From the 1st to the 8^th of June Derby Hotels Collection participates in ‘A vista d’Hotel’: La Semana de las Terrazas (Terraces Week) in Barcelona, ​​a unique opportunity to enjoy activities or discover new venures that you never knew they existed. The Hotel Claris, Granados 83 and Hotel Bagués participate these days with workshops, presentations of new summer menus and shows. All of them, with different proposals for you to choose the one you like. Are you ready to start the tour?

Foodies

Are you a tartar lover? We have very good news for you! On Thursday 6^th and Friday 7^th of June you will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare this delicious dish with a show cooking given by the chefs of every kitchen. Where? At Hotel Bagués and Granados 83. Surprise your guests this summer with the keys of this special and delicious food: tuna tartar and beef tartar.

Gourmets

If you can not have a drink without accompanying a small appetizer, we have the solution! At Hotel Bagués, and only from 1 to 8 of June, will be offered a dish of jamón ibérico (spanish ham) with pan con tomate (bread with tomato), a combination that never fails. Besides being the first hotel jewel in Spain, Hotel Bagués has a terrace with a 360 ° on the Gothic Quarter that you’ll love.

If you like good meat, Hotel Granados 83 is your destiny. In its intimate terrace, Bar 8, you can enjoy a special lid: a mini beef burger with brie and caramelized onions.

And finally, if you like oriental food you have an appointment with the Hotel Claris to taste their wasabi snack with banana chips accompanying the house cocktail made with orange juice, pineapple and natural strawberry.

Cocktail Lovers

The Week of the Terraces represents the arrival of summer for Derby Hotels Collection. And its terraces, take the opportunity to brand the letters of the summer season. And you can’t miss the cocktails.

The Hotel Bagués, from 19:30pm, opens its cocktail bar and offers from soft drinks and cocktails  to a varied market of the best gins: G’vine, Bulldog Gin Mare Citadell or accompanied with the best tonics of the moment. In addition, this year it presents a special proposal of natural smoothies: apple and kiwi, strawberry and banana, cinnamon and mascarpone cream …

Music Lovers

La Terraza del Claris was first opened to the public 20 years ago. It is an oasis in the heart of Barcelona and ​​from June 1^st you will be able to enjoy live sessions by the Dj Agus. If you want a different plan, find it from 20:30pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Curious

As a special activity during La Semanade las Terrazas, Hotel Claris opens the doors of its Egyptian Museum, located on the first floor of the hotel, in order to combine, once again, culture and leisure. You will have the opportunity to see a selection of over 70 pieces illustrating much of the history of Egypt from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period.

Have you found your plan? We will wait for you! Come and enjoy our terraces.

Also known as El dia de la Rosa (The Day of the Rose) or El dia del Llibre (The Day of the Book) is Catalunya’s version of Valentine’s day and is a festival day of romance, roses and books all inspired by the legend of Saint George.

The main event of this special day is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts, loved ones and colleagues. Historically, men gave women roses, and women gave men a book to celebrate the occasion.

Roses

The roses given on Sant Jordi’s are mostly long stemmed red roses decorated with a spike and a little red and yellow “senyera”, the symbol of four red stripes on a golden background, which is the Catalonian flag.

Most roses are red in accordance with the legend, but In recent years many colours of roses have sprouted up on Sant Jordi’s day. A yellow rose symbolises friendship, white rose means innocence, orange rose symbolises passion and a pink rose means happiness.

By the end of the day, five million roses will have been given.

Books

The book tradition came from Shakespeare and Cervantes. In 1923 the tradition of rose giving was expanded to include the ladies giving the men a book on Sant Jordi’s day. The 23th of April is the anniversary of the death of writers William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. They both died on the same day and in the same year of 1616.

Half of the total yearly book sales in Catalonia take place on Sant Jordi’s day, amazing!

