Loretta Leatherwood and her two great teen daughters were coming to Barcelona, and their friends the Horvath recomended them my tours, specially the shopping tour! (Anna, the Horvath mum, and I had had so much fun on our special shopping afternoon!)
So the Leatherwood and I met first of all for a 5h city tour where we explored the Gaudí sites and the Old Town at ease. Then a few days later (they had planned a short trip to Madrid in between) we met again for some SHOPPING!
Seeing what they were interested in, we planned to spend our shopping tour in the Old Town. We had a lot to hunt for! They were mostly interested in leather bags, but they also needed a leather belt, some jewelry and presents, and some clothes for the girls.
So there we went! We started our tour in the Born district, where we found some great local stores with fun complements and they got a scarf and plenty of hand-made bracelets and necklaces for their friends as gifts.
We also stopped at some fashion stores such as Custo Barcelona, and then we moved to the Mercè district for some more shop-exploring. They had also heard about our world-famous spadrille store, and of course we stopped by. You wouldn't believe how many pairs we got for everyone they could think of! That was so cool.
We walked around a bit more stopping here and there, and then we visited a leather store where we found the leather bags for the girls and some other things.
And next we entered a gorgeous jewelry store than only sells hand-made items made by artists living in Barcelona. They have great stuff! From fun fried-egg earrings to delicate pieces made with casted flower petals. Of course, that was another favorite!
Then I took them to a place specialising in abarcas, a Mallorca summer type of sandal they had seen some people wearing. We got a few pairs there aswell.
And to finish the tour, we stopped at a very special workshop where a lady makes her own very special leather bags. High quality and top design, plus they can be customized if you wish. They were leaving on the next day and there was no time to get theirs done in time: so they paid a deposit and will have them shipped home.
That was a great shopping tour!
Do you want to book one for yourself? Check my shopping tour!
**** To know more about my tours, visit Foreverbarcelona.
FOREVERBARCELONA - A Barcelona Tourguide. Learn about my Barcelona tours and daytrips. Private customized experiences for independent travellers that want to feel like a local!
Showing posts with label Special Tours: Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special Tours: Shopping. Show all posts
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Variations on my tours
On April 15th I had two very different tours, where we introduced some interesting variations on my usual itineraries. I wanted to share them to show you how it's always possible to adapt to your needs and interests during my tours.
In the morning, I had a deutch group and with them we wanted to visit the Sagrada Família Church and the Park Güell. Their travel agent had arranged the reservation in the church, but they also wanted to take the elevator to the tower. I don't always have the time to do that (specially if in 4h we are supposed to see also Gaudí's appartment buildings in Passeig de Gràcia), but since we were only visiting two sites we had plenty of time available.
The rules in the church have recently changed, so now we had to buy the elevator tickets as we went in and they gave us a time slot to go there (before, you just used to stand in line until it was your turn...). We had just some time to explain the Nativity façade before taking the elevator in that side. However, as I was explaining I could see something didn't look right by the elevator zone... And surely enough, when we approached the hostess there she told us that the elevator was closed for some technical reason, and at the ticket office they didn't know that!
Oh well, part of my job is solving problems so the tour goes as smoothly as possible, isn't it? So there I went, back to the ticket office, speaking with the right people and trying to be as proactive and diplomatic as possible. At first they were saying that there weren't tickets for the other elevator (the one in the Passion Façade) until much later... too late for us, as we were due to be at the Park by then! But in the end we got permission to show up there whenever we could and they'll sneak us past the line. That was perfect!
So after visiting the inside of the church, we proceeded to the elevator. We rode to almost the top, then continued one floor up to a platform from where you start seeing the city views, and then took the stairs down... Yes, they are narrow, steep and maybe a bit claustrophobic but... they are such an adventure! I took some pictures with my phone to share them with you.
The group loved this little detour on my average tour, and then we continued with the usual explanations of the Passion Façade and the Museum. Then the group split in 5 taxis and we got to the Park Güell, where appart from a detailed visit of the monumental area, at the end we still had some time to go up to the Hill of the Three Crosses to admire the city views. Part of the group, however, preferred to stay at the Main Entrance enjoying a drink at the terrace of the café instead. It was a lovely morning!
