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

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

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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

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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