Contemporary Barcelona Architecture: Barcelona's Architecture Has Always Been Contemporary

Architecture in Barcelona should really be in a class by itself and just be called Barcelona Architecture; no need to add modern, gothic, contemporary or the likes when referring to architecture in Barcelona. Prior to winning any world cup or facilitating any discovery Spain had already mastered Architecture… in Barcelona. Just to clear the air here: contemporary and modern architecture are not always twins. Contemporary architecture is pretty much anything new on the scene and modern happens to be a time period:  the one that introduced the absence of “stuff” sometime around 1920. And by stuff I mean…
And by absence I mean…
So technically, modern architecture was once contemporary. :)  It also just so happens to be that in today’s time what is new is clean lines, thus consider contemporary architecture today an upgrade of modern arcmhitecture. #Whew! Ok now that that’s over... …So I have been here in Barcelona for almost a week. Naturally, being someone highly interested in Art and Architecture I was pretty excited to get here. Spanish architecture is notable (of course this is no discovery), especially for the undoubtedly timeless pieces that you will experience walking down any street of Barcelona. Look up for heaven’s sake!
I have to say though, the thing that peaked my interest the most, trekking down the streets and, of course even just arriving at the Barelona Aeropuerto, has got to be just the sudden outbursts of contemporary modern looking architecture every now and then. An aside:  architecture is not just an entire building; it is all the elements that make up the building. The best part about these sudden visions is that they totally fit in! I will show you:
Do you see how the architects really captured being able to move forward without leaving the rest completely behind? Barcelona architecture is an embracing one - one of progression and not rebellion. That is why architecture in Barcelona is always one step ahead… or at least never lagging behind. So then, I decided since contemporary pieces were what sparked my interest most; let me really see what Barcelona architecture has to offer in that category. Wow! Can we say 10 blogs minimum?  I decided I was going to head down to Poblenou Barcelona, which is an entire contemporary Barcelona barrio on its own, with or without a clue how to get out of a lost situation. Yikes! Made it to Poblenou and getting lost was definitely more of an ‘angels on harps’ moment than a ‘yikes’ moment for sure. Here are a few of my ‘contemporary I had no idea existed Barcelona architecture’ captures:

Yes, yes I know … where are the famous pieces you ask write my paper for me? Even though pictures do not give these works of contemporary art and architecture the magnificent credit they deserve, I decided to take a few anyway. Here goes: [caption id="attachment_18863" align="aligncenter" width="538"]
L’Auditori by architect Rafael Moneo[/caption]

Teatre Nacional de Catalunya by Ricardo Bofill a midst L'Auditori and Torre Agbar. Below is the Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel [caption id="attachment_18867" align="aligncenter" width="369"]
Torre Agbar in Poblenou context[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18868" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Torre Agbar detail[/caption] Does the Agbar tower really seem reminiscent of a geyser? Failed in concept I would say but definitely a great navigation system for a lost new comer! When in doubt, look for La Torre Agbar! Last but not Least is the MediaTIC Edificio that was designed by the architectural team at Cloud 9 led by Enric Ruiz-Geli. This building epitomizes contemporary architecture definitely by Barcelona architecture standards. It represents progression by its highly digital design, the inclusion of sustainable architecture and by its use. I would have to say it was definitely an unexpected surprise hidden way behind the rest of the Poblenou magnificence. Form does follow function!
[caption id="attachment_18870" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
MediaTIC detail[/caption] Until next time! Besos! Melissa

Things That May Seem Strange in Barcelona Coming from the Other Side of the World

