When young people today make the decision to spend some time abroad studying, in my eyes Barcelona has to be close to the top of the list of the ideal locations. One of the most famous, cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in the world, Barcelona really offers everything a student should look for.

Well, the countdown has begun to El Clasico on Sunday – although it actually began in late July when the Spanish fixtures computer spewed out the date of the clash.

Spanish league leaders Real Madrid travel to bitter rivals Barcelona for perhaps the most emotional derby game in the world.

Neither side ever needs any extra motivation for this match but, as often in the past, the first encounter between the pair this season appropriately brings together the top two teams in La Liga.

Japanese auto giant Honda Motor has decided to scale down its Barcelona factory in a bid to overhaul its motorcycle operations in Europe, a report said Sunday.

The Spanish factory, which has annual output capacity of 50,000 units, would stop making motorcycles at the end of March, the Nikkei newspaper said.

These operations would then be gradually transferred to an Italian plant that now rolls out 170,000 units a year, it said.

100 far right wingers held a demonstration on the same day as the referendum

41% of the residents of Arenys de Munt in Cataluña took part in the referendum organised in the village on the independence of Cataluña on Sunday.
The polling station was moved to the Centro Moral civic centre, next to the Town Hall, after a judge ruled that it could not take place in the Town Hall itself.

Thousands of supporters of independence for the wealthy northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia marched Friday through Barcelona to push for the creation of their own state.

The protestors marched through the streets of Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of Catalonia behind a large black and red banner that read in the Catalan language: “We are a Nation, We want an own state.”

Passengers on a British Airways flight have taken part in an emergency evacuation after landing in Barcelona.

There were reports of fumes in the Boeing 757′s cabin shortly after it landed at 0945 local time in Spain.

The 176 passengers escaped down emergency chutes and the emergency services were sent to the scene.

British Airways said its engineers were investigating the cause of the incident on the flight which had been scheduled to land at the airport from Heathrow.

Work starts on replacing the pitch on Tuesday

The Camp Nou is to get a new pitch following the use of the Barcelona ground for two concerts by U2 last week.

Work to replace the grass starts on Tuesday, with the target of the pitch being ready for play on August 19 in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

The new turf is coming from Bordeaux and is the same as has been placed in the ground for the past four seasons. (Via Typically Spanish)

The band also held rehearsals without permission from the City Hall

Bono and U2 may have been able to organise video conference calls to the International Space Station as part of their launch of their 360º World Tour in Barcelona this week, but it seems the Irish superstars have tripped up when it comes to local regulations in the city.

The Irish band started their new 360º tour at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night

Rave reviews for the first night of the new world tour for U2 before 90,000 people on Tuesday night at the Cam Nou in Barcelona.

From U Dos to U Dios – is the headline for example in El Mundo which describes the circular stage set as like a space station and saying the 360º tour offers both sound and spectacle.

Barcelona’s annual summer Greek festival has something for everyone with its mixture of popular music and cultural performances.

Barcelona comes alive from 25 Jun 2009 to 03 Aug 2009 for this cultural extravaganza. Now in its 33rd year, the first of 66 performances kicks off with a circus performance. The Garden of the Stars stars the Italian Alessandro Marcello Chiarenza and Serena with local artists.