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Afternoon Tea in London
Possibly one of the most charming aspects of being in London is the opportunity to participate in a traditional London tea time. Far from being the pastime of old ladies and their cats, afternoon tea is undergoing something of a revolution throughout London’s boutique tea rooms, bakeries and hotels. Certainly, you’ll find the typical touristy offerings at some of the big chain hotels; but if you’re willing to get off the beaten path a little, you’re bound for a real treat – and at a mere pittance. Bea’s of Bloomsbury Find it at: 44 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8NW If you’re looking for a stellar tea selection, look no further. Bea’s of Bloomsbury sources its selection from Jing, who supplies the restaurants of such culinary stars as Heston Blumenthal. But the delights don’t end with the tea selection. If you stop in for a Sweet Afternoon Tea at this bakery, you’ll be treated to multi-tiered plates, loaded with mini meringues, mini Belgian Blondie cakes, mini Valrhona brownies, and (perhaps best of all) signature Bea’s cupcakes. Bookings are a mere £12 per person, and reservations must be made by email at: tea@beasofbloomsbury.com. Bake-a-Boo Find it at: 86 Mill Lane, West Hampstead NW6 1NL Bake-a-Boo is the stuff of little girls’ tea party dreams. From the powder-pink exterior to the tea-time offerings, this spot corners the market on cute. If you show up for afternoon tea, you’ll be treated to tea and traditional cream and scones, along with mini brownies, teapot-shaped biscuits, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Make sure you book by phone 24 hours in advance at: 020 7435 1666. The fare...
The Making of: Venues in the Calle Parlament, Barcelona
One of our favorite locations while we were shooting the video was definitely the street called Parlament de Barcelona. This was due to the fact that we went to three great bars where we could eat and drink, but also because it was a pleasant discovery. It is an area that we hadn’t gone out in but it is pretty close to the office… In short, it’s a lively street full of bars where you can experience a neighborhood atmosphere. These are the venues that we chose for going out, even if they didn’t all make it into the video. These places all welcomed us with open arms, so get out there and visit them! The people are really very nice! TARANNÀ (bar, café) Web: www.tarannacafe.com The address is 23 Viladomat. This bar does appear in the video. Some of us went there to have a drink playing the role of foreigners, taking a closer look at a different side of Barcelona. The friendly waiter who gives us a map is actually our boss. Josetxo, the owner, offered a table outside and was very kind to us. Observing while others acted – I’m referring to the bar, not to Josetxo, although he is very nice – my first thought was that this was the perfect bar to go out for breakfast, but then I figured out that the upstairs was very lively and ideal for spending an the idle afternoon hours. BAR CALDERS This bar has something special, and everyone wants to go there. They are famous for patatas bravas and their terrace, which is tucked away...
Christmas Markets in Barcelona
Christmas is coming, which for many people is a time to shop. Perhaps you need gifts for family or friends, or if you have children they most likely expect the house to be decorated for Christmas. You’ll need to be both patient and creative. Some people love holiday shopping and could spend hours just looking without even buying. But for others, it is a chore and they just want the ordeal over as soon as possible. Since these are tough times economically, we must sharpen our wits. That is why we are going to recommend some places to shop in the city of Barcelona where it is also delightful to walk. That way, those who are tormented by shopping can have something to look forward to. The Fira de Santa Llúcia The best known is undoubtedly the Fira de Santa Llúcia, which dates from 1786. It is named for this saint and martyr who is well known in Catalonia and is celebrated every December 13. This street fair takes place from December 1 to 23 in the Gothic quarter, in the square of the Cathedral of Barcelona. Here you’ll find all sorts of Christmastime idiosyncrasies as well as exhibitions. The illumination of the majestic cathedral after dark makes it all worthwhile. Here we can also admire great artists working in the nativity tradition. There are about 280 stands, which are divided into sections such as artisanal, nativity scenes and figures, and you’ll find all kinds of accessories for nativity scenes and home decor, evergreens and other plants; the trees, moss, cork, crafts, clothing, jewelry, ornaments, etc. make great gifts...