-  Strange in Barcelona Sirens -> Every now and then, as with every city in the world, I hear the police, fire trucks or ambulance racing down the street to someone’s aid. Okay.. what’s so weird? Every time I hear them, I immediately think I’m in some 1950’s mafia movie or that I somehow got transmitted back in time to World War II. The European reading this blog will be wondering what I am talking about. Well here it is… this is what we hear in the west in real life (ambulance siren)…. And this is what we hear in the west in the movies (strange Barcelona siren). -  Strange in Barcelona Elevators -> if nothing else teaches you about patience in Barcelona, it will be the elevators! Given the antiquity of them, they are quite slow and don’t support the being in a rush concept. And don’t think running up or down the staircase will be any faster because the floor to floor heights are twice that in the west and so it means double the steps. [caption id="attachment_18974" align="aligncenter" width="265"]
Typical elevator In Barcelona[/caption] At first, after you push the button (depending on where you are you may have to push the button of the floor you are on for it to come to you), you will hear some industrial noise and you will think to yourself “I hope that was not in this building”. Indeed it is. The elevators here are all old hydraulic elevators and so you hear the hydraulics at work every time someone tries to use it. Anyhow, the elevator finally gets to you and now you are thinking “why won’t these doors open?” It’s fairly simple, you have to open the doors on your own; and depending on where you are you will also have to open the inner ones as well. You better close these doors when you get out because neither you nor the next person will be going anywhere unless you do. Lastly, only if you have a death wish should you try to fit more than 4 people into an elevator. -  Strange in Barcelona Catholics and Gays get along (in the open) -> In the 1800’s they would burn you on a stake to try and convert you to Christianity; and still 94% of the population is Roman Catholic yet gay marriages have been legal here for quite some time. This would scream irony over in the west.  Especially since it’s taking so long to catch on over there and half of the population doesn’t even believe in the things the Catholic bible says. -  Strange in Barcelona Language -> There are 4 official languages – Castillian (Spanish), Catalan, Basque and Galician) -> Oh! No wonder every time I think “I’ve got this!” it turns out I really haven’t. -  There are 3 unofficial languages – Asturian, Arogonese and Aranese .. and tons of dialects -> see above ^. I seriously don’t have this. -  Strange in Barcelona Is it done yet? -> They have the only building in the world that is famous yet incomplete; and still being built 125 years later. Talk about diligence. A must see! La Sagrada Familia. [caption id="attachment_18975" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
La Sagrada Familia - At least they now have cranes[/caption] -  Strange in Barcelona Don’t take it to the streets! -> Weed.. aka marijuana.. aka mary jane is legal.. AT HOME… I guess that’s why everyone is so welcoming when I say I’m Jamaican (And for the record I do not smoke); or why the lady renting her home said no drugs allowed except weed. *raised eyebrow* -  Strange in Barcelona Hey they paid for him -> Messi is Argentinian. In the world of football this is not strange at all but I just thought I would throw this on in for Kicks! - Strange in Barcelona Catalonians don’t really drink sangria -> this would explain why I can’t find any good tasting ones here. They just make watered down wine for the tourists. You’re better off with a caiparina, mojito, gin y tonic or cacique y cola! - Strange in Barcelona Look out below! - People hang their clothes off the balcony to dry -> Great way to meet people… when you’re underwear falls 10 stories down onto someone else's terrace. [caption id="attachment_18976" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Balcony drying station[/caption] -  Strange in Barcelona Lunch is at 2pm and Dinner is at 10pm -> this pretty much disproves all the western theory about eating late and gaining weight. - Strange in Barcelona The ring tone is kind of similar to a busy signal - > I guess I just thought that’s how it sounds from the west to the east. Turns out it sounds that way here too. -  Strange in Barcelona How come I haven’t seen anyone dance the Flamenco?? -> yup. Not a Catalonian dance! -  Strange in Barcelona Thinking ahead instead of lagging behind -> Unlike in the west, if you are driving and the light is about to turn red you better not speed up to try and catch the light because the pedestrians have already anticipated their green and have started walking. Likewise if you are a pedestrian and the light indicates that it will soon be time for the cars to start driving, you better just stop and wait for the next light because feet are already off the brakes. Those are all the noticeably strange things in Barcelona that I’ve seen since I’ve been here in the last three weeks without reading an “all about Barcelona historical facts.” Besos! Melissa

Skating in Barcelona is extremely popular. Many skaters from all over the world flock into the city to practice their skills. Read on to find out where you can find the best Barcelona skate spots and skate shops! So you want to explore the city’s architecture in a different way? You could use some exercise to lose that winter chubbiness? Unlike yours truly, you have an above average sense of balance? Then why not discover the city on a skateboard? With the balmy climate, the laidback culture and the distinctive designs of public places, Barcelona has come to be known as skateboarding paradise. In a previous blog post on skate spots in Barcelona, we already talked about the two most famous ones, namely Plaça de la Universitat and the MACBA Museum. Covering all of the Barcelona skate spots  would be a rather hopeless task, the best thing to do is take your board and go exploring, really. However, to get you started we have collected some other places that are much appreciated by skaters: (be sure to also check out our map below)

Barcelona Skate Spots: Parallel

Some hundred meters from the metro station (green line, L3) there’s a spot with a lot of ledges, benches, a slope and a stage in the middle. Very popular!

Barcelona Skate Spots: Fòrum

After you get off the metro (yellow line, L4), go towards the ocean. You will find benches, ledges, wavelike structures, large stairs and a skate park closeby. A lot of exploring possiblities!

Barcelona Skate Spots: Sants station (Estació de Sants)

Both sides of the station (green line, L3 and blue line, L5) offer great skating areas. On one side you will find several stone benches, a long rail and some stairs. The other side features a manual pad and a set of stairs. A popular hangout place for many skateboarders.

Barcelona Skate Spots: Fondo

A bit further a way, but easily accessible with the orange line (L9). Basically a skate park, but there are also nice benches on the side of the street.

Barcelona Skate Spots: Arc de Triomf

Accessible with the red line (L1) Here you'll find a lot of stairs, slopes and rails. Great place to practice!

