Top 10 Hottest Spanish Men

We all know that beauty is very subjective and what you or I might find beautiful others may not agree with. However, we at SuitLife have taken the liberty of compiling a list of the top 10 most desirable Spanish men. If these men don’t make you wish you lived in Spain then nothing else would.

10. Antonio Banderas

We know that he is somewhat outdated and I would have stricken him off this list just for marrying Melanie Griffith and becoming such a perfect house wife while destroying the macho image that had me drooling over him in the early to late 90s. But one must give credit where credit is due. His wild behaviour on screen and look gave us some Spanish flavour growing up and made us wish we were born in Spain. Even now I wouldn’t kick him out of bed if the chance was presented and for that he is our number 10 on this list.

9. Rafael Nadal

Not my cup of tea (remember; beauty is subjective) and the only reason for making this list is because he can make us wonder if the way he screams every time he hits a ball during the Grand Slam competition is the way he might…er…call someone’s name during…er… more personal games. And not to forget that he has a butt that could crack open nuts (makes you fantasize doesn’t it?).

8. Enrique Iglesia

What? Number 8? Yes. Not only does he has the look but this singer oozes pure charisma and sensuality on and off the stage. Perhaps we have to thank his genes for it (any one remember his sensual father Julio Iglesia?). This is one man who has given me fantasies about Spanish men since my teens but unfortunately time passes and with it others take the throne.

7. Dani Martin

This singer/actor from Madrid has made our list for very obvious reasons… just look at him for Godsakes! He’s got a dangerous combination of a bad boy with the voice of an angel – the kind of guy whom your mother advices you not to date and your father fantasizes about killing when you have them meet him.

6. Javier Bardem

His on this list because of his charisma and because he just reminds us that the older and rugged look can be hot. He seems to know what he wants and would not be shy or apologetic to ask for it.

5.  Xabi Alonso

Oh Xavi! He is wild, passionate, sweaty and has a great body. Who, in their right mind, wouldn’t want to date him?

4. Miguel Angel Silvestre

What can I say about this Spanish actor? Wow could sum him up. His dark looks is what we imagine mediterranean men should look like.

3.  Jorge Guerra

His blue eyes, dark and boy-ish looks makes Jorge a perfect fantasy. These reasons were probably not enough to help him win ‘Operacion Triunfo’ in Barcelona but it was enough for us to put him into our top three.

2. Dani Mateo

Who? That was the same question I asked myself the first time I set eyes on this guy one evening when I was flipping through the TV channels. The guy is a late night talk show host and made me do a double take.  Probably a lot of you readers would wonder what the hell he is doing on the number two spot because you found others on this list or off it to be more sexy/handsome. However, sexiness is not about how a person looks but something deeper and when you watch this guy you would understand why he is here and why everyone who sets eyes on this guy melts.

1. Gerard Pique

A blond soccer player wins our votes and no – it’s not because we’re a football crazed country that this guy makes it to the top here nor because he is married to Shakira – but because of the abs, his blue eyes, his legs, his glutes…you get the idea.

Do you agree with our top ten list of the hottest Spanish men? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

~Argenis

VISCA FC BARCELONA!

FC Barcelona clinched their fourth Spanish la Liga title in five years and have been crowned Spanish champions for the 22^nd time on Saturday night after rivals and defending champions Real Madrid CF were held to a 1-1 draw at RCD Espanyol. FC Barcelona was mathematically already the champion of the Spanish la Liga, but Barça still managed to win on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid in Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. Even tough, FC Barcelona fell behind to Falcao’s 28^th goal of the season, the Catalan club were not to be denied. Alexis Sanchez struck the equalizer on 72 minutes and the comeback was complete eight minutes later when Atletico Madrid player Gabi turned the ball past his own goalkeeper. By winning la Liga, FC Barcelona continue to be the dominant force in the 21^st century. Since the year 2000, FC Barcelona have won six league titles, followed by Real Madrid (5), Valencia (2) and Deportivo la Coruna (1).

INTERESTING STATS AND THE SEASON:

In the 2008/09 season, with former FC Barcelona coach/player  Pep Guardiola and Tito VIlanova on the bench, FC Barcelona won the league with 87 points (27 victories, 6 draws and 5 defeats). The following year, FC Barcelona won the la Liga with 99 points (31 victories, 6 draws and 1 defeat). In the 2010/11 season, Barça claimed their third consecutive la Liga title with 96 points (30 victories, 6 draws and 2 defeats). With 3 matches left on the schedule this year, FC Barcelona has already collected 91 points (29 victories, 4 draws and 2 defeats) and if they win the rest of their games, they will equal the best ever point haul in La Liga. In addition, they’ve scored 107 goals, a record breaking tally for any team with three games left to play this season. This is also the first time in club history that FC Barcelona have won la Liga after losing the year before, where they won consecutive league title before. On three occasions FC Barcelona had to wait at least two years before they managed to regain la Liga crown (from 1944/45 to 1947/48, from 1948/49 to 1951/52, and from 2005/06 to 2008/09.

