Hello dear readers of Akaza Blog!

I know that sales just started in Spain and that you probably have a waited for this moment of shopping spree for a long and nerve-racking period, but Barcelona offers more than only high quality and luxurious shops. Lot of places such as Park Guell, Tibidabo, Monjuic or Born – not exhaustive list though – offers a really nice experience of this charming sunny city. Have you been to Monjuic? Montjuic, Barcelona’s hill hosting the Castel de Montjuic, the Font Magica and the Palau Nacional, you see?  If no, you should go there daytime or nighttime; both will offer you a real Barcelona experience. If yes, then probably you do not know the following activities that I will share with you.

Montjuic is a relaxing place to spend good time walking in the street of Poble Espanyol, making you feel that you are for a time in a typical street of Andalucía until you arrive in a Galician street of La Coruna.  Then, from Valencia to Madrid, you will learn a lot about Spanish culture and about “Las Comunidades Autonomas”. Poble Espanyol, during nighttime, changes its face and become a place where people can have dinner and then party in the open air club, La Terrazza. You definitely should try this mind-travelling experience, making you being far from the city center and of the overcrowded beaches of Barcelona! For girls, I mention that you can also suntan in the parks, lying on the grass of this really green hill, for instance in the Gardens of Joan Brossa. Talking about those Gardens of Joan Brossa, there you can enjoy from an open-air cinema. How cool is that, watching a movie sitting on the grass and under the stars in the dark nights of Barcelona! This event is organized by the Sala Monjuic. If you are interested, it costs only 1 € instead of 5 €. Priceless! You can see the list of the movie that will be played on the following link: http://elgrupazo.com/node/130.

Lot of other cultural activities should be done such as the visit of the Palau Nacional or seeing the Magic Fountain (La Font Magica) doing its show every Friday and Saturday night, every 30 minutes from 7.00 pm until 8.30pm. I will let you curiosity guide you through your discovery of all the beauty and charm of Montjuic! Hasta la proxima y disfruta bien de Barcelona.

 

One of the best places to stay in Barcelona is Barceloneta.

This neighborhood is part of the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona and was constructed during the 18th century for the former residents of the Ribera neighborhood who had the move because of plans from the city counsel of Barcelona.

Over the years Barceloneta became the living area of the fishermans who worked in the Old Port, which is located on one site of the area. The Old Port brought a lot of business and work to the city of Barcelona.

 

 

Many workers began to live around the ports yacht construction companies, which made Barceloneta grow and expand. Because of the lack of space a lot of apartments where built on top of eachother, giving Barceloneta her current characteristic appearance. Today the Old Port is beautiful to walk along over the long boulevard of Paseo de Joan de Borbo.

The many workers who lived in Barceloneta were very close with each other, making Barceloneta very social and friendly area of Barcelona. This identidy has been kept over the years. The market place in central Barceloneta is still very much visited every day by the folks just to talk, drink a coffee in the many small coffee shops or do some groceries.

 

Barceloneta is also known for its sandy beaches. The Barceloneta beach is the closest beach to Barcelona city centre. From one of our many apartments in this area you really have this beach on your doorstep. But also from the famous Ramblas it is only about a 15 minute walk to the beach.

Barceloneta beach gained status as the best urban beach in the World and total third best beach in the World, according the documentary film "Worlds Best Beaches" produced by Discovery Channel in 2005.

When strolling around the Barcelona Boulevard in the evenings, you pass by many great sea food restaurants which serve up the fresh catches of the day.Also try the nice cocktail bars located on along the beaches. And for a nightly adventure Catwalk, Shoko and Opium Mar is definitely a good recommendation.

 

All in all Barceloneta feels like a little village of its own, with groceries around the corner, the city centre easily reached on foot and of course the sandy beaches on your doorstep.  A great place to stay during your Barcelona visit.

 

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Barcelona is the famous Ramblas. So famous, that the word Ramblas is often one of the first things that pops into the minds of tourist visiting Barcelona alongside Sagrada Familia and FC Barcelona.

The name rambla refers to a water flow in both Catalan and Spanish, and is actually derived from the Arabic originated word 'ramla' which means 'sandy riverbed'. Before the actual construction of the Ramblas as we know it nowadays it functioned as a dry riverbed transporting water from the mountains around Barcelona to the sea during heavy rain.

 

Hard to imagine if you walk down the approximately 1.2 kilometers long Rambla today with the Christopher Columbus Monument in Port Vell at the southern end and Placa Catalunya at the northern end. A well-known poet from Barcelona once said that La Rambla was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end". La Rambla can be crowded, especially during the summer. Any time during the day or night several thousand tourists are walking along the Ramblas soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the activities.

 

This has also changed the shopping selection around this area of Barcelona. It is an excellent place to shop for nice souvenirs to bring home, to enjoy a nice jug of sangria on the terrace of one of the hundred small restaurants and to enjoy the many living statues along your way up to Plaza Catalunya. Because of the many tourists who visit the Ramblas, this area has also become a prime target for pick pocketing. To make sure that you have a safe visit along las Ramblas please read our other Akaza blog especially dedicated to pick pocketing in Barcelona.

Did you know that La Rambla is actually a serie of shorter streets, each with a different name and different characteristics, combined together to the Spanish plural form Las Ramblas or Les Rambles in the typical Catalan dialect of Barcelona.

The most southern part of the Ramblas is called Rambla Sant Monica. This part which starts at the old harbor was named after a monastery that now is an art centre. Another interesting museum is the Museo de Cera.

The Rambla dels Caputxins is the next part of the Ramblas and offers a lot of famous building of Barcelona on either side of the street. Especially the Gran Theatre del Liceu, and Palau Guell are nice to visit and on the classical Madrilenian Placa Reial you can enjoy a nice dinner, listen to some nice musicians and even enjoy some of Barcelona´s best flamenco groups performing during summer.

 

 

The Rambla Sant Josep is also known as the Rambla de Flores with many flower stalls on both sides of the street. Worth visiting is the famous Mercat de la Boquiria, Barcelona´s biggest and most popular fresh food market.

