Discover Unesco World Heritage Sites In BARCELONA

As you probably know, Barcelona is one of the most distinctive and beautiful cities in Spain. Being part of Catalunya, it has its very own language, cultural background and also a great variety of monuments. But are you aware of the monuments in Barcelona that feature in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites list? If you don't, this article is for you as I have made an exhaustive list of the Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Discover them below!

WORKS OF GAUDI

As you might have guessed, the genius Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi is greatly represented in that list. Indeed, the "Works of Antoni Gaudi" is what the UNESCOuses to refer to seven properties built by the architect Antoni Gaudi in or near Barcelona. These "Works of Gaudi" were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to testify to Gaudi's exceptional and unique creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of those buildings influenced and anticipated the forms and techniques that were relevant to the development of modern construction in the 20th century. The 7 buildins are: Parque Guell, Palau Guell, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens,La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Crypt in Colonia Guell.

1. Park Guell

The Park Guell has been a World Heritage Site since 1984 when UNESCO added it to its list of cultural assets. This is one of the most beautiful icons of the city of Barcelona. Located in the upper part of the city, you can enjoy literally wonderful views of Barcelona while walking in a park surrounded by a modernist works.

2. Palau Guell

The Palau Guell was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list in 1986. At the time of its construction, it was among the most luxurious buildings in Barcelona.This town house located in the center of Barcelona was designed by Gaudi between 1886 and 1889. However, the inside decoration and furnishings were finished later on.

3. Casa Mila

La Pedrera or Casa Mila is one of the most imaginative and creative works that Gaudi has accomplished. Located in Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona's main boulevard, this building was commissioned by the Mila Family after Gaudi had encountered great success with its previous work on Casa Batllo. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

4. Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens is a family residence in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi and built for industrialist Manuel Vicens i Montaner. It was Gaudi's first project for a private house. It is located number 24 , Carrer Carolines and was a summer residence with a garden and fountain.

5. La Sagrada Familia

The church of the Sagrada Familia is Spain's most visited landmark and was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2005. It has the particularity of being the world's only major church currently under construction! It is Gaudi's most important and ambitious work. At the beginning, Gaudi thought it would take 10 year to build it, but it has been 132 years that the first stone of the great church of the Sagrada Familia was laid and it is still under construction!

6. Casa Batllo

The Casa Batllo is the result of the renovation of a building at number 43, Passeig de Gracia. That work belongs to the world's architectural legacy and is part of Gaudi's massive contribution to Catalan architecture. Together with the ideas of the architect Jujol, Gaudi made the project into an exceptional example of the refurbishment of a dwelling.

7. Crypt of the Church at the Colonia Guell

Located near Barcelona in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervello, the crypt of the church at the Colonia Guell was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005. Antoni Gaudi undertook this work as a testing-ground for the future construction of the Sagrada Familia. As he has said on many occasions, this was an experiment in social engineering. For the first time, Gaudi used parabolic arches incorporating Catalan vaults and a revolutionary load-bearing system. If you want to learn more about Gaudi, check out our Gaudi guide!

NON-GAUDI RELATED WORLD HERITAGE SITES

1.Palau de La Musica Catalana

This work from the modernist architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner is one of the world's leading concert halls. It was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1997 for its aesthetic and architectural value as well as its status as a historic landmark. Originally, this artistic wonder was only devoted to music. Nowadays, it concerns itself with culture,social events and business.

2. Hospital de La Santa Creu i de Sant Pau

Also designed by the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, this building was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1997. For its 600th anniversary in 2001, it received the Catalan government's Gold Medal. That is it for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Barcelona! Have you ever visited one of them and what did you think of them? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below! Cheers, Remi

Gay Fashion Stores in Barcelona : Everything You Need to Know About Them !

When it comes to gay men's underwear and clothing there are only two requirements - they have to look great and they have to make you look great. Today's fashion and undergarments come in more styles, colors and patterns than you can possibly imagine, and that's exactly what you need to show off your stuff. There's a lot of competition on the gay scene, and you can't afford to let your goods fade into the background. That's why we'll continue our 'From Behind the Rear' Barcelona gay series with an article on Gay Fashion Stores in Barcelona where you can find the hottest trends to blow the competition away.

