What's on in Barcelona

Our new laundry: travel light

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:33:00 +0000

We are pleased to inform our guests, friends, and neighbours that we have just inaugurated our new self service laudromat right next to the Hotel Principal.

Open from 8:00 to 21:30 this new service lets our guests pack less and travel more comfortably.

The washers and driers are coin operated and easy to handle.

Literary Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:39:00 +0000

If you are coming to Barcelona and want a little historical introduction and orientation why not read one (or both) of the biggest international best-sellers in recent years: The Shadow of the Wind and The Cathedral of the Sea. Both authors are from Barcelona and both historical novels are set in Barcelona neighbourhoods within easy walking distance of the hotel.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon´s The Shadow of the Wind, spans the time from the late 19th century industrial revolution to the post Civil War Franco years. It weaves the occult, the diabolical, a tragic history of love, and a literary mystery into an international gothic blockbuster that has been translated into 45 languages and has sold more than one million copies in Great Britain alone. If you speak Catalan or Spanish you can convert this historical fiction into reality by taking an organized tour given by Rutas Culturales de Barcelona. Or, with a little help from our hotel staff, you can investigate the novel´s settings and mysterious places on your own. You can retrace the footsteps of Daniel Sempere, Julian Carax, and all the others through “the cemetery of lost books”, Santa Maria del Mar, the Quatre Gats restaurant, the Canuda bookstore, calle Montcada, Plaza San Felipe Neri, and las Ramblas.

The Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones, Spain´s Ken Follett, takes place in 14th century Barcelona. This super best-seller in Spain relives the historical drama of plagues, social injustice, and the incredible building of Santa Maria del Mar while spinning a personal story of treason and love. Again you can discover the sights of this novel with rutas culturales or you can leisurely visit the Sinagoga Romano-Medieval (The Roman-Medieval Synagogue), Call Jueu (the old Jewish quarter), the Roman Temple of Augusto, la Plaza del Rei and of course Santa Maria del Mar on your own as well as wander down calle Montcada, calle Canvis Nous I Canvis Vells, and calle Consolat de Mar.

La Merçé: Big Celebration In Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:51:00 +0000

From Hotel Principal, we invite you to enjoy La Mercè, the greatest festival in Barcelona.

For us is the most exepcted celebration of the year. During one week, people take to the streets to overturn the traditional festival, which offers events for all audiences: families with children, young and old. And it is the conjunction of all publics and participating artists, which make this a unique celebration.

Here are some of the shows:

The great Festival of tradition: artistic representations which reflect the traditional Barcelona caracter: castellers, big heads and giants.

De Catalunya món BAM music festival: over 50 performances by groups from Catalonia and other places.

The Parc de la Dansa i Teatre al carrer: Dance and theater in the Parc de la Ciutadella
Bestiary Exhibition City: amazing characters who become part of the authentic traditions of Catalonia, at Palau de la Virreina. You must see them to understand:

La Festa del Foc: Fire, powder, firecrackers and everything related to the fire. The correfoc and the Piromusical show in the streets of Barcelona.

Saint Petersburg, special guest of the celebration. Classical Dance from the city of Saint Petersburg at the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Those Gaudí nights

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Introducing 2 special ways to enjoy Gaudí's architecture:

The essential Gaudí and live jazz music. La Pedrera is one of the most emblematic Gaudí’s buildings. And during the summer you can enjoy its night charm. Located in the building’s attic, the Espai Gaudí is a visual journey through the work of this unique architect. The roof is an expressive place to enjoy Gaudí’s creativity, the night, the city and the music with a drink.
Every Friday and Saturday until August 28th. The entry costs 25 Euros and includes the visit, a jazz concert, cava and beer taste.

Magic Nights on the Terrace of the Casa Batlló: At dusk, Gaudi’s architectural gem shapes a unique and exclusive place, inviting to approach the wonderful universe of the brilliant architect in the charming atmosphere of candlelight.
Casa Batlló is open to the public every night from Wednesday to Sunday from 21 h to 00.30 h (last admission at 23.30 h), from June 16th until September 4th, 2011. A series of live music performances and drinks will delight guests, as well as the summery setting of the outdoor terrace with deck chairs and candelabras, allowing for deep breathes of a gentle see breeze.
During the day, the Piano Nobile –former home of the Batlló family- is admired by its majesty and elegance whilst at night it becomes a sublime place to enjoy drinks, music or just chill out in the terrace.
Young artists perform jazz and boss nova rhythms that mingle with the well cared decoration.
The entry costs 25 Euros .

