Citi PrestigeSM

The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler CITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES www.luxecityguides.com

FROM THE ROMANS With a glittering Mediterranean Sea lanes of the old city are ambient Barri AND MOORS TO WOODY coastal locale, stunning architectural Gòtic, bustling El Born, cool and ALLEN AND TODAY’S masterpieces and museums, eye-popping seaside Barceloneta. With year-round GLOBETROTTER, THE hotels, and culinary pyrotechnics, this s u n , t h e r e i s n e v e r a b a d t i m e t o v i s i t . WORLD JUST CAN’T GET city dazzles from top to toe. Uptown is So what are you waiting for – andale! ENOUGH OF BARCELONA, home to modern and neat , AND IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY. hip Gràcia, and the hills of , while situated downtown in the winding

P1 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

Blah blah

• Balmy, perfect autumn and spring, • Avoid La Rambla like you would a • Reservations are essential winter is crisp, and the sun shines date with Franco. He’s gone? It’s a at most restaurants. year round, but avoid August, the shame the ugly hordes here haven’t. place shuts down, the locals flee and the world descends. • If paying by credit card, have • Don’t confuse the divinely florid, photo ID handy. art nouveau folly of modernisme • El Prat airport – city centre costs / modernista architecture with approximately 30 euros and takes the later, rational and functional 30 minutes. modernist style. • Beware of pickpockets and watch your bags, especially in a crowd; the rogues aren’t dangerous, just fast.

• Catalán is the language of choice • It’s all in the details, so look closely in Barcelona, but everyone speaks at everything from doors and knobs, Spanish, though less so English. to balconies and lamp posts. • Football is a religion and FC Barcelona the god.

• The best way to explore the old • At most bars, order at the counter, city is on foot or by bicycle (see pay when you leave. • International code for is +34; LUXE Culture Itin.). Beyond that, local calls have a 93 prefix, which the metro and bus are efficient, and must be dialed. Most mobiles taxis are affordable and plentiful. begin with 6. • Don’t ask for cerveza, ask for caña. Avoid sangria with your meal and sip regional wines or cava instead. • Save time and money, get a T-10 • In emergencies, call 112 card at the metro station. or police 088.

• Tipping is not required, though leaving a few euros is nice. • Shop hours are approximately 10am- 1.30pm and 4.30-7.30pm Mon-Fri, and Sat morning, give or take an hour. Even restaurants shut on Sun, so head to the beach, park, museum or bar.

P2 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE INSIDER

Albert Raurich / CHEF DE CUISINE

Born and raised in Barcelona, Albert Raurich spent 15 years at iconic restaurant elBulli, ultimately becoming chef de cuisine. He was part of the intimate group of four involved in the evolution of the restaurant, developing new recipes, leading the creativity behind elBulli Taller and assisting in the publication of books among other ventures. With an increased interest in Asian cuisine, Albert, along with his partners, opened the first dim sum tapas bar in Barcelona, Dos Palillos, in 2008.

www.dospalillos.com

P3 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE INSIDER

Albert Raurich / CHEF DE CUISINE

1) WHAT’S THE ONE 3) WHERE WOULD YOU GO Thirdly, Ca L’Isidre for authentic THING EVERY VISITOR TO FOR A DATE NIGHT OUT Catalán gastronomy made from BARCELONA MUST DO AND WHY? unbelievable raw materials. Tickets Bar (see LUXE Loves). AND WHY? Luz de Gas by Fede Sarda. You can’t www.lolitataperia.com Each visitor should visit all the tell whether it’s a concert hall or a www.calisidre.com modernist works including the Sagrada club or a bar, but rest assured you will Família, Parc Güell, Palau de la Música enjoy its great atmosphere Catalána, Casa Battló and La Pedrera – and its people. especially Gaudi’s works. Why? Because www.luzdegas.com 5) WHERE WOULD YOU they are the legacy of Catalán cultural GO FOR A COCKTAIL AND expression. (see LUXE Loves and LUXE WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER? Culture Itin. for all) 4) WHAT ARE 3 OF YOUR I like Boadas in the ramblas, a FAVORITE RESTAURANTS legendary place from 1933 where you can enjoy a fantastic mojito. The 2) WHERE DO YOU IN BARCELONA AND WHY? WHAT DISHES DO YOU mythical and elegant Dry Martini, RECOMMEND FRIENDS open since 1972 and the place to go ORDER AT THESE PLACES? STAY WHEN IN BARCELONA? for a good martini. And 41° by Ferran