ES Collection

This is a favorite Gay Fashion Store in Barcelona among those men who have a fetish for or simply love to wear nice underwear. Here you will find one of the most or the biggest collections of underwear in the whole of Barcelona displaying sporty and trendy styles in dozens of beautiful color schemes in sexy and traditional cuts. They also sell swimwear that will attract everyone’s attention at the beach. The store has several locations due to their popularity in Barcelona but check out their main store located in the heart of Gaixample [C/del Consell de Cent, 218] for the widest selection that will have you feeling sexy and confident in no time. www.escollections.es

Ovlas

Located right in front of the famous Axel Hotel, Ovlas is a small Gay Fashion Store in Barcelona specializing in clothes for men who are not afraid to show off their bodies. So if you are looking for the perfect apparel for a night in Barcelona, check out Ovlas for the latest and most revealing garments you could have never fathomed in your wildest imaginations. You can find them on d'Aribau 31 or visit their website www.ovlas.com for more details and information.

ES 4 U

If you are looking for a Gay Fashion Store in Barcelona that offers amazing discount prices on their apparel collection, then check out ES 4 U on Carrer de Casanova 56. Much smaller in size and selection than the previous two stores mentioned on this list but worth checking out and easy on the wallet. And if this has not been already mentioned: they have great deals on sexy ES underwear - making me wonder if Spaniards have some kind of fetish...ummm. www.escollection.es

Men By Men

Everyone dreams about wearing clothes straight from the fashion runways of Milan...oh wait, you can! You just have to visit Men by Men whose collections always contain the latest fashion straight out of Milan. It is a posh boutique for any men who wants to standout and make a great impression. This store doesn't have a website but you stop by and look around in their store on Carrer Casanova 63.

Next Level

Another favorite Gay Fashion Stores in Barcelona, Next Level has unique fashion at affordable prices. Gentleman who are in the mood, strike a pose in this small, in vogue boutique. Just try one of their apparel found no where else in Barcelona - there is just nothing to it. So step into a city of fashion and glamour right here in Barcelon on Carrer Diputacion 189.

DGM

Great for any man who is committed to the gym. This store offers sporting apparel and sports bags. Show off your muscles in their tank tops and cut off shorts. www.dgm.es or give them a visit on Carrer de Casanova 74.

M69

This is one of the few Gay Fashion Stores in Barcelona that is 100% targetted to gay men. Found on Carrer de Muntaner 69. www.m69barcelona.com

Zona Eleven

If you are more of a fan of brands such as Diesel, Givency, Frankie Morello, Versace, Jean's Gaultier, and/or D&G, then Zona Eleven located on Carrer Muntaner 75 is the right store for you. www.zonaeleven.com

Ritual

A classic store located in the Eixample with a wide array of classical brands such as Puma, Energie, G-Star, and Replay. Rituals has three locations in Barcelona, two of them are located on Diagonal; Avinguda Diagonal 3 and Diagonal, 557. The third one can be found on Edifici Maremagnum, Moll D'espanya, Local 34-35C.  www.rituals.com Cool
If you want to look cool then this is the store to shop in. Cool specializes in youthful European fashion and has everything needed for fitting in at any Barcelona club. Found on Carrer Consell de Cent 233. In conclusion, these stores are not exclusively targetted towards gay men but are for any man who loves to look and feel great in what they wear - unless of course specified in the text. The only reason these store made it on our list is because they are popular with the gay [men] community. If you think that one of these store should be erased from our list send us your reasons why or maybe you have discovered a fashion gem while staying in Barcelona that would be worth a mention. By all means send us an a message or leave a comment below and of course don't forget to visit our other articles in in the 'From Behind the Rear' Barcelona Gay Series. ~Argenis