Just like in the past seasons, Barça broke records that seemed to be out of reach. The most notable of which was the team’s sensational first half of the season, when they won 55 of 57 possible points. It was the best ever start to a league campaign in Spanish la Liga history, and it saw the Blaugrana 10 points clear at the top in December. Furthermore, Leo Messi has netted 46 goals and he’s the front runner to win the Pichichi award. Last year he scored 50 goals. This is FC Barcelona’s era, an era marked by a unique style of play. Long live the champions!

However, this isn’t just another la Liga title, the Club’s 22nd Liga holds special meaning. The team had to overcome extremely difficult setbacks. The illnesses of Tito Vilanova and Éric Abidal left the team without a head manager and one of the best defenders on the roster for part of the season. The players and coaching staff, led by Roura and Altimira, met the challenge with hard work and an unflinching commitment to the Club. Not to mention the biggest setback of the season is the injury of FC Barcelona Football star Lionel Messi, who could not perform for his team for weeks because of an hamstring injury, from which he is still suffering. Each and every one of them had to step up to secure the league title, a league that was always under FC Barcelona control, from the first to the last week of the competition.

Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Song and Jordi Alba, who were brought into the Club over the past two seasons, have won their first La Liga title

Marc Bartra, Martin Montoya, Jonathan Dos Santos and Cristian Tello, all of whom played for Barça B last season, also won their first La Liga crown. Here’s a look at each one individually:

TO THE NEXT SEASON!

Winning the Spanish la Liga weeks before the competition ending reflects the fact that Barça followers regard success in La Liga as only half-fulfilling their demands. In addition to domestic success, fans also expect their team to win – or at least come close to winning – the Champions League. However, the brutally demolishment of 7-0 against Bayern Munich prompted a debate that will continue well into the summer months. Many people believe the team needs new transfers  for the new season and even called  for coach Vilanova to be sacked. Although that view was held by just the minority of the fans.

A new central defender  is a priority for the summer as Barça defenders suffered serious injuries this season. Barça came close to signing Thiago Silva before he opted to join Paris St-Germain last year, and the Brazilian could come back into the frame, while Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Roma’s impressive teenager Marquinhos are also being touted as potential recruits.

One enforced change could come in the goalkeeping department, where Victor Valdes has rejected a new contract and may therefore be sold this summer while he’s still valuable, rather than being allowed to leave for nothing when his contract expires at the end of next season. Manchester United’s David De Gea, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Valencia’s Vicente Guiata are among the candidates to replace him.

David Villa is another potential departee. Despite speculation to the contrary from the British media, the Catalan club always insisted the striker would not be allowed to join Arsenal – or anyone else – during the January transfer window. They have, however, been notably less eager to state that Villa will be at Barcelona next season. In his place, Brazilian star Neymar is a red-hot tip to arrive in Catalonia.  The flamboyant winger has been a long-term target for FC Barcelona, who have openly admitted they are interested in securing his services from Santos.

The fans are already excited with the upcoming summer arrivals, such as the Brazilian football talent Neymar, a central defender and a goalkeeper. But that could well be it for FC Barcelona.

What do you think of the potential new arrivals of FC Barcelona? Give us your thoughts about who you think Barça should sign this summer.

- Alper

Here is a short cartoon video of our champion players!

WHAT IS PRIMAVERA SOUND 2013?

Primavera Sound 2013 is an annual music festival in Barcelona. For over a decade now Primavera sound has been offering consistently successful and innovative musical events. The festival has been taking place since 2001 and it stands out from the rest of musical events because of its characterized pop, rock and the most underground tendencies of dance music.  Primavera Sound 2013 is going to be huge as it focusses on indie rock, noise rock, alternative electro music and many other types of rock music. The festival attracts approximately 60.000 visitors per year. Also, daytime performances take place in a park somewhere else in Barcelona. These smaller performances are free to enter. In the week before the festival, several showcase nights take place in clubs and venues.

