The Pope Benedict XVI will preside the consecration of Barcelona’s Cathedral La Sagrada Familia (officially called Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) and a mass will be celebrated at 10am on November [...]]]> Pope Benedict XVI will arrive to Barcelona on November 6th following his visit to Santiago de Compostela coinciding with Santiago de Compostela Holy Year.

The Pope Benedict XVI will preside the consecration of Barcelona’s Cathedral La Sagrada Familia (officially called Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) and a mass will be celebrated at 10am on November 7th.

During his visit, Pope Benedict XVI will hold a private meeting with the King and Queen of Spain.

The Pope will travel in his vehicle the route between the Archbishop’s residence and the Sagrada Família. Benedict XVI will leave Avinduda Catedral, go up Via Laietana, Carrer Pau Claris, along Carrer Diputació up to Carrer Marina to the Sagrada Familia.

The police will close the roads of the route to traffic from 8am on Sunday 7th November. The City Council has announced that major public transport and traffic alterations in the city during the Pope’s visit will take place.

Barcelona City Council estimates that Pope’s visit will generate €39.8 million to the city’s economy with more than half of this amount coming from money spent by visitors (accommodation, restaurants, shopping, transport, …).

11th of Setember:  Diada de Catalunya (Catalonia Festivity)

24th of Setember: La Merçè (Barcelona’s festivity)

Merçè is the female catalan name that corresponds with the [...]]]> The month of Setember is usually a very hard month as it comes just after summer holidays. In Barcelona, to make a softer and more pleasant return there are the 2 main festivities:

11th of Setember:  Diada de Catalunya (Catalonia Festivity)

24th of Setember: La Merçè (Barcelona’s festivity)

Merçè is the female catalan name that corresponds with the Patron Saint of the city. The festivity is celebrated for over a week and it holds a large number of activities for everyone.

A large number of events are organized for La Merçè Festivity:

• 10km run Solidarity race taking place on Sunday 26th and going through main Barcelona areas.

• Theatre performances, shows with fireworks and giants and heady characters are performed every day along the whole city.

• Museums in Barcelona are free on the 24th of September.

• Castellers (human towers) on the 26th of September at Plaça Sant Jaume.

• Piromusical (fireworks) the 26th at Av. Reina Maria Cristina (Plaça Espanya – Metro map):

• Concerts from the 23rd of September among the main groups are:

• Thrusday 23rd: Belle and Sebastian, Loquillo, Quimi Portet, La Pegatina, Groove Juice, Obrint Pas i Balkatalan Experience, Suckafish P. Jones, …

• Friday 24th: Goldfrapp, San Leon, Crystal Fighters, La Unión i El sueño de Morfeo, las Flores Azules, Black Baudelaire …

• Saturday 25th: Gespa, Susan’s Red Nipples i Toundra, Maika Makovski, I Blame Coco, Ash i Vinila Von Bismark & The Lucky Dados, Fundación Tony Manero
  

The most interesting and exciting game was the game that [...]]]> Barcelona has been the venue this weekend for the first round of the Baseball World Championship 2009. From Thursday to Saturday, inconditionals fans of this sport have had the chance to enjoy top level baseball games between Cuba, Puerto Rico, South Africa and the host nation Spain.

The most interesting and exciting game was the game that took place last day between Cuba and Spain. It was the longest game played this weekend (4 hours) and it nearly gave us a huge surprise as Spain was very close to beat the Cuban team. Cuba, the most favourite team to win this World Championship had very serious problems to beat a Spanish team who had chances to win until the very end and left very good sensations.

Fans filled the Carlos Perez de Rozas Stadium during the entire weekend and everybody had a really good time. The atmosphere was terrific.

We look forward to seeing the Championship coming back  to Barcelona soon.

Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador will assume the favourite role as they are [...]]]> After many many years, Barcelona will host the Tour de France. The world’s most important cyclist event will count with 4 cyclist that have already won at least one edition,  something that did not occur since Miguel Induráin‘s first win in 1991.

Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador will assume the favourite role as they are the winners of the last 2 editions, but we should never forget another spaniard Óscar Pereiro (winner in 2006) and of course the greatest Tour cyclist ever, Lance Armstrong who won the course 7 times in a row (from 1999 to 2005). Armstrong (Austin Texas, 18/09/1971) will be the most impredictible cyclist as after being retired for 3 years, he has come back to fight. Maybe he will not win but, for those we love this sport and know him, we know he is a winner and he has not come to relax.

Next Thursday (09/07/09) the tour will arrive to Barcelona around 15:00 and will run over the following streets:

• Rbla. Guipúscoa
• Av. Meridiana
• Consell de Cent
• Pg. Sant Joan
• Pg. Lluís Companys
• Pg. Pujades
• Pg. Picasso
• Av. Marquès de l’Argentera
• Pg. Isabel II
• Pg. Colom
• Pg. Josep Carner
• Pl. Drassanes
• Av. Paral·lel
• Pl. Espanya
• Av. Maria Cristina
• Av. Marquès de Comillas
• Pl. Sant Jordi
• Av. Estadi

On Friday le Tour will leave starting at 11:00 at Plaza España and running through the following streets:

• Plaça Espanya
• Avinguda del Paral·lel
• Ronda de Sant Pau
• Comte d’Urgell
• Gran Via
• Passeig de Gràcia
• Plaça de Joan Carles I
• Jardins de Salvador Espriu
• Gran de Gràcia
• pPaça Lesseps
• Av. Vallcarca
• Ronda de Dalt
• Carretera de St. Cugat

Legendary basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters will visit Barcelona on the 24th of May.

This is a great family event, mix of basketball, comedy and constant entertainment.

Venue: Pabelló Olímpic de Badalona – Badalona Date: 24.05.2009 Tickets from €15 to €27

Tickets available at Tick Tack Ticket website or at FNAC in Barcelona (FNACT Illa diagonal, FNAC Diagonal Mar or [...]]]>

Legendary basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters will visit Barcelona on the 24th of May.

This is a great family event, mix of basketball, comedy and constant entertainment.

Venue: Pabelló Olímpic de Badalona – Badalona
Date: 24.05.2009
Tickets from €15 to €27

Tickets available at Tick Tack Ticket website or at FNAC in Barcelona (FNACT Illa diagonal, FNAC Diagonal Mar or FNAC Triangle).

Barcelona Zoo Founded in 1892, it has more than 7500 animales of 400 different specifies from all around the world. It is situated in the Parc de la Ciutadella. Barcelona zoo is famous for its albino gorilla Floquet [...]]]> Here are some nice places to go specially if you travel with children although adults will also enjoy it.

Barcelona Zoo
Founded in 1892, it has more than 7500 animales of 400 different specifies from all around the world. It is situated in the Parc de la Ciutadella. Barcelona zoo is famous for its albino gorilla Floquet de Neu (Snowflake). He was the first know albino gorilla. Arrived in Barcelona the 1st of November 1966 and died on the 24th of November 2003 as a result of skin cancer.

Other highlights include dolphin and killer whale show.

Hours: 10-17h daily (Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec), 10-18h daily (Mar – May and Oct), 10-19h (Jun-Sep)
Admission: €14.50 adults; €8.75 ages 3-12; €11.30 groups of adults (twenty or more); €7.70 pensioners; €64 anual family memberships.
Directions: Parc de la Ciutadella s/n. Metro Barceloneta (L4 – Yellow) or Arc de Triomf (L1 – Red). Click here for further details

The Aquarium
It has already been visited by 14 million people since opened on the 8th of September 1995. With 35 tanks, 11.000 animals, 450 different specifies and an 80 metre long underwater tunnel it is the largest aquarium in Europe.

The Aquarium is highly recommended, I would describe it as “must see”.

Hours: 9:30 – 21h Monday to Friday (Jan – May and Oct – Dec), 9:30 – 21:30 Weekend, public holidays and daily (Jun and Sep). 9:30 – 23h August.
Admission: €15 adults; €10 children ages 4-12; €12 pensioners. Tickets can also be bought online at the Aquarium webpage.
Directions: Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, s/n. Metro Barceloneta (L4 – Yellow), Drassanes (L3 – Green). Touristic Bus (blue south route).

Parc Güell
Designed by Antonio Gaudí, it is one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona. It is the perfect place to spend a lovely day as it allows enjoying Gaudi´s architecture, and it offers amazing views of Barcelona.

How to get there: The easiest way is to take the public bus number 24 at the starting point in front of El Corte Inglés at the Plaça Catalunya. Bus 24 will drop you just in front of Parc Güell. Free entrance.

Parc de la Ciutadella
This 75 acre park is one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona. Located in the Barri Gotic, just behind the Arc de Triomf.

Very popular for both tourists and locals, it is the perfect place to spend a sunny day and just walk around enjoying the beauty of the park. For those of you who like taking pictures, just empty your memory card before getting into the park as you will take lots of pictures.

I would recommend having a sandwich there although don’t buy it at the food stands inside the park as they are a little bit pricy so just get it anywhere outside the park.

Inside the park there is also a life-size status of a Mammoth, which will allow you to understand how big these creatures were. Kids will love it.

Main attractions in the park are the zoo (see details above), Zoological and Geological museums and the art museum. The zoological museum is located at the magnificent Castell dels Tres Dragons (Three Dragons Castle) which was designed by Domènech i Montaner.

My favourite part of the park is probably the waterfall and the lake where you can rent rowboats. The plaza in front of the lake is often used for concerts and shows or fairs.

Click here for a list of places to visit in Barcelona.