The spirit of the ‘fiesta’ is very present in the culture of Spain. Not a day goes by without a party or a celebration! Every town and village has a saint to be observed once a year. The Spaniards stand by strongly by their religious festivals. Even if some parties are more folklore and pagan [...] [...more]
The spirit of the ‘fiesta’ is very present in the culture of Spain. Not a day goes by without a party or a celebration! Every town and village has a saint to be observed once a year. The Spaniards stand by strongly by their religious festivals. Even if some parties are more folklore and pagan traditions. Still others are merely a pretext for fun. Whatever period you stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona, you stumble across one of these festive events.
In Spring, for instance, they celebrate the Reconquest by the Catholic Monarchs in the entire country and even in Barcelona. Celebrations also take place at Pentecost and the day of the Feast of God. But the big spring event in Barcelona is The Holy Week. Huge religious processions are held in the city where one represents Christ, the Virgin and saints. During the summer months, the eve of St. John (June 24) is the opportunity to make huge bonfires. If you stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona during this period, you can enjoy this wonderful tradition that unites all people to celebrate the summer solstice. The month of July is marked by the famous Pamplona feria and the very controversial bullfights.
If you stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona but aren’t sure when the best time to go is, just read on about Barcelona’s weather. The climate of Barcelona is Mediterranean, with sub-Mediterranean influences because of its location in the north-western Mediterranean and is sheltered from prevailing winds through the Pyrenees. Barcelona Winters are drier [...] [...more]
If you stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona but aren’t sure when the best time to go is, just read on about Barcelona’s weather. The climate of Barcelona is Mediterranean, with sub-Mediterranean influences because of its location in the north-western Mediterranean and is sheltered from prevailing winds through the Pyrenees. Barcelona Winters are drier than in the traditional Mediterranean climates such as Portugal and Italy. On the other hand, in the summer, there are periods of disturbance and storms. It is primarily a period of rain and strong thunderstorms between May and November, but especially in August when the sea reaches the high surface temperatures (often over 25 º C). The rainiest months of the year are May, October, September and August with the driest being July.
If you are staying in a vacation rental in Barcelona, you must know that the average annual temperature in Barcelona is 15.4°C. The temperature of the warmest months reaching over 28°C, the minimum coldest winter are greater than 4ºC. December, January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of 10ºC at the center of the city. July and August are the hottest months, with an average temperature of 24°C. Barcelona can be a sunny city but its location between sea and mountains often creates a wall of clouds sufficient to produce long days of covered skies with fog, especially in early spring and in autumn. We recommend to visit Barcelona in the spring (May and June) and fall (September). The climatic conditions are favorable because the sun is usually present and it does not undergo excessive heat. Another advantage: it avoids the tourist crowds! Then you can fully enjoy Barcelona when you walk out your vacation rental in Barcelona.
The city of Barcelona has a great and important history. It was founded over two thousand years by the Celts and was later inhabited by the Carthaginians. It gained momentum after its conquest by the Romans. The Empire has made its capital in the small province of Layetana, where they built the temple of Augustus. [...] [...more]
The city of Barcelona has a great and important history. It was founded over two thousand years by the Celts and was later inhabited by the Carthaginians. It gained momentum after its conquest by the Romans. The Empire has made its capital in the small province of Layetana, where they built the temple of Augustus. Barcelona was the object of all desires. It was conquered by the Visigoths and then by the Moors in the 8th century. Then Charlemagne freed a century later. Even tourists are now attracted by Barcelona and many of them staying in vacation rentals in Barcelona to know the rich history of Barcelona.
In the history of Barcelona, it is mainly from the thirteenth to fifteenth century, that Barcelona has had its successes, the economic alliance with the architectural and artistic creativity. In the same period, a government was created. This autonomy was heavily threatened in 1714, when Philip V, youngest son of King Louis XIV, took possession of Barcelona during the War of Succession. The economic recovery started in the late seventeenth century and industrialization in the nineteenth century to allow Barcelona to become a major political and cultural center.
Barcelona is modernizing and expanding rapidly to accommodate a growing population, until now, building vacation rentals in Barcelona to welcome visitors from around the world. During the 1930s, Barcelona suffered greatly from the civil war. Gradually, she got up and resumed his extraordinary population growth and politics. In 1992, Barcelona had the privilege of hosting the Summer Olympics. On this occasion, the city has increased its popularity worldwide and has established a program to restore historic monuments.
Today Barcelona is a booming city. The city of Barcelona has retained its traditions but is always ready to look ahead. She looks forward to maintaining its hub status and its economic influence in Europe. Stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona, and you will find the history of Barcelona rooted in architecture, landscapes and tourist attractions of the city.
Barcelona’s capital, Catalonia, is an autonomous province of Spain. The people of Catalonia hold on tightly to their culture, their traditions and their language. They are Catalan before admitting to be Spanish. When staying in a vacation rental in Barcelona, you will notice that the Catalan folk culture is rich and exhilarating. The traditional dance practiced [...] [...more]
Barcelona’s capital, Catalonia, is an autonomous province of Spain. The people of Catalonia hold on tightly to their culture, their traditions and their language.
They are Catalan before admitting to be Spanish. When staying in a vacation rental in Barcelona, you will notice that the Catalan folk culture is rich and exhilarating. The traditional dance practiced by the folkloric Catalan is the Sardana.
The dancers form a circle to the sound of drums, wind instruments and flute parts. The Catalans have another tradition of making human towers. This requires organization and trust between partners. The Catalans then show their solidarity and their courage.
As for the Catalan language, it represents a lot to the Catalans. This is the official language of the province. This language differs from Castilian as the vocabulary and pronunciation are very different. Therefore, the Catalans strengthen their culture before speaking Catalan to speak Castilian (the classic Spanish). The culture of Catalonia is also found in the character of the Catalans.
These features are only trends and are not, of course, all the inhabitants of Catalonia. But they probably reflect what you can expect if you stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona. The inhabitants of Barcelona need to get to know people in order to build relationships and are not quiet fond of superficiality.
If you manage to bypass the first approach, the Catalans show to be very faithful in friendship and extremely helpful in whatever one may need at anytime. Finally, the Catalan defines its character as a powerful combination of common sense and excess …
Just take the example of figures such as Dalí and Gaudí to be convinced! Stay in a vacation rental in Barcelona and emerge yourself in all the culture Barcelona and its Catalan community has to offer.
People visiting the United States from other countries love to take advantage of all the great shopping deals in the US. According to surveys, the most popular retail items for tourists include children’s clothing, fashion jeans, American whiskey, fine bed linen and plush bath towels. If you want to get the best deals, it is [...] [...more]
People visiting the United States from other countries love to take advantage of all the great shopping deals in the US. According to surveys, the most popular retail items for tourists include children’s clothing, fashion jeans, American whiskey, fine bed linen and plush bath towels. If you want to get the best deals, it is important that you know where to shop for the best bargains. Below are a few tips to finding the best places for US shopping bargains.
Though there are shopping malls everywhere, the big shopping malls and discount stores are usually located in the suburbs.
Department stores offer a large variety of quality items and high fashion
Most of the department stores have seasonal sales which offer generous discounts. Stores have the end-of-summer sales in July and August; November brings Black Friday, the biggest shopping sales of the year; December 26 through mid-January offers big after-Christmas sales; and all the winter stuff goes on sale in February.
If you do not need the latest styles in fashion, high-end name brands or items of the highest quality, you can find plenty affordable items at discount stores such as Walmart, K-Mart and Target.
Shop at outlet malls for discounted quality merchandise. Outlet malls usually offer items that have small manufacturing defects or were left over from the shopping season before.
The US does not add VAT (value-added tax) to merchandise as many other countries do. However, do not be surprised to find states and cities add a sales tax to purchased items. Check specifically with the state or city that you will be in to see what their policy is.
Some of the United States’ most popular shopping areas are the Mall of America in Bloomington Minnesota; Michigan’s Main Street; Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway in Los Angeles, California; and the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
Chicago Tour - Chicago Water Taxis Many people do it: board a tour boat in Chicago and listen to a guide talk about the city’s architecture and landmarks. Another, more adventurous approach is to do a more independent, relaxed Chicago tour on your own by Chicago Water Taxis. From late spring through fall, Chicago Water Taxis [...] [...more]
Many people do it: board a tour boat in Chicago and listen to a guide talk about the city’s architecture and landmarks. Another, more adventurous approach is to do a more independent, relaxed Chicago tour on your own by Chicago Water Taxis. From late spring through fall, Chicago Water Taxis drift off into Lake Michigan. The Chicago Water Taxis work very much like buses, making stops at standard tourist attractions such as the Navy Pier, Chinatown or the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). Get off at the Navy Pier and ride the gigantic 15-story Ferris Wheel. One benefit to this independent Chicago tour is that you decide your own lunch time. On your Chicago tour, use the help and guidance of Jennifer Marjorie Bosch’s View from the River: The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise, a book which helps you identify the buildings of Chicago and gives you bits of architectural history.
There are two Chicago Water Taxis companies that use different routes. Wendella’s Chicago Water Taxi takes off from a dock below Michigan Avenue and heads west on the river to Chinatown. The Shoreline Water Taxi heads south to the Willis Tower and eastward into Lake Michigan. It makes sense to start your Chicago tour near Michigan Avenue Bridge and work your way west from there. The river itself has a lot of history but there are several other landmarks including the 1930 Merchandise Mart at North Wells Street, the Civic Opera House on North Wacker Drive and the Marina City Towers at 300 North State Street. The Chicago Water Taxi’s LaSalle/Clark Street stop is close to Chicago’s theater district. The House of Blues on North Dearborn is a short walk from both Michigan Avenue and the LaSalle/Clark stop.
So many developments and changes have been made in the availability of free or affordable international calls while traveling. Before, travel tips savvy travelers would buy a local SIM card for about $2 to $25 from whichever country they were visiting. They then insert the SIM card into an unlocked phone and make and receive [...] [...more]
So many developments and changes have been made in the availability of free or affordable international calls while traveling. Before, travel tips savvy travelers would buy a local SIM card for about $2 to $25 from whichever country they were visiting. They then insert the SIM card into an unlocked phone and make and receive local calls.
Popular travel tips were introduced so that travelers may reach people back home by making and receiving affordable international calls via the well-known internet phone software called Skype. Skype works like a phone making calls through the internet. Skype released Skype for the iPhone which is convenient whenever you get access to Wi-Fi abroad. It does not work with 3G or other cellular networks. The call quality is pretty good. eBay bought Skype in 2005 but apparently, it only licensed, and didn’t buy, the software code that Skype runs on. Currently, Skype’s founders, who are no longer with the company but own the code through their new company, Joltid, are trying to terminate the license. The legal battle is supposed to reach British court by June 2010, and if Joltid wins, Skype will be unlikely to continue.
In the meantime, new travel tips and increased competition for Skype is popping up in the market of affordable international calls.
Google Voice
Google recently introduced this system to new subscribers. An invitation is necessary to join but you can request one on the site. Like Skype, Google Voice allows you to make affordable international calls at a low rate but goes about it differently. Google Voice works like a virtual switchboard that connects two parties over landlines, cellular airwaves and the internet. To use this travel tips suggestion, users need to simply log into the website and dial a number.
Disadvantage:
Google Voice works great when you are calling overseas from the United States but it doesn’t work as well in reverse. Google says that changes on this are underway.
Jajah
Users can make affordable international calls through Jajah by first dialing a local access number for the country you’re visiting; then, that number will connect you to the phone number you are trying to call.
Disadvantage:
Jajah only has access numbers in 19 countries (most of which are in Europe). If you’re in a country that is not assigned an access number, you would have to make the call from a computer.
GizmoCall.com
GizmoCall.com is a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system that requires a computer or Web-enabled phone to work.
This travel tips suggestion is a device that allows you to turn any internet-connected computer into an Internet telephone using a U.S.B.
OneSIMCard.com
At OneSIMCard, you can purchase an international SIM card that works in over 170 countries. The card goes for $39.99 but is free if you purchase at least $200 worth of credit.
Voxox
Voxox is travel tips suggestion that is similar to Skype and lets you make VoIP calls at similar rates. The system’s best feature is the SMS Callback; the user can send a text to Voxox with a phone number that they want to call. A few seconds later, the text sender’s phone will ring and a few seconds after they pick up the phone, the other person picks up their phone. You do not need a computer, internet access or a special kind of phone to make these international calls. Since it is connecting two phones, it charges two rates but combined, it still is often cheaper than Skype. Truphone and Call2 have similar SMS Callback features
So before your flight, you do everything you are supposed to do with plenty of time. You are packed, ready to go and even called the airport before you arrived an hour early. Then, it turns out that your flight has been delayed four hours and you could’ve spent some time hanging out, stopping to eat [...] [...more]
So before your flight, you do everything you are supposed to do with plenty of time. You are packed, ready to go and even called the airport before you arrived an hour early.
Then, it turns out that your flight has been delayed four hours and you could’ve spent some time hanging out, stopping to eat somewhere or just relaxing and watching TV. What can be done to avoid this inconvenient situation? Text alerts can often arrive too late. There is a new tool called FlightCaster (flightcaster.com) which uses a formula along with real-time data from FlightStats, the National Weather Service and 10 years of historical flight information to form a highly accurate flight status prediction up to six hours before takeoff.
An hour before your flight, your airline and FlightStats may state that your flight is on time while FlightCaster will inform you that its flight status prediction calculates that there is an 8 percent chance that your flight is on time, 47 percent chance that it will be delayed less than an hour and 45 percent chance that it will be delayed more than an hour. FlightCaster flight status prediction is currently available only for domestic travel.
Use the website for free or download the iPhone or BlackBerry app for $4.99.
The expanding Kube hotel in Paris opened a new location in Marrakesh (Morocco vacation rentals) and come June, will open one in St-Tropez (St-Tropez vacation rentals) The Kube Hotel St.-Tropez will have 41 rooms, eight of which will be suites sized from S to XXL. The expanding Kube hotel will have a rooftop lounge and a [...] [...more]
The Kube Hotel St.-Tropez will have 41 rooms, eight of which will be suites sized from S to XXL. The expanding Kube hotel will have a rooftop lounge and a restaurant that offers over 10,000 wines. Rooms start at 250 Euros (about $365). Like the original expanding Kube hotel in Paris, the Kube Hotel St.-Tropez is decorated with bright white, sharp interior. It also has attention-grabbing features such as a bar made entirely of ice (just like the expanding Kube hotel in Paris) and a reception desk within a glass cube hanging over a sparkling pool. Great Mediterranean views are yet another feature that Kube Hotel St.-Tropez has over Paris (Paris vacation rentals)
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