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

Do the Barcelona Gaudi Tour and discover everything about his art!

There is no way around it, when in Barcelona one must see Gaudi buildings! The Sagrada Familia and The Pedrera are on every tourist's list, but what about Gaudi's other creations? For those of you with little time and a keen interest in architecture we present the all-inclusive, one day Barcelona Gaudi tour! This tour features all designs by Gaudi in Barcelona. Each is accompanied by some information, and/or a link to one of our previous blogposts. To make matters completely easy, we've even included a map and metro information. If you're more the active type, we can also recommend renting a bike or to use bicing. That way you can also fully enjoy the sunny Barcelona weather. We start our tour in the northwest of the city and work our way down from there, as you can see on the map below. Let's get moving!

1. Barcelona Gaudi Tour : Güell Estate Pavilions

Address: Avinguda de Pedralbes, 7 Metro: L3, stop 'Maria Cristina' Property of one of Gaudi's biggest clients, Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi. He commissioned Gaudi to construct a building, close to his estate, where he could keep his horses. Because, in those days, wealthy people moved around in horse carriages. As this way of transportation tends to take up a lot of space (stables, horse rings, parking space…), special pavilions were installed. So, basically, it's a giant garage. Gaudi built two pavilions with strong Muslim features in the façades. One pavilion was destined for the horses, the other for the porter. The buildings themselves are not that interesting, but the spectacular iron gate that unites them is. The gate is adorned with vegetal fantasies and a medallion with the letter "G" (of Güell), and it represents a dragon, which is supposed to protect the estate.

2. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Gate of the Miralles Estate

Address: Passeig de Manuel Girona, 55-61 Metro: L3, stop 'Maria Cristina' Between 1900 and 1902 Gaudi worked on the Casa Miralles, commissioned by his friend Hermenegild Miralles i Anglès. Gaudí only designed the wall and the gate. The rest was designed by Domènec Sugrañes, his associate.

3. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Torre Bellesguard

Address: Carrer de Bellesguard, 16-20 Metro: L7, stop 'Av. Tibidabo' Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueras, is a house/small castle constructed between 1900 and 1909. The name Bellesguard comes from the Catalan 'bell' (beautiful) and 'esguard' (view). This because the Bellesguard lies at halfway up the Collserola mountain, providing wide views over Barcelona. The name originates from King Martin I (the last king of Catalonia) who had a summer residence on the site in the 15th century and supposedly coined the name Bellesguard. More information in this article about famous architect Gaudi and his buildings.

4. Barcelona Gaudi Tour : Colegio de las Teresianas

Address: Carrer de Ganduxer, 85 Metro: L6, L7, S1, S2, stop 'La Bonavona' This boarding school/convent was commissioned by the "Order of the Holy Theresia de Avila." In contrast to his other works, this building looks rather sober and even looks a bit like an impregnable fortress. However, it was the wish of the order that the building's design was austere, in keeping with their vows of poverty. So Gaudi designed a simple building, using bricks for the exterior and some brick elements for the interior. On the corners are pinnacles culminating in a four-armed cross, which can be found in a lot of Gaudi works. Gaudi must have done a proper job, because it is still used as a school centre.

5. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Park Güell

Address: Carrer d'Olot Metro: L3, stop 'Lesseps' Park Güell is a world-famous, must-see garden complex built between 1900 and 1914, and now part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Most buildings here have the “trencadis” (surfaces covered with irregular ceramic pieces) that is characteristic of Gaudi and Catalan Modernism. The focal points of the park are the colonnade hall and the terrace, which is surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. Park Güell is the perfect place to walk quietly while enjoying nature and looking at Gaudi artwork.

6. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Casa Vicens

Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 18 Metro: L3, stop 'Fontana' This summer villa, built between 1883 and 1889 was Gaudi's first important assignment. It was commissioned by the tile manufacturer Manual Vicens, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The work shows several influences, most notably Arabian influence. Read more in this article about Barcelona architecture and Catalan Modernism.

7.  Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Sagrada Familia

Address: Placa de la Sagrada Familia Metro: L2, stop 'Sagrada Familia' Undoubtedly Gaudi's most famous work, and generally seen as his magnus opus. Read all about La Sagrada Familia.

