July 2012 Nยบ 186 Free
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Contents
July
Features 14 20 24
Video games localised in Catalan Gym alternatives The role of women in Catalunya
Regulars 06 07 08 11 13 19 22 28 58
On our web An inside look What’s new Fact-checker: Festival Grec Fashion: Summer style Interview: Konstantinos Panourgias Photo collage: Family
24. CATALAN WOMEN
28. MAKING PLANS
Ideas: Culture, Gastronomy, Escape the city... Back page
Directories 40 45 56
Food & Drink Business Jobs
From the Senior Editor: In this month’s issue, our feature articles cover both the body and the mind. To start with the latter, we explore two very different aspects of Catalan culture. Kate Busby tells us about changes within the video gaming industry that mean the ‘minority’ Catalan language is becoming more mainstream; and Kira Jones investigates why there are so few famous Catalan women (apart from Montserrat Caballé). If you’re looking to get into shape, but don’t fancy doing it in a typical gym environment, Max Bentley tried out two beach-based exercise options and gives us his feedback on getting fit while also getting sand between your toes. In our other sections, Tara Stevens tastes ‘gastrotapas’ and recommends three rooftops for wining and dining, Samantha Alzuria gives us some pointers about visiting the Balearics and Juliana Tamayo took to the streets to see what summer fashions she could find. Hannah Pennell
34. ESCAPE THE CITY
Publisher Creative Media Group, S.L. Managing Director Esther Jones Senior Editor Hannah Pennell Art Director Aisling Callinan Account Executive Richard Cardwell Financial Manager Andrea Moreno Editorial Assistants Samantha Alzuria and Juliana Tamayo Sales Assistants George Hawken and Tashoma Lemard Sales Administrator Clara Davies Design Assistant Jenneth Alorro Contributors Jonathan Bennett, Max Bentley, Kate Busby, Roger de Flower, Kira Jones, Nicola Reid, Tara Stevens and Andreas Vou Photographers Tashoma Lemard, Richard Owens and Lee Woolcock Cover photo Tim McMahon Illustrators Alexander and Ben Rowdon Editorial Office: Ciutat 7 2º 2ª-4ª, 08002 Barcelona. Tel. 93 451 4486, Fax. 93 451 6537; editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com Advertising: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com. General enquiries: info@barcelona-metropolitan.com. www.barcelona-metropolitan.com Printer: Litografia Rosés. Depósito Legal: B35159-96 The views expressed in Barcelona Metropolitan are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction, or use, of advertising or editorial content herein, without express permission, is prohibited.
Find your nearest distribution point on www.barcelona-metropolitan.com
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R E N TA L S
Charming 170m2 apartment – Sant Gervasi
Stylish 400m2 detached house – Valldoreix
Family apartment of 200m2 - Pedralbes
Spacious and bright apartment comprising living/ dining, kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Tastefully furnished. Two parking spaces. Price: €2.200 Ref. l0415
Brand new two-storey house with five bedrooms. 1,600m2 garden with swimming-pool, terraces. Parking. Top quality finishes. Furnished. Price on application Ref. L0397
In perfect condition, living-dining room with terrace, fully equipped kitchen, three double bedrooms. Communal area. Unfurnished. Parking. Price: €3.400 Ref. L0414ba
220m2 apartment with beautiful views - Sarrià
70m2 sunny and quiet apartment - Eixample
140m2 apartment in good condition - Pedralbes
Fifth floor apartment with lots of light and wonderful views over the Santa Amelia park, terrace, three bedrooms. Unfurnished. Two parking spaces. Price: €2.900 Ref. L0374ba
Living/dining room with access to terrace of approx 15m2, semi open-plan kitchen, and two bedrooms sharing a bathroom. Fully furnished. Price: €1.200 Ref. L0410ba
First floor apartment, living/dining room with terrace access, three bedrooms. Excellent communal area. Unfurnished. Parking. Price: €2.550 Ref. L0388ba
SEASONAL RENTALS COSTA BRAVA
TEL. 97 230 7827
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Minimalist house of 260m with plot of 1,300m , two bedrooms, two bathrooms, solarium, pool, garage. Capacity up to five people. Weekly Price: €2.350/August Ref. L0043cb. 2
2
Comfortable house of 650m2, plot of 2,100m2, infinity pool, private garden, four bedrooms and three bathrooms + guest house with two bedrooms. A/C. Garage for 4 cars. Capacity up to 12 people. Weekly Price: €5.870/August Ref. L0065cb
SANT ANTONI DE CALONGE Only 300m2 away from the beach House of 550m2 with large garden, plot of 3,900m2. Pool, sauna, six bedrooms, five bathrooms. Parking. Weekly Price: €3.780/July Ref. L0040cb.
Please call for further properties 93 241 30 82
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06 INTERNET
on our web www.barcelona-metropolitan.com
WIN A PAIR OF ESPADRILLES! The lovely people at Eighty 2: Ibiza have given us two pairs of stylish summer shoes to give away (one men’s pair and one women’s, pictured) to a couple of our lucky readers. While the traditional espadrille originated somewhere in the north of Spain (conflicting opinions say it was either in the Basque country or the Pyrenees, although they don’t seem that practical for life on a mountain-range), their popularity has spread around the world and they have become essential comfy footwear for many. Eighty 2: Ibiza have taken the classic design, and given it their own take with vintage looks and bold colours, but retained the hand-made production process and high quality. To find out more about the give-away, go to www.barcelonametropolitan.com/espadrilles
Your Summer Guide to Barcelona
Helping hand for visitors
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If you have relataives or friends taking advantage of your hospitality and coming to see you during the summer, why not encourage them to check out the latest version of our quarterly tourist guide? You can find it online now (in the Visiting section of our web) and it is also available in printed format in the city’s four- and five-star hotels. www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/visiting
SÓNAR SNAPS Now that the excitement of this year’s electronic music festival is over, re-live the highlights with our on-line photo diary from Tashoma Lemard. www.barcelonametropolitan.com/sonarimages
CORRECTION In our last issue, in the article ‘Change your ways’, we published an incorrect price for the lunchtime menu at the restaurant Africa Tamarane in Riereta 26. The menu actually costs €8.50 and not €9, as we stated. We regret the error and apologise to all concerned.
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COVER 07
An inside look Photographer Tim McMahon www.iworld-images.com I am Sydney born and bred and worked there in corporate IT (sales and projects), despite my background in creative fields—in the Nineties, I was a photographer and worked in many different professional labs across Sydney. In late 2010, after many years in the cut-throat world of corporate IT, I decided I needed a major change in my life, so I quit my job, sold my belongings, bought myself a backpack and headed for South America. I was lucky enough to spend 11 months travelling across most of the continent. I had only planned to spend 12 months travelling around the world, (it’s been 18 months so far), but I ended up living in Quito, Ecuador for four months before travelling through Central America and the US, then back to Asia, where I lived in Hanoi with family. While there, I still had a passion to travel, so I headed off again in early 2011 and spent a month in India, then another three months in Morocco, Scandinavia, the Baltics and now in Spain. Landing in Barcelona, the mission is to finish writing my book about life, death and travelling the world, as well as try to learn Spanish and enjoy the summer here before heading off again. Barcelona is an amazing mixture of people, cultures and environments, but being from Sydney, I love the beach so Barcelona has won me over. I never miss a walk down to Barceloneta beach to do some people watching; there’s always something new and different to see. I always avoid Plaça Catalunya; too many people, cars, buses and bikes—crazy! A view: The narrow back streets of El Born; around every corner, it’s so different and there’s always something new to see or find. A building: Anything by Gaudí; he had such a different way of looking at architecture and I really love the Casa Batlló with its large windows. An inspiration: Meeting local people from the different countries that I have visited and hearing their stories about life. A place to go with friends: Sitting near Barceloneta harbour having a beer and getting the afternoon sun. On my to-do list: Market of La Boqueria and eating at Cal Pep; a local told me it has amazing food and is cheap! About the cover: Inside the Church of Santa Maria del Mar in El Born, I was taken aback by Santa Teresa de los Andes’s calm face.
Interested in featuring your photographs or illustrations in our magazine? Email us at design@barcelona-metropolitan.com
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08 THE MONTH
July
WHAt’S NeW IN tOWN
BY NICOLA REID AND JULIANA TAMAYO
yOuNG ReADeRS Once upon a time, two foodie journalists decided to turn their lives around and follow their common dream to open a children’s bookshop. La Petita Llibreria de Poblenou is a cultural space and shop for children, dedicated to fairies, monsters, pirates, giraffes and talking dogs. Lively, creative and imaginative, the bookshop stocks a thousand tales and is also home to an eclectic mix of handmade and fair-trade toys, while a variety of educational and recreational activities take place there for its younger clients. Storytellers, puppet theatre, music, readings, book presentations and authors will enrich young children and inject new colour into their lives. Marià Aguiló 115. www.facebook.com/lapetitallibreria
Shop the healthy lifestyle If you’ve ever had a go at yoga, you’ll know it’s a lot harder than it looks. Whether you’re a pro or wannabe yogi, there are some accessories that can help you along your way. The new wellbeing and yoga shop YogaYe (previously an on-line enterprise that has now expanded into the real world) at Woki Organic in Gràcia sells high quality, non-slip yoga mats in different colours, belts, mat bags, bricks and towels. But the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle don’t stop at your yoga or pilates class. Amongst the other products you’ll find on the shelves of YogaYe are organic food supplements, wellness products, incense and a selection of teas. Astúries 22. www. yogaye.com
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THE MONTH 09
Scoop of the month Some people make do with the packaged ice lollies from supermarket fridges, others are happy with a classic but often bland-tasting Mr Whippy cone. Many, however, will agree with me in saying that every beach needs an artisan ice cream parlour. Good to know, then, that The Ice Box artisan ice cream shop has just opened in Barcelona. The bad news, if it can be called that, is having to decide amongst their delicious and refreshing flavours. Hazelnut, white chocolate and coconut, marshmallow (although it’s a very suspicious electric blue colour), cookies... I could go on and on! Corner of Pontevedra and Atlàntida, Barceloneta beach
Style up! This new hair salon/showroom has a cosy feeling to it that not many similar venues manage to offer. Owners Pierre and Nestor glow with expectancy for the future of their new business and so do we. As well as that feeling-at-home ambience, however, La Belle Poule (which was a fashionable French hairstyle in the 18th century) also has a notable Oriental atmosphere, which calls to mind a spa experience. So if you’re looking to glam up in relaxing and comfy surrounds, and chat with two friendly guys who could just become great friends, La Belle Poule is the place to go. Agullers 15. www.labellepoule.carbonmade.com
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Network of English Speaking Therapists www.barcelonaNEST.com
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Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist 934 670 650
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English, Spanish, Catalan, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, German, Greek, & Italian All NEST professionals are licensed/certified
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FACT-CHECKER 11
(ALMOST) ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: the Festival Grec FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS TO
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
The Master and Margarita, photo by Robbie Jack; photo of the Teatre Grec by Josep Aznar
• The Teatre Grec, from which the festival takes its name, was the sole venue during the festival in its humble beginnings 36 years ago. The Greek-style amphitheatre on the slopes of Montjuïc was built in 1929 for the Exposició Internacional, taking inspiration from the theatre in Epidaurus. • In 1976, a group of actors organised a festival at the Teatre Grec in the hope of revitalising the city’s drama scene. • The festival has since grown into a major event on the European performing arts calendar, spilling over into many venues across the city. Amongst other smaller theatres and cultural spaces throughout Barcelona, the most important venues include the Teatre Lliure, Mercat de les Flors, Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, L’Auditori and, of course, the Teatre Grec. • In an attempt to further internationalise the fast-growing event, collaborations with theatre companies from countries such as UK, Italy, Japan and France have put the Grec Festival on a global stage. • The festival features more than just drama these days. Music, dance and circus performances are also hosted, providing a stage for some of the world’s biggest names including in recent years Miles Davis, The Cranberries, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan and Santana, amongst many others.
1,894
the number of people the Teatre Grec (below) was built to hold in 1929.
110,320
the number of spectators who attended last year’s Festival Grec. Ticket sales, together with sponsorships and public grants, are the festival’s main sources of income.
WHAT’S ON THIS YEAR
- British singer-songwriter Katie Melua will be performing on July 25th at the Teatre Grec. Admission starts at €25. - At the Teatre Lliure, from July 25th to 28th, one of the last century’s greatest Russian novels, The Master and Margarita (pictured right) is turned into a dramatic, English-language play. Ticket prices start at €32. - On July 7th and 8th, Robyn Orlin presents Walking next to our shoes... intoxicated by strawberries and cream... we enter continents without knocking…, an English/Zulu production featuring dance, theatre and music.
“A GOOD PLACE FOR A GREEK THEATRE” was the phrase that began it all. In 1921, French architect Jean Claude-Nicolas Forastier went for a stroll near a quarry in Montjuïc and decided it was an ideal site for what is now one of Europe’s most important open-air theatres.
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GREC 2012 FACTS & FIGURES
• 2012 marks the 36th edition of the Grec festival, and it’s being directed for the first time by Ramon Simó. The festival runs from Saturday 30th June (public inauguration event) to Tuesday 31st July. • Ramon Simó is showing off this year’s performances to their fullest by introducing digital art and the latest technologies, many of which will be interactive. • There are 75 shows in a programme that includes a total of 300 performances, including various world premieres. For more information on dates, perfomances and ticket sales, go to the Grec’s official website: http://grec.bcn.cat
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STYLE 13
“Colourful and spontaneous” is her style. Matilde loves looking natural and never does anything to her hair. Her clothes are often from flea markets and second-hand shops, such as this summery dress that she bought at a mercadillo in Paris.
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Oscar looks for originality in his wardrobe and his leopard-print yellow trousers certainly reflect that! He likes to mix and match, depending on his mood, but he does pay attention to make sure it meshes well in the end. Oscar gets his clothes from all over and likes to tinker with them, as he did with this black t-shirt, which he cut to make more comfortable.
Katie Lhii, PORTUGAL
Martin Wennerstein, FRANCE Martin’s baby blue button-up shirt is borrowed, the shorts he bought at H&M and his cap was a gift from a friend. He mixes his style for special occasions, such as the Johnny Depp-themed wedding he has coming up.
The Portuguese native has a hippie-chic style, here on show with a relaxed white shirt and high-waisted shorts. Her necklace is a Moroccan hand for protection, a gift from her mum that she always wears. Katie bought her rings here and her sunglasses in Camden Market in London, which is where she lives.
Mia Tengco, philippines
Matilde Augureau, paris
Maria describes her style as “crazy and unique”. Here, she combines a high-waisted skirt and long socks with Converse tennis shoes and a funky t-shirt. She admits to thinking carefully about what she wears every day, but she likes to improvise, as she did with this look. Part of her style is to regularly change her hair colour, allowing her to vary her look without having to cut it.
Oscar Fadeli, SITGES
Maria Cancino, chile
fashion
Juliana Tamayo strolled down the streets of Barcelona looking for interesting, elegant and relaxed outfits for the summer season. Photos by Tashoma Lemard and Juliana Tamayo.
Mia thinks of herself as “simple but stylish”. She usually doesn’t think too much about her looks, but during her holiday in Barcelona, Mia admits to feeling compelled to do so; “everybody looks good here,” she says. Most of her clothes she gets at thrift stores, some from back home in the Philippines.
