail of your choice and you can stay 45 minutes. Enjoy your visit!

Posted by Verena at 12:53 PM |

February 19, 2008

MADride - High Speed from Barcelona to Madrid

AVE.jpgStarting on 20 February 2008 a new train special of AVE (Alta Velocidad Espanola), offers its clients a round trip ticket for only € 96.- Barcelona - Madrid - Barcelona or the other way around. The advantage of going by train is that you go from city center to city center in only 2 hours and 28 minutes, which is almost two hours less than the train took in 2004. This new service has a daily capacity of around 13 000 passangers, which is equal to 91 airplanes. This might worry the airline companies, but the Spanish people and the thousands of tourists are happy for being able to explore Spain and get from the capital of the country to the sunshine capital of Catalunya. The Spanish train has improved over the last years and will continue to improve to the advantage of its passengers. You can book your high-speed train tickets online, on the Renfe Homepage. Now, where you do not have to worry about how to get from A to B, it is time to find a Barcelona accommodation and an accommodation in Madrid. There are plenty of nice and charming hotels in Madrid and the same is true for Barcelona hotels. It would also be an option rent your own cosy Barcelona apartment for the duration of your stay. BarcelonaPoint will most certainly help you to find the accommodation in Spain you are looking for.

Posted by Verena at 11:16 AM |

February 18, 2008

080 Barcelona - Fashion is Everywhere

080 barcelona.jpgCatalan Fashion Designers have a new platform for their work.The 080 Barcelona Fashion (080 for all Barcelona Zip Codes) this year takes place at the Parc de la Ciutadella from the 5-7 March 2008 and is gaining more and more awareness. This is exactly the purpose of the event. Young, inspired and independent Desigers from the Catalunya Region in Spain get to show their extraordinary creations. Also, it is supported by the regional Government other businesses of the sector with funding secured until 2010. If you are looking for Barcelona Apartments or Barcelona Hotels close to the venue, whether you are a visitor, an artist, a designer, a model or a technician taking part in the event, Barcelona Point would be more than delighted to help you find the most suitable Barcelona Accommodation for you, your company or crew. For crews needing space for their equipment, space in the bathrooms, etc, Barcelona Point has very good offers for larger groups of people, namely Barcelona Goup Apartments. Just contact us on www.BarcelonaPoint.com. Welcome to 080 Barcelona - Fashion is Everywhere!

Posted by Verena at 11:55 AM |

February 14, 2008

Hotel Bonanova Park - Good value for money

HotelBonanovaPark.jpgSituated close to the Camp Nou FC Barca Soccer Stadion, Avenida Diagonal and the Catalunya Congress Hall as well as in the university district, Hotel Bonanova is perfect for anyone traveling on a budget seeking a central location. This Barcelona Hotel offers all necessities including Internet access, conference rooms and a breakfast buffet. In the upper rooms of this Barcelona Hotel you will have an amazing view over Barcelona's Barrio Gotico and the Sagrada Familia as well as the hills surrounding the city in the northwest. The Hotel Bonanova Park is easily accessible by metro getting off at Maria Cristina. Have a nice stay in Barca!

Posted by Verena at 11:51 AM |

February 12, 2008

Alimentaria Barcelona - Yummy!

food.jpgIt is all about food and drinks. From March 10 -14 2008 the Alimentaria Barcelona will take place on both fairgrounds Montjuïc and Gran Via in Barcelona. With expected 200,000 visitors and about 5,000 food and beverage companies and cooks taking part in the exhibition there will be a lot to see, smell and taste. The number of international visitors and the general recognition of the Alimentaria Barcelona is continually increasing. This year the fair is subdivided into several sectors, including interesting one's such as "Expoconser" which will only be dealing with canned food or "Oliveria", a show and exhibition sector dedicated to olive oil. Should you consider going to the trade fair, you can get registered at the Alimentaria Barcelona Website. For Barcelona accommodation, Barcelona Point would be glad to help you find the Barcelona apartment or Barcelona Hotel that is close to the exhibition site. Bon appétit!

Posted by Verena at 3:48 PM |

February 11, 2008

Staying Home - What's on TV

javierestrada.jpgTired from a whole day at work? Too much shopping? If you decide to stay in your Barcelona Hotel or your Barcelona Apartment and not go out at night, switch on the TV. Switching it on and watching the following show is particularly funny if you like Latin-American music and/or understand Spanish. The TV-show "Al pie de la letra" airs almost every day at 21:45 on Antena 3. About ten candidates get the chance to win money. How it is done? A band starts singing a popsong or oldie, then stops and the candidate has to sing the next line of the song correctly. And the game goes on. Watch it, it's funny. Also the host, Javier Estrada, makes the show worth watching. Sing and laugh along in your Barcelona Hotel room or your Barcelona Apartment.