8. Schools of the Sagrada Familia

Address: Placa de la Sagrada Familia, s/n Metro: L2, stop 'Sagrada Familia' This small building (200 m2) is one of Gaudi's most radical and modern works and, unfortunately, one of the least known. The architect designed it as a provisional school, annex to the temple of the Sagrada Familia. So while you're there, have a look.

9. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 92 Metro: L3, stop 'Diagonal' This building with its wave-like walls and huge chimneys is featured in every guidebook, so you've probably seen it before. It was commissioned by Pere Milà, who married the rich widow Roser Segimon. The flamboyant Mr. Mila wanted to live in a spectacular house in the most cosmopolitan avenue of Barcelona at that time; the Passeig de Gracia. Gaudi was chosen as the architect, mainly because he had just worked on Batlló House (our next stop), which was then considered the very latest example of the local architecture. Nowadays it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by thousands of tourists every year (expect a long queue to get in…) Open for visits are the first floor (where exhibitions are usually held), La Pedrera Apartment, which recreates the ambience of a middle class home of the early 20th century, and the roof, which gives a superb view.

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Read more about la Pedrera

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10. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Casa Batlló

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43 Metro: L3, stop 'Passeig de Gracia' A bit further along Passeig de Gracia we find this weird little building. Casa Batllo has a very particular design (like most of Gaudi's works), a bit skeletal even, which is why it is sometimes called Casa dels ossos (House of Bones). Interesting, though, is that Gaudi didn't build this from scratch. He was commissioned by the Batllo family to merely restore its façade.

11. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Casa Calvet

Address: Carrer de Casp, 48 Metro: L1, stop 'Urquinaona' Probably the least Gaudiesque (what a word) building of our tour. It is indeed quite conventional, as Gaudi was bound to follow some restrictions. More about Casa Calvet in our article on Gaudi and his buildings.

12. Barcelona Gaudi tour: Palau Güell

Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5 Metro: L3, stop 'Liceu' At the end of the 19th century, Gaudi designed one of the most luxurious buildings in Barcelona. Namely the palace residence of the Güell family - yes, those of the horses' garage and the park. The palace was the family's residence up until 1910, when they moved to Park Güell. It has a monumental, parabolic-arched entrance with iron gates, which was rather unseen at that time. Because its design broke so radically with the classical characterization, it always earned the admiration of its visitors (and that's always a good thing when you have a palace). In 1986 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, it has been closed for restoration, but luckily for us, it has been reopened in April 2011!

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Read more about Palau Guell

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13. Barcelona Gaudi Tour: Plaça Reial Street Lights

Address: Plaça Reial Metro: L3, stop 'Liceu' On Plaça Reial you can find the street lamps Gaudi designed for the Barcelona Town Council. It was his first official commission, so one of his earliest works. They have been restored so they continue illuminating the plaça as they did 125 years ago. They are not the focal point of the square, though, check this article to see what you can do and see on Plaça Reial. That's all, folks, you've completed the Gaudi tour! Now do like I did and have a sangria in the sun and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Plaça Reial. You deserved it! - by Machteld De Groef

"La Bascula": The Place To Go in Barcelona To Enjoy A Great Vegetarian Meal !

[caption id="attachment_18023" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
La Bascula - Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona[/caption] Being a vegan or vegetarian in Spain is a pretty hard thing! Often when you tell the waiter or waitress that you're vegetarian they just tell you "That's ok, I'm gonna bring you some jamón" Really ?! Here in Spain there is sometimes a liberal interpretation of what it means to be vegetarian.  This can make it a little difficult to find places that cater for vegetarians. But thankfully you're not alone - there is a good store and vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona in the form of "La Bascula". "La Bascula" is a Barcelona vegetarian restaurant hidden in El Borne which is a part of a vegetarian cooperative such as "La Cereria" which is in Gotico. You can't miss this place - the entrance is a giant wooden door wide open on the street, and the first thing that you'll notice is the decoration which is really different from the other restaurants that you can see in Borne. At "La Bascula" they use doors as tables and they recycle old stuff to give them a second life which makes you feel comfy and part of a welcome environment ready to appreciate all the vegetarian dishes they offer. [caption id="attachment_18025" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
La Bascula - Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona[/caption]

