Citysiesta Lisbonne

San Medir festival

March 2nd, 2010

San Medir Festival 2010

This coming Wednesday the neighborhood of Gacia is hosting once again the sweetest celebration of the year: the Festa de Sant Medir. This wonderful old tradition dates back to the 16th century where a pilgrimage was made in honor of Santo Emeterio, or Sant Medir, the patron saint of broad beans.

The festival gathers people from all Barcelona neighborhoods that participate in a parade of horses and carriages, decorated with colorful flags.

The parade takes place on March 6th, and starts around 8pm. A colorful parade of floats, flags, costumes and horses winds through the streets, and literally tones of sweets are thrown from the decorated carriages into the crowds. It’s like a piñata fountain of never-ending sweets. The parade runs from Gran de Gracia street all the way to the Gardens (The Jardinets), where a wonderful display of fireworks closes the parade.

To avoid the crowds and secure your accommodation, you should make your reservation now to witness this colorful and sweet event suited for all ages.

For more information on the event, visit the official San Medir page

Tags: Barcelona, festivals, parties
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Sitges Carnival 2010 is here!

February 12th, 2010

Sitges Carnival 2010

February has arrived and with it the carnival season. Celebrations and parties across the world attract millions of visitors every year, together united by music, dancing and the desire to have a great time.

In Barcelona, the carnival in Sitges is without a doubt one of the liveliest most colorful and certainly most anticipated events.

Sitges is a beautiful town situated about 35km south of Barcelona. It’s famous for its beaches, historical landmarks and nightlife. You can easily get there by train, bus or car.

For those of you who would like to know a little bit more about the Sitges Carnival and its various activities and events, here’s a small recap:

-The festivities began on Thursday with “Dijous Gras” with the spectacular arrival of the King “Carnestoltes”, accompanied by the Queen of the Carnival.

-Then, on Sunday and Tuesday, the floats and masked groups will parade along the main streets filled with curious visitors and locals. They are known as the Rúa de la Disbauxa and Rúa del Extermini respectively. The rúas are a display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. They are a true spectacle of costumes, makeup, pens, daring models of fantasy and unbelievable theatrical stages.

-Finally, the carnival ends with the burial of the Canestoltes on Wednesday.

All these elements and the peculiar idiosyncrasy of the people transform the Sitges Carnival into a feast for the senses!

For more information available on the Sitges Carnival, visit these useful links:

Barcelona tourist guide – Sitges
Ajuntament de Sitges

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Ready, set, go! Barcelona Marathó 2010

February 8th, 2010

Barcelona Marathon 2010

Thousands of experienced runners and amateurs are impatiently waiting for the big day where they get to take the streets of Barcelona for one of the most important sporting events of the year: the Barcelona Marathon.

On March 7th 2010, both runners and spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful city by cruising by some of the most impressive and world-famous landmarks, including Camp Nou, Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and the Hospital de Sant Pau.

The race, beginning at 8:30am at Plaza Espanya (below the Montjüic hill), covers a distance of around 42km, some of which includes a run along the harbor, around the old city and some steeper parts of the city.

The race started as the Catalunya Marathon in 1978 and has gained increasing popularity ever since. Last year, it featured over 10,000 participants, nearly half were visitors from abroad.

But not only the runners get to enjoy the day, there are also plenty of recreational activities aimed at the spectators: the Pasta Party on February 28th is free for all runners +1 guest, and on the day of the event, there will be music, dancing and lots of fun for everyone, thanks to the Batukadas, the brasilean percussion groups.

This year, I will proudly show my support to two of my friends who have decided to participate and who are very excited to travel and visit a new city. They come all the way from Costa Rica!

If you need more information on the race, visit the official website of the Marathó Barcelona.

So good luck to all and I hope to see you there!

Tags: activities, Barcelona, leasure activities, marathon
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Get ready for Lisbon Carnival 2010

February 4th, 2010

Lisbon Carnival 2010

The carnival, although exported to the New World, has remained one of Portugal’s most popular events. It is widely celebrated not only in Lisbon but also in its outskirts: Sesimbra, Loures, Torres Vedras, Algarve and Madeira Island are famous for its parties and parades. Carnival parades also take place in the heart of the city and along the coast at the resorts of Estoril and Cascais.

Carnival traditionally celebrates the ending of winter and the beginning of Lent but has become more of a fun thing in Lisbon, where tourists and locals take on the streets to witness the dazzling show of street parades, lively parties, colorful costumes and of course the magnificent and richly decorated floats.