LOCATION

Primavera sound 2013 is going to take place in an outdoor area called the Forum. This place was originally built for an international convention called ‘’the Universal Forum of Cultures’’. It is a large outdoor space with large auditorium areas which is perfect for Primavera sound 2013 as you can have great views of the bands performing.  There is no camping at the Primavera sound 2013, so you will have to find your own accommodation in Barcelona.

Dates for Primavera sound 2013

Wednesday 22 May – Sunday 26 May

Where to buy your tickets for Primavera Sound 2013

Tickets for Primavera Sound 2013 are available via phone or online. Tickets are sold through various ticket outlets as well. However, you should take into account that the ticket prices at the outlets are a bit higher.

There are three kinds of tickets available for Primavera sound 2013:

Day pass: The day pass will allow you to have access to all the events during the whole weekend, which includes any Primavera sound 2013 events taking place in clubs in Barcelona organized by Primavera Sound.

Night pass: The night pass will give you access to the night time activities on a chosen night provided by the Primavera Sound 2013. The night pass only gives you access to certain stages within the Primavera Sound 2013.

Weekend pass: This is the ticket that gives you full access to all events provided by Primavera Sound 2013 during the whole weekend.

If you are going to the festival, you should know and arrange some important things before you arrive:

Primavera Sound 2013 Timetable

Primavera Sound 2013 Accommodation

For the full festival line-up, check the Primavera Sound 2013 Official Site

If you have ever been to a Primavera sound festival, please share your thoughts

- Alper

Barcelona Gay Marriage

Same-sex couples in Barcelona have the same marriage, legal, adoption and inheritance rights as couples in traditional union. Find out how to plan a gay wedding in Spain…
Back in June 2005 same-sex marriages was made legal in Barcelona or the whole of Spain to be exact. It was the third country in the world to legalize gay marriage right behind Belgium and the Netherlands – making a very tolerant country. This civil marriage allows homosexual couples the same legal rights to adopt and inheritance and all the other goodies that heterosexual couples have rights to.

This week in our ‘From Behind the Rear’ Barcelona Gay Series, we’ll be discussing gay marriage in Barcelona and why you (if you’re thinking of tying the knot with your beau) should give Barcelona a serious thought as your wedding host or honeymoon spot.

Who May Get Married in Spain

Initially, it was declared that Spanish citizens may only marry a partner from a country where gay marriage has been legalized. However that rule was amended and the current ruling are that as long as one of the partners is a Spanish citizen, they may marry a non-Spaniard regardless of whether that person’s homeland recognizes the partnership. Or if the couple are non-Spaniards, they may marry if they both reside in Spain legally.

It is a good idea to note that gay marriage taking place in Barcelona  have the same requirements and results as those of the heterosexual marriages and of course, a gay marriage recognized in Spain doesn’t mean that it will be recognized or acknowledge in one that doesn’t allow gays to be wed.

How to Get Married in Spain

As with a traditional union, one of the same-sex partners must be a Spanish resident, having been legally residing in Spain for at least two years and registered with the municipality. Application for a marriage license can be made at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil), District Court (Juzgado) or, in some cases, the Town Hall in the place where the marriage is to be held.

It is essential to consult the local authority (Civil Registry, District Court or Town Hall) with jurisdiction over where the marriage is to be held to find out precisely what documentation will be required. It varies greatly, with some provinces being stricter than others regarding the laws of residency.

The following documents are required (additional documents may be required)

• Current valid passport (for non-Spanish applicants)
• Original birth certificates, with sworn Spanish translation if that is not the original language (traduccion jurada)
• Proof of being free to marry (Certificado de Capacidad Matrimonial). Provide marriage and divorce, annulment or death certificates of any prior marriage, a Consular office may be able to help with this)
• Proof of Spanish residency (residence card)
• Certificate of residence (Certificado de Empadronamiento), proving residence in Spain of at least two years (available from the Town Hall)

All foreign documents that are not in Spanish should be translated by an official translator who marks them with an official seal. Translated documentation should ideally not be more than three months old.

The marriage

A civil marriage is held in the courts, or the Town Hall of residence of one of the couple. It is conducted by the Mayor or a delegated Councillor. The marriage is effective immediately following the ceremony. After the wedding, it is registered in the Civil Registry and a certificate (Inscripción de Matrimonio) stating the date, time and place of the marriage is issued.

Adoption and Natural Birth

Same sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples to adoption and to assisted reproduction: children born within a lesbian marriage by in vitro fertilisation treatment may be legally recognised by the non-biological mother.