Christmas in Madrid with Children
Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year, it is even more so for kids who like to experience the magic of a time that the lights, music and pleasant family gathering. For those who like to travel by taking advantage of year-end parties, we will tell you that Madrid has great entertainment for the whole family this Christmas. Just to take an evening stroll through the center of town is a nice motivation and encouragement , because during this holiday lighting streets fills us with joyful evocation, makes everything even more beautiful and cozy, ideal for walking with kids . The beautifully lit avenues are the Gran Vía, Goya Street and Ortega y Gasset. No one can miss the Christmas market in the Plaza Mayor, which begins in November and lasts until January 7, 2013. This is the most famous Christmas market in the city and you can find everything there to decorate, plus clothes at reasonable prices, some items you can buy for gifts and toys for children. It is very busy during these months and it starts around 10:00 and closes around 23:00 hours. It can be reached by metro stations Opera or Sol. The kids will have fun at the same rate as adults do. Right there you can find the Bakery House where you can hire a tour of the city, either on bicycles or walking. It has a wide range of possible paths that are free for children under 7 years, they will find this an adventurous activity. In any case, Madrid is full of Christmas markets, where you can...
5 Things to Do in Belgrade in December
If you have chosen to spend your Christmas holidays in the capital of Serbia, rest assured that you´ve hit the jackpot with one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Europe. Here, we’ll tell you about five things we recommend for your trip in December. December 2: Christmas charity bazaar Our first proposal is a visit to the Christmas Bazaar, which although it’s only been held since 2000 has already become a tradition in Belgrade. The International Women´s Club is the foundation that manages this bazaar. Here, you’ll be able to see and buy all kinds of clothes, toys, cosmetics, food, sports and just about anything you can imagine with a huge variety of designs. It´s perfect for finding holiday gifts, and the money raised benefits people in need in Serbia. It takes place from 10 am to 4 pm at the Belgrade Fair, Hall 2. http://iwcbelgrade.wordpress.com/ December 4: Concert Cranberries There’s also a lot of music here, since Belgrade has become one of the most important European capitals for parties and nightlife. The first concert we’re recommending is by the international group The Cranberries, who have surprised us this year with a new studio album after a long 10 years of silence! The new album by the Irish group is called Roses. They’ll perform at Beogradska Arena on December 4, but don’t wait much longer to buy your ticket. www.cranberries.com December 6: Concert by Ben Klock Acclaimed in Germany and with the Berghain (Berlin) as a base for operations, the young Ben Klock performs techno that is very special and offers a profound experience, full of hidden feelings...
The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
It´s one of those productions that only happen once in a lifetime, that combines the music of the great king of pop and his choreography with the creativity of the Cirque du Soleil, to offer fans around the world a unique view of the spirit of Michael Jackson. More than 60 participants intervene, from dancers and musicians to acrobats. Inside their European tour they will perform in Cologne on the 15th and 16th of December at the Lanxess Arena. The show with which the Cirque du Soleil wants to impress us with this time is dedicated to someone who because he greatly contributed to music, inspired so much love among his fans and had such an abrupt ending, is a legend. Few have achieved as much as Michael Jackson. A combination of fantasy (that Jackson loved so much) with a fascinating fusion of music, dance and audiovisuals will transport the crowd to the creative world of Michael Jackson, making their bodies feel like they´re facing the legacy of the King of Pop World Tour is though both for fans of Jackson and for those who are just discovering his creativity, attempting to capture the essence, soul and inspiration of the star of this show. They show us the different sides to him that he loved, the creativity based in his own sources of inspiration, his love for music and dance, the fairytales and the magic and the fragile beauty of nature. Recreating unforgettable performances, they emphasize on the global message that he always wanted to transmit: love, peace and unity. All details have been carefully checked, up to the...
