Christmas may not seem all that different in Catalonia. Homes glow with the white or multi-colored lights of Christmas trees. Cookies and cakes abound. Elaborate nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus. Within this scene of yuletide tranquility, however, is the key to the Christmas season in Catalonia. Amid the…
Barcelona’s Ciutadella Park is a symbol of the region’s struggle against foreign occupation and a symbol of Catalonia’s rebirth as an international tourist destination. Buildings, monuments and information kiosks point to the park’s storied past. Battles for Catalán independence were fought in the neighborhoods and areas in and around the…
It’s no coincidence that Barcelona travel usually includes platefuls of seafood. The Catalán capital city lounges alongside the Mediterranean Sea, and where there is sea there is bound to be an abundance of seafood ready to delight the palates of visitors. As we like to do on our Barcelona blog,…
Cool temperatures and crisp mornings have descended on Barcelona. With the coming of fall, the city is alive with a variety of cultural events this November. Take a read below to discover some of the most interesting things you can do in Barcelona in November. World Press Photo 2014: Barcelona…
Barcelona is a city known for it’s food. Among the legendary plates that make visitors and locals drool are patatas bravas, a simple but delicious dish that makes the perfect partner for an ice-cold beer or a glass of agua con gas. We’ve caught ourselves comparing bravas to french fries,…
Fuzzy beards. Check.Dive bars. Check.Catalan culture. Check.Shiny new buildings. Nope. Barcelona’s Gracia neighborhood is an eclectic mix of young artists and old originals who’ve congregated in the old neighborhood to enjoy a haven of regional identity, good food and a patchwork of diverse squares which serve as the meeting point…
The average traveler knows Gaudi, maybe Domenech i Montaner and has probably never heard of Puig i Cadafalch. In one sense, this is great because Gaudi and was so thoroughly Catalan.In another sense, this isn’t so great because visitors miss out on Barcelona’s contemporary art scene. It’s like most of…
Skye Coffee Co. turned coffee into a canvas for the sublime. Yesterday we stopped by the Van Van Mercado in Ciutadella Park, an event that’s part of Barcelona’s 2014 La Mercé festival. The finest in the Barcelona food truck scene parked their trucks, vans and trailers amid the trees and…
It’s finally here. Barcelona’s famed La Mercé will begin in less than two weeks. Locals and visitors alike will get a dizzying, beautiful crash-course in all things Catalan at a festival known for it’s art, tradition, parades and ‘how-the-heck-do-they-do-that!?’ human towers. Your La Mercé Guide: 3 Must-Sees & 1 Insider…
The year is 1218. The Moor armies in the south of what is now Spain wanted to conquer the rest of the peninsula. Christian armies from the north were doing their best to stave off their determined attackers. As with every war, prisoners were captured from both sides. Christians confined…