Barcelona Street Profile: Carrer Torrent de l’Olla

You can find all kind of streets in Barcelona, and you will probably find some of the nicest and most charming in Vila de Gracia. Torrent de l’Olla is located in Vila de Gracia (or the popular part of the Gracia neighbourhood), and it starts near the Diagonal metro at Carrer de Corsega, and it winds all the way up to Traverssera de Dalt, near Lesseps metro.
Let me tell you why you should definitely have a look at this street of Barcelona: Carrer del Torrent de l’Olla…

Shops on Carrer del Torrent de L'Olla

Carrer del Torrent de l’Olla is full of shops. You will find especially two kinds of shops: Vintage & second-hands clothes and designer shops that sell clothes and jewelry. Also, download our free ebook for in depth info on Shopping in Barcelona. There are two really great vintage shops: Gallery Vintage (Torrent de l’Olla, 117) and Graceland.

The Many Catalan Flags in Barcelona

Just arrived in Barcelona or a different city in Catalonia? Amongst all of the beautiful architecture and historic districts, you've probably noticed the many variants of flags that adorn the city. Catalan flags are draped over balconies, restaurants, plazas, and official buildings. As we have mentioned previously, the people of Catalonia are not afraid to voice their opinions openly whether showcasing local pride or political opinions. Here are a few of the local flags that you are bound to see throughout the streets.

La Senyera:

The official flag of Catalonia! This is the flag you will most likely see being flown outside of official government buildings or on tourist-friendly shops and restaurants in Barcelona or other cities in Catalonia. La Senyera is Catalan for 'flag', however, it is most often used to refer to this flag in particular. The flag is one of the oldest to still be flown in Europe with BuyEssayClub. Stories date the flag back to the 11th Century to the Counts of Barcelona, and the flag carries the same red stripe on golden background design that is on the coat of arms of the Crown of Aragon that ruled areas in the Mediterranean during the Medieval Period.

La Estelada (blava):

This is probably the most prevalent flag that you will see in Barcelona! They are draped all over balconies within the city. The flag uses the same design as the la Senyera but incorporates a blue triangle with a five-pointed star over the stripes. Estelada is the Catalan word for "starry". The flag is used by nationalists to symbolize the desire for the independence of Catalonia from the rest of Spain. In areas like Barcelona, many people are very adamant in their beliefs for a free Catalonia and the flag is an easy form of expression. It is said to have first appeared in 1904, inspired by the Cuban independence. The movement for an independent Catalonia, however, can be dated back to the end of the War of Spanish Succession where the region succeeded many of its rights to form an early day unified Spain.

La Estelada (vermella):

While not as common as the white-starred flag, the red-starred flag is also very prevalent in the city. Similar in design to its white-starred counterpart, this flag also represents the desire for an independent Catalonia. The key difference here is political stance. This flag was adopted by leftist groups in the 70s to symbolize a socialist independence movement of all Catalan-speaking areas and thus dons a red star in place of the white.

La Rojigualda:

The official flag of Spain! Popularly known as la Rojigualda in Spanish, it has two red stripes over a golden block with the coat of arms on the center edge. It was first chosen to be a naval ensign in 1785 by Charles III of Spain until Queen Isabella II made it the official national flag in 1843. You most likely won't see much of this flag walking through the streets of Barcelona due to the local feelings of political rivalry. Nonetheless, it is still flown over government buildings and some plazas. There you have it! If you are looking for places to explore check out our Top Rankings section on our blog. -Ty

Gay Gyms in Barcelona : Let's Workout !

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

[caption id="attachment_34251" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Who wouldn't want to see this guy working out?[/caption] 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

[caption id="attachment_34252" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Boxing workout can be sooo fun![/caption] 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.

Take Spanish Courses in Barcelona : A Range of Different Ways !

Are you looking for some Spanish courses in Barcelona during the evenings ?  Are you working (or studying so hard) or just have too much to do in Barcelona that you can't study Spanish during the day? What about evening classes? SuiteLife has done some research for you! If you want to study during the evenings there are plenty of options for Spanish courses in Barcelona!

#1 Language School

There are a lot of language schools to choose from for Spanish courses in Barcelona, but be prepared with your wallet.

