With thousands of things to do in Barcelona it is getting even harder to keep track of everything you know you really shouldn’t miss. So we at Oh-Barcelona Blog have petitioned our friends over at Miniguide to create a list of the top choices of the fortnight. But don’t just read the list. Participate and make sure you have a first-hand opinion on what everyone will be talking about tomorrow!

Miscellaneous

Rambleros

March 1^st – 29^th / times vary, along Las Ramblas

A month-long celebration including concerts, exhibitions, and shows every day and night. This month-long celebration commemorates the struggles the neighbourhoods surrounding Las Ramblas underwent after the Spanish Civil War. Exhibitions include Rebels amb causa, a look into the social heritage of Las Ramblas through comic-like paintings. There will also be jazz and mambo concerts, and much more.

Black Musical Festival

March 5^th to 26^th at Salt, Girona

On March 5th, The Black Music Festival returns to Salt, Girona for the 9th time to celebrate the history and evolution of R&B, soul, reggae, ska, funk and hip-hop. In attendance will be well-known bands like Us3, TM Stevens & Cindy Blackman, and the STEEPWATER BAND with Frame Ford (The Black Crowes).

Vegetarian Cooking Course

March 17^th at 7.30pm at Amaltea

Professor Devarath, a chef at Amaltea, will lead a cooking class on vegetarian cuisine.  You will learn to cook 7-8 new vegetarian dishes in small groups of 8-10 people.  To attend, call Amaltea at 93  454 86 13 and ask for Deva.  Bring your apron, tupperware, and learn how to cook delicious veggie meals!

Music

Ponme Otra

March 12^th at 10pm at Razzmatazz

Sweet blues-rock – complete with electric Gibson guitars and harmonica – is what it’s all about when this young, talented and hard working party band steps on stage. They get nothing but our warmest recommendations, as they’re guaranteed to make you smile and head out on the dance floor.

Oliver Grimball – Vital Musicians

March 25^th at 10pm at El Coleccionista

This exciting concept from Gracia Arts Project aims to showcase and promote 12 up-and-coming musicians throughout 2010. Vital Musicians will consist of 12 musicians, 12 concerts and 12 downloads. Its aim is to capture the freshest, timeless music coming out of Barcelona.

Classical guitar, spoken word with rock and jazz, and folk-based bossa nova from Brazil are some of the first genres to be performed. On March 25th, Oliver Grimball will play at El Coleccionista.

Art

Sueños Rotos

March 10^th to 28^th at Miscelänea Gallery

Raúl Lázaro’s exhibition pieces together the puzzle-like images buried in the textured photographic memories of our minds. His textured works, complete with random scraps of paper and cut-outs, offer a kaleidoscopic view of life.

#1 Armando Andrade Tudela

March 11^th – June7th at MACBA

Andrade Tudela’s exhibition includes two never before seen films. The artist, who works with the relationship between form, typology, and meaning uses such materials as sheets of glass, to explore the impact on the environment has on an object’s form.

Stage

Kevin Bridges

March 13^th at 10pm at Café Teatre Llantiol

Kevin Bridges has a natural gift for comedy and has been sharing it all over the globe since 2004.  Adored by audiences and critics alike, the acute observer and cutting edge comedian is prepared to have the BCN audience ready to fall of their chairs in laughter.

Clubbing

Loco Lunes

Otto Zutz every Monday

Another Monday got you down in the dumps? Change things up with this funky fiesta featuring  DJ Da Soul and a special guest DJ. Enjoy the upscale crowd and music variety Monday becomes the best day of the week.

Green Club

March 12^th at 12:30am at Sala Mephisto

Spend your night dancing at Sala Mephisto, and 15% of your ticket price will be donated to an environmental organization working to protect our planet.  “Dance to Save the Earth” with Magic Minds, G-Fuizz, DJ Row, and Losu until 6am.

