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We know that he is somewhat outdated and I would have stricken him off this list just for marrying Melanie Griffith and becoming such a perfect house wife while destroying the macho image that had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

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!

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!

EVENTOS BARCELONA 2013: CUALES SON LOS MEJORES EVENTOS DE MAYO DE 2013

Barcelona es una ciudad que nunca duerme, que nunca descansa! Siempre se organizan miles de eventos cada año, miles de cosas que hacer y ver. Qué es lo que nos reserva para eventos en mayo en Barcelona? Descúbralo aquí…

1 . ENTREGA DE SCARY MOVIE 5

El miércoles 1er de mayo de 2013, asista a la quinta entrega de la saga de parodia Scary Movie ! Sinopsis de Scary Movie 5 :
El joven matrimonio formado por Dan y Jody empieza a detectar una actividad sobrenatural en su hogar tras acoger en él a las hijas del hermano de Dan, que han pasado tres años solas en el bosque. Cuando el caos invade la vida laboral de Jody como bailarina de danza clásica y la de de Dan como primatólogo, ambos llegan a la conclusión de que les ronda el siniestro fantasma de la «mamá» de las pequeñas. Juntos, y con la ayuda de numerosas cámaras y de cualificados expertos, harán todo lo posible por proteger a su nueva familia. Trailer

2. SPEED DATING

Tienes entre 30 y 50 años y deseas encontrar tu media naranja en Barcelona? El Speed Dating es la manera más agradable y divertida de encontrar gente nueva. Pruebalo tu mismo! El 10 de mayo la agencia Date Club organiza un gran SPEED DATING a partir de las 8:30 pm en el SNOOKER BAR, no te lo pierdas! Será una noche que no te olvidaras, pueden pasar muchas cosas en 5 minutos!

SNOOKER BAR
Carrer de Roger de Lluria, 42
08009 Barcelona
Metro L1 (Urquinaona) L2 (Passeig de Gracia) o L4 (Girona)

Descripción del Speed Dating y compra de los entradas aqui Página Oficial de Date Club. También lee nuestro blog de nuestra experiencia en Barcelona Speed Dating.

3. GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA – CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA

España se está calentando para esta cita inolvidable! Experimenta la Fórmula 1 en Cataluña el 10, 11 y 12 de mayo de 2013! Una de las carrera más mirada en el mundo que cada año tiene lugar en mayo, un mes ideal para probar el sabor de la vida mediterránea!

DONDE :El Circuito de Cataluña está situado en Mas la Morenta, cerca de Montmeló, a 20 km de Barcelona, ??dirección norte-este.
- En coche 30 min. por carretera C-17 (salida Montmeló), o por la autopista AP-7 (salida 13, 14 o 15).
- En tren (25min.) con la línea R2, de Barcelona Sants, Barcelona Paisseg de Gracia o Barcelona El Clot-Aragó. Aprox. 25 min. Parada en la estación de tren de Montmeló.

CÓMO OBTENER ENTRADAS
Hay diferentes categorías de entradas. Los precios empiezan desde 132 € (Weekend General Admission Pass) y pueden ascender hasta 3 589 € (Paddock Club Pass)!
-Mas informaciones sobre el Gran Premio de España
-Donde rentar un apartamento por un corto periodo

4. Salón internacional del automóvil

Para los amantes de los coches, del 11 al 19 de mayo, se celebra el Salón del Automóvil de Barcelona 2013 en el centro de exposiciones de Montjuïc (Avenida Reina Maria Cristina, s / n, L1 y L3, Espanya). Las fechas han sido cuidadosamente seleccionados para que el Auto Show Internacional correspondan con el Gran Premio de Fórmula 1 de Catalunya. Aparte de la exposición de los vehículos y lo último en tecnología automotriz, el programa del evento incluye conciertos de bandas en vivo, así como los mejores DJ. Las entradas ya están a la venta Telentrada y cuestan 10 € si se compran con antelación.

5. X Games Barcelona

¡X Games en Barcelona! Los juegos del deporte extremo se celebrarán del 16 al 19 de mayo del 2013.

¿DONDE?: Montjuïc.
Bus: 50,61,57,157.
A 15 minutos aprox.: Metro: Espanya (L1/L3). FGC: Plaça Espanya (R5, R6, S33, S4, S8, L8).
Precio: De 10 a 30€.