• The price is usually something around € 110/month for 4 hours a week. So, let's say, it can be something around 6€ per 1 hour of course.
• Please be aware of so called "sign-up" fees. They can be around € 30 - 60. Nevertheless, some schools don't charge for this fee, it depends - you'll have to check.
• You should also count on some costs for books to study with. Other options are to simply copy materials or some schools offer to lend you the books from their library.
• The schools also vary in their time schedule. The classes are between 18:00 to 22:00.
• Maximum students in classes are usually around 10. Thus, you will not have attention just for you, but it can be fun and you can meet other cool people ;).

Some schools with evening courses in BCN:

• Olé Languages!
• Speak Easy
• International House Barcelona
• Camino Barcelona
• Barcelona Plus

# 2 Private Teacher

To have a private teacher is probably the most expensive option. The price is usually around 20€ –  50€ + per hour. You can use one of the language schools listed above or any other in Barcelona.
Check the Couchsurfing website - Couchsurfing is not just about providing free accommodation to travellers, but also about getting to know what's going on in the city and for sure you can find a teacher there! Just ask for it ;) I am pretty sure, you can find even cheaper lessons than € 20/hour. You can also use other portals to find a teacher, e.g. at Loquo which is like a Spanish Craiglist (you can probably find anything there).

# 3 Language exchanges

The third option is to exchange languages! There is no doubt that nowadays a lot of Spanish people want to (better to say "have to") learn English or even other languages! Do you know www.meetup.com? Meet Up connects people with same interests in doing or sharing something. I am going to definitely try a group called Barcelona Languages and Friends. There is a language exchange meeting next Monday! So let's go for a cerveza and talk! :) If you don´t like to sit in a bar, you can find other groups on Meet Up, e. g. If you prefer  sport, you can find your language-sport buddies. Awesome idea, isn´t it? :)
Again - Couchsurfing. There is a bunch of information on language exchanges and meetings for this purpose! You can improve your Spanish by talking face to face or on skype or if you want to improve your writing skills you can choose chatting online. Find your buddy for example at Conversation exchange.

# 4 ONLINE

Do you want to learn more by yourself? Oh, yes! You can study online at home and for free. Check our blog Have fun and learn Spanish for free! There is plenty of advice on which portals to use! Online on the phone? Why not play a game while you wait for your Spanish friends at Plaza Catalunya? Mind Snacks created an app to learn languages. A Perfect opportunity for beginners! Or try the popular Babbel. SuiteLife tried it and we love it!
Sure, you can find tons of other apps to learn Spanish. Which is your favourite one? Let us know in the comments below, we will be happy to try a new app! ;) If you prefer all the attention just for you, the good choice can be a private teacher on skype. You can use some websites like Nu Lengua - the price is around € 7+ per hour.

# 5 The best SuiteLife Choice

Find a Spanish boyfriend or girlfriend!   :)

My personal experience?

I knew I would be very busy in Barcelona and the option to learn online wasn't the best one for me (I need somebody who forces me to study :-) ). I chose International House Barcelona, because of my schedule and location. They didn't ask me for a sign-up fee, so I went there to do level test and to see how it was there. I was surprised! If you've already been to Barcelona you know the service is not always very good. But after my test at IHES I knew this was where I wanted to study Spanish. It's close to work and the people and professors I spoke with were very nice and helpful. I have been studying there 2 weeks and I am satisfied so far! The price was actually pretty high (probably the sign up fee :D), it´s € 310 for 4 hours/week and 10 weeks in row. But I like it :)
Give us some feedback guys! What´s your experience with schools in Barcelona? Have you tried a language exchange? How do you study Spanish during the evenings in Barcelona? Good Luck! / ¡Que sea enhorabuena! ~Ivet

Barcelona Bikes: Too Cool for School? Then you need a Fixed Gear Bike!

You might have noticed that Bikes in Barcelona are a very popular way to get around and as fashion is a top priority around here in all facets of life, Fixed gear bikes are becoming more and more common on the streets. The Fixie Barcelona movement is spreading its roots and all you have to do is look around and you'll notice these special creations (part retro / part modern) zooming like the wind (and sans breaks!) through our urban  landscape.

