Spain is one of those countries where, apparently, the outside is more important than the inside. You just have to walk around the streets of Barcelona to see that image is everything. It’s not important how much money you have or your social condition, if you have a job or if you are, like so many others in these times of crisis, jobless and looking for solutions, trying to stop yourself from robbing a bank; in Barcelona, image is queen and it’s the focal point of social life. So, don’t be surprised if the words ‘guapa’ or ‘guapo’ (beautiful) and its derivatives ‘bonito’ and ‘bonita’ (pretty) are everyday’s talk. Whether frivolity is part of Spanish culture is still up for debate, but it probably does have a style which is a tad hedonistic and relaxed, which finally settles in beauty as the refuge of general wellbeing. So, cheers to that and long may the party continue!

Therefore, the care for the physical aspect, as well as the fashion looks, are very much in Barcelona’s character. If you live in Barcelona you’ll see that, every day, people go out jogging down its lit up avenues. Diagonal Avenue, Passeig de Gràcia, as well as the promenade that runs along the Mediterranean seafront in Barcelona are all full of enthusiastic joggers who don’t miss the chance to burn some fat and oxygenate the body. The seasons are quite obvious in Barcelona but, despite that, you can go for a run at any time of the year and make the most of its streets and routes. In an equal way, together with these joggers, cyclists go from one side of the city to the other at high speeds. It has to be said that going on a bicycle is one of the favourite ways of transport in the city, as well as being healthy and environment-friendly.

If you love football, you’ll have plenty of places to share your passion for this sport, both in bars and cafés, where they show Barça matches, as well as in different mini football pitches in different areas of the city, where neighbours and friends practice the beautiful game. In equal measure, around most districts of the city, you can find all types of gyms with prices that adjust to your pocket: bodybulding, aerobics classes, yoga classes, tai chi and warm swimming pools to swim in during winter. It has to highlighted that the proximity of the Mediterranean allows that during the hotter months of the year, you can practice water sports, such as sailing and even surfing.

Certainly, Barcelona offers you a great range of possibilities if you like sport. You just have to check out the city’s website to find the sport that you like the most and the people who are interested in it like you. Also, the Barcelona Council’s website presents relevant information on the different sporting activities in the city on this website: http://w3.bcn.es/V25/Home/V25HomeLinkPl/0,2976,5004038_5184167_2,00.html

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Barcelona and discover the different options that this fabulous city offers you to keep healthy and fit by practicing your favourite sport.

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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On May 15th this year, Spanish people took a first step toward a possible transformation. Think of it as possible because things are not yet fully resolved, because democracy has not stopped being the promise of equal rights and freedom of expression, yet it is in transit, in motion, waiting for the resumption and that we the make it real and true. The events around the camping sites has been many, the fervent enthusiasm of the Plaza del Sol in Madrid, where thousands of young and not so young, men and women came together to say enough is enough at the injustices of a nefarious oligarchic and corrupt government, , and say “YES” to change  This enthusiasm spread throughout the country, and Barcelona, ​​which has also been an important political power during much of its history,  held the youth of  the Nueva Primavera movement meet in Plaza Catalunya, to say enough to corporations, bank abuse and bad leaders.

In Barcelona there were two things in particular that should not be forgotten, Sometimes memory generates enough power to clear walls for a better understanding and managing of potential front lines for a future on the verge of  it happening. The fact is that it is worth remembering two key moments of the decay of the system and the inefficient authority in this country, this Spain that at times seem to be falling apart.

On May 27th, a day before a final championship soccer match, the authorities decided to “clean up” Plaza Catalunya, because it had to be ready for the celebrations that night. The event, of course, ended in violence, beatings and blood, and the peaceful campers stoically endured “the rotten hand”  of the law, and did not respond to the police attacks, and the displacement of many of its camping utilities. The truth is that nothing is more absurd than the nefarious-threatening violence against peaceful protesters, indeed, so that a herd of drunken football fans, stinking  of alcohol, urine, fill with dirt and debris the camp site That is, its ok that the consumer mess up the place for it brings more tourism, more excess, more consumption. You should  think for a second, how fascist and capitalist football consumption is and its relationship with the idiosyncrasies of the region it represents.

The next moment, that should never be erased from our memories, is that recorded by the peace movement, where we see a group of undercover policemen in the  march that began rioting. Nothing more destructive than the power that passes through lack of resources to intervene, when he realizes that his own actions have fallen apart, when there is not much more to do than infiltrate. It is a shame for the police force the authorities and governments to the world. The images in the video below should not be forgotten now that the participation and activism of all of us is essential to generate an immediate change but, “Big Brother” knows that we are vigilant, still we are already fed up with so many injustices.

