Las Arenas, Barcelona- from bullring to shopping centre

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The last few days have been full of tension here in Catalonia as long awaited events have been resolved, one via the ballot box and the other on the sports field.

The first important event were the elections for the Generalitat, the autonomous government of Catalonia, which saw a noticeable swing to the right which may well be reflected more generally in Spain over the next 6 months as other regions hold their own elections. This change was accompanied by a high turnout (60%) and emphasized peoples desire for change after 7 years of a Socialist coalition and a confused "head in the sand" approach to the general crisis which has swept Catalonia as well as the rest of Spain.

The second event was not political per se, but sporting, the football (soccer) league game between Barcelona and Madrid held at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona with over 90,000 fervent spectators cheering their respective teams. This particular game is far more than a football game, having been elevated to a status akin to a direct battle between the Catalan people and their oppressors, the central government as represented by the Madrid team who tax and control them excessively, so the general feeling goes. In actual fact the result was an absolute domination by Barcelona with a convincing 5-0 annihilation, and a show of skills which were spine tingling to watch and led to much celebration here for hours afterwards.

My feeling is that these two events could spark a feeling of renewed self confidence within Catalonia which might just help get them through the economic problems they have been engulfed in over the last few years, certainly they surprised everyone with the results of these two events, not least themselves!

Posted via email from Discover Girona

Tags: Barcelona, Camp Nou, Catalonia, football, Football Club Barcelona, Generalitat, Madrid, soccer, socialists

World Press Photo 2010 CCCB Barcelona

November 22, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info

It's time for another World Press Photo exhibition which I saw in London last week and is already here in Barcelona until the 9th of December at the CCCB. There are some amazing pictures reflecting many of the "hot spots" from around the world in 2009. As always this exhibition is not for the squeamish, but then they only reflect the world we live in, unfortunately.

There are sections on landscapes and nature so not all the photos are grim war zone ones. Well worth a detour or even a special trip to see.

Tags: Barcelona, CCCB, journalism, photo exhibition, World Press Photo

My favourite photographer: Jacques Henri Lartigue

June 13, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info

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This photographer captures movement and situations like no other, Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) was truly a master of his craft.

Combining beautiful technique with humour and thrilling subject matter (he loved fast cars, sailing, swimming, tennis and winter sports) as well as beautiful women. He realised that everything he valued such as happiness and youth, light and beauty were fleeting and so by capturing the moment on film he could preserve it forever.

Enough said, the images speak for themselves and it is amazing to think that they are almost 100 yrs old!

They are exhibited at the Caixa Forum in Barcelona until October 3rd-get there!

Posted via email from Discover Girona

Tags: Barcelona, Caixa Forum, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Photographer

Rodney Graham @ MACBA

April 5, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Cultural tours

This exhibition of art and film by Rodney Graham is on at tha MACBA (Museu d'art Contemporani de Barcelona) until May 18th. It shows his evolution from photography to film, music and painting and this is the perfect space to display his works.

Graham is from Vancouver, Canada and uses the forests around there to capture the process which transforms objects (mainly natural objects like trees) from mere representations to autonomous images using flash illumination at night.

Another transformation is an old typewriter which is filmed being covered with snow, symbolising how words have been silenced and also that both the typewriter and the old projector displaying the scene are both obsolete technologies.

It is an interesting and thought provoking exhibition and in addition there are works by John Baldessari, another contemporary artist on display in the same building.

Tags: Barcelona, John Baldessari, MACBA, Rodney Graham

Alimentaria Food and Wine fair

March 24, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info, Wine and food

The Alimentaria Food and Wine fair only takes place every two years in Barcelona and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

This year, although space reserved by exhibitors is down sharply, the numbers visiting seem to be holding up. It does mean that everything is in one place instead of spread between the old World Fair site at Plaza España and the new purpose built halls in Hospitalet which is far better for all involved.

Some interesting products and trends are emerging here such as alcohol free wines (like with beer convenience displaces taste) and an emphasis on better presentation as well as healthier foods to combat increasing obesity levels worldwide.

Watermelons carved in the shape of a rose and hiring some human statues from the Ramblas to promote your stand is one successful way of attracting attention this year.

Spanish gastronomic tradition is alive and well with pata negra hams, seafood, cavas, wonderful cheeses, olive oils and of course wines of all styles and regions are what makes a trip to Alimentaria a true Spanish fair with flair!

Tags: Alimentaria, Barcelona, Fair, food, olive oil, Spanish wines, wine

Terrassa a Modernist gem

January 3, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture

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Terrassa is only 28 kms from Barcelona and close to Sabadell which also developed in a similar way at the start of the Catalan Industrial revolution in the mid 19th Century.

Both these cities were at the vanguard of textile manufacture and as such the legacy they have left us is visible as textile mills, houses built for industrialists of the time and public buildings using architects that tried to reflect the new materials at their disposal (bricks, ironwork, glass, tiles) in a style which was collectively known as Modernism.

Terrassa has managed to preserve and re-use some of these buildings, turning them into wonderful public spaces like museums, art galleries and schools while others are protected but used as private dwellings or business premises. The tourist information offices have a map that highlights the main buildings and routes around town, all of which are marked with a signpost.

I will try to reflect the variety of buildings and capture some of the beauty of the details in the pictures below:

Tags: Barcelona, Modernism, Sabadell, Science and Technology Museum, Terrassa

The Rose Condo guest book

October 26, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Apartments, Rentals

Posted via email from Rose Condo Girona

Tags: apartment, Barcelona, Barri Vell, duplex, Girona, Old Town, Rose Condo

Rates,booking info and special offer for Rose Condo, Girona

September 29, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Apartments, Rentals

The Rose Condo Girona is not only in one of the best locations for a relaxing fun holiday visit but the rates are very reasonable considering it sleeps up to 6 people.

100?/night or 500?/week all inclusive is a true bargain.

In addition a special offer for the months of nov2009-march2010 we will add on 2 extra nights for free for all weeks booked and 1 night free for up to 6 days booked.

So what does this mean? Book for 4 nights and you get an extra night free; book for a week and get 2 nights extra free!

Remember our minimum stay is 2 nights but a 2 night stay will get you a 3rd night for free.

To book or find out about availability please email Jack: gironaj@gmail.com or call 0034 607 262 102

Weather in winter is cool nights, sunny warm days.

See post for events this autumn/winter in Girona.

What are you waiting for?

Posted via email from Rose Condo Girona

Tags: apartment, Barcelona, Girona, Old Town, Rose Condo

Prices Casp 74 apartments Barcelona

September 17, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Apartments, Bed & Breakfast, Rentals

2 Comments

As well as being in a perfect central location in Barcelona, brand new and with 24 hr reception and parking, they are very reasonably priced too.

In fact, if you book through discovergirona.net you get a 10% discount on their rates, making it an even better deal with no time limit from 1 night to weeks.

The 1 bed 1 bath apartments go for 100?/night

The 2 bed 2 bath apartments are 150?/night

There are larger 2 bed 2 bath apartments at 185?/night

and the 3 bedroom 3 bath duplexes with garden are 250?/night

Some extras apply depending on number of people and facilities requested so please check by email first to: discovergirona@gmail.com to check availability and book using Paypal to make it simple and safe.

Bookings can be made from now on but the complex opens its doors on October 16th 2009 and will be open all year round.

So, if you were thinking about visiting one of the most exciting cities in the world, the Casp 74 apartments provide the perfect base to call home for the duration of your stay.