What is a  Fixed Gear Bike?

Barcelona Bikes come in all shapes and sizes.  A fixed gear bike (often referred to colloquially as a Fixie) is a bike with no breaks and with just one gear. Well... there is one way to slow down: with the pedals. You can pedal backward with a fixie so if you stop the pedals in a sharp hit, you're going to skid from the rear wheel (you might remember this from the bikes of your childhood). You also can slow down regularly by forcing softly backwards on the pedals. As these bikes are literally made for speed, it seems slightly crazy that they do not have 'normal' breaks. Fixed bikes are also sometimes amazingly used as trial bikes. In Barcelona the craziest of the crazies doing Trial is Chris Akrigg. In this video, he flies threw the urban landscape like no other.
Fixed gear finds its roots in the track-bike, designed especially for racing on a velodrome. They were designed first for being light, aerodynamic and mechanically simple. After that, fixed gear bikes were quickly adopted by bicycle messengers in big cities in order to make extra quick deliveries. Today, these racing bikes have become very popular in urban atmospheres with cool designs and a hipster following and are the new generation of the Barcelona bikes. A New Subculture is Born! This exploding movement creates a subculture where riders are experiencing an alternative way of moving from point A to point B. Freedom, self-expression, risk, customization, even more customization, self identity and above all care-free good times, is more or less the embodiment of the Fixie subculture. Races or free rides  are organized in cities all over the world and, in Barcelona, there is a healthy and growing movement of fixed gear riders. You can't get much better of a climate, and free rides can be extraordinarily beautiful and cathartic.

Barcelona Bikes & Fixed Gear Shops

With the Fixed gear movement, Barcelona fixed gear shops are more and more common in the city. Here are some great Barcelona bikes shops. The shops also organize some races and free rides that garner a lot of passionate, talented and nice people from different countries.

• Barceloneta bikes: They organize some free rides on their facebook page. Atlantida 49, Barcelona

• Cream bikes and things: They  launched their own high end frame brand. They also organize Alleycats races in Barcelona city. You can checkout more details about these races on their blog. Bocabella 9, Barcelona

• My beautiful parking: They rent and sell fixed gear bikes. Plus, they have a parking for bikes in the Gotico district. Cervantes 5, Barcelona

Fixed gears are the new generation of Barcelona bikes as they are a mix between transportation, art and lifestyle. In Barcelona the movement is exploding. Fixed gear fiends move fast around the city, without breaks, rarely stopping at stop signs and locking up the back wheel and skidding when they need to stop quickly. Some of the people see that as dangerous and some see it as a new way of life... What do you think about this? Are you a part of the Fixie movement? Would you like to try it? Check these links if you want to rent a bike in Barcelona, or if you would prefer to use the Bicing Barcelona renting system. Enjoy the ride! Hugo

Everything you ever wanted to know about Catalán vaulted ceilings

Have you ever looked up at the ceiling of an apartment in Barcelona and wondered why they often have exposed wooden beams and an arch-shaped series of bricks? Well if you do, welcome to the club. The first time I came to my friend’s flat and looked at those curvy ceilings, my naive mind told me the place must be under some kind of renovation. But then I encountered the same scene in my first rented apartment, my second one, and mostly every flat I've been in so far. What kind of construction is this? At the beginning I didn't like it, so primitive, so uncompleted! But the more I explored this “Catalan style ceiling” the more I liked its unique character. So if you have the same wonder, why don’t you join me in discovering this piece of Catalan charm!
And by the way this design’s called Catalan vault or in Catalan “Volta Catalana”

Design and origin

Catalan vault is a building technique that lays plain bricks lengthwise over the parallel wooden beams or centering to form an arch-shaped ceiling. To create such a curvy ceiling with bricks and no framework needed, builders have to use a fast setting mortar to allow the brick to hold itself after being tapped into place. Constructing vaults in brick was mastered by the Romans, who use arched structure to strengthen their buildings and constructions. This technique was then improved by Catalan people with layers of thinner, lighter bricks to create a ceiling not only light but also very strong. Up till now the technique has been widely used in buildings all over the region, for which it is named “Volta Catalana”. Other names for this technique are Catalan arch, Catalan turn or Timbrel vault.

