BY PROJECTRAVEL

Barcelona Clubs have grouped together to help the people of Haiti. As we are all aware by now the earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck the Carribean Island Causing devastating damage, and killing thousands of people.

In an effort to help those affected by the quake Barcelona nightclub owners, led by Grupo Foc together commited to donating the 10% of their turnover for January 20th towards Haiti Aid. Grupo Foc, the concept creators have also pledged to donate € 1 for each person who becomes a member of the Barcelona for Haiti Group and comes out on the 20th to support the cause. As such, if you’re in BCNa and have a Facebook account, please join, and please help.

As of Saturday, the 16th of January 2009, the following nightclubs have committed to the aid movement for the 20th.

They Include, Foc, Gran Foc, Shoko, Magnolia, Q-Bar, and Bar 15.

Taking the call of this initiative, Plain White Paper, Limited, our publisher and that of F3Fundit has decided to donate 5% of it’s revenues from the 20th of January to the ICRC.

So if you’re in Barcelona this coming week, we urge you to go out and support this noble cause. All the same, please consider donating to any of the following organizations.

1. UNICEF has opened donations specifically for those affected by the quake. For more information, please click here.

2. The ICRC and the Red Cross were one of the first non governmental organizations to extend aid to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The ICRC has also been working in Haiti without interruption since 1994 and their long standing presence in the country makes it one of the top options for donation.

3. Intermon Oxfam has always been at the forefront of Global Aid, and you can donate to their operation for Haitian relief in various international currencies by clicking here.

4. Like most other major aid organizations the Mercy Corps has developed a site specifically for the Earthquake victims, the donation page can be located by clicking here.

5. Wyclef Jean’s Yéle Haiti Organization is another organization that is collecting public money in order to bring aid into the country; for Earthquake Specific Donations – please click here.

BY ROBERT WOOLFORD

Now that December is officially here, the streets are awash with holiday decorations, and the weather (if you’re on the Northern Hemisphere at least) gets just much chillier, and if you’re still trying to figure out what to do for the upcoming global bash titled New Year’s eve, you’re in luck. We’ve got ten spots that are surefire wins, so without further ado. The best places to spend New Years Eve.

10. At Home – Huh? Yes, totally out of the blue, but oftentimes the best NYE party is the one with some close friends. So planning a shin dig and get together at your home and inviting your closest friends and family may not be such a bad option, but if you’re inclined to go out. Here are some suggestions.

9. New York, New York – Yeah, we know the mother of all New Year’s parties, and while even our publisher is from New York, and tends to have his complaints about NYC for NYE, it’s got to be done at least once. So if you’re once of the brave ones who want to be in Times Sq. – get there early, better yet though, the city offers passes to get past the Times Sq. police barricade to certain organizations and outfits. If you can get your hands on a few of these Times Sq. is well worth it.

If you’ll be spending NYE in a club, restaurant, bar, etc… be sure to watch out for the “Drinks Free” deal that’s being advertised, it’s rubbish bottom shelf alcohol, there are usually restrictions i.e. one glass per person and the average wait time for the bartender to actually see you can be anywhere up to half an hour, and all this for the low price of $200. So we highly recommend you pass on these “deals” better go grab a dinner and then head to a bar or club with your close ones.

8. Sydney, Australia – While the Island Nation of Kiribati will celebrate the coming of 2010 first, the first major city to celebrate the coming of 2010 will be Sydney Australia. The good is that the party typically runs until dawn and with the warm weather you’ll be able to celebrate NYE on the beach, or if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can always head into the pub. Best of all, when you call your friends in say California they’ll probably be having breakfast.

7. London, UK – Yep! London, not because it’s GMT +/- 0, but because on NYE you’ll get up to 400.000 people out in central London, the party is staggering, and the fireworks over the Thames aren’t half bad either. They shoot off from the Eye and the best views are in either Embankment or Westminster Bridge, but if you’ve passed Lancaster Place, you’ll know you’ve gone too far. In any case, the fireworks last 15 mins, starting when Big Ben strikes zero hour.

6. Lapland, or Stockholm, Sweden – While it may be too late to book a room at the Ice Hotel in Lapland, you can still head up north to see the Northern Lights with that special someone, however, if that special someone isn’t there, and you’re looking for full on shenanigans – then what better place than Stockholm.

5. Tokyo, Japan – The great thing about spending the New Year in Tokyo is that it’s not just a one day affair, the festivities start on the 29th of December and go until the 4th of January. Be warned though that if you are strictly going to Tokyo as a tourist many of the sites will be closed, however, you’ll be able to experience something truly amazing – which is the Watch-Night Bell, and while there be sure to get your hands on some New Years Eve Noodle (Toshikoshi Soba).

4. Venice, Italy – The Fiesta di San Silvestro and Il Capodanno are two Italian celebrations celebrated on the 31st of December, and the 1st of January. The best place to pass NYE in Venice is in St. Marks Square, but be sure to bring your mask as the whole place pretty much turns into one masquerade ball, and don’t forget to wear your red undies as they’re said to bring good luck.

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Copacabana Beach is illuminated by thousands of candles as Afro Brazilian dancers beat their drums and half the city dances to the sound of the approaching new year. To add to the goodness, you’ve got summer time temperatures, meaning you can leave that winter jacket at the gate.

2. Barcelona, Spain – We love Barcelona, and we also love the Noche Vieja – why? Because Barcelona offers the New Years Eve goer a monstrous selection of things to do. Meaning anything from rock, clubs, live performances, ballroom dancing, whatever you want it’s doable, and the party has been often known to last for a week. At midnight be sure to follow the still followed Roman tradition by eating 12 grapes, one after each bell sound. They are after all supposed to make the New Year Begin Sweetly

1. New Orleans, Louisiana -There is possibly no city better suited to host a smashing New Year’s Eve Party like New Orleans, and with a city that can put on the Mardi Gras annually and lives by the catch phrase “Laissez les bons temps rule” you’ll know that everything’s going to go down peachy. The weather can be a bit tricky and it’s recommended that you check the forecasts. Bourbon St. and the French Quarter tend to be the stomping ground of choice by many, but don’t forget that the ball drops in Jackson Square.

With that, best of luck, have fun, stay safe, and have a most wonderful New Year’s Eve.

BY BENJAMIN NATHAN-SERIO

In Barcelona there is a fairly strict gastronomic code, and some very precise cultural habits when it comes to mixology. Hedonism has its rules in this thriving cultural capital. So, if you want to drink like a Barcelonés you need to be familiar with your options.

In most of the Western world cocktail hour gets going in the evening around 5. Ha! Locals in Barcelona whet their lunchtime pallet from around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Traditional aperitifs in Barcelona range from vermouth on the rocks with a splash of whisky and a wedge of lemon to Cava, Spain’s answer to France’s Champagne. More humble folk might just get started with a caña (a glass of beer) or a mediana (a bottle). Barcelona’s local beers don’t have a great range in flavour, but they do the job. Try a Moritz or an Estrella. Naturally if you opt to start things off with a copa of vino tinto (red wine), you won’t be seen as uncouth.

The wine here flows as copiously as the waters of the Mediterranean and is just as refreshing.  This is the most popular drink to accompany the Catalan lunch. For a delicious local wine ask for a Priorat. These vineyards are just over an hour inland from Barcelona. The largest nearby city Reus is an ideal spot to try out your new drinking regimen. In many local restaurants (set menus under 10 euros) you will simply get the vino de casa (house wine). Often this will be accompanied by a bottle of cold, sweetened, carbonated water (gaseosa). Pour a little in your wine, to taste. Now you’re drinking like a proper obrero (worker).

The food is in your belly and the plates are removed from the table, but your banquet is only half finished. Two exceptionally delicious desserts that naturally incorporate drink are Musico (nuts and dried fruit) and Tarta de Santiago (almond cake). Both come with a cup of Muscotel, which is a sweet wine comparable to Port or Sherry. Pour your cup over your dessert and discover sweet heaven. Another popular dessert in Barcelona is Crema Catalana. It’s essentially a crème brûlée. But we’re not so interested in the dessert. You want the liquor. It’s as thick as cream and as sweet as your Tarta de Santiago. Drink up.

Next comes your digestif. If you don’t ask for it and a bottle or two comes to your table accompanied by a few shot glasses, the maître d’ likes you and it’s on the house. What’s in the bottles? Chances are an Orujo (known as aguardiente in the Americas), which is a grape-based spirit of 100 proof, (50% ABV). It’s guaranteed to fulfill it’s role as a digestif by burning your meal down.  The other bottle will be Licor de Hierbas. At around 60 proof it’s a bit less powerful than your Orujo and tastes of sweet herbs.

After your three-course lunch you’ll need a coffee.  The most popular request is a carajillo. It’s a shot of espresso, perhaps a bit of milk and a splash  or more of Whisky, Cognac, Rum or Baileys. It originated in Cuba among Spanish troops. The idea was that it would give them coraje (courage), which is where the word carajillo stems from. It’s also just what you’ll need to walk straight out of the restaurant and back to your hotel for a siesta after experiencing a genuinely local Barcelona meal. You’ll need that siesta too – if you’re going to be in Barcelona, even just for one night, it would be a mistake to miss the night scene…

Want to know more? Read these great books.
: Homage to Barcelona by Colm Toibin
: Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life by Andy Pforzheimer
: Barcelona Tile Design by Pepin Press

BY JACINTO VIDRÓ

It is undeniable that there is something specifically magical about Barcelona; be it the city’s flavour, its strong collection of famous works of art from Miró to Picasso. Or perhaps it is its beaches, famous nightlife and laid back attitude. All of which serves to make Barcelona  a special place that fills the heart with warmness.

However, there is one particular gem, a Hostel named InOut, located in Baixador de Vallvidrera. It is on the doorstep of the Collserola Park with 25 hectares of gardens, forests, and sports fields. Although a good distance from the city centre, the good thing about Barcelona is that it’s public transport system is amazingly well connected and the Hostel is only 500 meters from the underground. That means only fifteen minutes to the Plaça Catalunya.

Surrounded by natural beauty and possessing an amazing mountain view of the city and surrounding area, this would in itself make this hostel exceptional. But this is combined with incredibly friendly staff  that work to make the hostel feel like a home away from home.

Run as a non-profit foundation, InOut Hostel has pioneered a new concept in hostelling and it is the first of its kind in Europe. Based on a belief that disabled individuals can become self-sufficient and become part of functional society, it is the first tourist complex completely managed by disabled people. Ninety percent of the professional staff having some kind of disability.

Working in collaboration with the Ajuntament de Barcelona and receiving sponsorship from various well known Spanish institutions such as Caja Madrid, the hostel has risen in years to be loved not only for the social good it promotes but also by the people who stay there.

Don’t come here looking for nightlife and wild parties. This is the place to stay for nature, relaxation, and a truly great hostel experience that you will love.

Prices range from €13.90 for under 25s during low season to €25.35 for those over 25 years of age during high season per night.  Private rooms of 80 m2 running you a rate of €100 per diem.

The best way to get to and from the location is via the FGC – Ferrocariles Catalanes – one ride will cost you €1.30. However, we highly recommend that if you’re going to be in Barna (as called by the locals) you pick up a T-10, or ten ride pass for €7.10 – and remember, that while the metro may close at 2:00am on weekdays, it opens up again at 5:00 am and runs 24h on Saturdays.

Hostel InOut
Major del Rectoret, 2 Barcelona 08017 España
Tel: +34 93 280 09 85
Web: www.inoutalberg.com