Sitges, The Gay Paradise of Barcelona | OA News

Sitges, The Gay Paradise of Barcelona

Submitted by admin on October 22, 2009 – 5:03 pmNo Comment

Everybody has heard of Barcelona in superlatives. Barcelona, the cosmopolitan city; Barcelona, the city of Gaudí; Barcelona, the capital of culture… But there is more to this Mediterranean city then that: party, beach, mountain, museums, gastronomy… Barcelona is suitable for all kinds of tourists, and has a lot to offer to the gay community. It even has its own pink village, Sitges – the gay paradise of Barcelona!

You cannot say you really know Barcelona if you have never been in Sitges. This cute little village, about 20 minutes from Barcelona, is one of the most important gay destinations in Barcelona. In addition to beautiful beaches, it has discotheques, bars, restaurants, saunas and even hotels orientated to a homosexual public.

Are you stressed? No problem! There are no less then eight gay saunas in Sitges where you can relax and meet other guys who want to have a good time. You can even participate in games and activities such as Sauna Bingo, and win the Bingo Boy. Can you imagine a better prize?

Attention all fashion victims! Sitges is namely also a shopping paradise. During the last years  many designer shops like Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace have opened. If you are a little affected by the crisis, don’t worry. There are enough less pricey alternatives.

For a great suntan, throw yourself on a towel at one of the fantastic beaches in the zone. There are a lot of places to hide, the offer is incredible. The beach of Bassa Rodona is the main beach for homosexuals. The Balmins beach is a nudist beach, and the Playa del Muerto (Beach of death) is exclusively for gays looking for an adventure…

Don’t miss out on the famous carnival of Sitges. Put on your best disguise and dance the night away on the streets, not once but every single night in February! Other events include the Bears week (april – may) and the party of Santa Tecla (September). It’s impossible to be bored here.

The nights in Sitges always seem infinite. There is so much going on at night, you will have trouble choosing. The bars, pubs and discotheques offer theme nights like Eighties night, Topless night or foam parties. Dress up, fix your hair and for sure you will hit it off with someone.

Even the most picky gourmets will not be let down. The amount of gay restaurants tripled over the last years, while the offer in general is already huge. Enjoy the typical Mediterranean dishes, or try some more exotic flavours.

The offer for women is not as big as that for men, but especially if you travel during summer you will find some ‘women only’ parties.

Hurry to book your tickets and enjoy the best holiday of your life in the loveliest village on the Catalan coast. Rent apartments in Barcelona for a great stay.

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The best of Milan | Milan Shopping and Events

The best of Milan

Posted by milanblogger | milan | Thursday 22 October 2009 3:09 pm

Milan is the nerve centre of northern Italy and is situated in the Po Valley. We could describe the city with three words: business, fashion and culture. Because of the Italian stock market, which has its HQ in Milan, the city is considered the economic engine of Italy and has transformed itself into an important centre of negotiations and trading. Of course, it’s as well the city of fashion with the latest fashion trends created by Versace, Prada, etc.. Milan shows us how to preserve its very charming character and richness of historical monuments. All the little churches, wonderful monuments and museums are hiding numerous treasures waiting to be discovered. Follow the steps of Leonardo Da Vinci, Verdi or Armani and discover all the spectacular attractions which Milan offers you!

The Duomo, the cathedral and symbol of the city of Milan is one of the most beautiful Gothic constructions in Italy and one of the biggest cathedrals in the world. Because of its many church spires, which reach over 108 metres high, the cathedral is called also as the “hedgehog” of Italy. If you want to enjoy an incredible view over Milan, then you only should go up to the cathedral’s cupola. Don’t miss this amazing spectacle!

The famous Galería Vittorio Emanuele II, constructed in the year of 1865, is one of the first commercial galleries of its kind. The roof is constructed of steal and glass, which illuminates the gallery in a very special way. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 19th century. Most of the famous restaurants, bars, cafés and the best fashion boutiques like Gucci, Prada or Vuitton, are situated in this breath taking gallery, whose spectacular main entrances remind us of real triumphal arches.