Barcelona Skate Spots: Port Olimpic

Large smooth boardwalks, some stairs, some rails and a refreshing sea breeze…
What more do you need?   Being the skateboarder's paradise, Barcelona also has some nice skate shops. So if you wish to update or expand your skating gear, we suggest you pay a visit to Inercia Shop, Free Barcelona and/or Ikara Skate Shop. They are the most well-known skate shops in Barcelona. This should definitely get you on your way. So if you now feel the unstoppable urge to practice your skateboarding skills – or impress the girls / guys – you know where to go! But as said before, Barcelona certainly houses a lot more skateboarding spots, so don’t hesitate to set out on an exploration of the city! If you're looking for more great info on skating in Barcelona you must check out this site which is the Bible of Skate Spots in Barcelona! The map below is from their site but you can also get more detailed info from them so check it out! Click Here to View a Larger Map Let us know in the comments if you have any other skating recommendations, we’d love to hear them!   - by Machteld De Groef / Photos by Charlotte Jiaqian Chen

The 24 Hour Shopping store in Barcelona: A Lost Concept

Do I really need a 24 hour shopping store in Barcelona to survive here? ‘You’re in Barcelona! Why are you thinking about Walmart?  Never in my wildest dreams...’ This is my latest self-conversation. You would think I was brought up in a place not at all similar to this, but all of a sudden the concept of stores closing by 9 pm and not opening on a Sunday seem so foreign to me. But it does make perfect sense as it did in Jamaica (10 years ago): how can you go to the beach or enjoy a Sunday stroll with the family if you are at the supermarket… or any other shopping for that matter? And of course you will learn the concept of doing without (improvising) or, meeting your neighbours if you run out of that necessary ingredient. But for those of you who don’t like any of those ideas, especially after you just spent the last 48 hours partying in Barcelona and have no more cash to go to a great restaurant with a terrace, I have taken the liberty of putting it out there. Are you ready? There ARE 24 hour shopping stores in Barcelona! You may have to walk a few blocks but none the less, they do exist! I have to tell you. You should be very grateful for these stores because there are major hurdles to get over here in order to open one of these late night/ 24 Hour shopping stores in Barcelona. The laws of Barcelona do not promote this concept at all, thus there are heavy fees involved. First up on the 24 hour shopping list is Open25. They are the only ones that actually open for the entire 24 hours on Monday and Sunday 365 days a year. Otherwise they open Thursday to Sunday 24 hours and Monday to Wednesday 8:00am to 2:00am. Open25 sells everything you could need to get by until the rest of Barcelona re-opens. Click here for their locations - Open25. [caption id="attachment_18924" align="aligncenter" width="267"]
Open25[/caption] Next  on the list are OpenCor and VIPS. They open until 2:00am and have way more than what will get you by. Restaurants, electronics… stuff. What?!? But they aren't open after 2:00am. Seriously, if you are hungry after 2:00am go to bed. :) Ok so really now this will get your mind off Walmart because Walmart does not have 24 hour pharmacies where I am from. This should be your only NEED after 2:00am. So because I care so much :), here are a few 24 Hour pharmacies in Barcelona, addresses and all:

• Farmacia Torres

Calle Aribau, 62 08011 Barcelona Tel: 934-539-220

• Farmacia Cervera

Muntaner, 254 (Between Travessera and Diagonal) 08021 Barcelona Tel: 932-000-996

• Farmacia Bonanova

Plaza Bonanova, 6 08022 Barcelona Tel: 934-178-032 Even though you should be enjoying the Barcelona experience and adhering to their culture of either being asleep or partying after 1:00am, I will throw in a 24 hour copy shop. But as a reader of this blog I hope you will only use it if you need to photocopy travel documents for travel early in the morning. Who needs Kinkos when you have Workcenter! [caption id="attachment_18925" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Workcenter 24 Hour Copying + DHL[/caption] In the end all you really need to know when you think you need a to do 24 hour shopping in Barcelona is that there are two greater options in Barcelona for that time of night ... sleeping and partying! And that's the way it's done in Barcelona. Relax a little and enjoy the ride! Besos Melissa

Barcelona to Madrid - Two of Spain's/World's Greatest Cities!

Barcelona to Madrid is a journey I seem to be making more and more frequently recently. I am becoming quite the expert on travel routes between the two cities. Barcelona to Madrid may strike you as a simple journey, which it is, but if you aren't careful, you could end up paying more than you may imagine. Barcelona to Madrid....Vamos!!
At the time of writing, I have been living in Barcelona for the best part of two years, I've loved every moment of it, the ups, the downs and the sideways bits in-between. However, as with everything in life, it has been nothing like I imagined it to be. When I moved to Barcelona, I had visions of  jetting off every weekend, to some other beautiful part of Spain...or perhaps Italy or France. Not to say I haven't explored because I have, but life does have a way of getting in the way of things. Once I started working and paying for things like rent and food, it became difficult to find time to enjoy Barcelona, let alone fly to Madrid or Paris! Recently though, I met a girl...(queue dramatic operatic film music) who lives in Madrid. She's one of a kind and I'm happy as Larry, to say the very least. The last few weekends, I've been flying from Barcelona to Madrid to see her, being careful to spend as little as possible on the journey,  and as much time as possible with her, food, wine and all the other good stuff that goes hand in hand.

Barcelona to Madrid - What are the options?

What I have come to realise, is that when travelling from Barcelona to Madrid, the cheapest option is not always the best option. However, I appreciate that some of you SuiteLifers may disagree so I will give you the low-down on what's hot-to-trot.

