The cultural hub that is Barcelona is known for the culmination of various influences from the world over, alongside those from other parts of Spain. The city boasts a large population from Andalusia and have consequently adopted some of southern Spain’s most notable attributes, and added the Catalan touch to make them their own. La Feria de Abril, also known as the April Fair, is one of the most noteworthy festivals, and a definite must for anyone visiting Barcelona.

Originally a celebration native to Seville, the April Fair starts about two weeks after Easter, and for an entire week, Sevillians celebrate the gift of life with over-the-top costumes, delicious delicacies and all-night fiestas.

In true Barcelona style, La Feria de Abril is a lively event with Flamenco dancers, an array of bright colors, traditional Spanish paella and of course, lots of partying. This year, the festival will start on Friday, April 27^th and run all the way through to May 6^th. The Fair always attracts an abundance of locals from all backgrounds, as well as many tourists who wish to experience some typical Andalusian traditions. And, if you are on a family trip to Barcelona, La Feria de Abril is an event that should definitely not be missed.

A Festival for Everyone

The April Fair consists of two parts, the first being a large fairground featuring all that you would expect to see, including a giant Ferris wheel and rides for smaller children.Market stalls selling traditional trinkets and vans bursting with delightful delicacies line the venue. The second part of the festival is filled with marquees called “casetas” where you can experience the dancing “Sevillianas”, as well as free music, food and drinks native to Seville.

La Feria de Abril is set to take place at the Parc del Fòrum, located in the Diagonal Mar district of Barcelona. This location is easily accessible and with the Metro extending its operating hours for the event, there is no excuse for not making your way over. The nearest Metro station to the Feria is the Maresme/Forum on L4.

The opening times for the festival vary each day during the week. To ensure you will not miss any of the excitement, be sure to plan your trip to the fair at the following times on the following days:

Friday 27 April 2012 - 6pm to 4:15am

Saturday 28 April 2012 – 10am to 4:15am

Sunday 29 April – Thursday 3 May 2012 – 10am to 2pm

Friday 4 May 2012 – 10am to 4:15am

Saturday 5 May 2012 – 10am to 4:15am

Sunday 6 May 2012 – 10am to 11pm 

La Feria de Abril is undoubtedly one of the most extravagant festivals in Barcelona. It may simply be a smaller version of the original festival from Seville, but this bright and vibrant event dazzles with the Barcelona touch. Even better, admission to the Feria is free to the public! So, if you are making your way to Barcelona during the week of the April Fair, you must be sure to stop over at Parc del Fòrum and take in this unforgettable experience. You could even stay in one of many Barcelona apartments near the beach and soak up that April sun, before heading out to enjoy these fantastic festivities.

The cultural hub that is Barcelona is preparing for the 12^th annual Primavera Sound Festival, running from May 30^th to June 3^rd. A must for any music lover, the festival is one that caters to all tastes and is known to please fans with its eclectic mix of alternative, indie, electronic, pop, hip hop, dance, folk, jazz, metal, and experimental music.

Any Muso’s Dream

Since its first edition in 2001, Primavera Sound Festival has repeatedly satisfied fans and the reason for this may just be the grand list of legendary artists that have performed on its stages over the many years, including the likes of: Arcade Fire, My Bloody Valentine, Portishead,

Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Franz Ferdinand and The White Stripes. This year the festival will proudly be sponsored by San Miguel and as the lineup continues to grow, Primavera Sound 2012 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

To top it all off, Brit band, The Cure is set to headline the show on June 1^st in an unprecedented two hour set. This unique performance will consist of tracks from all fourteen albums, including ‘Wish’, the album which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year.

Other names ready to highlight the event include Rufus Wainwright, an artist notorious for his own genre consisting of sounds influenced by rock, opera, theater, drama and film. If this is not music to your ears, perhaps you may prefer indie-alternative Washingt

on natives, Death Cab for Cutie and Scottish post-punk revival band, Franz Ferdinand. Whichever genre best suits your taste, Primavera Sound 2012 is sure to please.