and Albert Adrià for modern cocktails. The first is without a doubt the new Without a doubt, Hotel Casa Camper I recently had one consisting of restaurant of the Adrià brothers, just next door to Dos Palillos. It is a new smoked gin tonic with red sisho. Wow! Tickets Bar. Albert Adrià describes it concept of hotel – casual, comfortable, as the elBulli of the street. Secondly, Boadas / Tallers I / El centrally situated but quiet, very the best informal tapas in Barcelona is R a v a l / + 3 4 9 3 3 1 8 9 5 9 2 pleasant and at Lolita Tapería by Juanito Martinez. Dry Martini (see LUXE Loves) 41° without attitude. www.41grados.es www.casacamper.com

P4 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE Loves

HOTEL ARTS BARCELONA NERI HOTEL TICKETS BAR Hotel Hotel Dining

This glass and metal waterfront Located in the heart of Barcelona’s The latest offering from elBulli alums stunner and jet-set magnet offers Gothic Quarter, Neri is a nouveau- Albert and Ferran Adrià, Tickets is luxurious, sandy-hued rooms featuring rustic hideaway set in a former part street carnival, part molecular panoramic vistas and all the tech toys medieval palace. A stunning façade tapas bar, and a feast for all the you could want or need. Indulge at the gives way to minimalist suites senses. Curious and surprising plates, sublime 43rd floor Six Senses Spa, featuring rich pops of color and oversized utensils and cotton candy fine-diner Enoteca, or splurge on a quartzite bathrooms, and the intimate trees are all part of the experience, wow duplex apartment if your and romantic ambience makes it unsurprisingly making it one of the budget allows. perfect for a right royal tryst. hottest tickets in town.

Marina, 19 / Barceloneta / Sant Sever, 5 / Barri Gòtic / Avingdua del Parallel, 164 / Paral. +34 93 221 1000 +34 93 295 2800 lel / +34 93 292 4250

www.hotelartsbarcelona.com www.hotelneri.com www.ticketsbar.es

P5 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE Loves

DOS PALILLOS BAR PINOXTO DRY MARTINI Dining Dining Bar

Hidden within the tavern next to Casa This 14-stool counter located in the A shrine to The Beautiful Drink, this Camper Hotel, red siren Dos Palillos heart of the Mercat de la Boquería is discreet, uptown institution has all the is a haven of experimental, Asian/ always busy, so be prepared to wait. trappings of a traditional saloon – dark Spanish fusion tapas from former Patience will be rewarded though, with woods, shiny brass, leather banquettes elBulli chef de cuisine Albert Raurich hearty Catalán tapas plates including and dapper staff included – yet the (see LUXE Insider). Book ahead for a fantastic seafood and stews, and of ambience remains marvelously counter perch and watch the magic course plenty of crusty bread to mop relaxed, and the eponymous tipple unfold in the showroom kitchen. it all up with. Simple and delicious! is as good as you’re likely to find anywhere in the world. Elisabets, 9 / El Raval / M: Plaça Mercat de la Boquería, 466-67 / M: Catalunya / +34 93 304 0513 / / +34 64 786 9821 / 6am-4pm Aribau, 162 / Eixample / M: lunch Thu-Sat, dinner Tue-Sat Provença / +34 93 217 5072 / daily

www.dospalillos.com

NATALIE CAPELL Shopping THE OUTPOST ZEN ZONE SPA Shopping Natalie’s divine gothic-meets-1920s Spa dresses will take you down the aisle or Scouting the latest trends and

up the red carpet in theatrical high- stocking the hottest labels for the Make a day of it and head up into the style. All gowns are unique, made from contemporary man, sophisticated hills for indulgent Oriental, Hindu and antique laces and silks, meticulously outfitters The Outpost’s fashion Arabic-inspired treatments, heavenly sewn and color-dyed by hand and philosophy lies smack bang in between ‘eternal youth’ facials using Alqvimia finished with delicate details, like glass the classic and the avant garde, so products, and a full range of face and stones and embroidery. expect to find brands like Balenciaga body spa therapies. A supplementary Homme, Comme des Garçons and fee gives you access to the fabulous Carassa, 2 / El Born / M: Jaume 1 / Adam Kimmel on the racks. steel indoor/outdoor pool, with +34 93 319 9219 / closed Sun-Mon / spectacular views over the city. MTM and custom orders taken Rosselló, 281 / Eixample / +34 93 457 7137 Gran Hotel La Florida / www.nataliecapell.com al Tibidabo, 83-93 / www.theoutpostbcn.com Tibidabo / +34 93 259 3000 / 9am-9pm daily

