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BARCELONA VACATION RENTALS, CATALONIA |
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Why Vacation in Barcelona |
You want an adventure, a touch of the medieval, or a spot of the Spanish valor? Experience the culturally rich Barcelona, and it is no BULL!
A Mediterranean city in Spain, this soulful Catalan capital is an eclectic and delightful intermingle of fragrant olive oil, fish, cava, warm golden beaches, a skyline dominated by Gaudi’s masterpieces and innumerable attractions, complimented by countless Barcelona vacation rentals. Combining tradition with style and sophistication, a vacation in Barcelona is by no means a default option especially when you have the freedom and ease of touring the sights and attractions of the city as well as nearby areas at your own pace with one of the inviting Barcelona holiday rentals. |
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Barcelona Vacation Rental Information |
Spain’s second largest port and commercial centre, the alluring city of Barcelona features an interesting range of vacation rentals, suiting all kinds of budgets and moods. The holiday rentals include charming villas, private studios, waterfront chalets, cozy apartments, friendly condos and delightful ski cabins, located centrally in prime areas like Las Ramblas, the Beach, the Cathedral and many others. The Barcelona vacation rentals while combining the comforts of a hotel are relatively cheaper, boast a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere, and provide much needed privacy. They are also just a stone’s throw from the beaches, bars, internet cafes, restaurants, golf courses, shopping areas, cultural hubs and other places of interest.
One-bedroom studios or condos with a sleeping capacity of one to two people are ideal for couples or individuals combining work with pleasure, while the self-catering Barcelona apartments featuring up to 5 bedrooms with a holding capacity of up to 8 is ideal for families looking out for fun and togetherness. The villas and Barcelona chalets offering panoramic view of the beach are of course for big loud groups. The choices are large and endless. Pick what suits you best. The amenities provide by most Barcelona vacation rentals are a fully furnished kitchen, TV, VCR, DVD and access to various sports including golf. |
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FEATURED VACATION RENTALS - BARCELONA |
The 1BR apartment with designer furnishings is centrally located in Barcelona near Palau de la Musica, a sheer delight for music buffs.
More Info > | |
The 1BR Green apartment accommodates 4 persons and is conveniently located near beach and amusement park, in the hub of architectural center of the city, near Las Ramblas. More Info > |
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The recently refurbished, 1BR apartment is located in 1920 building in the heart of Barcelona's historic district.
More Info > |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Barcelona |
| The rates for Barcelona vacation rentals fluctuate with respect to the high and low season, special holidays and the length of your stay. Discounts may be offered if you are planning a long stay. In addition, refundable deposit, booking and final cleaning fees may be charged. In some of the Barcelona holiday rentals, a minimum stay is mandatory and if you exceed the maximum number of occupancy, then you may attract an extra charge. Most of the Barcelona holiday rentals are not pet-friendly, however some owners may be open to negotiation. |
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Must See in Barcelona |
Nothing can beat a beach experience! Swim, ski and make sand castles or sit on the warm sand; watch the peculiarly shaped clouds as you sip away chilled soda, beer or water from the beach vendors. Alternatively, just stroll around and people watch. Finish off with a meal at one of the classy beach restaurants and wash it down with a good Spanish wine.
Pay obeisance to the great Gaudi, immortalized by his wondrous architectural delights, at Sagrada Familia, which houses his entombed body. Antoni Gaudi literally shed his life-blood to make sure that this unfinished neo-gothic church will display deathless perfection and stand as a silent reminder of his relentless labor and unparalleled talent. Visit the Barcelona Cathedral that is a silent reminder of the age of the Gothic. The stained glass and the architecture are simply captivating. Parc de Montjuïc is a good place to pass the time and refresh oneself after a tired and busy day. It encompasses Poble Espanyol amusement Park as well as the colossal Font Màgica fountain that attracts a large number of visitors, by changing its color in the night. Climb on to the funicular or cable car and enjoy a matchless view of Barcelona. Don’t leave Barcelona without sampling the exceptional Cava or the Spanish champagne. |
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Sights and Attractions in Barcelona |
| In Barcelona, every attraction is a sight and every sight an attraction! The city so soaked in culture is bound to be heady with its cocktail of such masterpieces, making it a not-to-be-missed city for all art aficionados.
• Cathedral La Seu, Barcelona
• Parc Guell
• Casa Milà
• Parc de la Crueta del Coll |
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Outdoor Recreation in Barcelona |
| The only way to get rid of all those calories you have gained (blame it on the super dining,) is by indulging in one or all of the active pursuits Barcelona has on offer! So, just step out of your cozy Barcelona villa and take a plunge into the various outdoors.
• Quad Biking
• Karting
• Basketball
• Guided tours |
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Golfing in Barcelona |
Barcelona has two worlds. One that comprises of the normal stuff and the other exclusively devoted to golf! Whether you are an ardent golfer or a callow or physically challenged, you will find one to suit your needs exactly. You can also choose from panoramic coastal landscape courses in Coastal Brava to golf courses situated in serene settings of the mountains or Pyrenees.
Club de Golf Vallromanes, hailed as the city’s best golf course and also hosting the most prestigious golf tournament of Spain, operates from Wednesday to Monday from 9 to 9. But if you are not a member, then you have to book tee times in advance. Sant Cugat Golf Club in Sant Cugat and the Terramar club in Sitges being the oldest and the second oldest golf clubs of Catalonia are a real treat for golf lovers. The former is a lush verdant affair while the latter is suited to play in all conditions, throughout the year and offers a challenging game. |
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Barcelona Fairs and Festivals |
| One of the best ways to capture the best of a place is by visiting it when it is festival time though in Barcelona, it is nearly always festival time. The festivals are a means to acquaint the present generation with the old customs and traditions and promote them too. Some of the popular festivals are the Sonar Festival of Advanced Music & Art, Festa de la Mercè and several more. So book your comfort zones in the form of Barcelona vacation rentals well in advance before they’re all reserved.
• SANT JORDI
• LA DIADA
• Las Fallas
• New Year's Eve |
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Dining and Nightlife in Barcelona |
Welcome to the city that never sleeps for night time is no sleep time here, in this place! When the sun goes down and the moon is quite high in the heavens, wake up and shake your leg at the Razzmatazz Night Club, which happens to be the number 1 nightclub in Barcelona. Boasting of five rooms that cannot be more different from one another, playing different genres of music and featuring different big names, one ought to visit this place to get a hang of what’s all the nightlife of Barcelona about. Those interested in pretend play have to try the Elephant! It’s the kind of those expensive but sophisticated nightclubs where you can feel like you are rich and famous and nothing or no one will bother to correct you. But if that’s not for you and chilling out and hanging out in an informal atmosphere is your style, then the cool Baja Beach Club on the beach, will suit you admirably. Coco Bongo is a very trendy multi-level nightclub that will get even non-dancers tapping their feet like crazy! Discotheque bars are popular in Poble Nou‘s The Olympic Village. The Gayeixample area serves Lesbians and gays with many discos and clubs. Don’t miss the weekly Sardana dance in the inspiring interiors of the Barcelona cathedral. Many cafes and restaurants feature mime artists regaling the audience and it is a quite a treat to watch them. The recliners need not worry for you can always hit any lounge bar and sip away while some hip music plays in the background.
Note that in Barcelona, the nightlife begins very late and extends well into dawn. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays is when the bars and discos are full and many even offer free entrances. You don't have to pay an entrance fee in most of them. Keep your eyes open as drugs or spiking drinks is not uncommon but if you are careful, then there is nothing to worry about. Flyers that entitle you to either a free drink or a free entrance can be got from the cafes or clubs or discos. Night tours also operate that take you to the most happening clubs and bars of the city and may include free drinks. There’s also the choice of personalizing these tours.
Food gets a new definition here in Barcelona! If you are in the mood for a new experience, try out the local Catlan cuisine but expect plenty of olive oil, fish and garlic. Try out the very special potato-tortilla, 'arroz negre' and paella. For the former, try Flash-flash that also serves up a mind-boggling variety of omlettes. The latter dishes can be found at L'Olive and Can Ros. The multi-award winning Via Veneto is great for genuine Catalan dishes with an awesome ambience. Stroll along the Carme and the Doctor Dou streets and feast on Mediterranean fusion cuisine at Ipoosa or Mamacafe Gracia and el Raval areas will be loved by those who cherish Asian and Middle-Eastern cuisine and also for budget dinners. Lunch is the biggest meal here, and to make the most of it ensure that you eat a light breakfast. For an economical lunch you could opt for a fixed price menú or go for a la carte. An ingenious Spanish invention, Tapas or snacks are highly economical and act as fill-ins between lunch and dinner or between breakfast or lunch or anytime you feel like nibbling on something. Different varieties of cheese plate or cured hams or olive plate and much more comprise the Tapas. Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is sprayed with excellent but not too well known bars and restaurants. Take care though as the Barro Gotic is not too safe after dark. Cafes are the best option to laze about in a laid back atmosphere, sip a hot xocolata (chocolate) and bite into delicious pastries as you catch up with life. |
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Shopping in Barcelona |
Shop in Barcelona, up your style quotient and you won’t know yourself how much you’ve shopped. Undoubtedly one of the most stylish shopping places in the world, Barcelona is a stop that sells everything from everything to everything. If you have decided to shop from 9 to 9 or 10 to 10, hop aboard a T1 Tombbus and give direction to every hidden shopping instinct by shopping at several shops of every kind at the Avinguda Diagonal, Via Augusta, Barri Gòtic, Eixample avenues and the Plaça de Catalunya areas. If you want a designer label like Versace or Calvin Klein to clothe you then the areas of Via Augusta, c/Muntaner, c/de Balmes and Avenida Diagonal are for you. The Heron City, north of Placa de les Glories Catalanes is a criss-cross of shops, eateries, bars and cinemas where you can shop, eat, catch a movie, then shop and then eat and catch a movie and so on!
For a taste of the antique, head to Bulevard Rosa arcade complex which houses more than 70 antique shops. Look out for exquisite crystal and porcelain dolls. Fret not if you want to buy daily necessities for your Barcelona holiday rental. For fresh products, the extensive La Boquiera food market selling live seafood, fruits and vegetables is your best bet. The El Corte Ingles departmental store is at your service! To take a slice of Barcelona back home with you, you can shop for quality souvenirs at any of the major museum or art gallery stores or the Cathedral area. Do remember that your shopping is hardly complete without the world famous Majorica pearls and Lladro porcelain, safely tucked underneath your clothes. Buy champagne from Xampany or La Vinia, and chew some cheese from Formatgeria La Seu and celebrate your holiday in style! |
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FEATURED VACATION RENTALS - BARCELONA |
The 3BR apartment overlooking the Mercat de Sant Antoni, is suitable for 7 people occupancy and provides fully equipped kitchen.
More Info > | |
The recently renovated 3BR apartment located in historical hub of Barcelona offers enough space for 5 people and convenient Internet access. More Info > | |
The 3BR apartment with private entrance overlooks the Port Vell - Barcelona's harbor and offers occupancy to 8 people. More Info > |
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Best Times to Visit Barcelona |
Situated on the Mediterranean shoreline, Barcelona enjoys a warm, temperate climate making Barcelona one of those delightful destinations that will make your holiday a memorable one, irrespective of when you visit here. Spring is a wonderful time to visit when the crowds are absent and the weather is very inviting, which can even fetch you some sizable discounts for your Barcelona vacation rentals.
Whereas the May, June and September months is when the place comes alive with the best festivals and the gay summer tourists. Even the winters are quite pleasant, with the sun making his appearance most of the time. In short, Visit Barcelona whenever you please! Every season has its own charms and attractions. August though may be avoided as the climate may become unbearably hot. |
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Time Zone for Barcelona |
Standard Time: CET (GMT +1)
Summer Time: CEST (Central European Summer Time) (GMT +2) |
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Getting To and Around Barcelona |
Barcelona airport is situated in El Prat de Llobregat and is connected to the city via trains and buses. Barcelona El Prat is home to many budget airlines and the tickets come cheap. The Bus is affordable and efficient. The metro system is even better as it is air conditioned and comfortable, and it helps you beat the summers. The best thing about the metro is waiting for long sticky hours would have become a thing of the past. Buy yourself the Targeta, which is a discount ticket strip and available at FGC stations and metro station ticket offices. Check out the other attractive travel passes too.
Commuting within in Barcelona is quite easy thanks to its excellent transport system. Funiculars and cable cars form an integral part of Barcelona’s transport system. Hiring the ubiquitous yellow and black taxi is also an excellent choice. Extra luggage may attract additional levy. Handicap friendly cabs are also available. Rent a car if you want to be your own boss. The latest addition to the Barcelona transport system is the tram and they cut across the heart of the city. However, keep in mind that, the best way to get around Barcelona is to depend on your very own two feet, as the roads can be quite a headache for a taxi or an automobile to negotiate. Also, walking is the best way to explore and appreciate this architectural haven that Barcelona is with its arousing landscape. |
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