A Five-Day Musical Indulgence

This year’s Festival will run for 5 days and will take place across 2 main venues in Barcelona: Parc del Forum, in the Poble Nou neighborhood, and Arc de Triomf. It is estimated that around 100,000 concert-goers will hit the shows, and while daily passes are sold for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 75€-80€ each, many choose to purchase the full ticket for around 190€, and enjoy the all of the musical varieties on display. For more information about the venues or tickets, visit the Primavera Sound Festival website, and to see real-time updates on performers, check out the Festival’s Facebook page.

If you are thinking of heading to this year’s wild event, you will find plenty of Barcelona apartments close to both venues, as well as apartments at the beach, where you can make the most of the springtime sun on your trip, too. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as this year the Primavera Sound Festival is set to be one of the best ever!

The cultural hub that is Barcelona is preparing for the 12^th annual Primavera Sound Festival, running from May 30^th to June 3^rd this year. A must for any music lover, the festival is one that caters to all tastes and is known to please fans with its eclectic mix of alternative, indie, electronic, pop, hip hop, dance, folk, jazz, metal, and experimental music.

Any Muso’s Dream

Since its first edition in 2001, Primavera Sound Festival has repeatedly satisfied fans and the reason for this may just be the grand list of legendary artists that have performed on its stages over the many years, including the likes of: Arcade Fire, My Bloody Valentine, Portishead, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Franz Ferdinand and The White Stripes. This year the festival will proudly be sponsored by San Miguel and as the lineup continues to grow, Primavera Sound 2012 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

To top it all off, Brit band, The Cure is set to headline the show on June 1^st in an unprecedented two hour set. This unique performance will consist of tracks from all fourteen albums, including ‘Wish’, the album which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year.

Other names ready to highlight the event include Rufus Wainwright, an artist notorious for his own genre consisting of sounds influenced by rock, opera, theater, drama and film. If this is not music to your ears, perhaps you may prefer indie-alternative Washington natives, Death Cab for Cutie and Scottish post-punk revival band, Franz Ferdinand. Whichever genre best suits your taste, Primavera Sound 2012 is sure to please.

A Five-Day Musical Indulgence

This year’s Festival will run for 5 days and will take place across 2 main venues in Barcelona: Parc del Forum, in the Poble Nou neighborhood, and Arc de Triomf. It is estimated that around 100,000 concert-goers will hit the shows, and while daily passes are sold for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 75€-80€ each, many choose to purchase the full ticket for around 190€, and enjoy the all of the musical varieties on display. For more information about the venues or tickets, visit the Primavera Sound Festival website, and to see real-time updates on performers, check out the Festival’s Facebook page.

If you are thinking of heading to this year’s wild event, you will find plenty of Barcelona apartments close to both venues, as well as apartments at the beach, where you can make the most of the springtime sun on your trip, too. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as this year the Primavera Sound Festival is set to be one of the best ever!

El Día de Sant Jordi, or Saint George’s Day, is celebrated with one of the most important and popular festivals in Catalonia. While most cities around the world see April 23^rd as just another day of the week, the people of Barcelona hold the day on a high pedestal trimmed with roses and literature.

Though the celebrations are in honor of love, La Diada de Sant Jordi is only somewhat comparable to “Valentine’s Day” for the residents of Catalonia. Instead of candy hearts, cards and chocolate, this festival has a long history resulting in more traditional gifts.

The Story of Sant Jordi

The history of La Diada de Sant Jordi begins with the commemoration of the patron saint of Catalonia, Saint George. The story goes that the saint destroyed a dragon that was terrorizing a town just south of Barcelona and was about to kill a beautiful princess. Once the dragon died, a rosebush grew from its blood, so Sant Jordi picked and delivered a rose to his princess.

In commemoration of this heroic event, men throughout Catalonia buy their women flowers, traditionally roses, to show their adoration and love, just as Saint George did. But wait, there’s more!

In honor of great authors such as Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare who both died on April 23^rd, 1616, this day has also become known as World Book Day. In the 1920s, booksellers in Spain noted the significance of this date, and began to promote their sales through the Díada de Sant Jordi. So, in return for their roses, women presented books to the men they love. This tradition is a now a big part of the Sant Jordi celebrations.

