Barcelona apartments, Barcelona Hotels,

Lloret de Mar at the Costa Brava is a popular and famous destination for families and single persons, and also a perfect place for sports in Lloret de Mar. But during your stay in a hotel Lloret de Mar you can discover a lot of things, so plan now your Lloret de Mar Holidays.

The history of Lloret de Mar dates back to around 1000, when the first records of the city were mentioned. Although the city was originally a small village, nowadays it is a large town attracting tourists from all over the world thanks to its nightlife, white beaches and sights.

Especially the nightlife Lloret de Mar is the main reason for group of friends visiting this town at the Costa Brava, located at the Mediterranean Sea. In Lloret de Mar are a lot of bars and discos, and you cannot miss them when you are walking through the city. But for those of you who want to learn dancing, there also a lot of dancing schools, which offer something different in your nightlife Lloret de Mar holidays. There are also many possibilities for shopping tours in Lloret, thanks to the many shops and malls.

Family holidays in Lloret de Mar are also very popular, thanks to the fact that the city makes a lot of effort to ensure family friendly holidays. The restaurants and recreation offers are wide ranged and every taste should be pleased.

Also accommodation in the Lloret de Mar hotels has a high standard, so it is recommended to book a hotel Lloret de mar to make the most out of your stay. To make your stay in Lloret de Mar even better for the whole family, there are a lot of parks and children's playgrounds where you can spend a wonderful time during your Lloret de Mar holidays.

Of course, as a coastal town at the Mediterranean, Lloret de Mar offers you plenty of wonderful beaches and coves, popular with people from all ages. The most popular beaches are the beach directly at Lloret de Mar, the Playa Lloret de Mar, Santa Cristina with the best sand and Sa Boadella. In summer they are very popular, so you should opt for Sa Boadella, which is the quietest one if you are in search of calm relaxation. But Lloret de Mar holidays in winter are usually in general more calm, so that could be a perfect time to spend your time in a hotel Lloret de Mar.

It is always fascinating to spend your time in one of the many Lloret de Mar hotels, walk along the streets and take a walk along the coast. It will definitely please your taste, as it offers a wide range of activities and is always worth a visit, so book now your Lloret de Mar holidays!

Barcelona is a paradise for chocolate, you see. There are facilities for every kind of chocolate, whether you want to learn more about history in de Chocolate Museum Barcelona, want to see chocolate as a form of art with Oriol Balaguer, or just want to enjoy tasteful and exotic dishes during your chocolate Barcelona holidays in the Xocoa, Cacao Sampaka or in one of the many churrerias along the streets. Be sure to spend a wonderful culinary time with all the chocolate in Barcelona!  

Taking place every year on the last weekend in January, the exciting Sa Pobla Festival takes place in the Gracia quarter in Barcelona. During the Sa Pobla Festival in Barcelona, people dress up in costumes, often as red devils, and play drums to honour San Antoni.

Dancing around bonfires with drum music this bizarre event reminds you of secret medieval rituals, but it is an experience in Barcelona you should not miss during holidays in a Barcelona apartment in Gracia.

However, as scary and funny looking as this event in Barcelona might seem, the Sa Pobla Festival in Barcelona is held in honour to the patron saint of animals, the earlier mentioned San Antoni and therefore is really a good festival in Barcelona.

The Sa Pobla Festival in Barcelona is celebrated heavily also on the Balearic Islands, on Ibiza, Menorca and especially Majorca on the 17^th January, known as San Antoni Festival. And with the Gracia Quarter of Barcelona having a large population with Majorca origins, it is no wonder that Sa Pobla Festival is also celebrated in Gracia, Barcelona. (Read here about San Antoni Festival Majorca)

But if you want to visit the Sa Pobla Festival during your Barcelona holidays, keep in mind that during the warm and funny atmosphere at the festival, people traditionally shout and sing not always age appropriate verses and phrases while dancing around the fires.

However, what you can also expect at the Sa Pobla Festival in Barcelona is the celebration of Majorca culture as well, perfect if you want to spend your holidays in Barcelona, but also want to get to know about other parts in Spain, or if you want to experience Majorca traditions and events.  Of course the traditional correfoc (fireruns) of Barcelona are part of this exceptional event in Barcelona.

Typical dishes during the Sa Pobla are the sobresada, a cake made with meat inside and the espinagada, another cake but with vegetables and eel.  This event symbolizes the metropolitan feel of Barcelona, this time connected with Majorca culture and with the location in Gracia, known to be the artistic quarter of Barcelona; this experience should not be missed during your Barcelona holidays in Spain.

If you stay in your Gracia apartment in Barcelona, you can also visit other sights in Barcelona. The Park Guell is also famous in this area and you should not forget to visit this sight. The park is located at a hill, so it can be a little bit strenuous to arrive at the park. Read my article about the Park Guell in Barcelona to find out how to get there more easily.

If you decide to visit the Sa Pobla Festival in Barcelona or the Gracia district in general, take the green L3 metro and step out at Fontana, which is located quite central in Gracia. On the other hand, if you like to take walks and admire the architecture of Barcelona buildings, especially in the artsy Gracia, you can step out at Diagonal metro station (crossed by the blue L5, green L3 and brown/dark blue L7) and start your tour there.

The Sa Poble Festival in Barcelona in January is a pleasure every year, celebrating not only the San Antonio saint, but also Majorcan traditions in Barcelona's Gracia district. Prepare yourself to dress up as a devil and dance around the fire during this Barcelona event in your Barcelona holidays!

Shortly after Christmas you can prepare for another holiday time - New Year 2011 in Barcelona. During a holiday in Barcelona around New Year you can be prepared to experience something unique and exciting!

First, if you want to take part in the customs and traditions in Barcelona around New Year 2011 during your Barcelona holiday, prepare for a long night!

On New Year's Eve, or nochevieja in Spanish or Cap d'Any in Catalan, families and friends usually visit a nice restaurant or have a dinner at home to enjoy the time together and prepare and eat nice dishes.

Also in Spain, people wear red underwear for luck, so if you arrive early enough for your holiday in Barcelona, you can buy something in the many shops around Plaza Catalunya.

At 12 o'clock it is a custom to eat 12 grapes, one for each time the bell rings. So take your grapes with you and participate in this tradition on New Year 2011! Usually you can toast with Cava, which is harvested in the region.

Keep in mind that on New Year 2011 in Barcelona, there are usually no big fireworks or shows, however, there are small fireworks at the beach and light shows at Plaza Espanya and the Torre Agbar. Also on Plaza Catalunya people celebrate, so visit the Ramblas to experience the atmosphere there.

After that, people in Barcelona usually go to a club to dance and have a good time. There is plenty of choice in Barcelona on New Year, but on New Year the price are in general higher than usual.

Cap d'Any or New Year 2011 in Barcelona ends around sunset on the first day of 2011. Traditionally people go to the beach, mostly Barceloneta, and watch the first sunrises while enjoying hot chocolate and churros. What a wonderful way to start your new year!

Hot chocolate in Barcelona is still traditionally produces, with real chocolate in different flavours and versions, so you should absolutely treat yourself one. An apartment is a good option for accommodation in Barcelona, with Plaza Catalunya apartments or Barceloneta apartments in Barcelona you are close to the New Year 2011 celebrations in the city.

In general, let me summarize for you what you should do during New Year 2011 in Barcelona:

-          wear red underwear (there a lot of shops, for example Oysho, women's secret, Calzedonia, Yamamay)

-          buy at least 12 grapes per person (at La Boquería market, at Las Ramblas)

-          visit Plaza Catalunya and toast with a bottle of Cava (plastic cups are a good option to avoid shattering glass)

-          eat churros and hot chocolate at the beach at sunrise (there are a lot of churrerías at Barceloneta)

The Barcelona Metro operates the whole night on New Year 2011 in Barcelona, so you can get easily everywhere.  New Year 2011 in Barcelona is truly unique and an experience you are not likely to forget!

As December is near, let me give you an overview over the most known and famous Christmas Markets 2010 in Barcelona. I already mentioned a few, but here now a summary you can use to best plan your Barcelona holidays in Spain in one of the wonderful holiday rental apartments.

Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market 2010

27th November - 23rd December 2010

I already wrote about the Fira de Santa Llucia in Barcelona here, so read this for more information (and how to get there). The Fira de Santa Llucia is the oldest Christmas Market in Barcelona and you should make it your highest priority to visit this wonderful antique market. It takes place next to the Cathedral de Barcelona and therefore has a perfect location.

Fira de Nadal Sagrada Familia 2010

Beginning of December - 24th December 2010

This Christmas Market is also nice and charming, it is held directly next to the Sagrada Familia. This gives you the possibility to kill two birds with one stone during your stay in your Barcelona holiday rental apartment; you can visit the famous sight of Barcelona and enjoy the cozy market. Read my previous entry about the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia here, also to find out how to get to the Sagrada Familia easily.

Fira de Reis a la Gran Via 2010

18th December 2010 - 5th January 2011

This Fira de Reis a la Gran Via is also a very important Christmas market in Barcelona. You can buy a lot of toys and sweets, which make wonderful souvenirs for friends or family! The Fira de Reis is also called St Thomas and Kings (Sant Tomas i Reis) or the Twelfth Night Fair. This Christmas markets help the Three Kings to find toys and sweets they give to children on January 6^th (that's the day Spanish children get their presents). Every day it takes place from 10:00 a.m. until 21:00 p.m. and on the last day even until 03:00 a.m!

To get to this fair, take best the red line L1 until Rocafort or Universitat and enjoy walking on the streets of la Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes.

Fira de Brocanters Christmas market 2010

every Thursday 2010

This Antique Christmas Market, the Fira de Brocanters offers you antique objects you can buy and enjoy. The good thing about the Fira de Brocanters is that it takes place during the whole year, so if you are not able to walk through this Christmas market during your Barcelona holidays, you do not miss something and can see it later.

It takes places near Plaza Catalunya, so you should take the green L3, red L1 or purple L2 and step out at Plaza Catalunya.

With this information, plan your Barcelona holiday early enough in advance and experience the spirit of Christmas while watching these wonderful and exciting Christmas Markets!