September 15th, 2011

Barcelona is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts and international trade. Barcelona is a most important economic centre with one of Europe’s principal Mediterranean ports, and Barcelona International Airport is the second largest in Spain after the Madrid-Barajas Airport (handles about 30 million passengers per year). These airports accepts visitors coming from all around the world, and most of them are saving money with cheap tickets from companies like Direct Air. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the head of the Counts of Barcelona. Later than merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, it became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon. Besieged numerous times during its history, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination and has a rich cultural heritage. Principally renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domenech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is healthy known in recent times for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean are situated in Barcelona.

Barcelona includes 68 municipal parks, divided into 12 historic parks, 5 thematic (botanical) parks, 45 urban parks and 6 forest parks. They vary from vest-pocket parks to large recreation areas. The urban parks only cover 10% of the city (549.7ha/1,358.3acres). The total park plane grows about 10 ha (25 acres) per year, with a proportion of 18.1 square meters (195 sq ft) of park area per inhabitant.

Of Barcelona’s parks, Montjuic is the largest, with 203 ha located on the mountain of the same name. It is next by Ciutadella Park (situated in the place of the old military citadel and which houses the Parliament building, the zoo and several museums; 31 ha/76.6acres including the zoo), the Guajardo Park (19 ha/47.0acres). Barcelona has 7 beaches, totaling 4.5km (2.8mi) of coastline. Sant Sebastian and Barceloneta beaches, both 1,100 m (3,610 ft) in length, are the largest, oldest and the most frequented beaches in Barcelona. The Olympic port separates them from the further city beaches: Nova Icaria, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Llevant. These beaches (ranging from 400 to 640 m/1,300 to 2,100 ft) are opened as a result of the city restructuring to host the 1992 Summer Olympics, when a great number of industrial buildings were demolished. At present, the beach sand is replenished from quarries known that storms regularly remove large quantities of material. The 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures left the city a big concrete bathing zone on the east most part of the city’s coastline.

The Hotel Arts is a 39-story, 600 room comfort hotel on the seafront of Barcelona, in Spain. Opposing to popular belief, it was not built to service the 1992 Summer Olympics, though its construction was part of the big changes underwent by the city to prepare the Games. It remains one of the city’s most important hotels. This hotel is operated by the Ritz-Carlton hotel chain. Building was finished in 1994 and it is an example of High-tech architecture. The hotel was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and is 154 meters tall. The hotel underwent a whole renovation in 2006, installing new technology and upgrading the rooms and bathrooms into modern, luxurious spaces.

September 7th, 2011

Compact Barcelona is an intense, fiery star lapped by the Mediterranean, a magnet to everyone from art-loving beach bums to business execs with a weakness for sunny downtime. It’s a city in motion, constantly reinventing itself. Here, past merges with future in a fizzy present. You can see it in the city’s beautifully preserved Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), in the architectural confections of Gaudi and his Modernista pals, and in recent contender Jean Nouvel’s shimmering Torre Agbar.

The heady mix of Gothic monuments and contemporary skyscrapers is accompanied by a crowd of world-class museums that take you from the wonders of giant Romanesque frescoes to the playfulness of Joan Miro, from pre-Columbian South American gold to early Picasso.

Hotel Europark Barcelona is centrally located and magnificently surrounded by some of Barcelona’s most emblematic attractions, such as The Paseo de Gracia, Avenida Diagonal, Gran Via and Plaza Catalunya. The well communicated Hotel Europark has many options of public transport to explore the city (3 metro lines, trains, buses, and the Aerobus making daily runs to the airport)

The new Hotel Europark Barcelona now offers 105 rooms that feature modem/data port Internet connection and a mini-bar, including 2 Penthouse rooms and 4 Top Euro Class rooms, with unbeatable views of the city. This non-smoking hotel also features new and elite guest services: the pool and solarium, located on the roof terrace, a meeting room with seating capacity for up to 40 people, and free broadband wireless internet access throughout the entire hotel. The elegant bar and breakfast room are situated on the bright and spacious mezzanine.

Hotel Europark Barcelona is a great starting point for exploring Barcelona’s unique Ruta Modernista, bringing you to celebrated buildings like the Casa Batllo, la Pedrera and the Sagrada Familia, as well as other cultural landmarks, among them, the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, the Auditori de Barcelona, and the famous flea market, Els Encants, where you’ll find all sorts of special antiques.

This impressive 4-star hotel can be established in a privileged spot on the famous “Avenida Diagonal” in Barcelona. It offers contemporary accommodation jointly with excellent facilities and 4-star service.

Princess Hotel Barcelona is located at number 1 Avenida Diagonal and just 50 m from the beach, this elegant and avant-garde edifice stands out as one of the most characteristic buildings in Barcelona. It contributes to the great structural design of this city. The stylish and modern design of the Princess Hotel Barcelona is reflected with the latest expertise and up to date facilities and services. Our two wonderful swimming pools stand out amongst our facilities. One of them is located on the 3rd floor where you are able to relax in our Gym Bar savoring an aperitif or alternatively you may choose to enjoy the spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea at the swimming pool located on the 23rd floor. To finish off the day, what could be better than visiting the Spa where you will surely get pleasure from our sauna, Jacuzzi and massage service.

August 20th, 2011

Spain is a very beautiful country situated in the Mediterranean region of Europe. It is one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations and draws vacationers from different parts [...] Continue Reading…