Making of – Promotional video at MEAM
About a month ago we’ve publish our promotional video on our YouTube channel. That’s why, during this month you’ll be able to read several articles in which we will discover the locations of our promotional video. Some of the scenes were shot at Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM, which is located in the Palau Gomis, right in the Born district. The MEAM exposes the best of modern and contemporary art. However, compared to other contemporary museums and institutions of its kind, this museum exhibits figurative art, in which the focus is not on abstraction or experimentation, but the representation of very real objects. We shot several scenes in the corridors of the museum, in which you are actually able to appreciate extraordinary paintings and sculptures. In the video you’ll see a jazz concert that took place at the museum´s courtyard, as well as other summer concerts presented in this venue. Cultural events are organized at the museum each month, (mainly concerts) and December will be no different. MEAM has become the “House of Blues”. Several blues concert series have been hold since October; every Friday you can enjoy concerts of various artists in this genre. December concerts are the following: December 7 – Paquito Groove Band This band plays soul, funk and blues. They also play Otis Redding and Jamiroquai among others. December 14 – Cece Gianotti Cece Gianotti is a composer, producer and singer, who plays several instruments, Gianotti is famous for his eclectic musical style. He has collaborated with artists like Iggy Pop and Tina Turner among others. December 21 – The Night Dogs The Night...
The first 100 to book an apartment will get a free Lonely Planet travel guide
Doesn’t this happen every year? You want to do something extraordinary to ring in the new year, but you wait until the last minute to make plans. With Only-apartments it’s not just the early birds who catch the worm. You don’t know where to celebrate the new year yet? Book your apartment now in one of our destinations and receive a free Lonely Planet travel guide. We have partnered up with the travel experts from Lonely Planet to compliment your next trip. Only-apartments will give away a Lonely Planet PDF eBook to the first 100 to make a booking until December 14th.* Time is ticking so you better hurry, book your apartments and enjoy the leading and most trusted travel guide wherever you go on your computer, smart- phone, or tablet. To take advantage of this special promotion, follow these steps: 1- Go to our website, choose your travel destination and make your booking. 2- At the check-out, select the field “promo code” above the total price and enter the following promo code PCL1QBK3LN0R, then click APPLY. 3- If you are one of the lucky 100 you will receive an email from Only-apartments within 3-5 days after the offer expires providing you with a promotional code to get your Lonely Planet PDF eBook in the Lonely Planet Online Shop. *The offer is valid until December 14th, 2012 for the first 100 bookings. The selection is limited to the Lonely Planet city guides that are available as eBook. For a complete list click here. find great places to stay in Madrid , Florence or Amsterdam, for example. Make it special and ring in the...
The Haus der Musik in Vienna
Music is one of the oldest languages in history, which is why in Vienna, a city of great classical music tradition, there is a museum dedicated to this universal art, the Haus der Musik (House of Music). It’s located between St. Stephen´s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera in the Palace of Archduke Charles. Fostered by the Vienna Philharmonic, this particular museum invites the viewer to discover the secrets and history of the music world as well as its tradition and innovations in an interactive and participatory way. We’ll take you on a short tour of this palace of music and sound. The patio: This is a modern architectural structure covered with a glass. Here you can view some of the temporary exhibitions as well as enjoy a cup of coffee. It’s also a great meeting place for groups and visitors. The first floor: The Museum of the Vienna Philharmonic, is housed in the former apartment of composer, conductor and founder of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Otto Nicolai (1810-1849), who established the orchestra and its unique sound in 1842. The space is also the setting for the New Year´s concert in Vienna and the Schönbrunn Summer Night Concert, and they have a fascinating interactive game during which visitors can compose their very own waltz. The second floor: The Sonosphere takes you on a journey through the wonderful world of sound phenomena. Here you can experience everything from the “prenatal sensory rush”, in which visitors relive their first musical experiences in utero and after birth, to the Sound Gallery, which features noises and sounds of the microcosm and macrocosm, the...