The Boiler

March 13^th at 11pm at Jazzroom

This rhythm and soul club and mod hot spot hosts live performances and diverse DJ sets. On the 13th, the Faith Keepers will kick off the night at 11pm, followed by guest DJs Tapio Väisänen, Damien Lapeyre, and Saretta.  Resident DJs Cristina Alfonso, Jordi Duró, and Alberto Valle will wrap up this eclectic musical event that will leave you wanting more.

Miniguide - monthly cultural magazine and guide to Barcelona gives you all the essential info to enjoy the city to its fullest. Put together by people who know and love Barcelona, it includes listings, reviews and critical commentary on the city’s best venues. Be sure to visit the Miniguide website and sign up for their newsletter, which comes out twice a month.

We would like to thank all participants in our photography contest, and we are pleased to announce that the winner is Flickr user ‘bigelco07’.

This photo is from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsy/4413481554/in/pool-barcelona-marathon 

Congratulations from the Oh-Barcelona.com team.

CosmoCaixa has a total area of 30,000m2, or in other words enough space for exhibitions, a planetarium, a tropical rainforest, conference rooms, a shop, cafe and picnic areas.

About the museum:

Upon arriving, your attention is immediately drawn to the enormous tree, extending upwards to all of the museum’s floors. This is the so-called “Tree of Life“ that was brought from Brazil to Barcelona when it was dead. A ramp in the shape of a spiral running around the tree leads to the museum’s expositions. The walk around the tree is impressive and allows you to wonder at the curiosities waiting inside the museum. Most of all, you notice, when standing underneath the tree’s roots and looking upwards just how small you are.

Once downstairs, you reach a large area, and it’s difficult to know where to begin looking. We finally decided to go for the trip through the Amazon. A dark passageway leads us past ant-hills, colourful poisonous frogs, snakes and piranhas, which fortunately live on the other side of the glass. A few steps up and suddenly we find ourselves surrounded by a tropical rainforest. It is also raining, and does so every 15 minutes.

Over an area of 1,000 m² a small part of the Amazonian rainforest is recreated here. The larger trees are made of plastic; however this detail goes unnoticed, being combined with small natural plants. All of the animals that you see along the way are authentic. Along with the humidity of the air, which gives an overall impression of 100%, a slightly musty smell and a background noise of birds and running water, it gives you the impression of being in the middle of the Amazonian rainforest. Here, you will find 13 different species of trees, as well as 58 plant and 36 animal species.

Upon leaving, we reach the small aquarium with its curious and multicoloured inhabitants. To the left, the geological wall shoots upwards – seven pieces of authentic stone, with a combined weight of 100 tons, which give us an idea of geological history. To one side, you can carry out little experiments just by pressing a button, showing us how the stones have come to acquire their appearance. Some of the blocks of stone look as if they have been painted. The huge variety of colours that have been generated by nature is amazing.

On the other side of the museum, it is masterfully shown how we, as human beings, have taken advantage of forms of nature, such as snails and honeycombs. Have you ever noticed the similarity between a roll of toilet paper and a snail? There is also a representation of the origins of the human race. And many other things besides- physics experiments that show the effects of light, the force of gravity etc.

By pushing buttons, you can generate sandstorms, or experiment using your own shadow which colours refract light. It’s also interesting to see how your voice would sound if it were to belong to the other sex, or to another planet.

If you’re getting hungry by this point, you can have a rest in the Cafe. There are snacks and hot and cold drinks. There is also a restaurant, and for those looking for something a little more rustic, you can use the picnic area if you’ve brought food with you.

After a snack, you can then proceed to visit the upper level of the building. Here you will find the temporary exhibition “Hablemos de drogas“ (‘Let’s talk about drugs‘). As well as the permanent installations within the CosmoCaixa, there are also temporary exhibitions. The current one deals with drugs and illustrates their effects upon the psyche, reaction times and the body. Another temporary exhibition looks into the importance of numbers in daily life, and a third is about Charles Darwin. An exhibition exploring illusions within science is planned (for November 2009).

