In Europe divorces are becoming more and more recurrent. The marriages last less years and people marry later: since 1960 the marriage rate has dropped from 7.8 to 5.9 marriages per 1,000 inhabitants, and the average age for marriage has risen from 25 years in men and 23 women, to 27 and 25 respectively. To make matters worse, the out of wedlock births have multiplied… So, what? It’s clear! The single life is more fashionable than ever.

Are the old social values breaking up? Nowadays, most of the people in their thirties, after having married for the first time, are getting thrown back to the pool of the single people again. It seems that married life is not made for the XXI century, where celibacy has become a more contagious virus than the famous swine flu.

Nowadays people’s objectives and goals have changed. One’s own self is the most important thing. But what’s so strange? A person who is over thirty years of age usually has economic stability, a steady job, independence… Suddenly, he is married, with serious responsibilities and children and he see his possible future, at least, black, boring and monotonous. That’s why couples do not last. The patience and the obligations have vanished, and nobody is willing to stand his or her partner for their entire life.

If we think it carefully, people are not halves, but whole beings, so we do not need a couple to be happy. Single people can enjoy a tremendous sense of freedom: they direct their lives as they wish and they can understand and pamper better themselves. In addition, they can enjoy an uninhibited sexual life with as many people as they want. Where are the limits? They choose them!

If you are someone who can not live the life of a single, remember that things like enjoying the whole bed to yourself, crying over Bambi, leaving the toilet seat up, wearing cucumber masks or wearing the slippers of your great-grandfather without people laughing at you is absolutely priceless!

Self-pity is not valid for the modern times, and single people no longer feel that they are worth less than the couples. Quite the opposite! Who has ever thought: “If I were single…” The desperate search of a partner is no longer an obsession, although some people still can not live without a mate. The new single people are rediscovering themselves and find in their marital status the perfect situation to expand their horizons: new habits, new friends and a new life! Anything goes! A singles trip can not be absent from all these activities. The Spanish capital is the perfect place to enjoy your single life. Rent Madrid Apartments and celebrate your independence with the best accommodation!

Madrid has become an important capital of cinema. Proof of this is the great cast of stars, movies and Spanish festivals of international recognition such as Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz and the Goya Awards to name but a few. From 1st May to 10th May the eleventh edition of the International Documentary Festival of Madrid will take place which is organized by the Madrid Town hall.

`Documenta Madrid´ is a festival dedicated exclusively to documentary cinema that aims to disseminate and promote the genre. Michael Nyman will open the festival, which promises strong emotions because it is the festival with the largest spectators’ attendance in the city. The pianist will play some of his most famous works for the occasion. `Documenta Madrid´ will bring together the best professionals of an industry that seems to be living a golden era in recent years.

This year 1078 tapes from 86 different countries are presented (185 Spanish titles) –that supposes a record participation. In addition, and as the main innovation of the Festival, all the projected movies are unpublished in Spain up till now.

Documenta 09 has an overall budget of € 73,000 in prizes to be shared amongst the four competing categories: ‘Filmotech.com’, `Documentary Creation´, ` National Contest´ and `Documentary Competition´. In addition, there’s a new prize in the Festival: ‘The Documentary of the Month’, which the documentary that receives the Audience Award will win. Finally, AVID will give a special prize: the Best National Short Film Editing Award.

Documenta Madrid 09 seeks to become the most important international showcase of documentary film. The movies reflect the different social, economic and cultural realities of the present. Together with the projections, there will be conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and publications etc.

Documenta Madrid has become one of the most international Spanish festivals and the one with most public impact. Don’t miss it! Rent Apartments in Madrid and enjoy the best in documentary cinema.

The most important festival of Madrid begins on May 15th. It is the day of celebrations of the beloved patron San Isidro. This day the Madrileños (people from Madrid) have the ingrained habit of going to the San Isidro church near the Manzanares River and to drink the miraculous water of the San Isidro fountain.