Civil Unions/Partnerships in Spain

In addition to marriage for gay couples, most of Spain’s autonomous communities recognise and provide for civil unions and registered cohabitation between same-sex people. This allows for kinship, inheritance, and property rights.

Here at SuiteLife we are all for equal rights for EVERYBODY, and are delighted to be based in a country that was one of the first to officially recognize gay marriages! We’d love to hear your comments below!

Barcelona in May 2013 – The Best of May 2013

Tenemos un version de este blog en español tambien

Barcelona is a city that never sleeps, that never relaxes! There are always thousands of events organised each year, thousands of things to do and see. What events are happening in Barcelona in May 2013 that  we should  keep ourselves free for in ? Find out here…..

The release of Scary Movie 5

On Wednesday 1st May 2013,  the fifth film of the Scary Movie series was released!
Synopsis of Scary Movie 5:

The young couple Dan and Jody begin to detect supernatural activity in their home after taking in the daughters of Dan’s brother, who have spent 3 years living alone in the forest. When the chaos invades their working life, they both reach the conclusion that the sinister spirit of the children’s mother is amongst them. Together, and with the help of numerous cameras and qualified experts, they will do all that is possible to protect their new family……..

Speed Dating

Are you between 30 and 50 years old and want to find your better half in Barcelona? Speed Dating is the best and most fun way to meet new people. Try it! Onthe 10th May, the Date Club agency organises a huge speed dating event from 8.30pm in the Snooker Bar. Don’t miss it! It will be a night that you will not forget. You can do lots of things in 5 minutes!

Where?: Snooker Bar, Carrer de Roger de Lluria, 42 08009 Barcelona Metro L1 (Urquinaona) L2 (Passeig de Gracia) or L4 (Girona)

For a description of speed dating and to buy tickets, go on the Date Club website. Also read our blog on our experience at Speed Dating.

Spanish Gran Prix – Catalonia Circuit

Spain is warming up for this unforgettable event! Experience Formula 1 in Catalonia on the 10th, 11th and 12th of May 2013! One of the most watched races inthe world that takes place in May each year – an ideal month to get a taste of Mediterranean life!

Where?  - The Catalonia Circuit is situated in Mas de Morenta, near Montmelo which is about 20km from Barcelona (north east)
- by car, it takes 30 minutes along the C-17 (Montmelo exit), or by the AP-7 (exit 13, 14 or 15).
- by train, with line R2 from Barcelona  Sants, Passeig de Gracia or Barcelona Clot-Arago. Approximately 25 minutes to the platform at Montmelo station.

How to obtain tickets?  - There are different ticket categories. Prices start from 132 Euros (Weekend General Admission Pass) and can reach up to 3589 Euros (Paddock Club Pass)!

For more information check our blog. Coming to the Gran Prix and looking for good value accommodation here in Barcelona? We have you covered!

International Motor Show

For car lovers, from the 11th to the 19th May, the International Motor Show is held in Barcelona at the Exhibition Centre at Montjuic (Avenida Reina Maria Cristin, L1 and L3 Espanya). The dates have been carefully selected to coincide with the Spanish Gran Prix in Catalonia. Other than the exhibition of vehicles and the latest in automobile technology, the event programme includes live concerts such as the best DJ’s. Tickets are still on sale on Telentrada and cost 10 Euros if bought in advance.

The X Games Barcelona

X Games in Barcelona! The extreme sports games will be held on the 16th to the 19th May 2013
Where? Montjuic, Bus – 50, 61, 57, 157 Metro – Espanya (L1/L3) FGC – Placa Espanya (R5, R6, S33, S4, S8, L8)

Price? – Between 10 and 30 Euros
Barcelona welcomes the extreme sports comeptition – the X Games! Along the mountain of Montjuic, over 4 days will see the greatest figures in skateboarding, BMX, Moto X and Rally display their talents. Travis Pastrana, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Marcus Gronholm and Kyle Loza has been some of the champions in the history of this ESPN event. The X Games are more than a sports competition and have been linked to being a lifestyle and include music, fashion and urban art.This is why the X Games 2013 will include some of the best musical talent including 50 Cent! “I’m really excited to return to the X Games this year” said 50 Cent. “I really want to perform and experience the competitive side of the games!”

For more info and for the program of the event, check out our X Games blog!

