Hostels: yay or nay?

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Oh, and based on what you said you're planning on doing while you're in Barca (party mostly), I'd say stick to the Gothic quarter or El Borne. In either of those you'll probably be in walking distance to wherever you want to go. El Raval might be good too, but I didn't spend too much time on that side of Las Ramblas, so I'm not sure. Eixample, Gracia and La Sagrada Familia (where I lived) are pretty close, but since the trains stop at midnight (I think) then you'll be cabbing it, which isn't all that expensive. Anything outside of that is probably further than you want to be. Google barcelona neighborhood map and you'll get a pretty good sense of the city/neighborhoods, which will be handy if you book an apartment.
 
Yeah. I'm probably going to be around Las Ramblas...doing Tapas crawls and shit like that. Haven't booked flights, pretty expensive since its peak season looking at miles. we'll see what's up.

just hoping they keep the reservation, would hate for them to randomly disappear, which is hard to do if you're a hotel but if you're a private renter might be weird. only qulam about it.
 
What are the direct flights from LAX to Europe?

PDX has like 1, soooo weak
 
Last time I flew British Airways LAX - LHR direct. the other airlines make you stop on the east coast before going to europe. depends though on their schedule. Usually go for the national airlines for the country you want to get into.
 
I've been watching some shows on itunes to get ideas. Mainly Samantha Brown, Bourdain, 5 Takes Europe, etc. 5 takes is good because they got the apartments (although they booked them when they actually arrived and it was kind of a clusterfuck). I have a Rick Steves 2 hour show on my DVR on spain from last weekend I'll probably check out.
 
I thought I had responded, but I guess not. I'm not sure about that property. I'd be leery of renting for someone with no reviews, which I think is the case on that property. I also didn't look up where it is. If it's in some sleepy town or an area with a lot of drug cartel violence, I could see the price being super low. For Barcelona, there weren't any deals like that, so they mostly looked legit.

El Prez, I ended up booking an apartment on http://www.habitatapartments.com/. Because we're there over Easter, most of the spots on Airbnb were booked. To make things worse, their site seems a little slow to update availability, so we kept asking about apartments that were "available" only find out they were booked. We got a small apartment in El Born for about 1500 Euros for 2 weeks. I know you wanted to pay in cash, rather than a credit card. We paid a 30% deposit when we booked. It was with a credit card, but it went through a bank, not their site, so it seemed pretty safe. For the balance, we're paying cash upon arrival.

I found a couple of more sites if you're still looking for an apartment over there. Let me know if want me to post those sites too. I can't think of them off the top of my head, otherwise I'd just put them in now.
 
probably later after you get back. haven't even booked my airfare yet.
 
Nice. I checked out that habitat...take pics!
 
Just got accepted to study abroad in Florence for Fall semester. I'm planning on heading out early (late August) and meeting friends in England before they have to come back to the states. Where do you guys recommend I go after that (but before school starts)? Going to Octoberfest is one of my life's goals so I'm planning on that. Should I book a Hostel in Munich ASAP?
 
yo porkchop, any feedback on http://www.habitatapartments.com/ ?

finally booked my flights...2 weeks...fuck.

Madrid-Barcelona-Ibiza-Valencia (going to La Tomatina..the tomato throwing festival) should be fun i hope.
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
party w/ me in Ibiza Aug 25-28. :ghoti:
Click to expand...

I have a friend vacationing in Ibiza right now, although I think she'll be gone by August. If I knew you better AND I knew her better AND you were both there at the same time I'd do a virtual introduction. She's a cute Mexican chiquita. :)

Ed O.
 
If you don't know her that well, you can always plead that you don't know me too well!

:MARIS61:
 
might or might not do ibiza...kind of over the party club scene...we'll see. it is pretty convienient though. but expensive.
 
Yo Porkchop...any feedback on Barcelona. Trying to book....looking in the Barri Gothic and Born areas of the city.....something close to Las Ramblas and the beach (i.e. walking distance).



Option 1: 650 Euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

It would be nice to have a terrace/deck and view.
The apartment includes the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with double bed, wardrobe & en-suite bathroom
A living room / dining room, with a sofa bed (140x200 cm and table with four chairs.
1 bathroom with bath/shower and toilet (en-suite off bedroom)
Kitchen washing-machine, microwave, toaster, coffee maker.
Terrace with view over Sots Tinent Street (a pedestrianised street)
Air conditioning / Electric heating
Internet wifi connection
TV with satellite
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
A baby travel cot and baby´s high chair ( upon request )
Maid service for more 8 + nights stay

Option 2: 650 euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

2 bedrooms. However there is only AC in one of the bedrooms.