The Celebrations

On the Día de Sant Jordi, the streets are lined with vendors hoping to make a sale to a couple in love. Over 4 million roses are sold, as well as around 400,000 books, with makeshift book stalls and flower stands lining Las Ramblas, and authors coming to sign their work.

Though considered the most amorous day of the year in Barcelona, La Diada de Sant Jordi is more than just a “lovefest”. The atmosphere on April 23^rd is filled with Catalonian pride, as citizens wave the yellow and red flag and toast to the region they call home. You can also see the traditional dance, the Sardana, performed in the Plaça Sant Jaume in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.

The day also brings an opportunity that tourists cannot miss as El Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona's principal government building, opens its doors to the public  for free! Here, you can take in a taste of the amazing architecture and smell the huge displays of roses created in honor of Sant Jordi.

If you’re coming to Barcelona in April, make sure you take a walk through the city center and enjoy this traditional experience. There are many Barcelona apartments that are located right on Las Ramblas where you can be part of all the action. Stay in a cozy 1-bedroom with your partner and celebrate love the Catalan way, finding the perfect rose or book to exchange with your loved one.

From Saturday November 26th to Thursday December 22nd the biggest Christmas market in Barcelona will officially be open and ready to be swarmed with eager locals and tourists! This year is special, as it will mark the 225^th anniversary of the Fira de Santa Llúcia! This fair gives you the best of Catalan culture and is filled with handmade gifts, nativity scenes, and much, much more!

You will find this wonderful Christmas market just outside the Catedral de Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter of the city. If you choose to stay in a city centre Barcelona apartment or a Ramblas apartment you can arrive at the Christmas market on foot, otherwise you can take the metro L4 to Jaume I, leaving you

right outside the fair. The Fira de Santa Llúcia will be open from 10:30am until around 8:30-9:30pm, and with over 275 stalls, the atmosphere is filled with Christmas joy and holiday cheer!

History

The market is named after Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, and dates back to 1786. Each year on December 13^th, people would flood the streets surrounding the

Barcelona Cathedral to commemorate the life of Saint Lucy. As she was known to be the patroness of seamstresses, tailors, needleworkers, and the blind, people would gather inside the Cathedral and worship her, praying for clarity and eyesight. Right outside the Cathedral is where the Fira de Santa Llúcia took

place. Similar to today, there were many stalls and festivities spreading holiday spirit throughout Barcelona. History also named this the ¨girls´ fair¨ as many people thought unmarried young ladies would go there in the hope of finding their future husbands.

The Day of Saint Lucy

A great day to visit the market is December 13^th, the day of Santa Llúcia. On this day, the market dedicates all of its

activities to Catalan Christmas traditions. You may find yourself chiming into the Christmas carols which can be heard throughout the fair, or partaking in a crib scene making course taught by the Association Crib Scene Makers of Barcelona. On this day, the famous Tió de Nadal is displayed. Tradition states that the children will hit their own smaller versions of this smiley-faced wooden log with a stick on Christmas day until they find presents or candies underneath its red blanket. You can also stumble upon the Carassa de Nadal parade during this day, during which sweets are thrown to the children as the Christmas figures pass by on lavish floats. 

The Market

The Fira de Santa Llúcia is split up into four sections so you can easily find what you´re looking for: Nativity and Figurines, Greenery and Plants, Crafts, and

Simbombes.The Nativity and Figurines section offers various items to make your own nativity scene such as Christmas lights, baubles, candles, and handmade models. In the Greenery and Plants area you can find the popular Tió de Nadal figures, lucky branches, and natural and artificial trees. The crafts section contains thousands of homemade gifts such as jewellery, clothes, and accessories. The Simbombes section presents musical instruments and adds the final touches to your Christmas holiday!

Whether you are looking to participate in the Christmas festivities or purchase gifts for your loved ones, the Fira de Santa Llúcia is definitely something you do not want to miss! You can find many Barcelona apartment special offers online to accommodate your stay in Barcelona, and our friendly staff will direct you to the Christmas market!

Kick start the Christmas shopping season with a bang by attending The Shopping Night Barcelona 2011, this Wednesday 30^th November!