International Construction Show

Another anticipated event this month in Barcelona is the Construmat at the International Construction Show that celebrates it’s 18th year this year. Held between the 21st and 24th May in the Parque de las Exposiciones de Gran Via. The event brings together the best innovations in the construction industry and includes other activities such as awards in Technological Innovation and awards for Sustainable Development in Construction to name but a few. Essentially,it’s a forum in which more than 170 international construction projects will be presented. The theme of this year’s show is the ‘Creation of Construction Solutions in a Global Environment’. Before the registration, you can benefit from discounts for tickets to the exhibition and the panel.

One Direction Concert

Are you a fan of the British group ‘One Direction’? They will be performing this month!
When? Wednesday 22nd May 2013 at 8.40pm
Where? Pavello Olimpic Badalona, Avinguda d’Alfons XIII, Barcelona

Primavera Sound Barcelona

When? 22nd May to 26 May 2013
Where? – In the Parc del Forum, Diagonal Mar
Price – 195 Euros for a general festival ticket or 80 Euros for a day ticket
At the end of May, Barcelona welcomes one of the biggest musical festivals in Europe – Primavera Sound 2013! For it’s 12th year, the festival continues to host independent artists as well as more famous ones and is getting ready to light up the skies of Barcelona. With an incredible programme of rockers, this outdoor festival will be a true pleasure to lovers of alternative music. Primavera Sound has been honoured by the presence of some music legends. In previous years, they welcomed headliners like Lou Reed, Neil Young, Pulp, Pet Shop Boys and Arcade Fire to name but a few!

To see the lineup and buy tickets check out the official Primavera Sound website

Alejandro Sanz concert

Are you dying to hear some amazing Latino music from icons such as Alejandro Sanz? Fortunately you can this month! Don’t miss his concert in Barcelona!
When? – Wednesday 29th May 2013 at 8pm
Where? Palau Sant Jordi, Passeig Olimpic 5-7, Barcelona

The release of the Hangover III

To finish this crazy month, catch the release of the third part of the famous Hangover series on the 31st May with the beautiful Bradley Cooper and the comedian Zach Galifianakis!
Synopsis – This time, there is no wedding. There is no stag party. What could go wrong? Everything, as always…..

If you have heard of any other events for this month in Barcelona, leave us a comment so that we can add it to the list!

- Orlane

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED SEGWAY BARCELONA?

Segway Barcelona is the perfect way to go for sightseeing in Barcelona and will give you a unique view and feeling for the city. Barcelona gets a lot of visitors throughout the year and there are lots of other methods to explore the city such as the bus, metro, car or a bike. So if you want to try something  fun and different for a change, this is definitely an easy way to explore the city. With Segway Barcelona you can go get where no car, bus or metro can take you. It is actually a one person transportation vehicle which has become a great success in Barcelona for people planning to see some amazing sights in the city. The Segway Barcelona is very popular and hip at the moment so you don’t have to worry about your cool reputation.

BENEFITS OF SEGWAY BARCELONA TO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE!

Segway Barcelona is a simple and environmentally friendly short-distance transportation method. Nowadays, more and more people are using Segway Barcelona as a eco-friendly alternative for many of the short journeys that are usually made by the bus, metro or a car to see the exciting city of Barcelona. It has many benefits for you and the environment. Benefits such as, less gas to buy, easier to park, and simple to use. It can also help to reduce the impact of global warming by reducing consumption of gas and oil. Furthermore, sightseeing in Barcelona can be really exhaustive for people as it demands a lot of walking, so why not give your legs and yourself a break and try out Segway Barcelona.

TOUR DETAILS:

All Segway Barcelona tours usually start with a short introduction of how to handle and drive the thing. It is amazing how easy and secure it is to drive a Segway Barcelona. After the introduction phase, you’ll be ready to launch your comfortable tour through the most exciting areas of Barcelona in a group.

Routes: De Barrio Gotico, the old harbour, Barceloneta, the beach,  the Olympic harbor, the Columbus statue, the royal shipyards, the ramblas and many more historical places.

Price: €50,- to €65,-

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Group size: 1 to 8 people

BOOK YOUR SEGWAY BARCELONA:

There are many different places where you can book your Segway Barcelona tour. Every one of them has their own timetables and different prices. Here are some of those places we recommend you to sign up for Segway Barcelona:

• Barcelona Segway Glides
• Barcelona Segway Fun
• Barcelona Segway Tour

Have you tried a segway tour in Barcelona yet? Let us know your thoughts!

Barcelona Sights – The Many Ways of Seeing Them!

