Questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona - don't get deceived!

What is good señoras and señores? Are you looking for a flat to rent in Barcelona? We strongly suggest that you do your homework first and take a look at this blog about questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona, because, you know, real estate agents are sales people after all, and if you ask the wrong questions you might not get a straight answer. Accordingly, we've put together a list below with those questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona, so take a look and see what you should (or in this case shouldn't) ask while searching for that perfect flat! :P

#1 HOW LONG HAS THE FLAT BEEN AVAILABLE?

This is one of the most frequent questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona, being the most seemingly benign and logistical questions can be the worst to ask. "How long has this property been on the market" might seem like a perfectly good question but in reality you're probably never going to get a straight answer. If an agent were to admit that a flat has been on the market for months and months, you would probably start to wonder, "Gee, how come?", and the flat wouldn't be as attractive to you. So normally agents will say it's been on the market a lot less time than in reality. They're trying to sell you on the place, so saying that it's been around forever and no one will rent it is quite counter productive for them. Remember, whether you like a flat or not should not be based on the popularity of it but rather whether you actually like it or not.

#2 ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS FLAT?

Don't you even think about asking this one! Another one of the questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona, and just like question #1, the agent will probably never be honest with you by revealing the actual demand in the flat or how many people are interested in it. Think about it,  you see a flat, ask this question and the agent says "no, nobody is interested in taking this flat, I can't seem to rent it for the life of me". You would probably be instantly dissuaded. Now if the agent says "OMG, we've had 3 other visits today, one couple sending me documentation this evening, so you better be really quick if you don't want to lose it" that would instill a sense of urgency in you. If you actually liked the flat, you might take the leap and reserve it more quickly if you know it 'might' disappear at any time. As you can see there is a lot of incentive in the agent misrepresenting the interest in a flat, so just don't ask, you'll never know if you're getting a straight answer.

#3 CAN I MOVE IN WITH MY PET?

The list of questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona continues and is now referring to pets. Mentioning you have a pet is often a deal killer for many property owners. Knowing that your little fur ball will be running around the apartment, possibly defecating all over it, and likely barking or making noises that disturb the neighbours (not to mention the extra wear and tear on the apartment itself) is not something that makes it easy to get accepted as a tenant. So, we suggest you don't mention your pet at all! If you find a place you like, before making any type of reserve payment, ask to see a copy of the contract, and if it doesn't mention pets, then sign and move in with your pet! If you constantly mention your pet you'll see doors closing very quickly. If you're one of those people that just HAS to know that the owner is ok with your pup, then ask on the phone before making appointments if each flat will allow pets or not so you don't waste your (and the agent's) time.

#4 HOW ARE THE NEIGHBOURS?

You might think that an agent knows everything there is to know about the flat you're seeing but that's not usually the case. They have knowledge of the product but more in terms of it's features and selling points. They usually have no idea who, or how well behaved, the neighbours are. After all, the agent maybe runs in and out a few times a day doing visits, but as they don't live there, they usually have no idea who the neighbours are. This, then, is another question not to ask because either they will say "the neighbours are great!", or they will tell you they have no idea. So remember this as a part of the list with questions NOT to ask when on a flat visit in Barcelona!

#5 CAN YOU TAKE OUT ALL THE FURNITURE?

OK folks, there tend to be two types of rental flats; furnished and unfurnished. There is a huge difference! You wouldn't believe how many people come to a visit for a fully furnished flat and then ask "can the owner take out all the furniture?" Usually, the answer is no. Not every person has the space to empty their whole apartment and store all their furniture. So, if you're looking for a furnished flat only look at those options and vice versa. If you love a flat you see online and want to know if it's possible to rent without furniture just call the agent and ask before setting up the visit. That way you avoid wasting your time.

#6 CAN I MOVE IN IN 3/4/5/WHATEVER MONTHS?

Keep in mind that most owners will not wait more than about 2-3 weeks for you to move in to the flat (read: starting paying rent) from the time you make a reserve payment. What that means is you shouldn't start your search much more than 4 weeks before the date of entry. If you do so you will be utterly wasting your time. "But I like to get a good jump on all my plans" you might tell me. Yes, we understand. People like to plan ahead and be prepared. However, that does not work in BCN. The flats you see AVAILABLE NOW are just that, available to move into now. So if you start to early you'll waste time on flats where they won't accept you. With that said, the worst you can do is see a flat and on the visit ask "can I move in in 2,3,4,5, etc... months?" The agent will tell you no, and probably want to kill you for wasting his or her time.

#7 ALTHOUGH IT'S A LONG TERM RENTAL, CAN I HAVE THIS FLAT FOR SHORT TERM?

