By Daniel Lesser

One of the great things about visiting Barcelona is the experience you will have exploring its excellent variety of fresh foods and fantastic deals on clothing and merchandise. Barcelona has great deals on a wide array of products available to the public and their many markets and shops. Therefore, it’s no wonder why millions of tourist flock to these places of business every year to take advantage of money saving deals.

Barcelona Shop Window by that james

There are many different shops and markets to visit while taking a vacation in Barcelona. If you are interested in finding some great deals you may need to set aside two to three days for your shopping spree. One day you can visit the neighborhoods where they have a wonderful array of markets with fresh produce, fresh seafood and many other types of Spanish foods.

There are also a wide array of shops in Barcelona that have many different types of souvenirs, which include ceramics, figurines, leather goods and music among many others. Many of the museums in Barcelona also have great priced souvenirs.

Barcelona Shops

If you are looking for some great deals on clothes, Barcelona has its own sophisticated Euro-style that will be sure to get you noticed. Best of all many of the prices are budget friendly making them ideal for many people.

Barcelona also has a large number of fashion boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. This makes it easy to find different types of merchandise in just one trip.

Why does Barcelona have such great deals on merchandise? The reason has to do with the cost of living. Barcelona is known for its low cost of living, therefore locals and tourists alike are able to spend money because many of the necessities needed to survive are less costly.

Best Prices on Clothing during Fashion Week

There are certain times when Barcelona celebrates fashion week. This takes place two times a year from the middle of January until the month of February. It also takes place again from July until August.

This is when designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Georgio Armani, Gucci and Versace have great prices on clothing. This will have you looking like a million bucks, yet you won’t spend nearly as much.

Markets in Barcelona

Do you get excited when you see fresh seafood, and produce that looks so good your mouth begins to water? If you do then Barcelona markets will amaze you! Barcelona has over 40 neighborhood markets that have some of the best produce you will ever see. What is great about these markets is that they are very budget friendly as well.

Each Barcelona neighborhood has its own main market, as well as many smaller ones. Taking a day to experience a number of these markets is ideal because it will give you chance to see how this elaborate culture goes about living day to day.

Art Markets

If you are a fan of art, then you will love the art markets in Barcelona. Many of these art markets are smaller in stature and consist of 15 or fewer artists. This makes it a more intimate type of art gathering.

People can purchase art made from watercolors and oil paintings. Some are more abstract while others are very simple. You can even request to have one of the artists draw a personal portrait or caricature if this is what you are interested in.

Flea Markets

Many of these flea markets consist of more than just inexpensive items. There are many flea markets that cater to the hobby of coin collecting and stamp collecting.

There are numerous flea markets that also contain lovely antiques and older jewelry. This is perfect for the antique enthusiasts.

Now that you have seen all of the different shops and markets in Barcelona, you can take a day or two to visit them and see what type of deals you can find. From fresh produce, to designer clothes and antiques you will be sure to find a few items that will grab your interest and save you money.

If you want information on where to stay in apartments Barcelona then visit http://www.bcninternet.com.

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Pretty up this half skirt with your travel souvenirs and mementos

Look what I found! The cutest little half skirt wall decor to pretty up a blank wall! I’m sure you’ve got a box filled with tiny travel souvenirs you just don’t have the heart to throw away. Well, keep them far away from the trash can! hang them up instead. Rina Ward of Nostalgems is the creator of this limited decor. She writes:

“I’ve collected these ethereal pieces of fabric that resemble ‘half skirts’ and wondered what I could do with them. Sprinkled with little seed beads, embroidered and embellished with hanging fabric leaves in autumn tones, I thought it would make a statement wall decor / inspiration board that will showcase your favorite finds.”

So, what’s there to hang? Remember those restaurant napkins, museum ticket stubs, postcards, memorable keychains, tiny dolls, favorite photographs, portions of maps of your fave cities you’ve kept? Just arrange them nicely on your fave or empty wall at home.

Everytime you pass it, give thanks for such wonderful times and look forward to your next adventure. Check out the half skirt wall decor of Nostalgems now.

Measurements: Length is 41.5in/105cm. Widest width (lower part) is 26in/66cm. Vintage wooden hanger is included so it will be all ready to hang.

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When I heard that Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night would be displayed at the Van Gogh Museum for a limited period, I just had to make sure to see it. I have been semi-obsessed in seeing the original ever since Miss Sy (or was it Miss Tsai) talked about it during Art History twenty or more years ago. The Colors of the Night was from Feb 13 to Jun 7, 2009.

I thought that I wouldn’t care less about the other works and just head straight for the Starry Night then off to do some shopping — but I was wrong. Time stood still that afternoon. I was listening to narrations provided by the museum — it was as if Vincent was right there, expressing himself, thinking out loud making me live the moment as he painted. I was feeling the passion roaring in him with every piece of art resting silently on the walls of the museum. Even my heartbeat and breathing started to change (that was interesting LOL).

Starry Night taken by Marie Calica

Coming across these fun pieces brought me back to that afternoon at the museum.

Resin Ring - The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh

This ring is part of a Vincent van Gogh collection of resin rings created by adelles. She design her own rings, makes a mould and then uses a mixture of pastel pigments with epoxy resin to create the unique colours and styles reminiscent of van Gogh’s brilliant artworks!

I love the color swirls!

Van Gogh Sunflower Scrabble tile pendant

The pendant is sealed with glass like epoxy sticker. This is handmade by Petitebox. This makes a wonderful one-of-a-kind present to a good friend or perhaps your fave aunt. Sunflowers have a way of changing one’s mood. I have a postcard of this painting and the shade of yellow brightens up a gray day.

Vincent Van Gogh Flowers in Vases Disc and Hammered Oval Medallion Charm Bracelet

More of Van gogh’s flowers this time created by ButtonDivas. This Vincent Van Gogh disc and hammered oval medallion charm bracelet features 6 flat-backed medallions charms with different images such as sunflowers and iris’s from some of Van Gogh’s flowers with vases paintings. It’s so cosmopolitan and will make a great gift for someone special (or for yourself!).

The Art of Van Gogh Charm Bracelet

This is my favorite creation of RoseandRaven. She writes, “I adore the colours that Van Gogh used in many of his works – those gorgeous blues in the Starry Night paintings and the vibrant yellows and oranges that complement the blues perfectly.

I picked out 6 images of Van Gogh’s paintings and set them in decorative silver tone frames. I’ve filled each frame with glossy and hard wearing epoxy resin to protect the images. I’ve added an array of czech glass beads in the colours from the paintings and wired them securely to a sturdy silver plated chain.”

The Starry Night Van Gogh Bracelet with Czech and Picasso beads, Tibetan silver Leaves and Bees

The Starry Night, painting by Van Gogh, is collaged on a two sided silver frame pendant. The charm measures about 1 1/8 inch diameter. Beautiful Czech beads in a milky green, faceted glass sparkle between Tibetan silver metal beads and turquoise blue Picasso beads, enhancing the colors of the Starry Night painting. Each dangle is wired to the bracelet for secure wear. Large silver leaves and bumble bees line the bracelet on either side of the Van Gogh. This beautiful bracelet is created by pinkflamingo61.

Amsterdam suggested itinerary including Van Gogh Museum

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Birth of Venus photo by nyer82

Boticelli’s Birth of Venus is one of the most popular artworks to see at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. I’ve been to Florence several times accompanying groups who come to see the main sites of Europe in 2 to 3 weeks.

An afternoon in Florence is not enough to appreciate all that Renaissance has to offer. So, this post is part of my wishlist. I’d love to return to Florence to breathe in the art and beauty for a few days. Not just an afternoon and evening.

Imagine with me as we visualize that Florence trip with the highlight to see Boticelli’s Birth of Venus.

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If you start off from the Santa Maria Novella, the main train station in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is less than twenty minutes on foot. I’ve added a map here so that you can keep this part for later reference.

Now for some fun. Look what I found! Some great souvenirs that you can treasure for a long time! Why get some cheap souvenirs in Italy when there are loads of interesting stuff like these:

Boticelli's Birth of Venus and other women Dome Pendants by Nostalgems

This Creat Your Own Jewellery by Nostalgems excites the senses as you piece together exquisite dome pendants of beautiful women from Boticelli beginning with his beloved Birth of Venus.

If you’ve seen the Birth of Venus in a previous trip (oooh, I’m jealous), this makes a great keepsake!

If you’re still planning to go or the desire to visit is there, purchasing the dome pendant kit and making this yourself will make you find ways to let that dream trip be a reality.

Birth of Venus shoes by BronzRockAcc

FUN IDEA: Belt out the song “Venus” while making those dome pendants!

Alright, you see the sexy heels with the Birth of Venus but it doesn’t mean you wear these heels when you walk the streets of Florence!

Instead, wear them to a wonderful evening out. Be creative. Do not overdo it by wearing every artwork of Boticelli at one go. We do not want you to look obsessed!

Join me in visualizing my trip to Florence soon! Who knows, we might see each other there.

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Most travelers visit no further than Amsterdam when they come over to the Netherlands. To cap their trip, the search for interesting souvenirs begins. A lot of these will have the blue on white designs of windmills and dutch countrylife or landscape.

Delftware has been around since the late 16th century with pottery houses in Gouda, Rotterdam and Dordrecht but the more famous ones were the ones in Delft. These products used to be tin-glazed but not anymore — too expensive, and you know how the Dutch are — very practical.

So, looking for that Delft blue souvenir? Btw, if you find “Delftblauw” at the bottom of the product, these are then authentic and considered as collectibles. If they’re cheap, it’s not authentic BUT they do make wonderful keepsakes or little gifts to friends back home.

Koos Rozenburg Antiquiteiten specializes in Delft Blue tiles from the 17th and 18th centuries. Saw this shop and checked out his tiles. Address is Markt 2, 2611 GT Delft. Tel. 015 2147828.

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