The apartment offers the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with a queen-size bed
1 bedroom, on mezzanine floor with stairs leading up, with a hard futon style bed.
Dining room with a dining table for 4 people.
1 bathroom with shower and wash-hand, the toilet is in another room with a sink as well.
A well-equipped kitchen with fridge, freezer, oven, coffee maker and microwave
TV with local channels
1 CD- Player and DVD Player
Washing Machine/Tumble dryer
Hairdryer
Air Conditioning in the main bedroom.
Gas heating
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
Maid service for more than 7 days staying
A baby travel cot and baby’s folding high chair
Internet WI-FI



Option 3: 700 euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

This seems clean. the entire building is apartment rentals so it might be run a little nicer.

The apartment includes the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with double size bed.
A living room / dining room, with sofa bed (140x200 cm).
Bathroom with bath/shower and toilet
A well-equipped kitchen (fridge, freezer, toaster, coffee machine, microwave) with washing machine
Air conditioning / Electric heating
Satellite TV
Internet WI-FI
DVD
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
A baby travel cot and baby’s folding high chair
Maid service for more than 7 days staying
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
Yo Porkchop...any feedback on Barcelona. Trying to book....looking in the Barri Gothic and Born areas of the city.....something close to Las Ramblas and the beach (i.e. walking distance).



Option 1: 650 Euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

It would be nice to have a terrace/deck and view.
The apartment includes the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with double bed, wardrobe & en-suite bathroom
A living room / dining room, with a sofa bed (140x200 cm and table with four chairs.
1 bathroom with bath/shower and toilet (en-suite off bedroom)
Kitchen washing-machine, microwave, toaster, coffee maker.
Terrace with view over Sots Tinent Street (a pedestrianised street)
Air conditioning / Electric heating
Internet wifi connection
TV with satellite
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
A baby travel cot and baby´s high chair ( upon request )
Maid service for more 8 + nights stay

Option 2: 650 euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

2 bedrooms. However there is only AC in one of the bedrooms.

The apartment offers the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with a queen-size bed
1 bedroom, on mezzanine floor with stairs leading up, with a hard futon style bed.
Dining room with a dining table for 4 people.
1 bathroom with shower and wash-hand, the toilet is in another room with a sink as well.
A well-equipped kitchen with fridge, freezer, oven, coffee maker and microwave
TV with local channels
1 CD- Player and DVD Player
Washing Machine/Tumble dryer
Hairdryer
Air Conditioning in the main bedroom.
Gas heating
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
Maid service for more than 7 days staying
A baby travel cot and baby’s folding high chair
Internet WI-FI



Option 3: 700 euro
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en...en=0&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=price&pagina=1

This seems clean. the entire building is apartment rentals so it might be run a little nicer.

The apartment includes the following amenities and services:
1 bedroom with double size bed.
A living room / dining room, with sofa bed (140x200 cm).
Bathroom with bath/shower and toilet
A well-equipped kitchen (fridge, freezer, toaster, coffee machine, microwave) with washing machine
Air conditioning / Electric heating
Satellite TV
Internet WI-FI
DVD
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Towels and linen provided
A baby travel cot and baby’s folding high chair
Maid service for more than 7 days staying
Click to expand...


We actually stayed at Princesa 8. The apartment was nice, but nothing special. TV is super small, which probably doesn't matter for you. Internet was usually good, but cut out a few times. The bedroom gets very little light, so it was really hard waking up in the morning. The best part of the apartment was the location. I love the Born, so that alone was worth the apartment just being ok. Oh, and the bed sucks. Super hard and is actually 2 twins. But, I think every "queen" bed I've slept on in Europe was really just 2 mattresses.

The Sol apartment looks the best, but I'd be hesitant staying w/o A/C in August. It is fucking hot then.


I've got to run, but I'll take better look at the non Princesa ones later tonight. I think you'll be happy with any of them. Not sure if I mentioned it before, but the payment was credit card for a deposit (30% or something) and then cash upon arrival. I know you were wanting to pay cash.
 
nah, it doesn't matter really. whatever is best. sometimes they add 4% for card transactions + international fee, etc.

yeah, i'm used to the shittiness of beds internationally. we'll see whats up.

how's the foot traffic in the area? good bars and restaurants nearby?

thanks for the info....trying to make a decision this weekend.

do the kitchens come stocked with utencils, plates and pans?


kind of leaning towards the first one, like that it has a patio terrace.
 
