Sant Medir parade

Next March 3rt, between 9:00hs and 12:00hs you can enjoy the "Sant Medir Parade" protagonized by different groups that rode through the main streets of Gracia.

From our balconies you will have a spectacular view of the event, but we encourage you to be on the street as the parade will distribute tons of candies. For that is why it is known as the "sweetest holiday in barcelona".

Just a few meters from our Bed and Breakfast, in Jardinets garden, you can visit the horses and talk with the people responsible for this pretty party.

Mobile World Congress

The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.

From today, until 17th of February in Plaça Espanya in Barcelona

Font: GSM website

Santa Eulalia Party from 11st to 13rd of February

Barcelona's big annual winter bash, the Laia, aims to appeal to young and old. To do so, it is offering a whole host of events and activities from 11 to 13 February, ranging from tradition to the latest urban culture.

On the first day of the festival, St Eulàlia's day, there will be a procession of giant Laia figures, which will be joined by all the city's other giants, parading down the narrow streets of the Gòtic neighbourhood. If you ask any of them what they're called, they'll say "Laia".

You've a further date with a more traditional Laia, on Sunday 13 February, with the St Eulàlia Procession, finishing at Plaça de Sant Jaume, where there will be a Dance featuring the Giantess Laia, other Giants and the Àliga de la Ciutat [City Eagle]. Immediately afterwards there will be a diada castellera or "human-tower building" competition.

There will then be the St Eulàlia Correfoc or "fire run", followed by a children's version of that consisting of little devils.

You mustn't miss the Catalan Festive Bestiary Exhibition either, where you will be able to see, besides city figures like the eagle, lion and the mule, the Pollo del Prat de Llobregat [chicken], the Vaca Xula de Vacarisses [cow] and the Ramat d'Ovelles de Canovelles [flock of sheep].

A Laia festival at its most spectacular

Circus, dance and physical theatre will be filling the festival with shows. A Circus Cabaret will be held jointly with the Catalan Circus Professionals Association on the nights of 11 and 12 February, featuring a selection of home-grown circus acts.

The festivities will include the Barcelona Total Session, Barcelona's first breakers' meeting point, where you can watch the city's and Grenoble's bboys dance.

A Laia festival at its most cultural

To mark the St Eulàlia festivities, open days are to be held at various city spaces, including City Hall, museums and the Botanical Gardens.

There will be free entry for most of these venues on Saturday 12 February, although some are likely to open on Sunday 13 February.

Many have activities specially prepared for the occasion, such as guided tours and workshops. So, for example, a solar observation has been organised at Montjuïc Castle, while legends and myths from native-American culture are to be narrated at the Museu Barbier-Mueller.

Font: Ajuntament de Barcelona

Tibidabo Park

If the views from the Castell de Monjuic are good, tose from the 550-metre heights of Mount Tibdabo- wich foms the northwestern boundary of the city- are Legendary. On of tose mythical clear days you can see across to Montserrat and the Pyreness, and out to sea even a far as Mallorca. The very name is based on this view, taken from the Temptations of the Christ in the wilderness, when Satan led him to a high place and offered him everything which could be seen: Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens aboraberis me. (All the things Hill I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me).
At the summit there´s a modern church topped with a huge statue of Christ, and a wonderful Parc d´Atraccions, where the amusements are scattered around several leves of the mountaintop, connected by landscaped paths and gardens. It´s a good mix of tradicional rides and hightech attractions.

Getting there: Take the FGC train (Tibidabo line) or bus #17 (both from Plaza Catalunya) to Avenguda Tibidabo (the last stop).

The Horta labyrinth

The Horta labyrinth Park (El Laberinto de la Horta) garden is the oldest existing in Barcelona. The park features a neoclassical garden and a romantic garden, but the biggest attraction of the park is the labyrinth, formed by several ciprés.

It was built during the 18th century by the architect Domenico Bagutti to design a landscape for Antoni Desvalls. In 1971, the park was given to the city, as the family could no longer keep up with such a garden. It is 17 acres of romantic green gardens, waterfalls, statues, and a labryrinth in the middle.The Labryrinth has many mythological creatures around the park.

The park opens every day at 10 am until sunset. It costs 3 euros to enter, however on Sunday and Wednesday it is free.

Have you seen the film ‘Perfume’? The story is set in 18th-century France, but in fact it was shot in many different places of Barcelona, including Laberint d’Horta, and Plaça Reial, Catedral de Barcelona, Barri Gòtic, Plaça Sant Felip Neri and Poble Espanyol.

The Horta Labyrinth Park It’s located in a neighbourhood called Horta. You can get there with the green line, Mundet station.

Palau de la Musica Catalana

Not strictly within the borders of La Ribera but north of the Calle Princesa in the La Pere district, the Palau de la Música is, for many, the most outstanding contribution of the moderniste movement.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, it was designed by Lluis Domènech i Montaner, a contemporary of Gaudí's also responsible for the magnificent Hospital Sant Pau. A riot of symbolism, the Palau de la Música Catalana, constructed between 1905 and 1908, is a feast for the senses.In 2003 local architect Oscar Tusquets completed his sensitive extension of El Palau, providing extra rehearsal space, a library, and another, underground auditorium.

It is worth checking their program when in town; concerts range from international orchestras and soloists to jazz and sometimes world music. Tickets for local acts are often very reasonably priced. If not, there are daily tours of the building . Advance purchase for these is recommended.

