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Akaza Newsletter September 2008
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The Akaza Newsletter September 2008 will bring you the news, facts and figures and the must-sees for the upcoming month.
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Andrea
Heini
Christiane
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| Akaza News |
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Did you know that......?
...Judith Schallwig ang Ivo Schmets finnished their internship in the beginning of August and returned to their homecountries. Judith will do her second internship in Germany and Ivo continues his studies in Holland.
...Heini Kiiski from Finnland is already working at Akaza for two months. She is responsilbe for the reservation process as well as she deals with the accounting.
...Christiane Klitzsch joined Akaza in the beginning of August 2008. She is currently studying International Management at the University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, Germany and lives in Munich. When going back to Germany she will finish her studies by writing her diploma thesis. Before studying Christiane gained experience in advertising & marketing while doing an apprenticeship as advertising consultant in an international advertising agency in Hamburg. Christiane´s role at Akaza is to deal with our guest enquiries as well as to take responsibility for the customer service. During her stay in Spain she wants to get an insight in the Spanish way of working, improve her Spanish language skills as well as to see the city and the country. Apart from German, Christiane speaks English, Italian and Spanish.
...Akaza started dealing with long-term rentals of apartments in Barcelona. Mostly the flats can be rented between one and eleven months. Below you can find two of the actual long-term rental offers.
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| Your Barcelona Starts Here |
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Akaza offers more than 90 apartments in Barcelona. We offer apartments in different price ranges and the apartments are located all over town. However, we are specialised in the Barceloneta Area (the old fisherman neighbourhood next to the sea).
This month we would like to highlight the following apartments:
Amazing Views -
short term rental
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This apartment is a recently refurbished beach side property with stunning views of both sea and the harbour. Boasting a private terrace of 8 square metres perfect for relaxing and enjoying breakfast in the sunshine. Located on the sixth floor in a building with an elevator. It has one large bedroom containing a large double bed and a sofa bed and in the living room there is also another sofa bed so the apartment can sleep 6 people.
For more information see: http://www.akaza.net/en/apartments/Amazing_Views.html
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Avinyó Creature Comforts
- long term rental
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This spacious 2 bedroom flat (125 m2) has been completely renovated and features a huge bathroom with full bath, a fully equiped kitchen-breakfast nook with barstools along with a regular sized dining table. Master bedroom features tatami mats as base of bed and full walk in closet. Secondary bedroom is full size bed as well. Living room has a full size pull out sofabed. Television, DVD, stereo. Local telephone calls and ADSL Internet. Parquet floors through out with Central Heating and Air Conditioning. For more information see: http://www.akaza.net/en/apartments/Avinyo_Creature_Comforts.html
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Beach View - long term rental
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Beach View is a spacious one-bedroom apartment located 5 min. from Barcelona's most popular beach and a nice 20 min. walk to Las Ramblas. This apartment has been nicely renovated and has a very comfortable and relaxing ambient. There is tile floor throughout, and the rustic ceilings have been nicely preserved. The bright kitchen is fully equiped with all utensils for eating and cooking and there is also dinning table and chairs. From the kitchen area you enter the terrace, which has a nice Beach View. There is also a fresh bathroom with shower.
For more information see: http://www.akaza.net/en/apartments/Beach_View.html |
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Must-sees in September
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La Diada
The Day of the Catalonian Nation
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On 11 September Catalonians celebrate their National Day with concerts, demonstrations and parades throughout Barcelona.
Locals proudly hang red-and-yellow striped Catalonian flags from their balconies, and in the Parque de la Ciudadela, organisations and political parties make floral offerings to the monuments of Rafael Casanova and Josep Moragues.
The activities commemorate the fall of the city into the hands of Bourbon troops during the War of Spanish Succession in 1714.
During the period of La Diada we have special offers on our apartments "Arc de la Opera", close to La Rambla, and "Juans" in Barceloneta. You will find more information about that further down in this newletter.
When: On 11 September 2008 (annual)
Where: Everywhere in Barcelona
 
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Barcelona Acció Musical (BAM)
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BAM stages a good number of free concets on Plaça del Rei, La Rambla del Raval, outside the cathedral and at the Fòrum site. The prime mover of what has become known as SO Barcelona (Barcelona Sound), BAM largely promotes left-field mestissa (vaguely, ethnic fusion) in iths mission to provide "music without frontiers".
When: From 19th to 23rd September 2008
Where: Plaça del Rei, el Fòrum, el Moll de la fusta
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Music in September
1. Manolo Garcia, September 5th
The Barcelona-born artist returns home to serenade fans with his infectious songs. His music blends enchanting vocals with flamenco, pop, rock and Arabic music for an uncomparable sound. Where: Auditori Gran.
