Hotel Principal, Barcelona, España

There’s no need to wait until 24 December: in Barcelona is Christmas now.

From 23 November till January 6th, the city streets will show their traditional lighting from 18:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and 24:00 on weekends. On Epiphany’ eve, the last night, will stay on until 5:00 am.

And there is more. Getting freeze is not longer necessary for enjoying winter activities, because Bargelona, an ice rink of 1,365 m2, will be open during this season.

The rink, located in Catalunya square, is open from 9:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and till 23:00 on weekends. Among other services, they offer skate rentals, coffee shops, etc.

The price is 7 Euros for 30 minutes and 9 Euros for an hour.

Click here for more information.

Maybe when we say “chocolate” you think in Switzerland or Belgium, but in Barcelona you can find high quality chocolates. According with the website hotpaella:

“If the universe were made of chocolate, Barcelona would be at the very center of it (…) Barcelona has a deep rooted history in chocolate. Strolling the streets around La Rambla and the Barri Gotic in particular, you are certain to wander by and experience Barcelona’s love of chocolate”.

They also have some suggestion to enjoy it:

 Dulcinea: Perhaps the best Chocolate and melindros (a catalan soft pastry) in all of Barcelona are found at Dulcinea Established in 1930, this granja gains its namesale from Don Quixote’s love, but gains its reputation for their lovely thick chocolate. (Petritxol, 2).

Fargas: Adorned with the same rustic décor since 1937, this old-time chocolate shop is one of the most famous in the city. Their Hot Chocolate is a definite must on every chocolate-touring itinerary (Pi street, 16)

Pasteleria Escriba: Chef Ferran Adrià favorite chocolate croissants may be found at this old-time pastry shop. Family owned since 1906, this charming shop truly deserves its place in Barcelona’s history. (La Rambla, 83)

Museu de La Xocolata: Run by the Barcelona Confectionary Guild, Barcelona’s Museum of Chocolate is the place to stimulate your mind, as well as your taste buds. Learn the history of chocolate, admire the impressively detailed chocolate sculptures, and finally hit The Café for some traditional hot chocolate. (Comerç, 36)

Xocoa: A modern take on chocolate, these sweet treats come with flash wrappers and unique unforgettable flavors. Their shop boasts a novel assortment, including chocolate beer, chocolate candles and chocolate incense in addition to traditional favourites. (Petritxol, 11)

Cacao Sampaka: a chocolate maker specializing in eccentric chocolate combinations (sunflower seeds and bitter chocolate, fried corn and dark chocolate) and classic bars. They also serve up a thick hot chocolate at their café. (Consell de Cent, 292)

Granja M. Viader: The chocolate milk drink Cacaolat (a bottled sweet chocolate milk) was invented here in 1931 and is still offered. We recommend the hot chocolate but they also have great milkshakes. (Xuclà, 4)

This is the perfect season to visit the city: a Mediterranean climate and excellent soccer matches to enjoy the magnificent performance of  FC Barcelona.

These are the upcoming matches to be played at the Camp Nou:

3 November

• FCB – Celta de Vigo (spanish league)

17 November

• FCB – Zaragoza (spanish league)

28 November

• FCB – Alavés (Copa del Rey)

2 December

• FCB – Athletic Club (spanish league)

5 December

• FCB – Benfica (Champions League)

16 December

• FCB – Atlético de Madrid (spanish league)

You can get your tickets online in the FCB’s offical website.

Introducing 2 special ways to enjoy Gaudí’s architecture:

 The essential Gaudí and live jazz music: La Pedrera is one of the most emblematic Gaudí’s buildings. And during the summer you can enjoy its night charm. Located in the building’s attic, the Espai Gaudí is a visual journey through the work of this unique architect. The roof is an expressive place to enjoy Gaudí’s creativity, the night, the city and the music with a drink.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until September 8^th there will be a jazz concert in the terrace. The entry costs 25.

Magic Nights on the Terrace of the Casa Batlló: At dusk, Gaudi’s architectural gem shapes a unique and exclusive place, inviting to approach the wonderful universe of the brilliant architect in the charming atmosphere of candlelight.

Casa Batlló is open to the public every night from Tuesday to Sunday from 21:00 hrs, from June 22th until September 23th. A series of live music performances and drinks will delight guests, as well as the summery setting of the outdoor terrace with deck chairs and candelabras, allowing for deep breathes of a gentle see breeze. During the day, the Piano Nobile –former home of the Batlló family- is admired by its majesty and elegance whilst at night it becomes a sublime place to enjoy drinks, music or just chill out in the terrace.

Young artists perform jazz and boss nova rhythms that mingle with the well cared decoration. The entry costs 18,25 Euros.

And of course, after those Gaudí nights, you can stay with us in Hotel Principal.

Barcelona roars again in emotion with the World of Harley Davidson. Riders from all Europe will gather at the Harley’s Owner Group (H.O.G.) official meeting together with so many Harley crest followers.

After the huge success of the previous editions, a new 3 days celebration, from 6^th to 8^th of July, comprising parades, concerts, shows, guided routes, and a lot of fun.

The meeting point of the event will be La Fira de Montjuic, in Espanya Square, beside to Montjuic and de MNAC (Catalonian Art Museum). There you will find the Exhibition, where the latest parts and accessories for 2012 will be on display and you can get merchandise.

