However, on January 2nd 2011, Spain introduced a new Smoking Ban (‘Ley Antitabaco’ in Spanish), much tougher [...]]]> In January 2006 Spain introducted a smoking ban, however bar and restaurant owners could decide whether or not smoking was allowed depending on the size of their premises. Large bars and restaurants had to have a designated smoking area.

However, on January 2nd 2011, Spain introduced a new Smoking Ban (‘Ley Antitabaco’ in Spanish), much tougher than the one introduced in 2006. The objective of this ban is not only to protect non-smokers but also smokers within their workplaces. Therefore from January 2nd 2011 it is not possible to smoke in bars and restaurants.

Similar bans have been already implemented by most of other UE counties. However Spain’s ban is even tougher as it prohibits smoking in some open spaces like children’s playgrounds, and access points to schools and hospitals.

Fines for breaking the ban range from €30 to €600,000.

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, …).

This free WiFi Internet access service is limited in terms of time and bandwith, although it depends on the WiFi hotspot you are connected. Once connected you will get a pop-up [...]]]> Barcelona City Council has just launched a project to provide free WiFi internet connection in Barcelona. This service is completely free and available to everybody.

This free WiFi Internet access service is limited in terms of time and bandwith, although it depends on the WiFi hotspot you are connected. Once connected you will get a pop-up screen informing you of time (normally 1 hour) and bandwith availability (normally 200Kbits/s).

This free wireless Internet service does not allow access to ethically unacceptable websites such as internet gambling and gaming, pornographic sites, IP telephony, file sharing or videoconferencing.

There are currently 170 WiFi hotspots although there will be 500 all over Barcelona by the end of 2010. Most of the hotspots are located in municipal amenities (libraries, civic centres, sports centres, museums, …). Click here for a list of the different hotspots.

The wireless network name is ‘Barcelona WIFI’ so the easiest option would be to do a refresh on the wireless networks and if you see the network Barcelona WIFI in range, just connect to it.

Click here for further information regarding this service, unfortunately, this information is just available in Spanish or Catalan.

Reus airport is located just 3km from Reus, 13km from Tarragona and 110km to Barcelona.

However, don’t panic as Ryanair in conjunction [...]]]> If you are travelling to Barcelona with Ryanair, be aware that you are not flying directly to Barcelona airport but to either Reus or Girona which in fact are more than 100km away from Barcelona.

Reus airport is located just 3km from Reus, 13km from Tarragona and 110km to Barcelona.

However, don’t panic as Ryanair in conjunction with Hispano Igualadina organize a direct bus service between Reus Airport and Barcelona (Estació de Sants) so each single Ryanair flight is covered by this bus service. The journey from Reus to Barcelona is 1:30h.

Once you get to Estació de Sants you can use public transport (metro L1 – Sants Estació or taxi) to go wherever you accommodation is.

Click here for further information regarding .

Ticket prices:

* Tickets are paid directly to the driver.

Ensure that you take cool, light-weight and loose-fitting clothes (preferably cotton). Take a hat or baseball cap, shorts and sandals, but please [...]]]> Summer daytime temperatures can easily reach 30ºC (86ºF) in Barcelona, and humidity could be high as well, making the temperature feel even higher, so you should keep this in mind when packing your suitcase.

Ensure that you take cool, light-weight and loose-fitting clothes (preferably cotton). Take a hat or baseball cap, shorts and sandals, but please do not wear socks when wearing sandals as you will be identified as a tourist from miles away and pickpockets may target you.

Avoid direct sun and ensure that you bring sunglasses and that you use sunscreen products, otherwise you will get burnt.

Finally, remember to drink plenty of water or other fluids.

With only 5 easy lessons you will learn [...]]]> Are you visiting Barcelona and would like to get understood but you don’t speak Spanish? Do you wish to know a few words in Spanish to move around on your own? If both answers are yes, you have come to the right place.

With only 5 easy lessons you will learn the necessary words to be able to move around not only in Barcelona but anywhere in Spain.

In Barcelona 2 main languages are spoken: Spanish and Catalan. Both of them are pretty similar although they are not not the same, they are two different languages. Those of you that speak Spanish may be able to understand Catalan, to a certain extend of course.

Be aware that although English is taught in schools since an early age, English level is Spain is a pretty poor so it may be able difficult to communicate with the locals so knowing a little bit of Spanish may be very useful.

We hope this information will help you to enjoy your stay in Barcelona.

Lesson 1: Places
Lesson 2: Conversation tips
Lesson 3: Meals
Lesson 4: Asking things
Lesson 5: Useful information

As you probably may find, there are quite a few words that are very similar in English and in Spanish, although the pronunciation varies, others of course are totally different.

Lesson 1: PLACES