Areas to Be Extra Careful When in Barcelona ~

Ever since you have been buying milk at school, your parents continually remind you to watch your pockets and watch your money. You may be older, you are hoping you are wiser, but the same still holds true, even more so here in Barcelona. Violent crime in Barcelona is relatively low, so cheers for that. Unfortunately, Barcelona is the European pickpocket capital. During the height of the tourist season (ie. during the summer months), there are approximately 315 reported thefts in Barcelona each day. Anyone who has been mugged or pick pocketed knows the feeling of being left with no money, feeling vulnerable and violated. Barcelona pickpockets find that theft  is highly lucrative, with small fines and a quick release. The police try to serve and protect the public, but they can only do so much. While certain areas of the city are regarded as high theft locales, the truth is that it can happen on any street, at any time, by anyone. Do not be fooled thinking that thieves have s specific type; the gypsy looking woman, the poorly dressed man on the metro, the group of kids on La Rambla. These criminals take every shape and form, and they can often seem friendly and warm. Here is a list of the top 5  pickpocket locales in Barcelona.

1. Barcelona Pickpockets - The Metro

A ride on Barcelona’s Metro can provide quick and effortless access to the city at large. It can also provide quick and effortless access to an unsuspecting persons’ effects. Crowded and tight locations are prime hunting grounds for Barcelona pickpockets as they are able to get close, make body contact without anyone thinking twice about it, and an easy escape. Even in seemingly safe surroundings always look around and identify your location as well as the people who are around you. Wear you back pack forward or keep it in your hands. Do not leave it strapped to your back facing away from you as it is effortless for criminals to reach in and
grab any desired possession. Keep purses and camera holders tight diagonal around your chest and arms, and always be wary of people bumping or touching you, no matter how close of proximity you are. While people in Barcelona tend to be friendly, people normally do not like touching strangers unless they truly have to. Watch out for people a little too close for comfort.

2. Barcelona Pickpockets - Las Ramblas

Barcelona’s busiest street and most famous tourist attraction. During the day watch out for pickpockets on the street. As Las Ramblas is incredibly crowded, especially during the summer and weekends, it is easy to get pushed and bumped by the passerby's. While you may feel safe being in the busiest part of the city during the day with so many people around you, it is actually
an incredibly easy  situation for criminals to get close. The close proximity and constant bumping makes it easier for Barcelona pickpockets to get close and grab hidden items in pockets and purses. You may be busy watching the living statues or looking at flowers along the streets. During this time, you are not paying attention to your belongings and are not paying attention to the people bumping into you. Next you notice that your wallet or belongings are gone.  Even during the day it is important to pay attention to your surroundings and who is around you.  Keep purses closed, place the straps diagonal instead of simply resting on the shoulder. If you are taking pictures, keep the camera strapped around your neck or keep it in your bag when not using it.
In the evening, Las Ramblas can seem like an entirely different place. It is dark, empty, and seedy.  During the evenings, the street tends to be the habitation of  prostitutes looking for some evening work or a person to steal a few Euros from. Be careful as they can be incredibly pushy and forward. Continue to walk without stopping or making eye contact. They are persistent and will try to make body contact. During this time they will try to relieve you of your belongings. Don’t give them this opportunity. The easiest thing to do here is to walk quickly and avoid any conversation or contact.

3. Barcelona Pickpockets - Beaches

The beach is a pickpockets paradise as people are always leaving valuables out and often unattended. It is as easy as picking an item up off of a towel. Similar to every other situation, keep valuables like cards, passports, or expensive items at home, or if you have to take them with you keep them properly stowed away and never leave them out. Never leave your blanket or property even for a quick swim. Make sure someone is always watching your belongings.

4. Barcelona Pickpockets - Ciutat Vella

This is the area of the city right off Las Ramblas beaten path. Ciutat Vella consists of narrow isolated streets that are often dark and empty. During the day it can be fun to walk through these historic pathways, however use
extreme caution and judgement when alone at night, especially after drinking. There are many fun Irish pubs and tourist bars in the area, so make sure you never leave alone as this is the perfect scenario for a thief to take advantage.

5. Barcelona Pickpockets - Any bar after a few drinks

I have first hand experience with this scenario. Barcelona night life is fantastic. Plenty of bars to find your favorite drinks, plenty of good looking people to talk with, plenty of songs to dance to, and plenty of parties to last the whole night through. Similar to Las Ramblas and the Metro, bars and clubs are great grounds for pickpockets as people once again are in incredibly cramped, crowded rooms badly lit with loud noise and plenty of
distractions. I hate to sound paranoid and discourage anyone from having fun, but similar to other setting be wary of people touching you. Yes people tend to be more flirty and touchy with drinks and dancing but make sure to be cautious of people touching you out of the blue. If they are grabbing you without even a conversation or dance then be a bit cautious. This is true of any city or scenario, but be careful of taking strangers home. I have friends who had taken people home from the clubs only to wake up missing all of their belongings. I know this may sound cliche, but use common sense; never leave a bar or club alone or with strangers, never take passports, credit cards, cameras, or other valuable items, and always be aware of where you are and who is around you. Barcelona pickpockets and thieves make there living by being fast and unsuspecting.
They go after the easiest prey they can. If you stay aware, alert, keep valuables hidden and guarded, they will be that much less likely to target you. Even if you are targeted by a thief, do your best to avoid body contact with strangers, and avoid conversations with people on the street who appear too close for comfort. If you use these tips while traveling through these famous Barcelona locations, then you will be less likely to be targeted by Barcelona pickpockets, and much more likely to enjoy your Barcelona experience,creating nothing but positive memories. If you have any tips about how to stay safe in Barcelona we would love to hear from you.
Cheers, Brettsky Check out these other Suitelife blogs about staying safe in Barcelona: 5 True Stories To Help You Recognize and Avoid Pickpockets in Barcelona Barcelona Pickpockets Hit the Road

