Wine Reviews Ratings

posted by admin on Jul 21

Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the capital of Catalunia. A hectic modern city on the Mediterranean Sea is considered by many as Europe’s gateway to Spain. It is bilingual as both Catalan and Castillian Spanish are its official languages and it enjoys a large degree of autonomy.

Particularly famous for Antoni Gaudi’s unique and radical style of architecture, Barcelona has also produced great artists of note. Among them Pablo Casals, Josep Carreras and Joan Miro whose work is celebrated in the park named after him. Pablo Picasso, although a native of Malaga, spent much time here and his works can be seen at the Picasso Museum northeast of the magnificent port. This collection focuses on his early works.

The port itself can be viewed from Barcelona’s sea-front hill, Montjuic which was also the principal site of the 1992 Olympic site. Montjuic with its Magic Fountains and amusement Park can be accessed by cable car from the port. The hill attracts many visitors not merely for the far reaching views but the old fortress, the Museum of Catalan Art, the Archaeological Museum, the Miro Foundation and Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) are all very popular.

From Montjuic you can pick out the Columbus Column at the foot of Las Ramblas. This famous mile-long, tree lined pedestrian street is the hub of Barcelona. You can idle away hours wandering its length passing book sellers, beautiful flower stall and all manner of street vendors along the way.

The Rambla is divided into sections and has many meeting places along the way. A popular place at the foot of the Rambla is the Placa Reial where there is a colourful collection of café’s and bars. Enjoy a beer with a tapa of calamres (squid), patatas brava (spicy, hot potatoes) or whatever takes your fancy. A word of warning, this is not a good place to be at night and beware thieves at all times.

Moving along, the Rambla del Centre is where the Liceu, the famous opera house can be found and opposite is another popular meeting place, the Café de l’Opera. With plenty of time on your hands a small diversion to the Placa del Pi is worthwhile. The small surrounding alleys and side streets are brimming with antique, art and craft shops. Pass the floor mural of Joan Miro (he pops up everywhere) and you enter the next section of the Ramblas.

Barcelona’s main market, the spectacular Boqueria, borders one side of this part of the Rambla de las Flors while opposite is the Palau de la Virreina. The Boqueria is a huge open market teeming with life, fragrances and colour. Innumerable types of meats, fish, fruits and vegetables are sold daily from the packed stalls to the nonstop throng of noisy customers. This is a wonderful experience.

The Ramblas del Estudis is for the ever popular booksellers. Competition is keen so the prices are very reasonable but you would be hard pushed to find much for sale in any language other than Catalan or Spanish. The Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are in this area and worth perusing.

The final part of the Rambla includes the Font de las Canaletes where the aficionados gather to discuss the plight of their beloved Barcelona football team. The Café Zurich at the head of the Rambla is a great place to rest if you walked this far. Handily the metro station is conveniently situated here for your onward or return journey!

To get away from the hubbub of the city centre, Ciutadella Park is where you will find the Barcelona Zoo, The Aquarium, botanical gardens and the Museum of Modern Art (Museu d’Art Modern). Ciutadella Park is a large peaceful area to the northeast of the port.

South of the park is Barceloneta which has a somewhat small town feel to it as you walk under the billowing washing hung out to dry. Being so close to the port and the coast the aromas of both fresh and cooking fish mingle in the salt air. The once neglected beaches of Barcelona are here and now restored, are once again very popular.

When visiting Barcelona it would be a shame to miss the most famous work of the city’s most famous son. Antoni Gaudi’s work can be seen all over Barcelona but to the north of the city is Greull Park and the incomplete cathedral, El Temple Expiatori de la Sanrada Familia (The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family). The park’s colourful mosaic entrance is much photographed as are the sculptures found there and the cathederal is a spectacular monument to its creator.

The restaurants in Barcelona are as varied as locals and visitors themselves. Apart form the typical regional dishes you can find exactly what your heart desires from Japanese to Mexican, from pizzarias to haute cuisine. Of course the Catalan dishes are prominent and Basque dishes are to be recommended for the hearty eaters. Accompany this with the wide wine selections of the region and you will be ready to experience Barcelona’s lively nightlife.

When booking Barcelona hotels or ‘hostals’ be sure to check the area as some are a little less desirable than others. You can get more information through one of the Barcelona travel guides. Make a note that a ‘hostal’ in Spain is a hotel but normally a family run establishment. You will still find good accommodation and meals, so don’t think it is a youth hostel!

The weather in Barcelona is reliable warm from spring to autumn with summer temperatures averaging 25C. Occasionally a strong wind can come in and a sudden downpour may drown you but generally these phenomena do not last long and it’s back to bright sunshine quite quickly.

Once you have your tickets to Barcelona you will arrive at the dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto, Barcelona’s International Airport. It is 13km from the city and if you are using a hire car head for Autovia C-246 by Castelldefels. A taxi to the center of Barcelona will cost around EUR15 and the journey time is approximately 15 minutes. Barcelona airport transfers can be arranged in advance or alternatively the train and bus services are regular and reliable.

Barcelona is chaotic, cosmopolitan, charming and Catalan. ‘Disfruta!’…enjoy!

posted by admin on Jul 19

If you always find it a chore to find a hotel when you travel, especially to a large city such as Barcelona, this article will be of great interest to you. There is a great solution to finding flights, transportation, hotels and even a stay in a wonderful theme park, from the moment you arrive in Barcelona, if you read on.

Barcelona, Spain has a wide variety of lodging options to offer the traveler. These can range from top five star hotels to camp sites, and everything in between, such as less expensive hotels, hostels and apartments. If you have decided on Barcelona for your holiday destination, here is an itinerary that will introduce you to this beautiful city and all of culture, art and architecture it has. This is an interesting trip that you are sure to enjoy.

Upon arrival at “El Prat”, Barcelona’s main airport, obtain a special transfer to a wonderful theme park called “Port Aventura”. There you can stay in a beautiful four star hotel. If you want to travel outside of Barcelona, you can rent a car right at Port Aventura at special rates that Europcar offers to visitors to the theme park. Each hotel offers packages that include breakfast, admission to Port Aventura and the Caribbean themed water park, Caribe Aquatic Park. Each hotel has its own unique theme: Portaventura Hotel is decorated in Mediterranean colonial style, El Paso Hotel is done in Mexican pre-Colombian motif and the Caribe Port hotel offers the largest white sand surrounded swimming pool in the world. Each of these hotels offers an experience you will not even find at the top waterfront hotels in the city. The prices for the Port Aventura hotels are competitive: during category “A”, the high season, two days at the theme parks and one night at the hotel is EU218 for a single, EU136 each for a double and EU68 extra for a child. There are offers available for four in a room, and longer stay discounts. In the low season, which is still very pleasant in Barcelona, a double can be obtained for EU84 with EU 42 for a child. A beautiful hotel in the heart of Barcelona at these prices! You can enjoy relaxing at the hotel, visit the theme parks and tour the city from this convenient location.

If you want to enjoy the most extravagant hotel the city of Barcelona has to offer, and don’t mind breaking the bank to do so, try the Art Hotel. In any one of the sumptuous rooms in this hotel, you will have a splendid view of the marina and port area, whether you opt for a suite, double room, or luxurious duplex apartment. If you want to be spoiled and catered to, you cannot find a better place. The staff is professional and friendly, and the amenities are unbelievable. For added decadence, treat yourself to dinner at the hotel’s Goyescas restaurant. There you will be tempted by gourmet house specialities and the wine steward is sure to recommend a splendid bottle of wine to complement your dinner.