2. Coldplay, September 6th
The popular British band return with their new album Viva La Vida and prove that they can do no wrong. Head to Montjüic´s Palau Sant Jordi for what promises to be a night of fantastic music that will send 'Shivers' down your spine.
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Mostra de Vins i Caves de Catalunya
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Outdoor wine and cava fair which has been running since 1980 and now showcases more than 400 labels from around 50 Catalan bodegas. Big names include Torres, Freixenet, Codorníu, Pinord and Mont Marcal; also on show are fine cheeses.
When: From 20th to 24th of September 2008
Where: Moll de Bosch i Alzina de Barcelona (Moll de la Fusta).
You love wine and flexibility as well? Then just book the Akaza Excursion "Wines of Catalunya"
Just south of Barcelona lie the green valleys and rolling hills of the world renowned Penedès, Spain wine region, the perfect place for a small group day escape side trip.
Known as "cava country" due to being the biggest and best producer of Cava (Spanish champagne), this Spanish wine region boasts many notable red and white wines, as well. The hills of Alt Penedes are our destination for this wine excursion, where we enjoy exclusive visits to the vineyards and cellars of small wine and cava makers producing the most innovative and high quality wines in the Penedes wine country. Just call us 0034-932 210 610 or write an email to us:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Festa Major de Barceloneta
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This thight-knit maritime community throws itself into the local festes with incredible gusto. The fun kicks off with fireworks on the beach, a 24-hour football tournament, sardana dancing, falcons (acrobatic groups) and a free tasting of traditional crispy coca bread washed down with muscatel, and finishes with more of the same days later. You can expect, parades, music, fire-breathing dragons, open-air cinema and bouncy castles.
When: last week in September 2008
Barceloneta is the quarter where Akaza`s home and heart lies. You can book one of our apartmens at www.akaza.net and enjoy this festival while being part of it.
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Our Services
As many of you probably know, besides renting out apartments, Akaza also offers a variety of services in order to make its clients happy. We want to present you some of them:
Events
You want to do something special but yet you do not know what it should look like?
Get some ideas from our webpage www.akaza.net and see if there is something that fits to you.
Or you know exactly what you want but not how to realize it?
Contact us and it will be our pleasure to find a solution to get our ideas reality.
Our team has gained experience from our customers from all over the world, throwing the parties they never dreamed of. We make sure that it gets tailor made according to your needs, or if you are not sure of what you want, let us surprise you!
Cooking Courses
Why not get your friends together, fly over to Barcelona and join a cooking course. Having fun and bonding while enjoying to cook a delicious dinner, with a expert Chef. Improve your cooking skills or maybe extend your skills into a different cuisine?
Sea Kayaking
North of Barcelona, tucked away in the many small coves along the pristine Costa Brava, are out-of-the-way villages far from bustling Barcelona offering spectacular sea kayaking adventure for a day excursion or multi-day side trip. The gorgeous Costa Brava's crystal clear Mediterranean invites you to escape and kayak over its surface, refresh yourself in its waters and explore its cliffs, coves and caves.
Sailing
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to sail your own boat? This classic experience offers you a chance to experience the thrill, excitement and sheer fun of being out at sea. On board of a beautiful J/80 sailing boat you sail out from Port Vell together with a professional skipper that introduces you to the basics of sailing. The J/80 boat is known for its stability and ease of use at sea.
Kite Surfing Expeditions
Weekend and weekday kitesurfing expeditions
Learn to kitesurf with professional instruction in a beautiful environment.
New 2008 equipment, boards, kites and harnesses.
All transport and accommodation can be tailored and organised to suit you, from rough camping to boutique hotels.
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Fiesta de la Mercè
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La Mercè is the "most important festival" of Barcelona. It has been an official city holiday since 1871, when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. (In Catalan, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè -- The Merciful Mother of God; in Spanish, La Virgen de la Merced -- The Virgin of Mercy.) Although the actual date of the holiday is September 24th, the festivities begin a few days before.
The year 1902 saw a new impetus to the celebrations, with parades containing the first appearance in Catalonia of paper mache "giants" (known as gegants i capgrossos in Catalan or gigantes y cabezudos in Spanish), the first Castell competition and the importation from the Emporde region of a dance that was spreading throughout Catalonia: the Sardana.
The holiday has enjoyed immense local popularity ever since.
Among more recently introduced traditions are the annual Catalonian Wine Fair, a special "correfoc", a marathon race, and the particularly popular pyromusical, which is a spectacular display of synchronized fireworks, water fountains and music conducted at the base of Montjuic hill.
When: Date of holiday: 24 September (annual)
But: Festivities begin a few days before
Where: Everywhere in Barcelona
  
If you are still looking for an apartment to visit this great event have look on our discounted apartments during that period.
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Akaza's private
recommendations
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Poble Español
This mock Spanish villiage was built for the 1929 Universal Exhibition and is a minimally cheesy architectural theme park with reproductions of traditional buildings from every region in Spain. The cylindrical towers at the entrance are copied from the walled city of Ávila and lead on to a typical Castilian main square from which visitors can explore a tiny white-washed street from Arcos de la Frontera in Andalusia, then on to the 16th-century House of Chains from Toledo, and so on.
There are numerous bars and restaurants, a flamenco tablao and more than 60 shops selling Spanish crafts although prices are not especially cheap.
For the night the Poble Español turns into a hot spot for people having drinks in one of the bars or visiting one of the well known discotheques.
You find the theme park at Avda Marquès de Comillas; Metro: Espanya
Monday: 9:00 - 20:00
From Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 - 02:00
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 - 05:00
Sunday : 9:00 -23:00
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The Museu Picasso in Barcelona
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. The genius of the young artist is revealed through the more than 3,800 works that make up the permanent collection. Furthermore, the Museu Picasso, opened in 1963, also reveals his deep relationshiop with Barcelona: an intimate, solid relationship that was shaped in his adolescence and youth, and continued until his death.
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Where: Carrer Montcada 15-23 (Born)
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| Akaza Special |
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FC Barcelona Tickets
The FC Barcelona facilities offer a unique and magical combination that will guarantee you an unforgettable event!
Akaza can help you organise private boxes, access to the VIP lounges at Camp Nou, VIP tickets for every home game, etc.
Next games in Barcelona:
Champions League 2008
FC Barcelona - Sporting Clube de Portugal
Barcelona : martes, 16 de septiembre de 2008
FC Barcelona - Basel
Champions League
Barcelona : martes, 04 de noviembre de 2008
FC Barcelona - Shaktar Donetsk
Champions League
Barcelona : martes, 09 de diciembre de 2008
FC Barcelona museum
This is the second most visited museum in the city. It is located in the main stand of the Nou Camp and provides a insight to the history of this great club. A visit to the Museum includes a panoramic view of the stadium from the grandstand. An extended way of enjoying an FC Barcelona Museum Visit is to go on the Camp Nou Tour on which, as well as the museum area, visitors can also enjoy the chance to explore some of the most emblematic areas of the Barcelona stadium.
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Gotical Architecture
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Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
(1329 - 1383) XIVst century
Berenguer de Montagut (1290 - 1350)
Holy Place
Sta. Maria Square. - Ciutat Vella
The 13th c. was a time when the restraints of the Old City Wall could no longer satisfy the booming business within. So, it spilled over into other adjacent areas. On of these was then we now call "La Ribera". Shipbuilding, trade of every imaginable kind of merchandise, workshops with a wide variety of artists, craftsmen, skilled and unskilled workers: a cursory glance the street names in this area an ever-present reminder of that by-gone era. The palaces along Carrer de Montcada were once filled with wealthy merchants and nobility.
Material progress and the religious fervor of the age went hand in hand. The people's faith expressed in material terms meant they wished to build a much larger church than the one they had. Gothic architecture hadn't been around long and was new in Barcelona: the Cathedral Church were just starting construction. Church officials fostered the initiative, merchands donated their money, workers loaded an unloaded ships, fishermen and simple people used their hands, their backs, their boats; whatever was needed to get the stones from the Foixada quarry on the nearby mountain of Montjuïc down to the church they did. Things really got off the ground when King Peter III, the Cerimonious (1319-1387) gave his permission to begin work on the future Basilica.
Bernat Llull, having been Archdeacon since 1324, was the man behind the new construction; at that time, Ponç de Gualbes was Bischop of Barcelona. The cornerstone was laid on 25 March 1329. We know this because there are two stones on each side of de door on Carrer de Santa Maria, one inscribed in Catalan, the other in Latin. The last circular keystone closest to the main entrance was finished on 3 November 1383 and has the city's Coat of Arms on it. The church was consecrated by Pere de Planella, Bischop of Barcelona, on 15 August 1384, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
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WE ARE
LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU
HERE IN
BARCELONA
AND OFFER YOUR OUR SERVICES
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News and Events 