www.hotellaflorida.com

P6 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE Loves

SEMON PARC GÜELL PALAU DE LA MÚSICA Shopping Activities CATALANA Activities Pitstop at this deli-ghtful epicurean Though you can see his amazing nirvana to pick up tasty take-home work all over the city, Antoni Gaudí’s Breathtakingly ornate, this World treats. They’ve been stocking the best wonky, winding garden wonder of Heritage-listed art nouveau concert of everything since 1962, including mosaics, art and greenery is truly hall is one of the most distinctive smoked products, artisan cheeses, something special, not to mention the auditoriums in the world, not to caviar, foie gras, marmalades, perfect spot for picnicking. It’s also mention an authentic and historical mustards, oils, pastries and the site of the celebrated architect’s symbol of Catalán culture. Sign up for homemade ice cream, plus there’s former residence turned shrine, a guided tour or take in one of the a handy wine cellar too. Casa Museu Gaudí. regular musical performances.

Ganduxer, 31 / Turó Parc / FGC: Olot, 7 / Guinardó / M: Lesseps Sant Pere Més Alt, s/n / Ribera / M: Bonanova / +34 93 318 2584 www.casamuseugaudi.org Urquinaona / +34 902 442 882 www.semon.es www.palaumusica.org

P7 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE Loathes

THE LONG LUNCH ABSURD OPENING HOURS LA RAMBLA

Ridiculously inconvenient; how is Stuck in the dark ages. Never-ending detritus, such a pity. anyone supposed to get anything done in this town?

P8 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

Fab vs. Drab

MUSEUM PASS CUISINE GUIDED SHOPPING TOUR

Rather than standing in queue after Don’t make do with simply telling your Instead of trying to find Barcelona’s queue to get into Barcelona’s big name friends and family what fabulous Spanish best shopping armed with only limited museums, spend a mere 22 euros on food you’ve been eating, wow them when language skills, arrange a guided tour of an Articket and you’ll get express entry you get home with delicious homemade the city with Antiques & Boutiques. They to , Gaudi’s La Pedrera, tapas plates that you’ve learnt to prepare offer shopping and style, barrio, antiques MACBA, CCCB, MNAC, Fundació Joan in a Cook and Taste cooking class. and vintage, epicurean, interiors and Miró and Fundació Antoni Tàpies. It’s homewares, workshops and ateliers, and conveniently available at all of the www.cookandtaste.net bridal tours, or they can tailor-make an listed venues. outing just for you.

www.articketbcn.org www.antiquesandboutiques.com YACHT CHARTER

When in Spain, do as the glamorous TAKE FLIGHT Spaniards do, and eschew Mediterranean Sea-gazing from dry land in favor of a With the myriad marvelous sites splashy sojourn on a privately chartered Barcelona has to offer, trudging all over yacht from Charter Services. town on foot to see them is likely to leave you aching from head to toe. Don’t www.charter-serv.com get sore, choose to soar – over Sagrada Família, Parc Güell and all the rest, on a thrilling vista flight with Cat Helicopters.

