Latest news with #Catalans
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Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
'I went to Barcelona during a tourism protest, but everyone I met was friendly'
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Over-tourism is plaguing many cities throughout Europe but Ralph Blackburn found nothing but friendliness on a wonderful break in Barcelona, definitely a must-visit destination. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Through a gap in the trees, the city of Barcelona unfurls below me, with the bright blue Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. The iconic boulevard of Las Ramblas slices through the apartment blocks, while Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família stands high above every other building. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm sitting in another creation of the architect, Park Güell - a mazy and surrealist array of gardens and buildings which looks out over the rest of the city. Gaudí was influenced by the English garden city movement, which led to using the name 'Park', however his creation could not be further from places like Welwyn. Tourists visit Park Guell in Barcelona on October 11, 2024. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images To visit Park Güell people now have to book in advance, and places like Gaudí's house require additional tickets. On the world famous Dragon Steps, tourists throng and crowd to take photos, however after walking up the slopes I find a quiet spot to myself, where the only noise is the birds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With complaints from locals of overtourism, it's lovely to know you can still find a peaceful place to enjoy the stunning views of Barcelona by yourself. Inside the hotel room There are certainly many reasons to book a trip to the Catalan city at the moment. The Sagrada Família is due to be finally finished in the next few years, while the city's footballing church, FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, will have its renovations completed in time for the coming season. EasyJet is set to introduce direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport later this year, while Ryanair is increasing its options across the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite the reports of tourism protests, I found all Catalans incredibly welcoming. People rest in the shade or sunbathe at a park near the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP) (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images) However, it's important to travel respectfully, and a good starting point is to stay at a hotel instead of an AirBnB - which locals say are bumping up housing prices. We're staying at the four-star Hotel Pulitzer, an easy ride on the A1 bus from the airport, which is a stone's throw from Plaça de Catalunya and Las Ramblas. It's a modernised version of a historic art deco building, renovated by celebrated painter and interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad View from La Pedrera at night However, the new design still holds onto the building's heritage, with the retro lobby bar and cast iron railings from the balconies overlooking the street. The rooms are spacious, sharp and modern, and there are nice touches towards sustainability - with guests able to fill up their glass water bottles at taps located on each floor. Its central location, straddling between the historic Gothic Quarter and the neighbourhood of Eixample that was designed by Barcelona's legendary urban planner Ildefons Cerdà, meant we hardly had to use public transport at all. Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer | Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer It's a short 10-minute stroll to Barcelona Cathedral and Palau del Lloctinent, and in the latter you can still see Hebrew inscriptions in the stones as the building was constructed with gravestones from the Jewish cemetery upon Montjuïc. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Grab a vermouth from one of the many bars in the Plaza De la Torre Romana, where you can see some of the walls from the original Roman settlement of Barcino. Then head into the trendy barrio of El Born for some shopping and tapas. The labyrinth of alleys is filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars. Bar del Pla is an old fashioned tapas joint, while El Disnet does a modern take on Spanish classics. Keep an eye out of bodegas, which translates to an old fashioned wine bar. El Born is also home to the Museu Picasso, which is a fascinating look into the artist's early life and his relationship with the Catalan city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A sculpture entitled 'Flora', by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa is displayed during 'Jaume Plensa, poetry of silence' exhibition in front of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi's "Casa Mila" building, commonly known as "La Pedrera" in Barcelona. | AFP via Getty Images In the evening we head to Casa Mila, the last private residence designed by Gaudí in the early 20th century, which is a surrealist, curved apartment block on the famous Passeig de Gràcia. Known as La Pedrera ( which translates to 'the Quarry' for its stony appearance, it's an absolute must see. You have to book ahead and can visit during the day, but I would advise attending at night when you get a spectacular light display from the rooftop, which is finished off with a glass of cava. On Fridays, they also hold jazz concerts on the roof. In the morning, after a delicious breakfast of pan con tomate and iberico ham at the Pulitzer we head to some of Barcelona's famous markets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mercat de la Boqueria is the most famous, but for a cheaper and more authentic experience head to Mercat de Sant Antoni, which is about a 15 minute walk west. In the narrow streets on the way take a look in some of the independent shops. Sant Antoni is also a great, non-touristy neighbourhood for a drink or some food, and Can Vilaro is the perfect spot to try Barcelona's famous hearty workman's breakfast known as esmorzar de forquilla. The new star atop the Sagrada Familia basilica's tower of Virgin Mary shines during the inauguration. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images Obviously no trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to Gaudí's incredible church, the Sagrada Família. You must book at least two weeks in advance to be safe, and give yourself a couple of hours to explore this mesmerising building. The architect, a devout catholic, started designing the basilica in 1883, combining the city's traditional gothic style with some art nouveau forms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By the time Gaudí died in 1926 only a quarter of the building was completed, which included the majority of the nativity facade. It's due to be finished in the next few years, however is still a must visit - and if you think the exterior looks spectacular, it's even more beautiful on the inside with the dazzling multi-coloured stained glass windows. For our final dinner we venture up to Terrassa Martinez on Montjuïc, the Jewish mountain, for a delicious paella, looking out over the city. The next day, before departing, there's time to fit in the set lunch in the Pulitzer Hotel's Greenhouse Restaurant. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is very reasonable at €26 for three courses and nice and fresh, compared with some of the heavy meals we have had over the last few days. A wonderful end to a stunning city break. Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona is close to Plaça de Catalunya and Las Ramblas, housed in a restored 19th-century building and renovated by celebrated painter and interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Reservations are available at