Finding great books on Sant Jordi’s day is great fun.  You can find them along  central streets of Barcelona likeLa Rambla,La Ramblade Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia. Hundreds of book stands present new books, special offers, book readings and there are book signings by famous Spanish and Catalan authors.

Catalonia exported its tradition of the book and the rose to the rest of the world. In 1995, the UNESCO adopted 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day.

 The legend of Sant Jordi

The legend of George and the Dragon is truly a wonderful fairytale of on white horses, dragons and beautiful princesses in the best traditions of honour, romance, heroism and love.

“Once upon a time, a terrible dragon terrorised the inhabitants of a small village in Catalonia called Montblanc. The dragon devoured the until there were none left and terrified the population. To calm the dragon’s anger, the inhabitants of the village decided to sacrifice one person every day, chosen by drawing lots. However, one dark day, the person chosen to be sacrificed was the king’s daughter. Just when she was about to be swallowed up by the dragon, a courageous knight appeared and confronted the evil beast. This was Saint George and he thrust his lance into the dragon and, out of the blood that spurted forth, there grew a red rose bush”.

Derby Hotels special menus

Derby Hotels will join Sant Jordi’s day with special menus in their restaurants: El Regulador Bistrot, La Terraza del Claris and 3 Restaurant. Find all the menus on the website. Don’t forget to make an appointment!

Enjoy this beautiful day… When men are knights and girls are princesses.

Wearing sneakers in a holiday suitcase is something that is becoming increasingly real. Travel and run, at last, have agreed and have found a shared space in Hotel Claris, Barcelona, and Urban in Madrid.

From Derby Hotels Collection we want to promote the practice of this sport and that’s why we have joined with Josef Ajram, triathlete and trader, to present four routes for runners who visit Barcelona or Madrid.

Josef Ajram

A new city experience

Josef Ajram’s routes are designed for those who stay in the Hotel Claris and Hotel Urban. “These are the routes that I’d choose for running in Madrid and Barcelona, explains Josef Ajram. For him, running is also “a different way to know the cities”. And that is why he has designed routes through emblematic areas of each city. In Barcelona, ​​the route passes along the Avenida Diagonal or Litoral, for example, and in Madrid you can run in el Retiro and Casa de Campo.

Josef Ajram and our runners!

Derby Hotels wants to create an experience beyond the sport, wants to experience the city in a different way. Routes, designed for beginners and experienced runners are very flexible proposals that each rider can adapt to their level or available time.

Josef Ajram’s recommendation is to run in the less busy hours. According to the triathlete “early in the morning is the best time” as there isn’t so much traffic. Josef Ajram recommends eating a piece of fruit before going out and enjoy Derby’s buffet breakfast when returning to the Hotel.

Joaquim Clos, general director of DHC with Josef Ajram

“Running in the city is a different way of living every city”, says Ajram. And Urban and Claris routes offer this possibility. “They are an original resource for tourists and for people travelling for business,” explains Josef Ajram. Moreover, the routes are so easy to follow for those who don’t know the city and could get lost.

Maps available on Derby Hotels’ Facebook – http://on.fb.me/Yj15Ev 

The itineraries are designed to be affordable and easy to use both for guests and for those interested in accessing them. They can also serve as a channel of communication and exchange of views and advices to users.

The interactive map can be downloaded from phone or computer.

Josef Ajram routes for Derby Hotels Collection 

- Route 1,Diagonal-Cervantes Park: Route for beginners with little difficulty. It can be done in less than an hour (about 9 km). Starting point is located in Hotel Claris. It is a very easy journey, impossible to get lost because once you reach Diagonal Avenue you don’t have to abandon it until you arrive to Park Cervantes. To return to the hotel you just have to follow the same route but in the other way back. Of course, it can be lengthened or shortened for convenience.

- Route 2, Coastline: Route to experts from the Hotel Claris part up to Diagonal Av. In this case the route continues towards the Plaza de las Glorias. It is proposed to seek the Rambla del Poble Nou throughCastella Street and Pere IV. Get to the Avenida Litoral down the Rambla del Poble Nou, not-traveled by tourists and very interesting to get to know Barcelona. You can run down the promenade up to the Olympic Village. Return to the hotel going up through Marina’s street to the Diagonal. It can be done in an hour.