On the return walk to the ground floor, you pass by the Planetarium and Toca toca! (Touch touch). The planetarium gives you a virtual tour across the universe, via the creation of the planets, finding ourselves almost in the centre of the Big Bang. Toca toca! allows you to experiment with the environment using all of the senses. There are animals from different habitats, such as water, desert and the forest, and you are also able to touch them. This is the place for those who’ve always wanted to touch a hairy spider, supposedly slippery snakes or tortoises. Both of these attractions are only available at weekends, as during the week only school groups are able to enter.

Upon leaving CosmoCaixa, we felt full of new impressions and knowledge. An exciting day is waiting for you, which you should add to your list of visits in Barcelona, especially if you are travelling with children. We would recommend sharpening your senses and immersing yourself in science!

Enjoy your visit to the CosmoCaixa!

Birte

I would like to give you an idea of its history and architecture, as well as offering you some practical advice for visiting the church. At the bottom of the article, you will be able to find out important information such as times, prices and web sites.

History

Although the Sagrada Familia is recognized as Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece, he wasn’t the one responsible, on the 19th March 1882, for placing the first stone- that was the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, who was planning for a notably smaller church than the one that eventually was erected. Once sufficient funding for its construction was collected, work began in 1882 under the supervision of Villar. Very shortly, a disagreement arose with donators, and responsibility for construction was passed over to Antonio Gaudí, who at that time was 31 years old.

The original idea was that the church, dedicated to the ’Sacred Family’, would be entirely financed by donations. When Gaudi received a large donation from an anonymous source, he decided to transform the old neo-gothic project into something more monumental and innovative as far as its shape and structure was concerned.

In 1914 Gaudi decided to dedicate himself exclusively to the Sagrada Familia project, even installing small living-quarters within the building, so that he was always on hand. Bizarrely, on the 7th of June 1926 on his way on foot to the building, he was run over by a tram, eventually dying 3 days later. All of the city dressed in mourning and the Pope agreed for Gaudi to be interred in the unfinished crypt of the Sagrada Familia.

Gaudi had planned for a construction period of 200 years for the church. However, he did not leave a complete construction blueprint, as he wanted to count on the opinion of future generations.

After his death, several different architects continued work on the monument. Since that time, construction work has never been suspended, even during the difficult times of the Civil War, when plaster models to scale, drawings and plans of the building were lost and destroyed.

Architecture

The Sagrada Familia comprises five main naves and three transverses, forming a Latinate cross. The five main naves have a total length of 90 meters and the transverses of 60 meters.

The themes covered by the three facades are: the birth of Christ, the Passion of Christ and the Glory. The first facade depicts the birth of Christ, by means of several ornamental details. The Passion facade looks simple and new, and although it contains fewer details, the statues are larger. The ’Glory’ facade will be the main facade, although construction upon it has not yet been completed.

When construction finishes, there will be 18 towers with a height of between 90 and 170 meters. These towers are dedicated to the apostles, the evangelists, Mary and Jesus Christ. The tower measuring 170 meters is intended to be the highest tower on a church in the world.

Work upon the Sagrada Familia is expected to be completed in 2025, financed exclusively by donations and entry fees.

Visits

Of course, you don’t need to wait until 2025 to visit this impressive building. I would recommend that you visit it as early in the morning as possible. The best bet is at 9 o’clock, when doors open, as queues tend to form very early.

The first thing you will see in the interior of the church is the huge scaffolding. This makes it difficult to take in the building full dimensions. You can also use an audio-guide, which, for €4 extra, will allow you to see many other details.

Upon looking upwards, you feel very small. The enormous pillars rise up like trees up to the rafters. These impressions are doubtlessly caused by the trunk like structures branching upwards towards the ceiling. This lends a very pleasant feeling of being enveloped in warm light when the sun shines through the stained-glass windows.