Summer with children in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:11:00 +0000

If you are planning a little family vacation, Barcelona offers a whole range of unforgettable experiences for the children…and for the adults. Here are just a few:

The Zoo and the Ciutadella park is an open-air whole-day option, perfect for Barcelona’s climate. Zoos are always amusing for children. The iconic albino gorilla “Copito de nieve” (Snowflake) is no longer with us, but his memory lingers on and mingles with the dozens of species which will satisfy even the most demanding. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and especially lemurs which, due to the film “Madagascar”, are real favorites. Few children can resist singing “I like to move it” while passing by these cuddly creatures.
Alter the animal kingdom you can enjoy the Ciutadella park: have a little pick-nick under the trees, rent a bicycle with one or two seats, enjoy a rowboat ride on the lake surrounded by friendly ducks of all colors and sizes.

The Aquarium, a closed space surrounded by water, is a perfect option for sultry days. Unique in Europe it has an 80-meter tunnel, an immense oceanario, and 35 aquariums which use about 6 million liters of water and house 450 maritime species.
Specialists have loyally reproduced the natural habitat of each of the species. On Wednesdays and weekends divers swim among the sharks which adds a touch of emotion to the show.

The Parc Güell is Antoni Gaudi’s gift to children: It is a veritable pleasurehouse for children, with so many colors and shapes. Walking through this original space is a kind of dream with a surprise around every corner. The star of the show is “el drac” (the dragon) which has become not only the icon of the park, but also that of the entire city.

The Caixa Forum & Cosmo Caixa is a exhibition center which offers various activities for children in addition to its usual expositions. Caixa Forum offers art workshops, guided visits, films, and concerts all of which are related to the themes of the exhibits. It is for those who prefer science over art and loathe “Do not touch” signs.
Simple games teach the laws of physics by letting children experiment and use their imaginations. If outer space is your thing, this Tibidabo museum offers a planetarium which explains the origins and evolution of the Earth through images which are more than realistic.

La Illa Fantasia (Fantasy island) is not like the mythic television series, but it is an excellent way to spend a summer day with your family. It is an aquatic park with swimming pools (one especially equipped with hoops to play “waterbasketball”), toboggans of all sizes, a minigolf course, and a race track. You are sure to find everything you need to spend a great day: shops, restaurants, and even a picknick area equipped for grilling meat.
This “island” is not surrounded by water, but by Premia del Mar, a beautiful coast town.
FREE bus for Hotel Principal's guest!!!

The Palau Guell reopens its doors

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:04:00 +0000

The 26th of May was a big day for Barcelona and all lovers of the iconic Barcelona architect, Antoni Gaudí. You probably know the Park Güell and The Sagrada Familia, but now you can now contemplate The Palau Güell another side of this universal genius, and right around the corner from the Hotel Principal.

The Palau Güell is the only example of domestic architecture that Gaudí finished. It is another example of his far-out skill, vision, and genius. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage spot in recognition of its universal artistic value. After a long, careful restoration the Palau Güell was once again opened to the public.

We at the hotel went to the Palau today. The lines were just too long the other days.

And what a restoration it is. The whole thing is magnificent. Ceramics, wrought iron, glass, and wood. A unique living space from the old stables in the basement with its large mushroom-shaped pillars to the roof terrace which gives a fantasy view of Barcelona through its variously shaped chimneys. You have the usual Gaudí touches: twisted metal works, colored windows, ceramic-covered chimneys, most all from local materials. All in his eclectic style which combines the Hispano-Muslim with Art Nouveau.

We took the audiotour which is great, complete with anecdotes about the Güell family, music from the time, etc. This is a must see and is exactly a seven minute walk from the hotel.