The San Siro stadium, also called the Giuseppe Meazza, is one of the most mythical stadiums of Italy. It was constructed in the west of San Siro in the year of 1926 to provide a place for the matches of AC Milan. But since 1974 there also takes place the exciting matches of Inter Milan. The amazing tribune, which is really close to the football pitch, and the incredible roof lend the stadium a very particular atmosphere. In 1996 the stadium museum was opened where you can discover the history of both football teams, all the trophies and wax figures of the brilliant football players, like Vieri, Facchetti, Meazza and Rivera. Each day between 10 and 17 o’clock you can participate in a guided tour through the stadium which ends with the visit of the official Milán Store.

During your holidays in Milan you shouldn’t miss the nightlife. Milan offers you a lot of different options for having a good night. To the best bars and discotheques of the town belong the clubs Alcatraz, Baboon Bar, Café Biffi, Blub Hollywood, Le Trottoir, Loolapaloosa, Nuova Idea… One of the most famous cafés is the legendary Café Biffi in the Vittorio Emanuelle II Gallery. There the stars and celebrities of the international film industry usually have a drink. But nowadays it is more like a tourist bar for the richest visitors in the city. In this bar the café and capucchino are still the classical beverages and even the decoration will amaze you. The Club Hollywood is the trendiest discotheque in Milan. In this subterranean club you will spend without any doubt unforgettable nights. The music will amaze you as well, starting with the newest house music to famous songs by Guns n´Roses or Green Day. This fashionable club mainly attracts famous personalities of the city, like top models, football players, actors… Le Trottoir is more a club for the intellectual young people. This club stands out in particular for its graffiti and less conventional design.

Come to Milan, an extraordinary city full of art, culture and a very entertaining, ancient and contemporary past. Rent apartments in Milan and discover the amazing atmosphere and the exciting nightlife.

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Las Ramblas in Barcelona, the world's most magical street | Travel blog Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Madrid

Las Ramblas in Barcelona, the world’s most magical street

Oct 22nd, 2009 by apartmentblogger

The Fifth Avenue, the Champs Elysees or Las Ramblas are some of those streets that do not need to be located on a map to know where they are. And if not, what is the first thing that comes into your mind when you think of a landmark in Barcelona? That’s right; you’ve hit the nail on the head: Las Ramblas.

No matter what time it is, Las Ramblas never sleeps. Whether at night or day, this beautiful pedestrian street is always a bubbling with life where tourists and locals stroll up and down. And with good reason! This walk placed in the nerve centre of the city, offers so many incredible things that one does not know where to look.

Las Ramblas begins in the famous Catalunya Square and finishes at the Columbus Monument and is divided into different parts: Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins and Rambla de Santa Mònica.

Las Ramblas has a special charm that no other streets in the world have. On one side, there is the Gothic Quarter, on the other, the Raval. The two most attractive districts of Barcelona frame it giving it a surreal magic touch that mixes new and old elements: the best restaurants, clothing stores, museums like the MACBA and monuments like the Cathedral.

But you do not have to leave Las Ramblas to find all this. The famous Liceo theatre is located in the middle of Las Ramblas. The best operas and ballets of the world take place here. One of the most special charms in Las Ramblas is the different kiosks and stalls with animals and flowers that are scattered through the entire street. These stalls are open all day long. People used to buy souvenirs and flowers and take a look at the animals. Some of the more modern wonders are the street artists who include surrealistic mimes who look like real statues, musicians, dancers, and painters.

Who has not ever heard about the Boqueria? It is probably the most famous market in all of Spain and it is located right in the middle of Las Ramblas. This charming market is part of the history of the city and thousands of people visit daily its beautiful multicoloured stalls full of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, fish and other things.

On both sides of Las Ramblas there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops suitable for all tastes and wallets. Not to mention the lovely terraces where many tourists have a drink (almost always sangria) and eat something (almost always paella).

Do you need any more reasons to go to Las Ramblas? Book now your flight tickets and rent Apartments in Barcelona. You haven’t lived if you cannot say; I’ve been to Las Ramblas, the world’s most magical street!

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New Trends For Autumn 2009 | Paris Blog

New Trends For Autumn 2009 - Time to change your look!