There are many concerts, exhibitions and even pagan animal executions celebrated during these festivities. Many Madrileños wear the “castizo” (a typical dress of the city), and both women and men are appointed respectively “chulapas” and “chulapos”. They perform traditional dances in pairs called “chotis”, considered the most typical dance of the city since the 19th century and it is danced in all the traditional festivals.

According to the legend, San Isidro saved King Phillip III of a serious illness thanks to the miracle of a blessed fountain: from this moment San Isidro (who lived during the XI and XII century) became the symbol of the city, and today it is still revered and loved by all the Madrileños. The festival, which began at that time, has become over the years a very important event known throughout the world.

For a month there are events like the bullfights, which are famous throughout Spain and many other shows with fireworks and music concerts of all genres. The San Isidro bull-ring hosts the San Isidro bullfighting festival. It can house about 25,000 spectators. The bullfighting season begins in May and extends until late October. There is also a Bullfighting Museum that displays objects and photographs related to the famous matadors and bulls that have participated in Las Ventas.

This is an essential event for any Madrileño. Between bull fights, the orchestra plays to the public of Las Ventas. The tickets for the bullfights are expensive initially, but decrease with time. And it is possible to see them every weekend in October.

If you wish to combine a cultural holiday, Spanish traditions and fun, rent your Apartments in Madrid. Enjoy an unforgettable stay, the magic of the San Isidro festival ( fiesta San Isidro) and the beauty of this European capital.

The fact that football raises passions is no big secret. It’s such a strong feeling, that it is considered the most popular sport in the world, with approximately 270 million fans. In Spain, this king of sports moves millions of Euros just in advertising, being Real Madrid and Barcelona

the clubs with the highest advertising revenue in the league. They are also the teams with the highest number of fans. The football players become media stars – they become the prey of journalists and are gods for their fans.

Such is the passion for football in Spain that both teams’ stadiums are two of the most popular tourist attractions in each city. The Barça Museum at the Camp Nou breaks all records which is not only the most visited Museum in Barcelona, but in the whole of Catalonia. Both Real Madrid and Barça are two of the most worldwide famous clubs. Perhaps that is why in Spain they have always been eternal rivals.

The white team was appointed in 2000 as the Best Club of the Twentieth Century by the FIFA. They’ve won 31 league titles, 17 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Supercups, 9 Champions League titles, 2 UEFA cups, 1 European Supercup and 3 Intercontinental cups. Meanwhile, Barça has been the only European team that has taken part uninterruptedly in the continental competitions since its beginnings in 1955. In addition, it has won 18 league titles, 24 Copas del Rey, 7 Spanish Supercups, 2 European Supercups, 2 Champion Leagues, 4 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and 3 Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, among others. Both the meringues, and the culés have signed great football stars such as Zidane, Di Stefano, Casillas, Raul, Ronaldo or Puskas for Real Madrid, and Messi, Cruyff, Maradona, Laudrup, Ronaldinho or Kubala for Barcelona.

Currently, they are playing for the first and second positions of the League, with Barça leading by only four points over the meringues. What seemed to be unimaginable a few games ago was an unbeatable Barcelona FC with a 12 point advantage is now within reach of Real Madrid.

Next May 3rd the eternal rivals will face each other yet again in the most exciting game of the League. Everyone is talking about the azulgrana’s crisis, while the meringues are enjoying a good run of games without defeat. Who knows how the League will finish? In the final three months you can expect a lot more emotion. Rent Apartments in Madrid if you don’t want to be left without any accommodation to enjoy the game on May 3rd. And may the best team win!

Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week 2009: creativity anti crisis

From today, February 20th, the forty-ninth edition of Madrid Fashion Week starts which lasts until February 24th. The event that will take place at the IFEMA and as always promises an intense calendar. Up to 55 designers will show their collections for next autumn/ winter 09/10.

This edition will include a more dynamic, wide and global catwalk show where young and acclaimed designers will present their proposals. Cibeles occupies the fourth place among the best catwalks of the world, after New York, Milan and Paris. In order to become strong in the international fashion calendar, Cibeles will be celebrated every year on a weekend, as their counterparts do.

