English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Español
The Cirque du Soleil is back in Barcelona with ‘Alegría’
Those that have already seen a live show of the Cirque du Soleil know that they´re not actors or trapeze artists or even clowns; they´re everything at once. They make people laugh, they thrill them and their jumps are amazing. Now, their show ´Alegría´ has arrived in Barcelona, and since alegría means joy in Spanish, that´s how you´re going to feel after seeing them. It´s a perfect plan for this Christmas for adults and children, because the magic of the Cirque du Soleil does not have age limits. If you enter the world of ´Alegría´ in the circus, you´ll come across a universe inhabited by the King of the Dumb, aristocrats, storytellers and popular characters with contemporary aptitudes. They will take you to a world you never imagined, in which you´ll feel a judge of it and part of it at the same time. It´s a tribute to baroque, to the elegance of the old facing the modernity of its movements. Acrobats, clowns, actors, dancers… the Cirque du Soleil doesn´t leave anyone indifferent. When you see them, you´ll feel like they´re risking their life in each of their moves. ´Alegría´ will take you directly to an imaginary royal court filled with magic and fantasy that undoubtedly will remind you of a carnival. The colours, the shine, the textures… everything will make you feel like you´ve just landed in the middle of the Rio de Janeiro carnival. The truth is that it´s a great visual show. In this event of the Cirque du Soleil, different characters coexist among each other that apparently have very little to do with one another. The...
Christmas traditions in Tokyo
The meaning of Christmas in Japan is rather profane; it is an adaptation of the most striking and commercial traditions from west. If you are visiting Tokyo during Christmas, you’ll find the city decorated with even more lights than usual, the streets will be adorned with Christmas trees and all kinds of adornments. You’ll also find a Christmas tree in most of the houses from the 14th of December, which is the day the trees are displayed for Japanese Santa: Hoteiosho to come. Although not exactly like his Western namesake, Hoteiosho also loves children. Japanese Santa is always alert with his magical eyes to reward children with gifts. Before New Year’s Eve, Japanese people perform a thorough housecleaning called, Susuharai, which means that they want to start the year, clean , with good luck and prosperity. However, although they have adapted some of the western traditions, on the 25th of December, they don’t have any kind of celebration, indeed, the 25th is not even a holiday. For some youngsters, Christmas Eve is usually just a day to go out for dinner with their couple. On the other side, New Year´s Eve, better known as O-misoka, is a big celebration in which Tokyo gets beautifully adorned, as these are the two most important days in their calendar. Tokyoites gather to celebrate New Year´s Eve with their families. They normally have a traditional dinner that includes the “toshi-koshi” noodles that represent the desire a long life. After dinner, they drink their first sake of the year, which is called “O-Toso”, they normally don’t drink champagne during this celebration. After dinner, as...
From Istanbul to New Delhi on the Silk Road
It is said that Chinese Empress Hsi-ling-shi began to develop the culture of the domestic silkworm some 4,700 years ago. Associated with silk production, China soon became synonymous with wealth, and merchants traveled all over Asia and to the Mediterranean coast under strict prohibition of disclosing the secret of the sericulture. This is how the Silk Road, a road of multiple branches that connected East and West during ancient times and medieval times, came about. Although it took more than 1000 years for the sericulture to develop and expand through Europe, the coveted secret was finally revealed during Justinian’s reign in what is now Istanbul, a city which had always been an important stop on the route, when two Persian monks brought the first silkworm eggs hidden in their bamboo canes to the limits of the western world. The truth is that for centuries dozens of other valuable products such as linen, precious metals, opium, spices, coral, amber, ivory, and glass, among many others, were conveyed along the route and that with them came a set of religious and philosophical ideas without whose influence it would be difficult to conceive of essential aspects of Western thought and spirituality. Thus, for example, the Silk Road not only spread Buddhism from India throughout Asia but it also brought important scientific knowledge in fields such as medicine and astronomy to Europe. The route took on a symbolic character that may still be alive today, as evidenced by the fact that the stretch from Istanbul to New Delhi across Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India remains one of...
Christmas in Dubrovnik
Christmas always takes us back to childhood, to the beautiful family memories and a time of festive tranquillity that generally makes us forget about our problems, routine and stress. Almost always, we celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, so why not think about a beautiful place with slightly different customs to the ones we are used to? Here is a bit about what Dubrovnik has to offer if we decide to spend the holidays in this Croatian city that has been declared a World Heritage Site. Like many Croatian cities, Dubrovnik celebrates the arrival of Christmas with markets, that not only sell Christmas gifts but also allow you to see the different customs and traditions of Croatian popular culture. Dubrovnik carries out its Christmas Fair every year in one of the most important areas of the city, next to Sponza Palace, where the carols accompany it in its entertaining route. The fair is generally inaugurated on December 13th during the local celebration of St Lucia. This Renaissance-style palace is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and it fills up with life and colour during the Christmas holidays. The Christmas Fair is made up of two parts: The first part is dedicated exclusively to culinary wonders and local gastronomy. There you can find from the hrostule, which are delicious fried biscuits and very typical of the area, to caramelised almonds and the traditional kontonjata, which is a delicious combination of quince jelly with cheese, that you can accompany with a nice glass of mulled wine. The second part takes place in Luža Square, where there is beautiful craft...