You can also visit the towers: at the modest price of €2.50, a lift will take you to the top. Going up by foot is prohibited; you are however allowed to descend by foot.

Before leaving the Sagrada Familia, you should visit its museum. Here you will find images from all stages of its construction, original designs from the early stages, models of the church and information regarding the architects who have participated and currently participate in the project.

Even after visiting hours are over, when everything is dark, Gaudi’s masterwork offers an impressive sight, when the burgeoning night means it is cast in spotlights. One rainy, very stormy night I was there and the Sagrada Familia offered a rather hair-raising sight.

Sant Medir has been celebrated since 1830. It is said that a baker from the street “Gran de Gracia”, Josep Vidal i Granés fell sick and made a promise to Sant Medir: if he cured him, than on 3^rd March every year he would make the pilgrimage to the saint’s shrine in Collserola.

After the miracle had happened, the baker began his pilgrimage, giving sweets to everyone he saw on the journey, and this is where today’s tradition of the parade comes from.

Visit our Sant Medir Flickr group for more photos

Not to be stopped by the rain, we went to collect as many sweets as possible with two umbrellas and a plastic bag…and we certainly were not the only ones. The first part of the festival was celebrated in the morning but the main event began at 8pm, in Calle Nil Fabra, then onto its main route down Gran de Gracia. Even before 7pm people were starting to descend on the street, with the majority seeming to be impatient children!

As it was raining most people were carrying umbrellas, which made it quite difficult for us to get a prime position. It was a vicious fight to get as many sweets as possible. When the carriages began the parade everybody raised their hands in anticipation, but it was harder than expected to catch the tones of sweets being thrown at us. The majority fell to the floor and the fight begun to collect the most candy. Unfortunately, the floor was wet so many were lost under people’s wet shoes and puddles

Visit our Sant Medir Flickr group for more photos

It was funny to see everyone trying to protect themselves from the millions of sweets that were launched at us. Some held their umbrellas in the correct way to protect themselves, while others held them upside down to catch as many sweets as possible. Also amusing was the way the residents of Gracia came our onto their balconies and hung out their windows with umbrellas and bags, as well as baskets that were descending from the buildings, lowered by a thread as if the people were going fishing…for sweets!

After each of the carriages there was a band parade playing different beats and sounds. This gave the festival even more of an atmosphere as everybody danced and enjoyed themselves. There were a lot more people than we expected lining the streets, and one last thing…I’ve never seen so many adults acting like they were kids again!

Visit our Sant Medir Flickr group for more photos

Overall Sant Medir was a great, unique experience that I was glad to have enjoyed.

Map

See all our photos in our Sant Medir Flickr group

Did you go to the festival? What did you think of the evening?

The traditions and typical food of Semana Santa

As the Christian tradition dictates, people tend to avoid eating meat on Good Friday, and Barcelona is one of the main cities where this duty is converted in to a treat for the palate: different forms of cod are the most traditional dish, including cod with chickpeas, cod with potatoes, and salted cod. La Mona de Pascua (Easter cake) is very representative of Semana Santa, as well as chocolate eggs. In truth, the real protagonists of this week are sweet things: ‘buñuelos’, ‘torrijas’, ‘pestiños’ and ‘rosca de Pascua’.

Processions

In Catalonia, like the rest of the country this festival is celebrated, Spain being a nation with a significant Catholic tradition; however it must also be said that the most spectacular ceremonies take place in Andalucia, especially in Seville. Nevertheless, Barcelona also has its celebrations– on Easter Friday there are usually two processions:

• Nuestra Señora de las Angustias (‘Our Lady of anguish’), which leaves the church of Sant Jaume in the evening and takes the following route:

• Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder y María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena (‘Our almighty Lord Jesus and the blessed Mary of hope’) leaves from Sant Agusti church in the Raval and takes the following route:

The procesión de la Virgen de los Dolores (‘procession of the Virgin of pain’) is also very characteristic and is organised by ‘la Cofradia Laica 15+1’. This peculiar procession, which has a lot in common with Seville’s procession, started in 1977 in the neighbourhood of L’Hospitalet. With the passing of time, the quality of the procession has evolved, but the spirit of it has stayed the same. It leaves from the Plaça de la Bóbila.

Opening times for shops, museums and the main activities across Barcelona

During these festival days, it will not be easy to find many shops and museums that are open.

As far as shops are concerned, they are generally closed on the Friday, Sunday and Monday of Easter. However, restaurants do not tend to close, except for those that are typically frequented by workers.

Some restaurants situated near to tourist attractions and museums in the city will close, but others will stay open, although perhaps with a special timetable, so you will be able to enjoy:

• Barcelona’s Aquarium (from 09:30 to 21:30)
• CCCB (consult the official website for opening times)
• FC Barcelona Museum (bank holidays from 10:00 to 14:30)
• MACBA (Sundays and bank holidays from 10:00 to 15:00)
• History Museum of Catalonia (Sundays and bank holidays from 10:00 to 14:30)
• MNAC (Sundays and bank holidays from 10:00 to 14:30)
• Parc Güell (timetable from March to November: everyday from 10:00)
• Picasso Museum (from Tuesday to Sunday on Monday bank holidays from 10:00 to 20:00)
• Casa Battló (every day from 09:00 to 20:00. Reduced timetable for the 20th and 26th March: 09:00 to 14:00)
• La Pedrera (timetable for March to October: everyday from 09:00 to 20:00)
• Sagrada Familia (in March from 09:00 to 18:00; in April from 09:00 to 20:00)
• Barcelona’s Zoo (16-31 March, April and May from 10:00 to 19:00)
• Fundación Joan Miró (Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00; Sunday and bank holidays from 10:00 to 14:30)
• Poble Espanyol (consult the official website for opening times)
• Tibidabo Park (Semana Santa 2010 timetable: from 12:00 to 21:00. Monday from 12:00 to 20:00)
• Maritime Museum (consult the official website for opening times)
• Barcelona’s Wax Museum (Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 20:30)

Activities around the city

Staying in Barcelona to celebrate Semana Santa is a good option. There are many activities that can be done over the holidays. Here are a few ideas:

• Activities for children: Abacus bookshops, in Plaza Urquinaona and l’Illa Diagonal shopping centre, offer you the possibility of decorating Easter eggs. This is for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
• Zoology courses are offered to children during Semana Santa at Barcelona Zoo.
• Visit ‘El Bosque Urbà’ (‘the urban jungle’), the city’s first Adventure park. You will find it in Barcelona’s Forum. The first 20 people who become fans of our Facebook page will get 1 free entry.
• Have a stroll around the city, discovering its many wonderful secrets and choosing your route with Play and Tour’s MP3 audio-guides
• Enjoy classical concerts at the Palau de la música

What should I do if everything is closed? Alternative activities on the outskirts of Barcelona

If you have already visited the majority of the city’s places of interest and you would like to know more about what you can do during Semana Santa to make the most of the holidays here are a few suggestions of alternative activities on the outskirts of Barcelona:

• Figueres with its ‘Museo de Dalí’ (Dali Museum) is well worth a visit (however on Easter Monday it will be closed). To get to Figueres from Barcelona by train you need to take the Barcelona-Port Bou line and alight at Figueres; by Bus with the company Sarfa; or by car taking the AP 7 Barcelona - La Jonquera road, exit Figueres.
• If you would prefer a relaxing week in the countryside we would recommend the Delta del Ebro country park. If you would like to make a booking for an excursion have a look at what Delta Turístic has to offer.
• If you want a day of adventure, the theme park ‘El bosc Animat’ offers you fun, adventure and natural beauty.
• A wine route, perhaps, around one of Europe’s oldest grape and wine growing regions- ‘el Penedès’.
• Another enjoyable activity, making the most of the nice spring weather would be horse riding. With Panorama Trails you can check which dates are available and book online.
• Visit the Monasterio de Montserrat and the Montserrat Mountain. There is also the chance to do coach excursions with Julia Travel.
• It is worth going to the representation of ‘La Passió de Olesa de Montserrat’ (‘the Passion of Olesa of Montserrat’). This tradition has its roots in the medieval epoch. For more information, consult the official website.
• Processions are organized not only in Barcelona during Semana Santa: Girona has spectacular Semana Santa celebrations, and it also gives you the chance to visit the city.
• Other processions that deserve a special mention are the Esparreguera, near to Olesa de Montserrat, La Pasión de Jesús on Good Friday. It is a tradition with a medieval origin and has been in existence since the XV century. It is a living representation of the Passion of the Christ, performed by inhabitants of the town. The most curious thing is that roles are passed from father to son.

Looking to see Barcelona on the cheaper side this Easter? Whether you are just visiting the city for a few days, or even if you are lucky enough to live here permanently, we have some great FREE discounts for you to enjoy at Easter time.

Thinking of going to Barcelona for Easter and enjoying a change of scenery? Or already there?

Shake off the winter blues this Easter break - We have cooked up some great discounts in Barcelona. Yes just for you!!

Barcelona has lots to offer for Easter: amazing landscape, architecture, restaurants and nightlife. But can you afford everything? Let Oh-Barcelona.com help!

Here is a list of some great Discounts in Barcelona that the team of Oh-Barcelona.com has negotiated for you, and guess what… you don´t have to pay to get them !! It is FREE.

Barcelona Bosc Urba, Urban Adventure Park
25 Free Entries to the park up for grabs!
Go to this Facebook page and claim your free entrance. (First come, first serve..)
Now available - Tel: (+34) 931 173 426
More info: http://www.barcelonaboscurba.com/index.html

Cooltra, Scooter Hire and Tours
Rent a scooter 3 days (72h) for the Price of 2 days (48h) – 70 € instead of 95 €
From 1st of April to 14th June 2010 - Tel: (+34) 932 214 070
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/cooltra-barcelona-scooter-562

Paco Taxi, Airport Transfers by Taxi
Barcelona airport transfer: 7.5€ Discount
Girona airport transfer: 15 € Discount
From 30th March to 7th April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 630 412 612
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/transport/barcelona-airport-transfers-1594

Julía Travel, Organised Tours
Barcelona Classic Tour (Gothic quarter, Poble Espanyol etc.) + Nou Camp Tour + the museum
of F.C.Barcelona OR Artistic Barcelona Tour (Art, Gaudi, Cathedral etc) + Nou Camp Tour + the museum of F.C.Barcelona 58 € instead of 61 €

From 12 March to 22 March (Must complete the Tour during these dates only) -
Tel: (+34) 933 176 454 – More info: http://www.juliatravel.com/en/tours/barcelona/the-city-of-barcelona/?cat=1

Play and Tour, Audio Guide
Discount of 50% on downloads of Audio Guides. 8.50 € instead of 17 €. Add this code to the promotional code field on their website: Oh-Barcelona01
From 8^th March to 4^th of April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 902 930 411
More info: http://www.playandtour.com/default.aspx?i=en&id=6

Cars deluxe, Luxury Car Hire, Transfers and Tours
15.7% Discounts on airport transfers + Luxury car rentals with driver: 4 hour Gaudi tour with a bottle of Cava for 208.65 € instead of 262.15 € (Tax included).
From 01st March to 30th April 2010 - Tel: : (+34) 689 313 768
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/private-guided-tours-barcelona-2528

Lifestyle, Events
Chocolate massage: Save 15 € per person, 80€ instead of 95 €

From 28th March to 11th April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 932 702 048                 
More Info:
http://www.lifestylebarcelona.com/en/86-chocolate-massage.html

Trixi, Original Eco Taxi & Tours
Trixi “Oh-Barcelona“ Tour with driver that lasts 2.5 hours (Gothic Quarter and Gaudi) for 4 people: 72€ instead of 90€
Trixi “Oh-Barcelona“ Tour with driver that lasts 2.5 hours (Gothic Quarter and Gaudi) for 2 people with bottle of water: 39€

From 27 March to 5 April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 933 101 379
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/trixi-bike-tours-barcelona-597

Gael LeBec, Wine and Champagne Tasting
20% discount on Wine and Champagne tasting. 40 € instead of 50 € /pers.
From 28th March to 11th April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 699 287 617
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/gael-le-bec-wine-tasting-barcelona-1003

GoCar, GPS Guided Tours
Hire between 9am and 12.00 and get the 2^nd Hour FREE !
From 29th March to 05^th April 2010 - Tel: (+34) 932 691 792
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/gocar-barcelona-613

Segway, 2 wheels standing cart
Discount of 8 € on the 2 hrs Tour. Now 50 € instead of 58 € VAT incl
From 28th March to 5th April 2010 - Tel.: (+34) 933 104 108
More Info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/segway-tours-barcelona-1603

Icono, Walking Tours
New Walking Tours in English: Shadow of the Wind or Cathedral of the Sea Barcelona for just 18 €
Now available - Tel: (+34) 934 101 405 or (+34) 934 108 499
More info: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2009/tourist-guide/activities/icono-barcelona-walking-tours-1007

Check out our articles on what to do in Barcelona for Easter with great information and activities. And why not get in the festive spirit and try the recipe for the famous Spanish Easter cake the “Mona de Pascua” (yum!).

Also if you are planning to come to Barcelona, see the great offers that we have on apartments and hotels in Barcelona. Enjoy your Easter!

Everyone who manages to find 2 eggs will be our winners. You will receive a 10% discount on any booking of one of our hotels or apartments in Barcelona, Paris or Berlin. Also, thanks to our friends at Timeout and Petit Fute, the first 3 entries will be extra lucky and win a free guide book for their chosen destination.

So get in the mood for Easter and start hunting for those eggs!

Instructions

• There will be a total of 8 eggs spread across the Oh-Barcelona blog and our Oh-Barcelona accommodation website
• To enter the competition, you must be able to find 2 of the eggs
• There are clues below to help you find out the location of the eggs
• You will need to copy the URL (link address) of the sites where you found each egg, and put it into the contact form at the end of this article
• Example of link to copy is below

• Fill in the rest of the contact form with the rest of your details, and wait to find out if you have won

Click here to see the clues

Regulations and other information

• You must be 18 years of age or older to enter the competition
• As soon as you find your two eggs you will be notified straight away that you qualify for the 10% discount!
• Your booking must be made before the 30^th of November 2010
• Your arrival in your apartment or hotel is until 1^st of April 2011
• Everyone who finds the eggs will win the 10% discount!

Clues

Blog:

1. Head towards the outskirts of the Barcelona on a tour to the spiritual mountain steeped in history, take in the nature and enjoy the fine views. The black virgin awaits you!
2. I’m hungry! I want food! I’m also in Catalunya and it’s Easter time…I want to cook a traditional cake…
3. The Barcelona winter sales may have ended, but Easter is coming and Oh-Barcelona still have great discounts for you – they won’t come to you though, go and find them!
4. Experience the whole of Spain without leaving the vicinity of Montjuïc – all the culture, buildings and attractions that Spain has to offer in one little Spanish town!

Accommodation website

1. Everyone loves to travel and get away, but at the end of the day, there really is no place like home!
2. Don’t come to Barcelona and not go home with great memories – take part in some great activities, and save money at the same time with free discounts!
3. Want to get away for a bit? Take a nice city break somewhere? Don’t want to have to be cooking and cleaning for yourself? You’re going to need somewhere to stay…
4. Going away but need to keep your independence? Need your own kitchen, washing machine? Get a feel for what it’s like to live in the Catalan capital…go self catering!