Posted by paris | paris | Thursday 22 October 2009 10:40 am

Summer, the season of relaxation and leisure has left us and with the arrival of Autumn 2009 we get back into our daily routines and at the same time we prepare ourseleves for new challenges in our professional and personal lives. We should all agree that there is nothing better than feeling good with oneself: So why not to change our look? If you are not a great fashion expert or you’ve never read articles about what is fashionable, we will give you a little help in trying to summarize the latest trends for this Autumn 2009.

Let strart with the hair! It is time to change that sober hairstyle! Girls, get ready to take out the curlers and the hairspray because this Autumn/Winter season the bulky 80s hairstyles are back in fashion - full of waves and curls. There remains a classic style where the hair is tied back in a pony tail to reveal the face with an original touch, like double bows and pigtails. For the boys short hair is still predominante but using the imagination to create originality.

And what can be said about makeup? It should be striking of course: red lipstick is mandatory! Depending on your character you can choose different tones: hot red for the bold or softer and pink tones for the timid among us.

Also, regarding our clothes, it’s back to the 80’s. On the catwalks around the world bright colours prevail: orange, cobalt blue, green, yellow, violet, red or orange. Jackets with big shoulder pads have also made a reappearance. Another element that is gaining importance is leather, and not only for the accessories. Special skins such as crocodile skin predominate. Dare to buy a leather skirt, you will surely win in the sensuality stakes. Or maybe you prefer a pair of boots. These trends also apply to the guys: on the catwalks the male models wear boots that reach the knees over tight trousers. For those who prefer a more casual style, they should go with denim: not only jeans that are always in fashion, but also shirts and jackets.

Have you seen in your mind’s eye your new image? Take inspiration in the latest trends! It is time to go shopping! But we’re not talking about the same shops as always! Why not spend a few days in Paris? It is a European capital of fashion! Do not worry about the accommodation either: apartments in Paris is the best solution for every budget.

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Lisbon by night | OA News

Lisbon by night

Submitted by admin on October 21, 2009 – 4:32 pmOne Comment

The city of Fado is preparing itself for another long night. Under a burning sunset, some of the bars of the Chiado neighbourhood are already opening their doors for a few early birds who cannot wait for day to become night and start dancing, drinking and fooling around. Thanks to its extensive opening hours and large offer, Lisbon earned the reputation of European night capital. Party people, Lisbon is the city you are looking for!

The best area or neighbourhood to start the night is without doubt the Barrio Alto a favourite among the Lisbon people. Enjoy the traditional bars were they sing live Fado, or discover the authentic Portuguese pubs throughout the city. The alleys are crammed with enchanting little bars with a very typical ambience. If the bar is full, people stand outside, with their glass in their hand, and continue their animated conversation. It’s only around 4AM, when the pubs in this part of Lisbon close, that the people go home.

If you want to get a taste of the more authentic Lisbon, head to Alfama. This neighbourhood is where the sad and melancholic Fado music was born. It has sort of a bohemian atmosphere, romantic even. Don’t expect any modern, big discotheques here, but nothing is more fun then just wandering through the narrow streets.

Thoso who like to go wild on a night out, the new place to be is the barrio de Docas, just east off the 25th of April bridge. Here you will find the modern and fashionable places. It used to be an industrial area, and now it’s the most popular party zone of all Lisbon, with all types of music and all kinds of places. The discotheque Kremlin (Rua Escadinhas da Praia, 5) or the Kapital (Avenida 24 de Julio, 68) are popular, as well as the famous Lux (Rua Gustavo Matos Sequeiro, 42) owned by John Malkovich.

Are you looking for something more original, maybe even exotic? Then the African discotheque B.Leza (Conde Barão, 50) is just the thing for you. For more than 12 years they play the best Afro-Portuguese music from past and present.

Also interesting to go out is the Parque das Naçoes, the site of the World Expo, where the main concerts, events and festivals are held. And if you still have some money left after all of this, the Casino de Estéril is one of the biggest in Europe.

