The Catalan Cava is Catalonia’s very own take on the French champagne using the same production method but with grapes typical of the Catalan wine region. This fruity, sparkly sophisticated treat dates from the second half of the 19th century, when winemaker Josep Raventós travelled through Europe to promote the still wines of his Codorníu winery. His visits to the Champagne region sparked an interest in the potential of a Spanish version, using the same Champagne production methods. Early...

It’s been a long cold winter and a weird moody spring, but the strong sun and humidity are starting to emerge in Barcelona. Terrace tables are already unstacked, and people are already stepping out without a jacket. The city’s beaches really come into their own: it’s hot, almost too hot to sunbathe, noisy and crowded; so getting a table for a cold beer and a plate of fried prawns can be a real ‘mission impossible’ in the beach bars (chiringuitos). I admit I am not selling the...

Beer at noon or vermut de la casa before lunch! As you get used to Barcelona, you will notice that the locals will enjoy a glass of wine, vermouth or beer at any time of the day. You may be thinking, “in my country we do that as well!”  Well, I come from a cold country where drinking beer in the middle of the day is considered only a step away from deep alcoholism, so after living in Barcelona for more than a year, I came up with the idea of writing about the drinking traditions in...

When I first got to Barcelona I was a bit skeptical about using a bike to get around the city since Barcelona is always packed with hordes of completely lost tourists and in general, is a very crowded and noisy city.  Bike lanes aren’t frequently found and therefore most bike users are cycling on the streets in-between all of the cars, vans, tourist busses, rude taxi drivers and small motorbikes. So, the first two months I stuck to the metro, thinking it the best and fastest mode of...

So you have decided you want to learn Spanish and have come to study in Spain. What better way to practice your Spanish language skills than by watching Spanish movies?  And what a wonderful surprise when you turn on your TV to find images of the city you chose to be the home of your Spanish studies! So, here it is, a small selection of films which will help you with the Spanish Language and will show you from different points of view (from the most romantic to the most horrific) one of our...

Para conocer un barrio hay que empezar por su mercado. Los mercados de Barcelona revelan la manera de ser de los barceloneses. ¡Nada mejor para conocer sus costumbres que ir al mercado! Ten en cuenta que hay cuarenta mercados para escoger, así que lo más adecuado sería empezar por el mercado que te quede más cerca del lugar donde te alojes. En cada barrio, el mercado tiene su propia personalidad; darte una vuelta y descubre los detalles escondidos de las costumbres gastronómicas y las...

Are you looking to take a Spanish course abroad and wondering which beautiful city to learn Spanish in? Well… look no further! Here are 10 reasons why Barcelona should be your top choice when it comes to learning Spanish. Festivals! There always seems to be something to celebrate in Barcelona. No matter what your tastes and hobbies are there will be something for you to enjoy during your time here, whether it will be one of the many music festivals, film festivals or ‘barrio’ parties. Be...

The annual Fiesta Major de Gracia just started in the streets of the picturesque Gracia district in Barcelona and will take place until August 21st. The celebration of the neighborhood consists of a week full of events, concerts, shows, parades and amazing fireworks and is the place to be in these hot days in August! Every year the district of Gracia welcomes thousands of visitors and tourists along its streets and alleyways to dance, drink and have fun until the early morning! The Festival The...

It’s no wonder Barcelona is such a popular summer destination, you have the culture of a city with the enjoyment of the beach! There are many different types of beaches in Barcelona and the surrounding areas, so there is definitely something for everyone and sometimes it’s worth taking a train or a drive to find your perfect summer paradise. Here are our top recommendations…   Relax – If you just want somewhere quiet… A chiringuito on Ocata beach Montgat: Just a...

Ya he visitado Barcelona unas diez veces. Muchas veces me pasaba que personas me decían que la comida y las bebidas son carísimas allí. Sí es verdad y no es verdad. En realidad eso depende mucho del lugar. Es obvio que beber una cerveza o una sangría en Las Ramblas cuesta un ojo de la cara. Por suerte Barcelona es más grande que esta famosa calle. Pero, ¿adónde hay que ir? El mejor consejo es muy fácil. Vaya a bares y restaurantes que estén llenos de españoles. Eso es un valor...