Now all you need to do is wait to see if you have won! We wish all participants the very best of luck and hope you all have an amazing Easter. Tell us how you’re going to celebrate, and how a typical Easter is spent in your country!

If you don’t win this time, don’t worry. You can subscribe to our blog and receive updates on our next competition.

Contact Form

They did it again. The organisation Barnamob have once again inspired the crowds. We were not the only ones who were holding our bellies with laughter.

As usual the event was announced beforehand only on Facebook and the Barnamob website. The aim was to get at least 400 people to the announced meeting point at 17.00 to receive their silver hobbyhorses, named Barnie Coz.

The challenge was to start galloping each time when the golden horse did so. Of course you were suppose to behave totally normal. Not so easy while having a silver floating object between your legs. The final destination was Plaza Catalunya where after a while the 4 different groups arrived to gather and have a last big laugh.

Visit our Flickr Flashmob group for more photos

On our “mission“ through the city we passed wondering tourists, who couldn’t put their cameras down, residents with puzzled faces, honking cars and screaming and cheering people. From disgust and anger to sympathy and euphoria; with our “ride” through the city we experienced literally every reaction possible.

Visit our Flickr Flashmob group for more photos

My personal highlight; Standing at the red traffic light. All of the sudden it switches to green and hundreds of “crazy person” starting galloping and crossing the street. A total blast!

I would recommend all of you to participate at least once in something like this. To not miss out on the newest and craziest events and information about Barcelona, visit our Facebook page Oh-Barcelona.com – it’s ALL about Barcelona!

Visit our Flickr Flashmob group for more photos

By the way, this was actually a world premiere. An event like this had never happened before and we would like to congratulate Barnamob for pulling it off. We were part of it and had the time of our lives. We took loads of pictures for you. Check them out at our flickr site.

Map

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Dominic

Traditionally at Easter time in the UK, ´Simnel cake´, a rich fruit cake is eaten to celebrate the end of a long fast.

Easter week here in Barcelona, also known as ´Semana Santa´ (sacred week), would not be complete without making the ´Mona de Pascua´ cake, ´Mona´, a Moroccan term meaning gift.

Traditionally given by a godfather and godmother to their godchildren at Easter, the original cake is like a gigantic doughnut, containing boiled eggs, the amount of eggs depending on the age of the godchild.

Why the eggs? The most dedicated of Catholics would go without meat or eggs over lent, so eggs were saved and used on Easter day, however, Mona Pascua’s don’t have to be so eggy these days! Now there are all sorts of crazy and elaborate modern day versions of the cake, oh Barcelona have a slightly more appetising version of the Mona de Pascua to offer!

Making the Mona Pascua

Ingredients

Sponge

• 4 eggs
• 150g of Sugar
• 150g of flour
• 20g of almond flour
• 5g of yeast
• 2 beaten egg whites
• 50g of butter

For the Filling

• 300g of Peach Jam

To Garnish

• 250g of dark chocolate
• 125g of butter
  

Instructions:

1) Beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl

2) Mix the flour and yeast together in a separate bowl

3) Gradually add the mixture of flour and yeast through a sieve (to avoid creating any lumps) to the egg and sugar mixture

4) Stir constantly while adding the almond flour

5) Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until they form peaks

6) Once they are half whisked, add 50g of sugar, once whisked blend in with the flour and egg mixture

7) Turn the final mix out into a greased and flour sprinkled mould

8 ) Place in the oven at 180 ºC for about 40-45 minutes

9) Remove the sponge, allow to cool, cut in half and spread with the jam filling

10) Finally, stir and melt the chocolate and butter together, cover the sponge with the chocolate and allow to cool. Why not try adding your own final touch, some decorated eggs? A few feathers? Maybe a few miniature chicks? Go nuts!

Let us know how your Mona Pascua turned out, hopefully a success? Tell us how you spent your Easter and how the cake went down!

Rochelle