English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Español
Barcelona from A to Z: Part II
Here you have the second part of “Barcelona from A to Z”, a tour of the entire city by way of the alphabet. Nightlife: Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world when it comes to nightlife. There are lots of clubs, bars and after-hours spots that will keep you dancing until sunrise. Olives: Olives are a crucial ingredient in Catalan cuisine, not only olive oil but olives are also eaten with meals or as snacks. Playa: The beach of Barcelona is beautiful. Divided into eight different beaches, each one has its own style. Enjoying the beach along the Mediterranean in Barcelona is a luxury available to everyone. Quiosco: Kiosks are all along the Ramblas offering flowers, animals, newspapers and souvenirs. On the most famous street in Barcelona one can buy absolutely anything. Ramblas: Without a doubt, this is the most famous street in Barcelona. Flanked by trees, it runs from the Plaça Catalunya to the sea. Nearby buildings include the Teatro del Liceu, the Boquería market and the Plaça Reial. And a walk here is not to be missed. Photo: Ralf Roletschek Sagrada Familia: If Barcelona has an iconic memorial, this is it. This cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudí is still under construction but is unique in the world because of its modernist style. Like the Ramblas , it’s a must-see. Tibidabo: Above Barcelona stands this mountain offering truly impressive views of the city. It also has a castle and an amusement park, which round out your visit. Un tallat!: Expect to hear this at any bar or terrace. In...VRMA: See you in Belgium!
As we mentioned last month, we have joined the professional association VRMA, the “voice” of self-catering rental managers. Whilst VRMA has a strong US presence, it is ever more active within Europe, as evidenced by its upcoming European Seminar in Belgium from 9th to 11th December this year. We are going to be there and we will talk about your personal brand and how to make the most of it. There we will have the opportunity to meet other VRMA members and update our knowledge on all the latest trends and issues affecting apartment owners or managers. Save the date in your diary – it could be a great opportunity for your business. We’ll keep you informed about the event, but you can also sign up and find out more here...
Leaving Your Mark on the World
Leaving Your Mark on the World
Ranking of the Safest Cities to Lose Your Wallet
Ranking of the Safest Cities to Lose Your Wallet
3 Reasons to Rent an Apartment Instead of Reserving a Hotel Room
So you´ve purchased flights for your next holiday and now you need to find accommodations. You have two options: rent apartments or find a hotel. There are reasons why one might choose one or the other, but we are going to explain why renting an apartment is better than staying in a hotel. The reasons are manifold but we are going to give you the three best reasons to choose an apartment. When you finish reading, you´ll wonder why you had so much doubt in the first place. PL. SGR FAMILIA Apartment 1. Language Depending on where you go, you have no choice but to use the local language. The staff of the hotel might understand and speak broken bits and pieces in your language, but in many cases the language barrier can be a significant hurdle. What if there are problems with a reservation or you encounter leaks or the room is not serviced… An accommodation away from home is supposed to be a place to relax. That´s why renting an apartment is ideal, since you’ll love the place you’re staying and the only interaction you will have is to receive the keys. After that, there is no language problem, no barrier to overcome or anything like that. Just peace and quiet, like in your own home. 2. Local advice There’s no better way to get to know a new place than through the experience of someone who lives there. You’ll have your guide book, of course, but there’s nothing like a first-hand recommendation. When you pick up the keys to your apartment, you can ask that person...
Where do I get the best beer in Europe?
Where do I get the best beer in Europe?
Barcelona from A to Z: Part I
Arc de Triomf: This arch was built in the nineteenth century as an entrance to Barcelona’s Ciutadella Park, which once housed the World Expo. Today it is an emblem of Barcelona. Bicing: It is impossible to be out around town and not see people traveling about on these red rental bicycles. Columbus: At the foot of the Ramblas you’ll find this statue commemorating America’s discoverer, who points out to sea. There’s also a gazebo, which is the first thing you’ll see in the city if you’re arriving by water. Diagonal: The largest avenue of Barcelona. The Diagonal lives up to its name, crossing the city diagonally until it ends at the sea. Estrella: Without a doubt, this is the city’s most popular beer and you can order it just about anywhere. This Catalan beer is perfect for an afternoon spent soaking up the sun watching the world go by. Futbol Club Barcelona: This club is the most important ambassador of the city and maybe even the best football club in the world. One can even go to Camp Nou and enjoy watching these world-class stars of the sport. Camp Nou via JoJan Gaudí: This modernist architect is one of the main reasons why people visit Barcelona. His modernist buildings are truly unique, and works by Gaudí such as the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Park Güell or Casa Batlló, Gaudi changed the face of the city and turned it into a work of art. Hospital de Sant Pau: This wonderful modernist building is surely the most beautiful hospital in the world. Designed by the architect Domènech i Montaner, its domes,...
Budapest Christmas Fair
If you happen to be traveling through North, East or Central Europe during November and December, you’ll find markets and Christmas fairs that fulfill the continent with an unparalleled charm. These kind markets are especially traditional in countries like Germany, Austria, Hungary and Poland, among others, but the one celebrated in the Hungarian capital, is undoubtedly one of the best. Photo via NaturesFan1226 From the 15th of November to the 31st of December the famous Vörösmarty Square in Budapest, located on the Pest side, will host its known Christmas Fair. This is an event in which you’ll have the chance to eat, shop and enjoy experiencing some of the traditions of this Central European country. The square will be filled with several wooden stalls selling all kinds of traditional Christmas items. If you like traditional Christmas food, you’ll get exactly what you want in Budapest, since the city is famous for having some of the most delicious dishes in Europe: lángos, a fried bread topped with a many ingredients of your choice; kürtöskalács: a delicious baked pastry, töki pompos, small bread dumplings baked, or simply grilled meats, sausages, strudels or chestnuts, are just some of the culinary delights that you’ll find at this market. You can accompany all these treats with a delicious mulled wine, which is, by the way, extremely popular during this season. The fair is the perfect place to buy traditional Hungarian souvenirs; here you’ll find all kinds of objects of various sizes and prices, which you can later use as decoration in your house or in your apartment in Budapest. From religious objects to handmade Christmas...
Celebrity Houses in New York
Where do the celebrities live in New York? Where can we find them on a regular day? In this article we’ll tour the houses of Justin Timberlake, Madonna, baseball player David Wright, Alicia Keys and Pep Guardiola’s former apartment. I assure you you’ll be green with envy. Justin Timberlake Timberlake lives in a penthouse loft of about 300 square meters in Manhattan that has privileged views of the Big Apple. Some of the outstanding features of the apartment are its beautiful high ceilings of almost 4 meters high and its large windows that allow him to be well connected with the outside world. Justin’s house is virtually transparent, there are just some doors and separations for bathroom and bedrooms, the rest is all one and the floor is parquet. But perhaps the most striking feature of the flat is the fact that it is domotic; from a mobile phone for example, Timberlake can control lights, music, security cameras, fridge, he can even fill the tub and keep it warm until he gets home. A privilege available to few, and Timberlake is one of them. Alicia Keys Alicia Keys has a luxurious 3-floor apartment at 30 Crosby Street in Soho. She bought it from Lenny Kravitz in 2010. It has 558-sqm, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 toilets and a 280-sqm terrace. It is worth its weight in gold: almost $ 18 million, far from the 40 million that Madonna paid for her property. Madonna Madonna bought a Georgian luxury house for 40 million dollars on the Upper East Side. Located between the 81st Street and Lexington Avenue, this beautiful property...