The most northern parts of the Ramblas are called Rambla Estudis and Rambla Canaletes. The Rambla Canaletes has one fountain that you should certainly visit: the Font les Canaletes. Legend says that if you drink from this fountain you will return to Barcelona in the future.

A very nice thought indeed considering the many tourist attractions and nice areas of Barcelona. A weekend or a week is never enough to visit all the nice things Barcelona has to offer!

If you think about Barcelona one of the first words that pops up in your mind is FC Barcelona.

The famous football club is entwined with Barcelona, and the city is entwined with Barça.

 

The club was founded in 1899 by Joan Gamper. This first president of FC Barcelona founded the club for all who loved the game of football. In those days football was not yet widely known in all of Europe, therefore he is seen as one of the pioneers of this great game. When visiting the FC Barcelona museum you can go the left at the entrance, where a lot of information can be found about the early days of the current best club in the world and Joan Gamper.

 

The logo of FC Barcelona resembles the olla, the caldron over which the construction workers met every day to enjoy their meals together. Joan Gamper wanted his football club to represent their unity, pleasure and family-like great times. If you look closely at the logo you notice that the lower part is a caldron with two handles on the side and the vapors of the cooked meal in the waive-like upper part.

 

Joan Gampers philosophy is still the heart of FC Barcelona. It really is the club of the people of Catalunya. The phrase Mes que un club, more than a club represents FC Barcelona's social function. Barcelona has more than 60000 official registered fans, called socios. Most of them are true catalans, they are in love with the blue-red club color and above else hate Real Madrid.

 

This almost nationalistic love for Catalunya and FC Barcelona was forged during the civil war and the reign of dictator Franco. Franco tried to suppress the Catalan culture and especially the city of Barcelona suffered under his power. He changed the name of the club to Club Footbal de Barcelona and ruled that Barca could not buy the best players. In fact, one of the best players in the history of Real Madrid, Alfredo di Stefano, was intimated to sign for FC Barcelona and had to choose Real Madrid by the interference of the dictator himself. For Catalans cheering for their club was one of the ways to show their own identity and a way to stand up to Franco. Rumors say that some highly-placed figures of FC Barcelona during that time where often the target of intimidations from Franco's men, telling them that the club would be punished even more if Barcelona would win against Real Madrid during those years. Older people still remember the black 11-1 loss to Real Madrid in 1943, where players of FC Barcelona seemed even frightened to touch the ball.

 

This represents the importance for FC Barcelona to beat their rival at El Clasico, the derby between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. I myself have seen the parties that start after Real Madrid was beaten on the Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya. The whole Ramblas was full of people, waving flags, singing anti-madrid songs and also firing great fireworks all night long.

 

In my opinion, anybody who visits Barcelona needs to go the famous Camp Nou, the great stadium of Barcelona and if possible buy tickets for a match. The matches are always a spectacle, Barcelona has scored around 2 goals every home match this season, so goals guaranteed!!

I’m sure that if any of you tells your friends or families that you are coming to Barcelona, the first thing they say is: “Oh, how wonderful!” And second thing they say right after that is: “Well, but be careful, everybody gets robbed there!” Both things are true. Even though Barcelona is a beautiful unique city it simply cannot deal with the fact that the growing business of pickpockets or in Spanish “carteristas” becomes a part of your vacation whether you want to or not. Carteristas in Barcelona are living their life and tourists are their main focus, especially when standing on Rambla with a city map, or lying down on the beach with your camera, you cannot be less obvious.

Here are some examples on how you can get robbed: In a crowded subway, for example, it's normal for strangers to press against you, so you don't notice something pressing against your pocket or purse. Usually, pickpockets carry jackets or newspapers to cover their hands.

 

The same approach works in less crowded areas as well. A pickpocket team might casually sandwich you between them in order to press against your body. In a standard scheme, the "stall" suddenly stops in front of the person so that the person bumps into her. The "pick" pretends to accidentally bump into the mark from behind and graciously apologizes while removing the mark's wallet. It might seem strange that the stall suddenly stopped, but the pick seems completely innocent, so the person doesn't notice she or he's been robbed. It's difficult to spot every pickpocket; no matter how careful you are, because pickpockets generally camouflage themselves. They're very careful not to fit the common conception of criminals.

Many dress like wealthy businessmen and women; others carry babies, who they use to hide what their hands are doing. Some even mimic tourists, their prime targets. The best defence against pickpockets is to make it hard to get to your valuables. It's not a good idea to carry your wallet in your back pocket, because it's fairly easy for a pickpocket to sneak up behind you. Front pockets are safer, but the best option is a money belt under your clothes. Backpacks and purses are also attractive to pickpockets. If you need to carry a purse, you should hold it under your arm and cover it with your hand. Another good defence is to employ some distraction methods of your own. Carry an easily accessible "dummy" wallet in your pocket or purse so pickpockets never seek out your real wallet. It's also important not to look like a good target.

Pickpockets are drawn to people who look lost, confused or distracted. People who seem sure of themselves and aware of their surroundings are less attractive targets. Remember, most pickpockets are cautious thieves who want to avoid confrontation. Even if they think they could steal something off you, they'll tend to pass you over if you don't look like the safest mark in a crowd. Even if you do take all of these precautions, you could still fall victim to pickpockets. You can minimize the damage if you're prepared. Keep a list of everything you are carrying in you wallet or purse, especially all credit card numbers. This makes it a lot easier to straighten everything out if somebody does steal from you. It's also a good idea to spread out your money, credit cards and identification in different places, so you're less likely to lose it all at once.

What to Do If Someone Picks Your Pocket

If you discover that your credit cards and identification are missing, at home or abroad, act quickly. Call the credit companies and cancel the cards right away. Then, file a report with the police. With your credit cards and identification, a thief could try to steal your identity, which could take years to sort out. Contact the major credit reporting agencies right away so they know that someone might try to establish credit in your name.

Pickpockets can completely ruin a trip to a foreign country if you aren't prepared. When you lose your identification, you could even get stuck in that country until everything gets sorted out.

