Rainbow from the Park Guell

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Contemporary architecture for students

Now that is low season and I have time to put my blog upto date, I'd like to share I enjoyed giving 2 contemporary architecture tours for student groups in December.

One of them was for the Lycée Jeanne d'Arc de Montaigu (France). The kids were doing a project on sustainable developpement, and had taken Barcelona as a remarkable example of how a city can grow sustainable. They were interested in seeing how our local Agenda21 program was affecting the city.

To their request, we visited the Sant Martí district, which has changed a lot these last 20 years or so. First, the Olympic Village - former industrial area transformed into a residential + beach/marina/leisure area for the 1992 Olympics.

Then we went to the Forum area, that suffered a major redesign for the international event of the Forum of Cultures in 2004 and now is a main congress hub (with meeting buildings, hotels, offices...), as well as a must-see place for anyone interested in the latest contemporary architecture.

Diagonal Mar Park

Next we followed the Diagonal Avenue up-the-street crossing two signature parks (Diagonal Mar by Miralles & Tagliabue, and Central del Poblenou by Jean Nouvel).

We then explored the area that is going through a transformation process right now - the 22@District, underneath Diagonal Av. from Forum to Glories. We learnt how old industrial architecture is being restored and adapted to new uses, and how brand-new buildings are being created using the latest green technologies.

We finished, coudln't be otherwise, with the breathtaking Agbar Tower - also conceived taking into account environmental points.

Parc Central del Poblenou

The other one was for the students of Fanshawe College (Canada), with whom I spent 2 days touring Barcelona and had specially requested to include as much contemporary architecture as possible. So one afternoon we also went to the Forum and walked up Diagonal Avenue. Being design students their favorite sites there were the two parks, where they couldn't stop taking pictures! However, we were quite exhausted from a long day walking around the city, so after the second park we decided to take the tramway back to their hostel, which was walking distance from Agbar Tower, by the way.

I had done a few Contemporary Architecture Tours before, but it was the first time I did it for young people, and I must say it was a very challenging but rewarding experience!

Barcelona Opportunity Week!

If you are coming to Barcelona from Jan 28th to Feb 6th... you are lucky!
It's the Barcelona Opportunity Week, and you can benefit from many offers and discounts in hotels, restaurants, museums, theaters and more. Don't miss the Oportunity!

Training visit: Bacardí house

As I've mentioned other times, low-season is a time to refresh knowledge and learn new things and tools for my tours.

Some weeks ago I joined a special training visit to Casa Bacardí, the newly open showroom in Sitges about the world-wide known rhum company, that was actually founded by a humble man born in Sitges. Now the company wants to honour his origins and has created a museum in collaboration with the local town council that has allowed them to use the old market building.

During the visit we not only learnt about the live of the founder, Facundo Bacardí Massó, and the history of the brand, but we also discovered how rhum is produced and... they thaught us how to make a real mojito!

It's a great way to complement any trip to Sitges. Let me take you on a excursion there!

And still another Tripadvisor little surprise!

I also found a testimonial about a tour Miriam gave (although her last name was mispelled by the client: she's really called Jover - and she's the only Miriam I've ever recomended!).
Curiously enough, this recomendation is just slipped out on a hotel review:

Found more recomendations in Tripadvisor!

I was playing around with Tripadvisor and found a member, a lady that I showed around in 2008, that was so enthousiastic about me, that she started recomending my services to other members... even before we met, as we were still e-mailing to plan her stay!

Here are her posts:
Feb in Barcelona, 40+ y/o woman alone
Tour guide for one day in Barcelona
English speaking Personal Tour Guide / Airport Pick up-drop

Quick word from Debbie Rechter

I toured with the Rechter some months ago, but for some reason I forgot to post her testimonial. So here it is!

Hi Marta! Thanks so much for everything! We really enjoyed our time with you today and will always remember these amazing sights and your wonderful explanations!
We will eagerly recommend you to anyone that we know who will be visiting Barcelona.