Most rental flats you see on portals and websites are for long term contracts. Long term in Barcelona is generally 1 year plus. If you are looking for less time than that, especially if it's a stay of 1-4 months, we highly suggest you mention this on the phone before the visit. Every day we have people responding to ads asking if it's available for a few months when the owner wants only 1 year plus contracts. So the worst thing you can do, is setup a visit and ask "can I rent it for 2 months?", because most likely they are looking for long term tenants and most likely you will end up wasting everyone's time. So, with that said, if you're looking to stay somewhere for less than a year, make it clear to the agent while on the phone and before doing the actual visit. In conclusion, our advice is that you should read the ad carefully and thoroughly before scheduling your visit. Naturally, if you have any inquiries, it's the best to ask all the questions and things that you are confused about on the phone or by email. If you have any comments or suggestion on other questions not to ask on a flat visit let us know!  :D Till next time, PEACE OUT, SuiteLifers! Muchisimas gracias, Dragosh (El Dragon)

Top 5 Tips on how not to Get Screwed by a Landlord in Barcelona - 5 ways you can protect yourself against bad landlords!

Hello, SuiteLifers! This time let's talk about how to avoid getting screwed by a landlord in Barcelona. Have you ever been blamed for something damaged in your flat which wasn't your fault? Or have you ever been accused  breaching the contract for no good reason? Don't worry it happens all the time. Personally I have been through some tough landlords myself. Renting a new apartment can be a very fun experience or a living nightmare. That is why I want to share some tips you can use to avoid such annoying and stressful situations.

Always visit the flat personally

A lot of real estate websites these days provide virtual tours for their future tenants to view. Pretty cool, right? Whilst this is a great new way to appreciate a flat and its features in depth from the comfort of your own chair at home, this should not be your final step of the viewing. You should also be aware of landlords attaching false photos of the apartment online. Make sure you can spare half an hour and go visit the flat personally. What happens more often lately is that people make rushed decisions and even sign a lease contract without even paying a visit to the flat they are entering. As you can imagine a lot of times these people feel disappointed in their decision just because they haven't had the chance to try out the TV first.  So, gang, to avoid being disappointed in yourselves I advise you to book a viewing for the apartment of your interest and don't ignore this general rule of accommodation-hunting.

Have your smartphone handy and the camera on standby

Bad landlords have the tendency to blame you for damages you haven't done just because they don't want to spend money to refurbish the flat after you leave. And because you might have forgotten to inform them of any at the beginning of your lease, they'll try and 'outsource' the repairs to you. One of the most popular ways to get screwed by a landlord in Barcelona.
A great way to avoid this is by taking pictures. And I mean a lot of them. Find every nook and cranny where a sticking nail or a scratch cold be placed and photograph it for evidence. Don't worry that your landlords might find you fussy or weird. You are in your right to know everything about your future temporary home. Also this would be a perfect time to point out any flaws or damages to your landlord that you want fixed. You should print up the photos and have them attached to the contract as an annex.

Trial and error

A good way to guarantee your satisfaction with your future flat is to literally touch everything. Sometimes landlords would intentionally keep information from you about malfunctioning or broken appliances. This is when you come in. Don't hesitate to test anything you might consider dodgy. Make sure that you will be comfortable with every piece of appliance and furniture in the flat. So a few good things to try out would definitely be the bed in the bedroom, if you are a passionate TV lover, the TV set is a must. Another thing you should make sure works properly are the faucets and the showers. You would be surprised how many times tenants forget to check the water pressure in the shower, which makes showering a not so relaxing experience as it should be. Don't be afraid to demand a repair on something beforehand. But be aware, if the landlord doesn't get to it before you guys sign the lease be certain that any future problems you might experience will not be dealt with very quickly either.

Do a background check on your landlord.

It is always a good idea to know what you are getting into. Unless you have a friend or a family member working for the CIA or any of the other Intelligence agencies, I suggest you conduct your own background check on your landlord. Talking to the neighbours to get some insight on your landlord would be one way. Despite the common believe that you should keep your nose out of other people's business, neighbours sometimes hear or see things unintentionally (or not) so checking with them might be bring you some leads. Previous tenants would a good source too. A lot of times landlords would have their previous tenants' contact details and emails so you could always request that from them. As a first-hand experience in dealing with a landlord, ex-tenants would give you the most insight and best advice about the homeowners.

It's time for the paperwork

The following advice is supported by personal experience. If you are a student on an exchange program or a professional who is being relocated to another country and you do not speak the language of the country in which you'll be entering an apartment, then my dear friends, have that lease translated and legalized. Sometimes you are just too excited to travel to another country and all you want is to find a flat quickly so you can go out and experience your new life. And when the moment comes to sign your lease, because you are that excited and overwhelmed you sometimes overlook a few details. Well, gang, that guy was me a few months back. Not being aware of one tiny detail about my lease led to a whole month of stress and sleepless nights. Even if you can't get it translated (In Barcelona for contracts to be binding they must be in either Spanish or Catalán, you have other choices. The best is to get them to send you the contract a few days before you sign so you can take it to a third party (friend or lawyer, or google translate) and make sure that it is above board and standard. So if you are a victim of the monster called 'language barrier', always ask for your lease to be translated beforehand or at the very least verbally translated to you. It is always good to have a copy of your new contract in your native language (or whatever language you can speak) in case your landlords are trying to pull your leg. Another useful thing to do is before you sign the lease, get a copy of it from your landlord and send it out to anyone you may know that can help you 'decipher' it and scan it for issues. Again from personal experience let me just say that moms are ALWAYS right. True story. There you have it, gang, the best tips to ensure you will never ever will be screwed by a landlord in Barcelona. Following these 5 steps will make your apartment-hunting much easier and much more satisfying for you. Tell us in the comment section below if you have had any crazy experiences with bad landlords. Now for your joke: Q: If you were to drop a Slug and a Landlord off the roof of the 600 foot tall Calgary Tower, which one will hit the ground sooner? A: Who Cares? Sincerely, Chris