Barcelona is a world renowned city for fine lodging and gastronomy. So much so, that the city of Barcelona declared the tourist year March 2005 to March 2006 as the year of Catalunya and its food products. A number of very good restaurants and gourmet shops specialize in these products and are located near the hotels we have just discussed. Be sure to try Can Ravell, a very special delicatessen, and Club del Gourmet, which specializes in coffee, tea and sweets.

posted by admin on Jul 17

If you are looking for a place to travel which is worth every cent of your money, you may want to consider going to Barcelona, Spain. Not only it is widely popular for its rich culture and having breathtaking sceneries, it is also known for its naturally beautiful and historical landmarks.

Budget Accommodation

How do you get the best deals on lodging in Barcelona, Spain? There are a lot of hotels and vacation apartments that you might want to check out consider when you go there. Ranging from a two star up to a high-end five star hotel, the choices are limitless. But if you are on budget-saving tip for more than 3 days, you might want to consider renting an apartment in lieu of a hotel. You can save a lot with this option, because they have lots of special offer for discounts and freebies. Prices can range from 20-50 euros a night. Several apartments are situated in the middle of the city, which can be very practical and convenient for you; you can easily walk from one tourist sight to another.

Budget Sightseeing and Entertainment

If you want to have a crash course on Barcelona’s history, a lot museums charge very affordable entrance fees with free guided tours. There is the Picasso Museum; it houses Pablo Picasso’s most famous paintings from his early youth until his blue and rose periods. After your long day of travel, and you want a perfect place to relax and unwind, you can stop by Parc Ciutadella; think of New York’s Central Park. Another tourist spot that you should not miss is the Barcelona Cathedral. It was built not only for worship services but also a refuge against invaders during the pre-Hispanic era.

Budget Shopping, and Eating

A travel abroad is not complete if you did not go on a shopping spree or dining at the city’s well-known restaurants. One good place to shop is in Las Ramblas, a shopping street that starts from Placa Catalunya and ends at Barcelona’s Harbour. You will enjoy a happy and lively environment while you are shopping because the place has lots of street performers and painters that you can watch. If you want to buy souvenir items in Barcelona, this is the place to shop. But if you’re looking for branded items such as Chanel, Armani and Cartier among others, you can check out Placa Catalunya Diagonal.

You’ll never run out of choices of restaurants when you are in Barcelona. Several restaurants offer native and fusion cuisines. If you want an affordable quick bite in the morning or afternoon, you may want to taste several varieties of street food. You can also visit different wine shops if you want sample different types of wines. You name it, Barcelona has it.

With several ways to enjoy a budget trip and so many places to visit, your only main concern would be cramming your itinerary. Barcelona, Spain is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the country.

posted by admin on Jul 17

Bordering France, Andorra, the Mediterranean, the Valencian region, and the Aragon region, Catalonia is an autonomous region of Spain. Its roots stretch back further than those of Spain itself, when the region was an independent territory of the Crown of Aragon. It became an independent region in the 1930s, and again in 1975, after the death of Franco. It is a region that is very proud, dynamic, and unique; a trip to Catalonia will not be complete without visiting its capital, Barcelona. Barcelona plays a central role in Catalan culture.

The dynamic, vibrant city of Barcelona is the most visited city of Catalonia, and it offers a beautiful representation of the culture of the region. From the gorgeous works of Antoni Gaudi to the scores of “festes” that the city hosts each year, you will find that Barcelona fulfills your need to explore and discover Catalonian culture. Festes are not exactly like festivals; rather than a commercial endeavor, these celebrations are organized by a community for their enjoyment. This tradition has been passed down for centuries. The Festival of La Merce, for instance, is held every September 24 in honor of patron saint La Merce, or the Virgin of Mercy. It is colorful, chaotic, beautiful, and thoroughly Catalan.

In Barcelona, the food offers another way to experience the culture of Catalonia. Catalan food is said, by many, to be the best in Spain, and it is greatly diverse. There is a lot of fresh seafood, meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetables, but the meat and fish sauces are the best part. Try a wonderful dish of garlic, tomato, and fried onion called sofregit, or experience picada, made with hazelnuts or pinenuts, parsley, and garlic with a base of ground almonds, and sometimes breadcrumbs. A mixture of garlic with olive oil, or a concoction called romesco, which includes the following ingredients: tomato, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, and almond. Also make sure to sample the local wines (whites are generally regarded as better than the reds).