- Route 1,Retiro Park: Route for beginners. A different way of knowing downtown Madrid and also a way to integrate into the “runner” environment of the city. From the Hotel Urban, tour begins east on Highway S. Jerome to Plaza de las Cortes. Follow along Calle Felipe IV to take the Calle de Alfonso XII and finally enter the park by the Marquis de Pontejos Paseo. From this moment the asphalt is allowed to run on land. May extend into the park as much as wants each runner. Josef Ajram’s proposal for those who have more time is to walk around Paseo dela Republica de Cuba, Uruguay Paseo, Paseo Paseo Fernan Nunez and Colombia to return along Calle de Alfonso XII and go back to the hotel.

- Route 2, Casa de Campo: The purpose of this route is to stroll through the city to get to Casa de Campo. We also offer an interesting tour of the center and some of the city’s tourist spots such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. The route is quite long so it is recommended to experienced runners or those who have more time.

We expect you to enjoy the rutes, now you just need to put on your sneakers and run!

Check our Facebook to find the interactive maps:

https://www.facebook.com/DerbyHotelsCollection

http://on.fb.me/Yj15Ev 

The jury highlighted his ability to “instill into his designs a spiritual and poetic dimension”. In addition, Pritzker members have stressed Ito’s skills when it comes to “erase the conventional meaning using minimalist tactics.” An architecture that “recalls the air and wind”, said the Pritzker committee.

Great Career

“He is a creator of timeless buildings. His architecture projected optimism, lightness and joy, and it’s impregnated with a sense of unity and universality”. This is how Pritzker members, chaired by Lord Peter Palumbo, defined Ito’s architecture.

The jury also highlighted the adaptation capability of the architect. Toyo Ito’s designs are capable of unifying structure, space, and technology scenario, which means that his buildings allow its inhabitants to operate freely in them. Main objective of Ito’s architecture.

His creation is the result of a “thorough knowledge of his work”, stressed the Pritzker jury.

Nature Lover

“An architect is someone who can transform areas into places for humanity”, this is how Toyo Ito defines himself.

It is said that Toyo Ito is the closest we have today to the principles of Antoni Gaudí. His work is the result of complicity engineering and nature, man work versus the ecosystem.

The architect has admitted the inevitable reference to Catalan genius and confessed that reveres his master architecture. His aim is to “reflect the dynamism and fluidity” of Antoni Gaudí like if they were “ocean waves,” added Ito.

Trees are his source of inspiration. These are elements that reminds him of Gaudí, who learned from him that design can never do better than a tree. “They are natural objects that stand for themselves and their inherent structure is so natural,” says Ito.

His work

Toyo Ito is responsible of the facade design of the apartments Suites Avenue Passeig de Gracia, in Barcelona. The organic balconies of the building, owned by Derby Hotels, call your attention for its similarity to the designs of Gaudí.

And in reference to this work there is a story that tells that Toyo Ito accepted the job of Mr. Jordi Clos -President of Derby Hotels- to restore the facade after seeing a jazz concert that took place in La Pedrera.

The views of Antoni Gaudí landmark building made him accept the project as he understood that the facade of Suites Avenue would be a dialogue (in architectural terms) with La Pedrera.

The Tower of Windsin Yokohama, the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion inLondon, the Funeral of Gifu or Tama Art University Library inTokyoare some of his best known works.

The Home for All project, conducted with other architects, to build communal spaces for those affected by the earthquake in Japan 2011 made him earned the Golden Lion award for best national pavilion at the last Venice Biennale.

His presence in Spain is also very present. One of his most iconic buildings is the Hotel Porta Fira, Hospitalet de Llobregat, whose design was inspired by the shape of a lotus flower.