For the first time, El Ego (a space for the young designers) will inaugurate the Cibeles catwalk, instead of closing it, as had been happening up till now. Marta Montoto y Roberto Piqueras will open the Neptuno catwalk.

Finally, José Castro y TCN will close the fashion week with their shows. Other acclaimed invited designers are: Amaya Arzuaga, Miguel Palacio, Elio Berhanyer, Hannibal Laguna, Victorio & Lucchino, Devota & Lomba and Ángel Schlesser. Spanish fashion has been hurt by the current economic crisis, which has detected more than 20% drop in sales. Nonetheless, Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week aims to stimulate a strong economic activity in Madrid. It will bring together more than 25.000 fashion companies and contributes roughly 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the region. Creativity anti crisis!

Calendar Friday, February 20th,  2009
EL EGO
11.30 Bohento y Karlotalaspalas
14.30 Ida Johansson y Potipoti
18.00

María Escoté y Alberto Tous
Cibeles
20.45 L’oreal Prize
21.00 Jose

Castro
Neptuno
19.30 Tcn
Saturday, 21st February 2009
Cibeles
10.00 Victorio

& Lucchino
13.00 Francis Montesinos
16.00 Devota & Lomba
19.00 Angel

Schlesser
22.00 José Miro
Neptuno
11.30 Agatha Ruiz De La Prada
14.30 Jesús Del

Pozo
17.30 Amaya Arzuaga
20.30 Miguel Palacio

Sunday, 22nd February

2009
Cibeles
10.00 Alma Aguilar
13.00 Lydia Delgado
16.00 Miriam Ocariz
19.00

Ana Locking
22.00 Ailanto
Neptuno
11.30 Antonio Alvarado
14.30 Kina

Fernández
17.30 Lemoniez
20.30 Carmen March
Monday, 23rd February

2009
Cibeles
10.30 Juanjo Oliva
13.30 Duyos
16.30 Elio Berhanyer
19.30 Toni

Miro
Neptuno
12.00 Andres Sarda
15.00 Roberto Torretta
18.00 Javier

Larrainzar
21.00 Hannibal Laguna

Tuesday, 24th February 2009
Cibeles
10.30 El

Delgado Buil Krizia Robustella
13.30 Nicolas Vaudelet Juana Martín
16.30 Josep

Abril
19.30 Carlos Díez
Neptuno
12.00 Toni Francesc María Barros
15.00 Anke Shlöder

Jan Iu Mes
18.00 Sita Murt
20.45 Premio L’oreal
21.00 Miguel Marinero-Jesus Lorenzo

Rent your apartments in Madrid now so you don’t miss it!

ARCO- the International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid

Is it true that you don´t want to spend anymore superficial all inclusive vacations? I´m sure that you neither can´t stand the typical tourist guides in the cities, right? You don´t want to spend your vacationes only at the beach or the swimming pool of your hotel? Well, why are you complaining? Madrid offers you a huge amount of different cultural events for everyone who wants to spend a real authentic holiday. If you are interested in contemporary art, then come to Madrid, discover the world of art at the International Contemporary Art Fair.

Between the 11th and 16th of February 2009 the International Contemporary Art Fair, the most important one in Spain regarding the artistic area, celebrates its 18th edition. It is one of the most important gatherings of contemporary art which attracts each year more than 200.000 visitors and more than 3.000 journalists. ARCO offers you a huge amount of interesting expositions, performances, acts and projects of different kinds, which you will have never seen before. Let yourself be carried along by your feelings and discover the works of internationally famous or still unknown artists.

This year India will be the host country and so the fairground Feria Madrid will be transformed into a spectacular area. The Spanish capital offers you the posibility to admire works of art, sculptures, installations, photography, video, new media, drawings, engravings and a lot of more works of uncountable types of art. More than 250 galleries from more than 30 countrys make it possible for you to escape from your everyday life and be captivated by the world of creativity!

This year new projects will start, like for example ARCO URBANO, which represents the aim of the Fair to create a platform for the promotion of Public Art on the street. Besides, the programme will be expanded by a series of special expositions, innovative artists and live shows.