The other side of the typical Spanish music

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:52:00 +0000

Typical Spanish music has a lot of faces. It could be much more than stomping and guitars. And if by a chance you are in Barcelona next weekend, you’ll be able to check it yourself, in the concert that 3 young talented musicians will offer at the Reial Cercle Artistic (Arcs street 5).
With Anna Ibáñez’s piano, César Arístides’ violin and Susanna Mendoza’s soprano voice, they make a very particular combination of Classic Spanish music and Zarzuela.
You just can’t miss the opportunity to attend this special musical event, on June 11th at 21:00 hrs. The entry costs 15 Euros and includes a glass of cava (Spanish champagne).
You can book your tickets at Hotel Principal reception desk.

Our selection of terraces

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:31:00 +0000

The good weather has returned to our city, and Barcelona’s bars and cafes are once again hitting the streets and setting up their ever-popular “terrazas” (terraces).

Here you can relax in the open air after an enjoyable walk around town. Just around el Hotel Principal you will find a large selection of “bares con terraza”.Just in case you are having trouble deciding we offer our “top 3”:

BAR MENDIZABAL: Right on the corner of Junta de Comerc y Hospital, just a few steps from the hotel, you find this true Barcelona classic.You sometimes find film crews shooting local-color scenes for movies and often find our hotel staff having a coffee at beak time.

This friendly corner cafe offers up a refreshing array of fruit juices as well as sandwiches you will find nowhere else.Why not try serrano ham, goat cheese, mango, and arugula, my personal favorite? Or maybe something a little stronger like serrano ham, anchovies, and avocado?And you will be surrounded by the most typical of Barcelona street life.

PASTELERIA ESCRIBA: On a short pedestrian street just off the Ramblas, you have Barcelona’s best sweet shop made in the

Antoni Escriba, the founder, is known locally as “the Mozart of chocolate” and his concept goes way beyond mere gastronomy. His webpage (which seems right out of Pepperland) sends out a clear invitation:

"Do you want to bathe in chocolate and howl at the moon?” “Have you ever felt the urge to go into astral space on a spongecake rocket and explore the galaxy on a piece of candy?"

But perhaps the real down-to-earth question should be: Do you feel like enjoying an exotic desert while observing the street life of a hallucinatory city?

PATI DE LA SANTA CREU: This agreeable and surprising oasis of quiet and green in the very center of the Raval is a three-minute walk from the Hotel Principal. A stone arch transports you right into medieval Barcelona, a quiet garden surrounded by historic buildings which give shelter to two libraries.

You can of course just sit under the orange trees, but once there it’s almost impossible not to succumb to the temptation of stepping up to the open-air bar which at first seems a little out-of-place in this historic setting.But it seems just fine once you have enjoyed a cold drink, a sandwich or a "tapa"

The emotion of the speed

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:22:00 +0000

San Jordi with its roses, books, and romantic legends is the traditional day for lovers in Barcelona. But for those with a very different kind of love, the love for the fast cars, smoking tires, and high-octane fuel we offer the always exciting Gran Premio de España Santander de Formula One (Spain Grand Prix), which will kick off the European Formula One season May 20-22. Barcelona has hosted the Spanish Gran Prix every year since 1991. Once again Barcelona will be the center of the auto world. An estimated 500 million will be watching throughout the world.

All the big names will be in Barcelona and the circuit is just 12 miles away in the town of Montmelo, where the Circuit de Catalunya is. You can take a super quick and convenient train/bus combination from Passeig de Gracia (2 metro stops from the Hotel Principal) to the races. The qualifying sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday, the big race on Sunday.

The pit lane walkabout plus an autograph-signing appearance will open the Gran Premio de España Santander de Formula One, on Thursday May 19. All fans with a valid ticket or Circuit de Catalunya membership card, are invited to enjoy the first of the four Formula One days.

You're still in time to get your tickest. Click here.

Barcelona rocks with Primavera Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 06 May 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Barcelona stays number one on the world pop scene with this year's addition of Primavera Sound (25-28 May).

The music will run the gamut from pop and rock to electronic to dance, always with a focus on the independent, the new, the underground, and the diverse. Bands will be local and from all over the world: from Austria, Chile, Poland, everywhere.

If you are looking for an escape from the usual and the commercial, this four-day music razzle is just right for you, and at the right price. And speaking of underground this year there will be free concerts at various Metro stops around Barcelona, close to the hotel. These concerts have become so popular they have outgrown their original home in the Park Forum and will spill into the Poble Espanyol this year.