El Poble Espanyol de Barcelona - The Spanish Village in Montjuic

Poble Espanyol , located on the beautiful mountain Montjuic, was originally built for the world exhibition in 1929. The Spanish Village tells the story of Spanish history, culture and how the Spanish country got influenced by other cultures and countries. Poble español is divided into different sections, which were designed by basically two architects who travelled trough the entire country. Except for Mallorca, they saw every region themself which helped them to design the Spanish Village. Back then, they couldn't travel to Mallorca as their budget wasn't high enough. However, El Poble Espanyol gives you the possibility to experience Spanish culture in a unique manner.

El Poble Espanyol - The Spanish Village

The open-air museum is a really special place. One could say that the "poble" lives. It has 117 buildings which are represented by 40 craft workshops, 22 shops, 12 restaurants, and 1 Flamenco show. Also, there are  more than 300 works of contemporary art in a permanent collection. Furthermore, there is another museum in the open-air museum which shows modern works of different artists. I visited El Poble Espanyol last week and it was just great. The insight of Spain is unique. With the help of the museums headphones, we got to know information on all of Spain's different regions and cultures. My personal tip: Buy the headphones. (3€)

Nightlife in El Poble Espanyol

Besides the daily business, El Poble Espanyol has much more to offer. During the night the village turns into a place to go for party people and people who want to have a nice dinner or a drink. The best thing to find out where to go and what to do, is to check the official website. Under the categeroy "One Village, So Many Villages" they list every single bar, shop, restaurant and the two clubs. This is the link to El Poble Espanyol's website.

How to Get There & Helpful Information

As mentioned before, El Poble Espanyol is located on the famous mountain Montjuic right next to Plaza Espana. Thus, you get take the metro to Plaza Espana. If you prefer taking a bus, you are looking for line 13, 50 or the touristic bus. If you decide on taking the metro, it's quite a walk - the bus, on the other hand, stops right in front of the entrance. Here we go with the charges: Children under four go for free. Adults pay 9,50€, Students 6,60€ as well as Pensioners (+65). In general, there are different discounts and other prices. This official site gives you a great overview. Don't forget to buy the headphones for 3€. In my eyes, El Poble Espanyol for everybody who stays in BCN for more than one weekend. What about you? Have you been there? How are the clubs? Best, Alexander Kolb

Lomography Camera - Discover A Unique Store in Barcelona

In our series of unusual stores in Barcelona, we found another pretty different store that specializes in the Lomography camera. As I'm a big camera lover I was looking for an unusual, specialist camera store in Barcelona. You may say there are plenty of those here in Barcelona but they are just generic stores like Fnac or Fotoprix and I was looking for something more genuine, more unusual. And I found it: the Lomography Store in El Born. Since the opening in 2004, this specialist Lomography store is one of the favorite stores for all the city camera lovers. You can find this store in a small street of El Born where you will be welcomed by Tomas the manager and Federico who can help you find any camera from the Sardina Camera to the FishEye Camera. This store doesn't only offer cameras but also accessories like bags, t-shirt and even books. They also organize workshops at least twice a month, activities and picnics about photography. So if you're in Barcelona for few months don't hesitate to go there and take a photography class. Camera lovers will be happy to go back to their childhood, to grasp all the photographic effects that their grand-parents camera did. They can also make the perfect present. They are pretty classy and can be the perfect start to a collection.
Just name your favorite photography effect and they will find the camera for you !

The cameras look like toys but in fact they are great for real pictures.
They also have accessories like bags and t-shirts to complete the look of the perfect camera-enthusiast.
There are lots of different models of Lomography camera from the Fisheye Camera to the Holga Camera.

Where Is The Lomography Camera Store

• Address: Rosic, 3 esquina Mirallers 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
• Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30 to 20:30 and Saturday: 11:00 a 14:30 y 17:00 a 20:30.
• Phone: 0034 93 3197006
• Map

Go there, get an amazing Lomography camera for yourself and have fun taking pictures of your family and friends ! For more information on the different cameras go on the Lomography Website. -by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included).

Room Escape Games in Barcelona: What IS That?

Have you ever heard about room escape games in Barcelona? Room escape games have become super popular among young people who are loving this new type of entertainment. Real life room escape is a type of adventure game in which people are locked in a room with other participants and have to use the elements in the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape from the room in the time limit. Each game integrates specific concepts and themes. The game is based on the "escape the room" video games. Room escape games were first opened in Switzerland and Hungary, and then in other European countries, North America, Asia and Australia. It is very popular in the US, Japan, Taiwan and mainland China. Inside Europe, there are around 150 game locations. Following the trend, Suitelife is happy to introduce you room escape games opened in Barcelona !