Catalan architecture shines its brightest in Barcelona. It was the center of the modernisme movement, and in addition to Gaudi, architects such as Domenech i Montaner and Puig i Cadalfachused Barcelona for their canvases. The city is strewn with their masterpieces, and walking to and from other destinations is always a treat because of the magnificent buildings and parks.

Barcelona is not the only city in Catalonia, but it is the most vibrant and diverse.

posted by admin on Jun 27

FROM BARCELONA TO BILBAO, THE SPANISH LANDS ARE THE PLACE TO CHILL IN STYLE

Budget airlines have brought us a step closer to Europe and the climate has always been a pull for us pasty northerners, but recently, the Iberian cities don’t seem to be out of the press. A whole new world of style has been born in Spain.

Chef Ferran Adria leads the Spanish cullinary scene with his globally revered, triple-Michelin-starred restaurant, El Bulli, situated on a remote, rocky beach 2 hours from Barcelona. His vociferous support for Spanish produce, Sherry and wines has made the rest of the gastronomic world sit up and take note and has propelled Spain to new heights of international respect. The list of fantastic restaurants and bars within Spanish borders is endless, but we’ve put together a selection of not-to-be-missed venues for a weekend in the sun.

IBIZA

Ibiza or Eivissa, depending on where you emanate from, is Spain’s most famous island and its double name is mirrored in a peculiar split personality that has developed over the last ten years. It is known as the clubbing capital of the world, drawing music connoisseurs from across the globe for its jaw-dropping DJ line-ups and its range of superclubs that hold thousands. At the same time, thanks to reality shows like ‘Ibiza Uncovered’, the so-called Isla Bonita is burdened with a reputation for attracting the worst element of Brits abroad. Lary lads and loose lasses stumble through the streets of San Antonio wreaking havock, making mischief and collapsing in a heap at the end of the night. But beyond all of this, there is a very sophisticated element of Ibizan life – a third personality that escapes most of the tourist trade. A new generation of bars have evolved into world class venues with slick interior design, atmospheric lighting, extensive cocktail menus and some of the best resident DJs in Europe.

When the Warhol bar opened in December 2001, its mission was to attract the stylish and beautiful, and now anyone who’s in the know in the music, fashion or media worlds can be found flocking to it for album launches, catwalk collections or photoshoots. The Base Bar continues to draw the music buffs and Café Mambo on the opposite side of the island has stolen the glory from Café Del Mar next door as the best place to watch the sun go down. Wine Bar is a new development, whose proximity to Pacha nightclub has sealed its future as an all-year fashion hang-out where you can dump vodka limóns in favour of fine wines and Fino. Then there’s cushion-strewn Mao Rooms, from London’s Chinawhite crew, which has become a first class lounge on the Ibiza scene.

For food, L’Elephant is the island’s top French restaurant, located in the small town of San Rafael just outside of Ibiza Town. Sa Capella is a beautiful and impressive restaurant housed in a 16th Century church resplendent with stone statues, foliage and faultless service.

La Casita in Cala Llonga is a sleek and stylish terrace restaurant serving gastronomically inventive dishes from its old farmhouse location.