Barcelona acogerá la competición de deportes extremos X Games. Por la montaña de Montjuïc desfilarán durante 4 días las mayores figuras del skate, BMX, Moto X y Rally Cross mundial: Travis Pastrana, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Marcus Gronholm o Kyle Loza han sido algunos de sus campeones en la historia del evento de ESPN.
Los X Games, así mismo, son más que una competición deportiva; desde sus inicios, el deporte extremo ha estado ligado a un estilo de vida que va más allá y que se extiende a la música, moda y arte urbano, los cuales también tendrán su espacio en la esplanada de la Anilla Olímpica de Barcelona.
El precio de las entradas rondará entre los 14 y los 30€
Los X Games son mucho más que una competición deportiva, desde su inicio el deporte extremo ha sido relacionado con un estilo de vida con su música, la moda y arte urbano. Esta es la razón por que los X Games Barcelona de 2013 incluirán los mejores intérpretes musicales en el X Games Music, cuyo el multi-platino artista 50 Cent!! “Estoy muy emocionado de regresar a los X Games este año”, dijo 50 Cent. “Tengo muchas ganas de realizar y experimentar la parte competitiva de los juegos.”
Programa y horario del evento

6. Salón Internacional de la Construcción

Otro eventos barcelona 2013 muy esperado en Barcelona durante el mes de mayo es Construmat, el Salon Internacional de la Construcción que celebra su 18 º año en 2013 y se llevará a cabo del 21 al 24 de mayo en el Parque de las Exposiciones de Gran Vía. El evento reúne a las mejores innovaciones en la industria de la construcción, e incluye, además de otras actividades, los premios en la innovación tecnológica y el desarrollo sostenible en la construcción, así como un foro en el que más de 170 proyectos constructivos internacionales estarán presentados. El tema del salón de esta edición es la creación de soluciones se presentaran soluciones constructivas en un entorno global. Antes de la inscripción en el sitio del evento, se beneficiarán de descuentos en las entradas para la exposición y el congreso.

7. Concierto de One Direction

CUANDO? el miercoles 22 de mayo de 2013, a las 8:40 PM

DONDE? Pavello Olimpic Badalona
Avinguda d Alfons XIII
Barcelona

8 . Primavera Sound Barcelona

Cuando? del 22 de mayo al 26 de abril de 2013
Donde? En el Parc del Fòrum, Diagonal Mar
Precio? 195€ para el abono al festival, o 80€ para un tiquete de un dia

Eventos Barcelona 2013: A finales de mayo, Barcelona acoge uno de los festivales más grandes de Europa, el Primavera Sound 2013. Para su12 º año, el festival continúa apostando por la música independiente y ya se está preparando para encender las escenas de Barcelona! Con sus increible  programación de rockeros, este festival al aire libre sera un verdadero placer para los amantes de la música pop alternativa. Primavera Sound ha sido honrado por la presencia de las leyendas de la música. En los años anteriores, fueron acogidos cabezas de cartel como Lou Reed, Neil Young, Pulp, Pet Shop Boys y Arcade Fire!
Para consultar el programa y comprar tiquetes: Primavera Sound Oficial

9. Concierto de Alejandro Sanz

10. ENTREGA DE RESACON 3

Para terminar este mes de mayo de locura, asista a la entrega de la tercera edición del famoso RESACON, el 31 de mayo, con el bellisimo Bradley Cooper, y el cómico Zach Galifianakis !

Sinopsis:
Esta vez, no hay boda. No hay despedida de soltero. ¿Qué podría salir mal? Todo, como siempre…
Descubra el trailer

Si has oido de otros eventos para el mes de mayo en Barcelona, dejenos un comentario para que lo añadimos a la lista!

~Orlane~

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

Barcelona Gay Gyms

Yes, that’s right.

It’s probably the most anticipated topic in our series ‘From Behind the Rear.’ The title gives away this week’s topic; Gay Gyms in Barcelona and while we all know about the benefits of exercise, we are not discussing these here. Let’s be honest even if it’s just for one second; if you’re gay and living in Barcelona – whether as a short term or long term visitor – you would most likely want to impress the hot Spanish men. One way to do this is to head to the Gym – and not just any Gym but a Gay one.