There are an endlessly fascinating amount of Barcelona sights that will appeal to people with a whole range of passions and interests. There are so moany ways to experience Barcelona sights ranging from simple walking tours to Segway tours and even more. Whatever floats your boat, there are almost certainly tours in Barcelona that can help you indulge in your interests. Stuck for ideas on what to do in Barcelona? Check out our guide to some of the best tours in Barcelona which range from the unusual to the ‘little bit different’ to the outright cool specifically handpicked by us! Enjoy!

Bicycle tours

Not the most riveting tour on the list, but nonetheless a really nice way to see Barcelona attractions . Most of the tours tend to last around 3 to 4 hours and their are plenty of companies who offer bike tours around the city. Surprisingly, you cover a lot of the city in such a short time and bike tours prove to be a lot more relaxing than you’d expect (less strenuous than walking tours for sure!). Tours on average cost around the 20 Euro mark which is good value for what you get (as with everything it does depend on the company!).

Our favourite bike tour in the city is with the aptly named Barcelona Bike Tours or ‘Un Cotxe Menys-Bicicletes’ (as they’re known in Catalan), who offer bike tours all year round (everyday from 11am to 4.30pm) at Plaça Jaume. The company offers a daily tour in English for anyone to join but also offers tours for groups (private and for businesses) which can be delivered in a variety of languages and tailored individually to the group. Being one of the organisations instrumental in transforming Barcelona into the bicycle haven that it is today, their commitment to making their city more environmentally friendly is obvious and they are also a founding member of the Associació BiciTours Barcelona. Even today, they play an active role in the tourist scene in Barcelona and continue to promote cycling initiatives in the city.

Go Car Tours

For someone who is not from the most tourist orientated city, this is one tour that most certainly surprised me when I came to Barcelona! In a nutshell, Go Car Tours are small yellow open-top cars with a built in navigation system which talks to you and teaches you about the Barcelona sights as you drive past them. The Go Cars don’t just offer a standardised tour and are not remote controlled. You actually drive them yourself!

The tours offer a variety of themed tours from a Camp Nou tour, Olympic Barcelona, Barcelona Highlights and an All Day Tour to name but a few. The tours are also available in a range of languages and also offer tours for individuals and groups. Prices start at around 19 Euros per hour, but they also offer regular promotions too. The only thing prerequisites are that you have a full driving licence. Give it a go!

Cooking Tours

There is simply no better souvenir to take back home with you than knowing how to cook typical food from the place where you’ve visited. It’s a gift that will not only impress your friends and family, but will also remind you of your trip forevermore. Thankfully, you’re in Barcelona, which is renowned for it’s culinary offerings. If you’re a cooking amateur there are some top quality cooking schools in Barcelona who typically offer a really great selection of classes to unlock the inner chef within you and get you acquainted with just how amazing Spanish cuisine really is!

One such school is Barcelona Cooking located on the Ramblas. Taught by professional chefs, a variety of classes are on offer from a half day cooking class with the option of getting a tour of the Mercat de la Boqueria, a tapas class, a tour of some of the best Spanish/Catalan food shops in Barcelona and more. They also offer customised classes for corporate events and groups. Even better is the fact that all the ingredients are local and organic and support the producers, so you’ll have the opportunity to taste and create authentic Spanish/Catalan food. As a guide, a half day class costs around 78 Euros.

¡Buen Provecho!

Barcelona by……….speedboat!

Once in the middle of Barcelona, it’s easy to forget that you’re near the sea. But an excellent way to not forget is to hop on a speedboat and tour the length of the coastline and take in the skyline of the city. Although you won’t hit the big sights, it’s still a pretty cool way to see the city. Xmax Speed Boat Tours offers these tours and each tour takes around 50 minutes starting at Port Vell up through the Port Olimpic and to the Port Forum where they spin around and come back. Prices are 12.50 Euros and less for children and run only from April/May to November

For something a little more slower paced, Las Golondrinas offers slower paced boat tours along the Barcelona coast. They are undeniably the experts in boat tours in Barcelona and have been involved in Barcelona boat tours since 1888 and explores the history and sights of the Barcelona coast. They offer two different tours – one of the Port Vell area and a 1 hour, 30 minute tour which covers 18 miles of coastline and gives you amazing views of some Barcelona attractions! Prices are around 12/14 Euros depending on the tour you take and tours start from the Colom Statue at the bottom of the Ramblas or at Port Forum.

Naturally, some trips cannot take place due to the weather so it’s worthwhile checking beforehand!

Hot air balloon tours

Ok, this isn’t technically in Barcelona and you probably won’t see any Barcelona sights but this is still an amazing thing to do while you’re here! Ballooning offer a number of trips even including some which even cross the Pyrenees mountains into France! But a trip in a hot air balloon comes at a price – an average of 150 Euros per person!