The AVE Train (RENFE) - High Speed

Why use the AVE train to get from Barcelona to Madrid? A comfortable and fast way to travel between Barcelona - Madrid, the RENFE AVE Train is a a high speed train travelling from Barcelona Sants/La Sagrera Train stations to Madrid central train station. How long does the train take from Barcelona to Madrid? The journey time is more or less 3 hours. When you consider that you get on the train in Barcelona and don't have to travel to the airport, the journey time is more or less the same as if you were to fly. Especially if you were  to get to the airport an hour or two in advance. When do the trains leave from Barcelona to Madrid? I think the real beauty of getting the AVE RENFE high speed train, is the frequency of which they run. There is one if not two trains from Barcelona to Madrid leaving every hour from 6am to 9pm. For a good look at the timetable just click -----> Here :) How Much is the train from Barcelona to Madrid? It's not cheap and will cost you €120 return and as tourist. However, it must be said that as flights from Barcelona to Madrid fluctuate, the AVE Train does not. I always use this as a reference, if a flight is considerably more than this amount, you know the train price will remain the same.   

The Estrella Night Train (RENFE) - Not So High Speed

Why use the Estrella Night train to get from Barcelona to Madrid? Bottom line, the Estrella Night Train run by RENFE offers the cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid. If you have time but no money, the Estrella Night Train from Barcelona to Madrid is your best bet. How long does the Estrella Night Train take to get from Barcelona to Madrid? The journey time is more or less 9 hours. If you have a sleeping bag and a pillow, and you can get comfortable, I suggest you get some shut eye and sleep well knowing you are saving a bunch of money not only by using the cheapest travel route, but also saving yourself from shelling out for a nights accommodation. When does the Estrella Night Train leave from Barcelona to Madrid? As there is only one night in a day, there is only one night train, so be careful you don't turn up late and miss it. Typically the Estrella Night Train leaves Barcelona at around 10pm. For a good look at the timetable just click -----> Here :) How Much is the Estrella Night Train from Barcelona to Madrid? It's cheap, in fact, it's dirt cheap. €44. Need I say any more about this? I don't think so.

Fights from Barcelona to Madrid (My personal recommendation)

Why fly from Barcelona to Madrid? Often, but not always, you can get some great deals on Barcelona to Madrid flights. If like me, you don't have much time, but a great desire to be in Madrid, then flying offers quick and flexible way to travel. How long is the flight from Barcelona to Madrid? The flight itself is more or less ONE HOUR. However, bare in mind that Barcelona/El Prat Airport is outside of Barcelona city and typically you will need to set aside an hour, just to get from the city to  the airport. To get from Barcelona city to the airport, I usually use the train, which goes from Clot, Paseo de Gracia and Barcelona Sants. It's cheap and only takes about 30-40 minutes. But be careful as there are only one or two trains every hour, meaning you often have to wait for 30 minutes for it to arrive. NB - The train from Barcelona to El Prat Airport takes you to Terminal 2, flights from Barcelona to Madrid leave from Terminal 1 which means you have to jump on the little shuttle bus (free of charge), this adds an extra 15 minutes to your journey which I didn't realise and nearly missed my flight. BE CAREFUL! If time is not your friend, I suggest jumping on the Aerobus in Placa Cataluyna (Barcelona center) which costs about €5-6 and stops at both terminal 1 and 2. Stress free and perhaps a little easier. Who offers the best Flights from Barcelona to Madrid?
There are certainly many companies offering "cheap flights from Barcelona to Madrid" but it must be said that the prices fluctuate rapidly and seemingly without reason. So far, I have found Vueling to offer the best prices, although recently while I was booking a ticket, the price dropped from €99 to €35. Of course I was happy about this, but it just seems that sometimes it's worth waiting and watching for the prices to change.

Vueling - Great Service, Punctual and THE BEST PRICES!

How Much are flights from Barcelona to Madrid? It's not bad, but it's not great. Baring in mind you can get the AVE Train for €120, I usually use that as a base. So far, I have paid about €130 return from Barcelona to Madrid, it seems that flights from Madrid to Barcelona are cheaper than the other way round.  It seems that during peak periods (which is generally on weekends or holidays when I want to fly), the flights are about €99 each way....no thanks!! Spanair Spanair always sound very attractive, but they are one of those companies that don't include things like taxes in their price, so it may start off at €50 return, it normally ends up being considerably more than that, and in my experience, Spanair do not offer the best value on flights between Barcelona and Madrid. Rumbo http://www.rumbo.es/ are great in the way that they search for routes of various companies. For example, you could fly from Barcelona to Madrid with Vueling, but then return with SpanAir. They mix and match cheap flights so you don't have to scour the different sites for the best deal. So there you have it, Barcelona to Madrid. I hope you enjoy your travels as I have done. Madrid and Barcelona are very different, but both incredible places and I'm happy to have experienced them as I have.

THE BUS FROM BARCELONA TO MADRID?

