Spain’s Catalonia region (where Barcelona is included) outlawed bullfighting yesterday, becoming the country’s first mainland region to do so.
Cheers broke out after in the local 135-seat legislature after the speaker announced the ban has been passed by vote of 68 to 55 with nine abstentions.
During the debate , protesters from both sides rallied outside the parliament building in Barcelona.

As is imagine protesters carry posters with pictures of bleeding animals. while pro-bullfighting groups carried, slogans such as Libertad y Toros (Freedom & Bulls).
The ban in the wealthy seaside region around Barcelona will take effect in 2012. Catalonia is a powerful region with its own language and culture and a large degree of self-rule.

The centre-right Popular Party, which favours Spain as a unified country run from Madrid – and also supports bullfighting- is considering a legal bid to overturn the ban.

However Catalonia only has one bull ring, in Barcelona, while the other one is turned into a shopping mall.
it stages 15 fights a year which are rarely sold out, out of the nationwide total of 1000 per season..

This result will energise animal rights groups intent on seeking bans in other regions.

Josep Rull, a Convergence and Union spokesman said: “The suffering and death of a living being cannot be turned into public spectacle.”

The first Spanish region  to outlaw the practice was the Canary Island in 1991.

Last years Barcelona was ranked as the pickpocket capital of the world. It was followed by Rome, Prague, Madrid, Paris, Florence, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Athens and Hanoi in Vietnam, according to reviews website TripAdvisor.com.
Well, You have to be cautious and use some common sense in Barcelona, London, Paris or New York, it doesn’t matter where you are. The back pockets of your trousers are fine for keep tissues, but not a wallet, also keep the wads of cash in the hotel safe.

All my life I have seen or heard about pickpockets in Barcelona, and some deserve a prize because they are true professionals and experts of their work.

In general I recommend “discretion”. Especially in the tourist areas, if you have the latest mobile phone or an expensive camera, better not go bragging about it.

Be careful in crowd places, underground (metro), beggars selling newspapers while carrying babies.

Also think what you pack in your holidays, do you need to travel with your Rolex, diamond necklaces, etc?

When I sometimes go for a walk in the center I am surprised to see tourists with open backpacks, etc.. I can not say certainty if there are many pickpockets in Barcelona or not, but I don’t think there are many or that Barcelona has a problem with them however maybe we are used to them & we know how to adapt them.

And most important, “look like a local”. So the Hawaiian shorts, sandals with socks and tank tops & British football T-shirts forget it.

Barcelona is NOT at all the best place to see authentic flamenco, as it’s not remotely an art form in Catalunya, but if you won’t be traveling to Madrid or Seville, there is a brand new venue created by the Cacheiro restaurant group that is destined to change the city’s poor flamenco scene.

Palacio del Flamenco – in a renovated theater on tony Balmes, 139, in the Eixample, handy to hotels and recommended by the top desk staffs. It has a regular cast of 15 artists who perform true flamenco and flamenco fusion on the original theater stage while the orchestra seats have been turned into an upscale restaurant. It just opened in January ’07 (palaciodelflamenco.com)

Soniquete - There’s also a lively new flamenco bar that attracts the young and hip on Carrer Milans, 5, near the Placa Reial in the Gothic quarter and only open from Thursday – Sunday.

Try to avoid the touristy and unauthentic Los Tarantos on Placa Reial.

GOTHIC QUARTER
On foot. Approximate duration: 3 hours.

The Gothic Quarter is what used to be known ago as the ‘Cathedral Quarter’. The great gothic buildings which marked the high point of the city and its culture during the Middle Ages are to be found here. Here Likewise, are the remains of the ancient fortified walls and palaces built by the Romans on the ‘Mons Taber’ such as, the temple dedicatet to Augustus.
Our itinerary begins in the Plaça Nova.

1. Portal del Bisbe.
Flanked by two round towers from the ancient Roman wall and on one side of the present Bishop’s Palace.

2. Palace Episcopal (Bishop’s Palace).
Carrer del Bisbe Irurita. Built at the end of the 12th Century and the beginning of the 13th Century.

3. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri.
(Past the Bishop’s Palace and to the right). One of the most lyrical places of the city.