Would you like to get to know the sensual nightlife in Lisbon? Don’t wait any longer, book your own apartment in Lisbon for a relaxing holiday.

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Jan Van Eyck Exhibition in Madrid | Travel blog Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Madrid

« The 20th anniversary to mark the fall of the Berlin Wall

Jan Van Eyck Exhibition in Madrid

Oct 21st, 2009 by apartmentblogger

In the 15th century he was the most famous painter in Europe. He was hired by duke Philipe the good of Burgundy, and his work ‘Annunciation’ is one of the jewels of the permanent collection in the museum. The Thyssen-Bornemisza museum presents its new exhibition: Jan Van Eyck – Grisailles.

The grisaille technique is based on the graduated application of a single colour, usually grey or brown, to create the illusion of a statue. A nickname for grisailles in ‘Witjes’, named after the Dutch painter Jacob de Wit, who was known for using this technique.

From 3rd of November until 31st of January, you can visit for the very first time an exhibition of Grisailles. It will consist in an overview of artworks from the late middle ages and Renaissance, paintings as well as textiles, ivory and ceramics. Like we said before, the diptych ‘Annunciation’ is a typical example of a grisaille. It shows the angel Gabriel appearing to Maria, and on the frame is engraved the first and last sentence from the dialogue. This is typical for Van Eyck, to mention explicitly the theme.

One of the biggest mysteries in the world of art is related to Van Eyck. At the Saint Bavo cathedral in Ghent (Belgium), you can admire the altarpiece ‘Lamb of God’ that he painted together with his brother. The painting consists of multiple wooden panels but there is one missing… 75 years ago, the panel ‘De Rechtvaardige Rechters’ (The Just Judges) was stolen from the cathedral and has been lost ever since. The only suspect confessed on his deathbed, but his number was up before giving any more details about the hiding place. Some say the painting never left the cathedral, others point at the Nazi’s and even the royal family was once accused. A lot of amateur detectives are still looking for it, and once in a while some of them have an epiphany and they alarm the entire police force because they think they have found the hiding place. The Belgian government encourages this search; in 2008 for example they dug a hole of 5 square metres and 1 metre deep in a parking garage after a tip off.

Now it’s your turn! Maybe you will find a lead at the exhibition in Madrid? Anyhow, it’s the perfect opportunity to admire this unique collection of Van Eyck. And for a stylish and affordable stay, rent the best apartments in Madrid!

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Beauty, Women, Malaga | what to visit in Malaga

The Beauty and the Women

October 21, 2009 By: malaga Category: Malaga

The beauty is ephemeral and subjective. Or is it possible to find a unique criterion as far as beauty is concerned? Both in art as in life, beauty is relative. What I consider beautiful, my neighbour does not like it, my friend loves it and my cousin sees it awful.
The beauty ideals have evolved as much as the mankind history. Every era has had its canons, each country prefers different stereotypes and each person has it own beauty perceive.

When one thinks about beauty and human body almost always women’s images come to the mind… The female beauty issue is one of the oldest in the history. There have been always representations of the supposed perfect woman: starting with the ancient Venus and other muses, to the perfect women representations of our times. Nowadays women – but also increasingly men – are bombarded with constant messages of the perfect ideal to which all should aspire: rachitic girls without forms or explosive women with silicone breasts.

Though finally the individual criterion is the most raw, there are common factors that are given in the different territories: for example, in Spain and Italy men prefer women with pronounced curves and with brown hair, in Germany they prefer blong, tall and thin women.

But what happens when you ask women questions about themselves perceptions of beauty? The results are revealing: 93% of women think that if a woman feels emotionally secure it notices in her external beauty. The more secure you are with yourself, the prettier you feel. Meanwhile, 92% believe that beauty has to do with a positive attitude and good spirits and not just with the mere physical aspect. Moreover, 89% agreed with the idea that an attractive woman does not have a perfect beauty. Finally, 47.2% associated the beauty with the external aspect, 38.8%, with the overall care, and 26.6% with feelings.

Anyway, the beauty and its ideal will always follow us. The society will evolve and the beauty concept will change with it. People use to say that one of the world’s most beautiful women are the Andalusian… Would you like to check it? Rent Apartments in Málaga and discover why they have that reputation

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one night stands in Berlin | Berlin blog

One Night Stands - Your place or mine?