Well, I haven't taken the bus from Barcelona to Madrid. I must say, it would be cheaper, but not necessarily cheaper than the night train. Considering it takes more time I would not even bother with the bus, unless of course, you are on a massive budget and want to take your own sweet time! Ben Holbrook - SuiteLifer and BCN to MADRID Frequent Flyer!

Barcelona Sculptures :  Best (non-Gaudi) Sculptures

For many, Barcelona is inextricably linked with the work of Antoni Gaudí. People from all over the world visit the city to wonder at his highly original organic buildings and sculptures. Barcelona wouldn’t be the same without these iconic works. Looking beyond Gaudí, Barcelona has a selection of other permanent more modern sculptural works that have been significant in defining new periods and adorning public spaces in the city. Sometimes it’s easy to pass by the open air gallery that is Barcelona so keep your eyes peeled the next time you wander its streets and ´plazas’. Here are some worth checking out. Barcelona Sculptures: The Raval Cat – Designed by Fernando Botero this is one of Barcelona’s most popular sculptures. The big, black bulbous cat sits staring out on the Rambla de Raval. It has moved around the city and has finally come to rest here. As it watches over the antics of the Raval, kids love to scramble up its legs and others use it as a meeting point. It has in part ended up here to help promote the regeneration of the Raval district.

Barcelona Sculptures : Cap de Barcelona – The famous Pop Artist, Roy Lichtenstein, was commissioned to create a sculpture for the 1992 Olympics. Originally to be placed in the mountains, it was decided that it would be more suited to the old port. Standing 20 metres high, it’s instantly recognisable as a Lichtenstein with abstract features and a use of bold colour to represent a woman’s head. He used the old technique of “Trencadis”, popular with Modernists in Catalonia where ceramic tiles are smashed and stuck back together to create a work of art. Barcelona Sculptures: Frank Gehry’s Fish – The giant ‘peix’ has become just as emblematic of Barcelona as any of Gaudí’s structures. The first piece to be designed by Gehry & Associates using computer aided design was commissioned for the Olympics. Highly conceptual, this huge copper fish glints in the setting sun and reflects a modern Barcelona that was transformed by the Olympics Games. It is also very much a part of its environment being formed at the same time as the expanded seafront and the new beaches of Bogatel, Nova Icària, and Mar Bella.

Barcelona Sculptures: Woman with Bird – One of Barcelona´s most famous artists, Miró, bequeathed this sculpture to Barcelona in 1983. The The Dona I Ocell (Woman with Bird) can be found in Parc Joan Miró near Plaza Espanya and uses the same “Trencadis” technique of shattered and reconstituted tiles so typical of Gaudí’s work. Miró’s last public work is reminiscent of many of his expressionist paintings. Barcelona Sculptures: Cloud & Chair – You might miss this rambling sculpture called Nuvol i Cadira or Cloud & Chair on the Modernist building of the Antoni Tapies Foundation on calle Aragon. The tangled tubular structure takes up the space between the two buildings and either looks like a wild abstract painting or barbed wire protection depending on your point of view. You need to look closely to see the chair. The foundation was established by Catalunya´s most famous artist, Antoni Tapies, to promote contemporary art.
If you know of any other cool sculptures in Barcelona let us know! Ranald

BEST ENGLISH-SPEAKING HAIRDRESSERS IN BARCELONA

There are a lot of English speaking hairdressers in Barcelona. As a vibrant and multinational city, many hairdressers around the world chose Barcelona as their second home to develop their skills and careers. A new haircut can refresh your look as well as boost your confidence totally. Choosing a hair salon is risky and difficult, especially when you move a new city. You will ask a lot of questions such as "Where would I go ?", "How would I explain to them what and how I would like to do with my hair when I do not speak Spanish well ?" But don't worry, today Suitelife will help you pick out the best English speaking hair dressers in Barcelona. All these hair salons have already been in Barcelona for years. They understand what customers want well and surely will not disappoint you.

ANTHONY LLOBET

Anthony LLobet is definitely the most well-known and oldest English-speaking hair salons in Barcelona.  Having already been in Bcn for 14 years, Anthony Llobet has 5 salons in the best neighborhoods in Barcelona, from Gracia to El Born. When you come here, you do not have to be worry about language boundaries because their friendly and welcoming London-trained staff are from all around the world. There are 11 languages are spoken between them and you can explain exactly what you would like. With 25 years experience in hair dressing, Mr Anthony Llobet, who is of English-Catalan decent, has traveled around the world to style in various fashion shows, catwalks, TV and so on. He is also a TREsemmé Spain ambassador. You can feel his passion reflected in the retro interiors and the slogan "Don't let your Spanish come between you and your hair". If you want to book an appointment, you should telephone the salon directly. Their website has lots of useful info that you can check here

ONDA SALON

If Anthony Llobet can make you feel like you enter a friendly and casual pub, Onda Salon is like having dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant. The salon was founded in 2009 by Piero Zatra, an Italian stylist who used to be a style director of Toni&Guy in London and finally chose Barcelona as his home. The staff at Onda are laid back Italians who speak English very well. The salon offers variety of services both in hairdressing and aesthetics. At Onda, you can find hairstyle for every occasion, latest hairstyles trends as well as waxing, massages, treatments, make up and so on. The staff are very friendly and they can give you the best advice for hair and beauty services. The salon follows the luxurious interior design with flourish wallpaper and big chandelier lights. The price might not be as cheap as many other hair salons in Bcn, but it is reasonable for their excellent services. Their website is very cool, especially their 3D virtual interior tour letting you see inside the shop. If you wish to schedule an appointment, you can contact them via telephone, Whatsapp, email or contact form on their website.