The fair enjoys different thematical artists areas, which you shouldn´t miss out on:

ARCO 40
Solo

Projects
Expanded Box
Performing ARCO
ARCO Institutions
Panorama:India
Magazines

and digital magazines
Editorials and bookshops

All these thematic areas will broaden your horizons!

If you still spend your vacations locked in a luxury hotel, well, then it’s your fault. But if you want to get to know the world of contemporary art and you want to enjoy the huge amount of expositions, then come to Madrid and discover the International Contemporary Art Fair. And for having a comfortable place to relax and think about all the new impressions, rent apartments in Madrid and remember: in this fair you can be the witness of new artistic creations which will change the world.

Goya Awards Madrid 2009

The Goya Awards are the Spanish equivalent to the American Academy Awards and the main national film awards in Spain. The city of Madrid last night held the prize-giving ceremony where the best Spanish cinema stars, including Penelope Cruz, turned out.

Javier Fesser’s drama “Camino” became the big winner at the 23rd Goya Awards. It won six Goya awards out of seven nominations, including best picture and best director. The movie also took home nods for the best original script, for the best actress (Carme Elias), for the best supporting actor (Jordi Dauder) and for the best new actress (Nerea Camacho), which plays the major role in the film as a dying ultra-catholic girl, Camino. Penélope Cruz was the star of the show at this year’s Goya awards when she picked up her Goya for supporting actress in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona“, the Woody Allen film. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar for the same Anglo-Spanish production, in which she stars alongside Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson.

But Cruz was not the only international star who made shine the ceremony: Benicio Del Toro won the best actor award for his portrayal of Che Guevara in both “Che” films. Alex de la Iglesia English speaking movie, “Los crímenes de Oxford“, won three awards. Other success stories on the night were Christian Mungiu’s drama, “4 meses, 3 semanas y 2 días”, who picked up the best European film award. “Mortadelo Y Filemon, misión salvar la Tierra” won the special effects award. Santiago Zannou’s music drama “El Truco Del Manco” picked up three emotional awards.

“Los Girasoles Ciegos” suffered a disappointment when only picked up an award for the best adapted screenplay, having received 15 nominations. Agustin Díaz Yanes’ film, “Sólo Quiero Caminar” also won just one Goya for the best cinematography from 11 nominations.

Do you want to feel like a movie star? Go to Madrid and discover the Spanish capital! Rent Apartments in Madrid, well located, full equipped and at the best prices!

In 2006 the City Council decided to give the old cattle slaughterhouse in Madrid, which was built in 1910 by architect Luis Bellido, a complete facelift. The council decided to turn it into one of the most avant-garde centres of contemporary art of its time.

El Matadero’s facilities which cover approximately 148,000 square metres are designed to accommodate all types of art: painting, sculpture, photography, design, fashion, concerts, debates, film, architecture, urban design, landscaping, workshops, dance and theatre.

During this period of refurbishment which has been scheduled until 2011, will have four areas open to the public so that visitors can get an idea of what will be the new creative centre of innovation of the Spanish capital.

Apart from this, the Matadero will host important cultural events each year such as the ARCO fair or La Noche en Blanco. In addition to the innovative exhibitions and activities offered by El Matadero, the building itself gives off a unique and special charm. It currently has 4 spaces that can be visited and that will not fail to impress any curious visitor who dares to approach. The most striking area is the old refrigerator in which the artists have to adapt their work in an area with very specific characteristics.

Also, you can visit the Naves del Español or “Spanish Ships” – three ships dedicated to the performing arts, “Intermediae,” an area dedicated to creation, and “Design Centre”, a ship dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of design. And when the warm weather arrives, the outdoor patio is perhaps one of the best bars and restaurants in the city. What more could we ask for? Art, culture, drinks and an intellectual atmosphere in one of the most historical buildings in Madrid.

El Matadero is located in the working class district of Legazpi, close to the Manzanares River and away from the downtown area and tourist district of Madrid. However, this is the intention of the Madrid City Council; to develop the artistic potential of other Madrid neighborhoods in the city and transform them into centres of interest.