Posted by Verena at 11:18 AM |

February 7, 2008

Lifting for Barcelona's Zoo

copitodenieve.jpg"It stays where it is and it will get a lifting" reads today's Què? Barcelona, the free metro newspaper of the Catalonian capital. Barcelona's Zoo opened its doors in September 1892. Back then it was located in the suburbs of Barcelona, however, the city grew and the Zoo stayed. Now, it is located in the heart of Barcelona in the Park Ciutadella, only a few minutes from the metro station Ciutadella. It was after the world exibition that took place in 1888 that the politicans decided to build the famous Barcelona Zoo on the grounds used for the spectacle. Among the 7500 animals of 502 different species, "Copito" (Snowflake) an albino gorilla was the most famous inhabitant and became after his death in 2003 the emblem of the zoo. Since the Barcelona Zoo is quite old, a makeover has long been planned, allowing more space and modernized cages for all animals. It was also discussed to move the zoo, but according to today's newspaper, the old Zoo will get a lifting and a new "Zoo Marino" will be built in Fòrum, both zoos housing all animals together. The Barcelona Zoo is a tourist favorite, continually increasing visits (+8.4% in 2007) shows its popularity. It is worth paying a visit and also staying in a Barcelona Hotel close to the Parc Ciutadella is an option worth considering since this area of Barcelona is a really nice one. Barcelona Point would be glad to help you find the ideal Barcelona Hotel for your stay in Spain.

Posted by Verena at 11:58 AM |

February 6, 2008

Barcelona Hotels - One for everyone

hotelibarca.jpgAs in every big city, there are a lot of Hotels in Barcelona. So many, that you probably do not know which one to choose, even if you set yourself a price limit and a certain location. Well, today I have a few recommendations for you that each have a very good price-performance ratio in their categories and are among the favourites of Barcelona Point clients. First, the Hotel Icaria Barcelona, which is a four star hotel located at the Paseo Marítimo, is easily accessible reach by car and metro and only 200m from the beach, Barceloneta, nice shopping streets and the best restaurants. Also, Hotel Icaria Barcelona disposes of a swimming pool and in house spa treatments. It has conference facilities, Internet access and is thus also suitable for people coming for business purposes.

The next Barcelona Hotel I would like to draw your attention to today, is the Hotel Espana at La Rambla. It has two stars and is a charming hotel in a very central location, which also explains its popularity. The reception desk as well as the dining room and the outside of the building are a jewel of Catalan modernism, created by the famous architect Luís Domènech i Montaner. Hotel Espana Barcelona is suitable for families, week-end travellers and anyone who would like to stay in a very central, typical Barcelona Hotel.
So, I will keep you posted about tourist's and traveller's favourite Barcelona Hotels, hoping to make your choice easier.

hotelespana.jpg

Posted by Verena at 10:09 AM |

February 5, 2008

Hungry in Barcelona - Boqueria

laboqueria.jpgMaybe it is because it's lunch time, but I just thought of the Boqueria, the most famous market of Barcelona and I would really like to go there now. Fresh fruit juices, exotic fruits, chorizo, jamón ibérico, all different kinds of cheese, fresh fish and bread...See for yourself what the market has to offer at the Boqueria homepage. Getting there is easy. If you are strolling down La Rambla coming from Plaza Catalunya, the market will appear on your right hand side. Many vendors will let you try a bit of their fruit, ham, cheese or any product they are selling. If you are still looking for an aparmtent or a Hotel in Barcelona, Barcelona Point offers many nice Barcelona apartments, and Barcelona Hotels, just take a look at them. Enjoy Barcelona!

Posted by Verena at 1:07 PM |

February 4, 2008

Hello Moto - Go with the Locals' Flow

moto.jpgEven though they make an awful noise, they are, especially in Barcelona, the most comfortable and efficient way - besides the public transport - to get from one place to the other, make small excursions or cruise through the town. Also, they are much cheaper and easier to rent. And, since the winter in Barcelona is not really cold, you'll get to enjoy the weather too. And if that is not enough - if you come to Barcelona now - many Scooter rentals give discounts during the "winter" months, with rental prices starting at € 5.- (excluding insurance of about €20.-) Cooltra Motos usually has one of the best offers in Barcelona. Now, all you need is a place to stay, for which I suggest you to visit Barcelona Point, the local specialist, if you are looking for a Barcelona holiday apartment or a Barcelona Hotel and you're ready to explore the city by moto.

Posted by Verena at 4:30 PM |

February 1, 2008

Grand Marina Hotel - WTC Barcelona

hotel gran marina.jpgYou can stay in the hotel many of us just stand in front of to take pictures. The Eurostar Grand Marina Hotel in Port Vell, Barcelona. This luxurious Barcelona Hotel is located at the sea front and the center of Barcelona at the same time just a few minutes walking distance to La Rambla. It is easily accessible, also by car since parking spaces are available at the hotel. It opened its doors in 2002 and disposes of more than 240 double rooms, almost 50 suites, including a Honeymoon Suite. The rooms are spread over seven floors, from each of which you have a magnificent view. You can either see the wide open sea or the sunny capital of Catalunya. The prices during the off-season for a double room start at € 200.-. Barcelona Point is now offering this specials for luxurious hotels in Barcelona you might just want to take a look at.

Posted by Verena at 3:28 PM |