Whether you are looking to browse, shop or explore one of Barcelona´s most famous streets, The Shopping Night Barcelona is definitely something you do not want    to miss! Inspired by the Vogue International Fashion´s Night out, this fantastic event will take place on the grand Paseo de Gracia and its surrounding streets, allowing locals and tourists alike to gallivant through the stores until the early hours of the morning. Many of the shops will offer special discounts as well as free treats such as champagne and food tastings to lure in the excited customers. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended The Shopping Night Barcelona and this year the numbers are expected to be equally as phenomenal.

This night is not only attractive to Barcelona´s biggest shoppers, but also to those who want to discover some Catalan culture. You can experience much of Barcelona´s nightlife, art, music, and cuisine during this event as the action does not only take place inside the stores, but also on the street, with live concerts and a party-like atmosphere. And as if that isn´t enough, Gaudí´s La Pedrera will be open to the public until the early hours of the morning as well!

The Shopping Night Barcelona showcases many brands such as Loewe, Swarovski, Emporio Armani, and Escada, as well as the ever popular Bershka, Zara, and Benetton. You can expect many special promotions, so don´t miss out! Last year, renowned chef Carme Ruscalleda offered special samples of her most famous dishes, and it has been confirmed that she will be in attendance yet again this year! Expect to have a luxurious night, filled with great shopping, fantastic food, and lots of fun!

If you would like to attend The Shopping Night Barcelona, staying in one of the city centre Barcelona apartments near Paseo de Gracia will leave you close to all the action, and only a short walk from your comfortable home-away-from-home when you have shopped all you can. If you prefer something a little quieter, there are many other apartments in Barcelona available, so don´t forget to check out the Barcelona apartment special offers online for the best deals!

November isn’t always sunny, but it isn’t always cold either. It is a good time to visit Barcelona as you can enjoy not just the pleasant autumn scenery, but also the cooling atmosphere and a great line up of events happening in the city. From Halloween specials to magic shows, here is a sneak preview of some of the most talked about events this month.

International Jazz Festival 2011

This year, Barcelona is hosting the 43^rd edition of the International Jazz Festival. Well underway by November, this concert goes on until December 1^st and boasts of an interesting line up of bands and artists from all over the world. It takes place in 15 different venues in Barcelona with 80 planned concerts. If you are a jazz fan, you will love the opportunity to experience everything jazz from pianos, bass guitars and many reed instruments to foot tapping African melodies. In addition to the musical extravaganza, there will be free prologue concerts, family concerts, exhibitions, fringe events and jazz and gastronomy events, which combine jazz with wine tasting, cocktails and dinners. Stay at an apartment in the center of Barcelona and enjoy some concert hopping and a musical vacation in this wonderful city! For more information visit http://www.theproject.es/en/global/index.php.

Halloween at PortAventura

November is the perfect time to visit the theme park PortAventura as it celebrates Halloween with great style and gusto throughout the autumn season. Every year, PortAventura completely transforms in to a Halloween inspired spooky scene with 12,000 pumpkins, and 2011 will be no different as the park introduces 8 new shows. This is a great time to experience PortAventura as fear, screams, horror and, most importantly, a ton of fun awaits you. Only an hour’s train ride from Barcelona, you can plan a fun day trip to PortAventura while you stay in Barcelona, or alternatively you can rent an apartment in Costa Dorada and plan an action packed weekend. For more information on Halloween at PortAventura visit the official website.

Salón Náutico – International Boat Show

One of the biggest events of its kind in Spain, the Barcelona International Boat Show will be celebrating a very special event this year – its 50^th anniversary. Attended by visitors from all over the world, this show will be held from November 5^th to November 13^th, and will exhibit the newest products for all things boat and sea-related. Open to everyone, this event covers everything from accessories and nautical clothing to dinghies, mega yachts and motor boats. And there are plenty of fun activities to take part in such as windsurfing. Whether you are a boating enthusiast or simply just a sea lover, this show is for you. Stay in one of the beach apartments in Barcelona and make sure to attend this show!

For more information on the Salón Náutico visit http://www.salonnautico.com.