BARCELONA

Physically compact, yet culturally enormous; bohemian, and at the same time ultra chic. Barcelona is one of those cities that is all things to all men. It’s hub of creativity, with internationally renowned art galleries, designer shops and architectural delights that are second to none. Glitzy modern façades juxtaposed with the unique contorted architecture that is Gaudi’s legacy. Delightful squares and meandering boulevards that invite you to amble along for hours, glancing in the designer shops north of Plaça Catalunya. Then break your journey in the basement bodegas and tapas bars of La Rambla. In the summer, you can relax beachside at one of the scores of bars and restaurants along the Mediterranean coast of the Olympic port, dining on morning fresh seafood with a cold Manzanilla at your side. Aqua is a favourite hangout with bleached wooden tables and chairs spilling onto the beach front. For something more urban, Lupino, in one of the graffiti-ridden backstreets of the Raval district, is a fashionable spot with an alfresco terrace in similar style to one of London’s Hoxton haunts. Its slick, warmly lit interior is in direct contrast to the industrial carpark and the boqueria market that it looks out onto. The gourmands would prefer to venture into the commercial district to critically acclaimed Comerç 24 (closed in August), where the El Bulli trained chef, Carles Abellan, serves fantastic modern style tapas to a well-to-do professional crowd. For those of a more adventurous nature, a trip into Mount Tibidabo will provide views over the bustling city. A day at the theme park on high can be followed with drinks at Mirabelle and then completed with cocktails and dancing at the converted mansion known as Partycular. The sophisticated Eixample area offers a number of trendy escapes such as lounge bar Smooth, with its awesome selection of wines and Sherry, and velvet-clad Snooker, which won design awards when it opened a decade ago. El Ascensor in Ribera attracts the beautiful young things and with any luck you’ll be caught in the lift with one of them as you ascend to the modern designer club.

MADRID

It’s big and bustling, it’s loud and crowded, lascivious characters skulk in dark corners, and taxi drivers will try to rip you off. It’s a capital city and no mistaking it. Slap bang in the middle of the Spanish mainland, Madrid is hot – and with none of the forgiving sea breeze that blesses Barcelona, the teracotta cityscape looks practically kiln-baked. But it’s not all stress and strife. The best place to start relaxing is in Paseo del Prado, the expansive promenade that puts all of the city stress on hold. Down the spine of the Prado are three gurgling fountains that are fed by a subterranean stream. Adjacent to Prado is the beautiful, landscaped Retiro park, alive with street performers, bandstand and boat rides on its artificial lake. Sandwiched between the two is the botanical garden, an oasis of peace at the nucleus of the city. Café Miranda captures the spirit and colour of Madrid. Modern European cooking accompanied by a vampish dinner show with drag queens and a psychadelic decor. Drag queens feature at Gula Gula (Gran Via 1) too, where eating at the self-service buffet is a colourful and entertaining experience. A more sophisticated option is La Vaca Veronica where market-fresh ingredients are combined to terrific results.

For something on the fashionable tip, Larios Café is a glamorous spot and its delicious Cuban cuisine is popular with the arty designer crowd. But if you’re looking up-market then Salamanca is the area to head for. The Beverley Hills of Madrid, Salamanca is awash with high class restaurants and glitzy bars. El Mentidero de la Villa (C/Santo Tomé 6) or grandiose Pedro Larumbe (C/Serrano 61) for exquisite fish, Estay for contemporary tapas or Boulevard for quaffing with any A-listers that are in town. Another trendy getaway is El Viso Madrid (C/Juan Bravo 31) set on a number of floors with a beautiful terrace bar, basement club and a very well-heeled young clientele.

For a change from the norm, La Ida is a funky, chilled bar with no signage to give it away and an unconventional interior design. Frequented only by those ‘in the know’, it’s definitely worth seeking out.

SEVILLE

It is the flamboyant heart and soul of Spanish culture and a city that lives for tradition. From religion, which is embedded in its very essence, to football, politics, food and drink, the Andalusian capital thrives on its roots. Bull-fighting and flamenco are at the centre of its cultural calendar. And tapas is simply the done thing, for it was in Seville that the global obsession was born.

Languishing at Spain’s southern tip, the sun-baked streets bask in the glory of a near-tropical heat. It is explosively colourful and architecturally stunning, its foundations carved from a multitude of occupations that span three millennia. The people smile, things move ever so slowly and mañana never seems to come.

A weekend is simply not enough in Seville. You need time to stroll around from tapas bar to tapas bar, soaking up the atmosphere and the locally made Sherry; to meander along the river at sunset, stopping to crack open a bottle of Amontillado to mix with the rays of a sinking sun; to wander through the charming squares and the winding, cobbled streets of the Jewish quarter; and to drift from one hip bar to the next in trendy Alameda.