TOUCH

Elegance and sophistication is what Touch brings to its customers. Touch hair salon is owned and managed by the Dutch hairdresser Gijs Hoogendam who has diverse experience as a stylist for different fashion shows. The mission of Touch is to enhance your look, bring out the best of your features and boost your confidence. With Gijs's incredible artistic flare  and his 20-year experience on and off catwalk, Touch's aim is to ensure you leave the salon feeling like a million dollars. When you come to Touch, Gijs will be a great listener and consultant as he will discuss with you carefully about what are you looking for.  His excellent eyes for details can be reflected in the salon's black and white interior design with the ornate Baroque mirrors and furniture being imported from his old salon in the Netherlands. If you want to feel like having your own stylist in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere, Touch always welcomes you. Check out their website here

DTOX

The cool thing about hair salons in Barcelona is that they are so trendy, which makes you admire the design and never get bored waiting for the haircut or treatment process. Dtox is another hair salon opened by a Catalan and Spanish team who speaks English well. Dtox will amaze you with their professional team who were featured on Catalan newspapers "el Periódico" and "La Vanguardia". Although Dtox is hidden in an old 50's building located in El Raval, the salon is very lush and beautiful with modern furniture and industrial look. If you want to find a place to spend an afternoon before having dinner or drink at the evening with a new look, Dtox can be a good choice ! Unfortunately, their website is only available in Spanish, so if you want to know more about their services, you should contact them via telephone at here

SHIBUYA WORLD

You definitely know the two most popular hair-straightening treatments recently: Japanese Hair Straitening and Brazilian Keratin Treatment. And if you want to go to a place specializing in Japanese treatment, why not try Shibuya World, a small quirky salon which is opened and operated by a passionate Japanese team. With 2 branches in Barcelona, Shibuya World is the place where nothing is impossible. They specialize in different treatments and dyeing hair from popular colors to rare ones such as green, blue and orange,...Also, they have a large stock of hair extensions in different shapes and size, which can please any clients with any weird hairstyle ideas. Once you enter this small salon, you will experience the feeling of being in Shibuya neighborhood known as fashion and nightlife area in Japan. If you are into Japanese culture, you can check out our blog Best of Japanese culture in Barcelona
Winter is coming, why not have your hair cut and recharge your energy ? If you know any other English-speaking hair salons in Bcn, we would like to hear about them, leave us a comment below ! ~Trang

Tibidabo Barcelona - "What" and "Where" is it?

Located at the top of Collserola mountain, Tibidabo Barcelona is home to the Tibidabo Amusement Park and the magical “Temple de Sagrat Cor”.  Dating back to 1900, work began on the Tibidabo Amusement Park and the “Blue Tram” and “Funicular Railway”. Barcelona Tibidabo officially opened on the 29^th of October 1901, the “Blue Tram” was considered to be a highly modern and innovative transport method and ended up being one of the main attractions. First and foremost, I would like to emphasise that although Barcelona Tibidabo is advertised as an “amusement/theme park” it really is a whole lot more than that. Barcelona Tibidiabo Amusement Park is a magical area of Barcelona with over 30 attractions, rides, ferris wheels, and restaurants and yes, I will say it again....VIEWS!!!! Certainly not just for the kids, you will find people of all ages at the top of Barcelona’s Collserola mountain. So charming and emblematic, Tibidabo was used as a filming location for Woody Allens’s Oscar winning film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”. With the handsome and imposing church, “Temple de Sagrat cor”, you can’t help but feel you have stumbled upon a secret that nobody else has discovered!

What is the "Temple de Sagrat Cor"?

The  Temple de Sagrat Cor or The Church of the Sacred Heart, designed by architect Enric Sagnier, is the illuminated Church which is visible from almost every point of Barcelona. A truly charming and romantic part of Barcelona, it's always one of the first talking points amongst people arriving to the city and asking, "What is that magical and mysterious place on the hill?". 512 metres above sea level, the building The  Temple de Sagrat Cor started in 1902 and took 60 years to complete. Although not as impressive as other Barcelona architecture such as The Sagrada Familia, The  Temple de Sagrat Cor offers so much more in terms of it's location and if I could only visit one, I would struggle to choose a favourite!