Have kids? There is a minimusic space for children with workshops of music, collages, and biscuits.
The festive pop-music will permeate the city from 25-28 May and we at Hotel Principal will be happy to be your guides.

Sweet Sant Ponç day

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:19:00 +0000

If you find yourself wandering the streets near the Hotel Principal on May 11 you will find yourself in the middle of quite a crowd. The super popular Festa de Sant Ponç (The Party of Sant Pons) is celebrated on this day on Hospital street, between La Rambla and Rambla del Raval. This tradition dates back hundreds of years and has always featured all kinds of healing herbs and extravagant and original varieties of honey and now includes preserved fruits, perfumed candles, and other naturally healthy products.
Celebrated at the time of the maximum splendor of wild flowers and aromatic herbs, St. Ponç has misty, pagan origins. Apparently the Christian version all started when the pagan god of natural medicinal herbs somehow morphed into San Ponç who became the patron saint beekeepers and natural herbalists. Spring housecleaning traditions became associated with this day: if you clean the house on his day, St. Ponç will keep it free from parasites for the entire year; if you put a bunch of herbs under the bed you keep evil spirits away.

This is one of the most agreeable and pleasant of all Barcelona traditions. You can spend hours browsing through the stands and their original, natural, and healthy products. So come and try the sweet fruits and natural medicines and get back to nature in the middle of the great Catalan capital city.

The Little Prince lands in Barcelona (and he speaks 178 languages)

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:41:00 +0000

If you are in Barcelona on May 15 at 10:30 A.M. drop by the Plaça Del Rei (The King's Square) which is just across the Ramblas from the Hotel Principal. You just might see Ricard Domingo, the owner of the Hotel Principal, reading passages from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince in Russian, or in Catalan, or in Italian. At least those were last year's three languages. Don't worry; Ricard has not lost his mind. Let me explain. The “Associació El Petit Princep de Catalunya” will be holding its second annual Little Prince event (Lectura del Petit Princep en 30 llengües).
Enthusiasts and collectors will join together and listen to parts of their favourite book in as many languages as they can find readers for. Last year there hit 32, including Georgian, Indonesian, and Japanese.
So if you are interested in The Little Prince, languages, or are just a little bit curious, drop by the beautiful and iconic Plaça del Rei. Or if you would like to join the fun and read a passage from your language let Ricard know at the hotel or get in contact with the organization.
By the way the champion collector of The Little Prince has the philosophical work in 178 different languages.

Easter in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:57:00 +0000

Even Catalonia is not a very "spanish" place, some traditions are the same all around the iberic peninsula. The Holly Week processions are one of them. And just around the corner from Hotel Principal will take place one of the biggest in Barcelona.
All begins the Palm Sunday. Outside the Sant Agustí Church start the "Processó de la burreta" (little donkey procession): a JesusChrist on a donkey image go over the Raval Quartier street.
The easter Friday there is another proccesion, more solemn, making the same way trough the neigborhood. For this walking, the ladies wears black dress and "mantilla", and the men, robe and mask with a purple cross in the chest. Depending on their status inside the "Cofradia", they could use, or not, the "Nazareno" hat (with similar shape than the Ku Klux Klan's, but nothing to do with them).
The procession moves from Sant Agustí to Churh through Hospital Street, Pla de la Boquería, La Rambla, Santa Anna, Portal de l'Angel and then way back to the origen. It begins at 17:00 hrs (Friday).
Thank you for the pictures flickair cotallo-nonocot's

Sant Jordi's day

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:12:00 +0000

Spring comes early here and with it Barcelona’s best day, April 23, La Diada de San Jordi , Barcelona’s answer to Valentine’s Day. On this sweet, joyful day the catalan lover gives his girlfiend a rose, and she gives him a book.

The origin of this custom is curious. According to the legend, San Jordi -the same as St. George of England- slew a dragon that was about to devour a beautiful Barcelona princess. From the dragon’s blood a rosebush grew, from that rosebush the hero plucked the most beautiful rose and gave it to the princess and from there a chivalric rose festival going back to the Middle Ages.

Books got into the act in the early 20th century to honour Miguel de Cervantes, the creator of Don Quijote and William Shakespeare; the greatest Spanish writer and the greatest English writer died on the same day, April 23, 1616.

The Ramblas take on a very different air during Sant Jordi: bookstalls and the color and scent of roses are everywhere, and love is in the air.

It seems everyone is strolling the Ramblas, leisurely leafing through books with their beloveds.

The Hotel Principal is just two blocks away.

Vintage Car Rally in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:59:00 +0000

If you are the nostalgic kind, you cannot miss the Barcelona-Sitges Vintage Car Rally, on the next weekend (26-27 May).
It was first held in 1959 as an initiative of the Sitges Tourist Board. The rally was created in order to give the town a social event it could take part in during the winter months and to fulfil the wishes of many vintage car aficionados who wanted to take part in an event of this kind and enjoy their vehicles.
The Sitges Rally has become one of the main highlights on the region's social calendar. The departure from Barcelona’s Plaça Sant Jaume attracts hundreds of people and, over the years, there have been increasing numbers of participants from beyond our borders, including France, Germany, Andorra, England, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States.
Catalonia is the region of Spain that attracts the most participants, but a great many cars take part from Zaragoza, Teruel, Logroño, Madrid, Valencia, Cadiz, Segovia, Seville and Vizcaya.
The rally isn’t just an endurance trial for the cars; all the drivers and their companions dress in costumes from the period when the car they are competing in was built. The winning driver will be awarded the Elegance Grand Prix which AUDI has been offering for a number of years now.
The show begins saturday 26 at 11:00, in the Passeig Lluís Companys, close to Arc de Triunf and not far from Hotel Principal, with the exhibition of the cars which will be participating.

Pure catalan food

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:52:00 +0000

If you just want to experience the food the people around here have been eating since time immemorial, we suggest the following super typical dishes:

You have to start with the ever-present pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato). The bread must be peasant bread, sliced, toasted, and then rubbed down with freshly squeezed tomatoes: no skins please! Or course you can rub your toasted bread down with some raw garlic as well.

One of my personal favorites is espinacas a la catalana (Catalan spinach). The spinach is cooked in good Catalan olive oil with garlic, pine nuts, and raisons and then a nothing little splash of oil on top. And there are peus de porc (pig´s trotters) and cargols (snails) for the more adventuresome.

And you are just in time for the great Catalan folk feast: the calçotada is in season. Calcots are large onions which are grilled, skins and all, on open fires. Then the outer skins are pulled off and the onions are dipped in romescu sauce. Open your mouth, tip back your head, and down the hatch. The very best place to enjoy a calçotada, a meal based on these rustic beauties is at a masia, a rustic Catalan country house. But many Barcelona restaurants serve them up as well, and we can point you in the right direction.

A little advanced warning: don´t wear your best clothes to a calçotada. It can all be a bit messy. And when you are washing it all down with some good Catalan wine or even a little cava (the Catalan sparkler) why not use the porrón, your initiation rite to becoming a real Catalan. This can also be a little messy too to the uninitiated.

Carnival 2011 Is Just Around The Corner

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:17:00 +0000

Carnival is just around the corner and Barcelona is getting ready. It has all the costumes, parties, and craziness you would expect. It´s all about letting your hair down; breaking all established order and decorum; spontaneous, active participation. It all starts on Fat Thursday ("Dijous Gras" when the Carnival King makes his triumphal appearance. Blamed for all the evil in the world he is condemned, publicly burnt, and buried along with our sins. The high point of the week will be Saturday the 5th of March when the Big Parade (“La gran rua”) takes place. It will end with the burial of the sardine (“L´Enterrament de la Sardina”) which symbolically buries all our fun and, in theory more than in practice begins the forty days of Lent. For people who do not need complete craziness, we can put your minds to rest; Barcelona is not Rio or New Orleans. But it is a very good time and very close to our hearts, partially because it was prohibited during the Franco dictatorship until 1981 when the tradition was reignited with a vengeance.

Some serious revellers find Barcelona´s Carnival, well, a little decaffeinated. For you we have the wonderful extravagance of Sitges, the super popular seaside resort a mere 40-minute train ride from the Hotel Principal. Here the costumes are more eccentric, the fireworks crazier, the parties among the hottest in Europe. A lot of this lavishness is due to the large gay and lesbian community which helps make Carnival in Sitges an international event. So if you like your Carnival mildly spicy or red hot, we have just the plate for you.

Pure catalan food

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:39:00 +0000

We in Barcelona are mourning the sudden death of Santi Santamaria who was one of the pioneers of the nova cucina catalana with his iconic 3-Michelin-star restaurant in St. Celoni. Santi, along with Ferran Adriá, and others have lead Barcelona to the very top of everybody´s list of great food cities.

But if your budget keeps you out of Michelin restaurants, or if you just want to experience the food the people around here have been eating since time immemorial, we suggest the following super typical dishes:

You have to start with the ever-present pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato). The bread must be peasant bread, sliced, toasted, and then rubbed down with freshly squeezed tomatoes: no skins please! Or course you can rub your toasted bread down with some raw garlic as well.

One of my personal favorites is espinacas a la catalana (Catalan spinach). The spinach is cooked in good Catalan olive oil with garlic, pine nuts, and raisons and then a nothing little splash of oil on top. And there are peus de porc (pig´s trotters) and cargols (snails) for the more adventuresome.

And you are just in time for the great Catalan folk feast: the calçotada is in season. Calcots are large onions which are grilled, skins and all, on open fires. Then the outer skins are pulled off and the onions are dipped in romescu sauce. Open your mouth, tip back your head, and down the hatch. The very best place to enjoy a calçotada, a meal based on these rustic beauties is at a masia, a rustic Catalan country house. But many Barcelona restaurants serve them up as well, and we can point you in the right direction.

A little advanced warning: don´t wear your best clothes to a calçotada. It can all be a bit messy. And when you are washing it all down with some good Catalan wine or even a little cava (the Catalan sparkler) why not use the porrón, your initiation rite to becoming a real Catalan. This can also be a little messy too to the uninitiated.

The world's greatest pop flamenco: festival De Cajón

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:31:00 +0000

Barcelona has always been one of the great centers of flamenco. And the sixth edition of the Flamenco festival De Cajón will be in Barcelona through March. This is an absolute must for all lovers of flamenco, a great introduction to this music which has been named patrimony of humanity by UNESCO, and a special gift to those interested in seeing how flamenco blends with more contemporary trends. Any concert at the great luxurious modernist music palace El Palau de la Musica is an event and this season three of the greatest names in popular Spanish music will be performing there.

Rosario Flores will be playing the Palau on February 25 by popular demand. "The hurricane who leaves her skin on the stage at every concert and her soul in every ballad" will be presenting her latest album Raskatriski and is living proof that pop, rock, funk, and rumba can coexist in the same musical soul, and the same concert.

Some of us at the hotel have already booked our tickets for our personal favorite, KikoVeneno. More of a popular hybrid than a pure flamenco singer, he burst on the scene in 1977 with Veneno (poison) the most important record in the history of Spanish rock in the opinion of many. He will do the Palau on March 3.

But the performer getting the most buzz in is Estrella Morente (Palau, March 25.) Always great there will be a little extra since her father, the legendary Enrique Morente, passed away recently.

The fourth superstar is flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo: simply the best. He is performing at the Teatre Josep Marta de Sagarra in Santa Coloma, a bit of a trip but a great destination for the more adventurous.

There are lesser-known stars playing at the more intimate (and less expensive) spots of Luz de Gas Club and the Harlem Jazz Club. We are especially intrigued by the group Maruja and their fusion of flamenco, progressive rock, and American folk and plan to go.

For a complete list of concerts and to buy your tickets click here.

Winter sales in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:49:00 +0000

Ever since January 7 Barcelona has been head over heels with the last of the great holiday traditions: monster post-holiday sales. And with the crisis have come "best ever" sales according to shopping veterans. The tele and local papers and are full of sales of up to 80% and even "below cost". Come and see if it is all true and shop your blues away in one of Europe´s premier shopping destinations.

Don´t worry about cool air and tired feet. You can experience one of Barcelona´s Top Attractions: the "Barcelona Shopping Line". Luxury buses take you up and down the great Barcelona shopping streets. The route starts at the Corte Inglés in Plaza Catalunya, goes up the Passeig de Gracia (Barcelona´s 5th Avenue or Via Monte Napoleone), crosses the Diagonal, and ends at the Corte Inglés in Paza Francecs Mariás. You pass H&M, Zara, and FNAC; Chanel, Armani, Escada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Sita Mur, and all the other international giants on the "designer route". Or you can do it all the old-fashion way, on foot: "rebajas con bufanda" (sales with a muffler).