ParaPark

Want to have some intriguing experiences ? Let's try ParaPark. ParaPark is the first room escape game in Barcelona. It is becoming more popular day by day, which made ParaPark expand to 5 locations in Spain (2 in Barcelona, 2 in Madrid and 1 in Gran Canaria). Like many other similar room escape games around the world, ParaPark tests people's mental sharpness by locking them in a room. You have 60 minutes to manage by trying to find clues, solve puzzles and riddles, and hopefully to escape the room. The countdown clock on the wall shows how much time you have left. Every corner of a room has a hint or code and you have to solve the codes together in order to successfully escape the room.  ParaPark lets you be another Sherlock. No physical strength is needed, but your brain strength and team working abilities are key to lead the way out. And don't worry about being scared by some light, voice effect or blood-curling scream like you usually see in the movies. ParaPark is sensational because of its exciting quizzes, jigsaw puzzles pieces and the adventure of team-work. And you don't need to speak Spanish/Catalan, because the game is available in English as well! The rules of ParaPark is that each group has to have minimum 2 and maximum 5 people and those who are under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The price for 60 minutes is 47EUR/per team (from 2-5 people). You need to book your time slot online and I suggest you book at least 1 week in advance. Address: Carrer Valladolid 25, Barcelona Carrer Rei Martí 33, Barcelona

Roomin

Do you find yourself wandering around Gracia neighborhood in the afternoon when many shops and restaurants are closed? Then Roomin is a good choice to kill time and have fun. Similar to many other room escape games, the only way to escape the room is collecting clues, searching objects, solving puzzles and hieroglyphs,... With 60 minutes of both thrilling and hilarious moments, Roomin has soon become one of the most favorite places in Gracia for youngsters. At Roomin, the time just flies by and you have a lot of memories to talk about afterwards. There is a great deal of variety in the hunting and puzzles. Roomin has smaller sections that go together to solve a bigger section, so you can feel that you are getting somewhere instead of being frustrated by having bigger bits to do. Some people, especially those who have not tried this game before, might find Room Escape challenging and get lost. But at Roomin, the staff are very helpful as they place placards in letter boxes so you can concentrate on certain items. They can see your progress on CCTV and make sure you don't get stuck. If you want your adrenalin to be triggered and the five senses to be awakened, you definitely should give Roomin a shot. Roomin is an adult game, so you have to be at least 18 to join the game. Players aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by at least one adult. Decide to give Roomin a go ? You can reserve online on its website. The price is 44EUR/ per team (from 2-5 people). If you are English speakers, you should inform the staff when you book so they can prepare the game in English. Address: Carrer del Robí, 2-4-6, Barcelona

Habitacion 73

The third in our Room escape games in Bcn blog is Habitacion 73 (Room 73) which is a new escape room in town. It was first opened in August 2014 at Carrer del Torrent de les Flors, 96. Since then, Habitacion 73 has attracted a considerable number of players, especially locals. Great staff, terrific design, genius details and enigmas of this escape room will definitely get you hooked ! A story, a mission and an hour to solve it, if you want to have fun time full of laughter, this is your place! When you are inside the room, you will feel like you are in a mystery movie with dim light, dark walls, a Mona Lisa picture on the wall,...This game will have your mind racing and your adrenalin flowing. Feeling interested ? The price is 40EUR/per team (2-5 people) and you can book online on this page. Address: Carrer del Torrent de les Flors, 96, Barcelona

Room of Riddles

The last escape room of our list is Room of Riddles. It offers up to 12 members (6 per each group) where you can play with one another or compete against each other. The place offers two activities, the Art Collector and the Harbour Master. It is best to come in the middle of the week and schedule in advance in their site. For further information check our special blog about Room of Riddles. Address: Carrer de Salvador Espriu, 61, Barcelona
Barcelona has tons of things to entertain. If you like adventure, don't hesitate to check out our new blog Skydiving in Barcelona! Do you know any other fun group activities in Barcelona ? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below ! ~Trang

Chocolate Barcelona -Mecca for chocolate lovers!

As a chocoholic I have to say that Barcelona should be famous not only because of its special relationship with the sea but also because of the cacao. Barcelona is a Mecca for chocolate lovers! You can find here delicious churros and chocolate, perfect hot chocolates, shops selling delicious chocolate products, and… a chocolate museum!!! Have a look at our blog and enjoy the chocolate taste of the city - the taste of chocolate shops in Barcelona!

CHOCOLATE SHOPS!

Walking through the city you will see a lot of chocolate shops which can be pretty attractive by themselves, and trust me their products will melt in your mouth and leave you happy for the rest of the day!

Pasteleria Escriba

Historic patisserie and café in Barcelona. It has two locations in the city and one of the places is called “Antigua Casa Figueras” on La Ramblas - a beautiful shop which has become quite the tourist attraction. It is family owned since 1906, and it has its own place in the history of the city. This is one of the most famous chocolate shops in Barcelona. It is a place where chocolate is transformed into art. For special days like  Valentine’s day and Easter, for example, they display a spectacular exhibition of chocolates and sweets made decorations. So don’t wait and sweeten your day with one of their chocolate products or divine hot chocolates, which is available with chilli powder or cream.
It is worth checking their impressing website where you can find out more about all services, their history and about various locations in Barcelona. And here is the video of heir chocolate and sweet art! I guarantee that you will be impressed!

