In this month’s blog of our boutique hotel, we present a list of interesting films and novels that are related to Barcelona. When spending a few profitable days among friends, or when you visit the Sagrada Familia, after reading this post, you will surely see the Catalan capital with different eyes!

The best films about Barcelona

Let’s start with some feature films in which the city of our Boutique Hotel is the stage, or plays the leading role: The first is a Spanish film from 2017, directed by Ramón Salazar with Bárbara Lennie and Susi Sánchez as main actors: “La enfermedad del domingo” (Sunday’s Illness). It tells the story of Anabel, the mother, who receives an unexpected visit from Chiara, her daughter, whom she abandoned more than 30 years ago, asking her to spend 10 days together.

“Profesione: reporter” (The Passenger), from 1975, is an Italian film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, starring Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider, and a true masterpiece. Part of the story unfolds in the setting of La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and other emblematic corners of the city. Almost like an ode to the genius of Gaudí, his works gain prominence in the film, until they become just another character. The roof terrace of La Pedrera, the last house built by the brilliant Catalan architect, has been used as a set in other film productions, such as: Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008), and Susan Seidelman’s “Gaudi Afternoon” (2001).

“L’auberge espagnole” (The Spanish Apartment), a 2002 film by Cédric Klapisch, is another clear example that shows that many directors think of our city as the perfect setting for their films. It’s a playful comedy about the experiences of several Erasmus students. The chronicles of their lives, and the cultural differences that lead to many hilarious misunderstandings, are set in some of the most charming corners of Barcelona.

Novels in which Barcelona is part of the plot

In one of our last posts, we talked about Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s literary passion for Barcelona, and how his novels have encouraged readers around the world to get to know the city. Today we want to talk about some other great novels taking place in Barcelona.

If you are passionate about reading, and have had a look at our summary of the Sant Jordi festival, which this year was exceptionally held in June, you will know that there are many tales and writers that focus on the streets of Barcelona. Some stories talk about the post-war period, such as “La plaça del Diamant” (The Time of the Doves), Mercè Rodoreda’s most popular novel of 1962.  Translated into more than 40 languages, this story made its way to the cinema and theatre on several occasions.

Other authors are more inclined towards comedy, like Eduardo Mendoza, who takes his readers for a walk along the Paseo de Gracia and the Diagonal in an attempt to provoke a sincere smile. We can discover the author’s special connection with Barcelona in “No Word from Gurb“, and above all in “The Mystery of the Enchanted Crypt“. Of this novel, from 1978, complicated, with an unusual hero, the author said that it was his favourite, and it must be true for the story wanders all over Barcelona!

Book your room in our boutique hotel in Barcelona

If after reading or watching some of these masterpieces, you feel the urge to discover this fabulous city, do not hesitate to book your room in our Well & Come Boutique Hotel in Barcelona. We want to turn your stay in Barcelona into an unforgettable experience, worthy of inspiring new stories.

The time of year when the streets are dressed in coloured lights has arrived. In the special corners of Barcelona, where you will find Well&Come, our boutique hotel, you will find trees decorated with stars, baubles and decorations…The time of year when walking through the city in the cold is actually quite pleasant. Yes, it’s time for Christmas.

At our boutique hotel in Barcelona we wanted to tell you in this blog all the things, traditions and places where it is essential to spend at least a few minutes, to say that you have lived an authentic Barcelonan Christmas and don’t miss any of the Christmas fun in the Condal City.

 

What can Well&Come recommend for you?

It is not worth spending this festivity in the city and not having gone to a traditional Christmas market. In Barcelona there are many themed markets during this time of year where you can enjoy a festive and magical atmosphere and where you can also buy all kinds of decorations for your tree. The best market is the Fira de Santa Llúcia and also the oldest in the city, located on the Avenida de la Cathedral. Another traditional market is the Sagrada Familia Market where you can enjoy the atmosphere alongside Gaudí’s famous basilica, located only 10 minutes on foot from our boutique hotel in Barcelona.

One of the most common destinations to visit in Barcelona, where you will find Well&Come, our boutique hotel, is the Tibidabo park. This emblematic amusement park also dresses up at Christmas offering shows and activities for all the family during the festivities.

The Poble Espanyol becomes an incredible Christmas scene. There is a big Christmas market magnificently decorated offering traditional gastronomy and crafts and filled with children’s activities. What’s most visited is Father Christmas’ House and the Three Wise Men from the East.

A fun and entertaining plan for the whole family is…taking a stroll! Enjoying a cold, but very magical stroll under the lights and all the Christmas decorations is a tempting plan for everyone. The Christmas spirit and its welcoming atmosphere can be felt in the streets.

And after a wander around you want to get the cold off your backs, Well&Come, our boutique hotel in Barcelona, recommends one of our favourite past times, going for churros and hot chocolate. A classic which must be enjoyed at the Granja Viader, el Dulcinea or el Petrixol.

 

Essential Catalonian traditions to celebrate at Christmas

What most characterises each place in the world is its culture and traditions. We want to tell you about the most outstanding traditions in the Condal City to celebrate during this time.

• In every nativity scene in Catalonia it is essential to have a Caganer. It is a symbol of good luck; his faeces fertilises the land and in turn that brings luck for the upcoming year.
• As we have mentioned above, and as happens in many other regions, the “firas de Navidad” are perfect to visit for buying everything to do with the festivities.
• The Tió de Nadal is a magical trunk that days before Christmas Eve knocks at the doors to ask for shelter. It must be covered with a blanket so that it does not get cold and you must feed it until the 24^th, the moment when he shows his thanks by “defecating” sweets and gifts.
• The 26^th of December is the celebration of Saint Steven in Catalunya, it is typical during this day to eat homemade cannelloni made from leftovers from the previous days.
• L’Home dels Nassos is a mythical character who is very famous for his big nose and who only appears the 31^st of December. Something to amuse the little ones.

 

The map of Christmas in Barcelona

On the website for the Barcelona town hall you will find a section relating to everything surrounding Christmas and also at the bottom you will find the Christmas Map.

It is a map of the city with the most important places to visit with the time marked with icons. The map shows where to find the most impressive nativities, Christmas markets, where to find the “Tió gigante”, everything to do with Christmas at the Plaza Catalunya and everything relating to the Three Wise Men of the East and where the bells for New Year’s Eve will ring.

 

Reserve your room at our boutique hotel in Barcelona

Have you already decided how you are going to spend Christmas? It is undoubtedly a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Barcelona. At Well and Come, our boutique hotel in Barcelona, we want to offer you the best quality accommodation and comfort during these dates.

By reserving directly on our website, you will receive exclusive benefits, such as 50% off breakfast, free Nespresso capsules, free minibar and late check out (subject to availability). Don’t think about it any longer and experience Christmas with us!

At Well and Come, our boutique hotel in Barcelona, we are so thankful to be located in such a beautiful city. We are surrounded by a rich culture and heritage and we get to enjoy it every single day. In this blog article we want to share with you more about the origins of one of our favourite Catalonian products and the best way to enjoy it! Are you intrigued? Keep reading for more information!

 

An authentic Catalonian product at our boutique hotel in Barcelona

Cava is a beverage which is enjoyed not just by Spanish residents, but by a multitude of people from across the world. Did you know that this well-loved product was invented in Catalonia, the home of our boutique hotel in Barcelona? It was first produced in the 1870’s by Josep Raventós, who formulated the product after returning to Catalonia from a trip to one of the largest wine making countries in the world, France. Cava is a very delicate and balanced blend of the grape varieties Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo.

For a very long time this sparkling wine was classified as “Champaña” until the 1970’s when authorities wanted to restrict exactly what products could be branded as champagne. Following this reclassification of sparkling wine, the term Cava was created. The word itself was chosen not for the origin of its grapes or due to a historical tale, it was simply because the wine was matured in stone cellars which in Spanish are known as ‘cavas’. In 1970 the product achieved recognition and was given the protective status of Cava D.O. (Denomination of Origin), this means that the product is protected by a series of quality controls that ensure it is of an optimum grade.

 

The rooftop of our boutique hotel in Barcelona

So, you may be wondering, why have Well and Come, boutique hotel in Barcelona, chosen to focus on Cava for this blog article? Well, we believe that it is the best drink to accompany the incredible views which you can see from our rooftop in Barcelona.