Barcelona Shopping Night 2011

The second edition of this exciting event of gala shopping is organized by the elegant shops lining the grand Passeig de Gràcia. Stores remain open beyond normal closing times until 1am with many special and festive events planned to kick off the Christmas shopping season. Organized in association with Harpers Bazaar, this event is inspired by the Vogue international fashion night out. Scheduled for the 30^th of November this year, the shopping night involves open stores, special offers, concerts on the street, food tasting and other fun on the most chic street of Barcelona. The only thing you need to do to take part is purchase a ‘shopping passport’. Check out our Facebook page for more information on how to pick up a passport, closer to the time.

Magic Internacional 2011

This is your chance to know everything you always wanted to about magic. Held from the 4^th to 6^th of November, the Magic Internacional is a fair involving magicians and mystics. In  the fair, you can expect to experience the world of magic through both the exhibition stands and the interesting services like palmistry, clairvoyance, massage, natural diet and therapy, cleansing and relaxation, tarot readings and much, much more! Tickets for Magic Internacional cost 11 Euros per day and can be purchased at the ticket office on the day you attend. For more information visit http://www.firabcn.es/.

Book your apartment in Barcelona now and don’t miss the chance to experience these fantastic events in Barcelona this November, as well as all of the other fabulous attractions this beautiful city has to offer.  

Whether it´s a family vacation, weekend trip or simply a day out with friends, PortAventura makes for a perfect destination this autumn. Even more so if it happens to be during Halloween! Located in the popular resort of Salou in Spain’s coastal region of Costa Dorada, PortAvenutura is the country’s biggest theme park and is run by Universal Studios.  Since it is just an hour’s train ride from Barcelona, you can plan a fun day trip to PortAventura while you stay in Barcelona or plan an action packed weekend in Costa Dorada.

Whether you are an adventure lover, fright fanatic or just an explorer, PortAventura will amaze and delight you with its adrenalin pumping roller coaster rides, captivating scenery and mystical spectacles. The park consists of five different worlds – Mediterranean, Mexico, Polynesia, China and the Wild West.  Each world has its own architecture, entertainment, food and adventure.

One of the biggest events for the park, Halloween, is celebrated with great gusto and style and draws in locals and tourists from all over the world. This year, from September 24^th  to November 20^th, PortAventura will completely transform in to a Halloween inspired scene with thousands of pumpkins lining the streets and 8 new shows. In case you are not a big fan of the spooky set up, don’t worry, the usual theme rides will also be running throughout this period.

This year two different celebrations for Halloween will be held in the park. At Far West and Mexico, you will find the “scary” zone with plenty of skeletons, ravens and dreadful spider webs. On the other hand, at Mediterranea and SesamoAventura, you will find the sweet zone, the more family friendly one - ideal for families with little children.

Of the many new shows that have been introduced this year, Mystery 2 is highly recommended. It is a gothic story, an incredible show of acrobatics, terror and music. It will be hosted at the Gran Teatro Imperial of China.

If you would like a lighter and funnier show, Bang Bang Halloween is a must for you. A group of soldiers and vampire novices defending the bank of Penitences makes for the funniest stunt show. Noche de Halloween also displays some amazing light work and fireworks.

The park ensures that the little ones do not feel left out either as there are special shows for kids. La Leyenda de Jack el Linterna is a puppet show that tells the legendary story of Halloween, while Laberinto Blacksmith offers a maze full of surprises. And when the kids are ready for trick and treating, there are houses full of goodies waiting for their ‘knocks’.

Book your Barcelona or Costa Dorada accommodation now and don’t miss out on this spectacular and magical event. Entry rates to the park can range from 44 Euros per day to 69 Euros for both days. Special discounts apply for kids and senior citizens. For more information on prices, itineraries and how to get there visit PortAventura´s official website.

Calling all film fans! If you´re coming to the beautiful city of Barcelona this October then don´t miss the Sitges Film Festival 2011! Beginning Thursday 6^th October until Sunday 16^th October, the picturesque town of Sitges, just outside Barcelona, will once again transform into a bustling scene of movie lovers and cinema producers as it hosts the annual International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.

The event is known as the number one fantasy film festival in the world and it is a great attraction for movie-lovers, producers, directors and actors alike. Quentin Tarantino, George A. Romero, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Cameron Diaz and Jodie Foster are just some of the big names in Hollywood who, over the years, have experienced the wonders of one of Spain´s oldest film festivals.