Bubo

A MUST VISIT place among other chocolate shops in Barcelona! Why?! Let’s start their their “The Xantina” chocolate cake that won "best chocolate cake in the world" in 2005!!! Having tried it myself, I can verify this! But Bubo is not only the place where you can try the best chocolate cake ever, it is alsoA place for the chocolates, sweets and pastry lovers. You will find here various treats and cakes of all shapes and sizes. You're going to love it! Address: Carrer de les Caputxes, 10; 08003 Barcelona

Cocao Sampaka

It is an elegant shop and cafeteria where you can enjoy a range of hot chocolates like the 80% cacao Asteca dark and slightly spicy. This is a spot which offers a lot of different kinds of chocolate, in a variety of sizes, of high quality, unusual, fun, adventurous flavours like chocolate with thyme, chocolate with parmesan cheese and gin & tonic bonbons. It is not only one of the many chocolate places in Barcelona but it is a chocolate paradise! Chocolate lovers will also find there the classic inventive flavours like sea salt dark chocolate bars which are just amazing! It is a perfect place to get some gifts for friends or to take back home from Barcelona visit. Address: Consell de Cent, 292; 08007 Barcelona

Petritxol Xocoa

Modern chocolate shop in Barcelona. Their sweet treats are different from others with unforgettable flavors and wrapped in a unique way. The shop is specially designed to bring you unforgettable and chic experience. They have a lot of different chocolate bars to choose from: sugar free, rosemary, lemon verbain, Jamaican pepper, wild berries, green tea, orange and more! But that’s not all! They are also selling CHOCOLATE BEER!  Another super thing which you can find there is a CD for for chocolate lovers! You will find their shop in Barcelona on Petritxol Street, 11. So go stop by and give them a try!

HOT CHOCOLATE PLACES!

Are you thinking 'how can a city that has such a warm Mediterranean climate have so much hot chocolate culture'? You would be surprised that during the winter most people are choosing Spanish hot chocolate which is served thick, rich and very sweet and sometimes they serve it with cream for that extra wow! Here's two hot chocolate places in Barcelona!

Buenas Migas

It is a nice little café where you can enjoy cup of delicious hot chocolate in four varieties: normal, double chocolate, Swiss or Galleta. Swiss chocolate is served with cream and sweet chocolate sauce while Galleta chocolate involves cream and fractured biscuit pieces. It is also the perfect place if you’re looking for something to eat in a casual setting. The design of the place is rustic and really cosy, which gives it the rural image. Worth mentioning that you can find 12 Buenas Migas cafes/restaurants in Town, so it won’t be difficult for you to enjoy those chocolate places in Barcelona of our choice.

Dulcinea

It is just in the heart of Barcelona and I can promise that it will take you back in time. Established in 1941 still keeps tradition of making lovely thick, rich and smooth chocolate. Perfect place to celebrate special moments with family and friends. Address: Carrer de Petritxol, 2; 08002 Barcelona

Churros and chocolate!

But it is not only chocolate chops and cafes with hot chocolates which are the best chocolate places in Barcelona! Time for Churros now! In Barcelona churros are called xurros, as they are called in Catalan. Xurros are the long, skinny, sweet fried crullers which have been enjoyed for centuries in Spain. You should enjoy them dipped in the hot melted chocolatey goodness they're served with, and maybe with a little whipped cream on the side. To find out more about churros and how to eat them, check our other blog. You never had freshly made churros before?! What are you waiting for. Check our two the best places where you can get  churros with delicious chocolate!

Comaxurros

Here you can get the best xurreria combined with the best modern creativity. The churros are perfect and served with unique filling and toppings, so you can try them not only in the traditional way with chocolate. You'll even find savoury churros – with cheese, mushrooms and jamón iberico (Iberian ham) among other delicacies. Everything is fried in pure olive oil and presented with the wonderful pink characteristic for this place. Aren't chocolate places in Barcelona amazing?! Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 562; 08022 Barcelona

Xurreria El Trebol

A place where the chocolate churros are so good that they are to die for. It is the oldest Xurerrio place in Barcelona, launched in 1950.  You can find a variety of churros and try them as well in the traditional way with hot chocolate which is great. It is an inexpensive place, but unfortunately with no place to sit, but it's open from Friday to Sunday 24h! So any time you can enjoy the taste of the best churros in the city with a great chocolate. Address: Carrer de Corsega 341, 08037 Barcelona

Chocolate Museum

Most people think of Switzerland or Belgium when they think of the chocolate. But as the place where chocolate first entered European culture, Spain holds its own,chocolate places in Barcelona are the best! And Barcelona is the city in which you can visit the Museo de La Xocolata (Chocolate Museum). When you first walk in, you see chocolates everywhere. This is a must visit museum for all the chocolate lovers! Learn the history of chocolate, admire the impressively detailed chocolate sculptures and enjoy taste of your ticket – chocolate bar ;) So don’t wait and just come to the sweetest museum in Barcelona. Address: Carrer Comerc, 36; 08003 Barcelona
Barcelona is 'Loco' for Chocolate ! If you are chocolate addicted it is place for you! Enjoy it from the coco perspective and try to visit all chocolate places in Barcelona! ~Natalia~

Visit The Sagrada Familia With Suitelife's Barcelona Photoblog !

