Port Aventura Theme Park

It’s Sunday morning, 8 o’clock, and the alarm goes off: today the kids are coming back!

We have a look at the times, our destination being Port Aventura , Barcelona’s theme park and comparable to Thorpe Park or Chessington World of Adventures in Britain.

Port Aventura Theme Park

At the entrance (which also acts as an access point for the adjacent water park, the “Caribe Acquatic Park”) there is quite a significant queue. However, after about half an hour we manage even to overcome this particular obstacle and finally we reach the entrance.

Port Aventura Theme Park

Upon entering, the sight that greets our eyes is a vision straight from a fairy-tale: a huge river, bordered by rocks and thick, luxuriant vegetation which frames the whole Park, which then evolves into different themes the further you delve in to the park. There are Mediterranean, Polynesian, Chinese, SesamoAventura and Mexican themes all the way to the Wild West.

Port Aventura Theme Park

We decide to go straight in to the first ride: ‘Furious Baco’, a capsule which promises to simulate acceleration equivalent to that of a jet taking off. However, thanks to the information panels, placed at the entrance to each ride letting you know the waiting times, we realise that we would have to wait approximately one hour and 30 minutes, which causes us instead to head over to the following attraction, ‘Gran Canyon Rapids’. As you can easily guess from the name, this ride is an adventure through water rapids imitating those of the Grand Canyon, considered as ‘moderate’ on the signs next to each of the rides. We wait roughly 30 minutes, get on board and enjoy the ride. We were refreshed by the sprays of water which are sprayed from the obstacles throughout the duration of the ride.

Port Aventura Theme Park

Getting off the ride, we see an extremely tall tower, which is the symbol of ‘Hurakan Condor’. This time, the queue is practically non-existent, so we get straight on board and are lifted upwards to the top of the tower, to an altitude of 100 metres, hearts suddenly beating fast, and then…down! In 2 seconds flat we are already back to the ground. We make our way around the park and end up trying loads of the other rides, some of them really fun, others less so, but all of them giving the impression that, at least for the day, we had once again become kids.

Port Aventura Theme Park

The park is really crowded…everybody from families with kids; groups of elderly people, to groups of children all of which are in a general spirit of happiness. At times, the queues are rather long, but if you arm yourself with a good dose of patience (as well as the right kind of company), time flies by quickly, with comments exchanged between those in front of and behind you and by the time you get on the ride, they will have become your best friends!

Port Aventura Theme Park

The lunch break is a needed rest from the frenetic adventure, and this you can spend in one of the very numerous themed bars which are located inside the park, or in the shade of the palm trees which line the bank of the river.

Port Aventura Theme Park

It’s 6.30 p.m and we are tired, hungry but also very satisfied, and well in advance of the park’s closing time (from the 25th of May to the 26th of September the park closes at 8 p.m.). 

Dress for Less! – Low budget shopping in Barcelona

Of course, when you come to Barcelona, you will spend the first days with visiting museums, sightseeing and hanging out at the beach or in a nice tapas bar. However, let’s face it. 

Every woman knows that desire that starts to take control of your body and mind at the latest on the 4th day of your stay in any foreign city: This irrepressible need to go shopping!

(Unfortunately), not all of us have an infinite budget or a limitless credit card, so we thought we could provide our readers with some information about how to save money whilst leaving Barcelona with a new wardrobe!

Check out the numerous outlets!

Many Spanish brands have outlet stores in Barcelona. You will find the most famous brands, selling their stuff for less than 50% of the original price!

Some addresses you should definitely check out are the following:

Mango

One of the most popular Spanish brands worldwide! Check out on of their three outlets

Cc. Heron City, Avinguda Rio de Janeiro

Carrer Girona, 37, Barcelona

Carrer de Viladomat, 169, Barcelona

Lefties

Lefties (as they sell Leftovers) is an outlet of the “Inditex” group, including famous brands like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka and many others. However, when you walk into the store you’d probably think this is a shop on its own. You can find several boutiques in the city.