We all know that one of the most important places for gay men is undoubtedly the gym.  Not only is working out an essential part of an active lifestyle, but it also keeps you looking good, helps alleviate stress, and can keep your libido up. There are a number of gyms that cater to gay men out there, making them great places to pick up guys. So get those short-shorts and tank tops ready and head out to keep those glutes in shape!

Axel Wellness Club 33

Who wouldn't want to see this guy working out?

A personal refuge and a place where you can experiment with new sensation of pleasure and relaxation is at the Axel Wellness Club 33, this gym is the new facility brought to you by Axel Hotel Barcelona. Here you can leave all the stress and worry behind you and dedicate well-deserved time to yourself. You will have the enjoyment of new and modern equipment that’ll get you into fabulous shape. It will be an experience that you would never forget.

DiR Eixample Gym

DiR Fitness Center has ten gyms in total spread throughout Barcelona. Their facilities are very complete and they have all sorts of extra services ranging from medicals, personal trainers, sun beds and more. They also have pools and a very wide range of classes including aerobics, fitness, toning and much more. Definitely the trendiest choice and not the cheapest, but you get a free backpack!

If you want to try any of the ten gyms across Barcelona and Sant Cugat, a Q10 membership is available which allows you to do this. If you decide to join then a monthly fee (depending on the time of day and the gym you chose to go to) ranges from €0 to €3, 15 per visit.

Thermas Gym

Boxing workout can be sooo fun!

Thermas offers all the amenities of a quality European bathhouse; pool, gym, spa, hot tub, and like-minded men of course. In this gym, you will find nothing less than good-looking, sexy guys from Europe, the Middle East, and South Americans. There are many cabins, large porn cinema, also a small bar with snacks and drinks. This is a must visit only if you don’t mind rent boys and if you don’t, you’ll have your pick of Good looking boys. In general this is a very nice facility.

Saunas

Notable Mentions

Two gyms that you must not forget about are Holmes Place and Metropolitan. Neither is a strictly ‘gay’ gym, but both are swarming with hot gay guys! Also they are pricey, but they both have multiple locations throughout the city and amazing facilities.

 

Conclusion

Lock me up in a gyms' locker room!

The two most popular gay gyms  in Barcelona can be found on Carrer Casanova 57, which many say is the city’s best equipped, and on Carrer Espolsasacs 1- though the line between workout facility and bathhouse is a little thin, with Casanova now a full-on bathhouse with gym facilities.

Barcelona offers those with a hangover every chance to eliminate toxins by flexing other muscles besides the elbow. Options abound from swimming and sailing to marathon running. For those whose feelings of guilt over the excesses of the previous night don’t translate to physical exertions, the city’s football and basketball teams provide class—A excitement when they play at home. Or indulge in a massage, day spa or a sport of floating.

The folks of Barcelona are as health-conscious as those of any other city and the number of places to indulge in a little ‘wellness’ of one sort or another is multiplying.

Do you have any suggestions to add? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

~Argenis

Piel Bronceada en Barcelona: Todo lo que Necesitas Saber

¡Date un bronceado rápido y natural!

Una piel bronceada como uno sabe, contribuye en favorecer el aspecto físico y en definitiva, te hace sentir mejor. En Barcelona, ciudad famosa para sus playas, hay varios centros de estético que te permitirán adquirir un bronceado natural antes de que llegue el verano y hacer que te sientas bien al momento de ponerte el traje de baño!

Después de unas investigaciones sobre los diferentes precios y servicios que cada uno propone, he decidido centrarme en el que según yo, ofrece la mejor relación cualidad-precio: Solmanía

Solmanía es una franquicia para la imagen personal surgida recientemente en España, Reino Unido y Portugal. Es un centro de bronceado “low cost”, que podrás encontrar en los principales barrios de Barcelona: Eixample, Gracia, Nou Barris, Las Cortes y Sant Martí. (haz clic aqui para las direcciones). Ofrece la mejor tecnología con un compromiso de total seguridad, ya que todas sus maquinas cumplen tanto con la Normativa Europea como con la Normativa Española.