For our Barcelona photoblog series, I went to one of the most famous tourist spots: The Sagrada Familia. Everybody who comes to Barcelona must go to the Sagrada Familia at least once. The 128-year-old building has been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and features unusual architecture. It is in the district of Eixample which is one of the most visited spots in Barcelona. Indeed, people also come here for the Gaudi's heritage too. It is quite expensive to visit this temple  (10€ to 13€/person) but it's worth it as the money is put towards the restoration of the building. You will also discover something really amazing, both inside and outside. Believe me, this is one of the things that you have to do at least once in your life ! Don't forget to take pictures ! [caption id="attachment_17868" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Barcelona Photoblog - The Sagrada Familia[/caption] The interior of the Sagrada Familia will astonish you: [caption id="attachment_17869" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Ceiling[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17870" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Christ[/caption] The ceiling is very different from all the other temples that you will visit in your life. [caption id="attachment_17871" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Ceiling[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17872" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Ceiling & Wall[/caption] The stained-glass windows let you see the interior of the Sagrada Familia in a different way, through different colors. [caption id="attachment_17873" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Ceiling & Stained-Glass Windows[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17874" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
The Sagrada Familia - Ceiling & Stained-Glass Windows[/caption] Front of the Sagrada Familia [caption id="attachment_17875" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
The Sagrada Familia - Front[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17876" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Alpha & Omega sign[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17877" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Crucifixion Scene[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17878" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Back[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17879" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Back[/caption] Even the smallest things are amazing: [caption id="attachment_17880" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
The Sagrada Familia - Steel Plan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17881" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Door[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17882" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - "Scourging At The Pillar"[/caption] Paintings on the floor entrance of the Sagrada Familia. [caption id="attachment_17883" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
The Sagrada Familia - Paintings On The Floor[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17884" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Miniature[/caption] Don't forget to go downstairs in the Sagrada Familia where you can learn about its history and discover the amazing architectural technique used by Gaudi. [caption id="attachment_17886" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
The Sagrada Familia - Reverse[/caption] The Sagrada Familia will blow your mind and make you think about Gaudi's amazing work ! We would love to hear about your experience of the Sagrada Familia. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below ! - by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included)

Beer in Barcelona : The Best From The Taps

Draft beer in Barcelona? You would think that Barcelona sounds like a drinker's paradise with cava, sangria, mojitos, vermouth, etc... But about beer, I was not so sure. The big Spanish brands like San Miguel or Estrella Damm have never seemed as good to me compared to other breweries in Europe. Most restaurants, bars and pubs serve beer but the options are limited. In Barcelona, I realized that there are very few bars/pubs offering actual beers on tap that aren't one of the commercial brands. Don't worry though! We've taken it upon us to thoroughly investigate the situation and we will show you the best of draft beer in Barcelona. If you are a cocktail-lover, don't miss out our ebook Top 10 Cocktail Bars in Barcelona

BierCab

This bar has everything you need to have a fantastic late night beer binge: a huge selection in both international and local beer, delicious food, humorous and knowledgeable staff, nice and chill atmosphere,... It seems that 10 taps is not enough for a beer bar, BierCab has 30 taps which you might have not never seen before. The awesome beer selection both in taps and bottles ranges from strong to weak, from dark to light, from all over the world. The prices aren't cheap, mostly around 5-8EUR for a pint, but it is totally worth for trying beer thats beyond the normal standard beer in Barcelona. The bar also serves tasty tapas. When you go there, don't hesitate to try the burgers and patatas bravas. With its funky vibe coming from good music, wooden design, and especially from friendly drinkers, BierCab is a favourite spot for many foreigners and locals alike. Check out their website for more details in drink and food menu. Address: Carrer Muntaner 55

Ale&Hop

The second spot in our Draft beers in Barcelona list is Ale&Hop. If you want to escape from very crowded breweries, Ale&Hop is the place for you. This cozy bar is an indie brewery of Barcelona par excellence. Ale&Hop is a place where you can listen to underground hits, enjoy cozy ambiance, a hipster feel and especially great beer, which is a mix of high quality offerings from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain,... With 10 taps and excellent bottles in fridge, Ale&Hop is a must-visit place if you want to get drunk. The price is 3-5EUR for a pint, which is very reasonable for quality beer. Located on a small street in trendy El Born, Ale&Hop is a good late night choice after having a stroll and dinner. The food here is not very special. But if you are veggies, Ale&Hop does very well in serving top notch vegetarian food. Address: Carrer de les Basses de Sant Pere, 10

La Cerveteca

Another cool gem  in Gothic Quarter is La Cerveteca. It's a shop, a bar and a brewery library. There are always people tasting different beers and perhaps you might not understand their drink list and sometimes strange vocabulary. La Cerveteca is a cultural meeting space that revolves around beer and everything related to it. At La Cerveteca, you will find information on beer culture, brewery events, and craft beers from different origins that become the symbols of the world of beer. Not just only a shop, La Cerveteca is also a drinking spot which offers beer from 13 taps and 100 bottles being selected carefully as well as pretty good tapas. Not like other beer bars/pubs, La Cerveteca should be visited early, because its opening hours are from 18:00 to 23:00. Address: Carrer d'En Gignàs, 25