This year, the carnival will take place on February 16th. However, if you plan to arrive early, you can also enjoy the parties and different events in local bars and discos, prior to the main event.

In downtown Lisbon, the best place to be is at the Parque das Naçoes, a vast riverfront entertainment complex with exceptional aquarium, tower and cable car. The party people who love the sea can head to the Algarve region where traditionally adorned boats navigate the shoreline.

If you are planing your little getaway to Lisbon, check out our current promotions. We offer fully-equipped apartments in the heart of Lisbon, so you can enjoy the parties and be close to your home away from home.

Tags: events, Lisbon, parties, travel
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Chocolate fix for a sweet tooth

January 28th, 2010

The Artisan Chocolate Fair - Florence

Attention all chocolate lovers from around the world! If you are traveling to Florence in February, you are in for a tasty treat.

From Febrary 4th to 7th 2010, Tuscany’s capital will host one of the sweetest and most delightful fairs in Italy: the Artisan Chocolate Fair. This is an annual event where tourists and locals are looking to get their chocolate fix surrounded by countless flavors and smells: almond, walnut, lavender, pistachio and peperoncino bars, spirits and are just a few of the products that you can sample.

Tuscany is actually Italy’s second most important region for chocolate production and the first for historical tradition. However, the fair is not only a celebration of Italian chocolate: the event, indeed, will also host international maître chocolatiers, who will graciously display both their traditional and out-of-the-ordinary creations to the public.

The fair takes place in Piazza Santa Croce and the program includes sampling, games, shows and live music. Also, in previous years, there has been photography workshops and other interactive events. There is basically something for everyone.

If you wish to visit the city, and at the same time, to enjoy the Artisan Chocolate Fair, make a reservation now in one of our Florence apartments. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge yourself. This is cocoa paradise!

For more information on the Artisan Chocolate Fair visit the Firenze Turismo website.

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The Mobile World Congress 2010 is almost here!

January 20th, 2010

GSMA Mobile World Congress at the Fira

The city of Barcelona is proud to be once again the host for the 5th year in a row of the 3GSMA Mobile World Congress, the largest mobile phone event in the world.

Despite the crisis, more than 1300 companies, some of them new to the event, are expected to attend. That’s around 47 000 participants gathered at the Fira from the 15th to 18th of February, 2010.

One of the highlights this year will be the presence of the Queen of Rania of Jordan, who will address the role of mobile communications in education.

Now one of the controversies this year was the impact of the exorbitant prices of flights and accommodation. It is well know that airline companies and hotels dramatically increase their prices during the event. After all, everyone wants a piece of the pie, right?

This is why the Barcelona City Council,the Chamber of Commerce and the Barcelona Tourism Board have turned things around this year. Due to the economic crisis, hotels and airlines have agreed to lower their prices. Hotels have reduced their room prices of an average of 20%, while tickets are 30% cheaper than last year’s (thanks. Spanair and Star Alliance).

At CitySiesta we believe in fair prices, so this year we are offering a special promotion to all the GSM attendees. For those arriving early or leaving a few days later after the event, we are offering a special discount. Visit our GSM promotions page to find the appropriate accommodation for you.

Compare prices and find out how renting an apartment can be turn out to be less expensive that a hotel room!

Tags: Barcelona, conventions, gsm, mobile congress
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Coldest winter in years, again?

January 8th, 2010

Low temperatures in Europe

Every year we hear the same story, each winter seems to be the coldest one in history, until the following year it strikes back more ferocious and merciless.

We started the year as predicted, avalanches are breaking out in different parts of Europe, causing skiing accidents with no happy endings.

In Poland, Switzerland, France, wherever skiers are, there seems to be catastrophe.

Temperatures are plunging to unprecedented numbers. In Poland, they are experiencing drops as low as -25º C (-13º F), and -41º C in Roeros (Norway).

Snow and ice caused traffic problems in western and southwestern France and in Britain

Then I ask myself why do people complain about the cold and rainy weather here in Barcelona? Temperatures last week went as high as 15C? A sweater, scarf and umbrella did the trick!

Well, I rather stay here and enjoy the winter by the not-so-cold beach than head up north in and adventure trip and end up caught in an avalanche buried under 16 inches of snow.

If you want to escape from the cold to a more comfortable environment I suggest you choose Barcelona, Seville or Lisbon for a last minute escape. That is, if the nearest airport is not closed due to bad weather!

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New year, new beginnings

January 5th, 2010

When we say goodbye to another great year and welcome a new one full of surprises, we always tend to highlight and celebrate all the great experiences we lived and wonderful moments we’ve enjoyed.

As part of the CitySiesta team this year, I have witnessed quite a few improvements in the company, important business decisions have been taken to keep the business growing and offer better quality lodging while maintaining low competitive prices. This is a difficult task to perform in times of economic turbulence and when the tourism industry is injured.

One of the major highlights has been the addition of Florence to the list of cities. This magnificent city with its unique beauty is a favorite amongst tourists and art lovers. Our new apartments are located in the historic center and its surroundings; they are the perfect starting point for visiting this ancient city.

We’re also proud of our recently launched CitySiesta Blog. This is our fastest and most effective way to communicate with our audience. We want them to get to know us, and we also like to show them the different options, venues and activities in every city.

We are also very excited to announce that by the beginnings of next year, our website will undergo a series of modifications in order to improve user experience and to make the reservation process easier and faster for our visitors: more tools, more options, better views. A complete makeover!

The CitySiesta staff also got bigger and better; we are now a happy multicultural family with members from all over the world: Switzerland, Costa Rica and Mexico are now on board.

But we are not only growing internally, but externally as well. We’ve created our own profile in Facebook and also in Twitter. Check us out!

So we look forward to finally revealing our new image, and we hope to keep the team growing and adding more and more cities to our group.

Have a wonderful New Year 2010 from the CitySiesta family!

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New Year’s celebration in Belem

December 23rd, 2009

Lisboa Noite de Estrelas

If you’re visiting Portugal for the first time and you are planing on celebrating New Year’s in Lisbon but still don’t know what your plans will be on the most important night of the year, rest assured, we have laid out a few options for you:

Lisbon welcomes the new year in style with one of the biggest and most spectacular street parties. This is one of the most important celebrations of the year. In the barrio of Belem, the street parties usually take place at the Torre de Belem (Belém Tower Gardens), where there is live music, dancing and an amazing pyro-musical display at midnight. DJs play until sunset while keeping crowds entertained. There are parties in many bars, restaurants and clubs throughout the city.

This year, the Beatles are back, you can travel back in time to the 60’s and dance to the electrifying tunes of one of the most famous bands of all times. Enjoy the Get Back from the Beatles Tribute Band.

The events usually start at around 10pm so make sure you arrive early to get a good spot. Admission is free.

And just after the fireworks the Portuguese Rock Band XUTOS & PONTAPÉS will keep everyone dancing all night long.

Venue:
Praca da Torre de Sao Vicente de Belem
Lisbon 1400

Transportation:
Buses: 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 and 51 all stop at or close by.
Tram: 15.
Rail: To Belem (Cascais line).

We still have some apartments available in Lisbon, and a few of them with discount. So hurry up and book your stay, before you realize you might have to spend the night under the stars.

For additional information and other interesting venues and activisites visit:

Places to eat in Lisbon:
www.golisbon.com/food/

Portugal concerts agenda:
www.epilepsiaemocional.org/agenda/

Lisbon Tourist Association
www.atl-turismolisboa.pt

Tags: holiday apartments, lisbon travel, new year apartments
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7 wonders of Seville

December 16th, 2009

Seville Cathedral

Seville is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. Its rich history offers a mixture of Christian and Islamic influences that are undeniably present in the city’s architecture.

Food, music and fiestas also make this city one of the most enchanting places in Europe.

Below are what we consider to be the top seven wonders and of Seville:

Seville Cathedral
With its 116 meters long and 76 wide, the Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral and catholic cathedral in the world. In 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Real Alcázar
It’s a collection of palatial buildings and spectacular interior gardens constructed since the early Middle Ages. The compound is used as a place of accommodation of the members of the royal family and heads of state visiting the city.

Giralda Tower
It was originally a minaret. The beautiful structure became the bell tower of Seville Cathedral after the Reconquista and it dominates the city’s skyline.

Women dancing during Feria de Abril

Torre del Oro (Gold Tower)
It was part of the last wall of defence that ran from the Alcázar to the Guadalquivier river. It is said that it gained its name from the sun’s reflection on its gold tiles that once covered the dome.

Semana Santa Fiestas
This is the celebration that defines the citie’s own idiosyncrasies, it embodies the spirit of the Seville.

April Fair
This is one of the most international and popular of Seville’s fiestas. Food, horses, parades, traditional costumes, bulls and flamenco all come together at Sevilla’s April Fair

Bullfighting
This is a tradition that goes as far as ancient Greece. The Maestranza bullring is perhaps the best venue in all of Spain to watch a corrida.

If you have any other suggestions feel free to add them to the list, after all there are plenty of other amazing sites to visit in Seville. Olé!

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