Don´t look at it as taking advantage of the crisis, but as doing your part to start the money flowing again.

Fashion Barcelona: The Brandery

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:21:00 +0000

The Brandery, Barcelona’s international trade show of urban and contemporary fashion, is back on 26, 27 and 28 January 2011,for its fourth edition, with fresh ideas and opportunities for making radical changes: Chances for Changes.

Exhibitions, fashion shows, contests and other activities will be featured at the next edition in hall 8 of the Fira Montjuïc exhibition centre, with brands such as Phard, North Sail, New Zeland, Esprit, American Vintage, Berenice and Custo Barcelona, which, on this occasion, will present the "Custo Growing" children's fashion collection.
It is one of the most emblematic urban settings in Europe.

The offer consisted of 4 areas:

The Cathedral: dedicated to named designers.

The Loft: for brands with a high design or trend-driven component.

The Warehouse: featuring the world of Denim.

The Stadium: focusing on the sport & street world: action sport, street culture, sport style and performance fashion.

As if it were a major theatrical production, fashion is created and conceived to fascinate an audience.

Are you in the fashion bussines? are you interested in knowing what the new design trends will be, learning how to update your marketing strategies, or finding out about the most innovative projects going on in the fashion world? If you do, you can’t afford to miss The Brandery.

A Royal Parade in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:53:00 +0000

On 5 January every year the Wise Kings (or Three Wise Men of the New Testament) arrive by boat at the waterfront of Barcelona (Moll de la Fusta) to be greeted by the Mayor of the city and conducted to the nearby park of Ciutadella.
From there the Wise Kings depart in their carriages, the principal part of a grand parade that proceeds slowly through the streets and avenues of the centre towards the Olympic Stadium. The Kings and other participants in the parade throw barley sugar sweets to the children lining the route. There are many stalls along the way, especially along Gran Via.
The days leading up to the parade allow the opportunity for children to inspect the Three Kings' boat and carriages, and to leave messages requesting gifts, which they receive, traditionally, on 6 January.
This year, the ship arrives to Moll de la Fusta at 16:30 hrs. Yiu can check all about the Wise King parade here.

Barcelona World Race

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:56:00 +0000

The Barcelona World Race is the first only double-handed (two-crew) regatta around the world. This is a non-stop regatta with some outside assistance permitted, although subject to rules and penalties.

The Barcelona World Race 2010/11 is the second edition of the regatta. The first was in 2007/08. The third edition will take place in 2014.

The regatta is listed on the IMOCA calendar with a rating of 8 and is organised by the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona.

The start will be given on 31^st of December 2010 at 13:00 (local time GMT+1) opposite Hotel W in the Port of Barcelona. The arrival of the leading entries is forecast for the end of March 2011.

The course is from Barcelona to Barcelona via three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn, Cook Strait, putting Antarctica to starboard.

The length of the course is approximately 25,000 nautical miles (46,300 km) along the Great Circle line, the shortest route traced on a map across the world.

Great winter in Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:25:00 +0000

Beside the good weather we have in Barcelona even in winter (when compared to northern European cities), there are a lot of thing which make the Catalon capital atractive in December. Some of them are:

Fira de Santa Llucia (Saint Lucia fair)

Every year Barcelona gets revved up for Christmas with its traditional Fira de Santa Llucia, the oldest of local Christmas fairs. It all takes place in and around the Cathedral Square a brisk 15-minute walk from the hotel through the festive Barri Gotic.

Three things are featured: Christmas trees of all sizes; traditional ceramics with Christmas themes; and finally manger scenes with "canager" (means"the shitter" and it's just like it sound) and "cagatios" (a small log of wood about a foot long. Before Christmas children paint a face on the log and give it a blanket to keep it warm. Then they feed him copiously for several days. Then on Christmas the children beat their uncle with sticks and sing "caga, log" which means something like "shit, log, shit" and the cagatio defecates presents for the children). Both figures show the very particular way of catalan people to celebrate de Christmas.