Society has changed tremendously over the years and and has now nothing to do with the time of our grandparents and great grandparents. Whereas 80 years ago everybody thought that the women would become pregnant after having looked deeply into a man’s eyes, nowadays everyone, young or adult, are real experts regarding sex, and they enjoy total sexual freedom. What before meant a commitment for the rest of your life, has today turned into a one-night stand. So, commitment or a one-night stand, what do you prefer?

It seems that the one-night stands are in fashion. If you are single and you want to have some fun, you just have go to a pub or nightclub and meet somebody. More and more people go out to party with the goal of having sex. We can define today’s world as an ephemeral culture: everybody does what they want. This is the lifestyle we have adopted. Most people are very informal and focus on the fun. Even the appearance of potential candidates is an increasingly minor role. Conventional appointments are replaced by one-night stands, because they are more much easier than traditional dating: you don’t bring flowers or talk about your hobbies, or spend much money on a romantic dinner. When both parties feel a good vibe and agree to a one night stand, ¡E voilà!

Another curiosity is how different languages denominate the concept of “sex without commitment”. The different terms in each language can tell us a lot about every society’s views about sex without commitment. If we start with the passionate Italians we will see that they are very open-minded people as they use the expression “botta e via ” (in and out). English people are a bit more reserved and talk about the famous one-night-stand. The Germans seem to be even more conservative and they have no particular word and therefore take advantage of the English expression. If we commit infidelity, the Polish speak about moralniak ( “moral hangover”), the German’s say Seitensprung (”jump to other side”), the French about a coup d’un soir or a sex plan and the British dramatize it a bit with the words walk of shame. Anyway, we can see that every culture and every country has its own way of naming these trends in sexual attitudes.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer a commitment or a one-night stand, in Berlin you can get what you want. To have a perfect and cheap accommodation rent apartments in Berlin and remember what Woody Allen once said: “Sex without love is an empty experience, but, as empty experiences go, it’s one of the best“.

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Tattoos - an art form | OA News

Tattoos – an art form that is past, present and future

Submitted by admin on October 20, 2009 – 2:33 pmNo Comment

Tattoos are as old as mankind itself. And if not, what is a Neolithic mummy doing with 57 tattoos on his back? It will surprise you that the Polynesians were the first, not only to tattoo themselves but also to use tattoos as body ornaments.

But tattoos have evolved a lot since their first appearance: not only their main functions as well as the drawings itself and of course the technique. In Japan it is seen as a true form of art, in North America it stands for maturity, in ancient Greece and Rome is was a social stigma and in Egypt tattoos were believed to attract the supernatural, while nowadays it is a way to decorate our body and be unique. The technique is now so perfect that a good tattoo is considered pure art.

Right now, the culture of tattoos is perfectly integrated in our society; it’s almost strange to see bodies without tattoos, especially among youngsters. All ages and social classes have become tattoo fans! Because of this, a lot of successful fairs and conventions on the subject of tattoos have been organised. But there is one that really stands out, the International Tattoo Convention of Berlin, organised since 1991. Every year the world’s best tattoo artists find their way to the German Capital, since this city if the birthplace of tattoos on the old continent.

There are people who consider their tattoos a way of life, others just see it as decoration and some think of it as scarring the body. But according to anthropologists, tattoos give people a certain image; it shows we are part of a group or community.

The rules have been tightened a lot regarding shops and tattoo studios. They should use disposable instruments for single use, unpack them only in the presence of the client and be perfectly sterilized. In addition, tattoo artists should be vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus and diphtheria, and show that they have completed a training 30 hours regarding health and hygiene issues.

What is your opinion? Do you like tattoos? Maybe you even have some yourself? A well-thought out and good design can result in a beautiful and attractive tattoo. Tattoos are fashion, but this is clearly not just a trend or hype. Take a trip to Berlin and discover the latest tendencies.