The Cooperative

Fourteen years ago a vegetarian cooperative was founded by an Argentinian who settled in Barcelona and who wanted to bring together people from Latin America like Argentina, Chili and Equator to all work together, to build a community around the notion of being vegetarian. All these people who were part of this cooperative had a goal - to be together and work together creating vegetarian cuisine and homemade arts and crafts. This cooperative was also set up to help unknown artists to be highlighted and helped to organize exhibitions or concerts in their local spaces. "La Bascula" is a restaurant which is a part of a vegetarian and organic cooperative here in Barcelona. The second restaurant of this cooperative is "La Cereria" in Gotic. Those two restaurants are pretty different.

La Bascula

[caption id="attachment_18026" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
La Bascula - Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona[/caption] "La Bascula" is a vegetarian cooperative café located in a former chocolate factory. You can eat healthily and cheaply. They offer fresh food and healthy dishes like empanadas, gaspacho or tarts, and desserts that you can accompany with teas and a homemade smoothie or milkshake. [caption id="attachment_18027" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
La Bascula - Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona[/caption] La Bascula is hidden but Suitelife can tell you where to go:

• c/ Flassaders 3 in El Borne
• You can go there by metro, the nearest one being the L4 Station Jaume
• Hours: from 1-11:30pm

Be careful this place doesn't take credit cards so bring some cash. There are cash machines nearby. [caption id="attachment_18024" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
La Bascula - Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona[/caption] Even if you're not a vegetarian or a meat lover, go to this restaurant. You will enjoy the food and the environment. I swear you will fall in love with this place and maybe you will want to try more vegetarian food. Check out our previous post on different stores  where you can get vegetarian products: http://suitelife.com/2011/06/17/vegetarian-in-barcelona-where-to-shop-the-best-vegetarian-food-in-bcn/ - by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included)

Travel to Japan Without Getting On A Plane! The "Japonisme" Store is Right in Carrer Verdi!

[caption id="attachment_18185" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] In our search for an unusual store in Barcelona, we went to the Gracia Barcelona neighborhood where you can find many unusual stores from clothing stores to design or art stores. This time we chose to highlight the japanese store in Carrer Verdi "Japonisme". Japan: Another world of art, culture and design. Since my last trip to Japan, I've been a huge fan of the country and especially of the culture and art. Who doesn't fall in love with the Japanese art and way of life? Indeed this is pretty different from what we know. Japan has its own little world that is so different from our occidental culture like their respect for everything and their love of ascetically beautiful things. What a great surprise when I found the Japonisme store in Gracia, a little part of Japan in the Catalan country. The first thing when you think about a Japanese store is: Do they sell Anime, manga, Video Games and/or Sushi? And this time the answer will be NO! Japonisme is totally different from all the other Japanese stores in Barcelona. You will discover a Japan you never knew could be so cool. [caption id="attachment_18190" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18191" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] The decoration is quite typical of a japanese store: clean, stylish and minimalist. You will be welcomed by Shumpei Hisaoka a native japanese interior designer who came a few years ago to Barcelona to pursue a career in house design but as we know the job market is not in his best period for now. So that's why he decided to do his own store where you will find japanese stuff, japanese design and really soon a zen garden in the back of the store. You will find some kawai stuff like keychains, tea and all the mainstream stuff that most people know about, but you'll also find more particular stuff like the "Japonese Pelota" which is an awesome piece for its ingenuity and design.  It's is a ball that when you throw it the ball changes its face by itself, you will find different designs of this ball which can be a really good present for your friends and family. This is also the only place in Barcelona where you can find Jika Tabi the traditional Japanese worker shoes, the ones that separate your big toe from the others. You can also find some nice little bags in the japanese style, tea cups and decorative umbrellas. Hair combs, lamps or even matresses. Japonsime takes extra special care to choose the best quality for all their products which are a mix between traditional and modern art. [caption id="attachment_18188" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] "Japonisme" welcomes you in Gracia.