www.cathelicopters.com

P9 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY Romance

With its year-round sun, grand historical Gaudí’s spectacular Parc Güell (see LUXE booked well in advance to secure one edifices, zesty local cuisine and sensual Loves), where you can take in colorful of the villa’s only seven prized tables, Spanish style, Barcelona has a romantic mosaics, art and shrubbery while savoring but your forethought will be rewarded appeal few cities in the world can your deli-ghts. After a stroll through Casa with staggering city views and robust compete with. Former medieval palace Museu Gaudí (see LUXE Loves), pop back modern Catalán fare. Head towards home, Neri Hotel (see LUXE Loves) is the perfect in the car and carry on up into the hills of stopping for a nightcap rendezvous in spot for lovers to drop their bags, with Tibidabo, where you’ll find the splendid Neri’s Lounge Bar, before retiring its rustic, spacious lodgings and stunning Grand Hotel La Florida and its luxurious to your suite. façade. Take your breakfast on the Neri Zen Zone Spa (see LUXE Loves) perched Restaurant terrace, and soak up the high atop the city. Couples can indulge atmosphere of Plaza Sant Felip Neri, one in Greek Gods therapies, combining of the city’s loveliest squares. Given you’ll purification, relaxation and energizing be traveling some distance today, best facial and body rituals, then stay on to you do it in style, in a gorgeous vintage enjoy a swim in the steel indoor/outdoor automobile from Classics & Luxe vehicle pool with panoramic views. Wend your hire. There’s nothing quite as romantic as way back down the hillside, stopping at a picnic in the park, so stop past Semon C.19th villa El Mirador de la Venta for (see LUXE Loves) to pick up all your supper, but first sip sundowners atBar epicurean nibble needs, then drive on to Merbeyé next door. You’ll need to have

P10 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY Style

Barcelona is without question numero and butter-soft leather gloves at Elisa appointment only. You’ve earned a drink, uno in the Spanish style stakes, with Brunells, so make the most of your time so pitstop at Dry Martini (see LUXE Loves) unique fashion, fabulous art, top-notch there. Luckily, it’s never too early for before taxiing to your pre-booked dinner dining and a happening party scene all a spot of pampering, because low-lit table at high-design modern Catalán working in its favor. For the most stylish exotic bath and massage house Aire de gastrodome Moo. Top it off with drinks of stays, you can’t look past harbor-side Barcelona is just a block and half away, and dancing at nearby late-nighter stunner Hotel Arts (see LUXE Loves), and the perfect spot for some mid-shop Club Solo, before slipping home to your with its jaw-dropping vistas and jet-set rejuvenation. By now you’ll be famished, luxurious suite at Hotel Arts. magnetism, and given its Barceloneta so pull up a stool at Cal Pep, where even location, it would be downright rude not the crowds and queues can’t detract from to start your day with a lap along the see- the superb seafood tapas, then taxi north and-be-seen boardwalk. Strut south along to continue the shop-a-thon in Eixample. Passeig Marítim, then turn down Passeig Stop first atSanta Eulalia for the best Jaon de Borbó and finally cross over into men’s tailoring in town, plus a stash of El Born for a sweet stop at sinfully good the hottest runway labels for men and patisserie Bubó. You are now in the heart women, then push on to gent’s outfitters of retail-land, just meters from Natalie The Outpost (see LUXE Loves) and Capell’s (see LUXE Loves) boutique, and Norman Jose Vilalta, where meticulously ever so close to chic enamel jewelry hand-stitched shoes can be yours via

P11 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY Culture

Romantic history, stunning art and finished-to-order espadrilles – atLa loathe to fight the crowds, view it instead architecture, excellent shopping, delicious Manual Alpargatera. The surrounding from the patio of Copa Café with an dining and palate-pleasing wine – area is home to just some of Barcelona’s afternoon coffee and slice of cake in Barcelona has it all, plus beaches. Begin fantastic museums, so while you’re hand. Cycle back to Praktik via Eixample’s by checking into Praktik Rambla, offering close, be sure to visit Museu Frederic ‘Block of Discord’, the site of more Gaudí- chic and central boutique accommodation Marès, a blissfully crowd-free cache designed buildings, including La Pedrera in an exquisitely restored C.19th building. of medieval and religious sculptures, and Casa Batlló. After a quick costume Since there’s so much to see and do, we then amazing Museu Picasso. You are change, head around the corner for recommend speeding things up on a Bike not far from Barceloneta, so cycle on some pre-dinner regional wine sampling Rental Barcelona bicycle, for which you’ve for lunch at Cheriff, where you should at futuristic bar Mon Vinic, then on to of course pre-arranged hotel drop-off. ignore the kitsch décor and tourists, and your pre-booked (well ahead) table at First stop, bustling Mercat de la Boquería, simply savor the delectable rendition of molecular tapas hotspot Tickets Bar where hearty home-style tapas is served traditional Spanish paella. If you’re feeling (see LUXE Loves). at Bar Pinotxo (see LUXE Loves) from weary, stop for a quick spa treatment at as early as 6am. Post-breakfast, ride on nearby Bliss, or ride north to begin your through the old city to Barri Gòtic, where afternoon of Gaudí appreciation. The you will find the ultimate traditional astounding edifice ofSagrada Família is Spanish accessory – hand-woven and often packed with visitors, so if you’re