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14 VIDEO GAMES
The quiet
I
n January this year, Barcelona-based audiovisual company The Box put out an unusual call: 600 Catalan speakers were urgently needed to take part in a voice recognition project headed by American digital technology giant Nuance. Within hours, hundreds of people had responded. “It was spectacular,” recalls Daniel Mumbru, The Box assistant manager. “People were phoning us even from out of the country, saying that they were studying abroad or on a business trip but were perfectly prepared to fly back. We thought it would be tough to find so many participants at short notice, but on the first day alone we had 1,400 names, committed out of love for their language.” Catalan may be unknown to those who have never visited Catalunya, mysterious even to those who have, but it is a language that has been dearly and fiercely defended for centuries. Tales of repression by the likes of King Felipe V and General Franco, we’ve heard them all, but what is particularly rousing is that, despite such efforts, the language has had a unique habit of reviving within the bloom of culture. Even when officially outlawed in the 18th century, it remained and prospered as the language of litera-
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ture. It flourished during the 19th-century Catalan Renaixença (Renaissance) as a medium for art, theatre and scientific theory. And today, it is finding its way into digital technology and, in particular, into the world’s most lucrative, influential entertainment culture: video gaming. It is perhaps surprising that what was once considered a niche hobby has rapidly matured into worldwide mainstream entertainment. And yet, with massive advances in computer technology and the spike of internet usage over the past 30 years, it was perhaps only natural that video game technology would share in the prosperity, becoming more impressive by the game and increasingly accessible to a wider audience. In Catalunya alone, government statistics from 2010 show that an estimated 22.7 percent of the population play video games regularly, with the Catalan game industry’s annual turnover at around €11 million. But this Generalitat report was carried out before the Catalan game industry eclipsed its cinema counterpart in terms of sales, guaranteeing that the figures of video game consumption are now significantly higher. Consider this recent example: last October, one of the biggest private studios in Catalunya, Ubisoft Barcelona, made history by
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VIDEO GAMES 15
revolution
Recent trends in digital entertainment suggest Catalan is breaking into the mainstream. By Kate Busby.
Illustration by Alexander
translating bestseller console game The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn into Catalan. The decision to translate or ‘localise’ such a popular game into a minority language was the first of its kind: not only did it send ecstatic sparks flying in the Catalan media, it also showed a remarkable openness on the part of the project’s Japan-based developer Nintendo to the Catalan community’s linguistic sensibilities. Then, on the same day Tintin was launched, the video game journalists from newspaper Ara launched a campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #VolemVideojocsEnCatala (‘We Want Video Games in Catalan’). The tag was dutifully copied, pasted and re-posted by thousands of Tweeters supporting the rally and on October 20th, 2011—the day Muammar Gaddafi died—it was ranked number three globally on the list of most circulated Twitter conversations. The outcome of the campaign stunned even its instigators and proved an eye-opener for both Catalunya’s game industry and anyone else watching. Hot on the heels of this success came another significant revelation, that Catalan is the eighth most used language in the world on blogs, according to the recent survey InformeCAT 2012 by language association Plataforma per
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la Llengua. And yet, even in the face of this astonishing evidence, most studios in Catalunya are still stalling when it comes to localising video games in Catalan. Market forces naturally have a huge role to play, but at times, such an emphasis can lead to absurdities: for instance, the driving game Wheelman was set in a virtual version of Barcelona, whose local characters speak Mexican Spanish to appeal to the game’s principal market in the Americas; then there is Medes Island, an educational game referencing Catalan history, that was available to buy in Catalunya, but only available for use in English and Castilian. Mario Nakov, Barcelona product manager of California-based Digital Chocolate, explains: “The first difficulty of justifying a Catalan translation of a game is that everyone in Catalunya understands Spanish. The reality is that huge markets dictate the direction and emphasis of a game and, for the moment, Catalan is not considered a priority for translation.” Liam Patton, vicepresident of sales for Digital Legends Entertainment has a slightly different take on the issue: “In Spain, it would seem that our sales of video games for iPhone are mostly in Catalunya, but the viabil-
>>
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16 VIDEO GAMES
>>
ity of a Catalan localisation stops when most of our clients, who are based abroad, see it as an extra cost.” The words ‘extra cost’ are something of a death knell for projects developed during a financial crisis, particularly since, in the case of video game localisation, there is a need for not just translators, but a whole team of voice actors, graphic designers and programmers to make it happen. And yet, the translation of a game into a language that is not widely spoken invariably sparks a positive response in its targeted audience. When American studio Electronic Arts released the first Polish translation of football game FIFA, sales in Poland jumped by 500 percent. Why is this? “If it’s in their own language, players really feel the game is theirs,” explains Carme Mangiron, game localisation specialist from Barcelona’s Universitat Autònoma. “The point of translating a video game into another language is more than allowing the audience to understand what’s going on; it’s also about creating a highly accessible and immersive experience. In fact, translators are encouraged to change any words and phrases of the original to create the impression that the translated game has actually been made in that language to begin with.” The ownership that a localisation can offer clearly inspires customer loyalty, which gives studios reason to keep up the good work. But it still does not fully explain the importance of localising products in Catalan, when all Catalan gamers can in fact understand Castilian. “It’s for the simple reason that, as a consumer, I want the power to choose,” says journalist Gina Tost from Radio Catalunya’s video game show Generació Digital. “Catalunya is a bilingual culture. Both Spanish and Catalan are spoken actively in everyday life. So when I buy a video game, I want to be able to say, ‘I feel like playing it in Catalan today’ and not, as is the case a lot of the time, see that one of my mother tongues has been excluded or treated as less important.” And given that it has been almost 30 years since the standardisation of Catalunya’s education system in Catalan, increasing numbers of young people are likely to choose for their entertainment to be in the language with which they are most familiar, if the option is there. In spite of concerns that change might come slowly, there are already signs that Catalan speakers may be mere months away from having greater accessibility as video game consumers. Tintin
has proven something of an ice-breaker: Ubisoft are already working on another big game that will be localised in Catalan and released this autumn. Smaller Catalunya-based studios such as Karibu Games recognise the market potential for such localisations and are currently proposing a series of sports games for mobile phones with a Catalan language option. And the Generalitat—in addition to creating the Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC) with a four-year plan to support the development of video games in Catalan—has recently set aside localisation funding as an incentive for studios to recognise their Catalan-speaking clientele and widen accessibility. Indeed, the government has long been supporters of the cause, publishing a Catalan video game El Guillem de Berguedà as early as 1985 when the industry as a whole was still extremely small. The growing inclusion of Catalan in the most lucrative global entertainment sector suggests that, against all odds, Catalan is receiving credence in the global mainstream as a first language, equal to that of Castilian, challenging its projection as ‘a minority language’ and somehow less important. Although politically correct, the implications associated with a ‘minority language’ arguably perpetuate the Auberge Espanole syndrome, in which foreign students show up for a gap year in Barcelona to improve their Castilian unprepared for the complex linguistic reality of the region. “We should really take care of our languages,” argues academic Oscar Garcia Pañella of the Media Dome at La Salle Barcelona. “If the issue was gastronomy, we would be proud to learn about and preserve all the different cuisines. Should it be any different for languages? The reality is that Spain has been a multicultural and multilingual country for centuries.” It is clear that foreign companies such as Nuance and Nintendo are getting something right. They are two of few non-Catalan enterprises who appear to recognise Catalunya as bilingual, and are prepared to develop products here that work on the principle of inclusivity. It is undeniable that the increasing mobility of information has encouraged Catalans to use digital technology in a majority language like Castilian, but is equally true that minority languages that have young blood, businesses and governmental forces on their side tend to be alive and kicking. And Catalan has all three in full force.
“For the moment, Catalan is not considered a priority for translation”
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
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INTERVIEW 19
Konstantinos Panourgias Manager of Dionisos restaurant (Comte d’Urgell), 53, Greek
I was born and raised in the small town of Larissa and lived there until I was 17 years old. I was accepted into university to do economics but instead, from then until the age of 30, I worked as a waiter on the Greek islands in the summer—Naxos, Paros, Skiathos—and then for the rest of the year I would work in Athens. In 1991, I met a woman from Barcelona while I was working at a restaurant on one of the Greek holiday islands. We had an instant connection. From then on, we would visit each other all the time. She would visit me in Greece, I would spend around half of the year in Barcelona. I loved everything about Barcelona from the start; I really liked the quality of life. In my opinion, it was better to be here than in Greece and it was nice to start something new in a wonderful city. My first year went very quickly. I was going to Spanish classes every day for two hours, four days a week. There I met others in my situation and it was where I was able to make friends. We would hang out at cafés together and go out to some bars, which helped me settle in well. My wife also took some Greek lessons in the same school. It was a bit difficult at the beginning just coming and going [from Greece to Spain]. For example, in ’92 I went back to Greece for six months until October, missing the Olympic Games here in Barcelona. Then in ‘93, I worked here for the whole summer from July to September at a tourist restaurant at the port. It was also hard at the beginning because then we didn’t have the same means of communication that we have now. We didn’t have mobile phones or the internet to just speak to family and friends whenever we wanted to as you can nowadays, and there
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were no other Greeks here to help me feel more at home. Eventually, though, I moved here permanently in 1994, and this restaurant here in Urgell was the first I became manager of—I have remained here ever since. The majority of the people who come to eat here are Catalans but we also attract a lot of holiday-makers from all over the world, especially from the Mediterranean. And now, since travelling has become so much easier, we get quite a few young Greeks who are either studying or living here who miss their traditional food. Even though I originally came over here due to my marriage, which has now ended, I still prefer living here. I am settled. I came to Barcelona when I was 33 years old and have been here for just over 20 years now. Of course I miss all of my relatives who are in Greece but I get to visit them at least once or twice a year for a few weeks each time. The situation in Greece is terrible; everyone is losing their jobs and the youth who have studied either at home or abroad don’t have anything waiting for them when they finish. As a result, our kids are pursuing work outside Greece. I have met quite a lot of youngsters even here in Barcelona. With the way things are at the moment it is pointless to return, especially for someone at my age. The state has no money to support the young families let alone the elder members of society so there would be no chance of getting any help, like a decent pension. I want to return to Greece one day in the future…but only if things get better.
Interview by Andreas Vou. Photo by Lee Woolcock.
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20 GYM ALTERNATIVES
In the open air
F
ed up of the same, monotonous workout in the gym or simply want a fresh challenge to your exercise routine? Me too, sometimes. As a regular football player and someone who goes to the gym two or three times a week, I know how tedious it can be to stick to the same training regime. So I tried out a couple of Barcelona’s outdoor fitness activities to see how they compare to my regular gym sessions, and it’s fair to say that changing my regime in this way gave me an equally stimulating workout and, perhaps more importantly, was also really enjoyable. Arte de Yoga Claudia Steinhauser is a trained expert in teaching yoga, having studied the spiritual art for more than seven years in India, Thailand, Italy and Spain. Her hour-long outdoor classes, which take place on Mar Bella beach and in Parc Ciutadella, are designed to give you an enjoyable and relaxing workout whilst surrounded by some of the beautiful landscapes that Barcelona has to offer. Rather than sweating it out in a stuffy studio, Claudia believes that it is better to observe the elements when exercising as it is the perfect way to relax and understand yoga. “You can listen to the sound of waves or birds in the trees,” she says, “smelling the saltwater, smelling the leaves or flowers, feeling the sand or grass underneath you, breathe in fresh air and let the sunlight warm you and embrace you.” I’d never practised yoga before, so one recent Friday morning I went along to try out what is one of the most globally-performed spiritual workouts and I can tell you that my muscles were tested to the limit. Having studied yoga methods in various
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countries, Claudia’s exercises are diverse and challenging, from simple stretches to more complex postures and routines. She conducts her sessions with professionalism and encouragement, motivating you to push yourself that little bit further if you can and enabling you to feel every part of your body work before feeling relaxed and invigorated. The sessions begin with a number of standing poses and core exercises to provide a straight line to shaping your body before a series of arm balances, backbends and inversions open up your chest and spine, which help with circulation and body awareness. Restorative poses warm down your body at the end of the class, helping you to feel physically relaxed and providing you with mental clarity. While testing your upper body strength and flexibility, yoga is a brilliant way to build up stamina whilst keeping body fat low and regulating your breathing. It also allows you to isolate yourself from everyday stresses in a healthy and affordable way. “Yoga is freedom,” says Claudia. “Freedom from any dogma, freedom to belong to any class, any profession, any category or pressures of society. Freedom means peace, but in order to achieve this you have to let go and give up, you have to accept yourself as you are.” Whilst yoga may not put you through exactly the same workout as the gym, it certainly helps to mentally and physically relax the body and mind, helped in no small part by the positive and friendly atmosphere that classes such as Claudia’s offer. I would strongly recommend it to people who wish to immerse themselves in the fitness world without the pains and strains of vigorous cardiovascular exercise and with a more mentally relaxed approach.
Looking for a change from the sweaty confines of your local gym? Barcelona is the ideal setting for getting fit outdoors. By Max Bentley Beach Fit Barcelona Beach Fit is one of the latest fitness crazes to hit Barcelona: it’s an hour-long workout that takes place in the open-air gym that is Barceloneta beach. With both early morning and evening classes on offer, I headed down to see for myself what all the fuss is about. The group was set up just over a year ago by Mark Castley and Andy Roberts, who wanted to create an alternative workout to the repetitive gym routine by using the beach as a fresh setting. In an interview with sports therapy company Madform, Andy claimed that “the best thing about doing it in Barcelona is being on the beach. It is very physical but we tailor it to suit different fitness levels so each person gets a good workout without feeling out of their depth, and the experience of being out in the open by the sea means that once people come along they get hooked.” The group uses a bib system: orange for those who have done little or no physical exercise, yellow for those who tend to work out on the odd occasion and green for those who participate in regular sports activity. The class begins with a five-minute warmup to ensure that all muscles are ready to work and to avoid injury, before moving onto a series of cardiovascular and plyometric exercises, intended to tone up the lower body and increase endurance. Using the natural terrain of the beach, Beach Fit makes use of the slopes, benches, stairways and climbing frames to vary your workout and push your body to the limit. “It is widely accepted that an important element of training is to keep shocking the body,” Andy Roberts told me, “keeping it guessing, so that it doesn’t stagnate into a routine and stop developing... Each session
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GYM ALTERNATIVES 21
Photo of Arte de Yoga by Max Bentley
ANOTHER OPTION: Barcelona Hiking and Outdoors Group Ever wanted to explore Catalunya’s hidden trails and best hiking routes but didn’t want to do it alone? Well, one idea is to join the Barcelona Hiking and Outdoors Group, which organises excursions to some of the best spots in the countryside. Since its foundation in October 2007, over 1,500 outdoor enthusiasts have participated in events arranged by the group’s Englishspeaking organisers including rock climbing, hiking, trail running, canyoning and winter sports. While it’s a great way to stay in shape, it also gives you wonderful opportunities to travel around Catalunya and make new friends at the same time. Who knows, it could be the start of a new and exciting hobby. Courtesy Beach Fit
is different, which keeps it fun, interesting and stimulating and also means that you will be continually challenged both mentally and physically.” A much-needed water break followed the initial exercises before we embarked on a 20-minute series of core strength and upper body exercises. This is no simple stroll on the beach and I felt myself aching at the thought of performing 20 more burpees and press-ups but the encouragement of Andy and his fellow instructors, along with other friendly exercisers urged me to continue. Andy feels that building up inner strength is a vital part of the workout and he has taken inspiration from military boot camps in the UK for the classes he runs.
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The class finally ends with a 15 minute optional warm-down, which I strongly recommend in light of my aching limbs the day after. Stretching after exercise helps your muscles to recover quicker, avoiding any damage. I could not believe the progress that I had achieved in only one session; if you were to go regularly, I think Beach Fit could almost function like having a personal trainer, but for a fraction of the cost that a private trainer can charge. Beach Fit also runs three-day boot camps four times a year in Tarragona whilst social events are hosted to help you interact with fellow fitness enthusiasts. You can try out a first session free of charge, and discover whether the Beach Fit regime is for you.
MORE INFO: Arte de Yoga—www.artedeyoga.com Timetable available on website, hour sessions cost €5. Beach sessions take place in front of the Bicing 190 stand; Avinguda Litoral 72 by Mar Bella beach. Beach Fit Barcelona—www.facebook. com/beachfitbcn. Classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7am, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 8pm. €6 per session or €40 for unlimited classes in one month. Meeting point outside Buenas Migas café on Barceloneta beach (Plaça del Mar 1). Barcelona Hiking and Outdoors Group—www.barcelonahikinggroup.com
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22 PHOTO COLLAGE
FAMILY
Thanks to all of you who sent in photos for this subject. The theme for next month is: SPORT—send your photos to editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com by July 18th. Find all the practical info at: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/photocollage
Dad, kids and very excited dog feeding pigeons in Plaça Catalunya—by Rory MacInnes
All dressed up for nursery and work—by Mary Ruddy
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A
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PHOTO COLLAGE 23
Carnival 2012—by Yvette Ligter
Mother and daughter—by Gustavo Tamayo
An extended family meal—by Andrea Moreno
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Men of the family looking very cool—by Susie Callinan
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24 CATALAN WOMEN
Whither the women? While many Catalan men are internationally famed, there are few well-known women from this area. Kira Jones investigates why.