La Boqueria

I won’t lie to you and pretend that I am a professional chef, I won’t even tell you I can cook well but when I walked through Barcelona ramblas Boqueria Market I felt as if I was playing the part. La Boqueria Market or Sant Josep is the place to go for any item you need for a delicious Mediterranean meal, or simply for some extra fruits and treats on the go. The Boqueria has everything you could possibly imagine under one tall metal umbrella. Sant Josep market is the largest of Barcelona’s 39 food markets, and it is also the largest in Europe. This market assaults your senses with the sounds of the people ordering in close proximity, the numerous smells intoxicating your brain, the riot of colors that cover every stand, the feel of Barcelona’s ripest fruits, and of course the taste of heaven on Earth as you delight in the freshest food the city has to offer.
Walking through la Boqueria can be like walking through a maze of foods and ingredients. It can take your brain a few minutes to adjust to all of the sites and sounds inside the crowded market. Take a deep breath and decide what you want to see because the market is actually organized quite well for an open bazaar.  The first thing you see when entering Boqueria Market from the Rambla are the fruit stalls on either side of the main alley. An incredible array of colorful fruits tempt the thirsty visitor, especially as they’re so nicely presented and packed for quick consumption. You can take your choice from pre-packed, ready to eat fruit salads, pineapple, mango, kiwi and a seemingly endless range of exotic fruits and fruit juices. Just off this main alley you can buy all the same stuff at a more reasonable price, especially if you can do without the packaging. The market is organized; fruit and vegetables on the outside, then pickles, olives, grains. Next come the stalls selling meats, chicken and innards like brains, whole heads, tongues, eyes, gonads, gizzards, and any organs you could possibly think of, (or want to eat). The inner circle is devoted to fish, seafood, and shellfish.
Once you have managed to maneuver yourself through the maze of alluring and attractive foods, it is time to decide what to buy. Whether you are perusing through the market while walking down the Rambla or if you are doing some serious shopping for a big dinner with friends make sure to stop for a refreshing fresh fruit drink. The fruit stalls in the entrance aisles have every flavor of fruit under the sun chilled and ready for quench your thirst. If you are planning doing some serious shopping for some special events, then pay attention to the stall prices, as those centralized and close to the entrance tend to have higher asking prices then the stalls further back.

History of La Boqueria ~

For the other historic enthusiasts out there, here is a brief background of our favorite one stop shop for kitchen stock ups. La Boqueria holds its inauguration back in 1217 when tables were installed near the harbor as a place to sell fish, pork, and other delicacies. Until 1794, la Boqueria was known as the Mercat de la Palla, or Straw Market. Over time, the market grew in popularity and farmers from neighboring cities would travel here to sell their goods. Competition among sellers was fierce as the Mercat de la Palla, even back then, was popular among the crowds. The fish shops and butchers tables soon created a street of their own, making the Mercat an even larger bazaar of eats and treats. The open market was becoming so large that it soon became its own locale, being named Sant Josep. Sant Josep was inaugurated October 18th, 1827 as an official market. During this time, Sant Josep was soon surrounded by flowers, fountains, and porches from the surrounding buildings. La Rambla and la Boqueria during this time were the central spots for peddlers and sellers of all types of wares.
It was in 1914 that the metal roof and enclosure that stands today were built. The current sellers are mostly of the third and fourth generation of salesmen of the market. The market continues to bring the past and present together, through food and culture. It is a place to discover new foods, new flavors, and learn new Spanish dishes. They are the union of the past with the present. In 2005 the Boqueria was given the award for best market in the world by the World Markets Congress of Washington. In 2003, la Boqueria began giving daily cooking classes to adults and children alike. La Boqueria is a destination for locals and tourists alike. It brings out the inner chef for all of us.

Check out our SuiteLife video tour of the greatest market in Europe:

Tell us about some of your favorite Mediterranean dishes made with Boqueria's freshest ingredients. Share any mouth watering recipes or cooking tips you may have. Cheers, Brettsky Address: La Rambla, 89 bis - Plaça de la Boqueria Phone: 933 182 584 / 933 182 017 How to get there: Metro L3, stop Liceu. | Bus 14, 59 and 91. Web site: www.boqueria.info E-mail: mercatboqueria@mercatsbcn.cat Opening time: Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8.30pm.

Top 5 Irish Pubs in Barcelona

Looking for the Best Irish pubs in Barcelona? At SuiteLife we love a good pint, so we decided to go to lots of Barcelona Irish Pubs and drink lots of beer so that we could give you a list of our Top 5 Irish Pubs in Barcelona. There is a huge selection of Irish Pubs in Barcelona and we think that these are the best Irish Pubs that Barcelona has to offer.

The Wild Rover Irish Pub

Located near Port Vell, The Wild Rover Irish Pub is our new favorite spot.
With cozy, lively and friendly atmosphere, The Wild Rover will not disappoint you. Being the onlyIrish pub on Las Ramblas with live music from 11pm to 2am everyday, it features awesome artists playing different types of music, from classic rock and roll, pop to traditional Irish songs. You will definitely sing along with the bands performing on the stage! The Wild Rover also offers a wide selection of drinks with more than 40 kinds of beer from Ireland, England, Belgium, US, etc and 15 cocktails on menu. I especially like their very good Stag and Hen offers which you can check out on their website. If you are a sport lover, you will love this place as Wild Rover has 2 HD Giant screens and 6TVs and you can watch 6 different matches of sports at the same time in sports bar Barcelona. If you are looking for a pub to enjoy lively music and chit chat with friends, Wild Rover is the place to be ! Check out the Wild Rover Irish Pub on the Map.

