Hotel Principal, Barcelona, España

Once again Barcelona will be the center of the auto world.

This weekend the Circuit Catalunya will held the Gran Premio de España Catalunya, one of the most important Formula 1 competions. An estimated 500 million will be watching throughout the world.

The qualifying sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday, the big race on Sunday.

Our favourite, of course, is Fernando Alonso.

But if you prefer to see the cars up close, don’t miss the “International Auto Show” where you can discover new models and technologies. Open to public from 11 to 19 May at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuic.

Admission is 12 Euros per person.

Spring comes early here and with it Barcelona’s best day, April 23, La Diada de San Jordi is Barcelona’s answer to Valentine’s Day. On this sweet, joyful day, the catalan lover gives his girlfiend a rose, and she gives him a book.

The origin of this custom is curious. According to the legend, San Jordi -the same as St. George of England- slew a dragon that was about to devour a beautiful Barcelona princess. From the dragon’s blood a rosebush grew, from that rosebush the hero plucked the most beautiful rose and gave it to the princess and from there a chivalric rose festival going back to the Middle Ages.

Books got into the act in the early 20th century to honour Miguel de Cervantes, the creator of Don Quijote and William Shakespeare; the greatest Spanish writer and the greatest English writer died on the same day, April 23, 1616.

The Ramblas take on a very different air during Sant Jordi: bookstalls and the color and scent of roses are everywhere, and love is in the air.

It seems everyone is strolling the Ramblas, leisurely leafing through books with their beloveds.

The Hotel Principal is just two blocks away. On Sant Jordi Day’s, the hotels gives to the guests a handmade rose by Private Foundation Gaspar de Portola, which works with people with mental disabilities.

If you need an excuse to visit Barcelona, what about a good concert? Here you have a short list of the coming concerts in the city:

Justin Bieber – 16 March – Palau Sant Jordi – Tickets

One Direction – 22,24 May – Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona – Tickets

Rihanna -1 June Palau Sant Jordi – Tickets

Muse – 7 June – Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys – Tickets

Smashing Pumpkins – 27 June - Sala Razmatazz – Tickets

And if you want to spend a few days intensely musical, come to the Primavera Sound, a Festival which will be offering more than 100 concerts, from 22 to 26 May.

Buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí are a must if you are in Barcelona. With its originality, they have become a symbol of the city.

But these buildings are not only beautiful, but also functional. Gaudí took pride in designing for people, and a clear example of this is “La Pedrera”, also known as “Casa Milà”.

Currently, they are a special visit available: “La Pedrera Secret”, in which you can admire the shapes and colors of the building, and also to know in detail how people lived in there. Also, you will learn the elements of nature that Gaudí used for inspiration. More than a tour through the Casa Milà, is a journey through time.

The price of the tour is 30 Euros per person. If interested, you can book at our reception is through an email to hotel@hotelprincipal.es.

Do not miss the opportunity toenjoy the classic Barca-Real Madrid.

In the comings months, the two giants of Spanish soccer will play three games, one for the regular league and two for the “Copa del Rey”. On February 27th, the match will be held at the Camp Nou. It’s a perfect time to visit Barcelona and the Hotel Principal.

For more information and tickets, see the official website of FC Barcelona.

We at Hotel Principal are always trying to make easier the trip to all our customers . So, starting this year, the China UnionPay (leader company in Asia) credit cards, are welcome for payments and reservations.

Ever since January 7 Barcelona has been head over heels with the last of the great holiday traditions: monster post-holiday sales. And with the crisis have come “best ever” sales according to shopping veterans. The TV and local papers and are full of sales of up to 80% and even “below cost”. Come and see if it is all true and shop your blues away in one of Europe´s premier shopping destinations.

Don’t worry about cool air and tired feet. You can experience one of Barcelona’s Top Attractions: the “Barcelona Shopping Line”. Luxury buses take you up and down the great Barcelona shopping streets. The route starts at the Corte Inglés in Plaza Catalunya, goes up the Passeig de Gracia (Barcelona´s 5th Avenue or Via Monte Napoleone), crosses the Diagonal, and ends at the Corte Inglés in Paza Francecs Mariás. You pass H&M, Zara, and FNAC; Chanel, Armani, Escada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Sita Mur, and all the other international giants on the “designer route”. Or you can do it all the old-fashion way, on foot.

Don’t look at it as taking advantage of the crisis, but as doing your part to start the money flowing again.

Like every year, the Wise Kings arrive to Barcelona port the evening of 5 January. From there, they will make a tour through the streets of the city, leading an impressive parade, to collect letters from children and hand out candies. The kids who have been good will find their gifts the morning of January 6, and those who have not, will only receive coal.

If you are in Barcelona this weekend, do not miss the “Wise Kings Parade” and enjoy this celebration as do the Catalan People.

You can check the parade route here.

It is believed that the first minutes of the year will determine the course of the next 365 days. This may be true or not but, if you want to be sure that that at least those first moments will be unforgettable, why not choose Barcelona to spend that night? The city is considered one of the top 10 to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Here are some options to enjoy the new year eve:

Gastronomy: it’s always a good time to enjoy traditional Catalan food. Barcelona offers a variety of restaurants, and many of them organized special menus and parties for the night of December 31. It is convenient to book in advance, to avoid surprises.

The Maremagmum mall, near to the Hotel Principal is a good alternative because there are several restaurants, for all tastes and budgets, many of them with sea views.

Book in advance is recomended.

Torre Agbar: The shape of this building has been controversial since its inauguration in 2005. However, all agree that light show offered every December 31 worth being seen.

If you prefer the street celebrations, this is your choice. People holding bottles of champagne and cans of grapes, surround this building and create a lively atmosphere.

Later, you can move to the area of ​​Plaza Catalunya, La Rambla and Plaça Sant Jaume, where people gather to continue with a party that usually lasts until daylight reminded to them that they still have not slept.

 Disco: In Barcelona, ​​dancing is always a good idea. And the first night of the year is certainly a perfect time to do so. Some of the most popular clubs in the city are: “Sidecar” (Plaza Reial), “Bikini” (Av Diagonal 547), Disco Enfants (Guardia 3) and the Razzmatazz (Pamplona 88). In any one of them is guaranteed an unforgettable party.

Poble Espanyol: If you just can’t decide between any of the three options,  why not do it all? In the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), located in Montjuic, you will enjoy a great celebration surrounded by reproductions of spanish iconic buildings.

Within this space there is a wide range of restaurants and on the last night of the year is organized a big party, which starts around 22:30 hrs. From their own “town hall” the bells will ring inviting to all participants to eat 12 grapes of luck. After that, the party continues until down in the discotheque.

Book in advance is recomended.