Category Archives: Barcelona

Spain: The Perfect Retreat for College Students

The vibrant country of Spain is the perfect travel destination for college students who are looking to expand their horizons. This fascinating European nation boasts many historical and cultural sites of interest. Here are five sites every college student should see while visiting Spain:

Sagrada Familia

This fascinating cathedral can be found in Barcelona and is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Construction began in 1882, but celebrated architect Antoni Gaudi later took over leadership of the construction and implemented the final design. When Gaudi died in 1926, the building of the church slowed and became further disrupted during the Spanish Civil War. Even though the construction has remained incomplete, it is still a popular site for its intricate architecture and uniquely shaped towers.

Estocada Toreador Bloody Bullfight Plaza de Toros and Folkloric Show Cancun Mexico trip 2007 2 118The Running of the Bulls

During the summer months, this famed traditional Spanish festivity can be found in many towns throughout the country. The city of Pamplona, which is the main location of the festivity, hosts this event every July. Several people gather along a designated course on the city streets and attempt to outrun a group of bulls. Participation is open to anyone who is at least 18 years of age, allowing the most daring college travelers to partake in this event. However, it is generally recommended for tourists to just watch the event unfold from the sidelines without actively participating in the run.


 

Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid)Royal Palace of Madrid

Students can visit this lavish 18th century palace in Madrid to see the elegance and sophistication of Spanish royalty. Visitors can tour through the complex to observe priceless works of art and historical artifacts. The palace features a world-class collection of royal armory dating back to the 15th century. Regal statues and beautiful gardens adorn the palace’s exterior. The current royal family of Spain does not reside in the quarters but occasionally makes appearances during special ceremonies.

City of Arts and Sciences

This popular attraction is located in the city of Valencia. The buildings of this modern entertainment complex have been designed in a futuristic style and are truly set apart from any other structures in the world. The structures have been designed to resemble a giant eye, a water lily and the skeleton of a whale. The buildings house attractions such as a cinema, a science museum, an oceanographic aquarium and an opera house. The complex also features beautiful waterways and walking paths.

Torre del Oro

Students can travel to Seville to visit this acclaimed 13th century structure. It was originally built to serve as a watchtower and a prison when Spain was under Muslim rule. The tower almost faced demolition when it was put up for sale as scrap and also when the city wanted to tear down the tower to build a wider road. With the support of the city locals, the tower was saved and now serves as a naval museum.

Spain is the perfect place for college students to visit. The country can offer students new experiences and exciting times. It is no wonder why this lovely country is one of the most desired travel destinations in the world.

Tanya Mitchell is an avid traveler and nurse researching different masters in nursing education online programs that work with her busy schedule.

Posted in Barcelona, Madrid | Comments Off

Sonar 2012

If you are a music buff you will have heard of Sónar. If you aren’t a music buff, it’s about time you did hear about the huge annual tribute to music held in Barcelona. Last year 80,000 people attended the 3 day event which runs day and night.

How about adding some variety to your holiday? You can only drink so many coffees and sunbathe so many hours. This year’s event runs from 14th-16th June and can add something really memorable to your summer break.

Rather than bore you with the history of the thing, we’ve just posted a few videos from the bands playing this year for you to enjoy. Once you are ready book your accommodation and tickets right here.


Fast Tube by Casper


Fast Tube by Casper


Fast Tube by Casper


Fast Tube by Casper


Fast Tube by Casper

And here is the full line up


A
00Genesis (Rxlngr,US)
A-Trak (Fool’s Gold,CA)
Actress (Werk,UK)
AEIOU (Universal,MX)
Africa Hitech (Warp,AU-UK)
Agoria (InFiné,FR)
Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto (raster-noton,DE-JP)
Angel Molina (ES)
Annie (Smalltown Supersound,NO)
Annie Mac (IE)
Aphex Twin (Warp,UK)
Apparat Band (Mute,DE)
Arandel (Infiné,FR)
Aster (Hivern,ES)
Astrud + Col·lectiu Brossa (Elefant,ES)
Atmosphere (Rhymesayers Entertainment,US)


B
B. Bravo (Frite Nite,US)
Barcelona Laptop Orchestra (ESMUC,ES)
Beat’A’Boom (Col·lectiu Cazique,ES)
Benji B (UK)
Bjørn Torske (Smalltown Supersound,NO)
Boys Noize (Boysnoize Records,DE)
Buraka Som Sistema (Fabric,PT)

C
C156 (ES)
Carlos Hollers (Goad Rec,ES)
Chelis (Lo Fi Funk,ES)
Chris Cunningham (UK)
Clara Moto (Infiné,AT)
Cosmin TRG (50Weapons,RO)
Cut Copy (Modular Recordings,AU)
Cyclo (Raster Noton,DE-JP)

D
Dadub (Stroboscopic Artefacts,IT)
Daisuke Tanabe (Circulations,JP)
Daito Manabe (JP)
David Rodigan (Kiss FM,UK)
Deadboy (Numbers,UK)
Debilorithmicos (Molts Records,ES)
DELS (Ninja Tune,UK)
Denseland (Mosz,DE)
Die Antwoord (Cherrytree Records,ZA)
Discodeine (Dirty,FR)
Diskjokke (Smalltown Supersound,NO)
Dizzee Rascal (Dirtee Stank,UK)
DJ Pass: Charles Samaniego (UK)
DJ Raff (Nacional Records,ES)
DJ Sith & David M (ES)
Djedjotronic (Boys Noize Records,FR)
Dominique Young Unique (Art Jam Records,US)
Downliners Sekt (ES)
DZA (Error Broadcast,RU)

E
Edredón (Origami,ES)
Egyptrixx (Night Slugs,CA)
El Plan B de Carlos Jean (Subterfuge,ES)
El Timbe (folCORE,ES)
Electric Wire Hustle (BBE,NZ)
Eskmo (Ninja Tune,US)
EVOL (ALKU,ES)

F
Facto y los Amigos del Norte (ES)
Filewile (Mouthwatering Records,CH)
Floating Points (Eglo,UK)
Four Tet (Domino,UK)

G
Ghostpoet (Brownswood Recordings,UK)
Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio1,UK)
Global Communication (Sony/Dedicated,UK)

H
Half Nelson y Vidal Romero play Go Mag (Go Mag,ES)
Hauschka (Fat Cat,DE)
Henry Saiz (Natura Sonoris,ES)
Hiroaki Oba (BITB,JP)
Holy Other (Tri Angle,UK)
How To Dress Well (Tri Angle,US)
Hype Williams (UK-DE)

I
Illum Sphere (Hoya:Hoya,UK)

J
Jackmaster (Numbers,UK)
James Holden (Border Community,UK)
James Murphy (DFA,US)
Jan Jelinek, BJ Nilsen, Carl Michael Von Hausswolff, Francisco López, Sawako, ALKU ()
Janelle Monáe (The Wondaland Arts Society,US)
Jessie Ware (Numbers,UK)
Joan S. Luna (MondoSonoro,ES)
Judah (Norweside,ES)
Jullian Gomes (G. Family,ZA)

K
Katy B (UK)
Katy B (UK)
kidkanevil (First Word,UK)

L
L-Vis 1990 b2b Bok Bok (Night Slugs,UK)
L’Eix (ES)
Little Dragon (Peacefrog,SE)
Lory D (Numbers-SNS,IT)
Lucy (Stroboscopic Artefacts,IT)

M
M.I.A. (N.E.E.T. Recordings,UK)
Magnetic Man (Columbia Records,UK)
Mary Anne Hobbs (UK)
Matador Rockers (Del Palo,ES)
MouseUp (Hivern,ES)
Mujuice (RU)
Munchi (T&A,NL)

N
Nacho Bay (Producciones Vikingas,ES)
Nacho Marco (Loudeast,ES)
Neuron (Imaginary Nonexistent Records,ES)
Nicolas Jaar (Circus Company,US)
Niño (Donky Pitch,ES)
No Surrender (ZerOKilled,US)
Noaipre (Arkestra,ES)

O
Offshore (Ninja Tune,UK)
oOoOO (Tri Angle,US)
Open Reel Ensemble (JP)
Oy (Creaked,CH)

P
Pablo Sánchez (Lovemonk-GAMM,VE)
Pai Mei (Del Palo,ES)
Paul Kalkbrenner (Paul Kalkbrenner Musik,DE)
Pearson Sound aka Ramadanman (UK)
Pffff (Razzmatazz,ES)
Poirier feat. Boogat (Ninja Tune,CA)

R
Radiocontrol (Noise Club,ES)
Ragul (Discontinu Records,ES)
Raime (Blackest Ever Black,UK)
Redinho (Numbers,UK)
Redlight feat. Ms. Dynamite & Dread MC (UK)
Rone (Infiné,FR)

S
San Soda (We Play House,BE)
Schlachthofbronx (Mad Decent-Man Recordings,DE)
Scuba (Hotflush,UK)
Sewing Machine Orchestra (Martin Messier,CA)
Shackleton (Woe To The Septic Heart,UK)
Shangaan Electro (Honest Jon’s,ZA)
Shelby Grey (Holographic People,ES)
Shuttle (Ninja Tune,US)
Silent Servant (Sandwell District,US)
Sistema (Natura Sonoris,ES)
Spencer (Numbers,UK)
Star Eyes (Trouble & Bass,US)
Stendhal Syndrome
 (ES)
Steve Aoki (Dim Mak,US)
Steve Reich: ‘Music For 18 Musicians’ and ‘Sextet’ performed by bcn216 + Synergy Vocals (US/ES/UK)
Surgeon (UK)

T
Teebs (Brainfeeder,US)
The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble (!K7,DE)
The Gaslamp Killer (Brainfeeder,US)
The Human League (Wall of Sound,UK)
The Zombie Kids (Subterfuge,ES)
Tiga (Turbo,CA)
Tiger & Woods (Running Back,Outerspace)
Toddla T (UK)
Toro Y Moi (Carpark,US)
Trentemøller (In My Room,DK)
Tyondai Braxton (Warp,US)

U
Underworld (Cooking Vinyl,UK)

V
Venice (Gomma,IT)

X
Xesús Valle (Alg-a netlabel,ES)

Y
Yelawolf (Shady Records,US)
Yelle (Recreation Center,FR)

Z
Zinc (Bingo Beats,UK)

Posted in Barcelona, Events | Comments Off

The Barcelona Formula 1 Grand Prix Hails

Apartmentsapart is gearing up for one of the great events of 2012, the Barcelona F1 Grand Prix. Whilst the petrolhead world is abuzz with the latest politics involving Bernie Ecclestone, we thought we might interest you in some art. We’ve collected together some interesting Formula 1 replicas for your delectation.

Red Bull was obviously behind the scenes here, but F1 is THE money sport so we should not be surprised. This car was “constructed” for the Melbourne Grand Prix of 2009.

 

This is a full scale reproduction of the Mclaren F1. It weighed in at 2 tonnes – much heavier than the real thing. Location: Monaco 2006, and Mclaren’s fortieth anniversary.

Yes, you can believe your eyes. This is a real hedge at the Williams F1 head office. The car consists of 6 plants whilst each team member is made from 2.

 

And here again, money talks. Puma sponsored this rather original piece of work by Oskar, Luke and Ben Wilson made entirely from Puma shoe boxes. It’s still on display at North State street, Chicago.



For much more of the much louder and much faster real thing, we invite you to Barcelona from the 1st to 3rd of June. We’ll be glad to be your hosts for one of this year’s most memorable highlights. Remember, as always at the time of Grand Prix anywhere, apartments can save you a fortune on your accommodation, especially if you travel as a group. Please book your apartments here.

 

 

 

Posted in Barcelona, Chicago, Events | Comments Off

Barcelona: Rooftop Tennis

Vying for the price for the most ridiculous way to waste money is the 21 floor W-Hotel. They have built a rooftop tennis court without a fence, so you actually cannot use it to play tennis. Here are two of the world’s best (Fernando Verdasco and Robin Soderling) playing like a couple of 6 year old girls.

“Form before function”, designers like to say.  No doubt there will be customers who are so taken in by the publicity that they will book a room in the hotel just to be where the action is. It’s people like that that make this seemingly insane construction a good investment!

Those who have a brain will book their accommodation in Barcelona here.


Fast Tube by Casper

Posted in Barcelona | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Barcelona and Madrid: Cocaine in the Air

We always loved Barcelona but we were never quite sure why it was such a party town. Now the truth is out.

A new study has found that the air in five of Spain’s cities is contaminated with 5 well known narcotics: Cocaine, LSD, Cannabis, Opiates and Amphetamines. The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations maintains there is no cause for alarm. Alarm? Why would we be worried? It sounds fantastic.

“Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air,” scientist Miren Lopez de Alda said in a statement.”

Ah, shame.

It seems at least in Madrid the results of the tests were a little skewed, because the test site happened to be next door to a building often visited by local drug dealers. Interestingly concentrations of drugs in the air are higher on weekends.

Spain is thought to be Europe’s highest consumer of hashish and cocaine, and is also a major transit point for narcotics on their way from South America.

Perhaps this would be an opportune moment to remind you we provide apartments in Barcelona and apartments in Madrid. We unfortunately cannot promise you’ll be close enough to smell the narcotics though!

 

Posted in Barcelona, Madrid | Comments Off

Barcelona: A Grave Situation

Who says you have to stop giving just because you die? A brand new champion of the environment is making it’s contribution – and lying down. In the Santa Coloma Cemetary outside Barcelona, a graveyard has been transformed into a solar powerhouse.

462 Solar panels lie atop the cemetery providing enough power for 60 homes. At 720,000 euros that sounds like terrible value, but we are but a lonely voice lost in the bologsphere. Who cares what we think?

The panels are south facing in the sunniest part of the city, and despite initial disgust on the part of the locals, public opinion is now quite happy with the town’s latest addition.

Now that is a shrine with a shine!

Posted in Barcelona | Comments Off