Existen dos maneras de obtener una piel bronceada en Solmanía, Barcelona :

1) En máquinas de rayos UVA

El tiempo pasado en máquinas depende de lo que quiere cada persona. Al principio, suelen aconsejarte unos 8 minutos en la maquina más débil llamada “Rápida” para que tu piel se acostumbre a los rayos UVA. Es mejor empezar poco a poco de manera gradual y no exponerse a dosis de sol mayores de las recomendadas (nota que es posible broncear solo de la cara si lo único que quieres es tener un tono más bonito). Después de unas sesiones, ya podrás pedir la “intensiva” que es una máquina con rayos más potente en la cual el tiempo mínimo es 10 minutos y luego la “Diturbo”, la más potente del centro que te asegurará resultados espectaculares y una piel bronceada natural.

Observación: Si nunca has hecho sesiones de UVA y que tienes en mente la escena traumatizante de la película “Final Destination” (¡como yo!), en la que una chica queda bloqueada en la máquina, ¡relax! , en la vida real no puede pasar. Ninguna máquina puede cerrase completamente, siempre hay una parte que permanece abierta durante la sesión.

En cuanto a la comodidad, cada cabina está equipada con aire condicionado, ventilación facial y corporal regulable para asegurarte una comodidad máxima. En más, Solmanía propone opciones adicionales según la cabina que escoges: aroma terapia, agua fresca, salida Mp3, bronceador de cuello y hombros y sistema de refuerzo en cara y en escote.

Punto positivo : La asistenta en la tienda que puede ayudarte y aconsejarte en caso de problemas, o si fuera grave llamar a su médico personal. Cuidado: los rayos UVA pueden acarrear problemas para algunas personas con piel sensible, o fotosensibles.

PRECIOS

Hay diferentes precios, bonos y tarjetas. Los bonos se pueden usar como quieres, pero las tarjetas debes de gastarlas en la misma semana.

• Sesión normal (6 minutos): 4€
• Bono clássico: 40€
• Bono plata: 80€
• Bono oro: 160€
• Bono Jumbo: 240€
• Tarjeta membership: 2 veces a la semana por 19.95€/mes durante 1 año
• Tarjeta membership VIP -3 veces a la semana-: 24,95€/mes durante 1 año
• Minutos adicionales: 0,50€
• Uso de gafas (obligatorio en máquinas) : 0.30€.

 

2) Con el spray bronceado Golden Bronze

Es la tecnología que está de moda y que te pone morena en unos cuantos segundos

(¡ útil para una fiesta, una boda o cualquier otro día especial !)

Con este spray obtendrás una piel bronceada natural desde tu primera sesión y podrás controlar la intensidad de bronceado que prefieras. Sin embargo, la duración es limitada ya que permanece una semana. Para unos óptimos resultados es importante exfoliar la piel antes de cada sesión.
El precio de una sesión es de aproximadamente 20 euros.
Sin embargo, para no gastar 20 euros cada siete días, existen otras opciones para mantener una piel bronceada todo el año: los últimos tratamientos autobronceadores lanzados al mercado ofrecen la mejor alternativa. Los laboratorios encuentran fórmulas cada vez más efectivas y naturales para responder a estas necesidades y proteger la piel de las agresiones externas.

Composiciones de los autobronceadores

Todos los autobronceadores tienen en su composición Dihidroxiacetona, más conocida por DHA, que se utiliza en cosmética desde hace más de un cuarto de siglo. La DHA es una molécula muy grande, a la que  le es imposible penetrar en las capas profundas de la piel, lo que garantiza su inocuidad porque actúa únicamente en la superficie. Colorea las capas más superficiales de la piel y reacciona con la propia proteína de la piel, la queratina. Como la piel está continuamente renovándose, por el proceso de exfoliación natural, el color va desapareciendo.

Consejos para Tener una Piel Radiante!

• Aplicarse cosmética durante la noche
• Beber un mínimo de 2 litros de agua al día
• Tener una diete rica en fruta y verdura
• Una dieta adecuada te permite lograr y mantener un bronceado bonito: hay alimentos ricos en betacaroteno que potencian la creación de melanina (el perejil, la zanahoria, tomate, melocotón, melón…). La vitamina C mejora la formación de colágeno para mantener una piel tersa y joven (naranja, kivi, melón, fresas, etc). Los alimentos ricos en selenio y vitamina E (aceite de oliva o de soja, frutos secos) tienen capacidad antioxidante. Y si te has pasado con el sol, come salmón, caballa, sardinas o atún, ricos en ácidos grasos. Recuerda que una dieta adecuada permite intensificar el bronceado.
• Hacer deporte
• Elegir jabones con el Ph neutro, así como colonias y desodorantes con un menor grado de alcohol.
• Procurar que el agua de la ducha no esté demasiado caliente
• Intentar dormir 8 horas (al menos) cada noche

Vosotros soleis ir a broncear? Teneis consejos buenos que no hemos puesto aquí? Nos encantaria escuchar de vosotros en los comentarios!