Next I took a taxi back to the city center where I had a sandwich before I met my afternoon clients, Gerald Bender and his daughter. We also had planned a Gaudí tour, this time including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and not taking the elevator. We moved faster than the average, so we managed to cover everything and still had about a half an hour left. They were insterested in strolling around the Gràcia district which happens to be walking distance from the Park Güell where we were, so that's where we headed.
I don't often get to show my clients non-tourist areas such as local districts off-the-beaten-path, although I do offer neighbourhood tours. We walked the village-looking streets, passed lively local squares and learn about the area history. It's also a young place where many local designers have open their little trendy shops and cafés, and they were very interested in that particular side of Gràcia. I love shopping for clothes there too!
At the end of the tour, I helped them getting a cab back to the hotel and I went to catch the bus home, not without seating on one of my favorite little cafés before and have a snack to risen my energy levels after a long but fun day.
In the morning, I had a deutch group and with them we wanted to visit the Sagrada Família Church and the Park Güell. Their travel agent had arranged the reservation in the church, but they also wanted to take the elevator to the tower. I don't always have the time to do that (specially if in 4h we are supposed to see also Gaudí's appartment buildings in Passeig de Gràcia), but since we were only visiting two sites we had plenty of time available.
The rules in the church have recently changed, so now we had to buy the elevator tickets as we went in and they gave us a time slot to go there (before, you just used to stand in line until it was your turn...). We had just some time to explain the Nativity façade before taking the elevator in that side. However, as I was explaining I could see something didn't look right by the elevator zone... And surely enough, when we approached the hostess there she told us that the elevator was closed for some technical reason, and at the ticket office they didn't know that!
Oh well, part of my job is solving problems so the tour goes as smoothly as possible, isn't it? So there I went, back to the ticket office, speaking with the right people and trying to be as proactive and diplomatic as possible. At first they were saying that there weren't tickets for the other elevator (the one in the Passion Façade) until much later... too late for us, as we were due to be at the Park by then! But in the end we got permission to show up there whenever we could and they'll sneak us past the line. That was perfect!
So after visiting the inside of the church, we proceeded to the elevator. We rode to almost the top, then continued one floor up to a platform from where you start seeing the city views, and then took the stairs down... Yes, they are narrow, steep and maybe a bit claustrophobic but... they are such an adventure! I took some pictures with my phone to share them with you.
The group loved this little detour on my average tour, and then we continued with the usual explanations of the Passion Façade and the Museum. Then the group split in 5 taxis and we got to the Park Güell, where appart from a detailed visit of the monumental area, at the end we still had some time to go up to the Hill of the Three Crosses to admire the city views. Part of the group, however, preferred to stay at the Main Entrance enjoying a drink at the terrace of the café instead. It was a lovely morning!
Next I took a taxi back to the city center where I had a sandwich before I met my afternoon clients, Gerald Bender and his daughter. We also had planned a Gaudí tour, this time including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and not taking the elevator. We moved faster than the average, so we managed to cover everything and still had about a half an hour left. They were insterested in strolling around the Gràcia district which happens to be walking distance from the Park Güell where we were, so that's where we headed.
I don't often get to show my clients non-tourist areas such as local districts off-the-beaten-path, although I do offer neighbourhood tours. We walked the village-looking streets, passed lively local squares and learn about the area history. It's also a young place where many local designers have open their little trendy shops and cafés, and they were very interested in that particular side of Gràcia. I love shopping for clothes there too!
At the end of the tour, I helped them getting a cab back to the hotel and I went to catch the bus home, not without seating on one of my favorite little cafés before and have a snack to risen my energy levels after a long but fun day.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Shopping for your beauty
I had had this post in mind for a while, and here it is! Were should you go to buy all those beautiful cosmetics to indulge yourself?
I have a list of my favorite places in town.
