Gran Premio de España or the Spanish Grand Prix is an important race in the Formula 1 calendar and is even more popular thanks to the success of the Spanish racing driver, Fernando Alonso. The Formula 1 race is held at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona and the race is usually held in April or May. In the early 1990s, the Williams’ team dominated the races but, in 1995, Michael Schumacher stamped his authority and proceeded to win the Spanish Grand Prix a total of six times, including the years, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 1996, during very heavy, rain, Schumacher crossed the finish in a Ferrari, which was the first win for the prancing horse team. Mika Häkkinen has won the Spanish Grand Prix three times and would have won it again in 2001, but his car broke down on the final lap. Fernando Alonso has really whipped up enthusiasm for Formula 1 in Spain and was runner-up in 2003 and 2005 and finally took the chequered flag for Renault in 2006.In 2007, Felipe Massa won the Spanish Grand Prix also for Ferrari and the following year, in 2008, Kimi Raikkonen won the race also for Ferrari. In ...

A little over a kilometre in length, Las Ramblas is the "Champs Elysées" of Barcelona. It begins around the Port Vell and stretches north to Plaça Catalunya. To the east of Las Ramblas is the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and to the west is an area called Raval. Las Ramblas is mostly set aside for pedestrians although there are two narrow roads that are one way in opposite directions on each side of the main central Las Ramblas Boulevard. Much of central Barcelona has been set aside for pedestrians, making Barcelona one of Europe’s most tourist friendly cities. The ramblas has 1 metro station, right in the middle of the stretch called "Liceu". The "Gran Teatre del Liceu", just opposite the station is an ancient opera house that can be visited at certain times. If you decide to book a Barcelona short term rental in the Las Ramblas area you will be at the heart of fun and excitement: with live music, painters and living statues, Las Ramblas is certainly the most colorful stretch of street in Barcelona. Shopping and eating in Las Ramblas is fun but expensive. The quantity of tourists ensures that the prices remain high but drinking a ...

Barceloneta is the beach area at the Port Vell end of Barcelona’s Las Ramblas. Since the Romans, Port Vell has been the centre of Barcelona’s maritime trading and, today, it is resplendent with sailing boats, motor yachts, shops and fabulous Baceloneta holiday rentals. Adjacent to the port is Barcelona’s principal beach, Barceloneta, where you will find numerous fish restaurants:• Can Ramonet is at Carrer Maquinista 17 and is a tavern that began serving mariners in 1763 and, today, serves delicious tapas and numerous fish dishes including octopus in an historical maritime atmosphere that is unique in Barcelona.• Can Majo is at L' Almirall Aixada, 23 and is one of the finest fish restaurants in terms of the pure quality of the food in Barcelona. The restaurant looks good and the shellfish tapas is a wonderful way to start your meal. There is a great choice of main courses including variations of paella and lobster, and numerous fish, clam, prawn, and mussel dishes. Eating on the terrace in summer with the sea view is magical.• Seven Portes is at Passeig d' Isabel II and opened in 1836. It is one of Barceloneta’s most renowned fish restaurants, famous for the supreme quality ...

Passeig de Gracia leads to one of Barcelona’s most elegant shopping districts which was once a small town in its own right until it was swallowed whole by the city. Exploring the winding narrow streets of Gracia is a great adventure, complemented by the many bars and restaurants, trendy boutiques and fantastic Barcelona apartments. The two main squares are Placa Rius i Taulet and Placa del Sol where you can relax and watch people while sipping a coffee or a cool drink. NAGORE FOOTWEAROne of the cool boutiques you may wish to enter in Gracia is Nagore Footwear which sells a fantastic range of handmade shoes for women, men and children, produced on the Spanish island of Menorca. The soles are made from crepe rubber or leather and the choice of sandals, shoes and boots is truly impressive. The company only sells eco-friendly leather that is tanned solely with vegetable oil. Until recently, the footwear was just available via Nagore’s website but now the company has a lovely shop at Calle Asturies 50, Grácia.JET LAG EZEJet Lag Eze is a superb clothing boutique for women and men selling designer labels such as Girl, Paramita and Frederichoms. It is located at ...

Barcelona is an extremely attractive city with many interesting and historic sights. But if you are keen to close the door of your Barcelona apartment and get out of the city then there are a number of day trips from Barcelona that are definitely worth doing by car.MONTSERRATFor example, you could visit Montserrat and wonder at the Royal Basilica with its Black Virgin which was carved in the 12th century. Continue on through several villages until you approach Mount Montserrat which rises up to over 4,000 feet above sea level. There is a train that can take you to the top of the mountain where there is a monastery and breathtaking views. Returning from the mountain you could go via Barcelona Harbour and visit the aquarium, or relax in one of the many cafés and restaurants. GIRONAAn excellent day trip from Barcelona is a visit to the historical city of Girona, home to the late Spanish painter Salvador Dali and to the Teatre-Museu Dali which is definitely worth your time. Girona is a uniquely attractive city with beautiful, historic houses on the edge of the Onyar River. Places to explore within the city are the Jewish quarter and the Arabian ...

Best is a very subjective word but visitors to Eixample, Barcelona can be sure that the district does indeed have some of Barcelona’s best restaurants. El Tragaluz Restaurant in Ptge. de la concepció, 5, offers differing décor in its three distinct areas and a general style of modern Mediterranean cooking that only uses fresh produce. Click here for a more extensive review of El Tragaluz. Noti Restaurant in Roger de Llúria, 35- 37 has a charming interior, offers excellent cocktails and good food and wine at affordable prices. Moo Restaurant in C/ Rosselló 265 is on the ground floor of the Omm Hotel. It has an excellent chef who offers a personal take on traditional Mediterranean food. The Moo restaurant is particularly attractive but the price still fairly reasonable. Ciudad Condal in Rambla de Catalunya, 18 opened in 1997 and is renowned for its tapas and its choice of beers. Despite its popularity, the service is very good and the food even better, especially the amazing desserts. Cinc Sentits in Calle Aribau, 58 the name means five senses in Catalan. Typical choices of food that make this restaurant one of the best in Eixample, Barcelona, are the Foie Gras ‘Coca’ and the Iberian suckling pig. Other fine choices are the saddle of lamb and the ...

The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic or Barrio Gotico) is the epicenter of Barcelona and if you decide to choose your Barcelona holiday rental here you will always be walking distance to the Ramblas, the Cathedral, the Old Port, Plaza Catalunya, Picasso Museum and the Borne Barrio. This short professional travel video is a good introduction to the sights that await you in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Want to know more? Holiday Velvet recommends: The Barcelona Gothic Quarter Morning Walking TourPhoto Credit: **Mary** | Holiday Velvet has many Barcelona holiday rentals and Gothic Quarter apartments.

Barcelona is well known for its music festivals and the Sonar Festival is one of the most popular. Every June, the Sonar Festival - a progressive music event - is held over three days and three nights.The Festival boasts of over 300 activities and includes DJ sets, concerts and film. The Sonar is famous for making use of all the latest multimedia technologies to provide a state of the art festival. This is a meeting point for artists, the public and music professionals from all sectors of music and the modern arts. There are two very distinct and separate parts to the Sonar Festival. The ‘Sonar by day’ which is held in the Museum of Contemporary Art, and features not only great live music and DJs, but also art installations, screenings of low-budget films, and also fairs where you can buy records. The ‘Sonar by night’ part attracts some of the biggest DJ names in avant-garde and techno music.Please note: if you are looking to rent apartments in Barcelona during SONAR make sure to book well in advance! This is one of the busiest times of the year in Barcelona. Photo Credit: activefree | Where to buy tickets: Official ...