• Adress: c/ Verdi, 54
• Metro: From the Metro Station Fontana (L3) take the street c/ d'Asturies and you will cross the street c/Verdi, Japonisme will be on your left.
• Hours: 5:30pm to 9:30pm

[caption id="attachment_18207" align="aligncenter" width="582"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] Go there and don't forget to walk around Gracia, especially the Carrer Verdi which is the most known and beautiful street of this district. And the most typical of Gracia. [caption id="attachment_18189" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Japonisme Store in Barcelona - Carrer Verdi[/caption] - by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included)

Cool Down this summer and go to the best Water Parks near Barcelona!

Summer is here and it can get pretty hot, especially here in Barcelona! If you are looking to spend a nice day out with friends or family, going to water parks near Barcelona can be a great option to chill out a bit and have fun at the same time. We’ve got you covered at SuiteLife with our great selection of the best water parks near Barcelona! Check it out:

Costa Caribe Aquatic Park

The Costa Caribe Aquatic Park is part of the Port Aventura Park, only one hour drive from Barcelona. It is in the heart of Costa Dorada and is more than 50,000 square meter! You will be able to enjoy a great atmosphere of the Carribean, huge swimming pools, rapids, waves, river waters, palm trees and there’s even a special area for children. And guess what? There is also the highest free fall slide in Europe, for those of you who dare! The only bad thing about this park is that it is so famous that it can get really crowded, so don’t hesitate and take your tickets online to avoid queuing too much when arriving. You can also buy an “express pass” to beat the queue at the different attractions, which is going to save you a lot of time! You can find all the information you need (prices, opening times, ...) and book your tickets on their website: http://www.portaventura.co.uk/aquatic-park

Water world (Lloret del mar)

Water World is on the Costa Brava, so you can enjoy a nice location if you’re there on holidays. It is about a one hour drive from Barcelona. It has more than 20 different rides that are divided in three categories: children, family and bold so there should be something for everybody! You will enjoy some giant rides, wave pools, Jacuzzis, rapid rivers, kamikaze, etc… The only thing is that you need to arrive very early in order to really enjoy your day and avoid the crowd at the entrance gate, but apart from that, this park is definitely one of the best water parks near Barcelona! You can find all the information you need (prices, opening times, ...) and book your tickets on their website: http://waterworld.es/fr/home.html

Aquopolis (Vila Seca)

Aquopolis is in Vila Seca, an hour and a half south of Barcelona by car. Just like Water World and Costa Caribe, Aquo Polis offers rides for the entire family. But, there is one big difference between those parks ! Actually, one of the greatest things about Aquopolis is that there are exhibitions with dolphins and sea lions! You can even interact with them, and who in the world doesn’t want to swim with dolphins? Moreover, the dolphin show is included in the price so you won’t have to pay extra to see them. However, you need to book to confirm the activities with the animals. Don’t forget to buy your tickets online as they are discounted and you will avoid the queue at the entry! You can find all the information you need (prices, opening times, ...) and book your tickets on their website:  http://costa-dorada.aquopolis.es/

Marineland (Palafolls)

Marineland is located in Palafolls, which is about an hour drive from Barcelona. This park would have to be one of my favourites as it is not only a water park but also a marine zoo! You will be able to see dolphins, penguins, sea lions, seals and exotic birds. Even though I don’t quite understand what exotic birds have to do with marine life, it’s still great to be able to see them. And obviously, since it is a water park, you will enjoy lots of rides made for the entire family. It’s definitely a must go if you have children (and even if you don’t!). It is about one hour from Barcelona by car. Moreover, if you buy your tickets online, you’ll have a special discount so don’t wait any longer! You can find all the information you need (prices, opening times, ...) and book your tickets on their website: http://www.marineland.es/cataluna/fr/

Illa Fantasia (Vilassar de dalt)

A fellow SuiteLifer went there last weekend, and she really had a blast! It is only a 20min drive from Barcelona by car, but you can also take a bus to get there from the city. Even though it was on a Sunday, it was NOT crowded! And that is rare enough in Barcelona to be noted, trust me, especially in August. Like every other parks, you can enjoy many different water attractions, but in this one, you don’t have to queue for ages while burning in the sun! Every Wednesday during July and August, you can also enjoy an Aquasound Pool Party from 3pm to 6pm in a huuuuuge swimming pool! We haven’t been there yet, but it sounds like an amazing experience. There is also this special promotion where you can buy a day ticket and have a night ticket for free! “Pay once, come twice”. You can find all the information you need (prices, opening times, ...) and book your tickets on their website: http://www.illafantasia.com/ What about you? What are your favourite activities to do during a hot summer day in Barcelona? Leave a comment below to let us know! Cheers and have a lovely summer in BCN! Jade

“What are the Barcelona top attractions?”