On our rooftop we have a spectacular swimming pool, from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the Tibidabo, the most famous mountain in this area. As well as our rooftop swimming pool in Barcelona we have comfortable seating areas with sofas, armchairs and even water beds so that when you’re enjoying your ice-cold glass of Cava, you will feel completely relaxed.

 

Reserve your room at our boutique hotel in Barcelona

Whether you are travelling for business or leisure we know that ending a busy day on our breath-taking rooftop in Barcelona with a glass of Cava is an experience you will remember forever. By reserving directly on our website, you will also receive direct booking benefits such as 50% off breakfast, free Nespresso capsules, free mini-bar and late check out (subject to availability). Don’t think about it any longer and reserve your room now!

Did you know that in Barcelona you can eat and drink whilst being conscious of the environment? The city is full of bars, restaurants and ecological markets. In recent years they have been increasing the bikefriendly stores, with which you won’t have a single problem getting around the city and without needing to use transport that contaminates the environment.

At Well And Come we want to show you how to get the most out of an eco-holiday in Barcelona.

 

Eco Restaurants in Barcelona

In the Hotel Well And Come we have joined the eco line. That is why, we are going to recommend two ecological restaurants in Barcelona. We know that the city has a reputation for a past pace and to never stop, that is why we want to show you two restaurants that offer fast food that’s eco-friendly and healthy.

Firstly, we will mention Green Shots, it is a food take away store. They pride themselves on their food which is created with ecological ingredients and offer detox juices. Also, they pay attention to the small details such as ensuring that the packaging is biodegradable. This option can be found close to your Boutique Hotel in Barcelona.

Secondly, the restaurant Organic’s. They offer the possibility to design your very own dish under the concept “slow fast food”. It is all about simple dishes created with organic products that are available to take away. It is located right in the centre and is very easy to find.

 

 

Bikefriendly shops to get around Barcelona from our Boutique Hotel by bike

This trend has continued to become even more popular in recent years. Today, you can find many stores of this type. You now don’t need to worry thinking you have left your bike alone and defenceless. A store where you can enter with your bike is The Bike Club Barcelona. This way you don’t have the worry of having left your bike parked up in an unsafe place because you can take it with you at all times.

Another central option is The SweetOphelia Coff, a store where bikes are welcome and, also, they have available a parking area so that you can park your bike inside the premises.

Without a doubt two very feasible options to be able to get around the city by bike and without worry.

 

Well And Come: a more comfortable option in Barcelona

To continue the trend of healthy and ecological food in a more comfortable way, your Boutique Hotel en Barcelona offers a variety of possibilities. In the hotel restaurant you can find the freshest and most seasonal dishes without having to move.

 

 

Our rooftop in Barcelona: enjoy the benefits of the new vertical garden

At the Boutique Hotel Barcelona we have available a splendid rooftop terrace situated on the rooftop. Our clients can relax there after a tiring day of visiting the city that never sleeps.

During the summer, Barcelona has a magnificent climate which will make you want to take in a dip in our LED pool which has views towards the Tibidabo.

On the rooftop of the hotel we have a new addition: a vertical garden.

Now you can enjoy a natural and pleasing environment breathing the purest and freshest air. Come to our rooftop and experience the benefits that come with a vertical garden!

The creator of the vertical garden is the company Verdtical, where they are experts in the designing of vertical gardens. Verdticals mission is to improve the environment, to improve the air quality in the cities and the quality of life of our surroundings.

At Well And Come we worry about the well-being of our clients that is why we have trusted the best to improve even further the environment of our Boutique Hotel in Barcelona.

 

Vive la experiencia eco y disfruta del jardín vertical en nuestro hotel Boutique en Barcelona

No hay mejor ciudad que Barcelona para poder disfrutar de todos estos placeres ecológicos. Sigue tu día eco en el rooftop de tu hotel favorito, donde el jardín vertical te proporcionará respirar un aire purificado, una mejor eficacia térmica y buen ambiente.

¡Reserva cuanto antes y disfruta de tus vacaciones eco!