If you’re out to impress and money is no object, then this is a perfect way to see the Catalan countryside surrounding Barcelona.

And the list goes on!

These are just the tip of the iceberg on what to do in Barcelona in terms of tours. There are tours for almost any interest. A great company who offer tours tailored to almost any theme are My Favourite Tours. You may just think twice about taking a walking tour now!

Have you been on any tours in Barcelona or experienced a really unique way of seeing the city? A Spiderman web-swinging style tour would be pretty cool! If you’re coming to Barcelona, then you may want to check out our short term apartments page which offer you a different experience of staying in Barcelona and are usually better value than hotels.

Thanks for reading!

- Chris

Great Business ideas by Expats in Barcelona

Le Regioni d’Italia is a great ethnic food shop in Barcelona, located in Gracia. Specialized in Italian products, it was created with the intention to deliver the surprising variety of regional food and wines from the “Bel Paese”. The shelves are divided per region, so if you still remember that great bottle of Cannonau you had on holiday in Sardegna, probably you’ll be able to find it here. Of course there’s not only wines, but many different kinds of pasta, olive oil, cookies, cheese, coffee…the best from each Italian region!

The shop has also cozy lounge area where you can relax and enjoy your food, if you can’t wait to eat it at home! Plus, every month the owners organize themed tastings, so it’s a very interesting place to visit.

I was curious to know the stories of expats running their own business in Barcelona, so I met the awesome Giulio and Luca and asked them 3 questions!

1. How did you start your business in Barcelona?

We were already living in Barcelona when we opened, in 2005. We were looking for a change, in our professional career, we had a passion for food and wines and we realized that there was a lack of Italian food shops in Barcelona so we decided to give it a try. We chose Gracia because it was quite strategic  at the time, there were just a few Italian restaurants and no shops.

In the beginning it was hard, of course. It took a long time to choose the best suppliers. And the products: we started with less references than we have now, but we tried to understand what people really want, which products  are the most requested. Little by little, listening to our customers, we found a way to order their favourite products…and stuffed our shelves!

2. How is it going now?

Considering the crisis and the fact we are into a niche market, it’s going well! Our clientele is really eclectic, we have local people shopping here quite often, Italians, Americans, Australians… Anyway it’s better to be proactive, and evolve as the demand grows. So we are expanding our business in Barcelona, soon we’ll open a second location in the Eixample.

In general we are quite active: every month we organize events, like tastings, in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of Barcelona. Join us anytime, you are very welcome!

3. Leave an entrepreneur’s tip!

To the expats in Barcelona that would like to start a business , we can just say this: have a clear project in mind and run it with determination. Keep strong until you accomplish it. Good luck!

Contacts:

• Le Regioni d’Italia – Gourmet Regional d’Italia
• Carrer Torrent de l’Olla, 119, 08012 Barcelona
• Tel: +34 932 18 37 86
• Website: www.leregioniditalia.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leregioni.ditalia?fref=ts

There are many interesting stories – like this one – about expats in Barcelona who bet on their passions, on their talent, people who literally invented a business in Barcelona because of the desire to live in this beautiful city. We are now collecting entrepreneurs’ cases to share with you every week. So guys we need your help!  Do you know any expat who made it in Barcelona?  Let us know!

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” (J.F.Kennedy)

- Elio

Barcelona Gay Bars

A colleague of mine told me last Thursday that on her way home from work she had witnessed a line of people crowded outside a night club called Bim Bam Bum. A lot of cute guys! As she mentioned this last detail she gave me a pitiful pout before explaining further that they were all gay. We wanted to know why a club was so well-attended on a week day (unusual in Barcelona) and ran a quick search online.

It turned out to be their inaguration party, which was weird since Bim Bam Bum has been around for a couple of years now. It is one of those Barcelona gay bars many a gay man bar-hopping on a Saturday night stops at for a couple of warm-up rounds.

Apparently they left the scene a while back  to re-invent themselves physically and philosophically after a horrible break-up with Zeltas (another bar they had joined resources with but, like a horrible one-night stand, that arrangement didn’t last) and decided to go their own way.

And what better way to celebrate their indepence than with a Mr Gay BimBamBum pageant to start off their circuit season. So, if you really like to watch hot men dancing around in their underwear make sure that you don’t miss this big…umm…interesting event on May 1st on carrer casanova – I know I won’t. You also have the chance to compete for the grand price: a trip for two to any destination in Europe and €300 for the trip.