The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar is one of the nicest Irish pubs in Barcelona, just off the famous “Las Ramblas” its in a great location and always full of expats looking for a good pint.  It’s a cosy pub with a good bar selection and they also serve simple TEX-MEX food! The Temple Bar often has good live music and like most  Irish pubs in Barcelona is great for sports.  They show mostly football, and you can catch games from most big European leagues, especially the premier league.  Because The Temple Bar is a relatively small pub there is always a good atmosphere for the big games and live acts. So if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere then this is the Irish Pub for you. Check out Temple Bar on the Map

Ryan’s Irish Pub

Ryan’s is a small chain of irish pubs In Barcelona.  There are 3 Ryan’s Irish pubs dotted around Barcelona near the marina.  The best thing about Ryan’s pub is that it's cheap.  You can get a bottle of San Miguel for €1 if you like their facebook page and get their loyalty card (without the card its €2) and they sell 5 shots for €5, just don’t have them all to yourself. (Single shots are €1.50). Ryan’s pub is also good for sports, showing British and Spanish sporting events (mostly football).  Its staff is generally friendly and there is always a fun atmosphere, probably because of the cheap drinks.

Where to Find The Best Coffee in Barcelona that Nobody Knows About!

Every human being is able to make a coffee, but if you are visiting a city you want to taste something new; something worth it. What if we told you about the best coffee in Barcelona ? It's possible to find a cafe on almost every corner of every street in the city, but for the most part you'll find a lot of stale and unimpressive blends. So; dear SuiteLifers, we want to tell you about the best coffee shop in the city that we can guarantee none of your friends will know about. On the outskirts of the faaaar right of the Eixample there is this cafe called ‘’La Queixalada d’en Marcelino’’, which is located in the neighborhood of ‘’El Camp de L’arpa del Clot’’ (Metro L5 "Camp de Arpa"). This is where you can get the most eccentric, beautiful, and most importantly delicious Spanish coffee. It's just the best coffee in Barcelona. For coffee fans/snobs/connoisseurs, you MUST visit this diamond in the rough to have a Spanish coffee like you have never tasted in your life.

What Makes This Particular Cafe in Barcelona so Special?

I can promise you this, you’ll have your answer once you have visited the place and had a little chat with Pere who is the owner of this cafe.
When I first met him, I was amazed how quickly and passionately he was preparing a wide array of Spanish coffee drinks. I mean, he literally has coffee in his veins. I think it's all he thinks about from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed. Coffee bleeds out of this man and upon entering the cafe it's immediately apparent how passionate he and his staff are. Pere believes that everyone deserves a truly great coffee experience. He is also an ardent educator, running weekend classes for people who want to make great coffee in the comfort of their own homes. I tried this coffee called ‘’café Barcelona’’, an invention so tasty it helped him become the Baristas Champion of Cataluña in 2006. He also has a record for making 50 cups of coffee in just 5 minutes and I’m talking about good coffee here.

Why is the Cafe Located Outside the Center of Barcelona?

When asked if he had ever considered relocating his cafe to a more posh area of the city, such as Paseo de Gracia or Sarria, where he could almost certainly charge three times his prices, he told me that it's all about tradition.  His grandparents started making coffee in 1929 with obsession for detail and demand for the best coffee beans from Colombia and Africa at the very same location. This is why he wants to keep the family tradition alive by focusing on the family passion for perfection to offer the best coffee in Barcelona. We still think he'd rake it in if it were more centrally located, but the snob in us likes knowing about the off-the-beaten-track cafe in Barcelona that only those 'in the know' know about.

Get Your Coffee Now!

For people who want more than just coffee made by a waiter putting a capsule into a machine and pushing a button, this place is ideal to sit down and enjoy the best coffee in Barcelona that is truly a work of art both asthetically and in your mouth. Don't forget, the staff is very friendly, welcoming and always open for a nice conversation which makes you feel right at home. Check the place out! We promise you'll thank us later! Do you know of any truly special coffee experience in Barcelona? If so, we'd love to here about it in the comments! - Alper

SuiteLife's Must-Visit Top 12 Venues for Concerts in Barcelona

Going to concerts in Barcelona, maybe after a few tapas in the Borne with friends, is to really experience what it means to live in this unique, sound-obsessed city. There are so many live music venues in Barcelona that you're bound to find something to listen to each and every night, no matter if you’re in Gracia or Raval. Here is our list of the top 12 live music venues in Barcelona that you really can’t miss:

1.RAZZMATAZZ

Probably one of the most popular live music venues in Barcelona. This massive club is a converted old industrial building, divided into 5 floors all playing the best that the world has to offer in dance, electronic, pop and more. With regular gigs from artists across the musical scene, from DJs to rock bands, there's something for everyone to choose from and some great nights always lined up during the year. It can be a little on the pricey side at €17 for entry (with a drink), but if you were planning on seeing a concert it'd cost you about that much anyway - and besides, you wouldn't have another 5 floors to check out in a regular venue.  If Red Bull built a club, it'd be this one, so make sure you've got the stamina to keep going until the sun comes up! Sant Marti (L4 Bogatell).

2. SALA APOLO

Does 30K likes on their Facebook page mean anything to you? Like Razzmatazz, this is also a club as well as a concert venue. It has two huge spaces, and a super unique atmosphere. With different gigs and genres every night of the week Sala Apolo is a real mix of everything Barcelona has to offer, with their rock n roll Nasty Mondays being particularly famous. If you found a nice kitsch Rolling Stones t-shirt while shopping at Maremagnum that you wanna show off, now you know where to go. Poble Sec (L3 Parallel).