Let's start with http://www.alqvimia.com, a Spanish brand of luxury ecologic cosmetics that combine the latest technologies with the ancient parfumerie tradition. They have an Alqvimia Beauty Space in Barcelona, and you can also find their unique products in selected stores and spa's.
Then here is an usual proposal: the Lda. Teresa Castells pharmacy. This very centric pharmacy opening for long hours in the city center has also its own line of cosmetic products that use high-end products such as gold and pearl to take care of your skin.
Also in the city center is Perfumeria Regia, an elegant parfum store that keeps a fun secret inside: the Museum of Parfum!
In the Old Town, you can also find a store of the famous Santa Maria Novella, oldest parfum shop and lab in Europe. The original one opened in Florence in 1221! And in its Barcelona headquarters you can also buy some of their most renowned and glamourous products.
And finally, if you are adventurous enough to move off the beaten track, take a taxi ride to the High Zone and visit http://www.thecosmeticoh.com. In this recently open parfum boutique you'll find trend-setter cosmetic products and limited editions. A must for all beauty-aholics!
Enjoy your shopping!
And remember I can take you to all these places in a customized shopping tour!
I have a list of my favorite places in town.
Let's start with http://www.alqvimia.com, a Spanish brand of luxury ecologic cosmetics that combine the latest technologies with the ancient parfumerie tradition. They have an Alqvimia Beauty Space in Barcelona, and you can also find their unique products in selected stores and spa's.
Then here is an usual proposal: the Lda. Teresa Castells pharmacy. This very centric pharmacy opening for long hours in the city center has also its own line of cosmetic products that use high-end products such as gold and pearl to take care of your skin.
Also in the city center is Perfumeria Regia, an elegant parfum store that keeps a fun secret inside: the Museum of Parfum!
In the Old Town, you can also find a store of the famous Santa Maria Novella, oldest parfum shop and lab in Europe. The original one opened in Florence in 1221! And in its Barcelona headquarters you can also buy some of their most renowned and glamourous products.
And finally, if you are adventurous enough to move off the beaten track, take a taxi ride to the High Zone and visit http://www.thecosmeticoh.com. In this recently open parfum boutique you'll find trend-setter cosmetic products and limited editions. A must for all beauty-aholics!
Enjoy your shopping!
And remember I can take you to all these places in a customized shopping tour!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thank you letter from the Barel
Last week Itai Barel and his son Yotam came to Barcelona, and Míriam and I showed them around:
On their first day I took them visiting the Gaudí sites, then the second day Míriam took them to the Old Town, left them at some great restaurant for lunch, and in the afternoon I took them shopping: they loved the shoes at Panama Jack! Then on Wednesday they managed to avoid the Spain General Strike and visited the Dalí Museum and Montjuïc with Míriam, who was also with them on their last day in town.
Here is the letter they have just sent us:
On their first day I took them visiting the Gaudí sites, then the second day Míriam took them to the Old Town, left them at some great restaurant for lunch, and in the afternoon I took them shopping: they loved the shoes at Panama Jack! Then on Wednesday they managed to avoid the Spain General Strike and visited the Dalí Museum and Montjuïc with Míriam, who was also with them on their last day in town.
Here is the letter they have just sent us:
Dear Marta and Miriam,We would like to thank you both for the interesting and wonderful time we had in Barcelona.Your guiding was excellent and both of us learnt a lot on Barcelona Catalunia Spain ( and Franko- this is to Miriam).In addition the time with both of you was very pleasant.Again thank you very much and hope to see you some day again.Yotam and Itai Barel
Monday, November 23, 2009
Old Shops Tour for Sales Students
Last week I gave a special tour of Old Shops and Venues for a group of Sales students of the Projecte Bellvís of the City Council of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. I took them visiting very special stores, many of them more than 100 years old, and we learnt about their history, and how they have managed to survive for so long in the bussiness world while still keeping their original look and flavour. It was lots of fun!