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Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Scotsman
'I went to Barcelona during a tourism protest, but everyone I met was friendly'
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Over-tourism is plaguing many cities throughout Europe but Ralph Blackburn found nothing but friendliness on a wonderful break in Barcelona, definitely a must-visit destination. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Through a gap in the trees, the city of Barcelona unfurls below me, with the bright blue Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. The iconic boulevard of Las Ramblas slices through the apartment blocks, while Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família stands high above every other building. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm sitting in another creation of the architect, Park Güell - a mazy and surrealist array of gardens and buildings which looks out over the rest of the city. Gaudí was influenced by the English garden city movement, which led to using the name 'Park', however his creation could not be further from places like Welwyn. Tourists visit Park Guell in Barcelona on October 11, 2024. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images To visit Park Güell people now have to book in advance, and places like Gaudí's house require additional tickets. On the world famous Dragon Steps, tourists throng and crowd to take photos, however after walking up the slopes I find a quiet spot to myself, where the only noise is the birds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With complaints from locals of overtourism, it's lovely to know you can still find a peaceful place to enjoy the stunning views of Barcelona by yourself. Inside the hotel room There are certainly many reasons to book a trip to the Catalan city at the moment. The Sagrada Família is due to be finally finished in the next few years, while the city's footballing church, FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, will have its renovations completed in time for the coming season. EasyJet is set to introduce direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport later this year, while Ryanair is increasing its options across the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite the reports of tourism protests, I found all Catalans incredibly welcoming. People rest in the shade or sunbathe at a park near the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP) (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images) However, it's important to travel respectfully, and a good starting point is to stay at a hotel instead of an AirBnB - which locals say are bumping up housing prices. We're staying at the four-star Hotel Pulitzer, an easy ride on the A1 bus from the airport, which is a stone's throw from Plaça de Catalunya and Las Ramblas. It's a modernised version of a historic art deco building, renovated by celebrated painter and interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad View from La Pedrera at night However, the new design still holds onto the building's heritage, with the retro lobby bar and cast iron railings from the balconies overlooking the street. The rooms are spacious, sharp and modern, and there are nice touches towards sustainability - with guests able to fill up their glass water bottles at taps located on each floor. Its central location, straddling between the historic Gothic Quarter and the neighbourhood of Eixample that was designed by Barcelona's legendary urban planner Ildefons Cerdà, meant we hardly had to use public transport at all. Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer | Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer It's a short 10-minute stroll to Barcelona Cathedral and Palau del Lloctinent, and in the latter you can still see Hebrew inscriptions in the stones as the building was constructed with gravestones from the Jewish cemetery upon Montjuïc. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Grab a vermouth from one of the many bars in the Plaza De la Torre Romana, where you can see some of the walls from the original Roman settlement of Barcino. Then head into the trendy barrio of El Born for some shopping and tapas. The labyrinth of alleys is filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars. Bar del Pla is an old fashioned tapas joint, while El Disnet does a modern take on Spanish classics. Keep an eye out of bodegas, which translates to an old fashioned wine bar. El Born is also home to the Museu Picasso, which is a fascinating look into the artist's early life and his relationship with the Catalan city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A sculpture entitled 'Flora', by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa is displayed during 'Jaume Plensa, poetry of silence' exhibition in front of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi's "Casa Mila" building, commonly known as "La Pedrera" in Barcelona. | AFP via Getty Images In the evening we head to Casa Mila, the last private residence designed by Gaudí in the early 20th century, which is a surrealist, curved apartment block on the famous Passeig de Gràcia. Known as La Pedrera ( which translates to 'the Quarry' for its stony appearance, it's an absolute must see. You have to book ahead and can visit during the day, but I would advise attending at night when you get a spectacular light display from the rooftop, which is finished off with a glass of cava. On Fridays, they also hold jazz concerts on the roof. In the morning, after a delicious breakfast of pan con tomate and iberico ham at the Pulitzer we head to some of Barcelona's famous markets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mercat de la Boqueria is the most famous, but for a cheaper and more authentic experience head to Mercat de Sant Antoni, which is about a 15 minute walk west. In the narrow streets on the way take a look in some of the independent shops. Sant Antoni is also a great, non-touristy neighbourhood for a drink or some food, and Can Vilaro is the perfect spot to try Barcelona's famous hearty workman's breakfast known as esmorzar de forquilla. The new star atop the Sagrada Familia basilica's tower of Virgin Mary shines during the inauguration. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images Obviously no trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to Gaudí's incredible church, the Sagrada Família. You must book at least two weeks in advance to be safe, and give yourself a couple of hours to explore this mesmerising building. The architect, a devout catholic, started designing the basilica in 1883, combining the city's traditional gothic style with some art nouveau forms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By the time Gaudí died in 1926 only a quarter of the building was completed, which included the majority of the nativity facade. It's due to be finished in the next few years, however is still a must visit - and if you think the exterior looks spectacular, it's even more beautiful on the inside with the dazzling multi-coloured stained glass windows. For our final dinner we venture up to Terrassa Martinez on Montjuïc, the Jewish mountain, for a delicious paella, looking out over the city. The next day, before departing, there's time to fit in the set lunch in the Pulitzer Hotel's Greenhouse Restaurant. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is very reasonable at €26 for three courses and nice and fresh, compared with some of the heavy meals we have had over the last few days. A wonderful end to a stunning city break.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Is Marcus Rashford playing for Barca vs Vissel Kobe in pre-season friendly?