Reason for this design

Structural strength: Catalan vaults consist of a single or series of arches on the ceiling which create a shell structure. Thanks to that both the floor above and the ceiling itself will be able distribute gravity forces equally to the whole construction system thus bringing geometric flexibility and endurance of the structural floor surface. I asked some of my Catalan friends and they said that a long time ago in the region people stored tons of agriculture products on the top floor. So it is very important to have a heavily reinforced structure. Resource efficiency: Since this technique was popular among  common people, the material had to be easy to make and affordable. Also, compared to making the same ceiling with a solid design, Catalan vaults costs less and do not require elaborate falsework. Yes that’s true they don’t need a framework to build. If you are skeptical about that, check this video

Different types

Catalan vaults vary depending on its purpose of use and the design of the whole construction.

• The most popular Catalan vault you can see consists of small arches connected to wooden beams, called vigas in Catalan. They are used on the ceilings of multistory buildings to form a strong structure that can bear heavy weight. Some modern designs also replace wood with iron to reinforce the ceiling even more.
• For a roof that doesn't need to bear heavy object above, the arch will be larger and number of arch is reduced. An example of that is the roof of Casaramona(a.k.a CaixaForum)

• Another type is four arches meeting  at a center point, supported by 4 pillars. A perfect example for that is the Manhattan municipal building designed by Rafael Guastavino.

Manhattan Municipal Building

Famous constructions & architecture

Barcelona’s most famous architect Gaudi (see more about his masterpieces here) frequently used the traditional Catalan vault technique to suit the constructional form of his curvy design style. The most obvious example is The School of the Sagrada Familia

School of the Sagrada Familia Calatan vaulted ceilings can also be seen outside of its original birthplace, in America thanks to Valencia architect Rafael Guastavino. Inspired by Catalan vault, he invented the Guastavino tile. The design was then used by Rafael himself and his son to build more than one thousand vaults in churches, cathedrals, chapels, and public buildings in America. Some of his most remarkable pieces are:
New York's City Hall subway station
New York City ‘s Vanderbilt Hotel
National Museum of Natural History’s Baird auditorium

Suitelife’s flats with Catalan vaulted ceiling

Love the curves now? Make you desire come to life! Check out some of our flats with this Catalan traditional design or contact us to find a flat with this beautiful feature! [caption id="attachment_45028" align="alignleft" width="270"]
Alan Harper's flat[/caption] [caption id="attachment_45029" align="alignright" width="270"]
Arc of Light[/caption] [caption id="attachment_45030" align="alignleft" width="270"]
Carmen san diego[/caption] [caption id="attachment_45031" align="alignright" width="270"]
Joaquin Costa V[/caption] There are many other options you can find in our long term flats collection here Tips for apartment hunting: if you fancy the traditional Catalan vaulted ceiling, our recommendation is to look at the old city area, Ciutat Vella with neighbourhoods Barceloneta, Borne, Gothic Quarter and Raval neighborhood. What about modern flats? Check the Diagonal Mar area. The neighborhood guide can be found in this link. peace! T.Vu

All you need to know about tapas in Barcelona: tips, recipes, history, how to eat, where to eat and more!

First of all: what are Tapas?

Tapas is the collective name for a variety of dishes and it is very famous in Spain and around the world. The most famous tapas are the tortilla de patata (spainsh omelet), calamares a la romana (fried squid rings) and croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes). Tapas are served in little plates of different foods and traditionally with some wine or beer. The tradition of Tapas comes from Andalusia, where it is inconceivable to go have a drink in a bar without eating something. Most of the time in Andalusia, Tapas are served with drinks for free. Nowadays the custom of eating tapas has spread up all over Spain, but they aren't free everywhere! Spanish tapas are eaten between meals in order to avoid hunger and to accompany Spanish wine. And Tapas are more than a simple meal! They help the conversation around a table because traditionally everyone share Tapas and it makes a convivial atmosphere.