This year will be the 44^th edition of the festival and to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Steven Spielberg´s film ´A.I. Artificial Intelligence,´ the event will have a theme centred around the main concepts of the movie. Artificial intelligence is often associated with robots and futuristic machines with human emotions, so many of the movies which will be presented at the festival will take this opportunity to demonstrate the latest in today´s audiovisual and technological cinema production.

As well as showcasing the up and coming horror and fantasy movies, the event is also home to the annual Sitges Zombie Walk - a spectacular gathering of film fanatics, who for one night only, fill the streets impressively disguised as the living dead. This year it will be held on October 14^th at 20:30, led by the stars of the movie ´Juan de los Muertos´ (also being screened at the festival). A free make-up zone will be set up from 12 noon in the Sitges Miramar Building, but seats are limited so get there fast! The Walk will be followed by a free beach party with fantastic music from Los Tiki Phantoms and Dj Niño - not to be missed!

Tickets to the Sitges Film Festival are available online from www.servicaixa.com or from various box offices in the town itself. For a full list of prices, screenings and more information on what else you can expect to see at the festival, visit www.sitgesfilmfestival.com/eng.

If you are staying in Barcelona this October and do not want to miss out on this amazing event, RENFE trains run regularly from Paseo de Gracia and Sants train stations in the city centre to Sitges and the journey takes less than 40 minutes. However, for those who would like to be closer to the action, renting a Sitges apartment is a great option. Soak up some Spanish sun on the beautiful beach before you head out to one of the festival´s many attractions, and who knows, you might find yourself sharing a restaurant with some A-list stars!

This weekend Barcelona will be giving residents and tourists alike the chance to see some amazing exhibitions free of charge!

If you are staying in Barcelona this Saturday 24^th September, not only will you be lucky enough to experience the city´s biggest free festival, la Fiesta de La Mercè, but you are also invited to some of the best museums in Catalonia, without the admission fee.

Featuring a range of exhibitions from art to science, many of the participating museums will be offering free workshops for all ages as well as guided tours and other activities. Even if exhibitions are not your thing, don´t miss this opportunity to visit some of the historical buildings in central Barcelona, such as the Palau de la Virreina on Las Ramblas, and get glimpse of the incredible architecture inside. Combined with all the festivities of La Mercè, this is the perfect weekend in Barcelona for those who want to see a bit of everything.

Below we give you some of our must-see features of this weekend:

The MACBA (Museu d´Art Contemporani de Barcelona) is open on Saturday from 10am until 2pm and will be offering a free workshop where visitors can become creatively involved in the world of Àngels Ribé. The museum is currently holding an exhibition by the unique artist which includes works created from unconventional materials such as water and light.

Where: Plaça dels Angels – Metro L1, L3 Catalunya

The Museu Picasso contains over 3,800 of Picasso´s works, and this Saturday you will be able to visit the exhibition ´Feasting on Paris - Picasso 1900-1907´completely free. The interesting collection follows his development from his arrival in Paris in 1900 until he first became known as an avant-garde leader.

Where: Montcada 15-23 – Metro L4 Jame I

Disseny Hub Barcelona is a laboratory/museum which centres on both teaching and learning the understanding and use of design. Through research, activities, exhibitions and collaboration with businesses, Disseny Hub invites you to enjoy the design world this Saturday, with a range of displays, including ´Dressing the Body´- a tour of the history of clothing throughout significant periods (at DHUB Museums).

Where: 2 locations - DHUB Carrer de Montcada 12 - L4 Jaume I and DHUB Museums in Palau de Pedralbes on Avinguda Diagonal 686 – Metro L3 - Palau Reial (see http://www.dhub-bcn.cat/en/activity/merce-2011 for which exhibitions are at which locations)

CosmoCaixa is a fantastic museum to visit if you are travelling with children this weekend. It has an incredible 1000 square metre reconstruction of the Amazon rainforest and will be offering activities centred around astronomy as it celebrates its 7^th anniversary.

Where: C/ Teodor Roviralta – Take the Ferrocaril (FGC) Line 7 from Plaça Catalunya to Av. del Tibidabo. You can either walk 800 metres or take bus 196 one stop.