Cara B

Cara B is a great little bar in Gracia well off of tourist path. It is shabby but still nice with 10 taps and around 130 bottles of beers mostly from the UK, Belgium and US. It has live music every night from Tuesday to Saturday. The singers and bands bring the intimate feeling to the room. This spot is more for thirty-something plus crowd because Cara B can really remind them of their childhood when you bounce up and down to Twist and Shout and Jumpin’ Jack Flash. There are black and white photos of The Stones, Jackson 5 as well as the vinyl 33 on the walls, which will send you back to an older musical era. When the music isn't live, you can still enjoy your beer listening to the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and so on. Address: Carrer del Torrent de les Flors, 36

CatBar

The name says it all. CatBar is a little bit different from other Barcelona's draft beers places. Located in El Born neighborhood, this bar is a cat-themed bar, which is surprising and fun. Of course you won't see any real cats in this bar, but you might see some drawn on the walls and some hipsters lovingly referring to their friends as 'cats'. There are 9 craft beers on tap and the staff let you sample somethings before ordering a pint. About food, this dimly lit bar features very good veggie options, especially burgers which I recommend highly. Address: Carrer Boria, 17
The weather is getting colder and colder folks! I hope these cool draft beers places will inspire you and keep you from being lazy and staying at home on the couch tonight. If you still want to know more about other drinking places, make sure to check out our blog Top 10 Rooftop Bars in Barcelona and Unique Bars in Barcelona and let us know if you know of any other great bars that serve draft beer in Barcelona! ~Trang

Do a Barcelona Internship this summer! Read this article, take notes, succeed!

Looking to do a Barcelona Internship this summer? An internship in this beautiful city will make your summer shine (on your resume and..literally!). So, you're looking for a Barcelona internship  this summer or maybe you've already landed one? Either way, read this article and I promise you that you will be a success. (Pst, SuiteLife is looking for online marketing and social media interns and now you can be the top candidate! ) First there is the resume and the never-easy-to-write cover letter. Both need to be flawless and please note: updated! Never forget to bulletpoint-in your recent job(s)! The resume, I personally don't have a problem with. The tricky task is how to write that cover letter. Ugh, spare me! While applying for probably 50 internships last spring (everything from internships in Stockholm, Los Angeles and Copenhagen to London and Manchester), I felt that I was climbing Mount Everest. Going to plenty of lectures and workshops that taught you how to master this task, I'm now on the top of that mountain and it's not as cold as I thought. First and foremost, the opening of the cover letter should include the purpose of your email. For example: " I'm inquiring about the open X position at X that I found on X." Stating the purpose before you jump into your personal pitch is important. Second, provide a snapshot of your relevant past experiences is key. Relevant doesn't mean your job at Starbucks when applying for an internship in the marketing or PR field. Your PR job last summer, much more so! Also, remember to tie your past experience to the position you are applying for. Sidenote: In your signature, include links to your social media channels. Trust me, they'll be looking anyways so you might as well save them the google search. Good channels to include are twitter account(s), your blog and LinkedIn. And, please please.. no skatedude8@hotmail.com or coolgirl55@hotmail.com - s . Email accounts like those will make CEO'S raise their eyebrows and with one click your hard-work will go from their inbox to their trash. So, hey! With that perfect resume and cover letter  the interview is now scheduled, right? Does it look dreadful in your calendar!? Well, it shouldn't because it won't be..dreadful. If you are coming to work in Barcelona from overseas, many recruiters might want to have the interview with you over the phone. This can be an easy task to master (and much less nervous) once you know how to show off your stuff over the phone. Below, I outlined some hints for you. Read and take notes:

• Prep beforehand! Trust me on this one, because I have been going through plenty. Going into a phone interview blind is basically like walking onstage without a rehearsal. Please, don't put yourself through that. The interviewer will be asking questions quickly and expecting clear answers.

• Express yourself! One of the hardest things about a phone interview is the lack of personal connection. Therefore, try to smile when you speak. Believe it or not but a smile will be heard over the phone.

• Don't forget to ask questions. I mean, this is your interview too. Never forget that. Asking questions about the company and the work you'll be doing, the workforce, state of the work atmosphere etc will help yo get a better idea of the job and show true interest. Remember, never ask questions that can be found on their website!

Now when the phone interview went smoothly you probably received one of those go-out-celebrating-with-a-cosmopolitan emails saying that you got the job, right? So, now when you landed your dream job or Barcelona internship, it's time to start thinking about what to wear. If you just got out of school or entered the work force for the first time, it might be time to plan a shopping spree to upgrade your closet. Here are the essentials every PR or marketing girl should have in her closet.

• A  blazer (if you don't already have a blazer hanging in your closet, please go buy one immediately!)

• The little black dress (In the PR field, even just starting out, a little black dress is your best friend)

• City flats - (Being always a heels girl running around the city, I know the pain this causes my feet. Living in Los Angeles, I could not wait to get home and change my shoes to something less painful. Take this advice, wear fashionable flats.)

• Cross Body Purse (You can carry your laptop under your other arm, right?)