3. LUZ DE GAS

Targeted at a slightly older demographic than the usual student-focussed clubs in Barcelona, this is a great venue hosting tremendous international songwriters and cover bands with the club nights mainly playing 80s and 90s music. Great for a bit of nostalgia! Sant Gervasi, (L3, L5 Diagonal).

4. TARANTOS

You might be at a concert venue in Barcelona but that doesn't mean you can't get a taste of the Andalusian flair. Here you can find 100% pure Tablao Flamenco shows. Romantic guitars, red dresses, black heels and hand claps will send your mind travelling down the coast into the birthplace of one of the most famous Spanish traditions. Raval (L3 Liceu).

5. JAMBOREE

Calling all jazz lovers, you cannot miss this unique combination of concert venue and cellar. Talented musicians perform every day with jam sessions taking place on a Monday. But its after the concerts that things get really fun. On the lower floor you'll find all kinds of mainstream RnB and Hip-Hop tunes and on the upper you'll find pop, indie, disco and everything in between. Located in Plaza Reial it can tend to be full of tourists, but get there after 2am and you'll soon find the Spaniards and international expat crowd flooding in. Personally, this is by far my favourite club in Barcelona. Raval (L3 Liceu).

6. OCANA BAR

Café, restaurant, club and terrace at the same time. Offering world music concerts, soul, jazz, hip hop. A Perfect match with the superb cocktails you can get here. Also in Plaza Reial, this is the perfect place for pre-Jamboree drinks! Raval (L3 Liceu).

7. SIDECAR FACTORY CLUB

Rounding off our Plaza Reial trio is the Sidecar Factory club. It has a restaurant at ground level and below that you will find incredible concerts almost every night . A very popular live music venue  in Barcelona, especially for indie and punk rock lovers. Gótico (L3 Liceu).

8. HARLEM JAZZ CLUB

This club has jazz coursing through its veins, but not only jazz: bossa nova, cuban rhythms, blues and unplugged rock music, all served up in a classy atmosphere. With some of the finest artists visiting this little venue, this is one of those places that make concerts in Barcelona so cool. (L4 Jaume I).

9. HELIOGABAL

Rock, jazz, literature, video projections. More than a live music venue in Barcelona. A meeting point for cultural activities and arts, in a neighbourhood we really love and recommend. Gracia (L4 Joanic).

10. Jazz Sí

This place is located in the Raval and offers live concerts in Barcelona every night! As its name doesn’t imply, the Jazz Sì is not only about jazz music. In fact, Fridays are devoted to flamenco, Saturdays to rock jams and Tuesdays to jam sessions of pop rock. You can even enjoy some tapas while you enjoy the music - tapas and live music in Barcelona, what else could you ask for?! Raval (L2 Sant Antoni)

11. PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA

For those of you looking for something a little more classical how about this beautiful concert hall in Barcelona? Designed in the Catalan modernist style, it is the only concert hall lit entirely by natural light during the day time. El Born (L4 Urquinaona)

12. BIG BANG BAR

Just one more jazz venue, we promise! This bar in Raval hosts weekly open mic and jam session nights as well as concerts from bands and DJs covering rock, funk, soul and, of course, jazz. Gótico (Jaume L4) Do you guy know of any awesome places to enjoy concerts in Barcelona? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Enjoy! - Erin

How to meet people in Barcelona?

Meeting in Barcelona can be a challenge for newcomers who aren’t familiar with using social networking. Here at SuiteLife, we understand what it’s like to arrive in the city and only know a few people, which is why we are constantly suggesting using social media to meet people in Barcelona. If you read our blog “7 Tips for Effective Social Networking in Barcelona, Spain” then you already know the importance of “liking” things on Facebook, and “following” people on Twitter, to get your name and face out there and begin connecting with others. In the digital age, using social media has become increasingly important as people are less likely to go out and strike up conversations with strangers. It’s intimidating, especially when a language barrier exists and you aren't one of those lucky extroverts who can talk to anyone. I’ve personally used CouchSurfing, Meetup, and LoQuo Intercambios successfully to meet people in Barcelona and you can too! I recommend joining a few clubs or activities and attending them regularly. Make yourself a familiar face and you’re guaranteed to stay busy and avoid the newly relocated, loneliness bug. [caption id="attachment_19624" align="aligncenter" width="520"]
Sad Clown, Has No Friends[/caption]

Couchsurfing Events

One organization I have found particularly useful in my travels is Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing’s mission “to create inspiring experiences” is achieved by connecting people in over 230 different countries using profiles, and providing various levels of affiliation with the site so that members can be verified and vouched for. Unlike LoQuo.com where you meet absolute strangers, you can really get a sense of who someone is by reading their CouchSurfing profile, and unlike Facebook, the point is to connect with people you DON’T already know! Barcelona has one of the largest and most active CouchSurfing communities and there are events nearly every day of the week in different parts of the city. The latest event I attended was a language exchange at a coffee shop near Parc de la Ciutadella. There were about twenty people there from all over the world. I spoke to people from France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. It’s likely that if you go to a CS meeting you won’t be the only person who hasn’t learned their way around Barcelona just yet, so they’re an exciting place to meet other explorers and tourists. So how do you get started? Simply login to the website, set your location, search for events, whatever area, and you'll start to meet people in Barcelona! Insider tip: When you start building a profile for yourself, try to be as detailed as you can. Other CouchSurfers will read it and with prompts like “Personal Philosophy,” and “Types of People I Enjoy” it pays to be true to yourself. After all, there is no point in meeting up people with whom you have nothing in common. [caption id="attachment_19622" align="aligncenter" width="520"]
Map of Worldwide CouchSurfers[/caption]