Self-portrait of Lluïsa Vidal i Puig. Courtesy: Fons MNAC
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I
came to Barcelona one year ago, drawn to the city like so many for its art, architecture, proximity to the Mediterranean and overall quality of life. But soon after arriving here, having spent considerable time with the likes of Gaudí, Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tàpies and Puig i Cadafalch, I began to wonder about the famous women of Catalunya. Surely they existed. Surely they hadn’t been rendered completely invisible by the renowned and extreme machismo of the Iberian Peninsula. So I began to ask. I asked locals, I asked foreigners. I asked my daughter’s Catalan teacher, I asked my Castilian teacher. I asked the pharmacist, the pediatrician, the gynecologist and the physiotherapist. I asked the barista and the grocer and the baker. And everyone had the same response. They would look up, they would look down. They would furrow their brows and scratch their chins. “Ahhhhhhhhh!” each one would ultimately conclude (as in, “I’ve got it!”). Arms raised, in happy victory, they would shout, “Montserrat Caballé!” Don’t get me wrong. I’m a Montserrat Caballé fan. (Her famous duet with Freddie Mercury singing ‘Barcelona’ is not to be missed.) But she couldn’t possibly be the only one. Additionally, I was seeking the female counterparts to those aforementioned chaps whose very disdain for conventionality made them famous. I was looking for the anarchists, the poets, the painters, the sculptors. The women who had crossed artistic, literary and political lines; the women who had left a mark. I was looking for women like this:
LLUÏSA VIDAL I PUIG, 1876-1918 Like her contemporary Pablo Picasso, Lluïsa Vidal i Puig exhibited her paintings in Els Quatre Gats. And like Picasso, Vidal went to Paris to study, going there in 1901 at the age of 25. In fact, she was the only female Spanish painter of her time known to have studied there, according to her biographer, Marcy Rudo. But while Picasso went on to become the most famous artist of the 20th century, over time Vidal simply lapsed into obscurity. ‘Painted Like a Man, Disappeared Like A Woman: Luisa Vidal, The Daughter Of Modernism’ (On The Issues magazine, Summer 1998, Marcy Rudo) emphasises the notion that in 19th-century Spain, for a woman to have a profession—let alone a career—was “unthinkable”. In Paris, however, Vidal was seen as an artist, not as a woman. She returned to Barcelona in 1902 and joined the feminist movement. Despite the sentiment, according to Rudo, that she “painted like a man”, Vidal exhibited her work internationally and went on to become a renowned portraitist. However, in the words of Rudo, “this narrow appraisal...was the price leveled by society when a woman of Vidal’s genius rejected the circumscribed, domestic world of women to embrace the public life of the artist.”
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CATALAN WOMEN 25
CATERINA ALBERT I PARADIS, 1869-1966 (aka VÍCTOR CATALÀ) As Lluïsa Vidal is to Picasso, Caterina Albert i Paradis is to Joan Maragall (though Albert i Paradis was also a painter and a sculptor). Albert i Paradis won the Jocs Florals d’Olot prize in 1898 for her poem ‘Lo llibre nou’ (The new book) and for her theatrical monologue entitled ‘La infanticida’ (The infanticide). However, scandal ensued once the jury learned that the author was a young woman, and from then on she took the pseudonym ‘Víctor Català’ for all her writings. According to the website of the Generalitat de Catalunya, this ultimately enabled her to become “one of the foremost figures of Catalan narrative of all time” due to her capability for “transmitting an infinite amount of sentiment and sensation.” Her book Solitud (1905) marked the starting point of the exploration of female identity by a female writer and, again according to the Generalitat, is “one of the principal novels in Catalan of the 20th century.” Albert i Paradis generally wrote tragic narratives about the rural world that focused on the struggle of the individual against hostile elements, a theme not uncommon in the Modernisme movement. The ‘Víctor Català prize’ was established in 1953 in homage to the writer.
Carme Tórtola Valencia, 1943. Unknown photographer. Courtesy: MAE. Centre de Documentació i Museu de les Arts Escèniques. Institut del Teatre.
Image of Víctor Català and book cover. Courtesy: Grup 62
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CARMEN TÓRTOLA VALENCIA, 1882-1955 The dancer Carmen Tórtola Valencia was “one of Spain’s most famous and controversial women,” according to Carlota Caulfield (Corner magazine, an ‘electronic online journal dedicated to the avant-garde’, Spring 1999). Tórtola was born in Seville, but lived in London and Mexico before reclaiming the patria of her father, Catalunya, as her home. Apparently Tórtola rejected formal dance training from a young age, choosing instead to develop her own personal avant-garde style marked by an “innovative use of movement and mime,” in the words of Caulfield. She led a very private life and, like her contemporaries mentioned above, never married. Influenced by Isadora Duncan, Greek tragedy and Arab, African and Indian cultures, Tórtola was known as an anthropologist of dance and gained popularity as an international performer. Painter, vegetarian and ultimately a Buddhist, Tórtola also fought to abolish the corset. Despite being satirised in the Catalan press as another ‘Mata Hari’ and despite Tórtola’s own admission that Spanish audiences simply did not understand her art, her fight for recognition eventually won out among fellow intellectuals. “Her independence, both in her art and her life,” writes Caulfield, “was often perceived as a menace to the stability of traditional Spanish society.”
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26 CATALAN WOMEN
>>
One of the most important figures I came across during my quest to uncover the famous women of Catalunya is Dr. Mary Nash, a professor of Contemporary History at the University of Barcelona. Originally from Ireland, Nash arrived in Barcelona in 1969 and enrolled at the University as a history student. While wandering through the University’s archives, and with the help of librarians and archivists to whom Nash will forever pay homage, she began to uncover the stories of suffragists, anarchists and feminists. “I was simply pursuing an idea,” she recalls. “This was a place I could change things. At that time, what you did here was really worth while.”
Dr Mary Nash. Photo by Richard Owens
The change, however, did not come easily. Nash’s pursuits went against the wishes of her professors, and she was even accused of “inventing” the women whose stories she continued to discover. “There was historical amnesia,” says Nash. “There was no recognition of women’s history or voice or organisation. The idea was that because there weren’t women of notoriety on record, they didn’t actually exist.” But Nash was persistent, and went on to take enormous academic and social risks as she continued her studies of the women. “It was tough for a long, long time,” she recalls. “It was going in to a room and having to defend what you were doing constantly.” Under Franco, the whole trajectory of women was cut down “like a tree,” says Nash. In fact, Franco used the progress of women as a measure of the failure of the Republic and the democratic system in general. According to Franco, it was because of this “contamination” of women and the questioning of traditional domesticity that the country had become too decadent and had lost the essence of Spanish values. The Second Republic was highly advanced regarding the emancipation and the social rights of women—including maternity, education and labour rights—all
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based on the principle of equality. “The Republic had made women visible,” says Nash. “There was a strong suffrage movement; women labour leaders were household names at the time.” Even Catholic feminism existed within the Church, as women questioned the dominant discourse and were apt at using alliances and resources. “Historically, women had a significant presence within the Church because church was one place they were admitted,” adds Nash. “There were women who promoted education for women, women who gave grants to poor women.” But all of this never really fully materialised and, given the duration of the dictatorship and the use of the Church as a pillar of the repressive state, there was no going back. Nash, meanwhile, went on to become the first women’s history professor in the country. It could easily be said that Nash introduced women’s history to Spain, a feat she might not have managed had she herself been a Spaniard. She is most proud of her work uncovering the women of the Civil War, and of the general acknowledgement of the role of women that had for so long been denied. Nash’s approach to the historiography of women, followed by scholars worldwide, is unique in that it is about “recuperating” and “resurrecting” women’s history within a much more complex and synthesised analysis, as well as transferring that history from the academic world to the general public. “My tendency has been to open up new fields and new ways of conceptualising,” says Nash. “I don’t go back over the same things over and over.” Among the women ‘resurrected’ by Nash was Teresa Claramunt, one of the founders of the Spanish anarchist movement who fought for women’s equality and against male dominance during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Another of Nash’s subjects, Carmen Karr, is now known as one of the most “advanced” Catalan feminists of the early 20th century. A journalist, Karr founded the feminist magazine Feminal in 1907, which advocated equal rights for women. Suceso Portales, favoured by Nash for her strong personality, was a member of the anarchist group Mujeres Libres, the first “autonomous, proletarian feminist organisation in Spain,” founded in 1936. Mujeres Libres existed not only to liberate women and to address such concerns as illiteracy, economic dependence and sexuality, but also to address the primary sources of women’s subordination. “This was the vanguard for feminism in Europe,” says Nash. “In comparison to labour movements elsewhere, these were committed, convinced feminists—powerful women who were subsequently jailed, exiled, executed.” More than 40 years after arriving in Barcelona and having witnessed the evolution of women’s liberation movements worldwide, Nash continues to teach, write, research and lecture. “The new generation has a completely different discourse,” she says of her students now. “There have been huge changes in women in terms of equality, and huge changes in men in terms of redefining masculinity.” That said, the credibility of the women’s movement is already being questioned under the new government, says Nash, which recently dissolved the Ministry of Equality under the auspices of “the false notion that women’s rights have been achieved.” Dr. Mary Nash is the founder of the Spanish Association of Research into Women’s History and the founding director of the Research Group in Multiculturalism and Gender at the University of Barcelona. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Granada in 2010. Her collection of publications includes the books Defying Male Civilization: Women in the Spanish Civil War (1995), Mujeres en el mundo. Historia, retos y movimientos (2004), and Rojas. Las mujeres Republicanas en la Guerra Civil (2006).
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28 IDEAS
MAKING PLANS A few suggestions about things to do tonight, this weekend, later on...
Capturing a continent The Europeans—A Work in Progress. Galería Alex Telese, Palla 11. Until July 18th. www.theeuropeans.net; www.alextelese.com
One for the ladies
Julio Iglesias. Gran Teatre del Liceu. Wednesday 4th and Thursday 26th. From €20. The Celebration: a pensioner joins October 12th protests in Barcelona (2009) © Damaso Reyes/Alex Telese Gallery
New York photographer Damaso Reyes has (so far) been working on his project ‘The Europeans’ for seven years, an undertaking that has evident parallels with ‘The Americans’. In that case, a European—Swiss photographer Robert Frank—used his skills to portray inhabitants of the US in the Fifties; here, the situation has been reversed. Reyes has spent recent times living in various European countries to get closer to his subjects; he is now resident in, and studying the people of, Barcelona. An experienced photographer, whose work has been published in various titles around the world (including The Miami Herald and Der Spiegel), his objective here is to capture the current realities of Europe and its inhabitants at a time of significant change for ‘The Old Continent’.
Julio Iglesias, who is 70 next year, has had a personal life that fits into the ‘you couldn’t make it up’ category (kidnappings, half-siblings born after his own 60th birthday, representing Spain at the Eurovision and NOT winning, a law degree and time as a Real Madrid goalkeeper are but a tiny sample). But say what you will about his place on the pages of the gossip mags, the man has resilience, and a lot of fans. With hundreds of millions of albums sold, he’s clearly not set to retire any time soon and comes to present new disc 1, featuring upto-date recordings of some of his classic tunes.
Dance in time La Pepa. Auditori del Fòrum. Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th. €20-€56, from www.telentrada.com
‘La Pepa’ is the nickname of the 1812 Spanish Constitution of Cadiz (regarded as the country’s first), being celebrated this year in various ways, including this original flamenco production by the accomplished Sara Baras, herself born in Cadiz. While the nickname was adopted because the Constitution was signed on March 19th, the day of Sant Josep (or Pep), its femininity is part of Baras’s inspiration, who calls it “the voice of the people made woman, a woman who defends her ideals above all else.”
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IDEAS 29
James Holden, who performs at the first Piknic Electronik, July 8th
Up on stage Some of the concerts happening this month in Barcelona Onda Vaga—Thursday 5th at Music Hall Regina Spektor (above)—Tuesday 10th at Razzmatazz Blink-182—Thursday 19th at Sant Jordi Club The Beach Boys—Monday 23rd at Poble Espanyol Hugh Laurie—Thursday 26th at Teatro Arteria Bon Iver—Friday 27th at Poble Espanyol
Get your motors running Barcelona Harley Days. Fira de Barcelona (Plaça Espanya). Friday 6th to Sunday 8th. Free entry. www.barcelonaharleydays.com
There is something infectious about the enthusiasm of Harley Davidson fans. They just seem so content with their lot, that it’s hard not to feel just a bit of the love they have for their mega-motorbikes, even if you’re not an official H.O.G. member (that’s the Harley Owners Group). This month, you have a chance to discover what it’s all about with Barcelona Harley Days, which is not just a bike show: there’s a day of Elvis tribute events; the Second Country Party, a huge gathering of country music and dancing; 13,000 motorbikes (of all types) will ride through the city streets in the Flag Parade; as well as kids’ activities, a big night-time concert with surprise acts and the chance to try out a Harley on the roads of Montjuïc.
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Al fresco music Piknic Electronik Barcelona, various venues. July 8th to September 23rd. www.piknicelectronik.es
Yet again Barcelona refreshes its cool credentials, by becoming the first city outside North America to host a Piknic Electronik. What’s that, you ask. Well, it’s a Montrealborn initiative that combines electronic music and a picnic in the park. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I hear the words electronic music, I think of night-time events, be it in a club or festival marquee, featuring lots of flashing, frantic lights, a similarly frantic music beat and sweaty bodies. A picnic in the park does not spring to mind, especially one where families are welcome and drugs are not. However, those are just some of the features of the Piknic Electronik. Over six Sundays and one Saturday in the summer (four in July, a break for August and then back for three dates in September), the event is divided between several ‘themed days’ and various standalone concerts in the Jardins de Joan Brossa on Montjuïc. The themed days include: one dedicated to French electronic music at the Institut Français (Sept 9th); one to coincide with La Mercè (Sept 23rd); and another being staged as part of the Montjuïc at Night festival (July 14th). So pack your picnic basket, gather friends and kids (each picnic setting is divided into two zones, with a ‘family area’ that features child-friendly activities and lower sound levels) and head out for a summer picnic with a difference.
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IDEAS: FESTIVALS 31
FESTIVAL ROUND-UP As July is Barcelona’s main month for festivals, we offer you an extended version of our summary of what’s on.
Circumstance—FIRE!! 2012
Eddie Palmieri—Salsa and Latin Jazz Festival
I
Iggy and the Stooges—Cruïlla BCN
t’s a key month for festivals in Barcelona, with the Grec
is now in its fifth year, is surely much less familiar to most of
delivering to those looking for more high-brow culture (see
us than Primavera Sound or Sónar, and yet, for this edition, it’s
page 13 for details); the gay and lesbian film festival Fire!!,
managed to attract M.I.A. and Iggy and the Stooges to headline.
created here back in 1995, making it the first of its kind in Spain;
No small achievement, and the programme’s appeal doesn’t
yet another big popular music event at the Fòrum with Cruïlla; and
end there, with The Specials, Cypress Hill and 2ManyDJs (DJ
the second edition of the city’s Salsa and Latin Jazz festival. We
set) also due to appear. Alongside the musical acts, there will
give you the essential info on each one, to help you decide which
be circus performances, games (children up to 12 can get in for
(if not all) of them you want to go to.
free, provided they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian), workshops and stalls from social organisations, making this
FIRE!! 2012: The 17ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema Gai i Lesbià
festival arguably that little bit special compared to some of its
de Barcelona arrives with another bagful of cinematic experiences,
better-known counterparts.
both fact and fiction, all with the common aim of trying to make us
July 6th and 7th, 6pm-5am. Parc del Fòrum. One-day tickets:
respect each other more, regardless of our sexual preferences.
€50, two-day tickets: €80. www.cruillabcn.com
Organised once again by the Casal Lambda (a not-for-profit that supports gay rights in Spain and has been fighting for them
SALSA AND LATIN JAZZ FESTIVAL: Started just last year, this
since 1976), the Official Selection category features seven films
event has miraculously beaten all the ‘crisis’ odds and is returning
(of 21 being shown in total) that are dominated by US and UK
for another edition, organised once more by the admirably
productions, but you’ll also find Argentinian film Ausente from
ambitious members of the Barcelona group La Sucursal SA.
Marco Berger, a joint French-US-Iranian project (not a phrase
Urban latin music is added to the line-up for 2012 and it extends
you’ll hear very often these days) in the form of Circumstance,
its programme to a three-day run spread over the two venues
and North Sea Texas, by Belgian director Bavo Defurne. There are
of Poble Espanyol and La Farga in L’Hospitalet. The artists in
also special sections dedicated to films made in France and the
attendance are mainly international, with musicians from Puerto
Far East (specifically, China, Hong Kong and the Philippines), with
Rico, Cuba, Panama and New York performing alongside the
the latter all being shown at Casa Asia.
hosts themselves. Stand-outs include the coming together of Calle
July 5th to 15th. Institut Français, Casa Asia. Ticket per
13 and Rubén Blades and the presence of pianist Eddie Palmieri
screening, €6; special four-film pass, €18. www.mostrafire.
(appointed the ‘godfather’ or padrí of this year’s event), who will
com
mark 50 years in the business. The concerts are accompanied by a salsa contest and dance workshops, amongst other activities.
CRUÏLLA BCN: The city’s fame as an international music festival
July 20th to 21st, Poble Espanyol; 27th, La Farga de
hotspot continues to go from strength to strength. Cruïlla, which
L’Hospitalet de Llobregat; www.salsaylatinjazzfestival.com
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IDEAS: SUMMER NIGHTS 33
NIGHTLIFE
Du Zhenjun, Winds (2010). ‘Torres i gratacels’, CaixaForum
T
Untitled (Graters) (1999).’ Projecció’, Fundació Joan Miró. © The artist, courtesy White Cube, London
ake advantage of the cool evenings after the super-hot, sweaty Barcelona summer days by going along to one of the city’s various cultural venues that open their doors late into the night over the coming months. CaixaForum has become quite adept at this increasingly popular summer ritual, and will be open this year every Wednesday in July and August until 11pm. There is, of course, its programme of temporary exhibitions to enjoy, which this season features the ‘interactive’ art exhibition, ‘L’art, ets tu’ (Art is you), in which visitors are invited to create their own piece inspired by one of 10 artists who have been shown at CaixaForum since its inauguration a decade ago (until September 2nd); and ‘Torres i gratacels’, looking at global high buildings, both contemporary and historic (until September 9th). But they also put on special events (two each Wednesday) to entice people to visit during these extended opening hours. There are both free activities and other events that cost just €4. Recomendations include the Cesc Gelabert choreography ‘Memòries corporals’, featuring dancers young and old (July 4th, 8pm and 10pm, free); ‘El musical participatiu’, a whistle-stop tour through some of the most famous musicals of the past decades (July 11th and 18th, 8pm and 10pm, free); and German duo Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebzeit performing ‘avant-jazz’, described as a mix between afrojazz, dub and electronic music (August 1st, 8pm and 10pm, free). Further up Montjuïc, the Fundació Joan Miró will opening until 9.30pm on Thursdays from this month until the end of September, giving us the chance to enjoy its fabulous building and setting as the sun goes down. Its main exhibition during this time is ‘Projecció’, a show of work by Palestinian-British artist Mona Hatoum, her first solo event in Barcelona that follows her being awarded the Premi Joan Miró last year. Forty of her works from the last 20 years will be on display, highlighting her skill at connecting personal experience and universal values, the facet that led the prize jury to name her as the 2011 winner.
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Make the most of the cooler evening and night-time tempatures to enjoy ‘outof-hours’ culture in Barcelona over the coming months.
Pedrera Secreta. La Pedrera
On Saturday July 14th, the Montjuïc by Night festival returns, with various free events happening around the park from 8pm to 4am. At the time of going to press, details weren’t yet available of what would be on during this edition, but if past years are anything to go by, there will be live music, a chance to swim in the famous pool that staged the Olympic Games diving competition and late-night openings from the different cultural venues dotted around the area (for example, the MNAC will be open until 1am). Keep an eye on www.bcn.cat for full info. Finally, and nowhere near Montjuïc, La Pedrera has two evening options—it has to be said at the outset, that they are particularly pricey options, leading one to assume that they are geared towards the willing tourist rather than residents (and it’s hard to ignore the fact that La Pedrera is run by the embattled Catalunya Caixa). While the ‘Pedrera Secreta’ guided night-time tours (in various languages including English) of the building (which include seeing how people lived there when it was first built a century ago) aren’t specifically for the summer months, it’s fair to say that this is probably the time of year that best lends itself to checking out what happens after dark at Gaudí’s famed Passeig de Gràcia construction. From March to October, these visits happen daily from 8.30pm to midnight (weekends are an exception in the summer —read on for info); the rest of the year, they run from 8-10.30pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays. Tickets cost €30 for adults and €15 for children, aged 7-15. By comparison, the popular summer jazz nights at the venue, running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, have an entry fee of €25 and you get a glass of cava thrown in. The sessions, which see the same group or performer on stage each of those nights for one week, run until September 8th; doors open at 9.30pm, with the music starting at 10pm. Most of the musicians are local, although the three concerts of 12th to 14th are performed by Dutch saxophonist Benjamin Herman, while the New York saxophonist Seamus Blake joins the Andreu Zaragoza quartet on-stage (26th-28th).
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34 IDEAS: ESCAPE THE CITY
BALEARIC ISLANDS
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Explore paths less-travelled and discover the best the Balearics have to offer. By Samantha Alzuria.
MENORCA Compared to its larger neighbour Mallorca, Menorca is often described as being the more underdeveloped of the two. So, while tourist resorts are a dime a dozen here too, intimate beaches are this island’s treasure. Some of the most breathtaking coves can only be reached on foot, but with the help of some old-fashioned spirit of adventure, stumbling across a secluded strip of coastline could be the making of your trip. Beaches are certainly not all this Mediterranean gem has to offer, however. Hop on a glass-bottom boat tour (€34 for a group of four) or rent a small boat to explore secret caves, untouched over centuries, and all the nooks and crannies this idyllic coastline keeps hidden. Historical attractions include the 18th-century architecture in the capital city of Maó (Mahón in Castilian), the often-overlooked town of Ciutadella and megalithic sites such as Talatí de Dalt. Whether you’re staying at a picturesque masíastyle hotel, like the upmarket, eco-conscious Sant Joan de Binissaida, or budget retreats such as Villa Abeurades that are ideal for self-sufficient group travellers, there’s something in Menorca for everyone. Tip: As a rule, the golden beaches on the north of the island tend to be less crowded than the southern hotspots of Macarella and Mitjan. MALLORCA We’ve all heard of Mallorca’s postcard beaches, Palma’s stellar resorts and Magaluf’s wild nightlife, but without a doubt the island’s best kept secret is its mountainous north-eastern coastline. Take the scenic route from the capital to Sóller, a port town embraced by the green Tramuntana mountain range, on a 1912 wood-panelled train. The one-hour journey is well worth the €12.50 ticket price and takes you through valleys and dense forests before reaching the coast. Dotted around the town are charming villages such as Deià, Valldemossa and Fornalutx.
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The islands Es Verdà and Es Vedranell in Ibiza © Xescu Prats. Consell Insular d’Eivissa
Another worthwhile excursion is to the Coves del Drach. These mesmerising limestone caves are a short distance from nearby Porto Cristo, 65 kilometres from the capital, on the eastern shores of the island. For €12, visitors journey deep into the four chambers of the cave and across the still waters of Lake Martel, one of the world’s largest subterranean lakes. The classical music and eerie lighting give this underground landscape a magical atmosphere. Tip: The Coves del Drach are open all year round but due to their popularity, Porto Cristo can become congested during peak holiday season with coaches bringing trippers from Palma. FORMENTERA The smallest, southernmost island is, understandably, the most overlooked of the four Balearic Islands. You could say it is as quintessentially off-the-beaten-path as it gets when visiting this Mediterranean archipelago. Completely overshadowed by the reputations of its much larger neighbours, Formentera holds one major advantage: it avoids the marathon ravers and sun-starved tourists elbowing their way through heaving nightclubs and packed beaches, instead attracting the more environmentallyconscious traveller. Great pride is taken in the island’s natural beauty and its inhabitants have welcomed the development of eco-tourism. Visitors are encouraged to take part in ‘Green Tours’, navigating the island on foot or by bicycle on scenic paths and routes carefully mapped out to maximise the Formentera experience. Begin at its capital, Sant Francesc Xavier, and explore one of the Mediterranean’s few remaining oases of unharmed coastline. If you’re thinking about travelling to Formentera, though, you’ll have to be prepared to brave the open sea as part of the exclusivity of the island lies in its limited access. A seat on the half-hour Balearia Sirena ferry service to Sabina Port costs from €24.50. For accommodation in the area, try beach-front apart-
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IDEAS: ESCAPE THE CITY 35
Cala Morell on the northern coast of Menorca © Fundació Destí
ments such as the Apartamentos Sabina Playa (€135 per night for two in peakseason) or the Casas Rurales Illetas, both near Sabina Port. Tip: Due to the unusual shape of the island, its crystal-clear waters and warm weather, the conditions for water-sports are unbeatable. So snorkelers, kayakers, divers and swimmers, you’re in luck! IBIZA Ibiza is widely seen as the party island but, venturing beyond stereotypes, there are a wealth of historical sites that come as a pleasant surprise for most visitors. Dalt Vila on the southern coast is a fortress of museums, craft shops and important buildings, not to mention centuries of untold history. From the early Phoenicians to the Romans, Moors and Christian Catalans, this old town and its winding streets bear the remnants of past settlers and their diverse cultural influences. Countless viewing-points line the island’s coast and, if travelling around the island is on the cards, the view from Sa Pedrera in the south-west is one not to be missed. The panorama of Es Vedrà, an island said to be the home of the Sirens in Homer’s Odyssey, is well worth the trip. Push the boat out and spend the weekend at Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila, a five-star converted colonial house, to sample agroturismo. A double room during the high season costs €390 per night. Tip: For a taste of spontaneity visit S’Estanyol, just a 10-minute drive from Eivissa (Ibiza Town). Its tranquil bay, always the right temperature, is often the venue for secret events, after-parties and laidback live concerts. GETTING THERE When it comes to deciding how to get there, you’re spoiled for choice. There are several airlines (Air Europa, Ryanair, Vueling and Iberia) that will fly you out in under an hour. Obviously prices vary, but for a Friday in July, Ryanair was offering flights starting at €40, compared to Iberia’s €52. Alternatively, if you want to avoid airports or plan on bringing the car there is a range of ferry services (and prices) from companies such as Trasmediterránea and Baleària, which could take you there in around eight hours. Trasmediterránea ferries run once a day from Barcelona to Ibiza costing €58 for foot passengers, or €195 if you’re taking a car. However, the Baleària Barcelona-Menorca fast ferry takes just four hours and runs twice a day; an August one-way ticket could cost around €106. A cabin on the overnight Baleària boat to Palma costs around €144.50pp this month. MORE INFO Sant Joan de Binissaida– www.binissaida.com Tren de Sóller– www.trendesoller.com Coves del Drach–www.cuevasdeldrach.com Apt. Sabina Playa, Casas Rurales Illetas–www.turintiaformentera.com Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila–www.hotelmiradoribiza.com Baleària Ferries–www.balearia.com Trasmediterránea Ferries– www.trasmediterranea.es
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36 IDEAS: GASTRONOMY
TIP-TOP TAPAS If you’re looking for a change from the usual bravas and tortilla de patatas, Ohla’s Gastrobar is a good choice. By Tara Stevens. Photos by Richard Owens. ✪ - NOT WORTH THE TRIP, ✪✪ - COULD IMPROVE, ✪✪✪ - GOOD, ✪✪✪✪ - VERY GOOD, ✪✪✪✪✪ - NOT TO BE MISSED
G
astrobars are basically tapas bars serving slightly fancier tapas in slightly fancier surrounds. They are all the rage in Madrid, less so here in Barcelona, though perhaps that’s just because the name never really took off. You could argue that Tickets, Bar Mut and Paco Meralgo are all gastrobars, but let’s not split hairs here. In the case of Ohla Gastrobar, it makes sense since it’s attached to Saüc, the oneMichelin-starred restaurant of Xavier Franco at the Ohla Hotel, whose cooking is ‘gastro’ par excellence. Nine o’clock on a Sunday evening, then, and the place is fairly busy. Granted the clientele are mainly tourists, but there are enough of them to generate a buzz aided by the sultry strumming of resident jazz band, the Trio Riders, who unfortunately are hidden away at the side of the bar so we can’t actually see them. It is a slightly awkward space, long and narrow down one side of the building with large picture windows and the kind of gold wood interior with black accents that made Scandinavia king of design in the Nineties. The prime spot to be is propped up at the bar watching the action in the open kitchen, but that only works if there are two of you; we were three, so we sat at a table and pondered a longish menu littered with cute descriptions such as ‘starting strong’, ‘stewed delicacies’ and ‘bursting with protein’. I quite enjoy Spanish menu translations—last week I had the pleasure of some ‘squid jigging on a plate’ somewhere—and it acts as a useful ice-breaker when you don’t know the people you are with. It doesn’t take me long to figure out that the out-of-town wine journalist I’m with is underwhelmed by the wine list. “Could we
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get one from Saüc?” I ask our waiter, who is happy to oblige and brings down a hefty tome from the posher restaurant upstairs. We end up with a bottle of Albariño Pazo Señoráns, which appears on both menus. If not madly awe-inspiring, it’s light and bright and makes a good partner to tapas. Keep it simple, I say, when there is a lot of flavour going on. And Xavier Franco’s big on flavour. What I remember from his days when Saüc was still in its uptown locale is his idiosyncratic approach to tradition. He has talent in spades and a certain fearlessness that means that while not everything is successful—the cuttlefish with beans and blood sausage consisted of a slab of rubbery seafood on a sweet and cloying mess—the rest was a joyous makeover of Spanish favourites. Take his boquerones. Scattered with natty little cubes of tomato and infused with guindilla oil, they deliver just the right amount of peppery punch to elevate them into something quite sublime. Slivers of salty mojama (air-cured tuna) are counterbalanced by creamy, microplane-fine macadamia nut shavings. The nuts and fish work a treat and I find myself momentarily transported to the shores of Barbate and hankering for a glass of bone dry Fino. I don’t think it’s on the menu. It should be. A garden salad is nicely dressed and dotted with plump, tender artichoke hearts, and the xató, the revered Costa Daurada salad of escarole lettuce, salt cod, tuna and anchovies all tossed together in a light romesco sauce and scattered with meaty black olives, is earthy and satisfying. Canelons with white truffle butter were madly decadent, but the gambas al ajillo croquettes won out for lip-smacking richness applied with a feather-light touch.
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IDEAS: GASTRONOMY 37
The inside, while soft and unctuous, was delicate as Angel Delight and you could hear the shell crunch from across the room when you popped it in your mouth. If ever there was a contender for best croquette in the city, these must surely make the list. Estrellados (fried eggs cracked over potatoes) with pork neck and artichokes were tempting, but didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the order so I’m holding out to have them for breakfast should I find myself in the area after a big night out anytime soon. Instead we opted for a healthy chunk of sea bass on mixed mushrooms and roast quinoa grains, an inspired combination and classic Franco, as was an unusually light and refreshing steak tartar with sweet mustard ice-cream. The weakest link was probably dessert, and that’s largely because I’d stuffed myself silly before getting to that part of the menu. Saffron-infused chocolate cream sounded interesting (I’ve been trying to come up with a dessert using saffron for years and have so far failed miserably to make it work), apple pie is always welcome done well, and chocolate coulant, well, 2001 can keep it. All in all, though, Ohla’s Gastrobar is a welcome addition to the tapas circuit serving proper, interesting food and they won’t fleece you on the way out the door.
Ohla Gastrobar, Via Laietana 49. Tel. 93 341 5050. www.ohlahotel.com. Open daily 7am-4pm, 7pmmidnight. Tapas and wine for two, approx. €50. Lunch menu €15. Tara’s rating: ✪✪✪
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38 IDEAS: GASTRONOMY
quick bites TOP THREE ROOFTOPS FOR DINING By Tara Stevens.
Clockwise from left: Hotel Claris, Hotel Villa Emilia; Hotel Omm
F
ollowing Barcelona’s second ‘Setmana de les Terrasses’ at the start of June, our hotel rooftops and terraces are buzzing. And, contrary to popular belief, it’s not all wannabe bling-bling (though that’s certainly out there if that’s what you’re seeking). A glass of wine or cava costs around €5 just about everywhere so far as I can tell—though cocktails fetch a whopping €15—and eating needn’t be prohibitive. Menu at the Claris The lunchtime ‘Factory’ menu (Monday-Friday, 1-4pm) at the Claris costs €25 for three courses of upmarket dishes such as date and fruit salad, fresh grilled squid on peas and potatoes, cherry panacotta, and a glass of wine. It’s a cut above the usual hotel restaurant offerings and although non-guests don’t get to cool off in the pool, the shady terrace still provides welcome respite from the heat of the street in a chic setting.
Hotel Claris: Pau Claris 150, tel. 93 487 6262. www.derbyhotels. com Oysters at the Omm This is the first year that the Omm has opened its rooftop to the public and thoroughly civilised it is too, mixing dining tables and chairs with more informal chaise-longues and sofas. Views across the street over Gaudí’s La Pedrera are lovely and the music hits
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just the right note with lots of Eighties and Nineties nostalgia. The night of my visit they were playing Talking Heads back-toback, which was the perfect accompaniment to a round of oysters in four flavours: plain and unadulterated, spiked with lemon and olive oil ‘caviar’, swimming in Gin and Tonic and fired up with a Bloody Mary salsa (€20). Getting there around 8pm seems about right when it’s busy with folk having an apero before dinner. Hotel Omm: Rosselló 265, tel. 93 445 4000. www.hotelomm.es Barbecue at the Villa Emilia Tucked away in the Eixample Esquerra is one of the city’s best terraces for low-key nights out. Wood decked, lushly planted and prettily lit, the Terraza del Zinc is as popular with its neighbours as it is with out-of-towners, especially for their Thursday to Sunday barbecues, where a selection of brochettes, a drink, pudding and coffee will cost you about €25. It’s not always the speediest of service, but such is terrace life; life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Kick back and enjoy the tunes of live, local bands and DJs with a cheeky copa de cava while you wait. Hotel Villa Emilia: Calabria 115, tel. 93 252 5285. www.hotelvillaemilia.com For more Barcelona dining tips, follow my tweets: @taralstevens
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main pages July 2012.indd 1
6/18/12 12:16:44 PM
40 FOOD & DRINK
Food&Drink For more in food&drink visit our online directory www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/eating-and-drinking
NEFW &D IN
under 20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | over 40 RV Reservation Advised | NEW in food & drink this month
American
*READER DISCOUNT
* Discount for Metropolitan readers. Check our website for details.
Bar THE ORIGINAL AMERICAN SUPERMARKET 4Sant Gervasi Good news from Taste of America! All of the products you miss from the U.S.A., from BBQ sauces to breakfast treats, are now in Barcelona. Cheerios, Hershey’s chocolates, peanut butter and jelly, Newman’s Own sauces, Wilton, root beer, Peperidge Farm, marshmallows, macaroni & cheese, bagels and more are just some of the goodies that await discovery. Go visit, you’ll be amazed! And for your convenience, there is public parking right at the rear of the store! New opening in Sant Cugat! Balmes 322 I FGC Sant Gervasi I Tel. 93 211 9792 C/Plana Hospital 18 I FGC Sant Cugat Tel. 93 187 5070
PINK ELEPHANT 4EIXAMPLE E Barcelona’s first contemporary American restaurant and cocktail bar, now in their fourth year, invite you to indulge your senses. All menu items are made to order and their desserts are baked on the premises by an American chef. To complement your visit, browse their selection of wine and beer from the U.S. including the latest additions from the Brooklyn Brewery.
Villarroel 82 I Metro L1 Urgell/L5 Hospital Clinic Tel. 93 502 4825 I info@pinkelephantlounge.com www.pinkelephantrestaurante.com Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm, 7pm-1am, Sat 1pm-4pm, 7pm-3am, Sun 7pm-1am
biergarten4Les Corts To celebrate the eighth year of the Biergarten, the first traditional German terrace in Barcelona, why don’t you and your friends try the real taste of Bavaria? The space recreates the legendary beer gardens, with German music, typical Bavarian food and beer, wooden benches and excellent service from waiters wearing costumes from the region. The Biergarten is the ideal place to come and have a great time while watching your favourite football.
Pl. Pius XII, 4 I Metro Mª Cristina Tel. 93 5081 000/676 477 094 psofiabiergarten@expogrupo.com www.princesasofia.com Open every day from noon to midnight
NEVERMIND4Barri gÒtic Nevermind is a cult place for those looking for a more alternative scene in touristy Barcelona. Mixing large amounts of grunge music, graffi tti and urban sports, they serve up amazing cocktails, special! house shots, cheap beer, Happy Hour till 10pm, free freshly-made popcorn, authentic decoration, skate videos and much more. Escudellers Blancs 3, 08002 | www.nevermindbcn.com | Open every day from 7pm
SWEET REBEL BAR4Barri gÒtic Located in the heart of the Gothic quarter, this cool ‘beach bar’ is the place to enjoy the sweetest reggae music 365 days a year. Chill out with a beer or try a Jamaican cocktail made from natural fruits and sweet rum. Its comfortable surroundings and ambiance. make it a great place to relax. Beers 2 Cocktails 5. Ample 54 | Open every day from 7pm-3am
Bagels BE MY BAGEL 4GRÀCIA
Barraval4Raval
Do you dream of great bagels? Then Be My Bagel is the right place for you. They sell authentic bagels from Barcelona, just how you like them. They have an extensive range of bagels and cakes, from the more classic choices such as poppy and multigrain to delicious and innovative chocolate, almond and coconut bagels—you’ll not come away disappointed.
Barraval is located at the top of the Rambla de Raval where they have a fantastic terrace for you to enjoy great, seasonal Mediterranean food. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a live DJ so you can enjoy tasty cocktails in a trendy atmosphere. Weekend menu 12.95
Planeta 37 (Pl. del Sol) I Metro Fontana and Gràcia I Tel. 93 518 7151 I bemybagel@gmail.com Open Mon-Fri 9.30-2pm and 5pm-8.30pm, Sat 10am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm, Sun 10.30am-2pm
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Hospital, 104 (Rambla del Raval) | Liceu / Sant Antoni | T. 93 329 8277 M. 609 221 400 | Wed-Sat 7.30pm-2.30am, Sat-Sun open at 1pm for lunch | RV
MANCHESTER BAR4Barri gÒtic Manchester Bar brings together friends and music fans to enjoy great tunes from the Eighties and Nineties. From Joy Division to Placebo to The Smiths and all the way through to the Happy Mondays, Manchester Bar have it all. A must-visit place for anyone who knows and loves their music! Milans 5 | Metro Jaume I | Every day 7pm-3am Tel. 627 733 081 | www.manchesterbar.com
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FOOD & DRINK 41 Beach Bar
NEWD IN F&
MACARENA MAR4 BeaCH Bar
VITALI PIZZA4 BarCeLona
Mac Arena Mar is an authentic beach club located on the sand near Port Forum. They have a top programme of international DJs playing throughout the summer, so you can enjoy an Ibiza vibe right here in Barcelona. Relax at the beach and enjoy their exquisite range of dishes, including seafood dishes, gourmet hamburgers, sandwiches and tapas. They also have a fantastic wine menu to accompany your ‘al fresco’ lunch.
Gourmet pizza delivery from 3 locations offering 50+ thin-crust, homemade pizzas. With specials like three large cheese pizzas for 15 and the option to pay by credit card, it makes for an affordable meal at home without all the fuss. Special offer: 2X1 on every Monday home delivery!
Paris 109 I Metro Hospital Clinic Tel. 93 444 4737 Rosselló 270 I Tel. 93 458 0710 Taxdirt 13 I Metro Joanic/Gràcia Tel. 93 285 41 95 www.vitalipizza.com
Playa Port Forum, Sant Adria de Besos. Metro Forum (L4) I TRAM Central Térmica reservas@macarenamar.com
Burger LILIBURGER4eiXaMPLe
PIM PAM BURGER4Born
You can choose from four types of burger: classic, cheeseburger, barbecue as well as bacon cheese, for 8 to 9.50. Sides include fries, bbq chicken wings, chicken nuggets and salads. Free delivery.
Here quality is of the upmost importance, making it the best burger and frankfurter take-away in town. Special hamburgers, chicken burgers, bratwurst, frankfurters, home-made chips and stroganoff are also available and are all prepared on the premises.
Tel. 93 458 0710 I Tue-Sun 1pm-4pm and 7pm-11pm www.liliburger.com
International BELGIOUS 4Barri GÒtiC
Sabateret 4 - Bor I Metro Jaume I Tel. 93 315 2093 I burger@pimpamplats.com Calle Bigai 1, Bonanova, 08022 I Tel. 93 211 5606 www.pimpamburger.com I Every day 1pm-12am
With the most original 50 flavours on the planet, Belgious’s HighDefinition Ice-Cream provides a universe of new sensations. Their other products include authentic savoury crepes, waffles from Brussels and full-flavour exotic juices from Brazil, including the famous Açai natigela. Gotico - Avinyo 50 I Metro Liceu I Tel. 93 501 9020 Rambla de Poble Nou - Taulat 83 I Metro Poblenou I Tel.93 127 0333 For opening hours consult www.belgious.com
Cocktails PALAU DALMASES COCKTAIL BAR4 Barri GÒtiC At the heart of La Ribera neighbourhood, on Carrer Montcada, the Dalmases Palace is one of the most notable city palaces from the 16th century. This gorgeous palace of Baroque influence is a testimony to the artistic, political and cultural life of Catalunya. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the most exciting cocktails, and they also have the best opera music live every Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm.
Montcada 20 I Tel. 93 310 0673 espaibarroc@gmail.com I Open every day from 7pm
GILDA BY BELGIOUS4 Barri GÒtiC Open for just one year, Belgious’s new restaurant concept has already become a reference in the Gothic quarter, famous for its Belgian-Spanish tapas and fusion cuisine with ice-cream. During the week, they surprise their visitors with exquisite daily menu offerings. At night, you can start the evening with various Belgian draught beers then continue with some tapas, or how about their famous Flemish beef stew? Check them out, you won’t be disappointed!
Ample 34 I Tel.93 310 3492 Open Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm, Every day from 7pm-12am www.gildabybelgious.com
Delivery BREAD & CIRCUSES BARCELONA 4GrÀCia Bread & Circuses creates delicious, inexpensive, creative sandwiches showcasing American technique and style combined with incredible Catalan ingredients. The first truly American-style sandwich shop and delivery service in Barcelona. Try their lunch box special for your office, picnic in the park or day at the beach. Follow them on Facebook.
Congost 13, 08024 I FGC Gràcia Tel. 610 898 494 I Delivery from 1pm-4pm
Food & drink July 2012.indd 45
GUT4GrÀCia
*READER
Firstly there’s the food. DISCOUNT Using only the finest quality ingredients, the kitchen specialises in Mediterranean cuisine with an international twist and plenty of options for vegetarians. Try their quinoa and tofu burgers or a sinful home-made dessert. Secondly, there’s Gut’s attention to detail and the friendly, respectful service. It’s the perfect place to have a drink and enjoy the night in good company. Try it for yourself and find out why everyone is talking about Gut.
Perill 13 I Metro Diagonal Tel. 93 186 6360 I restaurantgut@gmail.com
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42 FOOD & DRINK Japanese - Sushi SUSHIEXPRESS4EIXAMPLE
SAKURA-YA4LeS CortS Sakura-Ya is a serene-yet-busy little joint that combines a Japanese restaurant, bar, souvenir shop and food store. Located in L’illa shopping centre, at lunchtime it offers the very best traditional Japanese cuisine and take-away. The quality of the food is excellent, and so is the service. SakuraYa definitely lives up to its standards, so whenever you are in the mood for some shopping and good food, treat yourself to a Sakura-Ya experience.
If you want to enjoy the best sushi service in the city, this is your place! Sushiexpress takes great pride in using top quality ingredients to ensure excellent sushi. They are conveniently located in two places in the city: l’Eixample and Santaló, and they can deliver it to your home or hotel. Delivery is from 1pm-3pm and from 8pm-11pm. You can choose individual pieces of maki, nigiri, sashimi, temaki, menus, combos, and other Japanese specialties from an extensive menu that you can check on their website. If you eat at any of their locations at noon the menus are accompanied by a free drink.
Centre comercial l’illa Diagonal planta el rebost Diagonal 557, 08029 | Metro Mª Cristina/Les Corts Tel. 93 405 2645/93 430 48 90 | Fax. 93 430 3743 Restaurant Mon-Thurs 1pm-5pm, 6pm-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-9.30pm Shop Mon-Sat 9.30am-9.30pm
Consell de Cent 255 | Tel. 93 451 5454 Open 12pm-4pm, 7pm-11pm 365days/year! Delivery 1pm-3pm, 8pm-10.30pm
Indian TOYO - SUSHI TRAIN4GrÀCia
NAMASTE4EIXAMPLE E Namaste was the first Indian restaurant in Barcelona. You will be able to enjoy authentic North Indian food in a lavish and exotically decorated interior. The secret of Namaste’s rich and authentic cuisine lies in the finest selection of delicate condiments cooked by professional Indian chefs, using the Tandoor cylindrical oven of Northern India—the best oven for keeping the juices and flavours of cooked food. Namaste has also carefully selected the best wines to accompany Indian food, including Indian wines. For beer lovers, Namaste has a wide range of European brands and Indian beers and liquors.
Among the youth it’s the most sought after Sushi Train Restaurant in Barcelona. It’s the absolute place to be if you’re in with the in crowd and always packed five minutes after opening. It has a quality buffet with super fresh food prepared daily, Toyo is the place to go. Not only do they have a huge amount of different types of dishes, but you can also eat as much as your heart desires. Choose what you like while it passes in front of you, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great service. Toyo gives you amazing food for a good price. The midday menu is only 10 and the evening one is 15. Torrent del Olla 10 | T. 93 459 2630 www.restaurantetoyo.com Open 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-Midnight Closed Mon night
Villarroel 70 | Tel. 93 451 4027 www.restaurantenamaste.com Open 1pm-4 pm, 8pm-12pm
Indian - Hindu VEG WORLD INDIA4 GrÀCia
NAKASHITA4Born Nakashita is Barcelona’s newest sushi restaurant, a cosy place where you can enjoy the best Japanese food and freshest seafood. Located close to the Arc de Triomf, the restaurant feels like an authentic Japanese tavern with a very intimate atmosphere. Enjoy your delicious food along with wine, Japanese beer or sake.
Discover a world of sensations in a relaxed and homely atmosphere. Try vegetarian delicacies from all over the world such as delicious bread home-made in a Tandoori oven and south Indian dishes like Masala dosa and Idly. Daily continental and Indian menus, 9.50 inc. Free soup and salad buffet.
Rec Comtal 15 | Metro Arc de Triomf Tel. 93 295 5378 | www.nakashitabcn.com Mon-Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm, 8.30pm-12am
Bruniquer 26 | Metro Joanic Tel. 93 210 7056 | Tues-Sun 1pm-4pm, 8pm-11.30pm
Italian ICHO4LeS CortS
TRATORIA 4CUitaDeLLa viLa oLiMPiCa
Icho restaurant blends authentic Japanese cooking with the best Mediterranean products. This is an unequalled, exquisite and innovative gastronomic option, totally unique in Barcelona. The tasting menu is pure gastronomy fantasy—you will delight in an emotional journey beyond your senses. This restaurant breaks the mould of the existing impressions of modern Japanese gastronomy in Spain.
Deu i Mata 69-95, 08029 | Metro Maria Cristina Tel. 93 444 3370 | reserves@ichobcnjapones.com www.ichobcnjapones.com Mon-Sat ,1.30pm-4pm and 9pm-11.30pm
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NEFW &D IN
This new stylish and sophisticated restaurant presents the best of Italian cuisine with an international touch, based on extensive experience from working in London, New York and Miami. Whether you’re looking for a place to go with friends or your date after catching a film at the nearby Yelmo Icaria, or starting your evening out at the Port Olympic with an unbeatable value meal, La Trattoria del Mare is the place to go. Avinguda d’Icària 132 | Tel. 93 221 9369 Metro Ciutadella Vila Olimpica www.trattoriadelmarebarcelona.com
6/20/12 12:53:34 PM
FOOD & DRINK 43 Juice and Smoothie Bar MAGNOLIA 4 Barri GÒtiC
SANO 4GrÀCia Barri GÒtiC - SantS
In the heart of the Gothic quarter, Magnolia offers exquisite signature cuisine from chef Gianni Fusco at affordable prices. With its warm and loungy interior, it is the place of choice at any time of the day. During the week, breakfast and lunch menus attract huge crowds thanks to their great quality and reasonable prices. During the afternoon, clients can choose from a variety of tapas or enjoy mojitos for just 3.50.
Want a healthy, tasty alternative? Try a refreshing smoothie like Antioxidant, Mango & Passion Fruit or Coco Muesli ( 3.80) or a delicious juice made only with fresh blended fruit and no added water, milk or sugar ( 3.60). Can’t decide? Try one of their convenient combos from 4.50.
Breakfast from 2.70, Lunch from 9. Dinner menu 17.95 (Sun-Thurs) 25 (Fri-Sat) Ciutat 5 | Metro Jaume I | 93 304 2376 | 691 504 942 noche@magnoliabarcelona.com | www.magnoliabarcelona.com | www.facebook.com/magnolia.rna Mon-Thurs 9am-1am, Fri 9am-3am, Sat 1pm-3am, Sun 1pm-1am
Gran de Gràcia 16 | Metro Diagonal Tel. 93 217 8115 | Jaume 1 | Metro Jaume I Tel. 93 310 3247 | Creu Coberta 50 Metro Espanya | Tel. 93 117 0891 Every day 10am-8pm | info@sanojuice.com | www.sanojuice.com
JUICY JONES 4Barri GÒtiC
FABULA4POBLE SEC
Barcelona’s emblematic juice bar now also serves vegan breakfast that includes tortilla de patata, muesli with raw cashew yogurt, muffins, waffles, coffee and tea. Chill out in the bar for smoothies or enjoy a sandwich or a full meal in the restaurant.
Located in a trendy new area of the city, this restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine using the freshest market ingredients as well as a fantastic wine list with wines selected from over 17 DOs. They have a great three-course menu del día for 10.20 and at night you can enjoy traditional Spanish dishes and half rations from la carta. Their special ‘after work’ promotion lets you enjoy their cocktail of the day + tapa for 4.50 between 5pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday. They also have a private room that is available for group bookings.
Cardenal Casañas 7 | Metro Liceu | Tel. 93 302 4330 Every day 10am-midnight
Mediterranean BARNABIER4Port oLÍMPiC Located at the base of the Mapfre tower at Port Olimpic Barnabier specialise in Mediterranean cuisine, paellas, fresh seafood, tapas and have a great list of international beers. Their fantastic menu also includes salads, grilled meat and pasta with something to suit all tastes. For group reservations consult their website for the complete menu.
Parlament 1 | Metro Poble Sec | Tel. 93 292 6209 info@restaurantefabula.es | www.restaurantefabula.es
Marina 16 | Metro Port Olimpic Tel. 93 221 0212 | www.barnabier.com
Tapas / Mediterranean PATXOCA 4Born This fantastic restaurant has tapas and traditional dishes that use local and seasonal produce, including vegetarian options, all prepared in a home-cooking style. Enjoy a daily menu from Monday till Saturday, and brunch on Sunday! Patxoca also has a beautiful terrace on a pedestrianised street, with a child’s play area just next door. They don’t use MSG.
Tel. 93 319 2029 | Mercaders 28 Close to Santa Caterina market Mon-Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-3pm, 8pm-midnight
ROMERO4 eiXaMPLe D Located in the centre of the city, just a few streets from Passeig de Grácia, this exquisite and charming restaurant serves fresh, organic produce sourced directly from local markets. The staff are determined to share their love for Barcelona and its culinary wonders and only use the best ingredients to create their delicious dishes. The idea behind the restaurant was to create a unique space where good friends could come together and enjoy great Mediterranean food and wine. The chef at Romero, José Antonio Camacaro León, has an unmatched passion for food and offers his guests creative, natural dishes based on Mediterranean cuisine. With options for vegetarians and gluten-free menu items, there’s something to suit all tastes. Be sure to check out the great value set menus and daily specials too. Bailén 115 | Metro Verdaguer or Girona | Tel. 93 457 0640 info@romerobcn.com | www.romerobcn.com | Mon to Sat Lunch starting at 1pm Mon-Fri 5pm-9pm, Thu-Sat Dinner starting at 8.30pm
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food &drink
to advertise in this section, please call 93 451 4486 or email ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com
6/20/12 12:53:37 PM
44 FOOD & DRINK Thai Thai gracia4GRÀCIA Expect authentic ingredients all imported from Thailand and cooked by experienced Thai chefs. The Pad Thai and green and yellow curries have excellent subtle flavours. Simply delicious! The special tasting menu for 21 is a huge hit and allows you to try all the exotic dishes Thai Gracia has to offer. An affordable 11 menú del día is available during the week. The warm hospitality and attention to detail to every dish at Thai Gracia will keep you coming back for more.
Còrsega 381 | Metro Verdaguer / Girona Tel. 93 459 3591 | www.restaurante-thai-gracia.com Every day 1pm-4pm, 8pm-12am | RV
Vegetarian amaltea4EIXAMPLE E
Visit Amaltea vegetarian restaurant, where a warm and welcoming environment allows you to fully enjoy a tasty and healthier alternative to your everyday meal. Dishes include cereals, pulses and vegetables with home-made puddings. The cuisine is creatively international with care taken to ensure that each meal is well-balanced and made with the freshest ingredients. Menu of the day 10.70, night and weekend menu 15.30.
Bun bo ViÊtnam4Barri Gòtic
Govinda (VEGETARIAN) 4BARRI GÒTIC
Satisfy your craving for fresh, healthy Vietnamese food just steps away from the Gothic cathedral. Sit under the leafy trees of the quiet terrace or inside the restaurant which is entirely decorated with bright colourful pieces straight from Saigon. Start with delicious fresh summer rolls, crispy Asian pork lettuce cups, followed by traditional Pho or Bun noodle dishes. Accompany your meal with a fresh and exotic cocktail like the sakirinha (caipirinha made with sake). The menu of the day is an affordable 10 inside and 11 on the shady terrace. The kitchen is open non-stop all day.
Plaça Villa de Madrid 4-5 | Metro Catalunya | Tel. 93 318 7729 www.amalteaygovinda.com | Tue-Sat 1pm-4pm, 8pm-11am, Sun-Mon 1pm-4pm
Sagristans 3 | Metro Urquinaona | Tel. 93 301 1378 | www.bunbovietnam.com Every day 1pm-1am
Diputació 164 | Metro Urgell | Tel. 93 454 8613 | www.amalteaygovinda.com Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm, 8pm-11pm, Closed Sun
Founded 25 years ago, Govinda continues to thrive on a blend of experience and fresh innovation in vegetarian Indian cuisine. The international menu features talis, a salad bar, natural juices, lassis, pizzas and crêpes. Govinda offers a vegan-friendly, nonalcoholic and authentically-decorated environment with lunch and weekend menus.
Winebar JUICY JONES – VEGAN RESTAURANT 4Raval
Disset 17 Graus4BORN
Barcelona’s best vegan restaurant , Juicy Jones never compromises on freshness or quality. They serve a range of Mediterranean and Indian cuisine with a funky ambience they also offer a large variety of freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies. Don’t be fooled by imitations. Go Juicy!
The new wine temple in Born—a unique space in Barcelona offering a wide range of quality wines. Just opened, you can come and enjoy the cosy, local and welllaid-out bar, surrounded by shelves full of original and interesting wines. Affordable to all, the bar offers wines from all over the world, specialising in Spanish, French and Portuguese wines. Also don’t forget the special drinks menu of gin and tonics, cocktails, whiskies, beers and other drinks.
Hospital 74 | Metro Liceu | Tel. 93 443 9082 Every day 12pm-5pm, 8pm-1am
Vietnamese la vietnamita 4GRÀCIA La Vietnamita is a new food concept in the heart of Gràcia, offering fresh and healthy Vietnamese inspired cuisine. They serve light and nutritious dishes such as traditional ‘Pho’ soup, the typical rice noodle dish ‘Bun Xiau’ and classic ‘Goi Cuon’ spring rolls. All their dishes are prepared in the moment and served with ingredients that are naturally full of flavour. Veggies and vegans: they have a lot to offer you, too! So what are you waiting for?
Antic de St Joan 3 Tel. 93 268 1987 | Tue-Sun 7pm-2.30am
Torrent de l’Olla 78 | Metro Diagonal | Tel. 93 518 1803 | www.lavietnamita.com
Addis Abeba 4sants This fantastic restaurant offers wholesome food served in the traditional Ethiopian way. Importing fresh ingredients and using top-quality local meat, the food is prepared with an exciting range of over 25 herbs and spices creating an incredible range of tastes and flavours. Their combination plates offer an excellent way for groups to try a variety of dishes to give you the true taste of Ethiopia. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll love the huge selection of dishes on offer too.
Vallespir 44 | Metro Sants Estacio | Tel. 93 409 4037 Mon-Fri 8pm-12am, Sat 2pm-4pm, 8pm-12am
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Cercle d’Amics 4EIXAMPLE Enjoy high level gastronomy at this classy new restaurant headed by chef Jani Paasikoski and offers an exciting blend of traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine with an exciting modern style. By using fresh produce and seasonal flavours, they create interesting and delicate dishes which are sure to arouse your senses. At night, the soft lighting and comfortable surroundings provide the perfect atmosphere for you to relax and enjoy their fantastic cocktails. Daily menu 16. Rosselló 209, 08008 | Metro Diagonal Tel. 93 237 8902 Open every day 1pm-4pm, 8.30pm-11pm Closed Sat lunch and Sun
6/20/12 12:53:43 PM
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6/20/12 12:53:43 PM
HAIRDRESSER · BEAUTY · MASSAGE
BUSINESS DIRECTORY 45
Business directory To advertise in this section, call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See also our online directory at www.barcelona-metropolitan.com Scissors of London -
BRITISH HAIRDRESSER Tim aspires to listen to your needs and suggests how they might be met in distinctive and exciting ways. Style is unique and Tim will craft you a look achieving a harmony of shape and style. Tim has been hairdressing for over 12 years. Having trained, taught and worked in London’s top salons including Toni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon. Opting out of salon life, Tim works to fit in with the modern pace of life and offers a one to one service orientated around your needs. Carrer Viladomat 45-47, Atico M. 633 382 787 timbulmer@btinternet.com www.scissorsofldn.com
*READER DISCOUNT
* Discount for Metropolitan readers. Check our website for details.
Kinki - HAIRDRESSER
Kinki peluqueros is an international hairstyling group from Holland with over 40 salons in their home country. They put their heart and soul into cutting and colouring the most beautiful hairstyles, from the latest trends to classic cuts. If you bring a friend for a full treatment they will give you both a 15% discount and a free glass of cava. English, Spanish, Dutch, German and French speaking. Pintor Fortuny 14, Raval Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3) T. 93 302 3379 www.kinkipeluqueros.es Open Mon 4pm-8pm, Tues-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10.30am-8pm
Hairdates - HAIRDRESSER Their guide will help you find the best hairdressers and stylists in the city, all sorted by area for your ease. Just three clicks and you can easily book your appointment and check out reviews then pay when you arrive at the salon. Leave your review and you’ll gain free points to exchange for free services! Join Hairdates now and discover this week’s Hot New Hairdresser!
www.hairdates.com
The Vital Touch Anthony Llobet English Hair Salon - HAIRDRESSER Don’t let your Spanish come between you and your hair. Anglo-Catalan Anthony Llobet has over 20 years’ experience in hairstyling and a passion for excellent client service. Anthony leads a dedicated team of stylists who specialise in a variety of services, including Afro hair, extensions, straightening and make-up (and speak over 11 languages between them). The original retro interior and friendly staff create a very special atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy a stylish cut. Put your trust in Anthony and the team, who are strongly committed to providing you with outstanding service at affordable prices. Barceloneta, Almirall Churruca 8 T. 93 221 1612 / M. 619 224 695 Gràcia, Ros de Olano 19 T. 93 218 0449 / M. 692 371 307 Raval, Sant Pau 122 T. 93 441 3177 / M. 692 371 308 El Born, Carders 34 T.93 295 4871 / M. 692 371 404 Gòtic, Avinyó 34 T. 93 301 4513 / M. 692 371 405 www.anthonyllobet.com
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MASSAGE
*READER DISCOUNT
The Vital Touch Massage Clinic helps stressed women and men, to relax, energise, re-balance and improve their health and lifestyle with a therapeutic, holistic full-body massage. - Deep tissue massage with Japanese acupressure points. - Helps relieve tension, reduces stress and removes physical strains. - Hot stone massage also available - Central Barcelona location. *10% off for Metropolitan readers. M. 659 995 657 nunu@thevitaltouch.es www.tvtbarcelona.com
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46 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
VETERINARY CLINIC · CAT SITTERS · CHEMIST · DOCTORS · DENTISTS
VeterCat Melisa Oddo
Bonavet - VETERINARY CLINIC
The best at-home veterinary care for your pet in the province of Barcelona. French and English-speaking veterinarian. Vaccination, general medicine, behaviour problems, emergencies, etc. Thanks to her love for animals, Melisa Oddo offers you the best vet service in your home. Try it for yourself and be impressed.
Professional and friendly, the Bonavet veterinary clinic provides veterinary consultations, x-rays, analyses and surgery. They can also advise you on dietary requirements and they stock a complete range of special food products, beds and toys to keep your pets healthy and happy. If you make an appointment you can even bring your pet down for a grooming session and a trim.
HOME VET CARE
M. 620 157 753 melisa@vetercat.es www.vetercat.es
We Love Your Cat -
Plaça Bonanova 10 T. 93 211 0204
Pharmacy Serra Mandri
CAT SITTERS
CHEMIST
They are experienced and trustworthy cat sitters, and can provide your cat with the love and care you usually give them every day. In your home cat sitting only. First visit to meet you and your cat is free! They operate only in Barcelona.
The helpful and qualified pharmaceutical staff at this wellknown Barcelona chemist can help and advise each client to ensure they get exactly what they need. They also stock a great range of products, including homeopathy, natural medicine, aromatherapy and organic cosmetics. The pharmacy is open 365 days a year and also offers a home delivery service.
M. 615 359 256 www.weloveyourcat.com weloveyourcat@gmail.com
Av. Diagonal 478 Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5) Chemist T. 93 416 1270 Homeopathy T. 93 217 3249 Open every day 9am-10pm
Dr. Steven Joseph - DOCTOR
Mary D. McCarthy - DOCTOR
Established in 2005, Googol Medical Centre offers its patients comprehensive healthcare in a friendly, discreet and relaxed environment. UK doctor Steven Joseph provides a wide range of medical care for the English-speaking community in Barcelona with access to all medical specialties and tests. He also practices in mental health.
Feel confident with Dr. Mary McCarthy, an American-trained doctor for adults. A native English speaker with over 20 years’ experience in Barcelona, Dr. McCarthy offers professional, private health care. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and is also certified as a Specialist by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Gran Via Carles III nº-37-39 Metro: Les Corts (L3) T. 93 330 2412 M. 627 669 524 googol@hotmail.es www.googolmedicalcentre.com Open Mon-Sat
Aribau 215 Pral. 1a T. 93 200 2924 M. 607 220 040 FGC Diagonal or Gràcia
Dr. Christian Eickhoff deutsche zk - DENTIST
Visit our online BUSINESS DIRECTORY www.barcelona-metropolitan.com
MP 45-50 July.indd 44
Highly recommended among the international community, they use the latest in dental technology like digital prosthetics and orthodontics. The whole German team is English speaking and the doctor has an American training in implantology and orthodontics. Check-ups and X-rays are free. Centrally located.
Consell de Cent 249, bajos Metro Universitat (L1/L2) T. 93 323 9629 info@deutsche-zk.com
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DENTISTS · ACUPUNCTURE · HERBAL PRODUCTS · NUTRITIONIST · PSYCHOTHERAPY
Clínica Caballero Friedlander - DENTIST If you’ve always wanted to have a beautiful smile, but don’t want to wear visible metal braces, they have the solution for you. They’ll be pleased to help by creating an ideal treatment concept for you using Incognito® invisible lingual braces or invisalign® clear braces. Call them for a free evaluation visit:
Dra. Susana Campi - DENTIST For all your dental needs, a team consisting of our first-class professionals can offer you excellent treatment. we have more than 30 years of experience and are pleased to offer you our services in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Catalan.
Puigmarti 33, Local 2 T. 93 237 0287 info@clinicacf.com www.ortodoncia-barcelona.com www.clinicacf.com
Rosselló 95, local, 08029, Barcelona Metro: Hospital Clinic (L5) Entença (L5) T. 93 322 9114 Fax. 93 322 0220 campi@coec.net
Tingsvall & McCarthy -
Dr. J. Vilallonga - AMERICAN
DENTIST & DENTAL HYGIENIST This eco-friendly clinic promotes great patient care using natural products. The Swedish-trained dentist Dr. Stefan Tingsvall is on hand to provide a very caring way of treating people—he solves the problem and gets the job done. Qualified USA-trained dental hygienist Elena McCarthy provides education on preventive care using effective herbal rinses and essential oils. She also offers the leading teeth whitening treatment ‘Brite Smile’.
DENTIST
Doctor Vilallonga and his staff boast many years professional experience and use the most modern technology in an international level in order to offer definitive and results of maximum quality. Don’t allow a dental problem to ruin your life; the time to enjoy life has begun.
Castellnou 47 T. 93 205 1903 M. 636 312 522 / 696 664 430 FGC Les Tres Torres (L6) Bus: 16, 30, 66, 70, 72, 74 tingsvall.mccarthy@gmail.com www.tingsvall-mccarthy.com
Pi i Gibert 34-36, 1º 1ª 08930 Sant Adria de Besos T. 93 381 1864 M. 659 443 583 drvilallonga@hotmail.com
Clínica Dental Image -
Sardenya 502 T. 93 192 4050 Metro: Alfonso X (L4) Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-2pm, 4pm-8.30pm
Tania Spearman *READER ACUPUNCTURE Make acupuncture your first DISCOUNT choice, not your last resort! Tania is offering all Metropolitan readers a15 € discount on first appointments with this voucher. Acupuncture treats many conditions from pain, stress and depression to fertility and more. Call now to make your appointment or to see if acupuncture is right for you. Tania is a UK university trained acupuncturist with her own clinic in the centre of Barcelona. English, Spanish and German spoken. Enric Granados 133, 4-1 bis 08008 M. 644 322 161 info@taniaspearman.com www.taniaspearman.com
InnOrbit - HERBAL PRODUCTS
Ana Barredo - NUTRITIONIST
DENTIST
A great new clinic, just opened, offering 20 percent discounts on all treatments, 25 percent off dentures for elderly patients and teeth whitening with a 2 x 1 offer. The first visit and first diagnosis are free. Great design, charming staff and excellent service.
Their infusions taste delicious and complement a healthy lifestyle. They have created four blends using 100 percent naturally-grown herbs and spices. The recipes are based on Ayurvedic medicine and endorsed by modern science. UP&GO: Ideal for sport and exercise. YOUNG&FUN: Enhances memory and promotes concentration. CALM&RELAX: Relieves stress. SLIM&FIT: Helps to maintain a healthy weight. T. 93 814 0287 andy@innorbit.com www.innorbit.com
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY 47
Do you want to improve your nutritional health? Ana can help you, as a nutritionist with many years of experience. All you need is a consultation and if you want, she can monitor your progress. Change your lifestyle and improve your health, because we are what we eat!
Sant Hermenegild 26, 4o 2a 08006 M. 679 743 274. ana.bm79@gmail.com
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48 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
PSYCHOTHERAPY · MIDWIFE · LASER TREATMENT
Hestia - PSYCHOTHERAPY The Hestia International Centre of Psychotherapy has become a reference in the city. The professional team work with individuals, couples and families through psychotherapy, coaching, counselling, clinical hypnosis, art therapy, NLP and EMDR. They speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Greek and the first consultation is free.
Jonathan Lane Hooker -
Nick Cross - PSYCHOLOGIST /
Jonathan Hooker can help if you’re looking for support, guidance or help with any aspect of your life. An English-speaking psychotherapist, counsellor, coach and guide, he is dedicated to helping people make sense of their lives. Jonathan provides one-to-one sessions or workshops for groups of four to 12 people. Metropolitan readers are invited to a free 20-minute introductory meeting.
Nick Cross is a registered psychologist, specialising in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you with the causes of distress and unhappiness and it provides treatment for anxiety, fears, relationship difficulties, depression, problems adjusting, loss and trauma.
T. 93 590 7654 M. 639 579 646 jonathan.hooker@yahoo.com www.jonathanhooker.com
M. 644 193 825 ncross@copc.es
NEST is a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of English-speaking therapists who provide professional services to individuals, families, schools and companies. Established in 2000, their highly-qualified, licensed psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists offer outstanding services in English and several other languages. For more details on their practitioners, visit their website or see their advertisement in the main pages.
www.barcelonanest.com
Krishinda Powers Duff Bsc Hons - Midwife
Krishinda is a fully-qualified and trained British midwife offering home birth and home dilatation service. She also provides antenatal and postnatal care and support to mothers and babies for six weeks after birth. She is supported in her practice by a team of Spanish but British-trained midwives and alternative health care professionals as well as a breast feeding consultant/Doula. means Manuel Isaías López, MD, PhD Claudia RosMidwife Tusquets MA ‘to be with woman’. Clinical Psychologist Child and Adolescent M. 665 143 437 Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst & Psychotherapist 934 102 962Marenostrum / 657 570 692 Centre de Salut familiar 686 991 742 Fontanella 16 Principal, 08010 krishinda@gmail.com
www.barcelonanest.com
All NEST professionals are Licensed / Certified
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Eugenia is a dedicated professional who specialises in psychological issues related to immigration. She offers effective treatment for mood and anxiety disorders as well as couples and family therapy. The first consultation with Eugenia is free.
M. 677 090 479 genaespinosa@yahoo.com
NEST - NETWORK OF ENGLISH SPEAKING THERAPISTS
Established in 2000
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Passeig Sant Joan 180 Pral 2a Metro: Joanic (L4) T. 93 459 2802 info@hestia.es www.hestia.es
Psychotherapist
Network of English Speaking Therapists
Eugenia Espinosa -
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Paloma Azpilicueta -
Psychotherapist
English-speaking clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. Forty years of professional experience with adults, children and adolescents. She has worked in both the public and private sectors in mental health as well as in education and social issues. Psychodynamic orientation.
Barcelona: T. 93 415 6646 Mataro: T. 93 799 6596 solazpi@ya.com www.centrepsicologiamataro.com
Clustermedica Laser treatment The B-Cure laser provides relief and treatment for a wide range of orthopedic problems in the neck, back and joints that generally result from bad posture, excessive use of a computer keyboard or sports injuries. Now you can stop pain and heal the source with just a six-minute treatment, twice a day. It’s ready to use anywhere, lightweight and rechargeable. If you’re suffering from this type of injury, then call now or visit their website for more information. T. 90 210 6989 Vidal i Guash 13 clustermedica@clustermedica.com www.clustermedica.com
English - Spanish - Catalan - Dutch - German - Italian
6/20/12 12:51:31 PM
INTERIOR DESIGN · CARPENTRY · ARCHITECTS · REMOVALS · PROPERTY
Graham Collins Interior Design
Graham Collins is an experienced interior designer and property consultant and can help with everything concerning property, design and decoration. So, whether you need help working out the property market or are looking for someone to renovate your home, Graham is here to help you.
Consolat del Mar 35, 3er Metro: Barceloneta (L4) M. 678 757 511 grahamcollinsbcn@gmail.com
Vanessa Pascual interior designer
Vanessa Pascual a trained interior designer from the School of Design, University of Vic. Her projects are tailored to the needs of each client under the concept of functionality, beauty and design for everyone. Since 2008 she has run her own firm with a strong team of technical, industrial and design staff, who work closely together, offering their customers a wide range of options and solutions to make their dreams come true. T. 93 841 8021 www.vanessapascual.com
Terraza Barcelona -
Advalua - ARCHITECTS
Dirk has a passion for creating affordable carpentry designs for both interior and exterior spaces. From terrace decks to planters, pergolas to storage sheds, he will impress you with the quality of his work. Wooden furniture for: garden, terrace, balcony, living, bedroom, bathroom, office - you name it, he makes it! Everything is custom made - choose from one of his designs or bring your own ideas. Please contact Dirk for an obligation-free quotation.
Advalua is a team of architects and professionals that can find and/or reform the property for sale or rent that you’re looking for, whether to live or work in. They offer a complete range of services: they inspect and evaluate properties; carry out renovation estimates and projects as well as coordinate all the work to be done; process the permits, technical documents and everything you need.
M. 657 452 279 info@terrazabarcelona.es www.terrazabarcelona.es
M.693 726 721 www.advalua.com info@advalua.com
Van - Removals
Corase - REMOVALS
VanBCN offers experience, good service and inexpensive rates to make your move or removal safe and easy. Whether you are looking for man with a van for a quick move or if you want to do a complete removal, just call or send your request online. VanBCN adapts its service to your needs. They can pick up your stuff or take it to the port, airport or storage. Deliver home your purchases from IKEA or any other shop. Move your office, your room or your house. Just contact VanBCN. They know how to do it.
Corase specialise in international removals and have a worldwide network of agents. You can trust them with any type of move, big or small. Their staff are attentive to each client’s needs and are trained to ensure that you get quality, speed and security. Corase also offer a range of other services, including storage facilities. They will be happy to give you a free quote.
CaRpentry
T. 93 426 7684 M. 647 533 344 www.vanbcn.com
Lugaris - PROPERTY The best option to live and work in Barcelona. Brand new, modern furnished and bright apartments. In Poblenou, a few metres from Bogatell beach and very close to the 22@ district. Privileged services such as swimming pool, parking, security, cleaning and free WI-FI, to make your stay more confortable. Use this promotional code to get 10% off your next booking. Code: 20CM12 Vidal y Valenciano, 14 T. 93 221 9159 info@lugaris.com www.lugaris.com
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY 49
Av. Diagonal 249 Metro: Monumental (L2) T. 90 070 2270 (free) info@mudanzascorase.es www.mudanzascorase.es
Aspasios Rentals & Services - PROPERTY Staying at Aspasios in Barcelona and Madrid is the perfect way to enjoy Spain. Feel at home in a new city while staying in a luxurious furnished apartment. Aspasios provides accommodation for days, months or years. They offer check-in at any time and day of the year as well as a 24hr phone service. Aspasios has multicultural staff willing to welcome you in different languages. Adriana Romero T. 93 304 1448 info@aspasios.com www.aspasios.com
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50 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
PROPERTY · LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Idiomplus-
Spaces for rent - PROPERTY
MULTIMEDIA LANGUAGE SCHOOL Idiomplus offers a revolutionary new method of learning languages by utilising social media as an additional online tool so you can learn the content you are most interested in. Their courses are designed especially for professionals, entrepreneurs and managers who require the command of new languages. By practising with relevant content and conversations that fit your interests and work needs you will quickly be able to put your new skills into practical use. T. 93 445 1791 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 583 5ª www.Idiomplus.com info@idiomplus.com
Hotel Onix offer a range of rooms and spaces for rent at a low price. Perfect for a variety of classes and events like yoga, theatre, dancing, business meetings, seminars and rehearsals. They have different sized rooms at Liceu, Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya that are both clean and comfortable with central heating, A/C, tables and chairs to suit your needs. You can rent their space by the hour, half or full day, weeks or months. For more information please call Jubran. T. 93 303 4154 events@hotelsonix.com
Benjamin Franklin -
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona offers a differentiated American curriculum from nursery to grade 12, which includes English language preparation for college education, foreign language programs and learning support. It is fully accredited with strong academic programs, such as the American High School Diploma, Spanish Baccalaureate Certificate and the IB Diploma. It also has an active parent-teacher association and a welcoming global community. Martorell i Peña 9 T. 93 434 2380 F. 93 417 3633 www.bfischool.org
BCN L.I.P. LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Spanish for foreigners
LANGUAGE SCHOOL
The experienced teachers at Versión Original are thrilled to share their enthusiasm for the Spanish language and culture. This small city centre school, with classes of no more than 10 students, is devoted to languages, especially Spanish. There’s a great atmosphere here and a 5% discount for Metropolitan readers.
Gran Via 636, 1o 1a A Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) T. 93 412 4576 info@versionoriginalbcn.com www.versionoriginalbcn.com
One-to-One *READER DISCOUNT
BCN L.I.P. Languages is a small school with a warm and welcoming atmosphere in Barcelona’s old town. They offer both intensive and extensive courses and it’s the perfect place to ensure success in your language immersion. The centre is equipped with the most advanced facilities to enable you to succeed in your chosen language.
T. 93 318 6591 info@bcnlip.com www.bcnlip.com
SPANISH CLASSES Learn exactly what you need with one-to-one Spanish classes in the office or at home. Focus your classes on the language and vocabulary that best serves you according to your own personal or professional needs. Business Spanish and small group classes are also available. Get confident in Spanish with Pilar.
M. 610 057 266
Kingsbrook -
BCN Metropol LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Kingsbrook have been helping people learn Spanish in a simple, pleasant and fun way since 1985. The school is located in the heart of Barcelona and has a team of experienced and dedicated staff. In order to create an optimal learning environment, the school ensures that classes have only between 7-10 students.
Study Spanish in one of Spain’s most established and prestigious language schools. Since 1982 Metropol have provided high-quality language training to students of all nationalities. The school is right in the heart of Barcelona city centre and it’s a great place to learn or improve your Spanish. It’s a popular and specialised school, with more than 27 years of experience and they offer great value Spanish courses for all levels.
LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Trav. de Gràcia 60 Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5) T. 93 209 3763 info@kingsbrookbcn.com www.kingsbrookbcn.com
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Versión Original -
T. 93 301 8241 Pau Claris 87, 1o1a Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) www.bcnmetropol.com
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MUSIC · COMPUTERS · GRAPHIC DESIGN · SAILING COURSES
BUSINESS DIRECTORY 51
Guitar lessons - MUSIC Alen holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in guitar performance, and has been teaching all levels of guitar for over 18 years. He accepts students for private or online/ Skype lessons. His students have been top prize winners in numerous guitar competitions and have gone on to earn performance degrees at major universities throughout Europe.
T. 652 477 269 alengaragic@gmail.com www.alengaragic.com
Geo Mac - CoMPUTERS george Cowdery is a freelance Mac technician who has been providing valuable support to the Mac community in Barcelona for over 15 years. Among the services he offers, george can help clients with maintenance and upgrades, hard drive replacement and ADSL setup. He can also provide consulting and tutorials according to his clients’ needs.
M. 606 308 932 machelp@geomac.es www.geomacbcn.com
Mrs.Q design studio - gRAPHIC DESIgN Mrs.Q Design Studio offers a range of specialised services from branding to graphic design, web design, ceramics, photography and bespoke invitations. Whether you have a new concept in mind that you want to see brought to life or need assistance rebranding your company, contact Mrs.Q design studio. They are happy to help you every step of the way to make sure you get the exact look you’re looking for. They specialise in bespoke wedding invitations, tailor-made to suit the style of your wedding. Match your wedding invitations with save the dates, menus, place cards and thank you cards to create a polished look. At Mrs.Q design studio they love to design creative, engaging brand identities that help their clients flourish. They will help you bring some of your personality to your brand and use their knowledge of colour, passion for typography and creative flair to create an identity that engages your customers.
M. 699 260 938 mrsqdesignstudio@gmail.com www.mrsqdesignstudio.com
INTERESTED IN DOING A DESIGN INTERNSHIP? MT Sailing - SAILINg CoURSES
Requirements: · English speaking
RYA Sailing and powerboat courses. Always wanted to get on the water, but didn’t know how? Now you can! MT Sailing is an RYA training centre right here in Barcelona, offering theory and practical courses at all levels from Start Yachting or Powerboat all the way to professional Yachtmaster Ocean. Internationally recognized qualifications are taught and examined in English. During classes, support is available in Spanish. Their flexible course schedules include intensive, weekend and evenings. To discuss your sailing ambitions, call Michael 695 806 029 or Stephen 646 654 067. Start your adventure today!
· Have graphic design training
T. 695 806 029/646 654 067 sail@mtf.com www.mtf.com.
www.barcelona-metropolitan.com
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· Have a good knowledge of Photoshop and Indesign
Send your CV to design@barcelona-metropolitan.com
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52 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
TELEVISION SERVICE · TAX AND ACCOUNTING
Easi-Sat - TELEVISION SERVICE NEW! NEW! NEW! Not allowed a satellite dish? Now we can supply all your favourite uk tv channels including all sports and films over the internet. No dish needed! Specialists in satellite TV, HD, audiovisual and unmatched for quality and reliability. For a personal, efficient and friendly service call the specialists. Our professional team provides satellite television from across Europe at unbeatable prices!
T. 93 845 9874 M. 649 413 832 enquiries@easisat.net www.easisat.net
Europa Digital - TELEVISION SERVICE Tired of being out the loop on the best documentaries or are you a secret soap fan? Or, maybe you’re just missing your favourite television programmes from home. There’s no need to miss out anymore—now you can see all of your favourite channels here in Barcelona! Europa Digital are licensed and fully insured to install all satellite systems, including a whole range of channels from BBC HD, Freesat, itv hd, Sky, Sky 3d, Sky Sports and many more. They can also supply all European systems and viewing cards. They were the first company to start operating in Catalunya and, as well as private installations, they have worked for hotel groups and put multi-systems in apartment blocks.The experienced and professional team give friendly advice to ensure that you receive the best package to suit your needs. They are the only company of their kind with a registered office and a 24-hour helpline. Visit their showroom before you buy or call them now for a free quotation. They are fully licensed and insured. Floridablanca 78 Metro: Sant Antoni (L2) T. 93 325 1797 M. 666 556 452 Sant Josep, 32, Sitges T. 93 894 72 99 www.europadigital.tv admin@europadigital.tv
Spain Accounting -
Tax AND Accounting services
*READER DISCOUNT
Qualified UK accountant with 25 years experience in Spain offers: · Tax services for freelance ‘autónomos’ & companies · Income tax returns for employees & non-residents · Registration of ‘autónomos’ & company incorporation (SL) · Practical advice on setting up a business in Spain · Fast, reliable email service Call David Cook 678 702 369 info@spainaccounting.com www.spainaccounting.com
BritSat - TELEVISION SERVICE
Brumwell Brokers -
INSURANCE AND TAX SERVICES
BritSat offer great television packages so you’ll never have to miss your favourite TV programmes again. Craving a bit of classic comedy, your favourite soap or just fed up of feeling out of the loop of the best TV at home? BritSat will install the full package you choose for a great price. Take your pick from some of the best television in Europe as they install British, Dutch, German, Italian and French satellite TV. The team will create tailor-made installations to suit your requirements, always aiming to find the most discreet location for the dish and cables. BritSat provides excellent customer care and can also incorporate sound systems and multi-screen viewing.
They not only care about your wellbeing, they “insure” it. With over 20 years of experience under their belts they can help you with all your insurance needs. Working with most insurance companies they guarantee you the best quote and best cover for what you need. They can even insure your bicycle!! Brumwell Brokers’ service team can also help you with tax, accounting, legal and labour laws. (Set ups, Autonomos).
M. 649 605 917 info@britsatlive.com www.britsatlive.com
Pl. Gal-la Placidia 1-3 08006 T. 90 262 7810 F. 90 262 7811
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INSURANCE · LEGAL PRACTICE · BUSINESS COACHING · SERVICE · FINANCIAL ADVICE
Cogesa - INSURANCE
BUSINESS DIRECTORY 53
Continental Wealth Management WEALTH MANAgEMENT
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Do you feel secure in Barcelona? Are you still insured in your home country? Do you travel? Spanish not fluent yet? Do you want to feel safe and carefree in Barcelona no matter what? Cogesa makes sure to find you personalized and price worthy insurance solutions for your every need. We also speak Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, german and French.
The group has over 30 years’ experience of giving professional, custom-tailored financial advice to expatriates on a global basis. They handle all aspects of wealth management, including investment portfolios, QRoPS pension transfers and insurance. Their team of advisors can provide a no-obligation review to assess your circumstances and help you to make the right choices for a secure and profitable future. Av. Del Pla, 128 2 - 202 03730 Javea Alicante T. 96 646 2875 M. 665 362 944 www.continentalwealth.com
Diputació 262 T. 93 342 4896 foreignresidents@cogesa.es www.cogesaforeignresidents.es
Sánchez Molina -
LEgAL PRACTICE
The lawyers at Sánchez Molina speak English, Spanish, Italian and French. They can help with your business licensing services, legal defence and representation, registration under any form of ownership, accounting services and work and residency permits.
Gran Via Carles III, 84, 5 Metro: Maria Cristina (L3) T. 93 490 9669 javiergarcia@sanchezmolina.com www.sanchezmolina.com
Green Bean Coaching BUSINESS CoACHINg
Scan the QRS code for a short video clip of why business coaching may just be the answer you need. green Bean coaches small and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs proven business techniques that have helped thousands of businesses boost their sales, increase profits and hit their company goals. They will coach you to implement the strategies you need to move to the next business level.
T. 93 268 9544 M. 693 940 701 explore@freegreenbeans.com www.freegreenbeans.com
The Spectrum IFA Group - FINANCIAL ADVICE The Spectrum IFA Group creates and provides financial planning solutions for expatriates and foreign residents. Their experienced and qualified team in Barcelona can help you with all aspects of finance including: • Pensions/ Retirement Planning • Savings & Investments • Life Cover • Health Insurance • Currency Exchange • Mortgages • Tax Planning • Asset Management They are regulated financial planners with offices in seven European countries, dedicated to providing the best advice and solution for each individual client. Please email or call them to arrange an initial, no-obligation introductory meeting.
T. 93 665 8596 Passeig de Gràcia 63, Principal 2A barcelona@spectrum-ifa.com
Barcelona’s Guest
PERSoNAL ASSISTANTS This company provides assistants who can help you with daily tasks and provide language support if you are not confident speaking Spanish. You can delegate your chores, however large or small, to their staff with total confidence, giving you complete confidence and peace of mind about the organisation of all your appointments and events. They have impeccable references from their clients. Contact them today to discuss your requirements. Ganduxer nº14, Desp 9 08021 T. 93 539 6106 M. 666 816 168 christian@barcelonasguest.es www.barcelonasguest.es
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T
he new wine temple in Born – a unique space in Barcelona offering a wide range of quality wines.
Opened this year, come and enjoy the cosy, local and well-laid-out bar, along with the stylish wooden interior with shelves full of original and interesting wines. A place to totally relax and disconnect. Affordable to all, the bar contains wines from all over the world, and specialises in Spanish, French and Portuguese wines. The waiters will happily explain the origin and characteristics of each wine, while the wine menu changes every 15 days so you’ll never get bored. To accompany the wines, the bar offers a variety of starters and main dishes. These include steak sautéed with pepper rolls, crispy Camembert with berry jam, a cheese platter and mi-cuit with figs and balsamic vinegar. Disset 17 also has a special range of gin and tonics and vodka tonics, as well as whiskeys, beers and other beverages.
Carrer Antic de St Joan 3, 08003 · Tel. 93 268 1987 · Open from Tue-Sun 7pm-2.30am
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56 EMPLOYMENT
Job directory To advertise in this section, call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See also our online directory at www.barcelona-metropolitan.com
For the latest jobs for English speakers in Barcelona, follow us on Twitter @WorkInBarcelona
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EMPLOYMENT 57
Telesales & Telemarketing staff
Wanted english speaking experienced Telesales & Telemarketing staff to work from home. Must have pc and good internet connection. We will supply all working materials. Good basic & great commisions & bonuses.
olga@euro-events.co.uk
NORDIC SALES PEOPLE WANTED!5/23/12
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DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT WITH A GREAT SALARY AND UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES?
We are currently expanding our Scandinavian sales department and are looking for highly motivated sales people. You don’t have to be experienced in the sales field but you have to have the right attitude and a desire to become a good sales person. You have to be fluent in one of the following languages: Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or Finnish. Full time job. We offer a high fixed salary and great comission + bonuses. Please send your CV to nordic-market-research@representative.com
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58 BACK PAGE
Going underground
U
nless you’re a vagrant, most people try and work out how to spend less time on the metro, not more. It’s usually busy, oppressive and stiflingly hot if you get a carriage with no air-con, or chillingly cold if you do. It is in no way pleasurable. Unlike almost every other form of transport, no one ever thinks, “I know what I’ll do this afternoon, I’ll take a short jaunt on the metro!” No one looks forward to an impending tube journey— especially if it’s the same one every morning, it coincides with the rush hour, and you associate it with the unpleasant but unavoidable task of going to work. Even if it’s taking you to a date or a smart dinner or the presentation of your Nobel Peace Prize, it’s still something to tolerate rather than savour. You’re there because you have to be, or because you’ve got nowhere else to go. Hats off, then, to the daring tube-riders whose mission in life is to beat the record for the shortest time visiting every station on the system. In New York, it stands at
just under 23 hours. In Barcelona, just under five. Four hours, 49 minutes and 45 seconds, to be precise, which, as times go, is conveniently, even suspiciously, lyrical. And does seem very fast, especially if you have ever sat on the green line as far as Zona Universitària, a journey that always seems to take at least that long. Current holder of the Barcelona title is Englishman Adham Fisher, who has made breaking underground records something of a fetish, and ticked the city off his list in May. The Guinness Book of Records only registers London and New York, but Fisher can claim unofficial records for a clutch of unrecognised cities. Like a modern-day Cortés, he travels the world, conquering metro systems that didn’t know they needed conquering. He has attempted the London Underground no fewer than 11 times without success, for which he deserves some form of recognition beyond a free newspaper and congested lungs. The rules are stiff. You need all sorts of witnesses and, while you are allowed to
emerge from the system, blinking in the sunlight to get from one line to another, you have to travel between them on public transport or on foot. So no speedy couriers to whisk you from Can Zam to Can Cuiàs, for example. More of a challenge would be to complete it without leaving the system, which would require a lot of doubling back on yourself. But in that case you could do it on a single fare, although you might have your attempt derailed by an over-zealous inspector wanting to know why you’ve been travelling for five hours on the same ticket. Of course, it’s hardly Everest (though these days, the Himalayas are as busy as Urquinaona in the rush hour), but it is a lot closer to home and marginally more worthwhile than the world’s largest flag, say. (Barça, inevitably. Last November.) The De Floribus Book of Records awaits news of home-grown attempts on this summit of urban travel with interest. --Roger de Flower
HOROSCOPE Aries Your health is very good this month and you may find yourself satisfied with work, too. Later in the month, your focus will turn to your partner and you’ll be keen to be with them as much as you can.
Taurus It’s a romantic time for
Gemini You feel the urge to do some home improvements, but they may not go well if you don’t make careful plans in advance. If you’re looking for love, the end of the month could be a good time for you.
Cancer This is a busy month, with lots on your to-do list. You’ll also be very communicative, but try not to put your foot in it with what you say. In the second half of the month, you’ll be keen to make changes at home.
Leo You want to take a look at your personal values and reconsider them, although you may face opposition from those around you. Stay calm and use your communication skills to make it clear what you’re doing.
Virgo You have a lot of energy
Libra Reflection and relaxation are on the cards for you in July. You may also find that your love life is on an upward turn. You will notice that your low energy levels start to pick up towards the end of the month.
Scorpio This is a great month for you and you’re looking forward to the future. There will be happy times at home and you could get a foot up at work. However, things may take a negative turn in the final week.
Sagittarius Work is looking
Capricorn This is a good time
Aquarius You need to keep an eye on your home finances, if you haven’t already been doing so. However, you have some tricks up your sleeve for making the money go further. Your partner will also help out.
Pisces Focus on your longterm relationships and deal with issues or old conflicts that surface by staying rational. Avoid over-spending at the end of the month; you have less to splurge than you think.
up with the possibility of an important move. You will be motivated by romantic matters in your plans for the coming months. Set goals for the future and decide how to achieve them.
you, but don’t let your feelings become too overpowering or make you spend too much towards the end of July. You feel motivated to make changes to your wellbeing or job.
this month. Financial issues and how to earn more at work, will be of particular interest to you. Try not to over-stretch yourself as this could threaten your health.
for you to go on holiday, but make sure you prepare well for the break in advance. It is also a good time for you to prosper at work. Be careful with your money.
scoop By Ben Rowdon
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A real German beer garden in the centre of Barcelona
Information and bookings: Tel: 676 477 094 Email: psofiabiergarten@expogrupo.com Pl. Pius XII 4, 08028, Next to the hotel Princesa Sofia Monday to Sunday from 1pm to midnight
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‘Biergarten’ refers to the traditional German terraces where beer and sausages are served in a friendly and sociable outdoor area. The Hotel Princesa Sofia pays homage to this German custom to bring the most traditional Bavarian flavour to everyone in Barcelona. Live music, the most authentic atmosphere, typical Bavarian dishes, genuine German style decoration and excellent service by waiters and waitresses wearing traditional costumes from southern Bavaria and who are very familiar with the beer tradition and culture—all this makes it the only terrace in Barcelona that perfectly recreates the atmosphere and special characteristics of the original outdoor beer gardens in Germany. With the slogan “200-percent German”, the Biergarten celebrates its eighth season in high style. This is based on the high quality of the German products imported from Bavaria: the best local beer, real German sausages, traditional regional bread… Thanks to having such items on offer, each year, more and more people come to enjoy this original concept in Barcelona. Guests can try traditional dishes, such as Kartoffelsalat (German potato salad with onions, herbs and vinegar), Obatzda (delicious cheese soup seasoned with paprika) or different kinds of sausages, from the Bavarian speciality Weisswurst to the spicy Debrecziner. If you and your friends are sports fans, at the Biergarten you can also enjoy the sports broadcasts of the Spanish league games, the Champions League matches and the Olympic Games from London on giant TV screens, which, along with its traditional German products, make this event a real experience. The only ‘200-percent German’ terrace in Barcelona is an outdoor area where you can try authentic German sausages and dishes. Open every day from April to October, from 1pm until midnight, with meals always available.
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