We expect him to continue designing these incredible buildings.

From Derby Hotels we want to congratulate him for the Pritzker!

Everything in the Arai breathes history. Perfectly located where Las Ramblas, the Cathedral and the harbour meet. Its location offers us two thousand years of history: Roman remains, medieval, baroque and modernist. We will also be able to life the daily pulse of the locals: markets, churches, theatres, hotels, shops, restaurants, tourists … So we are in the perfect place to experience authenticBarcelona.

Gothic Quarter, ​​a neighbourhood where the past coexists the present, an open air museum. The scenario of the best legends.

To know every corner and discover its culture background Joan Coll, director of Cultruta, with an experience of over 5 years as a tour guide, shows us some of the stories and the Gothic spaces hidden from us.

Haven’t you ever wondered where the name of Boqueria came? It comes from Boc, which in Catalan means goatling. A history dating back to the XIII century when the meat more succulent and tender of the goat was sold within the city, where wealthy people lived. But in the suburbs, where popular Boqueria market is located today, sold the boc, a tougher meat with lower quality. Managers were selling “boquers” and that’s when the Boqueria name was born.

The street names often have their origin in the history of the city itself. For example, the Puerta del Angel answers a XV century legend according to an angel guarding the city. We can still see a sculpture that references this protective figure in the Portal del Ángel. Porta Ferrisa also gets its name from an old door that was closing this road.

We are in the Jewish Quarter where we will discover, for example, a haunted house or the bridge where Santa Eulalia was locked, one of the patron saints of Barcelona. Precisely in memory of this young geese caregiver who suffered 13 shepherdess to defend Christianity; we can find today 13 of these animals in the courtyard of the Cathedral. Even thoughtBarcelona’s day is celebrated on September 24th in honor of Merce. And when it rains, they say it’s Santa Eulalia crying because nobody remembers her.

All these legends are documented in the work of Joan Amades Catalan, a folklorist, who collected all the stories, legends and myths that older people orally transmitted to their children and grandchildren. His work combines the oral culture of the Gothic and the city of Barcelona, ​​the best way to know and understand the daily lives of our ancestors.

DHC gives you the opportunity to spend Valentine’s Day together with your partner in the best possible environment: chic, modern and elegant. We always offer the most central location, with a trade mark service.

The DHC chain suggests “Stay & Love” packages for its hotels: Villa Real and Urban Hotel (Madrid), Gran Derby Hotel, Granados 83 Hotel, Claris Hotel and Bagués Hotel (Barcelona), Caesar Hotel (London) and Banke Hotel (Paris). All of them offer an exquisite combination of luxury and romance, regaling lovers with chocolate dipped strawberries, a bottle of French champagne or a romantic bath with rose petals and bath salts.

Furthermore, hotels in Barcelona and Madrid have a unique menu for Valentine’s Day, designed for special palates, combining quality, creativity and variety: For starters, French oysters or lobster carpaccio with seaweed powder, followed by monkfish medallion with clams or beef tenderloin with demi- glase of PX and calçots (a Catalan variety of onion) in tempura. Finally a lemon sorbet with a hint of Xoriguer Gin, up to chocolate sweet fritters with Sichuan ice-cream… these and many more dishes, accompanied by the best wine.

 We’ve provided the keys for an unbeatable day or weekend. Can you think of a better plan?

One of the most iconic cities worldwide, sharpens our sense of sight and smell, enraptures us once again with an emblematic exhibition. Chistian Dior, the creator of “the flower women” created in 1947 a new perfume called “Miss Dior”.

From March 22nd to April 4^th, 2013, the National Galleries of the Grand Palais of Paris will be paying tribute to one of the most famous fragrances of the prestigious brand Christian Dior.

In 1947 the French designer created a new perfume “Miss Dior”, this fragrance, introduced during the postwar years the modernity and renovation that women needed.

In 2013, sixty-six years later, Dior gives carte blanche to 20 female artists originating from all around the world who are inspired by the perfume to give wings to their creativity.