• Work-Appropriate Jeans (Stick with a darker denim in a flattering style for casual days at the office)

Now, it's time to go career hunting. Good Luck! And P.S. Don't forget to create a LinkedIn profile to find a Barcelona internship! Charlotte Giver

Gay Clubs Barcelona - Party 'till the sun comes up!

What's up gorgeous people! I am back with another blog for our amazing Gay Barcelona - Series! These series is all about giving you the ins and outs of the not-so-hidden gay scene in Barcelona. And this blog will be about where are the best gay clubs in Barcelona, but the places will be less.. Well let's just be gay-forward about this one; less sexual, as my previous blog.
You had a rough week, right? And you just want to Shake It Off on Taylor Swift, or you just want to Applaud yourself for getting through this horrific week with Lady GaGa. Well yeah, I know that feeling. You just want to dance. Dance all freaking night and just have fun with your friends. You just don't feel like having that 30 year old bear staring at your ass all the time. Well I have found the solution just for you. Gay clubs where the old men barely come. Where it is filled with young guys just like you. Where it is completely up to yourself if you want to get some action that night or just want to shake your booty.
Okay the first one on the Gay Barcelona - list is actually one big club. The Fairy GodGay of the 'normal gayclubs'; Arena. However, Arena has three different buildings / rooms / venues, and they are all different. The three of them have different atmospheres, different music, and it differs every night as well. Therefore no night will ever be the same! Anyway, I'll just make it easy for you and pretend they are 3 different clubs. Like they actually are. But. Yeah, well, you get my point. All the Arena clubs have a 6 euro entrance fee on fridays and a 12 euro fee on saturdays, but once paid, you can switch between all the Arena clubs. And you can get a free drink with the entrance card. So it's worth the money, I'd say! And they all stay open 'till 6! Yay!

Arena V.I.P. / Dandy

This club is definitely my favourite. It has two separate floors, the top floor's music is pretty much the same as the bottom one, but it has more oldies; Touch me here baby won't you kiss me there? But they say that the top one is more for the straight people. Well, I gotta burst your bubble there for your daydreaming of hooking up with that straight guy, because it is just as gay. More gay than straight at least. Isn't that what gay clubs are for? If you are looking for a more clubby, current-top-of-the-charts Ariana Grande mixed with Katy Perry music, then the bottom floor is more your style. In my honest, humble opinion, the bottom floor has more of a partying vibe than the top one. But that might just be because I like the bottom's (haha) music more. You know what, you go check it out yourself. I'm not telling you wether to go top or bottom, it is up to you what you like most from your own experience! Arena V.I.P. is located at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 593. Take the metro to Universitat, take the exit to the plaza. And follow the big road to the right. You'll see it within 5 minutes!

Arena Madre

Arena Madre is the next stop on our Gay Barcelona - list. Arena Madre is like the 'mother' of the arena clubs, as the name states. However, in my honest opinion, it is not. But that's only because I like V.I.P. the most. It's smaller as well. But, if you are really into the whole Dance / Trance / Techno Music, this place is definitely something you want to check out. Oh and every now and then, some reviews state that they might have striptease every now and then, but I still have to experience that. But stripteases can't be that bad, right? I'd say that the average age in here varies from 20-30. With the most being around 25-ish. The people are neat, the service at the bars is pretty quick, so it's really worth it to visit this club sometime if you're into a dancy mood. But if you really want to scream along with Beyoncé, you should get back to Arena V.I.P.!

Arena Classic

Arena Classic is our third and last of our Arena sistahs on our list and is a place I still have to go to myself, so I can't give you the whole personal atmosphere experience explanation kind of thing, so I'll pass on what my friends have told me about this place. Arena Classic is right next to Arena Madre. They both have somewhat the same music. So it's pretty much the same as Arena Madre. The age group is about the same as well. So the only thing I can tell you to do, is to just check it out yourself. Maybe we'll see each other this weekend! Arena Madre and Arena Classic are both located at C/ Balmes, Eixample, number 32. If you see one, you'll see the other!

Razzmatazz

Razzmatazz: Okay, I know, Razzmatazz is not a gay club. But Razzmatazz has a 'unofficial' gay room, and that's why the stepsister made it to our Gay Barcelona - List! To start off, Razzmatazz is HUGE! There are so many rooms, so many different kinds of music. You can dance your night away on Electro, HipHop, Dance, Trance, Pop music. Like anything is possible and available there. But I know what you came here for to read. It is a Gay Barcelona blog after all! Well the 'unofficial' gay room is the one where the most pop music is being played. (Makes sense, a lot of gays just like to scream along.. Guiltyyyy!) So if you are up for a challenge for trying to hit on someone, try this one out. Making it difficult for yourself every now and then has is always fun! But this is definitely a place where you can have an awesome night out. Trust me, it'll be great! Razzmatazz is located at Carrer Almogàvers, 122. Just take the metro to Bogatell or Marina and it'll be a 5/10 minute walk from there. And remember fellow gay human beings, always, ALWAYS be safe. Whatever happens, no matter how much alcohol / drugs. Please. Be. Safe. But if something did happen, please check out this blog on how and where to get yourself checked up!
So, my beloved butterflies, this was it for today! Please drop a comment below if you want to share your experiences, and let me know if I made you have an amazing night! Have a fabulous gayday! So long, gay boys! ~Tjeerd