To make the process as easy as possible, you should keep photocopies of your credit cards, your passport, and any other forms of identification. Keep copies at your hotel, and leave separate copies with somebody at home. Even if you lose everything, your friend can fax you the information you need. It's also a good idea to prepare a list of emergency numbers and addresses before your trip. Find out where your country's foreign embassy is, and write down the local police station's number. Pickpockets are going to be around for a long time, and there's not much a law enforcement can do about it. But if you're informed and prepared, they'll most likely move on to a better target.

A beautiful and spacious attic (60m2) right in the old centre of Barcelona with a private roof terrace, internet and Jacuzzi for only 300 EUR per month is certainly a seductive offer, when you are looking for accommodation in Barcelona. You write him that you are interested and he replies to you the same day. Because of a job transfer, you can't see the apartment but he sends you some very nice pictures of the apartment. He also writes you that he needs to rent the it out right away, so he accepts just 300 a month, the price actually was 900 EUR a month. You feel proud that you have found such a great deal on the expansive house market of Barcelona. You reply to him which step to take next. He answers that for him to send you his keys by mail he only asks a small deposit 500 EUR payment right away by bank transfer. You are excited and transfer the money right away! He even replied that he received the money and that the keys are on their way. Excellent! But after waiting and waiting for the keys, you finally get the feeling that it was too good to be true and that you have fallen for a scam. However many of these GREAT advertisements on the internet turn out to be a scam nowadays. Especially with the great expansion of the free advert sites on the internet the number of scams have multiplied.

There are many adds that offer many ''too good to be true'' apartments in Barcelona. ''People need to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'', is a phrase that is becoming more heard around apartment rental companies like ourselves in Barcelona and all over the world. Rents are getting higher and people are in real need of an affordable place to live. It is sad to say, but these kinds of scams take advantage of those situations. Another example. You arrive in Barcelona for the first time and have made contact with a person who can arrange accommodation. You meet him in the centre near the apartment you have enquired for and he shows you this great accommodation with 2 bedrooms, fully furnished and with great view over the old city of Barcelona. He tells you that there are a lot of people interested, but you're lucky. If you want the apartment, you just have to pay a small amount (200 EUR) and then he will deliver the keys in one hour nearby the house. You are obviously impressed and even the price is affordable, so you take it! You think you have taken it, but actually already 10 people have taken the apartment for the same small amount and the so-called owner will never deliver the keys and has run with the money. Akaza owner, Andréa Drottholm tells her story, from when she first landed in Barcelona. A third example of apartment rental scams, in fact a legal “scam” which we really want to warm our visitors about. The agency does exist they have several offices around Barcelona. They put adverts in the newspaper of apartments that do NOT exist, and again, it sounds too good to be true.. You call them up and they excitedly tell you to come to a certain address, in my case it was on Via Laitana, in the middle of old town, just where I wanted to live. So I go there, and find an office. I get led in an explained their procedure. “you pay us what was then 200 EUR worth in pesetas, we give you the address of the apartment and you deal with the owner directly. Its cheap its good and easy as you do not deal with an agency but handle the owner face to face. Also they added, “ The other agencies in Barcelona will charge you at least a month worth of rent, to offer the same sort of service”. I have to admit I did not fall for it straight away. Left the office, walked to a few other real estate agencies to verify that in deed you do pay at least 1 month agency fee. As I was so excited about this attic in the middle of the Gothic quarters, for a cheap price, I went back to make my dream come true. I paid, and when I asked for the details of the apartment, they regret to tell me that this apartment is already rented, but they have plenty of others???????!!! It was too late.. In fact they give you a list of addresses, once a day you can come by and they will give you max 5 addresses, where of 4/5 are already rented out.. You then have to spend your own money and talk to the owners in Spanish The apartments they list are never in old town or any other attractive area for that matter, as they deal with apartments that no one else can rent out. At one point they sent me to look at a shop that had been made into an apartment, the living room window was on street level, with view for the public…nice if you are in to exposure.. The money was lost, I managed to find a house in the city centre on my own account, which made my home for 7 years. So in the end it turned out well for me, but I wish I had knew about these scams before I paid out the money that was spares for a student at the time.” Our advice to people who are looking for accommodation in Barcelona: • Only work with agencies who are connected to reliable tourist associations like APARTUR. • If looking for long term lets, see if you can find any references on google as such to see if the company does in deed exist. • Never accept keys being sent to your address in exchange for a small deposit, they are NOT serious. Our owners would never do or offer such a service. • Make sure it is possible to pay a large part of the amount on arrival at the apartment. This for your own safety and that of the owner. • Never believe adds that seem too good to be true. Accommodation in Barcelona is quite expansive. • Search trough the websites for possible feedback from other clients. We are proud of our received feedback from our clients and will definitely put it on our website