And not less attractive: the Expo Classic, where collectors’ bikes with a lot of history behind will be exposed.

On the 8^th of July you can join to the “flag parade” with any motorcycle (not necessarily a Harley) and ride around the more emblematic places in the city: Gran Via, Gothic quarter, La Rambla, the harbour, Christopher Columbus monument, etc.

The meeting’s open to every fan to the rebel world of Harley Davidson (free entry to the venue, concerts, activities, etc).

And of course, we at Hotel Principal offer very comfortable rooms for your rest in a “Harley” day’s night.

Click here if you want more information.

From 14 to 16 June the city will held the Barcelona’s 19th International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art, better known as Sónar.

This event once again selects and highlights the most relevant and interesting developments on the Spanish scene for the festival audiences, with more than 30 shows including sessions and concerts, presenting a broad range of styles, ranging from noisism to new pop, and taking in the most thrilling and innovative rhythms of today’s electronica.

Daytime activities for the entire family, will be held at the MACBA and CCCB, and evening concerts at the Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet.

Visit the Sónar official website for information and tickets.

Barcelona is music as well. These are some of the upcoming concerts in the city:

Bruce Springsteen: May 18 at the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys

For information and tickets click here.

The Cure & Primavera Sound: A series of concerts of various artists will take place from 30 May to 3 June. Most concerts are held at the Parc del Forum, except the opening and closing, to be held at the Arc de Triunf and will be Free entrance.

For information and tickets click here.

Lenny Kravitz: June 3 at the Sant Jordi Club

For information and tickets click here.

Madonna: June 25 at the Palau Sant Jordi

For information and tickets click here.

Cranberries: July 9 at the Poble Espanyol

For information and tickets click here.

When I get invited to a tablao (a flamenco show) I go with a little fear and trepidation. You very well might be in for a little melodramatic tap dancing; a few bloodcurdling shouts; and a heavy dose of trite Spanish folklore, a noisy parody of Carmen´s Andalusia. This is definitely not what you get at El Cordobés, Barcelona´s best and one of the three best-known and serious tablaos in all of Spain.

El Cordobés is a five-minute walk down the Ramblas from the Hotel Principal. Last night we sat down with Maria Rosa Adame, the current owner and director, for an informal interview. Flamenco is in her blood; El Cordobés was opened in 1970 by her guitarist father, Luis; and her dancer mother, Irene Alba. In the dining room Maria Rosa explained that the locale is decorated with original tiles, floors, and ceilings which are copies of Arabic elements in Granada´s Alhambra. The actual stage (the tablao) recreates the intimacy, improvization, interraction, and charm of the traditional tablaos.

The artists are from among the best in Spain: legendary artists such as Camaron de la Isla have performed there. The show is a nice mix of the classical cante jondo and dance styles with some modern innovations.

You don´t usually think of Catalonia when you think of flamenco music and dancing. But actually, as Maria Rosa explains, the flamenco/gypsy tradition in Barcelona dates back to the 19th century. The immortal dancer Carmen Amaya is among the many famous artists from Barcelona.

And flamenco is definitely alive and well in Barcelona.

A great place for a day trip down the coast from Barcelona is our beloved cava country. One of the world’s greatest sparkling wines, more cava is exported from Catalunya than champagne from France.

The word cava is the Catalan for cave, or an underground wine celler. Around here cava flows like water.

It’s not just for super-special occasions although nothing is really special without it. So any time of the day or night just chill it up any time of the day or night and pop that cork.

A relaxing 40-minute train ride from Plaza Catalunya takes you right to the belly of the sparkling wine beast: Sant Sadurni D’Anoia. This town oozes sparkling wine through its pours; even the metal auto barriers are in the shape of champagne corks.

From the train station you are within walking distance of the Cordoniu and Freixenet, the two cava giants and two of the four biggest sparkling-wine producers in the world. Both have excellent English tours and tastings, but to be safe, reserve ahead.

Let’s start with my personal favourite: the great “bodega” (winery) Codorniu (winery): Designed Puig y Cadalfach, this beautiful art nouveau building has been declared a Monument of National Historical Artistic Merit, no less. A little long-winded perhaps, but it is an obligatory pilgrimage for students of architecture as well as lovers of wine.

Everything at Cordoniu is done with artistic flair: their turn-of-the-century advertising posters are classics of the belle epoch. Cordoniu was one of the pioneers of “wine tourism” and their tour is an absolute must.

Freixenet is the other of San Sadurni’s giants. As you arrive by train there is, right next to the railway station. This is the center of a great bubbly empire.

In fact Freixenet is the largest sparkling wine maker. You get a feel for its breath-taking size and modern organization in a half-hour trolley tour. And then the tasting is really excellent. You can then contrast the size and power of the giants with any of the many smaller bodegas found throughout the town and be back in Barcelona for a chilled glass of cava before dinner.

“El Clasico” football match: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, just the mention of the two biggest is a guarantee of emotion and great football.
This time, the giants will fight for their permanence in the Copa del Rey tournament. There will be two matches, the first in Madrid on January 18th, and the second in the Barcelona Camp Nou, on January 25th.
Run to buy your tickets in the official site. Stay with us at Hotel Principal, and take advantage of our special winter offer: free breakfast buffet for direct clients.