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do not miss rome | rome blog

What you Shouldn´t Miss in Rome

October 20, 2009 By: romeblogger Category: Rome

Rome is just a real fantastic historical city with a huge offer of cultural events: concerts, film festivals, expositions, book fairs, etc.. But we shouldn’t forget the fact that Rome is as well as Milan the Italian city of the fashion world. Each year in July the famous Spanish Steps at the Piazza di Spagna turns into the centre of the international fashion world. Uncountable important designers, like Armani, Valentino, etc. as well as young new talents show you their new creations.

Cinema is a further protagonist of the cultural life in the eternal city. Rome, the capital of the international film industry where uncountable amazing movies have been shot, organizes important Film festivals, like the Rome International Film festival which in Mid-October presents and awards interesting film productions of different countries.

Of course, it isn´t necessary to mention that Rome is a real paradise for each fan of archaeology and arts, because the eternal city offers you uncountable options to visit, like museums, art galleries, expositions…Another important event, that you shouldn´t miss, is the so called Musei di Sera (the night of museums) which makes it possible for tourists and the Romans to visit significant museums, like for instance the Vatican Museums, the Ara Pacis Museum or the Centrale Montemartini, during the night. A further highlight is the spectacular Notte Bianca (white night) which is organized each year in Mid-September in Rome and offers you an extensive calendar of events: concerts, contemporary art, spectacles, theater, dance, fireworks….

Another event in September that you shouldn´t miss is the Oro Capital Event. It´s a exposition dedicated to jewellery, silverware and clockmakers´ tradition. Between the 23rd of September and the 2nd of December the theater and arts are again the main protagonists of the cultural roman landscape: the Roma Europa Festival welcomes important personalities of the creative world of dance, theater, music and literature.

The concerts of the 1st of may are for each fan of rock and pop music absolutely obligatory. Of course, the concerts are for free and the famous artists of the Italian music scene play only for you.

Regarding to historical music locations we should mention Gilda, Alien and the discotheque Piper Club in the district of Salario, which was opened in 1965 and organized fantastic concerts of at these times still unknown artists, like Lucio Battisti, Patty Pravo, etc.. Nowadays you can enjoy the performances of new talents and promising newcomer bands. An alternative to the discotheques are the so called discopubs, like Arcadia, Vamp or Cuccagna.

If you want to visit Rome, then you shouldn´t miss the opportunity to get to know the famous „aperitivo all’italiana”. In this regard we should mention the local Freni e Frizioni in the district Trastevere where you can choose, after ordering a refreshing drink or a delicious glass of wine, between uncountable types of salads, plates of cus-cus, pasta and desserts.

And for relaxing between all these amazing events, there´s no better option than the comfortable and cheap apartments in Rome. Let your dreams come true during your stay in the Italian capital!

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Lisbon's beautiful churches and monasteries | Lisbon Blog

The Many Beautiful Churches of Lisbon

Lisbon has a rich architectural history, which reflects in hundreds of churches throughout the city. From the Romanesque Sé catedral to the baroque Santa Engrácia to the gothic ruins of the Convento do Carmo, you will be amazed at the contrasts to be found here!

The Sé Cathedral was built in 1150 to celebrate the victory over the Moors, and in fact it looks somewhat like a medieval fortress. Inside is a baptismal font where St. Anthony of Padua is said to have been baptised, and above the entrance is a beautiful rose window.

Those who want some more brilliance and grandeur better head to the Jerónimos Monastery in the district of Belém. With the structure, king Manuel I wanted to thank the Virgin Mary for Vasco Da Gama’s successful voyage to India. After his death, he was given a tomb in the west portal. The Project was funded by a high tax on spices, and the many treasures brought back from the new worlds.

A little more obscure is the Sao Domingos church, which survived quite some disasters. Although it has undergone some restoration after a fire in the fifties, the scars are still visible. The pillars are scorched, and some say there is still a penetrating smell of ashes.

Seen enough stones and ready for some art? The convento da Madre de Deus might not look impressive from the outside, but here you will find some of the finest Portuguese art. Since this little church also hosts the tiles museum, there is fine Collection of Dutch azulejos.