Restaurants are less commonplace than in Barcelona or Madrid and Tapas bars take precedence. Egaña Oriza (C/San Fernando 41) combines bar and restaurant with elegance blending Basque and Andalusian cuisine in an expansive early 20th Century terazza.

Another magnificent dining experience is La Albahaca – an exclusive townhouse which serves imaginative Spanish fusion dishes. Casa Robles serves gourmet Sevillian cuisine and is favoured by the Spanish royal family. Its sister restaurants Robles Placentines and Robles Tapas offer a less formal environment. La Colonial de Vinos y Viandas (C/Valpaiso 13) is the place to head for Spanish wine lovers – an amazing array of wines are accompanied by Cuban cigars and tasty tapas. Or try the inventive Mediterranean cuisine at La Madraza (C/Peris Mencheta 21), where you can titilate your taste-buds while gazing at the artworks on the walls which double as a gallery space.

BILBAO

Fifteen years ago, Bilbao was just a busy port and an old iron mining town. Fondly called ‘Botxo’ by the locals (Basque for ‘hole’), Bilbao escaped becoming a hole (literally) in the 90s with the gentrification of the dock area and the creation of such cultural magnets as the Guggenheim Museum and the concert hall, the development of the park, and the Sir Norman Foster designed metro system. The best way to get the most out of Bilbao is by way of a Txikiteo (the local version of a pub crawl) with a glass of Sherry and a plate of tapas in each bar. Alternatively, go top-end with Michelin-starred Zortzika – the lunch menu is best value. There’s also relaxed, but fashionable El Perro Chico, which looks out onto the recently cleaned river. Tapas bars tend to be more on the dark traditional side, but Harizki (Ledesma 7) goes against the grain offering gourmet style dishes in a slick, bright interior. As with other bars around Calle Ledesma, this place stays open a little later than the rest of the city. Worth a visit too is Artajo (Ledesma 4), where locals swear by the mussels in anchovy sauce.

JEREZ

The people of Jerez live for Sherry. Flamenco is a favourite pass-time and while drinking and dancing are woven into the fabric of life, it still remains a relatively peaceful and unspoilt part of Spain. Beaches and mountains are within reach at either side, vineyards and orange groves surround it and the ruins of once magnificent castles punctuate the landscape. It is a beautiful and ancient city, which despite being serviced by the no-frills airlines, still manages to evade mass tourism.

The wide avenues of the city centre are full of shops and tapas bars are everywhere. Pass by Las Bridas for the kind of portions that you can share around or head for La Abacerio (Plaza Rafel Rivero) for a lively evening in alfresco surrounds. Good tradicional cuisine is to be had at Gaitán or El Gallo Azul (Calle Larga) for something a little more experimental. And whatever you do, make time to visit one of a many bodegas that are open for Sherry-tasting tours. It’s an unforgettable experience and one that will ensure you go away itching to come back.

SAN SEBASTIAN

One of the most fashionable places in Spain to holiday, San Sebastian couldn’t be further removed from the cheap resorts of the south. Golden beaches are beautifully maintained, landscaped parks and gardens, majestic mountains and the thrashing seas of the Bay of Biscay combine to dramatic effect. Designer shops keep the spendthrift upper classes happy as do some of the finest bars and restaurants in the country. Arzak is at the top of the list of restaurants to visit for the foodies (you are recommended to book at least a month in advance). Chef Juan Mari Arzak is often at your side to help you decide on dishes which change daily. Akelarre with its mountain location and views over the Atlantic offers a combination of traditional local cuisine and modern Basque interpretations and is not to be missed. All of the late night action happens in Parte Vieja, where tapas bars line the streets (try La Cepa, Martinez, Ormazabel and Gaztelu all on C/Agosto) and you can dance and drink until the very early hours.