How to get to Tibidabo Amusement Park | The  Temple de Sagrat Cor | Collserolla Mountain

English speaking locksmiths in Barcelona - quick, reliable, emergency 24h service

Good day Señoras & Señores! Let me tell you a story. A very unpleasant story that happened to our beloved boss Benny alomost 10 years ago. In a nuthsell, he got locked out his flat at 3am in the morning and the next day he had to fly to Canada. Wanna know what he did? He called some English speaking locksmiths in Barcelona who charged him 300 bucks, as he called him for an emergency. Now everyone would like to avoid that situation, right? That's why we've put together a list of the English speaking locksmiths in Barcelona that could help you out of a bind. So save these contacts in the memory of your phone NOW!

1. CERRAJERIA BCN

• CONTACT NUMBERS: + 34 93 752 54 10 / + 34 659 536 536
• WEBSITE: http://www.cerrajeriabcn.es/en/
• EMAIL: info@cerrajeriabcn.es
• DESCRIPTION: With a call centre open 24/7 that can assist you in English, Cerrajeria BCN operates throughout all Barcelona and also in the cities located in close proximity (Terrassa, Badalona, Barbera, Sitges, Castelldefells, Cornellá, etc.). With proficiency in emergencies, residential or commercial locksmith services and also high security systems, they will make sure you get in asap.

2. OPENDOOR LOCKSMITH

• CONTACT NUMBER: +34 658 668 478
• WEBSITE: http://www.opendoors24h.com/english/
• EMAIL: mail.opendoorv@gmail.com
• DESCRIPTION: Targeted specifically at tourists, Opendoor Locksmith provide a reliable and fast service, not charging a preferential fee for foreigners (like other locksmiths in the city). They can be employed both from inside Barcelona and from the cities around, such as El Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Maresme, etc. In addition to opening closed doors, Opendoor Locksmith sells locks, safes, domestic rolling shutters, bars, security blinds, and anti-shatter glass for businesses.

3. CERRAJEROS BARCELONA EAC

• CONTACT DETAILS: +34 670 774 733
• DESCRIPTION: Cerrajeros Barcelona EAC is another locksmith company operating 24/7 as well as during holidays (and for the love of God, Spaniards do have loads!), with professional English speaking workers that open people's door locks in the city centre and nearby. Besides from opening property doors and changing locks, they also do lock repairs and even car doors. They offer people discounts on each operation, so make sure you don't forget to ask for yours!

Tips

We wouldn't be anywhere without our dear SuiteLifers and we'd like you to always keep safe, so that's why our friends from Cerrajeria BCN have provided us with a guide on how to make burglars' attempts harder. Here are their pieces of advice:

1. Do not let anyone into your house that you don't know. If they claim to be a service worker of some sort, make sure to ask for the proper identification prior to you letting them in!
2. Make sure to always lock all your doors and windows!
3. Install dead bolt locks on all of the external doors!
4. Always change all the locks when you first move in!
5. Never give your keys to any service workers, gardeners, cleaning crews or anyone else not you do not know well!
6. Never have an ID tag with personal information and home address attached to your keys!
7. Install keyed window locks and locks on your garage!
8. Make sure to have the outside of your home well lighted as a deterrent!
9. What should you do when you are away!
10. Always leave your outside lights on, so that it appears as though someone is at home!
11. Ask some you know and trust to check up on your home periodically!
12. Have your mail held at the post office while you are away or have you know and trust pick up your mail every day or every other day!
13. Make sure all windows and doors are shut and locked. Don't forget about your garage door and shed!
14. Tell neighbors and the security patrol in your neighborhood (if you have one) that you will be out of town and for them to keep a look out for any unusual behavior!

Till next time, stay safe SuiteLifers! Muchisimas gracias, Dragosh (El Dragon)

International Schools in Barcelona - Education comes first!

Hello from the SuiteLife team! Last week we talked about the best International Day Care Centers In Barcelona where your toddlers can be trained to be multilingual. On a similar note, I decided to write a post on the best International Schools in Barcelona for those of you whose children are all grown up now. You'll be surprised at the number of International schools in Barcelona has to offer and their variety. But, of course, I want only the best for my SuiteLife peeps, therefore in this post I will list only the finer ones.

The Benjamin Franklin International School

Truly International is what this school is aiming for. With a mix of approximately 1/3 American, 1/3 Spanish and 1/3 Foreign students, be sure that your child will have a lot of cultural exchange and appreciation (a bit too much maybe). There are 608 students enrolled in Benjamin Franklin International School as of 2015 forming a global community consisting of 48 nationalities. The school opened doors in Barcelona in 1986 and while relatively new it came along with the new standards, new requirements and new passion the modern education system expects. So don't be thrown off by the fact that the school has been running only for three decades, the teaching staff is fully motivated and driven by the common goal to mend your kids into future individuals seeking excellence in their lives. Benjamin Franklin International School teaches students mainly in English. However, Spanish and Catalan are introduced later in the curriculum to ensure the pupils achieve good command in the two languages. If languages turn out to be your child's strong suit they can also choose optional French to add to their program.
The school adopts an American standard of teaching with a typical American curriculum and lesson delivery. Your kids can benefit from Benjamin Franklin International School by receiving three different academic diplomas: the American High School Diploma, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, and the Spanish Bachillerato Certificate. Consequently meaning that they will immensely boost their future prospects for getting into a high quality university. These are the tuition fees for the different divisions for 2015/2016:

• Early Childhood ( Nursery & Pre-K ) - 8,985 €
• Kindergarten* - 8,985 €
• Elementary School ( Grades 1 – 5 ) - 11,220 €
• Middle School ( Grades 6 – 8 ) - 11,525 €
• High School ( Grades 9 – 12 ) - 13,750 €

I know, I know it is pricey. What you need to take into consideration, however, is that this is one of the finest International Schools in Barcelona with one of the highest educational quality standard. If you live in Barcelona and find these fees affordable, be sure that you will be making an excellent investment in your childrens' future. The school provides all the necessary services to ensure the safety and well-being of your child. Transportation is provided picking up and dropping off students in 10 areas in Barcelona. The cafeteria always prepares fresh and healthy meals for its students. And the nurse's room is always prepared and available to anyone at all times.

English School Barcelona

A personal touch. With one class per year group and a maximum of 18 students in a class English School Barcelona's teachers have a very personal approach to their students. Catering to every student's individual problems or queries this system assures that every child is dealt with care and they achieve an extremely high academic level. Dedicating time and attention to every student individually is one of the things that sets this school apart from the other International schools in Barcelona. The school was opened in 1957 and operates effectively and successfully until present day. The school always aspires to follow the newest trends in education and their years of experience allows them to be extremely good at it. English School Barcelona strongly believes in the idea to teach their students to be multilingual. Lessons are taught in English, Catalan and Spanish evenly. No one language is favored over the other. This ensures that by the time their students graduate they will be completely fluent and speak freely in all three languages. When the child reaches secondary school they will start learning French as part of their program. This allows them to take the International Baccalaureate (IB) or its Spanish/French equivalent - the Batxibac. Again the huge presence of an International community can teach pupils cultural appreciation and tolerance for their peers of different backgrounds, religion and ethnicity. There is no better way than to learn these things from first-hand experience. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. From sport activities including tennis, basketball, skating and yoga; going through music orientated activities such as ballet and drum lessons and ending with the creatively intellectual activities like robotics, chess and arts & crafts.

Kensington School

A piece of Britain in Barcelona. Opened in 1966 Kensington is the oldest British curriculum school in Barcelona teaching their subjects in accordance with the National Curriculum for England and Wales. Similarly to English School Barcelona, Kensington relies on a relatively small student body in order to offer a better quality education. If you are moving to Barcelona from the UK and you insist on your child to be taught British style, then Kensington would be the perfect school. The school incorporates A-level studies and examination via Edexcel in London and all other examination and accreditation any British university might require for future studies. A common practice after graduating from Kensington school is students moving to Britain to pursue their higher education in one of the best universities on the island.
The majority of lessons are presented in English, apart from the Spanish and French language classes. Once again your kids are exposed to a variety of languages helping them develop amazing communicational skills. After school activities at Kensingon school include sport activities such as basketball, football and table tennis. Other extra-curriculars include chess and choir singing. Kensington also organizes summer camps at the end of each academic year both for Junior and Senior schools and ski trips to Espot Esqui every February for Senior students only.

Oak House School

Modern meets tradition. The first thing that will strike you about Oak House school is the modern facilities and technology this institution incorporates in their students' education. The school opened its doors to students in 1968 and during the course of its management it successfully foresaw the importance of new technology which it effectively adopted as part of the learning process. From the start of Primary until the end of the division pupils are taught their classes in English. At the start of Secondary school a trilingual study scheme is introduced adding Catalan and Spanish to the curriculum which are exploited quite vigorously. Additionally students can also pick a fourth foreign language, German or French, to go along with their studies. Following the British educational system pupil are prepared for Cambridge IGCSE exams in subjects including:

• English Literature
• Maths
• Business Studies
• Sociology
• Combined Science
• Environmental Management
• History
• ICT
• Drama
• Art

On and off-site services include transportation, dining services and medical care.The school buses commute on three different routes covering the entire city of Barcelona. The buses are scheduled to leave at 4:45pm after extra-curriculum activities the students might be involved in. The food preparation is covered by chef D. Juan Ramos who prepares different menus including: normal, vegetarian and menus for students who suffer from coeliac disease. The food is healthy and nutritious to make sure the students are part of a healthy diet. Oak House has a qualified on-site nurse and if any emergency or special medical attention is required the schools insurance covers such medical care at the Quirón Clinic in Barcelona. There you have it gang, the best International schools in Barcelona. I hope this blog was informative for you, if not enough you can always go on to the schools websites for more information. Tell us in the comment section which school you like the most and sounds best suited for your child's needs. Time for your well-deserved weekly joke: Two boys were arguing when the teacher entered the room. The teacher says, "Why are you arguing?" One boy answers, "We found a ten dollar bill and decided to give it to whoever tells the biggest lie." "You should be ashamed of yourselves," said the teacher, "When I was your age I didn't even know what a lie was." The boys gave the ten dollars to the teacher. Sincerely, Chris