The centre is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m to 21:00p.m and Sunday from 10:00a.m to 15:00p.m. If you plan to use the Metro system the stop closest to the Matadero is called Legazpi. If you are going by train then the closest stop is called Ambassadors.

Enjoy the artistic and cultural life of Madrid whenever you want. Discover the new Matadero in Madrid and relax in the best apartments in the city. You’ll find plenty of options in Madrid apartments.

Rastro Market in Madrid

Flea markets are deeply rooted in centuries of history and this is one of the traditions that we can say remains faithful to its origins has been preserved over time. If we go back two hundred years ago, we will notice just a few differences between a modern flea market and an old one: noisy, crowds everywhere, sellers shouting, and all kinds of stalls… In Spain the markets have a long and popular tradition, maybe because in a flea market the products are cheaper than in the traditional shops. Madrid can boast of being one of the cities with most flea markets in Spain. In addition, it hosts the most famous flea market in the country: the Rastro Market.

The Rastro has its roots in medieval origin. Every Sunday and festive morning, between 9 and 2, thousands of street stalls shape the biggest market in Spain. There is no tourist or Madrileño who hasn’t heard of it. Unlike conventional retailers, in a market you never really know what you are going to find, let alone in this gigantic one. In this market you can buy the most absurd junk, to clothes, food, books, paintings or antiques … In addition, a visit to the Rastro is like visiting the heart of Madrid. In its streets you’ll find a mix of the most authentic and emblematic traditions of the city.

Every Sunday more than 100,000 people go to buy and stroll through the Rastro streets. Besides being a market of international reputation, it is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the capital. Its reputation has become known so much, that it belongs to Madrid’s Cultural Heritage.

But the Rastro market is not the only unique and important flea market in Spain. Els Encants flea market is

the equivalent of the Catalan Rastro. The Boquería market is very important too although this is the most famous food market in Spain. Other markets have become known for specializing in just one product, such as stamps, coins, antiques or books.

There are some traditions that fortunately remain imperishable: this is the case of the markets and flea
markets. This old fashioned and original way of buying goods has established itself as an
escape route to the cold and pompous way of the commercial world we have become accustomed to.

Come to the Spanish capital and visit the Rastro Market, but before you come you should look out for some apartments in Madrid. Enjoy the city!

The LG community (Lesbian, Gay) has become the new gold mine for the tourist sector. According to a study realized by Grupo Shangay, there are approximately three million gays who spend around 3,300 million euros a year just on travelling, about 1,100 euros per person. This group enjoys an important economic potential and it can afford to travel a lot: 20% spend more than 1,500 Euros in trips per year.

The high income of this community, which is double the average income – with salaries exceeding 60,000 euros per year, allows them to travel six times a year. Many experts suggest that homosexual couples have more money to spend, because both have their own salary and they do not have children. This sector spends its money on services such as bars and nightclubs, beauty, restaurants, fashion, Spa, health and of course, tourism.

Taking these numbers in consideration, it is not strange that the tourism industry considers the gay community one of its major market segments and that offers them a wide range of new and varied products.

Many Spanish cities are considered gay paradises. Places such as Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Benidorm, Torremolinos, Sitges and specially Chueca, in Madrid are the favourite gay destinations.

For example, Madrid is launching a special program to promote this kind of tourism.

Chueca district is the largest recipient of gay tourists in Spain. It has become a fashionable area among gay and straight communities, who come to this neighbourhood looking for a tolerant and open mind atmosphere. A clear example of this neighbourhood expansion is the arrival  of big brands that want to establish in the area. During the day, you can walk and visit the gay or gay friendly locals that extend across its beautiful streets.

At night, Chueca becomes one of Madrid’s most fun and fashionable areas. Whatever your nightlife preferences are, here you will find a place to suit you because the area has all kinds of different venues and locals.

Bars are open until the early hours of the morning. And for the real party people there are many options to continue the nightlife once the sun has come up. For the others its time to go back to our apartments in Madrid in order to recharge our batteries for the following day or night