4. Casa del Arcediano o casa de l’Ardiaca.
Carrer de Santa Llùcia. Built on the Roman walls during the 15th Century as a residence for the Archdeacon of the Cathedral. The cloister- type patio with is gothic fountain is noteworthy.

5. Interior of the Cathedral.
Three cruciform aisles and twenty- nine lateral chapels in one of which Cristo de Lepanto is venerated. Noteworthy: The choirstall which features both medieval and rennaissance elements.

6. Cathedral cloisters.
Beautiful central garden with palm-trees and magnolias. Interesting wrought-iron work.

7. La Pietat door.
Entry to the Cathedral cloister. Pieta carved in wood, flamenco school.

8. Casa de los Canónigos o Casa dels Canonges.
Gothic Building from the 14 Century now restored.

9. Centre Excursionista de Catalunya.
Carrer Parad’s, 10. The Roman columns from the temple dedicated to Augustus are kept inside.

10. Palau de la Generalitat.
Gothic building from the 15th Century. Joined to the Casa dels Canonges by the aforementioned passageway. Orange grove. St. George Chapel.

11. Casa de la Ciutat or City Hall.
Next to the Neo-Classical facade (19th Century) there is a lateral gothic facade (14th Century) and some levely steps. ‘Saló de Cròniques’ with paintings by Josep Ma. Sert and the historical ‘Saló de Cent’.

12. Plaça del Rei.
This is the most handsome section of ancient Barcelona. It a square outlined by gothic buildings toped by the facade of the former main Royal Palace and its watchtower- a true skycraper for the 16th Century.

13. Casa Clariana-Padellas.
Houses the ‘Museu d’Història de la Ciutat’ (See Museums).

14. Palau de Lloctinent.
Ghotic building embellished with rennaissance elements. The craftmanship of the stairways in worth noting.

15. Casa de la Pia Almoina or de la Canonja.
Plaça de la Seu, beside the Cathedral. Forner seat of charitable foundation set up at the beginning of the 11th Century.

16. Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran.
Equestrian statue in bronze representing Ramon Berenguer III.

GAUDÍ

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was born i Reus in 1852. He studied architecture in Barcelona Provincial School of Architecture. Before finishing his studies he collaborated with Josep Fontser, architect, in the Citadella Park project. In 1878 he won a contest to carry out a street lights project for Barcelona’s Plaza Real. Those street ligths still exist. Between 1883 and 1926 Gaud’ left in Barcelona a sample of ten different and varied works.

Casa Vicens (1883-1888)
Carolines, 18-24
With a clear oriental influence, the most remarkable characteristic is the of colors in the facade tyles.

Pabellones de la Finca Güell (1886-1889)
Av. de Pedralbes, 7
Two pavilions with big fence which was the entrance to the old leisure time house property of Eusebio Güells family. Eusebio Güell was Gaudi’s proctetor.

Palau Güell
Nou de la Rambla, 3
Visiting hours: Monday-Sunday: 10-13.30h & 16-19.30h.
Count Güells residence in Barcelona. The interior of the palace is remarkably rich in details.

Col.legi de les Teresianes (1888-1890)
Ganduxer, 95-105
Tel. 93-212 33 54 Visiting hours: Saturday 11-13 h. (except. summer)
Building designed to be used as an educational centre.

Casa Calvet
Casp, 48
St. Althougt at first sight house does not seem one of Gaudi’s works, a visit to the entrance hall offers un common details.

Park Güell (1900-1904)
Olot, s/n.
Tel. 93-213 04 88
Visiting hours: November to Frebuary: 10 am. – 6 pm.
March and October: 10 am.- 7 pm.
April and September: 10 am. – 8 pm.
May to August : 10 am. – 9 pm.
This is Gaudi’s largest work in Barcelona. It is an area which main aim was to become a british style ‘garden-city’.

Casa Batlló
P. de Gràcia, 43 Tel. 93 216 03 06 Timetable: Mo-Sa: 9-14h. Su: 9-20h. Christmases, Easter and Summer: Mo-Su: 9-20h. See Museums.
With a tyled roof and mosaic façade. Gaudí undertook the total remodelling of this existing building. The result was an outside façade representing a party comparable to Carnival. The house is designed with shapes inspired from natural elements.
Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia (1883-1926)
Sagrada Familia Square
Tel. 93-455 02 47 Visiting hours: September – March: 9 am. and 7 pm. April – August: 9 am and 8 pm. In 1883 Gaudi accepted the asignment to continue building temple.

Casa Milà o ‘La Pedrera’
Espai Gaudí
Corner between Paseo de Gracia and Provenza.
Visiting hours: Monday-Sunday: 10-20h.
Informaciton: Tel. 93-484 59 95.
Metro: Linea 3 (Diagonal).
Bus: 7,16,17,18, 22, 24, 28
Considered to be the most representative work of Modernism, it has a breathtaking wavy fazade of stone and iron balconies.

Barcelona has long beaches of white sand. The sea temperature in summer is over 200C and beaches are usually full, specially on weekends.

How to get to?

Platja de Sant Sebastià
Located in la Barceloneta, the fishing district.
Bus: 39,17, 64, 45, 57, 59, 157

Platja de la Barceloneta
Beside the Sant Sebastià beach
Bus: 45, 57, 59, 157

Platja de la Mar Bella
Metro L4 “Selva de Mar”

Platja de la Nova Icària
Bus: 36 M L4 “Ciutadella Vil·la Olímpica”

Platja de la Nova Mar Bella
Metro L4 “Selva de Mar”

Platja naturista de la Mar Bella (nudist)
Metro L4 “Selva de Mar”

The popular festivities of La Merce, the patron saint of Barcelona, take place on and around September 24th when there are typical dances such as “sardanas”, parades through the streets, important sporting events (e.g. sailing, regattas, judo, swimming, walking races), religious celebrations, etc. At the same time of the year there are also several exhibitions held including some of fashion, gastronomy and wine. In October a Second-Hand Book Fair is held in the Passeig de Gracia and there is also a Musical Festival, the Autumn Fair in El Tinell and several other fairs at the Trade Exhibition. In November there is All Hallows Day on the 1st and All Souls Day on the 2nd, and this is the time when typical cakes, known locally as “panellets” are eaten. Around Santa Llucias Days (December 13th) the typical crib fair begins in the vicinity of the Cathedral, and this goes on right up until Christmas. It is also the start of the opera season at El Liceu and the time for concerts at the Palace of Music (Palau de la Musica). These events continue for several months.

Christmas is traditionally celebrated at home with the family and with the newly-revived custom of “fer cagar el tio” (this consists of putting an object similar to a tree trunk into the fire from which presents then come out). Christmas dinner takes the form of “escudella” and turkey, “torrons” (a kind of nougat). New year is celebrated in bars, restaurants, and in the street where people wear fancy dress just like in the carnivals. As the clock strikes twelve they eat the twelve grapes in time with each chime.

In January the main celebration is the arrival of the “Three Kings from the Orient” on the 5th when there is a cavalcade, and the 6th when both children and adults receive toys and gifts. The Carnivals, held in February, are becoming more and more popular again after they were forbidden during the dictatorship, and St. Valentines Day (February 14th) is also increasing in its popularity. On March 3rd the popular festivity of Sant Medir is held in Grácia and there is a cavalcade and singing choirs. Holy Week begins with the palm fair which is held on Palm Sunday. It continues with the typical religious festivities and ends on Easter Monday which is pagan in origin.

The most spectacular festivities are held on April 23rd. These are the celebrations in honour of Sant Jordi (St. George), the patron saint of Catalonia. It also coincides with the rose and book festivals. In may a flower show is held, and on the 11th there is the typical festival of Sant Ponç held in El Hospital street by the city’s herbalists. A book Fair is held in the Passeig de Gracia in June and during the same month there is a Trade Exhibition in Montjuic, the Corpus Christi celebrations with the typical processions of “giants” and “cabezudos”, and the “l´Ou com Balla” (the dancing egg) which takes place in the fountain in the Cathedral cloister. The most important celebration during the month of June is undoubtedly the Eve of Sant Joan (St. John). This is celebrated both in private houses and in public places, and there is dancing and the typical “coca”, as well as bonfires in some streets and squares, and fireworks. The Eve of Sant Pere (St. Peter), on June 28th, brings with it the festivities associated with the summer solstice.

From the end of June onwards, the Festival of “el Grec” begins. This consists of a series of theatrical performances as well as dancing, concerts, and other cultural events. These take place either at the Greek Theatre in Montjuic, in the open air, or in certain other places in the city. There are also many sports tournaments and competitions as well as several trade fairs at the Exhibition Centre. July 24th marks the Feast of Sant Jaume (St. James) and is celebrated in much the same way as the Eves of St. Joan and Sant Pere. Around the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th), there are popular festivities held in the district of Gracia.

The last great summer celebration is that of the “Onze de Setembre” (September 11th). This is a national holiday in Catalonia and they hold various official and political ceremonies. However, there are many more celebrations held throughout the year in the city itself and in its different districts. These range from religious ceremonies to special lunches and dinners, processions and performances. The fact that there are so many traditional festivities held has led many people to say that Barcelona is one of the most traditionalist cities in Europe when it comes to celebrations.

When: 23 Jun 2010 (annual)
Where: Barcelona

Every year St John’s Day (Sant Joan) is celebrated throughout Spain with an explosion of bonfires and fireworks and a colourful array of concerts and dances. Catalonians celebrate in their idiosyncratic way and Barcelona is one of the most spectacular places to join in the fun.
The fiesta takes place the night before Saint John’s Day, and during the short nights of the summer solstice. It is a long-standing tradition that combines fun with aspects of Catalonian identity. Old furniture is bundled onto bonfires in the villages and towns throughout the region, the fire acting as a purifier and curative element. At first, this was a rite celebrated in the main village square that brought everyone together round the fire. Nowadays fireworks are also an integral part.

For the past 50 years or so in Catalonia, the flama del Canigó (Canigó flame – an emblematic mountain in the Pyrenees) has been part of the celebration. From the top of this mountain, the flames spread throughout the region as fires are lit in each community. The flame has contributed to a new vision of the celebration and signifies Catalan unity and identity.

The most enjoyable part of the Noche de Sant Joan are the verbenas (open-air celebrations) that last from sunset on 23 June to sunrise on 24 June. As well as in each village, there are various places in Barcelona where they take place. The main ones are in Eixample, Ciutat Velha, Sants-Montjuic, Les Corts, Sarná Gervasi, Horta Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sant Andrea and Sant Martí. Alongside the bonfire and fireworks there are stages, concerts, dances and, of course, the eating of the traditional sweet cocas.

More information click the link below
http://www.bcn.cat/santjoan/en/welcome.html

Barcelona is a great city that combines the old and the new. There are very much old buildings and very much modern ones.

Barcelona prides itself on its multiculturalism, ‘traditional’ culture is relegated to the provinces, gastronomy & relax ways of life.
In the past years has also become a cyclist-friendly city and bycicles are available to hire all directly from streets of the city center.

Alternatively, you can visits the world-famous museums and historical gothics sights in this one of the most romantics & beautiful cities in Europe.

Travelling by Air

Making your own flight arrangements can save you money and give you more flexibility in choice of airlines and flight times. Besides Barcelona (Prat) airport, airlines also fly to Reus and Girona, both between one or two hours drive from Barcelona. Hotel transfers from airports other than Barcelona involve a small surcharge that is included in the quote. Airport locations are shown by clicking here.

The low-cost airlines are:

Ryan Air provide low cost flights from London Stansted, Birmingham or Bournemouth airports to Girona for as little as £40 return. There are also flights from London Stansted or Luton to Reus. Bookings can be made online six months in advance for up to 50 passengers, but full payment must be made at the time of booking. The onward journey to Barcelona from both Girona and Reus is approximately 1 hour by coach. An additional €400 should be allowed to cover the extra airport-hotel transfer costs.
In February 2007 routes start from Bristol and Durham to Girona. In March 2007, flights start from Newcastle to Girona. The company has just announced that it wants to set up a new hub in Reus, which will mean new routes and at least double the number of flights from the airport, which serves the Costa Daurada resorts and is eight miles from Tarragona.

EasyJet  flies to Barcelona from Liverpool, Luton, Stansted, Bristol, East Midlands, Newcastle, Gatwick, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The fares are from £50. A maximum of eight tickets may be purchased at a single booking online. Therefore if there are more than eight people travelling, you will need to make multiple bookings. If you require assistance, ring the easyJet reservation centre on +44 (0) 870 6 000 000. Please note however, that their agents are unable to make the bookings over the phone if the date of travel is more than one month in advance.

BMI Baby (0870 264 2229) flies direct from Manchester and East Midlands airports to Barcelona, with fares from £50. Bmi baby starts a new route from Birmingham to Barcelona on March 24 2007.

British Midland (0870 6070555) flies to Barcelona from East Midlands, Manchester and London.

British Airways (0845 7733377) flies from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Glasgow to Barcelona and Girona with prices that are now competitive with the low-cost airlines (February 2003). (groups): tel. 0870 5332266

Iberia (0845 6012854) has flights direct to Barcelona from Newcastle, Birmingham, Heathrow and Manchester from £118.50. Iberia also fly from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. They are particularly good in dealing with group bookings.

Monarch has flights direct to Barcelona from Manchester from £28. Group booking enquiries email reservationsgroups@monarch-airlines.com (10+ passengers). Telephone group bookings of 15+ passengers +44 (0) 8700 133 123

MyTravelLite.com has direct flights to Barcelona from Birmingham. Online bookings can be made for up to 25 passengers at a time. Group booking enquiries for 26 passengers or more can be made by clicking here. UK telephone 08701 564 564
Travelling by Sea

Brittany Ferries (08705 360360; www.brittanyferries.com) sails from Plymouth to Santander twice a week.

Acciona (08717 206445; www.atferries.com) sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao from June 28 to September 23. Further information from the Spanish Tourist Office (020 7486 8077; www.spain/info).

Getting around Barcelona and discovering all its charms is easy because its metro and bus network serves nearly the whole city. You will easily get your bearings, as Barcelona is bounded by the sea and the mountains. The city’s Eixample district is also easy to find your way around.
The ring-roads, known as the Rondes, make it quicker and easier to enter and leave Barcelona.
They are served by the two main arteries which run through the city: the Av. Diagonal and Gran Via.

Underground:
Barcelona currently covering all the city of Barcelona passing through 111 stations. It also has a tram service & a city railway network, run by the autonomous government, the Generalitat de Catalunya, supplementing the metro network.

Timetable:
Working days (Monday to Thursday), Sundays and holidays: 5 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Fridays and day prior to festive days: 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturdays and day prior to 1/1, 24/6, 15/8 and 24/9: non-stop service
December 24th: Closing at 11 p.m.

Buses:
A fleet of 873 buses connects all the city’s districts

Timetable:
Daytime: General timetable from 4.30a.m. to 10.00p.m. Fare:1.35€
Night-time: covering the main routes. From 11.00 p.m. until 4.00 a.m.
Information: 010 and (0034) 93 3187074

Fares:
Multi-trip passes: Apart from the 10-trip tickets for the Bus, Underground or FGC (T-1 and T-2), which can be purchased at the underground ticket offices, news-stands, tobacconists and branches of “Caixa de Catalunya” and “la Caixa”, there are T-DIA passes which are the ideal way to tour the city since they offer 1, 3 or 5 days of unlimited travelling.
T-dia 1: from 5.80€. TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) underground, FGC and Bus. Available at the underground ticket offices.
T- dia 3: 15.20€.
T-dia 5: 23.10€.

Taxis:
Barcelona has a fleet of over 11,000 taxis which can be easily identified by their yellow and black livery. A green light on top of the taxi indicates its availability. You can take a taxi from any of city’s numerous ranks and if you want to hail one in the street, just put out your hand when you see one approaching. There are a number of telephone taxi services. Many taxis accept payment by credit card. Tip around 5-10% if you wish.

Barcelona Radio Taxis – Tel: (0034) 93 303 3033
Barcelona Taxi Firms That Also Have Handicapped adapted Taxis
Tel: (0034) 93 322 2222
Tel: (0034) 93 307 0707
Tel: (0034) 93 420 8088