In this picture you can see us in front of Els Quatre Gats, a cafè where the bohemian artists used to meet in the early 19 hundreds. It wasn't originally planned to be included in our tour, but I took them there because Africa, one of the people responsible for the group, asked me to. And I always love to adapt to my clients requests! : )
In this picture you can see us in front of Els Quatre Gats, a cafè where the bohemian artists used to meet in the early 19 hundreds. It wasn't originally planned to be included in our tour, but I took them there because Africa, one of the people responsible for the group, asked me to. And I always love to adapt to my clients requests! : )
More about this itinerary here.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Lots of fun with the Baird
Ann and Morton Baird contacted me to help them organizing their time in Barcelona. They booked 2 city tours (one for the Old Town and the Picasso Museum, one for the Gaudí works), plus a shopping tour for Ann and a Tapas tour one evening.
Unfortunately, Ann broke her foot a few days before their trip, so she would have to be on a wheelchair during the tours so her foot could have some rest.
No problem! At home they rented a very light wheelchair that was so easy to move around, so on our first day together Morton would be pushing it. The Old Town is pretty flat and there aren't cobblestone streets nor many steps, so we could see as much as we could have seen if Ann had been able to walk. Whenever we met crowds (like in the Boqueria Market, for instance), I'd walk in front of them to open the way and protect them. And in the Cathedral and the Picasso Museum the staff facilitated us access to ramps and elevators... and Ann got in for free!
The next day Ann and I went shopping. This time I volunteered to push the chair, so Morton didn't have to come shopping (that's why most husbands are glad I offer shopping tours!). We visited beautiful stores that fitted Ann's style, and in one of them I even got her a 30% discount!! She was trying on some clothes and I heard the shop assistants talking about their new client card, so I asked and they said that if I applied for it I'd get a 30% welcome discount that Ann could use aswell. That was 70 euro less on her new dress!
And that same evening we went on a Tapas Tour. It usually includes 5-6 different bars, but after the third place they were already so full. I almost had to drag them to the 4rt venue, because I really wanted them to see its ambiance. And after that they asked me to take them somewhere with live music. I remembered in one of the medieval mansions in Montcada Street they hold opera concerts on Thursdays, so I took them there. They loved it! The bar is beautifully decorated with antiques, and the singers were good and passionate about their music and interpretation. I left the Baird there at midnight during the show break, but they stayed until the end.
And the next day we had our last tour together! After Ann broke her foot we decided we rather go on private minivan with driver, instead of walking and taxi as we had originally planned. It was a good idea, as this way we saved time and got to see many places. We did the Hill of Montjuic (that we wouldn't have visited if we had walked), the appartment buildings Casa Batlló and Casa Milà/Pedrera (surprisingly, here it was Morton who got in for free because in the staff words "because she needs him to visit"), the entrance of the Park Güell (too many stairs there to see the whole site, but at least I wanted them to see the most exciting part of it) and the Sagrada Familia Church.
The driver Jose Luís and I left them back at the hotel and headed for our afternoon tour with some other clients. That was the end of three great days with the Baird!
Unfortunately, Ann broke her foot a few days before their trip, so she would have to be on a wheelchair during the tours so her foot could have some rest.
No problem! At home they rented a very light wheelchair that was so easy to move around, so on our first day together Morton would be pushing it. The Old Town is pretty flat and there aren't cobblestone streets nor many steps, so we could see as much as we could have seen if Ann had been able to walk. Whenever we met crowds (like in the Boqueria Market, for instance), I'd walk in front of them to open the way and protect them. And in the Cathedral and the Picasso Museum the staff facilitated us access to ramps and elevators... and Ann got in for free!