P12 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials

ROMANTIC ITINERARY STYLISH ITINERARY

• Neri Hotel / Neri Restaurant / Lounge • Hotel Arts (see LUXE Loves) • The Outpost (see LUXE Loves) Bar (see LUXE Loves) • Bubó / Caputxes, 10 / El Born / M: • Norman Jose Vilalta / Enric Granados, • Classics & Luxe / +34 93 318 0512 Jaume I / +34 93 268 7224 5 / Eixample / M: Universitat / www.classics-luxe.com +34 93 200 6049 / • Natalie Capell (see LUXE Loves) by appointment only • Devarana Spa / 946 Rama IV Rd, Silom, Bangrak / +66 2 636 3596 / • Elisa Brunells / Flassaders, 36 / El Born • Dry Martini (see LUXE Loves) www.devaranaspa.com / M: Jaume I / +34 93 310 0123 www.elisabrunells.com • Moo / Hotel Omm / Rosselló, 265 / • Semon (see LUXE Loves) Eixample / M: Diagonal / +34 93 445 • Aire de Barcelona / Paseo Picasso, 4000 / lunch & dinner Mon-Sat • Parc Güell / Casa Museu Gaudí 22 / El Born / M: Barceloneta / www.hotelomm.es (see LUXE Loves) +34 902 555 789 / 10am-2am daily / entry in 2 hour blocks / • Club Solo / Psg de la Concepció, 7 / • Zen Zone Spa (see LUXE Loves) www.airedebarcelona.com Eixample / M: Diagonal / +34 93 272 3880 • El Mirador de la Venta / Pl Dr Andreu, • Cal Pep / Pl Olles, 8 / El Born / M: www.soloclub.es s/n / Av Tibidabo / Uptown / M:Av Jaume I / +34 93 310 7961 Tibidabo / +34 93 212 6455 www.restaurantelaventa.com/eo • Santa Eulalia / Psg de Gràcia, 91 / Eixample / M: Diagonal / +34 93 215 • Bar Merbeyé / next door to El Mirador 0674 / 10am-8.30pm Mon-Sat / +34 93 417 9279 www.santaeulalia.com/en

P13 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials

CULTURE ITINERARY

• Praktik Rambla / Rambla de • Museu Picasso / Montcada, 15-23 / • Copa Café / Avda de Gaudí, 25 / Catalunya, 27 / Eixample / El Born / M: Jaume I / +34 93 256 +34 93 455 3181 +34 93 343 6690 3000 / 10am-8pm Tue-Sun / free 1st www.hotelpraktikrambla.com Sun of each month, after • La Pedrera / Provença, 261-265 / 3pm other Sundays Eixmaple / M: Diagonal • Bike Rental Barcelona / Rauric, 20 / www.museupicasso.bcn.es www.lapedrera.com M: Liceu / +34 666 057 655 www.bikerentalbarcelona.com • Cheriff / Ginebra, 15 / Barceloneta / • Casa Batlló / Passeig de Gràcia / M: Barceloneta / +34 93 319 6984 / M: Passeig de Gràcia / • Bar Pinotxo (see LUXE Loves) closed Sun +34 93 488 0666 www.casabatllo.es • La Manual Alpargatera / Avinyó • Bliss / W Barcelona / Plaça de la / Barri Gòtic / M: Jaume I / Rosa dels Vents, 1 / Barceloneta / • Mon Vinic / Diputació, 249 / +34 93 301 0172 M: Barceloneta / +34 93 295 2858 / Eixample / M: Passeig de Gràcia / 9am-9pm +34 93 272 6187 / 1-11.30pm Mon-Fri • Museu Frederic Marès / Pl Sant Iu, www.blissworld.com www.monvinic.com 5-6 / Barri Gòtic / M: Jaume I / • Tickets Bar (see LUXE Loves) +34 93 256 3500 • Sagrada Família / Mallorca, 401 / www.museumares.bcn.es Eixample / M: Sagrada Família www.sagradafamilia.cat

P14 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries Citi PrestigeSM

Your LUXE notes

P15 / LUXE BARCELONA Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE Itineraries