More tiles, a gorgeous dome and splendid views of the city you can get from the São Vicente de Fora. This two-towered white church overlooks Alfama, and when the weather is clear you can see as far as the Tejo valley. Don’t miss out on the unique ivory statue of Jesus (Brought from Goa, India in the 18th century).
Want to trace back the footsteps of the great explorer Vasco Da Gama? Why not honour him with a visit to Lisbon, burn a candle in one of the many beautiful churches in Lisbon. Rent the best apartments in Lisbon, for a cheap and confortable stay.

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20th Anniversary of the falling of the Berlin wall | Apartments Blog

The 20th anniversary to mark the fall of the Berlin Wall

Oct 20th, 2009 by apartmentblogger

“Wir sind das Volk! Die Mauer muss weg!” (We are the people! The Berlin Wall must fall down!). These two short sentences still today represent a great importance in world history. This year Berlin celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. On November 9th, 1989 the Iron curtain fell down and this way the west and east came together again. This is a great reason for the German capital to celebrate this significant event. If you want to enjoy countless exhibitions, theatre, representations, concerts and many other events about the falling of the wall, in addition to discovering hidden parts of this mysterious city, come to Berlin and choose the most interesting events!

To mark the 20th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin wall a series of events related to this topic is being held. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Berlin, you have chosen the suitable moment: the city has many offerings to celebrate this historic event, so it will be very difficult to choose just one. Among the various exhibitions, it highlights the National Museum of German History (Deutsches Historisches Museum) with the exhibition Art of Two Germanies/ Cold War Cultures, the exhibition - The story of Berlin in the famous Kurfürstendamm, where you can show off your own art in a reconstruction of the original wall; or the exposition in the Marienfelder Allee Tram station that tells many stories about countless citizens that tried to flee from the east to west Berlin. These are just some examples of the many impressive exhibitions you can visit for many months until next year in the German capital.

Some of the most spectacular events are, without a doubt, the guided tours through the most mysterious parts of Berlin. One of those trips you should not miss is the guide thorugh the hidden secret places of the wall, like an old shop next to the wall which now houses an alternative art gallery. Another captivating visit is to the ghost train stations once used to escape to West Berlin that now are out of service. There are also guided bike or boat tours through the city’s historic sites.

On November 9th it will be the greatest day of the anniversary, since a very special event will be celebrated: thousands of dominoes of 2.50 metres tall, painted by creative young people and children, will be set up along the former wall. In an official ceremony these dominoes will fall down to commemorate the falling of the Berlin wall.

As you see, you’d have to stay long in Berlin to enjoy all these cultural events, besides being able to attend the endless concerts, lectures, theatre, poetry readings and film screenings. So you can rest in your free time, why not rent the most comfortable and cheap apartments in Berlin? Discover what’s on in the German capital!

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Juan Bautista Maino - a master to discover in the Prado Museum-- Blog about Madrid

Juan Bautista Maino - a master to discover in the Prado Museum

The National Prado Museum in Madrid will very soon house an exhibition of the Spanish artist Juan Bautista Maino, one of the most original painters of 17th century Spanish art. The exhibition will be held from 20th October to 31st January 2010. This will be the star exhibition of the upcoming fall-winter season in the museum.

This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Maino (1581-1649), artist of whom very little is known, despite the originality of his paintings. This is a great reference of Spanish painting of the first half of the seventeenth century, but the late and difficult identification of his biographical data and his works, many of which have been attributed to him recently, have gone unnoticed despite having belonged to the artistic court of Philip IV. It was not until 1956 when his real origin in the Spanish town of Pastrana, Guadalajara was confirmed.

Many of the paintings will be displayed together for the first time in this exhibition under his name, since up till now they had erroneously been attributed to other painters.

The Spanish artist moved to Madrid to train as an artist, but in 1600 he travelled to Italy to complete his art studies for ten years. There, he was influenced by the new Italian school, with a clear influence of great artists such as Caravaggio, Carracci, Guido Reni and Gentileschi, among others. Back in Spain, and in the second half of the seventeenth century, he work was modern and innovative – a style typical of the Italians.

