Spain

Don't be scared off by the name: If in the morning, you don't remember whether you are staying in a hotel or a castle, then you are in the La Florida. The grand hotel does not hold back with luxury and has been the accommodation of choice for the rich and beautiful.   Service and rooms are top class since the early 20th century. A highlight is the generous private terrace that provides great views of the city. In addition, you'll have a beautiful spa area for relaxing. Double rooms are available from Euro 227 per night.

The grand building dating from the 19th century is situated on one of the most beautiful streets of Barcelona. In 2009, the hotel underwent a complete renovation and designers combined and contrasted details of the past with contemporary stylish elements. Elegance meets style, mosaic tiles mirror light installations, playful twirl contrasts with clear furniture design.   The sum of those beautiful parts results in a charming boutique hotel. A highlight are the Jugendstill balconies, as most of the rooms have a view to the Rambla Cataluna. Would you like to experience a local habit? Then grab a drink and enjoy it on the roof terrace of a typical Catalonian inner courtyard. Small hint: There is one room overlooking the courtyard. Book it! It is the biggest and most beautiful room of the hotel. A double room is available from Euro 80 per night.

No need for a spa, fitness room and hotel breakfast? Then perhaps an apartment is the right option for you. Inside BCN offers stylish apartments in El Born and Sants for everybody on a small budget: the apartment at the Carrer de Sants has 3 rooms and offers space to accommodate the entire family.   Party people can get their short nights' beauty sleep in the king size bed of a studio apartment. If you are a business traveller, you just book a 2-room apartment and welcome your business partners in your living room. All apartments are fully furnished and are available for short or long stays. At the Sants Building, a studio costs 69 euros per night while a 3- room apartment is available from 150 euros per night.

Creativity has no place in the underground - not true. At least in Barcelona. That becomes perfectly clear when entering the 1,500 square metre large subway station Drassanes in Ciutat Vella. The walls are covered with white, glass-like light concrete elements that are pulled over the subterranean waiting zone like a second skin. The clean and open area seems very compact due to the evenly high walls and the enamel-like surface conveys the impression of already being in the subway. The lighting increases this impression. An that's what the two young Spanish architects Eduardo Gutiérrez Munné and Jordi Fernández Río wanted to achieve. Because to their mind, the subway itself is everything needed at this place.   A special granulate material in the white floor provides for suspension of the vibrations. You should check this on the spot by all means!

The most favourite, beautiful, colourful and best market hall is situated right at the Rambla. The hall was rebuilt in 1914 and is as busy as any high street. Michelin star chefs mix with hobby cooks, housewives and tourists while shopping for their produce. The vegetables and fruits stands are vibrant with their colours and inviting scents. Make sure you take a fresh fruit juice on your journey. Careful: the choice is huge! The fish section is very impressive and the produce very fresh indeed. If you cannot stomach seeing fresh fish that's still moving, you should stay well clear. In addition, there is an irresistible offer of cheeses, sausages, sweets, olives and snacks, which can be eaten straight away. Hot tip: the small restaurants around the market are the place to go to enjoy a glass of wine with some very fresh tapas.

We can guarantee you this - on this walk, you won't be able to relax at all. The Rambla is the shopping street of Barcelona and very busy indeed. You can find anything but tranquillity on the street. Start your walk at the seafront. You will find many souvenir and postcard shops. Continuing this way, you'll meet the artists that paint tourists and tourist traps. Afterwards, you'll get to the flower stands and the sad small animals in cages that hope to be purchased and released by someone who takes pity on them. You'll be entertained by pantomimes, musicians and dancers.   You can easily spend and lose your money on Rambla and that not only by your own free will - so be careful. Tip: Rambla is a must, however bring little cash and certainly don't bring your favourite handbag along.

To be honest, this has nothing to do with Catalonian and not even with Spanish fashion. However you should still pay a visit to the store of the Korean fashion designer Julie Sohn if you are doing a shopping trip.   The store is very Asian with its little bit of Zen, little bit of Feng Shui but also a touch of cool New York style. The mix makes it somehow perfect and distracts you briefly from the fashion items presented. This is no surprise as the interior design of this shop has won an award.   The fashion also deserves an award: discrete and simple, but never boring and always stylish.

Elena Castaudi and Michele Gilli are originally from Turin but have lived in Barcelona for so long that her fashion can now be called Spanish. The life in the fashion metropolis has inspired the duo to open their boutique.   There, you'll find cool trousers, nice skirts, perfectly tailored jackets and great shirts all made by their label. Everything is trendy and comfortable with the license to become your favourite item. In addition, they sell items by Hergenhahn, IKKS or Svensson. In short: everything but regular fashion for men and women.

The name Rovira is widely known in Barcelona. Father Pedro runs a patisserie in the heart of the city, his son Enri creates art works made of chocolate, like Dali did with his paintings. One of his first chocolate masterpieces was the facade mosaic by Catalan architect Gaudi. This was his breakthrough. Today he supports young artists himself and translates their concepts into chocolate. In doing so he does not only focuses on the taste but also on the form. Bilious green ginger chocolate and orange cocoa corn mixtures - which do not appear tasty at first sight - bear witness of that. All chocolates are produced without any preservatives. If you fancy even more chocolate, then you should visit the chocolate museum near the Parliament afterwards!

In July 2012 Albert Longán kicked off his restaurant Loft212 in Barcelona. The economic crisis has seized the country, unemployment rates are high. But in his restaurant business booms. The guests order tapas - including sushi - and drink Cerveza.   In the kitchen Albert's son Daniel Longán creates Spanish bites with an Asian touch, he serves seasonal and regional cuisine for the main courses - from fish to meat (the latter is from the Valle de Cardener and therefore specifically tasteful). And all this embedded in the ambiance of New York lofts from the 1950s. The design comes from Carlos Martinez: bright and dark wood, whitewashed brick walls with black and white photographies, a mix of wooden and aluminium chairs at the bar - long, black, with a counter lighted in yellow colours. Quite comfortable indeed and therefore no surprise that the Spaniards love to spend their money here - for good food and good company. All crises aside!   

What makes this restaurant so great? The perfect photo collection featuring people, neighbourhood oldies and Ronaldinho. The wine flows easier than you realise, the staff does not speak a word English and that makes it all so enjoyable. Jai-Ca offer Tapas in typical style.   You can recognise insiders by their colourful skin and lots of metals attached to their faces. If you do look regular, don't worry, you are still very welcome here. Expect a surprise at the end of the night- the bill is so small that you will be tempted to have another glass of wine or two.

Why everyone is attracted to the Ra Bar remains a mystery. Even if you are lucky enough to get a table on their terrace you still won't understand their secret of attraction. The palm trees build a kind of ailantery; but you still won't be able to ignore the mid-sized car park facing the terrace. However, everyone wants to be here and enjoy a multi-cultural appetizer.   The service is as relaxed as the colourful guests. Everything takes its time here, except for the closing of the terrace when everyone tries to move inside into the tiny room to enjoy one last beer before leaving. Tip: The bar is right behind the market La Bouqueria. It is the perfect location to enjoy breakfast after visiting the market.