Christmas shoping

In Barcelona, you don't have to choose between going shopping or sightseeing. Wherever you go, you'll see that shops are part of city life. And while you discover unforgettable sights, you'll be welcomed by the window displays of leading international brands, modern designer shops and traditional shops that have been there since time immemorial. Some of them:

Corbateria Vendrell & Associats: Anyone who thinks that a tie is an unoriginall gift, is because doesn't know this store. They are specialized in "dreess" necks with exlusives designes for ties, pashminas, scarves, foulards, etc.

Sombrebreria Obach: Put it to your head: a hat is a very elegant and original complement. And in this store you will find a lot of them: for men, women, summer, winter. If you don't wear hats, maybe after visit this place you will begin to do it. (Call street, 2).

Ganiveteria Roca: can you imagine a store full of knives and scissors? Maybe it sounds strange (or creepy) but when you get in this place, everythings change. A very tipical store where you will find that knive you was looking for your kitchen; or maybe a special gift for a friend.

Palacio del juguete: even if you are not a child anymore, surely you will enjoy visting this store. In there you will find not only the newest toys in the market, they offer also clasics made of wood and iron, toy soldiers, etc.

La Manual Alpargatera: The Pope John Paul II bought there his "alpargatas", o so they say. Nowadays La Manual is a must for the informed travellers who visit our city. Many international prizes, highly favourable comments have appeared in prestigious magazines and the visit of personalities from all around the world guarantee our experience.
The espadrille is an ecological light shoe made with natural materials: vegetable fiber. It is a footwear with a very long tradition

Greet new year in our city

Barcelona offers a full range of options for saying “out with the old and in with the new.” If you feel like an evening out of doors you have the area around the Torre Agbar. This bullet-shaped tower, the last word in architectural modernity, has aroused quite a polemic and inspired not a few jokes due to its form which to many is reminiscent of a giant…well check out the photo and judge for yourself. And on New Year´s Eve there is a full sound and light show.
The Plaça Catalunya and the area around the Cathedral are more traditional places to gather, sing, shout and eat the twelve “uvas de la suerte”. You traditionally gulp down one grape with each of the twelve bells of midnight. If you get all twelve down in the allotted time you will have good luck for all twelve months. Eleven grapes, eleven months, and so on. And all is washed down with copious quantities of cava (Spanish champagne). The atmosphere is very “animado”: warm, friendly, and a bit raucus. Or you can go to “El poble espanyol”, an open-air space with reproductions of iconic Spanish buildings, restaurants, bars of all kinds, and a huge party in la Plaza Central.
For those who prefer a quiet dinner most of Barcelona´s best restaurants such as old favorites Can Culleretes and Els Quatre Gats offer special menus which traditionally include two courses, various wines and cava as well as the usual New Year´s paraphernalia: paper hats, comfetti…
But for Catalans midnight is just the start of New Year´s Eve. The discos and bars are open all night long full of those wanting to keep the party going.

One More Time with Feeling: The 42nd International Barcelona Jazz Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Hotel Principal) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:23:00 +0000

One More Time with Feeling: The 42nd International Barcelona Jazz Festival
Barcelona will once again be the center of the Jazz world! The capital of Catalunya is hosting the 42nd International Barcelona Jazz Festival which will go on to the 2nd of December.

The concerts take place all around Barcelona, but the most impressive place by far is the Palau de la Musica, the fantastic Modernist monsterpiece which provides a far-out backdrop for any concert. Last year we caught Concha Buika, at the Palau and it was quite a show. You can check out "the black soul of Mallorca" again this year at the Palau backed up the Ivan Melon Lewis Quintet on December 1.

Or how about some good old-fashioned Ellington “swing, swing, swing” at the Palau with La Locomotora Negra + Barcelona Jazz Orquestra + San Andreu Jazz Band. Or you can have dinner and blues with the blues winners at the Gran Hotel Havana on December 2, the official grand close to this year’s festivities.
The festival also features lesser known musicians in smaller, more intimate, and less expensive venues. For example, Perico Sambeat-Joan Diaz and JD Allen Saxologies will be at the Luz de Gas and the Louis Scalavis Quintet will play the L’Auditori Sala 2.

This is the ideal time to combine your trip to Barcelona with the very best in contemporary jazz. We will be happy to help you with all arrangements at the Hotel Principal.

For a complete list of the concerts check out here.