Barcelona apartments, Barcelona Hotels,

After the lights and energy of Christmas, it's time to see in the new year. This is an exciting and vibrant time of the year in many faiths and countries around the world. It's a time to forgive and forget and to make those all important resolutions; most importantly, it's a time to start afresh. Experience New Years Eve in a cosmopolitan city and spend your holiday in Barcelona.

Keeping with tradition, the new year celebrations begin by eating twelve grapes, one for every time the clock chimes for midnight. In many Spanish places this is performed outside and the streets are covered with people eating grapes. In Barcelona, it is not seen as necessary to eat the grapes outside and many eat their grapes at home before venturing outside for the big party.

Every club and venue is called into action at this time and usually organizes a special new year party for which tickets are issued in most cases. There are also super-sized parties held in venues across the country and some people choose to hire out their own private venue for a special party of their own. Others may be slightly more intimate and hold a party at their Barcelona accommodation for friends and family only. Although a diminishing tradition, some people wait to see the sun rise over a beach. Traditional food associated with new year is "churros", a finger or banana shaped pastry and hot chocolate. During the New Years Eve time you can still find a lot of available Barcelona hotels and Barcelona apartments.

The first week of the new year is dedicated to children. On the night before the 5th January, the three kings - Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, disembark their ship at the harbour and there is a grand parade through the town with the kings and their pages - another opportunity for the children to get involved. The kings are then left alone in the city to hide presents. It is customary to write a letter to the kings and request specific presents although they may like to throw in a few little surprises.

These traditions are not all necessarily followed to the letter although the majority will participate, especially in the precession of the kings. In Barcelona Christmas is accepted as a time for having fun with friends and most importantly family.

Only a couple of decades ago, the moral legacy of the Spanish dictatorship confined homosexual behavior to a handful of underground bars and the city's gay population lived in fear of abuse on the streets. Nowadays, men with shaved heads and combats are more likely to be on their way to a leather bar than anything more sinister, and recent legislation introducing same-sex marriages caused hardly a ripple of dissent.

In Barcelona anything goes; most gay bars welcome straight drinkers, and vice versa. The lack of segregation means that there isn't a gay ghetto as such. The area bordered by the streets of Diputacio and Arago, Balmes and Villarroel in the Eixample is known as the "Gaixample" and is where most gay venues are concentrated. Yet even this isn't really a gaybourhood: although it has a buzz at night, the wide streets make it anything but villagey. In that area you can easily find a Barcelona hotel or a cozy Barcelona apartment.

For more information on what's going on in the city, pick up a copy of the free gay map or magazines from bars and gay bars. There are several discos where gays can enjoy theirselfes during the whole night. Barcelona even has a beach for the gays. Officially the San Sebastian beach in La Barceloneta is a nude beach, but in the summer months it is always full of gays.

Barcelona is a nice city anyway, and the Eixample district is one of the best and nicest area of Barcelona. If you intend to spend some days in Barcelona, you should stay in this area and also visit the other spots of interest. A Barcelona holiday is always a great experience for gays.

The British band will play a concert in Barcelona on the 4th of September.

If you are staying in one of the many beautiful holiday homes Barcelona or in a nice Barcelona hotel you should definitely not miss this massive concert. If you haven't already planned a holiday in the city, come to Barcelona and combine a holiday in Barcelona with the Coldplay concert. You can stay in a nice Barcelona accommodation near the Estadi Olímpic.

The band was formed in 1996 in London by band members Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion. After years of doing gigs in little clubs in Camden they finally had commercial success with their in 2000 released album "Parachutes". Soon after this their second album "A Rush of Blood to the Head" was released which was even more successful than their debut album. With their third album "X&Y" Coldplay could keep up with the huge success of the first two albums. After a little break they finally came back with "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" which was co-produced by Brian Eno.

The Viva-la-Vida-Tour started in 2008 and finally Coldplay are coming to Barcelona. Get ready for a massive concert in the Estadi Olímpic on the 4th of September!

Are you over 18 years old and do you plan a Barcelona holiday? Then you should definitely visit the Casino Barcelona.
You should especially spend a night in the casino if you are staying in one of the many beach apartments Barcelona in this area. If you have already lost all your money at the Roulette table you should better look for one of the many cheap Barcelona hotels.

The Casino Barcelona is the biggest in Catalonia and is situated in the beautiful district Port Olimpic, next to the beach.

You can choose from a variety of different games, machines and gambling tables: video-poker machines, Blackjack, Hold'em Poker, American and French Roulette - these are just some of the many choices you have in the Casino Barcelona. The casino has also three bars, one nightclub and four different "top-quality restaurants" where you can find something to eat for every taste.

The casino is located in the heart of Barcelona and thus can be reached easily from Barcelona Airport.

If you are over 18 years old and you are spending your holidays in Barcelona don't miss to visit and enjoy the Casino of Barcelona - Especially if you are staying in a Barcelona Luxury Hotel in this magnificent surrounding just beside the sea.

The casino, which is situated in one of the city's more sophisticated locations just beside the Port Olimpic, offers a variety of different games including slot machines and gaming tables: For instance roulette, video poker machines, Black- Jack, Hold'em Poker, American -and French Roulette are only few of the many games which can be played there.
Besides, the casino has 3 different bars, a night club as well as 4 different top-quality restaurants which offer food and beverages for all kind of tastes.

The Barcelona Casino is opened throughout the year from 10 am until 05 am. During the weekend (Friday & Saturday) it is opened until 05:30 am.
Restaurants are opened from 09 pm to 1 am.
The entrance into Barcelona's Casino is 4.50€.

This year, the 16. Edition of the Sonar festival is taking place in Barcelona. It's the largest and most famous festival for electro-music within Europe. Every year, top-class musicians, newcomers, record labels and popular Djs from all around the world re-gather in the metropolis of Barcelona in order to experience this unique event live. The festival is allocated within the whole city of Barcelona. Sonar during day takes place in the Centre de Cultura Cotemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), in Barcelona's Museum of Modern Art (MACBA) and in the Centre d'Art Santa Monica.
Sonar during night takes place on the Fira Gran Via M2 terrain. The Sonar 2009 lasts from the 18. - 20. June. More than 80.000 visitors are expected to attend this amazing event. An excellent and unique atmosphere with hundreds of international artists is ensured.
After the official Sonar 2009 festival, there will be another event, called "SonarKids". It is created by the founders of the Sonar festival and offers attractive workshops and different courses for kids. It's actually not only a workshop for kids, but also for their parents. Parents, who have visited the concerts or exhibitions have the possibility to share their impressions with their kids. SonarKids takes place on June 21, 2009 (Sunday).

If you would like to visit this amazing event, don't miss to book the appropriate accommodation in advance. PerfectSunTravel offers great hotels in Barcelona and apartments in Barcelona.
If you want more info about the Sónar 2009 festival you can visit the official website: sonar.es

The "Queen of Pop" is giving a concert in Barcelona in the Olympic stadium and for sure you don't want to miss this magnificent event - LIVE!!!

Madonna, the uncrowned "Queen of Pop" is storming the charts with her music like nobody else ever did before.
And finally, she is going to rock Barcelona - and Barcelona and YOU will rock with her.

Thousands of peoples are expected to sing and dance along her hits, such as "Like a Virgin", "Music" or "Hung Up" when she hits the stage.

It has been said that "Sticky & Sweet", the current Madonna tour which has started on August 2008, has set up new standards regarding production, technology, visuals, costumes, choreography and music.

So, what are you waiting for???
Go get your tickets, book your flight and a convenient accommodation in Barcelona and experience a memorable event.

INFO:
Date: July 21, 2009
Location: Olympic Stadio, Barcelona
Ticket costs: between 65€ - 403.50€

A bar that you definitely should visit during your stay in Barcelona is the „Chupito Bar"in Calle d'Aribau in Eixample. Chupito means as much as shot and believe me this bar has a lot of shots. Different variations such as "The General" or "Monica Lewinsky" are served out of 200 possible shots. Not only the shots are worth passing by there but the show in general will be spectacular. The staff goes as far as to light the bar on fire or dress up in costumes.

The bar is definitely a good start for a long night if you don't mind crowds and younger people.
If you want to taste all 200 shots, the best place to stay would be directly next to it in the Viladomat Apartment.

Don't miss trying it!

You want to spend the perfect New Year's Eve with your gay friends? What about renting a Barcelona apartment and enjoy the special atmosphere of the mind-free city?
To begin with the New Year's events, let's talk about Gay Night Clubs. Here is a list of the few places where you will find the best gay parties while being on holidays in Barcelona.
1. Arena VIP: Probably the most famous gay night club in BCN, just look up for the flags to find your way. Open on friday and saturday from 1 am until 6 am. (C/ Gran Vía, 593)
2. Free Girls: For only girls : Open everyday day from 11pm, sunday from 7pm. (Maria Cubi, 4)
3. Eagle: For adults only, nudity encouraged. Open from 11pm. (Pg Sant Joan, 152)
4. Space Ibiza: the name explains it! from midnight. (C/Tarragona, 141)
5. Souvenirs: Welcomes also the after party, for those who care about good music, not in the city center. Open from 1am. (Carrer del Noi del Sucre, 71, Viladecans)
Now that you have the adresses, it's up to you to try it on summer or winter but don't waste your time elsewhere than in Barcelona, it would be a shame to miss the best New Year's Eve of your life!

As Fall is coming, some news are following or should I say how to make new palaces with old places. Last in date, the reopening of the famous local Bailén 22. Now called Lotus Theater, this old brothel had almost no chance to see the sun again after the neighborhood's complains that drove to its closing about one year ago. But it is in this brand new night club that can afford more than 500 guests that you would spend your nights enjoying Barcelona's nightlife. Strippers' podium has left the space to a double bar that would permit you to seat and have a drink with your friends on the elegants lounge's sofas without any waiting. The music, eclectic and carefully chosen will for sure drive you to the dancefloor for a hot dance. At least, don't plan to come before 1am as the disco would look a little empty. While waiting, you could always hang out in the area close to the city center where you'll discover the numerosous tapas bar. And about your holiday accomodation, don't worry! Barcelona Point takes care of everything. From the Barcelona's apartments to hotels in the city center, this accomodation specialist will surprise you by the variety of its solutions.
One question left: Mojito or Margarita?

Those spending Barcelona holidays at the end of September should not miss to discover Catalan culture at the biggest "fiesta" of the city, La Mercè 2008.
Barcelona will be celebrating around the 24th of September in honor of Mercè, the patron saint of the city. More than 500 different cultural, music and dancing acts will be expected.
Wheter your Barcelona accommodation is in the heart of the city or a bit more outside - from 24th of September you will be able to experience Barcelona even more active than on normal days. All day long, from family friendly activities up to long night concerts for all music tastes throughout the city you are welcome to celebrate together with the locals!
Some of the highlights will be: the performance of the "castellers" building high human towers of up to 9 floors and the "correfoc". This is a parade where Barcelona will be inflamed when fire-breathing dragons and devils will be dancing around the streets to the noise of fireworks and drums.

The best place to watch movies in their original version in Barcelona is the cinema "Cines Verdi".
Right in the heart of Barcelona´s Bohemian district Gracia, Cines Verdi Barcelona offer a great variety of international high-class cinema. Spending holidays in Barcelona, you might want to enjoy a good movie during your stay in the Catalonian capital. At Cines Verdi all films will be shown in their original version with subtitles in Spanish or Catalan. Therefore, language learners might also love this cinema.

Before or after the visit to Cines Verdi in Barcelona, you can stroll down the charming streets of Gracia, enjoying a coffee or a beer with some tapas in one of the nice terrace bars around the area.

There is also a variety of Barcelona apartments in Gracia that will enable holiday makers to discover one of the most beautiful districts of Barcelona.

Don´t miss the next movie highlight at Cines Verdi Barcelona!
Cines Verdi - C/ Verdi, 32, 08012 Barcelona

Barcelona, a 100% gay friendly travel destination, has held another top gay and lesbian event these days. With the Circuit Festival from 4th of August until today, a international culture, leisure, clubbing and party gay and lesbian event has attracted many people to visit Barcelona and to attend the spectacular festival. On 14 different clubbing venues party animals could enjoy the best atmosphere ever! And the Circuit Festival still goes on! Tonight (11-08-2008), you will have the chance to attend the "Butch party" at Martin´s (Passeig de Gracia, 130). Activities and dance time starts at 11:30 pm and will last until 6 in the morning. If you want to join the party, just take the green metro line (L3) from your Barcelona hotel to the station Diagonal.

This years Circuit Festival has brought a unique variety of activities, events and parties to Barcelona. Spending days at a waterpark just for gays and lesbians has added a special charm to gay holidays in Barcelona. Art exhibitions, films, workshops and debates as well as the smashing clubbing acts are the key ingredients of the Circuit Festival.
As one of the major gay & lesbian events, its venue Barcelona, the gay capital of southern Europe, is the ideal location for having a great time!
As many people flock to Barcelona to visit one of the international well-known gay & lesbian festivals like the Loveball, the Circuit Festival or the famous Gay Circus it is recommend to book any Barcelona accommodation very well in advance. For sure, Barcelona gay and lesbian festivals in 2009 will be as splendid as these year´s events.

Since the 1st of August Barcelona is the host of the fifth edition of the Loveball. This European gay and lesbian festival is very well known and will be celebrated with cultural activities, club parties, cinema, art and of course the great ball of love! Until 7 August, the gay and lesbian community can enjoy the Barcelonas party life!

As the Loveball is internationally well-known, people from all over Europe will join the festival.
The tolerant and open city Barcelona attracts a lot of gay tourists each year that love the atmosphere of the city. More than 40.000 spectators are expected to join the events of Europe´s biggest gay and lesbian festival. Barcelona holidays that you will never forget - visit the Loveball Festival and make a lot of new friends and enjoy the great acts. This year´s edition will bring RuPaul, the famous drag queen from New York City, on the stage and many international DJs will move the bodies of visitors with the best of their beats.

Loveball 2008 - don´t miss it. There is still a plenty of events and activities you can join during your stay in Barcelona hotels or apartments.

If you want to spend your holidays in Barcelona, you should definitely visit the „Museu Picasso". Who can say about himself that he has ever seen Picasso's most famous works? Surely, you will not forget this impressive event in the near future. Why is it Barcelona of all cities that has the honour since 1963 to be allowed to expose Picasso's works? Pablo Ruiz Picasso, which was his complete name, had a very strong relation to Barcelona from his adolescence until he died although he had been born in Málaga. The first time, when his parents came to Barcelona together with him, he was two years old.If your hotel in Barcelona is not near the museum, you can easily reach it via metro (L1 Arc de Triomf or L4 Jaume I Station) and several bus lines. More than 3,800 works can be admired by the visitors and you can choose between two options. Either you visit the museum and the current exposition or only the exposition. The current exposition lasts until 28th September 2008 and deals with the "Las Meninas" work by Veláquez. Picasso analysed this work elaborately and created 44 interpretations on the basis of "Nine Pigeons". He was especially characterized by Veláquez. Furthermore, the museum offers workshops for the whole family occasionally in order that there is no boredom appearing during the holidays in Barcelona. Insider tip: Every first Sunday in a month the entry is free for everybody.
If you are looking for an accommodation in Barcelona near the museum, you will certainly find the right one for you online. Of course, there are hotels and apartments in Barcelona throughout the city depending on what you are looking for.

Tradicionarius, the International Folk Festival, has filled Barcelonan city life with many cultural activities and concerts during the last months. Today everybody who loves culture, partying and music is invited to join the big "fiesta" of the Tradicionarius Festival in Barcelona´s Bohemian district Gracia. This fiesta at the Plaza Rius i Taulet will mark the end of the 21st International Folk Festival. If you are staying at Barcelona hotels, just join the fiesta tonight (10 pm) and enjoy music and dancing acts of several folk groups. As there will be no entrance fee you can easily walk out of your Barcelona hotel in Gracia to celebrate an amazing cultural event. You will also fall in love with the charming district Gracia at first sight! Gracia was enveloped in the expansion of the Eixample but it was not converted into a grid. It has retained its character a charm and is a perfect place for families. If you are currently planning holidays in Barcelona, Gracia apartments are a nice choice of accommodation. The district is also hot point of nightlife with bars and restaurants on every corner. It is safe to say that nightlife lovers will enjoy a stay at the Plaza del Sol Gracia apartment in Barcelona. The Tradicionarius Festival is looking forward to welcome you this night!

This Tapas Bar in the chic Gracia district is definitely worth a visit during your stay at a Barcelona Hotel or a Barcelona holiday apartment. Especially if you have a Barcelona accommodation in Gracia. You might want to reserve a table in advance to make sure you get one. Especially in the late evening hours the bar is filled. The Tapas are original, exotic and delicious. The traditional "patatas bravas" for example are sweet potatoes with pesto you just can't get enough of. See, try and taste for yourself:
Samsara Tapas Bar
Carrer Terol 6
08012 Barcelona
Tel: 932 853 688

Opening hours:
Sun - Thu 20:30h - 1:30h
Fri - Sam: 20:30 - 3:00h

In a city by the sea it tastes the best! All fish and seafood gourmets would agree on this. Also, in Barcelona it tastes great! The best choice would be one of the restaurants that have only recently reopened at the seafront. Talking a walk enjoying the first really warm rays of sun at midday to have a light lunch has newer been nicer than at spring temperatures and before the beach overloaded by people. Also, in evening hours, you may still enjoy sitting down outside the restaurant for an appetizer, since most of the restaurants have heaters. If you have booked a .Barcelona Hotel close to the beach, it won't take you long to find a restaurant close by. For those who do not stay close to the Barcelona beach, you may take the subway and get off at Barceloneta or Parc Cuitadella, both on the yellow line. From there it's only a stone's throw to the beach. For all talented cooks, you may want to rent a Barcelona apartment with a big kitchen, to create fish and seafood specialities yourself, during your stay in Barcelona.

Enjoy the different Barcelona tastes!

If 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.