Céret and its surrounding Céret has been a long time favour of mine. For various reasons I have been pulled back to visit more over and over, and each time I fall in love more and more in this beautiful place. Céret is located in the Valley of Languedoc-Roussillon, only a two hours drive from Barcelona (150 km from Barcelona). Follow the A9, and it takes you straight across the border, as yes Céret is not in Spain but in France. Once you crossed the border the first exit on your right shows Céret, Amelie les Bains, Le Boulou. Heading in towards the Catalan/French Pyrenees, Céret is located only 10 km from the high way. A very easy ride. Entering the town you pass by the bridge “Vieux Pont or Pont du Diable” , which spans the Tech in a single arch 22m/72ft high, dates from the 14th century. It affords fine views of Le Canigou and the Monts des Albères. So what makes Céret so special?? It is bilingual meaning they speak French and Catalan in Céret, and the Catalans are going strong here, with heads up high in pride for their “nationality”. What else? Well, for me I would say this place has a typical French Country side atmosphere, with a very classic feeling to it. The buildings in the central town are very picturesque, there is a small town feeling to it, away from the city stress of Barcelona. Every Saturday there is a local market, where the farmers from across the region come down to sell their home made products, cheeses, Wine, local special sausages, cloth, honey and the list goes on. The market happens from 8h to 13h. A must if you are in to Good Quality Farmers products! Céret is also famous for their Catalan cotton fabric from Les Toiles du Soleil, which has boutiques in town, as well as Paris and Tokyo. Originally this factory was set up to make espandrillos from a high resistant fabric and hemp woven soles. The tradition almost died out The two Catalans brothers, Quinta, 1994 managed to rescue the company from a close down, which employed a large amount of the locals. With innovative thoughts on what else can be made of the fabric other then espandrillos was taken on to classic stripy fabrics for interior, exterior decoration, as well as merchandising. If you are in the area you should check out the shop La Boheme that sells their items. To read more about the company go to Toiles du Soleil Other local goodies are the Ceramics, And of course there are numerous amount Win yards in the regions and not to mention the local delicious cheeses. Céret is famous for The Catalonian sculptor Manolo (1872-1945) and the composer Déodat de Sévérac which attracted numbers of artists to this little town, which now possesses many works of modern art. The Modern Art Museum in town exhibits paintings from artists like Matisse, Chagall, Maillol, Dalí, Manolo, Picasso and Tapiès. Opening Hours in High Season: 15th of June to 15th of September Monday through Sunday 10h to 19h. Low Season: 16th of September to 14th of June, Monday to Sunday, Tuesdays CLOSED!!! Open: 10h to 18h Closed on New Years Day, January 1, May Day 1st of May, All Saints Day 1st of November, Christmas day 25th of December Entrance fee for adults is 8€ students and elderly 6€ Children under 12 years of age free. Full facilities for persons with disabilities. The Casa Catalane de la Culture has rooms devoted to mineralogy and ethnology. Also located in old town Céret. Old Town of Céret is surrounded by a wall of buildings, with two entrances, one initially facing France and the other side facing Spain. During various rulers of Céret the wall has suffered, and this part has been rebuilt a numerous occasions. Gate or Portal Spain from the Moors (13th century): La Porte de France (13th Century) The Entrance for France, part of the old fortifications of the city was the main entrance. A Drawbridge allowed to cross the ditch. The façade is of, neo-Italian Renaissance style. The mansion is now the library of Céret. L'Eglise Saint Pierre The largest Baroque church architecture, built between 1668 and 1778 replacing a Romanesque church built 814. In the heart of Old Town there is a great square with nice ambiance around the Lion Fountain. The Fountain that the Spanish Queen Isabelle and King Ferdinand 2nd of Aragon crowned with the Lion symbol of Castile. Around the square you can find three restaurants, I have eaten in all of them and the one that stands out the most to me was “La Fontaine” which offers a specially delicious Coquille Saints Jacques. Surrounding areas of Céret. Amélie-les-Bains is famous for its Roman Spas with thermal healing water, 62 degrees at its source, containing healing properties like sulphur. There are two spas open in Amélie; the thermal baths of Mondony and the Roman thermal baths. As well as providing medicinal benefits for a whole host of complaints the thermal centres offer relaxation packages and individual treatments at very reasonable prices. Akaza can provide you with these packages and book you into one of the Spas. People coming from all over the world to recover, heal or simply enjoy the mountains and the hot waters. Besides the Spas there is an adventure park for children and outdoor activities like Trout Fishing (where 6th World Trout Fishing Championship in 1998 where held in the River Tech) Horseback riding, mountain biking and beautiful hikes. Amélie-les-Bains located 240 meters above sea level, is a very pristine little town with plenty of character like its neighbour town Céret. Small little cobbled streets set on a hill side with a castle on top. There is a river the splits Amelie, “Le Tech” opposite side of the river is the Medieval part of Amélie-les-Bains. Amélie-les-Bains is well known for its long sunny periods, purity of air and relaxed way of life. The whole valley and mountainous landscape in which Amélie-les-Bains is situated has become a 'station verte de vacances.' This accolade is only awarded in France to preservation areas of outstanding, unspoiled natural beauty. As Céret, Amélie is famed for the quality of light which makes it ideal for artists and photographers as well as those nature lovers just wishing to get away from it all and relax in the stunning surroundings whilst the cares of the world melt away. Whether you seek the peace and tranquillity of the rivers and mountains or go for a more active holiday, without a doubt Amélie-les-Bains has something to offer everybody and once this amazing historical town has been experienced it will have you coming back for more year after year. Argéles-sur-Mer a beach town, with 7 km long white sand beaches. This regions hosts a wide variety of Camping Sites, and activities for all ages. Downtown there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops lined up along the beach walk. The beaches well packed with sun umbrellas, jump castles for children, beach soccer, surfing to keep the whole family entertained. Around Argeles-sur-Mer families can find a large amusement park filled with, GoCart, Canyoing, Mini Gold, roller coasters, horse back riding, Aqualand. Even if you are not looking to stay in town, and travel with children, this can be a fun filled day for everyone that seeks activities.

Since the beginning of February 2009, two new interns are working with Akaza. Noortje, is an International Business and Languages student from the Netherlands who decided to come to Barcelona to gain business experience and improve her Spanish language skills. The other intern at Akaza is Sofie, a Belgian International Business student who fell in love with Barcelona a couple of years ago. Next to gaining international experience, she came to Barcelona to improve her Spanish skills and to learn about the culture of Barcelona. After two months it is time for the girls to review their time in Spain's most sparkling city and to give a view on their lives away from home...