In the exhibition, unpublished works by Lee Bull, Joana Vascondelos, Carole Benzaken and even Liang Yuanwei will be unveiled.

An original and unifying exhibition concept, around a perfume that became part of the collective memory.

We had the chance to know them a little better. Andreu told us that the idea for this play came up when they decided they had “done many monologues, so why not dialogues?” Both agreed that 90 minutes of improvisation were much more tiresome than following a script, “a lot of concentration”, commented Buenafuente, “so we don’t miss anything, not even the flight of a fly”. Berto said, however, that they ended up “shattered but happy”. Given their incredible complicity, the two comedians agreed that neither of them would be able to face a challenge like this with anyone else, Berto added “anyone else without ending up in a fight”.

Asked if it wasn’t hard to ask each other questions, given the years of friendship, Buenafuente was categorical “The opposite!”, he exclaimed, “it’s fantastic discovering new things about Berto and how he explains them in such a funny way,  I am the first spectator who laughs at all that”. He also told us that the questions that caused more “excitement” and “mystery” were the ones from the audience, “ people are very special and come out with anything”, he told us that “once someone put a blank ballot, an abstainer, for sure …”

Below,  the questions from our Facebook contest winners. Andreu and Berto have worked hard and tried to answer most of them in between shows. We greatly appreciate the support of our fans on Facebook!

- Your biggest quarrel was because of…? And how did you reconcile? (Silvia Muñoz Hita)

Berto: I do not remember any fights with Andreu. We are always reconciling without previous fight.

Andreu: The truth is that we have never had any quarrel…

- How did you meet? Do you plan on doing another TV program? We miss you. (Dani Jimenez)

A: I discovered Berto on the radio, listening to his program. We invited him to participate in a production of El Terrat (Buenafuente’s production company) where it all started.

- The egg or the chicken? (Paula Bradshaw)

A: The tortilla

- The question of the century, when do you think this country will soar? Humorously, how could it be solved? (Daniel Alonso Carrillo)

A: Comedians do not solve. Sorry. We are palliatives, we entertain, we take for a walk the bad vibes and relax which is something …

- If your dog Mel had a partner, would you be jealous? (Pili Parreño)

A: If he first introduces her to me ,no.

- If you were an animal, which one would you be? (Puri Antón González)

B: I would be an angry mandrill with a very red and swollen bum. I don’t know what Andreu will say but he would be a sloth.

A: My dog ​​certainly. He has the best life in the Euro zone.

- Andreu, do you think Berto would be a good  godfather for your daughter? (Sellés Family)

A: Of course. He’s a good person. Only with that … and he likes children, an indulgent father. Yes, yes …

- Have we become more demanding and it’s more difficult to make people laugh or, on the contrary, we laugh about anything? (Yolanda Ruiz)

A: Laughter is a mystery. You never know what’s going to cause it. Something very simple, sometimes. Something very elaborate other times …

- Does anyone really know anything? Don’t you think it’s better to live in ignorance? (Sandra Carrillo Giménez)

B: Nobody knows anything, and those who think they know something they make it up, of course. Ignorance is very nice but ends up hurting. Like joints.

- Would you exchange your lives or prefer yours? (María García)

B: I like mine, but I would exchange it with Andreu’s, although only the times when he’s  with me, to see me from outside.

-  The Education reform, will save us from the crisis? Or it just works to keep us entertained? (Montse Roig)

B: Education needs more shaping than reform.

- And Wert (SpainEducation Minister) what does he know? (Mercè Puig Triviño)

B: He especially knows nothing.

- In which most picturesque place have you found a Catalan tourist from Blanes? (Agustín Piñero Tomás)

B: In Blanes.

- Is the mustache a gesture of solidarity? (Cristina Portillo Macho)

B: It can be, especially in the genital area.

- Don’t you think that knowing nothing is sometimes good? What’s the crisis …? I don’t know … (Jaume Sala)

B: I think it’s better to know nothing than not to know anything, because denial involves knowing something. The crisis is the best example of nothingness, it’s a word that has been used so much that it almost has no meaning. I do not know, really.

- Your story was love at first sight? (Hana Bcn)

B: At first touch, rather.

- Why is sliced bread squared and most of charcuterie rounded? (Pedro Jose Garcia Gomez)

B: Who wrote this interview? Luis Piedrahita?

This kind of markets have they origin in the XIX century when the councillors of Paris decided that the antique dealers, second hand goods dealers, were not able to sell in the city any more and they moved to the bordering area, to the Portes of Paris.

From that moment, the regular exhibitions start to follow each other until 1885 when it was born in Saint-Ouen what we now know as Flea Market.

The movement spread until becoming what it is now: a set of different markets located throughout Paris and where you can find absolutely everything.

In order to make it easier for you to visit them, we will provide you a list of the best markets depending on what they offer.

Marché aux Puces

It is the origial market and the biggest one in the world selling antiquities. It is settled at the Porte de Clignancourt. In this amazing market, you will be able to buy clothes, renaissance furniture, musical instruments, antiquities and other vintage objects. A must that, if you get the chance to visit, we suggest you take advantage of it!

Timetable: Saturday (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Sunday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Monday (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Marché de Montreuil

It is another one of the original markets that emerged in the city. In this case, the main product are the clothes and the accessories. You can even find Yves Saint Laurent shoes, and any second-hand piece of clothing at incredible prices. No doubt, a market full of life from where you will not be able to go out bare handed.

Times: Saturday, Sunday and Monday (7 a.m. -7.30 p.m.)

Marché Bastille

If what you are looking for is food, the Marché Bastille will not let you down. It is huge, full of people and delicious gastronomy offers: fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, seafood, aged wine… anything! It is one of the most visited markets in the city by the locals. So if you want to see and taste the authentic Parisian food, you need to go have a look!

Timetable: Thursday (7 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.) and Sunday (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Marché Monge

It is another must market for foodies. It is located in the heart of Paris, just next to the Rue Mouffetard, one of the most festive streets in the city. In fact, we suggest you go before you start shopping. This market is becoming a real attraction for tourists. No wonder why, given the quality of the food they offer on accurately well-decorated stands.

Timetable: Wednesday and Friday (7 a.m. – 14.30 p.m.), Sunday (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux

One of the most original markets in the city: they only sell Parisian flowers and birds. This market has two buildings and some shops full of colour and smell: roses, orchids, lilies, tulips, bird cages, gardening books, cockatiels, parakeets and even exotic macaws! No doubt, a different experience from which you will go out far more than satisfied.

Timetable: everyday (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Today, we would like to introduce to you one of the restaurants of the city that never sleeps in order to deny this myth since, even if it is not always easy to find them, New York owns a wide and delicious range of gastronomy possibilities.

In this case, we have visited the Greenwich Village, on the West side of Lower Manhattan. The neighbourhood is famous for being a bastion of Bohemia and artistic culture and have been home of successful artists such as Bob Dylan.

On the Washington Street we found the well-known restaurant “The Standard Grill” of the Hotel The Standard. It offers different menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner and it also has a wide wine and cocktail list.

As a proof of their delicious meals, several magazines and newspapers such as Vogue or the New York Magazine have qualified it as “perfection” and “delicious”. The Time Out New York wrote a whole article recommending what we should eat and drink.

The famous American gastronomy magazine, Gourmet, mentions also the chef of the restaurant, Dan Silverman, awarded with prices like the “Best New Chef” or “20 Top Table” two years in a row. The magazine of the premium life, Robb Report, also writes that “Silverman excels at taking dishes you know and love and presenting the best renditions of them”.

If you have the incredible chance to be in New York, do not miss this wonderful experience that the restaurant offers. Besides, you may be able to meet some of the celebrities that usually go to this fantastic grill!