The next day Ann and I went shopping. This time I volunteered to push the chair, so Morton didn't have to come shopping (that's why most husbands are glad I offer shopping tours!). We visited beautiful stores that fitted Ann's style, and in one of them I even got her a 30% discount!! She was trying on some clothes and I heard the shop assistants talking about their new client card, so I asked and they said that if I applied for it I'd get a 30% welcome discount that Ann could use aswell. That was 70 euro less on her new dress!
 |
| Shopping tours |
And that same evening we went on a Tapas Tour. It usually includes 5-6 different bars, but after the third place they were already so full. I almost had to drag them to the 4rt venue, because I really wanted them to see its ambiance. And after that they asked me to take them somewhere with live music. I remembered in one of the medieval mansions in Montcada Street they hold opera concerts on Thursdays, so I took them there. They loved it! The bar is beautifully decorated with antiques, and the singers were good and passionate about their music and interpretation. I left the Baird there at midnight during the show break, but they stayed until the end.
 |
| Tapas Tour |
And the next day we had our last tour together! After Ann broke her foot we decided we rather go on private minivan with driver, instead of walking and taxi as we had originally planned. It was a good idea, as this way we saved time and got to see many places. We did the Hill of Montjuic (that we wouldn't have visited if we had walked), the appartment buildings Casa Batlló and Casa Milà/Pedrera (surprisingly, here it was Morton who got in for free because in the staff words "because she needs him to visit"), the entrance of the Park Güell (too many stairs there to see the whole site, but at least I wanted them to see the most exciting part of it) and the Sagrada Familia Church.
The driver Jose Luís and I left them back at the hotel and headed for our afternoon tour with some other clients. That was the end of three great days with the Baird!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sales time! Are you ready for a shopping tour?
As every year, the sales season started yesterday January 7th with discounts upto 70%, and it'll last for a month (or until items are sold out!).
If you are a shopping lover, catch that opportunity and let me take you on a private shopping tour!
Classical or modern, upskilled or affordable, clothes or shoes or leather or...
Tell me what's your style and what are you looking for, and I'll direct you to the shopping area that makes your day!
If you are a shopping lover, catch that opportunity and let me take you on a private shopping tour!
Classical or modern, upskilled or affordable, clothes or shoes or leather or...
Tell me what's your style and what are you looking for, and I'll direct you to the shopping area that makes your day!
 |
| Shopping tours |
Monday, March 31, 2008
Fun tours for the Levine family!
The Levine family were coming to town for the Easter Holidays and wanted to have some different fun tours.
The day they arrived to Barcelona I took them to a Tapas tour. We hopped from one bar to another in the Born and Gothic Quarter, and I made a special selection of places for them that included from dirty looking taberns to fancy bars, as well as typical tapas from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia... And we finished at a great desert place!
Another day, after a morning discovering the Gaudi sites, I took Karen on a shopping tour. Since she is a shoe lover we focused in the Rambla Catalunya area. She got a few pairs of shoes, but we also found a nice bag and cute clothes! She was so glad with her treat: 4hours of girls time!
And the last day we had 6yo Ben favorite: the Sweet Barcelona tour! We started with a rich breakfast at the most typical place in town for hot chocolate and churros. And after that we got little Ben what I had promissed him: a huge giant lollypop! I also took them to specialised stores where you can find all kind of cakes, cookies, turron, chocolate, ice cream, candies... And finished the tour at the Chocolate Museum. What a yummy morning!
The day they arrived to Barcelona I took them to a Tapas tour. We hopped from one bar to another in the Born and Gothic Quarter, and I made a special selection of places for them that included from dirty looking taberns to fancy bars, as well as typical tapas from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia... And we finished at a great desert place!
Another day, after a morning discovering the Gaudi sites, I took Karen on a shopping tour. Since she is a shoe lover we focused in the Rambla Catalunya area. She got a few pairs of shoes, but we also found a nice bag and cute clothes! She was so glad with her treat: 4hours of girls time!
And the last day we had 6yo Ben favorite: the Sweet Barcelona tour! We started with a rich breakfast at the most typical place in town for hot chocolate and churros. And after that we got little Ben what I had promissed him: a huge giant lollypop! I also took them to specialised stores where you can find all kind of cakes, cookies, turron, chocolate, ice cream, candies... And finished the tour at the Chocolate Museum. What a yummy morning!
 |
| Gourmet tours |
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