Un saludo!

~Orlane

Car Sharing and Car Pooling

People’s interest in alternative ways to travel is growing, because it’s cheaper and eco-friendly, so let’s talk about Car Sharing Barcelona!

First of all, we have to distinguish Car Sharing from Car Pooling, which is also very popular now.

Car Pooling is when an individual, as member of a car pooling community, shares his own car with other members, generally for short distances.

Car Sharing is similar to car rentals, but community based. In fact, in UK it also known as “Car Club”. Members get easy access to a car when they need it, but without all the expense and hassles of owning a car of their own.  Users pay a small annual membership, and after that it’s pay-as-you-go.

Vehicles are owned by the Car Sharing company, and can be rented by the hour, or for days at a time.  And fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and insurance are all included in the price.

Car Sharing Barcelona: how it works

Barcelona Green revolution, successfully started with the Bicing experiment, and now also Car Sharing. Barcelona’s  most popular Car Sharing network is Avancar, owned by the American Zipcar.

You can find many other Car Sharing companies, that work basically in the same way:

1 – Become a member and get your Smart Card.

You only have to register online, create an account and pay a monthly fee. There are different tariffs depending on how much you’re planning on using the service.

The Smart Card will allow you to unlock/lock the car you are going to use.

2 – Search on the Car Sharing Barcelona map to find the nearest cars.

3 – Choose your car

Each car has a detailed page, with  features and costs, and location in real time.

Barcelona for Kids

Barcelona is touted as one of the best places in Europe (and in some instances the world) for architecture, nightlife, food and largely has appeal with adult audiences. But Barcelona for kids? Yes Barcelona is equally as amazing for children and there’s so much here that will appeal to families looking to come on holiday here. Children will probably be bored of just wondering about museums, but there are key sights of Barcelona, that they will love! Want to find out what’s cool in Barcelona for kids? Read on for our recommendations!

La Font Magica (The Magic Fountain)

Located Plaça Espanya/Montjuic (Metro L1, L3 and L5: Espanya), the Magic Fountain is an incredible sight. It’s a fountain that changes colours in time with music which varies from classical to more modern music. Each show lasts for 30 minutes and plays from Thursday – Sunday (9pm – 11.30pm) during the summer and on a Friday and Saturday (7pm – 9pm) during the Winter. Although it’s on reasonably late for children (by our standards, but not for Spain!), there’s usually a lot of families who come to watch it and kids of all ages seem to have a blast watching it! Even better is that it’s completely free.

El Rey de la Magia (The King of Magic)

El Rey de la Magia is a magic shop, museum, magic school and theatre located right in the centre of Barcelona on Calle de la Princesa, 11 (Metro L4: Jaume I). Magic tricks are universally popular with children and this place is the place to see it all. Children can watch magic shows and even learn how to perform their own tricks too! The fun isn’t limited to just kids, but to adults too with shows and classes offered for the grown ups who have yet to realise their career of being a magician. Very charming and looks like a great day out! It almost makes me want to be a child again.

Tibidabo – theme park

Tibidabo is the mountain located right in the north of Barcelona. As well as a famous church, it has one of the most unlikely things that you’d expect to find on top of a mountain – a theme park! One of the most famous theme parks in Spain, the park has everything you’d expect to find from the smaller rides for younger children to the big rollercoasters for older children and adults. Admission is about 26 Euros for admission but there are family tickets too Summer is without a doubt the best time to go as they host a whole array of shows as well as the correfoc a famous Catalan style firework show.

Cosmo Caixa

The CosmoCaixa on the other hand is Barcelona’s Science Museum and a super cool one at that! Key attractions include the Mur Geologic (Geologic Wall) and the Amazon Rainforest complete with animals! For kids, they do a variety of science based activities for all ages from 3 upwards. For 2/3 Euros (under 7′s are free and childrens activities are another 2 Euros), you really won’t get a better family day out without spending a fortune. The Cosmo Caixa is also included as one of the free museums on the first Sunday of the month too!