Before visiting Barcelona, almost everybody asked me this question. If you read some books related to Barcelona tourist guides, there are loads of tourist attractions in Barcelona. No wonder people get confused with what to do in Barcelona on the first day. Here, SuiteLife Barcelona would like to introduce you to the Barcelona top attractions  with our exclusive photos!

Barcelona Top Attractions - One: Park Guell by Antonio Gaudi

This is my favourite place in Barcleona, where you can always take amazing pictures and see the nice views. How to get there: take the metro Line 3 and get off at Lesseps station. Then walk for a few minutes, the Park is indicated!

Barcelona Top Attractions - Two: Sagrada  Familia

La Sagrada Familia ('The Holy Family' in Spanish) is a masterpiece of architecture you have to see before your die (or at least before you leave Barcelona) Read more:  Visit Sagrada Familia for Free and Gaudi's church: La Sagrada Familia How to get there: Take blue line metro, L5, and purple line, L2, get off at station Sagrada Familia

Barcelona Top Attractions - Three:  Barceloneta City Beach

It is considered as the most popular Barcelona beach. "As it’s one of the closet beaches to the city centre and one of the most easily accessible, it attracts hordes of both locals and tourists in search of a good time in the sun." Read more: Barcelona beach profile 1: Barceloneta. How to get there: Take the Yellow Line 4 to either the “Barceloneta” or “Ciutadela/Villa Olympica” stop, walk for a few minutes, and you’re there!

Barcelona Top Attractions - Four:  Las Ramblas

A study in 2007, reported that around 80 million Barcelona tourists walk up and down the Ramblas every year. This long tree lined street has grown and expanded over the years, meandering for 1.2 kilometres down towards the sea. Read more: La Ramblas Barcelona -SuiteLife Take a stroll down the most famous street in Barcelona. How to get there: it is just next to Plaza Catalunya, take L3 to Liceu to pop up in the heart of the action.

Barcelona Top Attractions - Five: La Boqueria

La Boqueria market is said to be the biggest market in Europe and is synonymous with the historical culture of Las Ramblas and Barcelona as a whole. Read more:  Las Ramblas Barcelona Part 3: La Boqueria Market Barcelona AKA Sant Josep Market. How to get there: you can easily find it when you are walking along Las Ramblas as it is indicated everywhere!

Barcelona Top Attractions - Six: Camp Nou Barcelona

Camp Nou (also called “the New Camp” in English) is the home of FC Barcelona. This famous Barcelona stadium is located in the west of the city. Camp Nou Barcelona is the largest stadium in Europe and 10^th largest in the whole world with 99,354 seats. For more information about Camp Nou Barcelona: Barcelona FC and Nou Camp info How to get there: Metro: Line 3 (Get off at Maria Cristina or Les Corts) and Line 5 (Get off at Collblanc or Badal).

Barcelona Top Attractions - Seven: Arc de Triomf Barcelona

How to get there: Line 1 to Arc de Triomf station

Barcelona Top Attractions - Eight: Tibidabo Barcelona

The Tibidabo amusement park is definitely on of the most famous tourist attractions in Barcelona. The Tibidabo amusement park is located at the top of Collserola mountain, and it is probably one of the top 10 things to do in Barcelona. We recommend you to read our previous blog about Tibidabo: Tibidabo Barcelona- Home to Tibidabo amusement park. The Temple de Sagrat Cor and some of the finest views of Barcelona! How to get there: To get to Tibidabo Barcelona and the Temple de Sagra Cor church, jump on the Ferrocarril train on L7 at Plaza Catalunya and head to station Av Tibidado. Remember, this is NOT THE METRO SYSTEM.

