As one of the most eclectic cities in Europe, Barcelona accommodates a wide range of shopping tastes. Flashy designer labels live happily next to unique, handcrafted pieces with a local touch. Just north of L’Eixample, Gràcia stands as one of the most charming, and trendy neighborhoods with its own unique history and culture. In recent years, new concept stores and…
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Before writing this article, I had only heard friends’ geocaching stories of hiking through the woods of the northeastern United States, finding cute plastic trinkets hidden beneath trees or moss-covered rocks. I was not sure how geocaching with kids would play out in the urban and tourist-filled neighborhoods of Barcelona. Not to mention, I have a horrible sense of direction…
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Design thinking. Eco-design. Sustainable architecture. Green design. We tend to think of these concepts and disciplines as new and contemporary, a response to the world’s climate crisis and uncontrolled industrialization. However, there was a designer, academic and activist who put these ideas on the table as early as the 1960s. Victor Papanek (1923-1998) remains a relative unknown — few people,…
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The T-10 Barcelona public transport card has been abolished for being too useful. No need to hide from the world under a blanket though. Consider these alternative ways of getting around town. Metro The Barcelona Metro is just a delight. Where else in the city can you enjoy close human contact, fluorescent lights, and live reggaeton at 6:30am? You also…
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Costa Rican Ximena Pastor came to Barcelona with one love – cooking – and one idol – chef Albert Adrià. Working for him at Tickets only made her hungrier though. Her first solo project, Barcelona pastry school and shop L’Atelier, is one of the most outstanding in the city, and one that she built with true grit…and a newborn baby….
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The 2019 winner of the best panettone in Spain went to Barcelona’s Cloudstreet Bakery, and with good reason. They have mastered the art of making this Italian holiday favorite. Getting through the small door into the bakery itself to get a bite of the best turns out to be its own art. Open the door carefully to avoid crashing into the …
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When an abandoned modernista textile warehouse is turned into an unparalleled interior design and fashion space with beautifully curated mens- and womenswear and home goods, we all win. Oh and did we mention it’s also a bookstore and a restaurant that serves up a market-driven menu with vegan options and natural wines? Barcelona Luxe There are some excellent reasons to…
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