The Parc Zoologic – the Barcelona Zoo

Animals like magic are always a hit with kids and Barcelona for sure offers these too. At the Barcelona Zoo (located in the Parc de la Ciutadella) there are thousands of different species of animals and as such is always full of families and children astounded by the huge variety of wildlife here. Activities are in abundance here for children with all the usual things you would expect to find in a zoo – petting zoo, animal shows, pony rides etc. The Dolphin show in particular is extremely popular with children!

But that’s not all……..

I’m not one for stereotypes, but in Spain children are the centre of everything. Barcelona is certainly no different and all over the city, you’ll find FREE child friendly things everywhere from the street entertainers along the Ramblas, the cat statue in the Raval, the Parc de la Ciutadella, not to mention the abundance of beaches in Barceloneta. You’ll leave thinking that Barcelona for kids is simply one of the best family holiday destionations.

Inspired to have a family holiday here? A lot of families opt to rent an apartment here in Barcelona instead of a hotel mainly for the convenience that they provide. Vacation apartments are priced reasonably and are on par with the price of a mid-range hotel except with the luxury of some privacy and a great insight into Barcelona life!

Are you considering a family holiday here in Barcelona or have already brought your children to Barcelona? Let us know about your experiences!

Thanks,

Chris

Hospital Barcelona: Que Vas a Hacer?!

Hospital Barcelona: Barcelona es una ciudad fantástica con un clima perfecto, lo menos que esperas es estar enfermo! Sin embargo, eso pasa cuando menos lo esperas. Cuáles son los números útiles en Barcelona?  los hospitales públicos y privados? Cuál procedimiento hay que seguir si eres extranjero y que papeles llevar? Muchas preguntas que puedes hacerte  y a las cuales vamos a intentar de contestar.

Antes que todo, antes de planificar un viaje al extranjero (si eres europeo) es importante  :

Solicitar la Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea

Tiene que ser solicitada como mínimo 2 semanas antes de marcharse. Pídela a tu organismo de Seguridad Social  en tu país de origen. Si no recibes la tarjeta antes de irte (porque la solicitaste muy tarde) puedes pedir una atestación provisional de substitución válida durante 3 meses. Si estás al extranjero y que la olvidaste o que la perdiste, digigete al organismo de Seguridad Social español, el llamado CATSALUT en Barcelone que también podrá darte una atestación provisional válida de 3 meses. Contáctalo aqui

La TSE es individual, nominativa y gratuita. Permite un acceso de forma gratuita a los suministradores de curados en el extranjero, en las mismas condiciones que los residentes. Estas disposiciones pueden aplicarse si eres residente en:

• un Pais de la ‘Unión Europa
• o en Noruega, Islandia, Liechtenstein y Suiza

Advertencia: Para  aprovechar las ventajas de la TSE, consulta médicos liberales públicos o ve a hospitales públicos en Barcelona.

EN EL HOSPITAL

En los hospitales públicos Barcelona, es probable que esperes un tiempo antes de que un médico o una enfermera se ocupe de ti. Al llegar es necesario presentar  tus documentos (carnet de identidad + TSE)  a una secretaria que te dará en cambio una “pulsera” con todas tus informaciones (nombre, fecha de nacimiento) así como una hoja donde todo estará resumido. Esta hoja la tendrás que llevar a una segunda secretaria y finalmente, tendrás que explicar cuales son tus síntomas en frente de una tercera secretaria!  Después de estos tramites, finalmente una enfermera o un medico cuidara de ti.  Sé Paciente !

EN LA FARMACIA

En Barcelona, hay farmacias en cada esquina de las calles. Los  farmacéuticos pueden dar los primeros auxilios, examinarte, hacer vendajes y dar medicamentos entonces no vaciles en ir a verlos si lo necesitas, es más rápido. Si necesitas consultar un medico, te indicaran cuales son los hospitales públicos en barcelona más cerca.
Consejo: Si vas a la farmacia con prescripción del medico, pide una factura para mandar a tu organismo de Seguridad Social y aprovechar de un reembolso.

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