We wish you a great trip in Barcelona!

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By Charlotte Jiaqian Chen SuiteLife blog writer and photographer

Barcelona City Card- Stay on Top.

Aren't you just so annoyed with all those entrance fees, anywhere you go? Sagrada Familia, Gaudi, Clubs, just.. Anything? Well I know I am. You end up with tons of little entrance tickets in your wallet leaving you with no space for that 100 euro bill you just found on the ground. Well I found out something that will get you anywhere, without all those tickets! You must have heard of them. Or seen them. These city cards that just get you inside anywhere. Either for free or with a discount. The card that I am talking about are called Barcelona Card, or Barcelona City Card.

Barcelona Cards services

Now that I've got your interest, let me tell you what you can actually do with them. I'm going to let you in on a little secret: you can do a lot! Let me list you a few things what you can do with these Barcelona Cards. They can be used as public transport tickets (for the airport transfers as well). So if you would have a 5 day Barcelona Card, you wouldn't need to buy any public transport tickets, you can just use these cards, which would already save you on quite some money. But the 'free' public transport isn't the best thing about these cards. It's the discounts. The free entrees for certain cultural activities, such as getting into the Sagrada Familia, Museums, and attractions. I am not going to list you all the things you can do with them, because that long, tedious list would just bore you out and I don't want that to happen! Oh, and you can get a free Harbour Cruise with these Barcelona Cards! Trust me, it is so, so worth it to get them. Oh, and if you don't know where to go besides the Sagrada Familia when you think of churches, please check out this amazing blog about the most gorgeous churches of Barcelona! Or if you are just lost on what to do, please check out this blog for awesome ideas to do in Gracia!

I want them!

I know what you're thinking. Where can I get these amazing City Cards for Barcelona? Well, there are actually two options of how you can buy them. You can buy them either online or at tourist offices. However, I think it might be easier for you to buy them online when you're at home before getting around town, but if you don't have a printer obviously this isn't possible. In that case you should get to one of the tourist information centres and just get a Barcelona Card there! I have listed a few tourist information centres for you, saving you the trouble! (Now if that isn't considerate I don't know what is)
- Barcelona Airport: One office in each Terminal Open daily from 08.30 to 20.30 h except 01/01 and 25/12. -Barcelona's main train station of Sants Open daily from 8 to 20 h except 01/01 and 25/12. -Columbus monument in the port at the beginning of la Rambla Open daily from 9.30 to 15.30 h except 01/01 and 25/12. -Placa de Catalunya, right on the square in the basement Open daily from 8.30 to 20.30 h except 01/01 and 25/12. (please exchange your mobile voucher here) -Placa de Sant Jaume - next to the city hall Open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 20 h, Saturday 9 to 17 h, Sundays and holidays from 9 to 14 h except 01/01 and  25/12. Like I said, you can also buy them online, so I've found you 1, 2, 3 websites where you can buy them. I can give you the cheapest one, but that would be the cheapest one at this moment. They tend to change their prices for competitive reasons (with discounts for example), so I think it might be better for you to check on the date you want the Barcelona Cards to figure out which website would be the cheapest one. However, my guess is the price differences will stay around a few euros, so it might not matter too much.

Nightlife Barcelona Card

For the party animals among us, there is also this Barcelona Card for clubbing. However, this is a rather expensive one. The card usually sells for 1 night, but you can opt for several nights. This Barcelona Card will get you into 14 clubs over 1 night, for the price of €26,95. With this card you won't have to pay any entrances fees at any of the 14 clubs. There is a rather extensive list on which 14 clubs these are, but some of them are the famous clubs like Opium, Shoko and CDLC. If you don't like one club, you usually stay there because you've paid the entrance fee. With this card you can just walk in and out and get to that other club you also want to check out. So no need to worry about any lost money! And, which is even better, you don't have to wait in line! So if you want to make the most out of your night out, make sure to get this Barcelona Card for nightlife! So please follow my advice and get one of these cards. They will definitely make your life easier and so much more fun in Barcelona! You just have to try them out! So that was it for today, much love! Untill next time, ~Tjeerd