Cc. Heron City, Avinguda Rio de Janeiro

Carrer Pelayo 2-4

Cc.. Maremangum

El Corte Inglés

The famous department store is the Spanish counterpart to the French Galeries Lafayettes or Printemps. They actually have an outlet store close to the beach in Poblenou.

Rambla del Poblenou, 124

Other outlets

You will actually find some more outlet stores in the Heron shopping center, just check out the website. If you are looking for an exclusive outlet, you should definitely plan half a day to spend in Roca Village. 

Barcelona’s fire festival – get ready for Sant Joan 2015

They say the best things in life are free – and this fiesta is definitely one of them. Lighting up the whole of Barcelona on June 23-24 is the festival of Sant Joan (Saint John), which marks the official start of summer in fiery fashion. People all over the city head outside to dance demonically around bonfires and party on the beach, celebrating the summer solstice in style.

The night of fire

Sant Joan starts with a bang on the evening of June 23 and in true Spanish style it kicks off late – usually just as the sun is setting. The partying goes on until sunrise and thankfully there is a public holiday the day after. It’s one of the biggest and most exciting parties that the city hosts and the electric atmosphere draws almost everyone out onto the streets. Some of the celebrations aren’t for the faint-hearted, though, and some people prefer to watch them from a terrace with friends and family. If that all sounds a bit tame and you’re after something more memorable, get yourself out there!

Barcelona’s fire festival – get ready for Sant Joan 2015

Where does it all take place?

Everywhere! Taking advantage of the blissful summer night temperatures, lots of bars and clubs hold Sant Joan parties while each district of the city organises outdoor parties and events from dusk till dawn. Just to heat things up even more, there are fiery shenanigans with bonfires, fireworks and firecrackers all going off throughout the city.

If you’re looking for a really spectacular scene, head to the beach. Barcelona is renowned for its beach parties, but the ones held on Sant Joan trump them all. Extra bar space is set up to cater for the hordes of people who head there, chiringuitos turn up the music and DJs and bands often put in an appearance. Many revellers hit the sands early with a picnic and some cava to get in the spirit, or else dine out at a restaurant.

Although this day is commemorated all over Europe, each region has distinct traditions and ways to celebrate – and as you can see, Barcelona doesn’t do it half-heartedly. It really is an event not to be missed (which will be almost impossible anyway as the fiestas fill the squares and streets of the city).

Barcelona’s fire festival – get ready for Sant Joan 2015

The beaches are the place to be for the festivities and the metro will be busy all night. Make sure you can get home easily by booking an apartment next to the beach for Sant Joan. Then you can look forward to spend the day after relaxing on the sand, nursing the effects from the night before.

The day after Sant Joan

Unsurprisingly on June 24 the city is pretty quiet in the aftermath of the previous night. As it’s a public holiday, most bars, shops and restaurants are closed so there’s little reason for people to leave their house. Glad of the excuse, they take advantage of this day to catch up on their sleep, relax and recuperate.

You will often see the festival of Sant Joan being referred to as the feast of Sant Joan. The traditional food eaten on this day is the coca, which is a type of sweet bread that’s usually oblong in shape and flavoured with aniseed and cinnamon. It often contains pine nuts and for a decorative touch colourful candied fruits are placed on top. You’ll see them in lots of bakeries’ windows leading up to the day.

Barcelona’s fire festival – get ready for Sant Joan 2015

Sant Joan Traditions

Although the festivities might look like just a bit of fun (or perhaps too much fun sometimes), there is a lot of significance behind the events that take place on the day of Sant Joan.

Fire (‘He who lights the fire for Sant Joan will not burn all year round’) – this is the most important symbol of Sant Joan representing purity. Burning something on the Sant Joan fire is said to cleanse your soul from past sins. At midnight you will see many people start to throw old belongings into the flames (particularly furniture).

Water (‘Bathe on Sant Joan and you’ll be healthy all year round’) – the water of Sant Joan is reputed to have healing properties, capable of curing the body of all ills. Many people take this literally and take a midnight dip in the ocean.

Herbs (‘the herbs of Sant Joan retain their virtues all year round’) – people often collect herbs to eat on the day of Sant Joan. Legend has it that their healing powers are enhanced one hundred times during these 24 hours.

Barcelona’s fire festival – get ready for Sant Joan 2015

Practicalities

Barcelona metro and trams are open all night on June 23 (they will be crowded!).

Taxis charge a supplement of about five euros between midnight and 06.00 and bear in mind that it will be hard to find one.

Be careful with your belongings and don’t take valuables out with you – it’s the ideal night for pickpockets.

If you plan to go out for dinner on June 23 make sure you book ahead – many people will be planning on doing the same. If you are going to the beach get there early for a good spot.

Don’t worry about finding out particular times for particular events – just head outside after nightfall and you won’t have to look far for the action.

If you don’t like loud noises, lots of people and hangovers, this is not the festival for you.

If you do like an electric atmosphere and crazy but unforgettable parties, dive right in.

Exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Some history: presenting Casa Batlló

Gaudí’s elaborately adorned and organically sculpted façade – now a symbol of Barcelona the world over – was built between 1904 and 1906 on top of an old country house on what was once the outskirts of the city.

Gaudí replaced the building’s original façade with a striking and colourful collage of stone, glass, and ceramic tiles that sparkle in the sun and subtly shimmer by streetlight. Even in the company of Modernista masterpieces like Domènech i Montaner’s Casa Lleó Morera and Puig i Cadafalch’s Casa Amatller, Casa Battló stands apart. This could be because unlike some of Gaudí’s other clients, Josep Batlló allowed Gaudí complete artistic freedom in the construction of Casa Batlló. The façade alone is proof positive that an artist’s imagination left to its own devices will produce the greatest art.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

The tour: wandering underwater realms

Open to the public since 2002 (the year of Gaudí), the tour of Casa Batlló includes the Noble Floor, the Loft, the building well, the entrance hall, and the rooftop.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

An unusual residence

On the way to Noble Floor, the former residence of the Batlló family, admire skylights shaped like tortoises’ shells and a curving banister carved from hardwood, resembling the spine of some massive beast. At the top of the stairs, get a glimpse of the blue-tiled building well. Enlarged and re-imagined by Gaudí, the building well features sea-coloured tiles that fade lighter towards the bottom and windows that shrink as they go up, creating the illusion of evenly distributed light.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

In the main living area, peer out wooden-framed windows that showcase views of busy Passeig de Gràcia. The windows are unique in that they have no doorjambs and can be flung open for a continuous panoramic view of the street below (by your tour guide). Snap shots of carved pillars shaped like human tibia bones, embellished with stylised floral designs and massive wooden doors set with stained glass. Gaze up at a plaster ceiling that swirls and waves into a whirlpool. Before you leave, spend a few moments fantasising about a cosy winter afternoon watching flames flicker and dance, while slouching comfortably on a bench beside the floor’s mushroom-shaped fireplace.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Located directly above the Noble Floor, the loft is a utilitarian space once used by tenants for laundry and storage, characterised by stark white walls and simple curving shapes. Here, more than on the Noble Floor, you see the ‘bones’ or underlying structure of Gaudí’s genius, without the distractions of colour and texture present in other parts of Casa Batlló. Walking among its series of 60 arches, it’s easy to imagine you’ve been swallowed alive and find yourself inside the spotless ribcage of some ravenous animal.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Up the spiral staircase, explore Casa Batlló’s unique rooftop terrace, dominated by the overarching shape of the front façade’s dragon-inspired roofline with its large, iridescent tiles, so often compared to scales. Examine chimney stacks covered in elaborate mosaic work. Take in sweeping views of Barcelona from above. Breathe deep, and remember why you came. Casa Batlló is only the beginning. Gaudí’s city awaits.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Getting there

By bus:

TMB bus 7, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 28, 43, 44, 63, 67, 68

Barcelona Tourist Bus North and South routes Casa Batlló-Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Metro: 

L2, L3, L4  Passeig de Gràcia stop

Train:

RENFE: Passeig de Gràcia station

FGC: Provença station