Marcus Rashford completed a loan move to Barcelona from Manchester United that will see the English forward play for the Catalans in the 2025-26 season. With Barcelona kicking off its Japan tour on Sunday, fans might see the first glimpse of Rashford playing in a Barcelona shirt against Vissel Kobe at the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium (Noevir Stadium Kobe). FOLLOW THE MATCH LIVE HERE — Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona LIVE SCORE, Real-time updates Will Rashford make his Barcelona debut? Rashford starts on the bench for Barcelona in its pre-season match against Vissel Kobe, so there is a chance that he will make his Barcelona debut. Barcelona initially cancelled its match against Vissel Kobe, citing major contractual breaches, but the match will go ahead after the dispute was resolved.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Rashford joins Barca on loan from Man United
Barcelona's new signing Marcus Rashford poses with his shirt during the presentation. Photo: REUTERS Spanish champions Barcelona loaned Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford on Wednesday with a future purchase option. "Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026," announced the La Liga champions in a statement. "The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward." Barcelona are paying around 75 percent of Rashford's £325,000-a-week wage ($435,000) while he is at the club, with the player foregoing the rest, according to Spanish reports. The 27-year-old England international was out of favour under Man United coach Ruben Amorim and spent the final months of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa. Rashford, who made his United debut in 2015, became an outcast at Old Trafford, with Amorim publically doubting his commitment and desire. In May Barca coach Hansi Flick said Rashford and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz were "fantastic players" amid transfer links to both, with the club keen to reinforce on the left flank. Last season the Catalans were irresistible in attack, winning a domestic treble, but had little in the way of back up for key wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Rashford could also offer cover for veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August. Barcelona had hoped to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams to play on the left wing but the Spaniard signed a new deal at the San Mames. Rashford, who came through Manchester United's academy, last played for the Premier League club in December, scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils. At Aston Villa he managed four goals in 17 games before a hamstring injury cut his season short in April. Rashford was criticised by former Manchester United great Teddy Sheringham after trying to make the Barcelona switch happen in recent weeks. "From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that's a step up that he hasn't deserved," Sheringham told SkyBet. Manchester United want to move on several more players this summer, including Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho. Barcelona had trouble registering signings last season with La Liga, including midfielder Dani Olmo, and according to reports may need to find ways to balance the books before registering Rashford and their first summer arrival, goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Few British players have joined Barcelona since the 1980s, when Gary Lineker, Steve Archibald and Mark Hughes all played for the club. Current Bristol City midfielder Marcus McGuane signed for Barcelona's reserve side in 2018, appearing once for the first team as a substitute in the Catalan Super Cup, before leaving in 2019 on loan to Telstar and eventually joining Nottingham Forest. In the summer of 2019 Louie Barry moved to Barca's youth academy from West Bromwich Albion but departed for Aston Villa in January 2020.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona president Joan Laporta reacts to Marcus Rashford signing
Earlier this week, Barcelona completed the signing of Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The 27-year-old is the club's left winger addition, which was one of the priorities for this summer's transfer window. The search for a new left winger was not easy for Barcelona, largely due to their financial problems. They had looked destined to finally complete a deal for Nico Williams, but in a 24-hour period, he went from agreeing terms with the Catalans to signing a new 10-year contract with Athletic Club. Image viaLaporta opens up on Marcus Rashford deal As per MD, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke on Rashford, who can be bought next summer as per a buy clause in the agreement with Man United. 'We are very happy because a player of great quality is coming, at a great age to come to Barça with extraordinary motivation. Personally, I've seen how excited he is to come to Barça. One of his virtues is that he is sincere. His dream was to play for Man United for the rest of his life. He arrived at the age of seven and was born there with an interesting life. He wanted to be a 'One club man'. It's nice for a player to say this with all the sincerity. 'But when a situation arises in his life that he did not expect, the team he had always liked is Barça. He had faced us and had Barça on the radar. He was loaned to Aston Villa so that it could be seen that he is the best player ever, the best in England and he says that his maximum motivation is to win the Champions League with Barça and the World Cup with England. We have him very motivated. He came in strong as a rock, he's very excited, he's entered well with his teammates and I'm very happy because two years ago he beat us in the Europa League. He made the difference in the tie and that's why I'm very happy that he came.'