For the first time in history, this exhibition presents all the known work of the artist. About 35 paintings, plus other works by other artists make a chronological journey through the evolution of the painter and compare their works with some of his contemporaries.

In order to safeguard the welfare of the works, the state will pay nearly 60 billion euros to guarantee and ensure for the possible destruction, loss, theft or damage which may affect these important paintings.

Don’t miss this unprecedented exhibition. Come to the wonderful Prado Museum and enjoy the best in Spanish art. You can combine it with a wonderful holiday in the Spanish capital. For cheap accommodation, rent Apartments in Madrid and enjoy your stay to the full.

via madridapartments.me

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Cineambigú in Barcelona | Apartments Blog

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Alternative films at Cineambigú in Barcelona

Oct 19th, 2009 by apartmentblogger

The film world is in a state of flux. One of the most criticized and controversial inventions of the twentieth century is, without doubt, dubbing. Some people are in favour but some hate to hear a voice so unnatural that, most of the time, it doesn’t even match the moving lips of the actor. Because of this, there has been a tendency for cinema in their original languages lately. So nowadays, there are plenty of film festivals in OV. If you are interested in this topic and in the world of cinema in general, you shouldn’t miss Cineambigú in Barcelona, a series of films in their original versions.

Some of the contemporary movies will be shown for the very first time. The most striking entries of international movie festivals, the best documentaries and productions that went straight to DVD and independent films in original version with Spanish subtitles (VOSE). The current cycle begins in October, and there is a long list of premieres planned for the coming months. the place to be to catch these films is the alternative cinema Verdi Park in Barcelona, every Tuesday.

This event saw the light in 1994 in Barcelona, thanks to the organization 10.000 Retinas. They wanted the people to have easy access to films in original version, which was a difficult process and something completely new in Spain. Over the past years they managed to maintain a stable program and organize a vast number of events. Their hard work paid of and in 2001 they were awarded the Sant Jordi Cinema award, for the best scheduling in original version. Besides Cineambigú, they also organise the Asian Film Festival (BAFF) and Cine sin techo.

For sure you will discover some cinematic pearls that, without this festival, you never would have heard of. This year awaits you a spectacular schedule with “YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH” (USA, 2007) by Francis Ford Coppola, “OF TIME AND THE CITY” (UK, 2008) by Terence Davies, “THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD” (USA, 2009) by Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno and much, much more.

If you are a film fan, don’t miss out on this important event. It is a major opportunity to combine a dream stay in the charming Catalan capital with a fantastic cultural event. Rent the best apartments in Barcelona for a comfortable and affordable stay.

via blogonlyapartments.com

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Natural Cannabis Therapy | OA News

Cannabis, a Natural Therapy

Submitted by admin on October 19, 2009 – 1:20 pmNo Comment

Nowadays Cannabis is the subject of endless debates and discussions, and opinions differ. Fact is that Cannabis has been used for therapeutical and medicinal reasons ancient times. Throughout history, we see that several societies used Cannabis for treatments. Whether it was as an anti-inflammatory, painkiller or anti-pyretic, Cannabis was always seen as a natural medicine. Shamans consumed cannabis before starting special ceremonies, to make contact with spirits from the other world.

Currently, scientists are doing a lot of investigation on the positive effects of Cannabis for treatment of certain diseases. But experts warn about abuse, since consumption might cause a serious addiction. Therefore consumption is prohibited in most countries, although sometimes there is made an exception for medical therapies.

To continue with the investigations in an efficient way, scientists should have easier access to cannabis. But because of the illegality of the substance in many countries, investigations drag on very long, which raises the cost significant. This is a serious problem which makes investigators lose valuable time and influences the relevancy of the results. However, politicians are more willing to collaborate with scientific projects, as well as many governments who seek to provide more support in this matter.

General opinion is depending much on the country and society. Spain for example, is pretty open-minded and tolerant about the consumption of Cannabis. In Catalonia in particular there are many actions to attempt the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes. If you want to see for yourself how open-minded and tolerant the inhabitants of the Catalonian Capital are, why not rent an apartment in Barcelona? Enjoy a splendid holiday!

via only-apartments.com

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