Meetup Activites

If you’re the activities type, Meetup is one website that will undoubtedly inspire you to get up and go meet people in Barcelona! After you sign up, Meetup asks you about your interests and matches you to groups and activities in your area that cater to things that you like, everything from Salsa Dancing to Photography, to Nightlife, to Day Trips from Barcelona. They will send out invites and newsletters to let you know what’s happening, so you don’t have to do the work of searching and reading through tons of pages. I signed up for Yoga Challenge in Barcelona and Vinyasa Flow in English and the instructors of each contacted me with a welcome and some inside info about upcoming classes. The best thing about Meetup, in my opinion, is the minimal role that the site’s administrators actually play in organizing activities and contacting members. It is more of a forum for people to stumble through events that are already happening with or without the extra online advertising. Another great thing about Meetup is the multitude of outdoor/physical excursions. It’s even easier to converse with people with an activity at hand, as you can get past the obvious “What do you do in Barcelona?” and “How long have you been here?” questions and get right down to the nitty-gritty. The only downside to Meetup is that there are a lot of events that cost money but this is to be expected if you want to go out and do things. If you’re looking to only spend a few Euros on an excursion I’d recommend grabbing a coffee or tea and linking up with this next suggestion. [caption id="attachment_19628" align="aligncenter" width="497"]
Bicycling Group[/caption]

Intercambios on LoQuo

Is your Spanish challenged? Yes, read on. No? Well, what about other languages? Have you ever thought about learning French or Italian? Many people in Spain are multilingual and it’s good to keep an open mind when it comes to enhancing your linguistic abilities. LoQuo.com is a vital source, not unlike the United States’ Craiglist, which can hook you up with jobs, apartments, free stuff, and much, much more. I recently discovered the Intercambios section of the website and have been using it to meet with people one-on-one to practice my Spanish. I placed an ad several weeks ago and in a short time had dozens of responses from people who wanted to trade their knowledge of Spanish with my knowledge of English. What a great way to meet people in Barcelona! I met several of them with mixed results and friended a few people on Facebook who I’ve been chatting with as well. The great thing about LoQuo is that the responses are immediate and you can be specific in your ad about what you want to learn or get out of the exchange. The downside is that people e-mail you individually and your inbox might actually get flooded with people looking to meet you! Crazy I know. The other negative is that before meeting a person off LoQuo, you only have an e-mail exchange to go from. I usually ask for a Facebook or Skype account to chat with the person first and make sure they are who they say they are. It sounds paranoid, and perhaps it is my Western upbringing, but before meeting someone offline you should always tell a friend where you’re going and who you’re meeting. Just in case. [caption id="attachment_19634" align="aligncenter" width="520"]
"Really? You like drinking coffee?! Me too!!!"[/caption] I hope these three networks can be of assistance to those of you who are looking to meet people in Barcelona.  Useful as they may be, remember not to get caught in the online loop, pull yourself away from Google, get out in the world, practice your Spanish, and SMILE!  You’ll be glad that you did. Cheers, Kathy

Famous Gay People from Spain

When my employer at SuiteLife proposed that I write a list of openly Spanish and famous Gay people for their series 'From Behind The Rear,' I have to admit I was quite skeptical that I would find as many as 10 public figures. Three months ago this would have surprised me as much as you. For a long time, Spain has been viewed as an up-and-coming leader where equal rights are concerned - especially with its strong gay movement and legalized gay marriage - this alone had me believe that this article would be a delicious piece of cake. Gay celebrities would be found in abundance but the truth is, they are not. My theory is this: Spain is still very much stuck in its traditional, mediterranean ways, in other words, the strong macho culture they are known for has proven difficult to crack despite the high tolerance to the LGBT community. However, this doesn't mean that there isn't any one  out of the closet, it's just not as many as one would think which is dissappointing. But with a little research I did find a list of famous homosexuals from Spain (not all from the 21st century or even in the realms of singers, actors, etc) but fame is found in many forms.

1. Alejandro Amenabar (1972)

I didn't know whether this man qualified completely as a famous gay from Spain due to the fact he was born in Santiago, Chile. Nonetheless, he has earned his spot on this list because he paid his dues by winning 9 Goyas and one Academy Award. If these accolades weren't reasons enough then perhaps the fact that he has written the screenplays to all five of his movies and made almost all of their sound tracks is.

2. Cristobal Balenciaga (1895)

One of the most famous gay people in Spain. Even among the most darkest times beauty can blossom. This happened to fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga, who in 1951, totally transformed the silhouette of how women dressed. He was the designer of the tunic dress and chemise dress which led to the Empire line known for their broad shoulders, high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. He was born in a fishing town in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa on January 21st, 1895. There he spent time with his mother who was a seamstress and then went to apprentice in tailoring. Because of his talent and hard work, he was sent to Madrid where he formally trained in tailoring and developed his own method in couturiers using his own hands to design, cut, and sew the models raising his artistry to new heights and making him one of the few couturiers in fashion history. He was so successful during his early career as a designer in Spain that he opened a boutique in San Sebastian in 1919 which expanded into Madrid and Barcelona until the Spanish Civil War forced him to close them down although by this time the Spanish Royal Family was wearing his designs.  In the end, he opened a branch in France leading to an iconic fashion career which was helped when he made the wedding dress for Fabiola de Mora y Aragon when she married king Baudouin I of Belgium in 1960.

3. Boris Izaguirre (1965)

Here is another Famous Homosexual from Spain that was originally born in another country. Boris Izaguirrer was born in Caracas, Venezuela but carries dual nationality. The second son of Ballerina dancer Belen Lobo and Rodolfo Izaguirre an ex-director of the Venezuelan National Cinematography. He himself has followed in his father's footsteps and become a screenplay writer and television host. His first novel was written when he was 26 years old but it was not until his break-through novel written in 2007 'Villa Diamante' that the writer community acknowledged his work.

4. Francisco Bosch (1982)

Born in Valencia on the 5th of October 1982. He is a Spanish actor recommended by a director to play alongside Collin Farrel in the 2004  Epic movie 'Alexander.' He is also a trained dancer and was part of the English National Ballet company.

5. Jesus Vasquez Martinez (1965)

Attended veterinary school before he moved to Madrid. There he worked as a model and television presenter while he finished his undergraduate degree. I guess that he loved being in front of the camera more than taking care of cats and dogs - and for that we thank him.

6. Paco Vidarte (1970)

A philosopher, writer, and LGBT activitist born in Madrid. He went to the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (UPC) in Madrid where he studied Psychoanalysis.  He was an active member of the gay movement in the mid-90s which led to his leadership of the philosophers of the Spanish LGBT. Vidarte was the first person to discuss "Teoría Queer" (Queer Theory) in a Spanish university and published an impressive, internationally renowned number of articles and books about J. Dérrida as well as LGTB-theories. He was a professor at UNED-university until he died in Madrid in 2008, by a malignant form of lymphatic cancer and HIV.

7. Pedro Marin (1961)

This 80s Spanish pop sensation came out of the closet in 2004, where during an interview with Jordi Gonzalez admitted to being bixesual. With a dozen number one singles i.e. Laura, Dos enamorados, aire, etc, he decided to make a come-back in 2006 with the album Pulpo Negro which was well received and encouraged a follow-up album in 2007 (which, it is worth mentioning, was the first album in many years that consisted of original numbers). This year he brought out a five songs EP called 'Santo, Sal a Bailar.'

8. Pedro Zerolo (1960)

Another Spaniard that was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Pedro Zerolo is a Spanish lawyer and politician and currently the Secretary for Social Movements and Relations of the Federal Executive Committe of the PSOE and the councilman of Madrid. If that resume wasn't impressive enough, he is also a trustee of the Fundacion IDEAS (a Spanish Socialist Party's think tank). He studied at the University of La Laguna where he obtained his undergraduate degree before moving to Madrid to further his education in Comparative Law. During his studies he collaborated with Catholic priest Enrique de Castro in a project that helped Madrid's poor neighbourhoods. In 1992, he became a legal consultant for the Gay Collective of Madrid, COGAM and in late 1993, he was elected president of the organization. These weren't the only organizations he provided legal assistance to; Federacion Estatal de Gays y Lesbiana (1998) and a board of directors member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association. He also addressed the Spanish Congress of Deputies during the civil partnerships debate and fought against discrimination against the gay community in Spain. In 2001 and 2003 he participated in negotiations between the opposition and the government deputies over five modifications to the Spanish Civil Code relating to same-sex marriage. It was in this year that he was asked to join the Madrid City Council socialist list and was elected as a councillor and reelected in the 2007 elections.

9. Fernando Grande-Marlaska

His life was threatened by a terrorist organization. He has been visible in LGBT campaigns. And he has been in charge of the most important court cases of airplane crashes in recent year - that of the Yak-42 crash that cost 62 military men returning from Afghanistan their lives. He has been one of the most important and talked-about judges in Spain. He was quoted by the Ambiente Online Magazine; 'It's possible to be openly gay and work in any chosen field.'

10. Nacho Duato (1957)

Or Juan Ignacio Duato Bárcia, is a modern ballet dancer and choreographer from Valencia who was selected by the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Education as the artistic director of the National Spanish Dance Company in June 1990 and then as then was appointed as the artistic director of the Mikhailovsky Theatre on July 2010. I am sure that the list of Spanish Gay Celebrities is longer than the one provided here. Do you think of any other famous gay from Spain ? Let us know in the comments below !

Beaches Near Barcelona and Tarragona : Waikiki

A little Barcelona playa action is always nice but they are full of people and and noisy venders (If you can't make it out of Barcelona for the beach though, then check out our free ebook on the best barcelona beaches). There are some beaches near Barcelona, though, you can reach some pretty beautiful places that will thrill you with their beauty and tranquility and one of the coolest can be found amongst the Tarragona playas, just a short hop from BCN.

Waikiki beach:

There is one place I have discovered called Waikiki beach, just like the famous Hawaii beach. I went there with some friends for a day and we didn't want to leave. It's like magic! The water is so blue and there is more than enough wide open space. The atmosphere is quiet and paradise-esque! It is a real change from the dirty and distracting Barcelona playas!! And it is not so far from Barcelona. Waikiki beach is located 10km from Tarragona  close to a little village called La Mora. Tarragona from Barcelona is about 1h by car, and the trip is really worth it! From La Mora, we had to walk in a pine forest for about 10 minutes, and it was a welcome venture into nature, and we enjoyed all its smells and great colors... It actually made us think of the movie "The Beach"... After this short nice walk we arrived at a beautiful beach with only about 10 people on a huge creek surrounded by cliffs . Personally,  I think Waikiki beach is one of the best beaches near Barcelona. Everyone says hello to each other, the convivial atmosphere is there !!! Well, I didn't tell you everything... Most of these people are nudists...Not all of them but quite a lot. These hidden creeks are pretty convenient for them. But don't worry, if you don't want to have a brown bottom there is a lot of space so you can escape from the nude world or just choose not to participate.

Waikiki Beach Photos (How Cool!?)

Waikiki location:

From Barcelona, there are two roads reaching La Mora, a motorway and a highway. For sure, it takes more time by the highway but this route also helps you avoid the 18€ of toll. Careful with the traffic jams on the highway to Barcelona, especially on Sundays afternoons. As you see on the above map there are 2 "dream" beaches, the one on the left is my personal favourite with high cliffs. In the parking lot, you will find some  nice restaurants with sea-view terraces. they also sell sandwiches. There are no supermarkets in La Mora so if you want your own lunch, bring a picknick! What about a post card from Waikiki beach made by our very own Caroline from Suitelife :
Check out our Day trips from Barcelona blog, you'll see other  great places to go around, beaches near barcelona and our video about Marbella beach if you're into the nude tanning. Tell us about your experiences around Barcelona, which hidden paradises places have you enjoyed the most??? Cheers, Hugo

Barcelona Sant Jordi Day & The Day of Roses: A Twist of Culture and Storytelling

Barcelona lovers, hit the streets and buy your novia or novio a book or a rose as Catalonia’s most cherished day is approaching; Barcelona Sant Jordi Day. Sant Jordi or Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia along with a dozen other countries around the world. It is accepted that the chivalrous knight died in April 23^rd, 303 AD. Many other countries tie the day of Saint George in with Easter Celebrations but here in Barcelona and Catalonia the day deserves it’s own recognition and celebration. The streets across Barcelona will be radiating with the beautiful color and smells from roses along with the colorful designs and displays of books as sellers show their wares for all to enjoy. Flower and book stands will be draped with Catalonia’s red and white striped flag. Roses will be died in these colors, while other roses will be died red and blue in recognition of Barcelona’s famous football club. It is the tradition here in Barcelona for men to buy their lovers a flower and women to buy a book for their men. As time has gone by, it is no longer gender qualified as men can buy women a book and women can buy their novios a flower, if they choose to. Just don’t forget to bring your love one of these gifts. This festival has many different names; Saint George´s Day, Sant Jordi Day, the Day of Roses, and the Day of the Book.  Barcelona will sell over 400,000 books and over a million roses in just one day. More books will be sold on Saint George´s Day than the rest of the year combined.
April 23rd has been the Day of Roses since medieval times. The famed Saint George was once a knight in the Roman empire. The famous Catalonian tale speaks of George traveling through the Catalan town of Montblanc. The small town of Montblanc was plagued by a dragon who required a daily sacrifice every day of a villager. One day the village lottery had chosen the princess of Montblanc as the sacrifice. Before the beautiful maiden could come to her demise Saint George came to her rescue and slew the dragon, piercing it through the chest with his sword.  Upon the ground in which the dragon’s blood spilled grew a large magnificent rose bush shining bright crimson red. To this day Catalonian’s give their lover a rose to symbolize romance and chivalry.
The Day of the Book began in 1923 when a sales savvy book store dealer in the region combined Sant Jordi Day with books as a means to honor the deaths of two world renowned authors; William Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes, both who had died on April 23^rd, 1616. The giving of books to a lover has been a part of Catalonian culture ever since. In 1995, UNESCO declared April 23 to be International Book Day. Lets look at the real Sant Jordi, the man behind the legend. According to Christian history, George was born in Palestine in 275 AD. Both of Saint George’s parents were Christians; his father Gerontius was a prominent official in the Roman army from Cappadocia while his mother Polychronia was from Palestine.  At the age of 14 George lost his father in battle and a few years later his mother died. As a young man George left Palestine to head to the imperial city of Nicomedia, where he asked Emperor Diocletian for a career as a soldier. By his late 20’s, George had been promoted to the imperial guard where he was given the privileged title of Tribunus.
In the year 302 AD, Emperor Diocletian issued an edict that every Christian soldier should be arrested and Christian civilians should be sacrificed to the Roman gods. As a strong proud Christian George protested this edict and spoke to Diocletian directly. In front of the emperor and all of the imperial guard George declared himself to be a Christian and refused to change his beliefs. For this reason George endured several tortures such as lacerations on a wheel of swords. Even after his trials of pain and torture, George once again refused to renounce Jesus Christ and his Christian faith. On April 23, 303 George was placed against the wall of Nicomedia and was decapitated in front of the city’s citizens. His body was soon returned to Palestine where it was buried. The legend of Saint George and the dragon has several beginnings in Christian, Eastern Orthodox, and even Muslim writings. The dragon motif became popular with Vincent of Beauvais’ writings entitled Speculum Historale and later in Jacobus de Voragine’s writings entitled The Golden Legend. Historians believe that the slaying of the dragon is a direct representation of George denying paganism and the Roman Empire. In the story George rides in to save the fair maiden from the jaws of death as she is given to the dragon as a sacrifice. George protects himself from the dragon by using the sign of the cross then justly using his lance Ascalon to strike down the evil beast. The citizens are grateful to George and abandon their pagan ways in order to follow Christ and the Christian Church as inspired by Saint George. Images of Saint George can be found across Europe and even in the Middle East. Countries that venerate the Christian icon and count him as their patron saint include Georgia, England, Egypt, Bulgaria, Catalonia, Romania, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, Canada, and Bosnia.
Countries that celebrate the Day of Saint George raise the white flag with the red cross, the flag of Saint George. These countries will hold religious sermons along with celebrations of food and gift giving. The practice of celebrating Saint George Day is beginning to wane in countries such as England, Canada, and Georgia. Hungary marks April 23^rd to also be the Day of the Police, portraying the Saint as a protector similar to those in uniform. Spend the day with a loved one and walk around the city. La Rambla and Plaza Catalunya will be especially festive as the concrete pathways will be adorned with flowers and books. Happy Barcelona Sant Jordi Day to everyone.