Tapas History:

They are many legends about Spanish Tapas: The first one is a tale about Alfonso X, King of Spain in the middle ages. The king was suffering and his doctors prescribed him some medication. What kind of medication you ask? Wine of course! After all, it was the middle ages - alcohol was the answer to everything! In order to avoid getting a little tipsy from all the 'medication' he ate snacks between meals. People say that once he was fully recovered, he ordered all taverns to serve these same snacks,“tapas”, with wine. That way drinkers were less affected by the alcohol. Another legend says that tapas comes from Alfonse XIII (XVII century). The king stopped by an inn one day and decided to sit on the terrace. Unfortunately, it was a very windy day and in order to avoid dust in the King’s cup, the inn’s landlord covered the cup with a ham slice. The king ate the slice and he asked for more. Apparently he liked the Wine / Tapas combination so much that it became 'a thing'! Other stories say that peasants that use to drink wine before lunch and it was better to drink wine with some snacks so as not to be too affected. In Sevilla for instance the cups were served with some cheese or ham.
So, where does the tradition of Tapas bars come from? No one really knows for sure. But what we can be sure about is that its always better to eat and drink at the same time, and if ham really is the best way to protect your wine from dust then we've all learnt something new today!

Tapas world: the 10 commandments on how to eat tapas in Barcelona

• Thou shall not eat more than 2 tapas in the same bar.

Most of the tapas bars in Barcelona have their own specialties. That’s why you shouldn’t spend all your night in the same bar. Have a beer in one, eat some tapas, and then go to another one, have a glass of wine and some tapas, and keep going. You will be able to try a lot of different tapas and to meet a lot of people. Because eating tapas is also a social activity! That brings us to the second commandment…

• Thou shall enjoy your time when eating tapas.

When you go tapear (this is the Spanish word for eating tapas), you’re supposed to have fun and relax with friends or nice people. This is a cool moment for talking and chilling out after work for example. So bring some of your good friends and have a great time in some of the many tapas bars in Barcelona!

• Thou shall eat tapas in the right way

And the rightway is standing in front of the bar, tapas on the counter and drink in your hand. Don't worry if it gets crowded, everyone's used to it and besides, its all part of the fun! Then, one person can pay for each round of tapas - no need to start splitting cents, after all, you are here with friends!

• Thou shall eat tapas at the right time.

The best time for tapas is after a stressful day of work and when you have a few hours to kill before going to bed. They say  you shouldn’t have a big meal before sleeping, so tapas are exactly what you need! Another great time for tapas is just before lunch, in order to whet your appetite for something a little more filling

• Thou shall try the most famous tapas and then learn how to cook your own tapas.

That’s means you have to cook  tortilla de patatas and patatas bravas. Finding the best ones is truly an assault course, but hey, where there’s a will, there’s a way! Once you've found your favourite, try to replicate it by cooking your own. Start easily with pan con tomate and level up with chiquitos!

• Thou shall eat pintxos at Maitea and go to La Flauta and Los Toreros in Barcelona.

Pintxos are good and pintxos at Maitea are excellent! For around 8€ you can have 5 or 6 pintxos. The restaurant is nice and the food is awesome. You should also go to La Flauta or Los Toreros, two of the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona. It’s a safe bet, believe us. If you'd prefer something a little more fancy how about checking out the best Michelin starred restaurants in town

• Thou shall try a new tapas bar or restaurant in Barcelona every week.

Barcelona is full of tapas bars and restaurants. To live your gastronomic experience to the max, you should try at least a new one every week. Taste their specialties and chill out in different atmospheres, from modern and trendy to traditional and friendly.

• Thou shall do a tapas tour in Barcelona: free tapas with one drink.

To save some pennies during your tapas night in Barcelona, you should hunt around for free tapas in Barcelona. You pay for one drink and you get one pintxos or tapas totally free. There's no excuse for skipping this tapas tour!

• Thou shall try catalan tapas.