Let us know if you’re going, your opinion or if there are any other events taking place…oh, and don’t forget to check out our Barcelona Gay Series ‘From Behind The Rear’ for other articles of gay interest such as bookstores, cinemas, bars and much more .

A Taste of Home – A British Haven in Barcelona!

Being an international city and having a huge expat community, Barcelona has no shortage of shops, restaurants and other amenities to serve the various nationalities living particularly those from the US, Latin American and various countries in Europe to name but a few. But what about us Brits? Is there a ‘British Barcelona?’

Thankfully, amongst the grid-like streets of the Eixample is a very special shop who specialise in all things British. Aptly named ‘A Taste of Home‘, this is a shop to visit for any Brit living here in Barcelona either for Erasmus or for those here living more long term. Intrigued to find out what treasures are inside? Read our exclusive interview with the owner below!

The Interview

A Taste of Home has been serving the people of Barcelona since 2008 and was started by Inge Barker, an expat from the UK. She also owns another branch of the shop in Sitges which has been open for 11 years. This shop is the real deal and that’s not just my opinion. In 2011, A Taste of Home was awarded the accolade of ‘Commended British Shop in the World’ as part of the ‘Best of British Awards’ which are sponsored by the Telegraph (newspaper) and John Lewis (one of the biggest retailers in the UK).  Upon walking in, your British blogger here found the staff busy showing some new customers around, but I managed to grab a couple of minutes to ask some questions……

Suitelife – Hi Inge. I really like your shop! Could you briefly tell me a bit about ‘A Taste of Home‘?

Inge – Of course! I started the shop mainly because there isn’t really anywhere else in Barcelona that serves the specifically British products. A lot of the small shops and supermarkets offer some basic stuff such as teabags, but nothing compared to what we offer here.

SuiteLife – Yes, I noticed that too. It’s quite nice to see something which is actually British for a change!

Inge – Thanks! We do lots of different things. Obviously, we sell specifically British products such as Marmite, Cadbury’s chocolate, different brands of English tea, jams, pies and loads more. We also sell books, greeting cards and do a lot of fundraising for charities particularly animal charities. The vast majority of things we sell are British but we also have food from other countries too notably ingredients for making Indian food as well as some American and Dutch products too. Naturally, we can’t provide everything, but we are happy to take requests. If you come in for something and we don’t have it, you can go on our Facebook page to request it and we’ll do our best to get it for you!

SuiteLife - Wow! Sounds really good and I’m pretty sure I’ll be making use of that!

Inge – We’ve also recently started the IPTV service which lets people from the UK who live here in Spain access British channels legally. For years now, we’ve been using the Freesat channels. This has changed lately and could be really expensive for people who want to continue to access British TV this way which is why we’ve started offering the IPTV service which streams to your TV from the Internet. We are the sole distributor of this in Catalonia and it’s completely legal! You get all the main channels plus even more. It’s a great deal.

SuiteLife – One thing I definitely miss about the UK is British TV. How much does this service cost?

Inge – It costs about 30 Euros per month, but if you sign up for it via our Facebook page, then we will give you a discount on this.

SuiteLife – Excellent. What would you say are your most popular products here?

Inge – Our baking section is really popular and we sell a lot of British cookbooks too!

SuiteLife – Do you get a lot of British people coming to the shop?

Inge – Yes, we get a fair amount of people who have heard about us and like to come to see just how British we are. It’s fair to say, that people are left pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety we have. We also get a lot of Spanish people come into the shop too and they are pretty curious to see what we’re about.

SuiteLife – I can vouch for that! Before we round the interview up, is there any advice you’d have for any aspiring Brits reading this?

Inge – Check out our Facebook page. We have a lot going on such as competitions and offers. We also publish recipes too! Don’t forget that you can also get exclusive discounts and can request those home comforts too.

SuiteLife – Thanks a lot for your time!

This is amazing! Where is this gem of a shop!?

Intrigued? You can find A Taste of Home on Carrer Floridablanca 78 in Eixample. You can get there on L1 Rocafort near Plaça Espanya (I’d recommend taking the C/Calabria exit, it’s quicker!). The best way to get in touch with them is on their Facebook page or by calling 933 251 797.

They’re open from 10am – 9pm on Monday through to Saturday, so there’s plenty of time to rush and get a box of tea when the worse happens!

Looking for more shops for expats living in Barcelona? We’ve got a list of some of the best in the city for you to check out!

Thanks,

Chris