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EL PRESIDENTE said:
nah, it doesn't matter really. whatever is best. sometimes they add 4% for card transactions + international fee, etc.

yeah, i'm used to the shittiness of beds internationally. we'll see whats up.

how's the foot traffic in the area? good bars and restaurants nearby?

thanks for the info....trying to make a decision this weekend.

do the kitchens come stocked with utencils, plates and pans?


kind of leaning towards the first one, like that it has a patio terrace.
Click to expand...


I would go with the one with the terrace. Since I had lived in the city before, I tried to avoid Las Ramblas (very touristy), but if you're only there for a few days it is a great location to be at. The only time I went there this last trip was to go to the boqueria (a must see) and to celebrate their win over Real Madrid.

Let me know if you want any food recommendations.
 
So you pussed out on staying at a hostel? Don't blame you the per person rate on those hotels are not much more than for a hostel room. Looks sweet!
 
Yeah. Got a sweet hotel in madrid too. Hostels are not really my thing I guess

X
 
OK. ended up going with apartment #1 with the terrace. woot.

no deposit...just pay cash when we get there. weird.
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
OK. ended up going with apartment #1 with the terrace. woot.

no deposit...just pay cash when we get there. weird.
Click to expand...


I don't think you'll regret the choice. You're in a super convenient location, plus having a balcony will be nice. Are you seeing any sights, or just eating/drinking/partying?

On to food.

Our best meal was at Comerç 24. You'll probably need to make reservations before you fly out if you want to try it. The head chef/owner worked at El Buli for years before opening it up. It is pretty expensive though (70-100 Euros for a tasting menu), but it was worth it.


If you like desserts (they have good food too), go to Bubo. It is near the apartment I stayed at. They have a shop, where you can eat or take it to go and they have a little cafe with some outdoor seating. In our two weeks, I think we ate dinner there twice and got dessert at least 5 times.

A bar I really like when I was studying there (didn't make it this time) is the Barcelona Pipa Club (you can google it). The bar itself wasn't anything special, but it is on the top floor of an apartment building (you need to buzz to get in) in Plaça Reial. It's a great place to people watch at night. It's technically a pipe or cigar club and is members only before 10 or 11, but then it is open to the public. You just have to know which buzzer to ring.

There's a really good, more traditional Catalan, restaurant near your apartment that I can't quite remember the name of right now. If I remember the name, I'll let you know.

There is great food everywhere, so I'm sure you'll find something you like just by wandering around. Just don't eat (or probably drink) right on Las Ramblas. Especially don't eat paella there. It won't be good. If you want paella, I'll track down a restaurant that is supposed to be good.

Have fun. I'm fucking jealous right now.
 
I've been trying to get reservations at Tickets, which is Albert Adria's tapas bar...no luck though. fucking booked. so many people there in the city from what i gather so getting in at a nice sit down place may be tough....trying not to spend too much. maybe we'll do one all out tasting menu meal. I do want to try some of the molecular gastronomy type places though for certain.

we'll be doing it all...pretty slow paced though. want to live like spaniards.....the long lunch, siesta and the tapas crawls.

we're going to Valencia, which is the home of paella so we'll probably look for a good version there.

we'll probably eat on Las Ramblas just to hang out on the street in a cafe.
 
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The apartment is pretty awesome. the barri gothic is great. everyone i meet is staying in a hostel though. i've met a shitload of people doing the bar crawls, they're pretty great.

barcelona is great. it feels more french than spanish though
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
The apartment is pretty awesome. the barri gothic is great. everyone i meet is staying in a hostel though. i've met a shitload of people doing the bar crawls, they're pretty great.

barcelona is great. it feels more french than spanish though
Click to expand...


Glad you like it. It is, by far, my favorite city in Europe (but living there rather than just passing through skews my view). Have you made it over to El Borne yet? It's just on the other side of Leitana.

How's the weather right now? I'm guessing HOT. If you want to go to the beach, I'd skip the ones in town and take a train down to Sitges. It's under an hour away and I remember it being a lot nicer (although this was in early spring, so it may be super crowded now).

Enjoy your stay. I'm super jealous right now. I need to figure out how to move back there.

Oh, probably not your style, but if you're in need of a bag (messenger/backpack/etc) go to Pinzat in El Borne. http://www.pinzat.org/. We bought a couple from them when we were there in April.
 
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