A wonderful place to spend a Sunday morning listening to wonderful music surounded by incredible architecture.

Address: Career de Sant Francesc de Paula 2, Barcelona
Metro station: Urquinaona

Marsella Bar

One of the city’s oldest bars, Bar Marsella opened for business in 1820, it is a small jewel in the habit of some of the greatest artists in the city, including Picasso, Dali, Gaudi, Miro and the American writer Hemingway lived.

Located on Carrer Sant Pau in Barcelona's El Raval district. One of El Raval's most distinctive bars, Bar Marsella has a charmingly tawdry and decadent bohemian atmosphere. From the dilapidated building on Sant Pau to the tiled floors, tired cabinets lined with dusty out-of-date liquor bottles, spider lamps and ancient mirrors, this bar has an antiquated, deliciously morally redundent feel.

Address : C/Sant Pau, 65
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : El Raval
Opening hours : From 6pm to 2am.
Phone : 93 442 72 63
Metro/Bus : Liceu (L3) , Paral.lel (L2, L3)

Santa Caterina Market

Santa Caterina Market brings an orgy of colour to the otherwise austere grey of one of Barcelona's oldest districts, El Born. Santa Caterina is one of Barcelona's liveliest and most historic markets, its playful contemporary design by Enric Miralles (who were responsible for the Gas Natural Tower in Barceloneta).

The collaged roof weighs 604 tonnes, fixed into place over 109 arches of differing slopes and forms. Seen from above it's a sea of colour. Beneath the glass floor are glimpses of the original convent. attracting lovers of architecture as well as shoppers.

The market's main restaurant is an ample space lined with long benches and an industrial edge to its decor. It serves a broad range of Asian, Mediterranean food and has been included in Time Out's top ten restaurants in Barcelona. Prices are upper mid-range.
Sant Caterina Market Essential Info

Address: Avinguida Francesc Cambo 16, Born-Ribera

How to Get there: The nearest metro station is Jaume I on the yellow line. From there it's a short walk up Via Laietana.

Barcelona Bus Touristic

Utilize the Barcelona City Hop-on Hop-off Tour which has three different tour routes to explore the city! See the major sights aboard an open-top double-decker bus, and with over 44 stops to choose from you can hop on and hop off all around the city. Spend as much or as little time at places of interest before jumping aboard for the next stop - the choice is yours.

An informative printed guide about each of the stops is issued with the ticket, as well as a discount voucher booklet to be redeemed at main sights and landmarks around the city. If you have any questions, guides travel on board to provide you with personalized and up to the minute information to help you make the most of your visit. Come and enjoy yourself while you discover "much more than a tour" in Barcelona.

You can hop-on and off as many times as you like at any of the 44 stops. The Northern route and the Southern Route are two hours long, while the Forum route is 40 minutes long. The three tour routes are inter-connected so you can hop easily between each of the stops.


1-Day Ticket >
Unlimited use on Barcelona City Hop-on Hop-off Tour for 1 calendar day
Conducted in English
From USD $28.18

2-Day TicketCode
Unlimited use on Barcelona City Hop-on Hop-off Tour for 2 consecutive calendar days
Conducted in English
From USD $36.75

Inclusions:
• Information guide
• Hop-on hop-off tour
• Local taxes
Exclusions:
• Entrance fees
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop off

Itinerary
Discover Barcelona using three tour routes.
Your ticket is valid on ALL routes.

North Route (Red Line):
• Placa de Catalunya
• Casa Batllo - Fundacio Antoni Tapies
• Passeig de Gracia - La Pedrera
• Sagrada Familia
• Gracia
• Parc Guell
• Tramvia Blau - Tibidabo
• Sarria
• Monestir de Pedralbes - Col.leccio Thyssen
• Palau Reial - Pavellons Guell
• Barcelona Football Club
• Francesc Macia - Diagonal
• MACBA - CCCB

South Route (Blue Line):
• Placa de Catalunya
• Casa Batllo - Fundacio Antoni Tapies
• Passeig de Gracia - La Pedrera
• Francesc Macia - Diagonal
• Estacio de Sants
• Creu Coberta
• Placa d'Espanya
• Caixa Forum - Pavello Van Der Rohe
• Poble Espanyol
• MNAC
• Anella Olimpica
• Funicular de Montjuïc
• Fundacio Joan Miro
• Miramar - Jardins Costa i Llobera
• World Trade Center
• Colom - Museu Maritim
• Port Vell
• Museu d'Historia de Catalunya
• Port Olimpic
• Place de la Citadel - Zoo
• Pla de Palau
• Barri Gotic

Forum Route (Green Line):
• Port Olimpic
• Platja del Bogatell
• Forum
• Parc Diagonal Mar
• Poblenou
Please note: the Green Line only operates between April 03 and September 27

International Documentary Film Festival

DOCS Barcelona this year will not disappoint us! The best documentaries from around the world, again will be at display in Barcelona

The kick-off will be, as usual, on Wednesday before the start of the projections, specifically on Wednesday 2nd of February at 19h in the "Cinemas Girona", while the closing awards ceremony to be held on Sunday 6th of February at 19:30 at the "Filmoteca de Catalunya".

Visit their website to see the places where the projections will be, the forums to which you can add and prices.

Fuente: Website de DOCS Barcelona