Barcelona has its own specialties concerning tapas, and you have to taste them! Just a few names to make your mouth water: sofregitin, escudella, zarzuela… and of course, aioli! People also say that you can find the best fish tapas on Barcelona beaches. Now, you have all the tips you needed to eat tapas like a pro and spend an amazing time in Barcelona with your friends!

Where can I eat tapas?

You can eat tapas on nearly every street corner of Barcelona but to give you an idea of where to get started check out our blog post on our favourite tapas bar in Barcelona, the best neighbourhood to find tapas, our Basque tapas tour, tapas for 3 euros and where to get free tapas! We hope that this tapas guide will help you to feel Spanish, and even Catalan, when you’re eating tapas in Barcelona! If you liked it, do not hesitate to share it and give us your own tapas tips! Adéu! - Erin

Vietnamese Restaurant in Barcelona :“Back in Florida, Pho is like the new sushi.”

While there are many cuisines and restaurants , Vietnamese restaurant in Barcelona is not usually one that first comes to mind. As a lover of Pho (and not a huge fan of Spanish food, sorry), I have been determined to find out where the good Pho restaurants are in Barcelona, and share them with SuiteLife readers.
I was introduced to the Vietnamese food trend by my older brother, the king of hipsters himself, who discovered the cheap and delicious lunch fare, just a mile or so away from our house. After one try, I already felt myself hooked on the spicy, salty soup. But it was around this same time that I decided to come to Spain, and as I jetted off to Catalunya, I left my latest food obsession long behind without a second thought. Thus, when I found out there was a Pho Bar just a 12 minute walk from our office I felt no shame in begging my co-worker Sarka to accompany me as I went in pursuit of, one of a few, new Vietnamese restaurant in Barcelona.

What Is IT?

Pho Bo is a Vietnamese noodle soup made from beef broth; thin slices of boiled beef, your choice of basil, cilantro, scallions, and beansprouts (likely all four), lime, and a variety of sauces from fishy to hot. The fine selection of textures and flavors is guaranteed to satisfy any food craving you may have from sweet and salty, to hot, to sour, to crunchy, to smooth and savory.I absolutely love the exotic flavors of ethnic food, especially Asian and Indian, because they can't be easily duplicated at home and coming from a vegetarian background, it is always important to me that vegetables be somewhere on the menu.  Furthermore, Pho can be spiced to your liking (for me, extra spicy) using the sixth and most important food group - Siracha.

How does it work?

They bring you a bowl of noodles and throw the beef in. Then, you will get to combine the veggies and flavorings, tweaking your soup to perfection. This process is great because I love to eat but I hate to spend money on food that I don’t like. Having something to work from and ingredients at my disposal is the best combination of laziness and creativity I can get when eating out.  And I know many people are turned off by the idea of eating soup as a main course but rest assured Pho Bo is not going to leave you starving. The trick is the mix of hearty (beef) and light ingredients (broth and vegetables) that fills you up without weighing you down.

Where can I get it?

Pho Bar Barcelona, like many Vietnamese restaurants in Barcelona, offers a moderately priced lunch menu of several courses. The first course consists of a spring roll (vegetarian or regular) or a salad, the second course is the main course of pho bo or another type of Vietnamese soup or noodle dish, and the last course is a dessert of either fruit or fruit flavored ice cream.
This restaurant is located at Sepulveda Street 159 , 08011 Barcelona and open for lunch and dinner, with a siesta in the middle. When we went, we were the only customers at first but the place gradually filled up right around 2:30 p.m. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a table as these places are new and haven’t quite caught on with the locals yet (give it a few years!). If you live a ways away from Eixample, you might want to conduct your own search for Pho and let us know where it is! As we walked home from the first Pho bar, we actually spotted another one of the Vietnamese restaurants in Barcelona “Restaurant City Ho Chi Minh,” offering a similar lunch menu AND a half liter of wine for a cheaper price. Something tells me these places are sprinkled all over Barcelona… Have you ever had Pho before? What is your favorite Asian cuisine or Vietnamese restaurant in Barcelona? Bon Appétit Kathy PS: If you're interested in making your own Pho, or just learning more about it, I highly recommend the blog located here.