Learn more from the Camp in Barcelona at: http://acampadabcn.wordpress.com/

Alexa Ray

All cities in Spain are present and attentive now, get apartments in Barcelona and participate in the activities being performed. Simply enter the web, check Twitter orFacebook. Social networking has finally served for a purpose that it was never predicted for. Join it!

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Translated by: Marc
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The historic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid has been the scenario of one of the greatest moments in contemporary football history, unforgettable moments in Spanish League, King’s Cup, Champions League, Uefa Cup and don’t forget the mythical final in World Championship ’82, when Italy won West Germany 3-1. Next April 10, the Big Match will take place, the most eagerly awaited moment in Spanish league: the Madrid-Barça Derby.

The other time in Camp Nou, (Barça-Madrid match), the team from Madrid lost for 1-0. The games between these teams are an unavoidable appointment. Everyone is waiting for them. There’s nobody in the streets when they are playing. It’s about a great sport show that nobody wants to miss it.

Let’s see a few differences between one club and the other. Barça was founded as a sports club in 1899, oddly thanks to some Swiss and British young soccer players who lived in Barcelona, while Real Madrid was founded in 1902. Its original name was Madrid Football Club (king Alfonso XIII changed its name years after to Real Madrid). Barcelona includes the brand new Golden Ball winner: the brilliant Leo Messi.

In the other hand, Madrid has the most expensive player at the time: Critiano Ronaldo, who played in Manchester United. To get the Portuguese player, Madrid paid for him the exorbitant amount of 93 million euros. Really, it was an unprecedented maneuver in football. According to Deloitte Football Money League, this club seems to be the richest in the world, with 401, 4 million euros.

The traditional rivalry between these clubs is beyond football limits. It’s about a matter of cultural identity and certain political disagreement. On the one hand, there is the region of Madrid, and on the other hand, Catalonia; Spain’s Capital against the Catalan Capital.

Millions of enthusiastic supporters follow these matches. At least once in your life you must enjoy this real sight, even if you are not a football fan. Madrid is waiting for you with its passion for this sport, with its monuments, museums and its cheerful nightlife.

But, watch out! Tickets for this event are sold out soon. Book it as soon as possible and in order to get accommodation, reserve on Apartments in Madrid. Ready for the Superclassic match?

It’s that time of the year again when every football fan starts making plans for one of the most important games in the Spanish league calendar. This year is a little different as both teams have added to their squads and both teams are at the top of the table. There are no prizes for guessing that we are talking about one of the biggest games this season: Barcelona v Real Madrid. Yes, El Clásico is back!

This first of this season’s showdowns takes place at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on 29th November and as usual, promises to be a thrilling match. At the time of writing Barcelona is the current leader by one point and although they are struggling to find form in the Champions League, Barça’s form doesn’t seem to be suffering in La Liga. Real Madrid on the other hand are only one point behind Barcelona in La Liga but have struggled with their form and style of play particularly due to the rotation system that Manuel Pelligrini has put in place although after the last 2 good games we may have seen an end to it as Pelligrini looks like settling for the latest formula.

We don’t know yet if CR9 or Cristiano Ronaldo will play as he is still out with an ankle injury. He’s just flown to Holland and they’ve told him he needs more rest and that he doesn’t need an operation. Whatever happens, Real Madrid might not need to rely on the Portuguese superstar as Kaká and Benzema seem to be playing very well together at the moment and Gonzalo Higuaín seems to be their talisman.

Like every year, El Clásico never fails to draw large crowds whether at home or abroad. If there’s only one match that people will not miss, it’s this one. Feelings are usually high and this edition is not any different. Will Pep Guardiola’s triple winning team overcome Florentino Perez’s “New Galáticos” and strike first blood, or will it be the other way round? Are we going to see another Leo Messi – Cristiano Ronaldo showdown? Start placing your bets please!

You’ll also be able to see the match at the cinema! The Cinesa, Yelmo and Kinepolis cinemas will be showing the game at 7pm on the big screen with incredible sound – all for the price of watching a film. It promises to be one hell of an experience!

Whatever happens at the Camp Nou on 29th November we are surely in for a treat. Some of the best players on the planet will be centre stage and will no doubt produce some of their best football in order to win this match. You’ll be able to see the likes of Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Raúl and Gutí take on Barça’s best in the shape of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Ibrahimovic and Alvés.

If you’re a football fan and want to see the match at the Camp Nou or even at one of the many pubs in Barcelona that will show the game live, why not rent apartments in Barcelona so you can relax after the game as you’ll surely need a rest after so much emotion!