Archive for July, 2009

Coldplay Concert in Barcelona

July 31st, 2009

Coldplay with Chris Martin as lead singer, touch down in Barcelona as part of their tour to present their very successful latest album, “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends”. A night of good music is guaranteed at this Barcelona event for many reasons.
Coldplay has a special relationship with Barcelona after spending a time in the city recording part of the album which they are now presenting on their current tour. Just out of interest, the bells that can be heard in the song “Viva la Vida” are the bells of the Santa Maria del Mar church, situated in the Born area of Barcelona and considered to be one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture. After recording the album, Barcelona was chosen as the place for its World presentation in a concert for just 1000 lucky people.
The band attempts to square the circle offering another concert on the 4th of September at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the venue for the 1992 Olympic Games and other important concerts by bands such as U2.

What’s more, Coldplay know how to put on a show thanks to their connection with the audience. Don’t hesitate – get your ticket to see songs like “Clocks”, “Yellow” and “Fix You” played live which are all now considered classic on the British alternative music scene.With a first-class group like Coldplay playing in a first-class venue like the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, presenting a first-class album that has beaten all records for Internet broadcasting, what more could you ask for? First-class support bands, well, you’ll have that too.
Chris Martin likes good company, and he has chosen no other than the Flaming Lips to share his current tour and the famous Spanish Indie group, The Sunday Drivers, for the Barcelona act. The Flaming Lips always offer the audience an original experience thanks to their spectacular shows with backing singers dressed as aliens, Captain America as the guitarist and the lead singer rolling over the audience in a giant ball…

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Fringe Festival Dublin

July 31st, 2009

Whether you are into comedy or drama, into music or dance – the programme of the Fringe Festival Dublin 2009 offers something for every taste! Many of the performances have an alternative touch and so have the venues where some of them take place: Experience acts on the Liffey Boardwalk or on a Dublin bus! Of course, there are also a huge number of performances taking place in more conventional theatres and cafes throughout the city! So make your selection from the festival programme which runs from the 5th until the 20th of September!
The Fringe Festival Dublin is an annual event which has been taking place since 1995. Originally it was part of the Dublin Theatre Festival. Due to its overwhelming success, the Dublin Fringe has been run as an independent festival since 2006 and offers you anything you could expect in a celebration of the arts: Somewhat traditional theatre and dance performances in theatres or stages which are set up in Dublin’s most popular cafes, plus dance and comedy acts which take place in more unconventional settings throughout the city of Dublin!
One of the main venues is the Spiegeltent – according to the organisers, this “exquisite salon” boasts “Weimar era decadence” and indeed: this venue has experienced great popularity with the festival guests for the past six years. And this is unlikely to change at the 2009 edition of the Fringe Festival Dublin as this year sees the Spiegeltent´s last appearance. So hurry up and book one of our budget hotels, hostels, apartments or bed and breakfasts in Dublin close to George’s Dock which is where the Spiegeltent is set up. If all this has not quite convinced you yet, let the numbers speak for themselves: In 2008, almost 120 shows took place in over 40 venues, with theatre dominating the line-up, followed by dance performances.
It is therefore only fair to say that between the 5th and the 20th of September, all of Dublin will be celebrating – at the Fringe Festival Dublin 2009! Plan your Dublin city break now and become part of this unique event –

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Valencia on a budget

July 29th, 2009

Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, often goes overlooked by tourists but actually has a lot to offer the traveller on a budget. With so much to do and see for free, not to mention the ideal Mediterranean climate that you can make the most of in the city’s parks, a getaway here doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some ideas for making the most of Valencia on as little as possible:
Cheap hotels in Valencia, are fairly easy to come by so accommodation needn’t be too much of a drain on your funds, and if you are really strapped for cash, there are plenty of even cheaper hostels in Valencia to choose from. Eating out on a budget is also a breeze in Valencia, with plenty of little, local restaurants offering a really cheap Menu del Dia (set lunch time menu) and the Mercado Central where you can buy delicious fresh produce to make a Mediterranean picnic to die for. And if you are saving enough on accommodation, venture down to the seafront for a Paella, as no trip to Valencia is complete without one.
As far as things to see and do are concerned, the City of Arts and Sciences is a fantastic museum complex which attracts thousands of visits to the city every month; it is very pricey though, so if you don’t think you can afford the entry fee, check out the Museo De Bellas Artes which houses many beautiful works of art and is free to get into. Even if you do decide to give the City of Arts and Sciences a miss, the nearby Turia Gardens, nestled in the dry river bed are very picturesque and ideal for escaping the bustle of the city centre or having a picnic in a shady spot under a tree. La Lonja, the 15th century silk exchange building, is another beautiful monument which is free and well worth a visit for its history, architectural beauty and its typical courtyard adorned with orange trees.
Las Fallas is Valencia’s biggest and most famous celebration; the whole city comes alive and is all about partying and having fun. Whether this is your idea of heaven or hell, you should bare this event in mind when planning a visit to the city as it effects hotel rates enormously.
With cheap accommodation, cheap eats, free entertainment and plenty of sunshine, Valencia could be the ideal place for an inexpensive trip!

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Have Passport, Will travel!

July 27th, 2009

After travelling around the world extensively on a very modest budget, I’m convinced that you don’t have to have a fat wallet to see the world. With so many low-cost airlines and so much budget accommodation out there, visiting the world’s greatest capital cities is accessible to anyone with a passport and a little curiosity. So, I’m dedicating this blog to all those like-minded travellers who are looking for advice and tips on travelling abroad without breaking the bank. The first stop is Barcelona!
Tourism is a booming industry in Barcelona and there are hotels on every street corner, but it doesn’t have the tacky tourist resort feel that some other coastal towns have. The key to enjoying Barcelona on a tight budget? Shop in local markets (not the Boqueria – it’s lovely but really expensive) and find a decent but cheap place to stay.
Finding cheap accommodation in Barcelona can be a little tricky, to friends and family I´ve always recommended to check out rates for budget hotels in Barcelona before visiting the city. Hotels near to the Rambla are always going to be a little more expensive than accommodation in less famous areas, although there are some really central hostels and guesthouses (known as “Pension” locally) which offer very reasonable rates if you don’t mind something quite basic. If you are looking for an independent stay, private apartments are a good option and give you the feeling of really living Barcelona. Obviously, the time of year affects hotel rates greatly and Barcelona receives a lot less tourists in winter than in summer, although it’s never desolate.
As far as nightlife is concerned, most cities claim to be “the city that never sleeps” but it’s rarely true. In Barcelona, however, it really is possible to party 24 hours a day if you want to. Obviously, drinking Mojitos by the port and going to one of the city’s major nightclubs is a privilege reserved for the wealthy, but there are some cheaper (even free) alternatives. Visiting Barcelona during the Sant Juan (23rd & 24th June) and La Merce (24th September) celebrations is a good way of partying in Barcelona for free as the concerts and parties mainly take place outside and are free. The only risk you run if you come during these major celebrations is never actually using the hotel bed you’ve paid for!
Next stop Valencia!

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