What to Do on Sant Jordi Day

Visit the town hall! The town hall in the centre of Barcelona in Plaza Sant Jaume is open to the general public free from 10.00 to 20.00 hours on St Jordi.  You can visit the amazing 'Saló de Cent' (Room of One Hundred), the honour staircase, the gothic gallery, the 'Saló de la Reina Regent' and 'el Saló de Cròniques' as well as other areas of the city hall that are normally not open to the public. Admission is free on Sant Jordi's and the entrance is at the side gate on Carrer de Ciutat  At 7pm on 23rd April a traditional display of sardana dancing by the Sant Jordi sardana group takes place on city hall square Pl. Sant Jaume If you go to Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona's central square, on Sant Jordi's day, you can see famous Spanish and Catalan authors being interviewed by TV and radio stations or signing copies of their books. Many Barcelona markets, museums and institutions have special Sant Jordi activities for families and children including Casa Batllo by Gaudi, which has a facade decoration inspired by Sant Jordi. This year it'll be covered in beautiful roses! Sant Jordi Música 2018 is at the Antiga Fàbrica d'Estrella Damm (old Damm beer factory cultural venue) who host a Sant Jordi concert programme with national artists and book and record signings.. Let us know how your Barcelona Sant Jordi Day goes and check out these other Suitelife blogs on other Catalan traditions... Sant Jordi Day in Barcelona

The Best RoofTop Bars Barcelona Edition !

It's starting to get reallllly hot these days (today is 31 degrees!), everyone seems to be wearing much less clothing in the streets, and there are tons of cool rooftop bars in Barcelona just begging you come by, kick back with a mojito and enjoy the views. There is no better place to be during summer, than sipping some cocktails with friends or that special someone while watching the sun set over the skyline of Barcelona. In the last years, the number of 5 star hotels with luxury rooftop bars in Barcelona has increased and have mostly opened to non hotel guests as well. So now you can chill out and take in Barcelona sights from way up high, without breaking a sweat. Here are some luxury rooftop bars in Barcelona for these warm pre-summer afternoons:

W Hotel

A perfect place to grab a cocktail while enjoying the beautiful city of Barcelona on one side and the gorgeous Mediterranean sea on your other side. W Hotel is situated on the Barceloneta beach and has graced Barcelona with its elegant presence. It is one of the rooftop bars in Barcelona where people like to see and be seen, especially during happy hour on a Friday afternoon. And if you feel like bringing your cocktail down to the beach, there’s a nice beach hut right below the terrace.

The Majestic Hotel

The Majestic Hotel has one of the most luxurious and glamorous rooftop bars in Barcelona where people chill out on sofas, enjoy drinking cool cocktails and relax around the pool for a unforgettable evening. However, this place is considered as one of the rooftop bars in Barcelona for the rich and famous. Its guests enjoy the wonderful views over the city, Montjuic and the Sagrada Familia. But you don't have to be a guest to participate so check it out!

H10 Montcada

One of the rooftop bars in Barcelona where the views of the city are admittedly a little grey, focusing on the rooftops of the old town, but get better at night when the lights come on at night and the view stretches from the sea front towers to the Sagrada Familia. You have laid back sofas and seating along the length of the bar area that wraps around 3 sides of the roof of the H10 Montcada. This place is a fabulous place to chill out and taste some tapas from the menu.

The Condes de Barcelona

One of the rooftop bars in Barcelona which is quiet new. This place has amazing views over Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Sagrada Familia, low, moody lighting and occasional live music performances combine to make the Condes de Barcelona one of the best rooftop bars in Barcelona. The place is located on Passeig de Gracia and Carrer Mallorca and is easy to get to with the metro and the bus.

Skybar Grand Hotel Central

Considered as one of the best rooftop bars in Barcelona with possibly the most spectacular deck in the city centre, with its infinity pool and close-up views of Barcelona’s rooftops. The prices here are relatively cheap compared to other rooftop bars in Barcelona.

Hotel Claris

Just around the corner from the previously mentioned Majestic hotel, the Claris is one of the rooftop bars in Barcelona, with an equally stunning terrace. Unlike most rooftop bars in Barcelona, Hotel Claris has a top restaurant as well. It has a little more style than for example the laid back Majestic hotel. The views from the terrace are not quite as inspiring as the other rooftop bars in Barcelona, but the high class feel and the excellent service from the friendly and knowledgeable waiting staff make up for this.

Pulitzer Hotel

The Pulitzer Hotel has one of the most relaxing rooftop bars in Barcelona to unwind with a nice drink while listening to great music under the night sky. The rooftop is close to Plaza Catalunya which means that it's not far to get to no matter where you are in the city. This place is a bit on the expensive side when it comes to food and drinks, but you will forget all that while you are enjoying the cool and relaxed ambience of the roof terrace which totally makes it up for it.

Hotel 1898

One of the rooftop bars in Barcelona which is centrally located on Las Ramblas. Here, you don’t need to be a guest at this five star hotel to be able to enjoy their amazing rooftop terrace. This is one of the best places in the city to get a 360 degree view of Barcelona. With comfy couches, an outdoor pool, poolside bar and lots of choice in the menu, this is the perfect place to watch the sun go down while you enjoy great Spanish food and a nice cocktail.

La Terraza de Hotel Villa Emilia

Hotel Villa Emilia which is located in the Eixample Esquerra has one of the most charming rooftop bars in Barcelona. Small and an intimate atmosphere, there are live music sessions on certain days and BBQ if you feel hungry.

Grand Hotel La Florida

Located on the hill of Tibidabo and is one of the rooftop bars in Barcelona that completely dominates the rest of the rooftop bars in the city. An ideal place to enjoy the great city view from the highest area in the city. Getting there is a pain, so you have to make a trip out of it. But the panaromic city views from the pool is just worth getting there. They have a spectacular LA-style indoor and outdoor pool from which you can enjoy as well. This splendid hotel in the city, where good taste, authentic luxury makes sure that it stands out from the rest of the rooftop bars in Barcelona. - Alper