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Barcelona, Morning and Night

One of the best times to visit Barcelona is just around the corner. When the temperatures in the city heat, the prices decrease. The city is filled with many beautiful options to choose from as far as the five star Barcelona hotels, the various museums and plazas, and the plethora of seafood restaurants and charming bars and cafes. The people of the city have a spirit and and exuberance towards the joy of living. When the sun sets, the tourists will find many of the outdoor cafes a buzz with activity, with street performers and vendors lining the street. Many people in the city begin their evenings later than many travelers are accustomed to back at home. Dinner is served beginning at nine o’clock and often times right up until Midnight. Now bear in mind that the way people eat in Spain is different from say those in the United States. A typical late night dinner in Spain consists of smaller portions of healthy food, olives and tomatoes and such, bread and wine. Many soups and seafood dishes are on the menus as well as salads and rice.

Once dinner is over, the locals will then head to the bars and cafes. There are literally hundreds to choose from in the city, ranging from quiet and romantic to the discos and clubs with DJs pumping music until the wee hours of the morning. Many of the bars serve tapas throughout the night, small plates of ‘tastes’ of food to nibble on. Of the many locations around the city, a few of the hot spots are the Barri Gotic and Mercat del Born. Both of these areas are well known for their selection of taverns. And once the fun is over for the evening, many pastry shops and located throughout these same areas offering espressos and cappuccinos, as well as an array of delicious morning sweets. The markets open up, with fresh fruit and vegetables available at the hawker stands. In the markets on can also find fresh flowers, cheeses and art galleries. Barcelona is one of the best spots in the world for those who enjoy walking and becoming totally immersed in the culture and the people.

Tags: Barcelona, five star hotels, Markets, Morning, Night, seafood

The Markets and Bazaars of Jaipur, India

Jaipur is one of India’s most colorful cities, just walking through the markets and bazaars is treat for the eyes. The colors and the textures along the markets streets, have been a favorite spot for inspiration for international painters and photographers for decades. Some come here just for that inspiration, while others travel to the region, find one of the best Jaipur hotels to set up camp, and then hit the streets ready to shop. For many, this is one of the most important segments of their itinerary, and it is no wonder, for as well as the many options of some of the finest handcrafts and artistry in the world, this is one of the places where the culture and the heritage is the most vibrant, the market stalls and the food vendors, the locals and the tourists all combine to make this one of the most vibrant aspects of any vacation to this country.

The bazaars are filled with everything from antiques, carpets and rugs, gems and jewelery crafts, and the finest of leather and metal work in the world. While there are market throughout the city, some of the main ones include, Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Kishanpol Bazaar and the Mahiharon Ka Rasta. There are really no words to describe the abundance and the variety of items up for sale throughout these markets. The best way to understand, is to just visit in person, and wonder through the incredible energy and activity that takes place on a day to day basis in this area. No trip is complete in Jaipur without spending some in this hustle and bustle.

The carpet and fabrics found in these shops are of the finest quality in India, and are hand-crafted with the traditional techniques of the ancestors of the artists creating those same items today. The colors are out of the world, and many throughout the other cities of the country come to Jaipur for their own rugs and floor coverings or for the fabrics in which to make their own clothing. The leather crafted items and the handicrafts are also highly sought after for their aesthetic beauty and their artistic precision and quality. This is the capital of crafts in India, of which is often patronized by the Jaipur’s Royal Family. These artists and artisans are top notch and any art lover must stop in the markets of Jaipur, on each and every trip to the country.

Tags: Bazaars, india, Jaipur, Markets