Christmas and New Year in Vienna
Vienna is transformed by the arrival of Christmas. During the month of December, the city becomes a large market with stalls of all kinds that fill with magic the streets of the Austrian capital. On the 24th of December, Austrian children expect baby Jesus to bring them their favorite toys, not Santa. Christmas is a day to invoke the Spirit of Jesus, who is the one in charge of spreading happiness and prosperity. In the countless markets in Vienna, people normally buy nativity scenes figures, drink mulled wine, eat cookies, enjoy gingerbread and hear carols. Baby Jesus’ Market, right in front of the city hall, is the most famous. There you’ll have the chance to see the largest Christmas tree of the city, as well as a hundred of wooden stalls where Viennese buy candy, decorations and gifts. In addition to the stalls, many activities for children are often organized in the market including Christmas train rides, a pony ride and cooking workshops to learn how to make rich butter cookies, which, by the way, if you eat them often, you could become addictive. If you happen to be in the 7th district of Vienna, you should visit the Spittelberg Market, which is trendy and very bohemian; typically, there you’ll find crafts for charity. The Freyung market, which is the oldest in the city, hosts Christmas performances by Austrian bands and gospel choirs that create a very special atmosphere added to the smell of roasted chestnuts. Apart from visiting the markets, you should visit Vienna’s Opera and if you happen to be there on New Years Eve, you should...
Making of – The Bikes in the Video
Doesn’t everyone know how to ride a bike? It’s a comfortable, clean and cheap way to get around. During our creative meetings, we always thought about showing our team getting around by bike. We sincerely believe that there is no better way to visit and discover parts of cities that you would otherwise not get to enjoy. We started to look for companies that are devoted to renting bicycles and we found one that just happened to be located a few meters from our office. We told them our idea of making a video to show people the way we understand this type of travel and they kindly agreed since they felt similarly. The company that gave us bikes to use was Bike Rental Barcelona. We were able to ride along the sea on some very comfortable bikes. We hope you like the location we chose, because the truth is it is a lesser known beach inBarcelona. This is thebeach ofBadalona, which is known because of the factory of Anis del Mono. There is a bridge that juts out into the sea, from which you can have amazing views. Getting around by bike is healthy, fun and inexpensive. If you want to discover Barcelonaup close and personal, check out the bikes at Bike Rental Barcelona. They offer delivery service and mobile assistance to ensure that your travels are comfortable. They will pick you up or drop you off as well as help you out with any problems you may encounter. If you would like a tour guide, find out more about their guided trips. Miss Moci The only thing...
Christmas in Amsterdam
The Dutch capital is always a desirable destination, but Christmas is when you get that special magic that floods its streets and the hospitality of its people permeates in every corner. If you have not visited Amsterdam in the final stretch of the year, here are reasons to be seduced by this city: Bike ride through the canals The best method of transport in Amsterdam enables you to live the Christmas spirit that reigns in the streets: the decoration that covers canals, bridges illuminated with small lights, the chimes of the churches, musicians and choirs singing carols, decorated squares with firs … The whole city is spread with a festive mood that is present in all its monuments, churches and shrines. Holiday Shopping The charming downtown shops are a desirable alternative to the busy commercial centers of your city and you can surprise your loved ones with unique and original gifts. Visit the Christmas markets and be sure to walk around Negen Straatjes, Haarlemmerstraat and Spiegelkwartier, streets full of traditional businesses, or Bijenkorf shopping gallery, where you will always find something to buy. Ice circus Multiply events take place at Christmas and you will lack time to attend everything Amsterdam has for these days: from the world circus for children, through the many orchestras and cabarets, ice skating or amusement spread throughout the city. The cultural program is also extended for Christmas and you can enjoy a wide variety of concerts in churches, theatera and exhibitions. Festive Nights Most night owls find the capital bustling more than ever. If there is something that Amsterdam does...
Christmas in Tallinn
Just as there are people who live in places that are not warm and spend their vacations during the summer in places where the sun shines fiercely, there are people living in areas with a temperate climate who want to travel to holiday destinations during the cold winter. They are primarily seeking a Christmas atmosphere with decorations and lights in the streets, as well as Christmas markets to buy souvenirs and typical foods to comfort the body. One of the most favorable places is this is what you are looking for is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. This city on the Baltic Sea is one of the most attractive ones in Europe, but increases greatly its beauty in winter. Snowfall here is moderate, and covers the landscape with a white coating that helps a lot to increase the Christmas spirit. Tallinn is a medieval city, so its charm is even greater As we said, the city is transformed in Christmas, not only in appearance but also by the activities that are carried out. The highlight is the Raejoka Christmas market, located on the square of the same name, which was voted best Christmas market by the prestigious British newspaper The Times. It is not the only market, for there is another in the courtyard of the Three Sisters Hotel and several others in the Rotermann neighborhood. In these markets you can buy everything from Christmas decorations to gifts and, of course, traditional food (hot dogs, sausages, potatoes, sauerkraut, roast pork …) that will bring warmth to the body and delight the palate. The Old Town of Tallinn, due to...
Paradiso in Amsterdam
If there are two places that we would never link together in this world, they are a club and a church. Just thinking that a sacred temple could be related or, even worse, become a profane and recreational temple dedicated to fun, seems like a crazy idea. Such a crazy idea that if it ever happened, it would have to be somewhere really crazy or open to different possibilities. If there´s somewhere in the world like that, that´s Amsterdam. And so, in this special city, famous for its coffee shops where it´s legal to smoke marihuana, its red light district, its canals, its museums and for being the capital of the Netherlands, there´s a club that used to be a church, a temple where all the local church goers used to go. This old temple was abandoned in time and it was restored as a venue for shows, something that could have only happened in Amsterdam (since I cannot imagine anywhere else where this could also happen, unless it´s a temple that was destroyed for X-reasons, but it´s not the case). The building, a very beautiful one, is today one of the biggest concert venues, clubs and cultural centres in the city. The ritual changed, although there´s a new ritual in place now, and it focuses on worship of music. Paradiso is divided in three areas: the first one is the concert venue, the second one is the club and the third and last one is the cultural centre. The concert venue is divided in two rooms; a big one and a small one. The latter is dedicated to...