 

Arriving in Barcelona was quite an experience: arriving at a new home, exploring the city and starting to work with Akaza. Everything went rather fast, but that is not a bad thing. The 'chicas' were really thrown into the adventure. They handled it quite well; they got to know their new neighborhoods and Akaza with its apartments and clients. While Noortje was enjoying her time and her nice apartment in El Born, Sofie found her apartment a bit disappointing. After an intensive search for a better apartment to share with a fellow student, she finally found a lovely apartment with a great roof terrace. That was about time after visiting almost thirty apartments all over the city! From that moment on both girls started enjoying their time equally: walking in the sun, shopping, trying out several restaurants, exploring the city, going out and meeting new people. Despite of all the great experiences and activities outside Akaza, the girls also enjoy their working experience in Barceloneta. The collaboration is excellent and the 'Flemish classes' during the lunch break really enhance the girls working relationship. While Noortje tells the most awesome stories about her childhood, Sofie teaches her Dutch colleague how to speak 'Antwerps' (the Flemish dialect that people speak in Antwerp, Belgium). The atmosphere is already great, now the girls are only waiting for the summer to begin so they can spend their lunch breaks at the beach. Besides waiting for the summer sun, the girls are also curious to meet Andréa. After a couple of months in India, she will return to Barcelona and to Akaza some what after Easter. Since the girls have only worked with Patricia up till now, they are excited to get to know the 'boss' and to experience the collaboration with Andréa. For the next months, the girls want to improve their Spanish and enjoy the lovely weather and the great city even more. The sightseeing trips during the weekends will be preceded and experiences will be gained even more. Without any doubt, you will get a full report of their whole experience in Barcelona in the newsletter of July!

Below we have put together some useful information for you about the apartment, its neighbourhood, Barcelona and what Services Akaza can offer you.

First of all we want to thank you for choosing to book your accommodation with Akaza. We hope that you enjoy your stay in this wonderful city, and that you have a great time in this apartment.

Please take good care of the flat, cleanliness is important, so we would ask you kindly to leave it as tidy as you found it.

The garbage/rubbish can be placed in any of the grey containers on street corners, as there are no allocated bins for the apartment.

If the apartment contains plants we kindly ask you to help us keep them alive :->

Please respect the neighbours and keep the noise level down, this is a residential building where people here live and work year round, and they have little tolerance for late night disturbance.

At the end of your stay, please be sure the balcony/windows are closed and the lights and electrical equipment are switched off. All your garbage should be taken out and the keys left on the table.

Departure time is at 11am. If you wish to leave at a later hour, please call me, Andrea to see if I can accommodate your needs.

We do remind all our guests to NEVER let go of their personal belongings at any time, as pocket thieves are numerous and quick in this town.

However this is the only real crime scene we face in Barcelona, even in restaurants and cafes, do not leave your bag unattended on the chair next to you.

Contact telephone numbers (including mine +34 626658548) are available in the AKAZA Barcelona directory provided.

Have a fantastic stay in Barcelona!

Andréa Drottholm

Owner of Akaza Service Agency

Your neighbourhood

Barceloneta

Some say this is the next Born… an up and coming, trendy area. Maybe it’s not quite yet there as it still with holds onto its charm without the designer boutiques. Barceloneta beach is the closest beach to Barcelona city centre. This area is probably one of the favourite areas for the tourist coming to Barcelona on a holiday but also wanting to hang out on the beach. As Barceloneta served as the fishermen neighbourhood this is obviously also where you can find some of the best fresh seafood on offer in Barcelona (amongst these we do NOT recommend (Rey de las Gambas!).

Barceloneta beach is the first choice of beach being closest to town. this quickly fills up during the summer months, and is definitely not a relaxing beach, but more of a people watching place, full of people offering plenty of entertainment. From the Frenchmen selling doughnuts from a basket on their heads, while singing and balancing through the crowds, to family dramas and fully tattooed bodies exposed to the passing crowds. A drink on the beach is not a problem as the Vendors make sure you have a fresh drink in your with their distinctive chants of, “Fanta, agua, Coca Cola, Cerveza,” …so if you are up for a day on the beach in Barceloneta, either expect the theatre that comes with it or bring some good music with a head set. For more quiet beaches you can walk along the seafront to some of the other beaches along, the further away you walk the more peace you will find.

As Barceloneta is within short walking distance to Las Ramblas and the Born, it makes it a desirable place to stay at night with its tranquil streets, since there are no late night bars and clubs in the area. You could say that Barceloneta is its own little village in the heart of Barcelona, as the Barceloneta natives see themselves as being apart from Barcelona. You will find everything you need within the neighbourhood; shops; supermarkets; bars; restaurant; bakeries and even daily fresh produce market.

Barcelona

This fantastic city is rated as one of Europe's number one destinations, not for nothing, as Barcelona has more to offer then most large cities known to the world. Its given attraction with the world famous Gaudi architecture mixed in with modern architecture of the 21st century, makes Barcelona a destination for many architects and students, as well as a popular tourist destination.

In the old town you can find the narrow cobbled streets with buildings going back further than most people can count to and in the middle of it all we find the cultural centre of Barcelona, Las Ramblas, known for its famous "human statues" and numerous outdoor cafes. Las Ramblas, however, is only a start to what this city has to offer its visitors. Not many major cities in the world can say they have beaches and, more over, amazingly clean beaches. This is among the few cities to have a metro line dropping you off a 2-minute walk away from La playa.

"I came to Barcelona 11 years ago only to return 7 years later, after having travelled the world and seeing a few continents in the past 17 years, my heart called out for Barcelona. The buildings, the people, the endless activities, restaurants and bars in all shapes and forms. We have it all here under one umbrella. It is not hard for me to talk about Barcelona and give it the credit it so well deserves. The locals are very proud of their city and it is projects to improve Barcelona and build it up to an even better city is something that everybody gets involved with, and they do. The place is becoming more and more metropolitan being home for people all over the world, and the Catalans are very open minded about receiving outsiders.

Andréa Drottholm - Akaza

Night Life

For tourists who love their nightlife, Barcelona will not disappoint you. We have some of the most famous musicians and DJs coming to play in anything from the small smoky underground clubs, to the massive big out door discos. The variety of music is endless, Jazz, Techno, Flamenco, Salsa, Pop and Reggae are some of the sounds played in various locations. The Catalans love their festivals. Any excuse for a Fiesta is valid. Year around there always seems to be a festival of some sort in one of the barrios (neighbourhoods), where the smaller of children right through to the grannies all drink, eat and dance together. At the end of the celebrations, it is not a proper festival if it is not finished off with Fireworks and in Barcelona they do it in a very grand style!

Bars:

La Concha – C/Guardia 14 (Arabic music mixed with Flamenco, very original bar)

DosTrece – C/Carme 40 (restaurant, bar, club, cinema all in one)

Jamboree – Placa Reial 17 (speacially good on Monday)

Harlem Jazz Club – Comtessa de Sobradiel 8 (live Jazz music)

Pipa Club – Placa Reial 3 pral (very original bar, flat converted to a bar, with several rooms and a Pipe collection)

Que Bar –C/Baluard (A local Bar for mainly local expats in Barceloneta)

Clubs

Sala Apolo – Nou de la Rambla 113 (very varied music played here, the venue is an old theatre, Thursdays, funk and soul)

Mond Bar – Plaza del Sol 21 in Gracia

Arena C/Diputacio 233 (Gay & Lesbian Club)

Catwalk - Ramon Trias Fargas 2-4 Porto Olimpico (another designer and “in” place to go to)

Moog - C/Arc del Teatre 3 (electronical music)

Razzmatazz - C/Almogavares 122 ( different rooms with different music, one of the most popular places in Barcelona)

City Hall – Rambla Catalunya 2-4 (various line ups of well know DJs)

La Terrazza – Avd. Marques de Comillas (Poble Espanyol) (Outdoor club in an old replica house, young crowd)

Restaurants and Cafes

Find additional sheets for restaurants with the contact details of restaurants that we recommend.

Feel free to add your own comments and recommendations to help future visitors.

Starting from the top are the more exclusive restaurants followed by the medium priced to the budget dining. The stars indicates the quality of the food, and the € sign the prices.

Things to Know about this apartment

Rubbish/Garbage

You may use any of the grey containers in the street, as there is no specific allocation for this apartment.

Towels

Please refrain from using the bathroom towels for the beach, as they will get stained and difficult to wash out. Please use the coloured towels provided for the beach.

Hot Water

There is a hot-water tank containing 100 litres of water. Please keep this in mind, as hot water will only last for finite amount of time. However, it will reheat within an hour.

Fans

Please remember to turn the fans off when exiting the apartment for the day.

Washing Machine

Instructions for the washing machine and which program to use is in the powder drawer.

( 2=90 degree hot wash only recommended for white towels and linen, 3=60 degree for white washing, 4= 40 degree, for coloured and more delicate material). Washing liquid is stored under the kitchen sink.

Keys

Don’t forget to take the key with you as once you have closed the door you cannot reopen it without a key. If you lose your keys, don’t panic! Give us a call. There is a replacement cost however.

Toilet

Make sure when you use the toilet, that the flush is back in its place. Do not flush down any other objects (cotton pads, panty liners, slips, etc) other than toilet paper into the toilet, as it will get blocked.

Rules of the House

Nobody other then the people renting the apartment is to enter the apartment. Late night disturbance will not be tolerated and breach of these rules may result in guest being asked to leave the apartment.

If anything has broken down, or been damaged please notify Akaza as soon as possible.+34 626658528.

Please do not try to fix it yourself as this might cause further damage.

We kindly ask you to step outside on to the balcony, if you wish to smoke.

Barcelona Directory

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency services:	112
Ambulance:	061
Fire Service:	080
Policia nacional:(first choice in a Police Emergency)	091
Guardia Urbania/ City police	092

If you have been robbed or attacked, you need to report the incident as soon as possible at your nearest police station. The one to be more likely to have English-speaking officers is the Guardia Urbana on Ramblas.

Operator Service:

General information:	010 Open: 08:00-22:00
International Directory enquiries:	025
International operator, reverse charge calls:	Europe & North Africa: 1008 rest of the world: 1005
National Directory	11818
National operator, reverse charge calls:	1009
Time:	093
Wake-Up calls:	096
Weather:	932 211 600

Taxis:

Companies:	(24 hours booking) Phone cabs start as soon as a call is answered.
Radio Taxi:	933 033 033
Barnataxi:	93 35777 55
Fono Taxi:	93 300 11 00 93 307 0707 Mercedes: at no extra cost and For special services: 93 284 8888

Car Rental:

Easycar /http://www.easycar.com/ Passeig Lluis Companys, 2-nd level of underground park house.
Other branches: Sants Railway station, Gran Via Carlos III 97-105. Tel: No phone, only online booking, Open: 07:00-23:00

Europcar /http://www.europcar.com Placa dels Paisos Catalans, Sants, Tel: 93 491 48 22 Airport branch: 93 298 33 00 Open: 07:30-22:30 Mon-Fri, 08:00-13:00 Sat.

Vanguard/ www.vanguardrent.com C/Viladomat 297 Tel: 93 3227951 Open: 08:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00 Mon-Fri,09:00-13:00 Sat, Sun.

Bicycles:

Un cotxe meyns Bike rentals Esparteria, 40 Tel: 932682105

Biciclot Bike rentals and Bike tours Passeig Marítim, 33 (A peu de platja) Tel: 932 219 778 Fax: 932 219 778

Airlines:

Easyjet:	902 299 992
British Airways	902 111 333
Virgin Express	932 266 671
Air Europa	934 784 763
Ryan Air	807 220 022 open: 10:00-19:00
Alitalia	934 152 521
Lufthansa	934 870 352
Spainair	902 131 415
Iberia	902 400 500
Air France	901 112 266
KLM	934 160 713

Consulates:

Australia	Gran Via Carlos III No 98, 9th Floor, Barcelona 08028 - 9333 09496
Austria	Carrer Mallorca, 214 Atic- 08008 - Barcelona - 934537294
Belgium	Carrer Diputació, 303 1er- 08009 - Barcelona - 934677080
Canada	Passeig de Gràcia, 77 3er- 08008 - Barcelona - 932150704
Denmark	Rambla Catalunya, 33 3er 1ª- 08007 - Barcelona - 934880222
Finland	Carrer Puig i Xoriguer, 17- 08004 - Barcelona - 934431598
France	Ronda Universitat, 22-B 4rt- 08007 - Barcelona - 933178150
Germany	Passeig de Gràcia, 111 11è- 08008 - Barcelona - 932921000
Greece	Avinguda Diagonal, 593 6è 2ª- 08014 - Barcelona - 933212828
Ireland	Gran Via de Carles III, 94 10è 2ª- 08028 - Barcelona - 934915021
Italy	Carrer Malloca, 270- 08037 - Barcelona - 934677305
Japan	Edifici Planeta. Avinguda Diagonal, 662-664- 08034 - Barcelona - 932803433
Luxembourg	Carrer Tuset, 8 8è- 08006 - Barcelona - 932922266
Holland	Avinguda Diagonal, 601 4rtD- 08028 - Barcelona - 934106210
Norway	Carrer Balmes, 184 5è 2ª- 08006 - Barcelona - 932184983
Portugal	Ronda San Pere, 7 1er 1ª- 08010 - Barcelona - 933188150
Sweden	Carrer Mallorca, 279 4rt 3ª- 08037 - Barcelona - 934882501
Switzerland	Gran Via Carlos III, 94 7è- 08028 - Barcelona - 933309211
United Kingdom	Edifici Torre Barcelona. Av Diagonal, 477- 08036 - Barcelona - 934199044
United States	Passeig Reina Elisenda, 23- 08034 - Barcelona - 932802227

Out and About

The key services nearest to you are identified on the map at the back of booklet.

1. Metro station
2. Bus stop
3. Pharmacy
4. ATM
5. Internet
6. Supermarket
7. Fresh market
8. Closest Hospital
9. Police station

Akaza services:

Akaza offers a wide range of services to our clients, in order to make your holiday and stay in Barcelona as smooth and as unique experience as possible. To enquire or book any of our services please call Andrea on: +34 626658548

DAYS OUT AND EXCURSIONS

For those who love nature, you do not have to go far to breath fresh air. Jump on one of the suburb trains, and in 20 minutes you will find yourself in the middle of the beautiful Montseny Natural Park. The smart little seaside resort Sitges only 30-minute train ride south of Barcelona, is a popular place to visit for a day on the beach or only to stroll around its quaint little lanes. For the art enthusiast a well worth visit is the Dali Museum. Up North a worthwhile visit is Figueres, which was once home to the world famous artist, Salvador Dali. It houses his artwork from his early days up to his most recent work. This is only to mention a few out of many easily accessible destinations for a day out of Barcelona.

"Beatle City Tour" - Barcelona Sight Seeing

How about a Barcelona excursion in a Beatle?? Barcelona has a lot to offer and should not be missed out. We can tailor make your tour in the city for the day, to see various sights such as: the world famous Gaudi Cathedral Sagrada Familia, Plaza Espana, The Gothic Cathedral, Montjuic Castle, Parque Guell, Poble Espanyol Nou Camp etc...it is all there waiting for you.

"Kayak Central" - Sea Kayaking the Best of Costa Brava

Catalunya’s Costa Brava is regarded as one of the best destinations for Sea Kayaking in Europe. Launching from one of the many gorgeous beaches, you will be guided along the Costa Brava’s dramatic cliffs exploring deep caves and warm, secluded coves and beaches. Depending on the Tramuntana (north wind) and paddler preference, outings are from 2 to 4 hours, stopping for lunch and a short siesta at turn around points. 8 hour trip. *All ages and kayaking ability levels are accommodated to ensure a positive, unforgettable experience.

"Save the Castle"- Castle Exploration

Castles explorations are an excellent way to understand the rich culture and history of Catalunya. From Barcelona you have great castle storming opportunities. While some castles are in better shape than others, they are all fascinating in both architecture and lore. As castles are logically located in protected, remote areas, we have logically included great trekking opportunities and Catalan fare in authentic country restaurants. 8-hour trip

"Medieval Villages"- Village Explorations and Nature Walks

Amazingly well preserved medieval villages of the Pyrenees, the coast and interior are quietly waiting for you. We take you deep into the spirit and history of the Catalan culture that few Barcelona visitors ever see or even hear about. You’ll explore age-old villages and enjoy a hearty lunch of Catalan food at one of the local restaurants. The nature walks are highly recommended but purely optional. While these ultra-charming villages are still inhabited, you will not find the crowds of Barcelona at your heels this day! 8-hour trip

"Wines of Catalunya"- Wine Country and tasting

Catalunya, Spain is home to several innovative and exclusive wines and cavas. We offer you private visits and tastings in small wineries located in beautiful, remote locations only a stones throw from Barcelona. Our wine and cava country trips are not only entertaining, but also very informative for those wanting to learn more about wines and cavas as well as product elaboration methods of the past and present. Great food from the region accompanies these trips to make the tasting all the more enjoyable! 6 hour trip

"Routes and Tasting"- Cycling the Wine Country and tastings

We offer you tasting of the regions finest wines, cavas and foods mixed with great cycling excursions through the rolling wine and cava region of El Penedes, just south of Barcelona. Pedaling through the picturesque terrain of El Penedes’ rolling hills, flanked by the peaks of Mediterranean mountain ranges makes visiting these wineries all the more memorable. This is a great day’s escape for both wine and cava connoisseurs or ever those simply looking to drink wine and cava and enjoy the hidden corners of the region. *Cycling routes vary in length and are not difficult. A support vehicle accompanies those preferring not to ride or who simply get tired. Families and all ages and abilities are welcome!

"Peaks, Valleys and Coves"- Trekking Catalunya's Best

Why not get out of bustling Barcelona for some great walking or trekking? Barcelona is only an hour or so from the peaks of the Pyrenees, the rugged Costa Brava and an impressive interior all loaded with lush valleys and winding mountains capes. We take you along the best routes in Catalunya and through various charming villages along the way making this day trip more than satisfying for any culture, nature and adventure enthusiasts. All ages and physical abilities are welcome! 8-hour trip

"Canyon Conquest"- Canoying

Descend beautiful river canyons and waterfalls by rappelling, sliding or jumping off astounding rock formations into crystal clear pools. The unique landscape, location, weather and pristine condition of the Pyrenees make Catalunya one of the best destinations in Europe to practice this exciting sport. Canyoning is, in fact, safe and is today one of the most popular adventure activities in Catalunya among locals and visitors all ages.*Specialized training and equipment is provided for guests. Safety and careful calculation are the highest priority with all our guides, who are always the first and last to go over the edge. 10-hour trip

"Snow Bound"- Snow shoe the best of the Pyrenees

Why walk when you can snowshoe? Snow shoeing is definitely the best way to see and experience the Pyrenees Mountains in the winter. About an hour’s drive from bustling Barcelona, you’ll snowshoe one of the sunny Pyrenees peaks or valleys to be rewarded with views that many only dream about. The natural environment of the Pyrenees is rich in plant and animal life that you will experience and enjoy first hand with our expert guides. *Only gloves and warm clothing required. All ages and experience levels are accommodated. If you can walk, you can snowshoe! 8-hour trip

"Horse Around"- Horse Trekking Catalunya

Expert guides lead riders along the trails that flank the coast and pass through the gorgeous valleys and rugged mountains of Catalunya. We invite you to a ‘horse around’ and experience the beauty of Catalunya from the saddle. Guests gain a true respect for Catalunya’s beauty, as these outings are guaranteed to make an unforgettable positive impression on any new or experienced rider.*Excursion destinations and lengths vary depending on rider experience and preference. 6 hour trip

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Limousine Services Are you one of those that have always dreamed about cruising around in a limo? Well why wait? Feel like a star even if it’s for just a moment. We can organize pick up services in a spacious, comfortable vehicle of your choice, with a driver that speaks your language.

Airport Pick Up We can arrange personalised pick up service from the airport. No need to worry about the taxi driver taking you for a ride making sure to double the standard taxi fare. We have a flat fee of 40 Euros, one of our team members will meet you at the airport, and give you a brief city tour on the way to your final destination.

Ticket Service to Barcelona Events Would you like to go and see a Barcelona football game, FCB voted the best football team in History? We can arrange tickets for you in some of the more privileged seats in the stadium. We can also purchase tickets for you and your group for any other events taking place in Barcelona. To find out more or book any other ticket contacts us for assistance.

Babysitting Did you come with children, but would like to enjoy Barcelona by night? If you need someone to look after your children, we have reliable baby sitters that can come to your home for the hours you are gone. All our baby-sitters have been interviewed and come with references that have been carefully checked.

Massage Massage is a unique form of bodywork that rebalances body and mind, leading to a profound state of relaxation.. Duration: 1h

COURSES

Language Courses You can learn Spanish, English, French or Italian, if you wish. Courses are offered at your own pace and with emphasis on what you would like to learn; conversation, grammar or pronunciation. If you need someone to help you translate or interpret, we have the solution for you in many different languages, Spanish, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Hungarian, Catalan, etc.

Music Technology Courses Located right in the gothic quarter, the BCNSOUND music studio teaches music technology and production courses, focusing on the latest software. The main options are Logic Audio and ProTools, which are industry standard tools. The tutor has previously taught on industry recommended courses in London, and courses are taught in English or Spanish. All levels of user are catered for, from beginner to advanced pro users. Classes are one-to-one or in small groups, with plenty of hands-on experience.

Cooking Courses Would you like to improve your cooking skills or maybe extend your skills into a different cuisine? You can learn how to cook Mediterranean food with one of our qualified chefs. The courses are offered in a very relaxed atmosphere, where the Chef invites you to her own kitchen only accepting small groups. The course can be structured over several days or as an intensive course, all tailor made for you.

Reiki 1 or 2 Our Reiki Master offers a 6-hour course to enter the world of Universal healing. A gift we all hold within us, which needs to be developed. Emily will work on opening your channels and guide you through the first steps on how to become a Reiki healer. We also offer a Reiki second level course.

Ashtanga Yoga Would you like to come to Barcelona to practice Ashtanga Yoga. Our Yoga master offers intensive courses over weekends or week long courses with a few hours of Yoga and Meditation on a daily basis. Classes can be offered privately or participation in Mysore style morning classes. Sunday to Friday.

It is not hard to believe that Barcelona has been rated as one of Europe's number one destinations, as this city has more to offer than most big cities all over the world. With a privileged position next to the Mediterranean you find four kilometres of beaches in the middle of a city with more than 1,5 million inhabitants, as well as the pulse of a cosmopolitan city that never sleeps. After an extreme makeover lasting more than two decades, Barcelona has transformed itself to one of the most interesting and stylish cities in the world.

Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain and capital city of Catalonia, one of 17 provinces that form Spain. Catalonia has two official languages, Catalan and Castilian (Spanish) which are both widely spoken. After a political repression in Francoist Spain where public use of Catalan was forbidden, today Catalonia is working for political autonomy and greater freedom of cultural expression.

While visiting you will not be left bored. A lively street life, an extensive nightlife and a wide variety of art will keep you more than busy. Walking around the city it is hard to miss the work of the world famous architect Antoni Gaudí. Among his work you find the impressive basilica La Sagrada Família and the garden complex Parc Güell, both a must to see. When leaving Barcelona, you have probably taken more than one stroll down Las Ramblas, a kilometre-long pedestrian avenue, in the middle of the old town of Barcelona, that connects the main square Plaza Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus monument near the port. Las Ramblas is famous for its non-stopping performances (human statues, mimes etc.), cafés and small shops.

The tourist attractions are many and offer something for everyone. The Picasso Museum, Ciutat Vella (Old town), Barcelona Magic Fountain and the village Poble Espanyol are all popular places to visit,. To arrange a tour in or out of Barcelona please e-mail us. info@akaza.net with your preferred sights to see, or simply let us take care of it and put together a tailor made sight seeing tour for you either in Barcelona or out of Barcelona. or why not go to Nou Camp to see a football match with FC Barcelona. It is a once in a lifetime experience, "Barça" is all about politics, love, hatred and a true passion for the game. To get tickets for one of the games please e-mail us with your request of game you want to attend and how many tickets you need: info@akaza.net We can then arrange to deliver them to you once you are in Barcelona.

http://www.bcn.cat/english/ihome.htm (Offical homepage)

www.tutiempo.net/Tiempo-Barcelona-E08001.html (Weather forecast)

http://www.tmb.net/en_US/home.jsp (Public Transport)

www.guiadelociobcn.es (What is going on)

Some Facts: