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jueves, 27 de diciembre de 2012

BARCELONA GAUDI: COL·LEGI DE LES TERESIANES


The elegant building of Col·legi de les Teresianes, which looks like an unassailable fortress, is the amazing convent school designed by the brilliant architect Antoni Gaudí for a community of nuns from the Order of Saint Teresa of Jesus. This imposing building stands behind railings and among gardens, and has been used as a school ever since it opened.

Unlike his other projects, Gaudí had to work with a limited budget and this explains the use of austere materials, such as brick and reconstituted stone, or the plaster walls inside. However, Gaudí’s genius is evident in the structural system comprising two large skylights and tall, slender parabolic arches which allow natural light to flood the interior hallways.



Col·legi de les Teresianes designed by Antoni Gaudí
The religious symbology of Col·legi de les Teresianes is completed by the turrets at either end of the building, which are surmounted by a four-armed cross.

Col·legi de les Teresianes designed by Antoni Gaudí
This four-armed cross can be also seen in Casa Batlló and Casa Bellesguard. Both buildings were designed by Antoni Gaudí too



Col·legi de les Teresianes designed by Antoni Gaudí
The façade of Col·legi de les Teresianes, which also features parabolic arches around the windows, is surmounted by an unusual series of merlons crowned by Saint Teresa’s doctoral biretta


Col·legi de les Teresianes in Barcelona
Col·legi de les Teresianes in Barcelona was designed by Antoni Gaudí


Col·legi de les Teresianes in Barcelona
Slender parabolic arches of Col·legi de les Teresianes allow natural light to flood the interior hallways


I would like to give you some useful informatión in case you want to visit this building designed by Gaudí:




- Address: Ganduxer, 85-105, Barcelona
- Phone and Guided Visits: 932 123 354
- How to get there:
  • Bus 14, 16, 70, 72 and 74
  • FGC, stop Tres Torres.



Clicking on the next links you will find more pictures of the most important buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí:


Other fantastic modernist buildings in Barcelona are:


Finally, clicking on the next link you will find more links to other beautiful places in Barcelona, among them, more fantastic modernist masterpieces you can see along the Modernist Route.

viernes, 21 de diciembre de 2012

SHOPPING IN BARCELONA: LAS ARENAS MALL

After having talked about El Portal de l'Angel, one of the main shopping streets in Barcelona together with El Passeig de Gràcia and La Diagonal, today I would like to speak about a new shopping center in Barcelona: Las Arenas.

Located next to La Plaça de Espanya and near the Montjuïc Magic Fountain, it opened its doors on 25th march 2011. From that day, many people go to Las Arenas, which was a bullring, for shopping or to enjoy the views of Montjuïc from the dome.

However, as well as shopping, inside the six floors of Las Arenas you can go to the twelve-screen cinema, you can exercise in the fitness center, visit the Museum of Rock or have dinner in one of the many restaurants. If you prefer to eat near the city center, in a previous post I recommended some great restaurants.

I went to Las Arenas on 30th april and the next pictures show what I liked the most of this bullring converted into a shopping center.

Las Arenas Shopping Mall



Las Arenas shopping center in BarcelonaLas Arenas shopping center, located near Montjuïc, one of the most beautiful areas in Barcelona

Las Arenas Shopping MallOverview of Las Arenas Shopping Mall where you can see the dome, the terrace and the Neomudejar facade



Views from the dome of Las Arenas


View from the dome of Las Arenas shopping mall
Behind La Plaça d'Espanya, you can see Maria Cristina Avenue with the Venetian Towers and the Magical Fountain of Montjuïc at the end


Joan Miro park from the dome of Las Arenas shopping mallView of Joan Miro Park located next to Las Arenas


Neomudejar windows of Las Arenas shopping mallNeomudejar windows give an arab look to the facade of Las Arenas


Inside Las Arenas Shopping Mall


Inside Las Arenas shopping mallFrom the platform in the middle of Las Arenas shopping center this is what I saw


Inside Las Arenas shopping mallSome of the 115 shops inside Las Arenas shopping center



Las Arenas Shopping Mall lit at night




Neomudejar facade of Las Arenas shopping mall
The Neomudejar facade of Las Arenas shopping mall lit in the evening


Las Arenas shopping center
Las Arenas shopping mall lit at night



Las Arenas shopping mall lit at night
Las Arenas shopping center has become one of the most spectacular ones of Barcelona


Las Arenas shopping mall
Detail of Las Arenas shopping mall decorated with Christmas details

I also would like to give you some useful information about Las Arenas:

- Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes núm,373-385.
- How to arrive:
  • Metro: L1 and L3, stop Plaça Espanya.
  • Bus: 9, 13, 27, 30, 50, 56, 57, 65, 79, 91, 109 and 157.
- Opening time:
  • Shops: from 10:00 to 22:00 (Monday to Saturday).
  • Restaurants: From 10:00 to 00:30 (Monday to Thursday), from 10:00 to 02:30 (Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays), from 10:00 to 01:30 (Sundays).
- Website: http://www.arenasdebarcelona.com/

 Other shopping areas in Barcelona are:



Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona, among them, more nice places in Montjuïc.

domingo, 16 de diciembre de 2012

BARCELONA: SHOPPING MALLS AND OUTLETS

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city where you can enjoy not only its interesting touristic activities, but also you can enjoy going shopping. Barcelona provides actually a wide variety of Shopping Centers and Outlets!!

Following, there is some information about the most important Shopping  Centers and some outlets to go shopping in Barcelona:


Shopping malls in Barcelona



  • Las Arenas
  • El Corte Inglés
  • El Triangle
  • Illa Diagonal
  • Diagonal Mar
  • Gran Via 2
  • Splau
  • Les Glòries
  • Maremagnum
  • La Maquinista
  • Pedralbes Centre
  • Bulevard Rosa


Las Arenas


It offers spectacular views of Barcelona from its terrace. There are a lot of restaurants, a twelve-screen cinema, a fitness center and a lot of fashion stores. If you go to this mall, don’t forget to take a look of its facade because this building was a bullring.
  • Address: Plaça d'Espanya (Barcelona)
  • There is also a FNAC and a Supermarket (Mercadona)

Las Arenas Shopping Mall in Barcelona
Las Arenas Mall was a bullring which has been converted into a shopping center



Fashion stores inside Las Arenas MallSome of the fashion stores you can find inside Las Arenas Shopping Mall in Barcelona


El Corte inglés


It is a chain store you can find all over the city. The larger stores are located in:
  • Plaça Catalunya, 14, Barcelona
  • Avinguda del Portal de l'Angel 19-21
  • Avinguda Diagonal, 617, Barcelona

Corte Inglés shopping Mall in Barcelona
El Corte Inglés shopping Mall of Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona



El Corte Inglés shopping mall
El Corte Inglés next to Plaça Catalunya lit at Christmas



El Triangle




  • Address: Plaça de Catalunya, 4, 08002 Barcelona
  • There is also a FNAC

El Triangle shopping mall in Barcelona
El Triangle shopping mall in Barcelona




Illa Diagonal


  • Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 557, Barcelona
  • There is also a FNAC and a Supermarket (Caprabo)

L' Illa Diagonal is a large shopping mall in Barcelona
L'Illa Diagonal, a large shopping mall in Barcelona



Diagonal Mar

  • Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 13, Barcelona
  • There is also a FNAC and a Supermarket (Alcampo)


Gran Via 2

  • Address: Avinguda Granvia, 75, Hospitalet de Llobregat
  • There is also a fifteen-screen cinema and a Supermarket (Carrefour)

Gran Via 2 shopping mall in Barcelona
Gran Via 2 shopping mall in Barcelona



Splau


  • Address: Avinguda del Baix Llobregat 08940 Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona
  • There is also a eighteen-screen cinema and a Supermarket (Mercadona)
  • Website: www.splau.com



Splau shopping mall in Barcelona

Splau shopping mall in Barcelona




Les Glòries

  • Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 208, Barcelona
  • There is also a seven-screen cinema and a Supermarket (Carrefour)

Maremagnum


Maremagnum shopping mall in Barcelona
Maremagnum is a large shopping mall you can find in the Port Vell of Barcelona


La Maquinista


  • Address: Carrer Potosí, 2, Barcelona
  • There is also an Apple Store, a thirteen-screen cinema and a Supermarket (Carrefour)

Pedralbes Centre


Pedralbes Centre shopping mall in Barcelona
This is the modern look you can see inside Pedralbes Centre shopping mall


  • Address: Avinguda Diagonal 609-615, Barcelona


Bulevard Rosa

  • Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 53

Outlets in Barcelona



In Barcelona city the outlets are concentrated in the neighborhood of the Born in Ciutat Vella, and the Eixample district. The epicenter is in the street of Girona, between Gran Via and Casp.


Born Outlet


  • Address: Carrer l'Esparteria, 12, Barcelona
  • Phone: 93 268 72 49
  • Opening Hours: From 10:30am to 2pm and from 5pm to 9:30pm
  • Top Brands: Gucci, Prada, Armani, Dolce Gabbana, Paul Smith, Hugo Boss. Good assorted garments and shoes.



Desigual

  • Address: Carrer Diputació, 313, Barcelona

Domani

  • Address: Passatge Marimon, 17, Barcelona
  • Brands: Calvin Klein, Moschino, Valentino, Versace

Factory Store

  • Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 81, Barcelona
  • Brands: Versace, Gucci, Cavalli, de Liu Jo, Alberta Ferreti…


Zas Ganga


  • Address: Roger de Llúria,89
  • Brands:  Calvin Klein, Dolce Gabbana and Valentino.



Contributions and fashion


  • Address: Riera of Sant Miquel, 30
  • Brands: Dolce Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, among others.



The Stock Company Outlet


  • Address: Rec, 61-63
  • Brands: Diesel, Calvin Klein, Guru, Guess...

Zastwo

  • Address: Mallorca, 275
  • Brands: Adidas, Custo Barcelona, Emporio Armani, Moschino and more.

Lefties (Zara Outlet)

  • Address: Plaça Universitat, Barcelona

Lefties in BarcelonaLefties is the Zara Outlet. The store of the pictures is located in Plaça Universitat

Logo

  • Address: Rambla Catalunya, 48, Barcelona
  • Brands: Versace, Dolce and Gabanna, Miss Sixty

Mango

  • Address: Avinguda Pau Casals, 12, Barcelona
  • Phone: 93 209 07 73
  • Opening Hours: From 10:15am to 9pm

Mango

  • Address: Carrer Girona, 37, Barcelona
  • How to get there: Metro L1 – Stop Tetuán
  • Phone: 93 412 29 35
  • Opening Hours: From 10:15am to 9pm

Mango

  • Address: Carrer de Viladomat, 169, Barcelona
  • Phone: 93 423 16 86
  • Opening Hours: From 10am to 8pm

La Roca Village (Chic Outlet Shopping)


  • Santa Agnès de Malayanes s/n
  • How to arrive: Travel in the comfort of your own vehicle from Barcelona to La Roca Village in just over 30 minutes. From Barcelona, Girona, Costa Brava and France Leave the AP7 motorway at exit 12 (Cardedeu) and follow the signs for Centre Comercial. Parking is free.
  • Some of the national and international brands you will find in La Roca Village are Antonio Miró, Armand Bassi, Custo Barcelona, Andrés SARDA, Loewe, iron Pedro, Versace, Calvin Klein, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dolce Galbana, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, diesel, Burberry, Munich, Camper. .. All Brands clicking on La Roca Village Brands
  • Website: www.larocavillage.com



Viladecans The Style Outlets



- Address: Carretera de la Vila, 90

- Some of the national and international brands you will find are:
  • Adidas-Reebok
  • Callaghan
  • Camper
  • Converse
  • Desigual
  • Mayoral
  • Munich
  • Mustang
  • Nike
  • Timberland
 All brands clicking on Viladecans The Style Outlets Brands

- How to arrive: Viladecans The Style Outlet is located 15 minutes from Barcelona, 10 minutes from the port of Barcelona and El Prat Airport. You can arrive by car (free parking available), RENFE regional railway from Barcelona Sants Estació located less than 100 meters from the shopping mall and taxi stop at the main entrance.

  • By car: Motorway C32 Exit 50
  • By train: Renfe Rodalies train: lines R2 and R2 South from Sanst Station
  • By Bus: 

  • From Pz. España: L80, L81, L86 and L87
  • From Pz. Reina María Cristina: L97
  • From Castelldefels / Sant Boi: L96
  • From Castelldefels / Airport: L99
  • A shuttle bus service is also available to take you to the Barcelona city centre:

Bus stops:

Plaça de Catalunya, 21 (Hard Rock Café)
Plaza Espanya

To outlet: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 367
From outlet: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 378

  
  • Website: http://viladecans.thestyleoutlets.es/es



Ofertix


Outlet Ofertix in Barcelona
Outlet Ofertix in Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona



- Address: Carrer Foment 10 Poligon Industrial Pont Reixat, Sant Just Desvern, 
Barcelona.
- Opening Hours: saturday from 10am to 9pm
- How to arrive: 

  • By Bus: 63 y 157
  • By Tram: T3 Walden
  • By Car: leave the B-23 motorway at exit 3
- Brands: Calvin klein, Diesel, Levi's, Laga, Gas, Wrangler, Lee, Carrera, O'Neill,  Lois, Guess, Carolina herrera, Puma, J'Hayber, Ray Ban, Tous, ...
Website: www.ofertix.com

viernes, 14 de diciembre de 2012

SPAIN: ALICANTE, ELCHE AND ISLA DE TABARCA


Looking for lovely weather and sunshine we decided to spend a weekend of three days in Alicante. And we were lucky because we enjoyed three great days. It was a way to forget for a few days the autumn of Barcelona.

Apart from the city of Alicante, we visited the Palmeral and Hort del Cura in Elche and the Tabarca Island. This island is small but allowed us to spend a pleasant morning walking around the lighthouse and enjoy a delicious paella in the restaurant Casa Ramos.


Here's what we visited these days in Alicante:


Dia 1

  • Views of Alicante from our hotel
  • Elche (Palmeral and Hort del Cura)


Dia 2

  • Promenade and Marina of Alicante
  • Isla de Tabarca


Dia 3

  • Castle of Santa Bárbara
  • Old city of Alicante
  • Explanada



Dia 1

Alicante


Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante
Castle of Santa Bárbara from the 25th floor of our hotel in Alicante

Marina of Alicante
Marina of Alicante from the Tryp Gran Sol hotel in Alicante

Beach of El Postiguet in Alicante
Beach of El Postiguet in Alicante


Cathedral of San Nicolás in Alicante
Cathedral of San Nicolás in Alicante

Elche


Tourist Office in Elche
Tourist Office in Elche

Palms in a park of Elche
Palms in a park of Elche

Imperial Palm in Hort del Cura in Elche
Imperial Palm in Hort del Cura in Elche


Dama de Elche in Hort del Cura in Elche
Dama de Elche in Hort del Cura in Elche

Beautiful flower in Hort del Cura in Elche
Beautiful flower in Hort del Cura in Elche

Palms in Elche
Palms are everywhere in Elche



Alicante




Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante lit at night
Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante lit at night


Dia 2

Alicante




Hotel Tryp Gran Sol in Alicante
Hotel Tryp Gran Sol from the promenade of Alicante

Marina and promenade of Alicante
Marina and promenade of Alicante

Marina and promenade of Alicante
I really like the promenade of Alicante

Alicante from Kontiki cruise
Nice view of Alicante from Kontiki cruise. This boat took us from Alicante to Isla de Tabarca

Isla de Tabarca



Lighthouse in Isla de Tabarca
Lighthouse in Isla de Tabarca

Lighthouse in Isla de Tabarca
We were lucky because the day was lovely in Isla de Tabarca

Lighthouse in Isla de Tabarca
Cactus near the lighthouse of Isla de Tabarca

Tower of San José in Isla de Tabarca
Tower of San José in Isla de Tabarca

Walls in Isla de Tabarca
Walls in Isla de Tabarca



Dia 3

Alicante


 Marina of Alicante from the castle of Santa Bárbara
Marina of Alicante from the castle of Santa Bárbara

View from the castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante
View from the castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante

Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante
Castle of Santa Barbara in Alicante

Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante
Castle of Santa Bárbara is quiet large so we spent nearly two hours visiting it

Explanada in Alicante
Explanada in Alicante





Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:



- Catalonia

- Basque Country

- Cantabria

- Granada

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz