Salute Oper und Flamenco

Vacationers can to honour the passionate and powerful art forms of opera and flamenco by attending a show in Barcelona this year.

Opera and Flamenco combines the disciplines of opera singing, dancing and Spanish gypsy music to memorable effect.

The show offers the most popular songs of flamenco and Spanish Zarzuela, and now in its fourth year, has already been seen by more than 80000 people.

The visitors will stay in cheap hotels in Barcelona, the show at the Teatre polio Rama on La Rambla to 29 June.

Travelers are more interested in the mystery and intrigue of history as the vitality of the present might be interested in visiting a museum exhibition entitled tomb of ancient Egypt.

This display that is open in the Fundacio Arqueologica Clos until the end of September, includes 30 chambers grave, a mummy and a number of Egyptian burial objects.

Arid Barcelona forced to import water

Barcelona is in the unprecedented step of importing water by sea to prevent a water crisis caused by extreme drought. The emergency measure, starting next month, clearly shows how climate change is one of Europe's most developed cities - a metropolis known for its efficient infrastructure.

The Catalan Water Agency has 10 tankers chartered to ship water to Spain's second city of Marseille in France, from the Catalan port of Tarragona, and desalination plants near Almeria in Spain the parched south. Some water may be transported by rail. Water is required for at least six months or until the resumption of normal rainfall in the region ends acute water shortage.

The state of emergency has already prompted officials in Barcelona to disable local wells and showers on the beach, ornamental lakes and large drain swimming pools, a hosepipe ban backed by fines, and patch up leaky pipes. If the drought continues this summer, city authorities are faced with the unpopular option of water rationing. There are plans to distribute imported water at reduced pressure so that the taps will trickle rather than gush. Spain has suffered from water shortages to 18 months, years, only one third of their average rainfall. The drought is of the view that the most acute since the 1940s. Dams nationwide are less than half capacity, while in Catalonia are almost a fifth full.

The need for action has sparked discord between the Catalonia regional government, led by Jose Montilla, and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero the government in Madrid. Both men are Socialists, but differ greatly on the best solution.

Mr Montilla favours the transfer of water from the River Segre, the increases in the Pyrenees and flows into the mighty Ebro. But Mr Zapatero has vetoed this plan the creation of wider social and environmental problems for the regions that are part of the Ebro basin.

Even Mr Montilla acknowledges that "with water from the source of a river is not the best solution". But he insisted this week: "The choice of Segre remains open if no other real alternatives to present solutions for the 5.5 million people affected by drought."

No easy solution is at hand. Agricultural irrigation strenuously defended its rights and crops are largely impregnated with recycled or "grey" water unfit for drinking. Catalan farmers complain that they - and the Ebro Delta ecosystem - will suffer if water is north to Barcelona: they will charge dear, valuable supplies. Meanwhile, engineers redigging old wells, filter polluted aquifers, drilling of new wells around Tarragona and hectic for pipes for the "temporary" transfers.

For the long term, in recognition that climate change makes Spain's increasingly scarce water, Mr Zapatero favours desalination. Spain has more than 950 plants produce enough water for 10 million people. Two more are under construction near Barcelona, but not be ready until 2009.

In Andalusia this week, but the worst rains for 10 years devastated beach, burst sewers and kept boats in the harbour.

Beach vacation in Spain

According to the data, along with the departure to Spain and other popular country, seaside resorts were among the most popular destinations for recreation. A poll showed that a fifth of all Britons will be pleased to hold long-awaited vacation by the sea, while for 18.3% of Europeans holiday in Spain - the best kind of leisure activity.

Studies show that about 68% of tourists from Britain are paying relaxation most of the day, while more than half of those surveyed said that sunbathing they give first place. Another, no less important and extremely popular factor for 56% of vacationers is the possibility of sightseeing Spain, the minimum needed for comfort half of all British tourists.

1/3 holidaymakers to the list of "paradise rest" and added another kitchen. And only 1 / 5 of all tourists admitted that go on holiday in search of adventure, while 14.4% foreign tourists on vacation looking for new sensations that can turn round all their life.

Foreign tourists spent in Spain, 2.9 billion euros

The Consulate General of Spain in Moscow in March 2008, issued 14 099 visas, which exceeded the figure for the same period last year to 17.33%. During January and February Spain took 6.2 million tourists that at 3,9% more than the same months of 2007. The Consulate General of Spain in Moscow in March 2008, issued 14 099 visas, which exceeded the figure for the same period last year to 17.33%.

According to forecasts, Andalusia is preparing to take this year to 45.8% of Russian tourists more than in 2007. According to the RATA-news, in 2007 45 890 tourists from Russia stayed in hotels of Andalusia. Association congress centers in Spain in 2007 held 6.6 thousand meetings (an increase of 9.1%), the last in-4.5 million people. Consumption of foreign tourists visiting Spain in February 2008, amounted to 2.9 billion euros. According to the forecasts of specialists, in 2008 growth of business tourism in Spain amount to 8%.

Snails Gastronomy Festival in Spain

Province of Lerida, Spain 23-25 May. There are snails love not only Frenchmen, and 12 000 residents of Catalan province of Lleida is proved. Each May all lovers of local delicacies gather in a beautiful place in nature Camps Elisis Gardens. This event is taking place already in 25 - y times, a local gourmet Manolo Kalpe founded it in 1979. In Leride three days fiesta leaves 12 tons of exotic shellfish pripravlyaemyh for delicious spicy sauces. In addition, you can try the snails and many other dishes of Catalan cuisine, try the Spanish drinks, followed by dancing. And make sure you put their best clothes, because not every day you go to the Festival of snails. Some companies at the festival closed to outsiders, so that the head of a local friend to get one of those VIP-parties (peñas). If you are not lucky – there are wide range of restaurants offering no less tasty cooked snails.

Clickair start selling tickets to Barcelona - Moscow

The Spanish budget airline Clickair opened the sale of tickets for summer flights from Barcelona to Moscow. The company intends to start flights from April 27, twice a week by plane Airbus A320. Flight from Barcelona hotels on Tuesdays and Fridays at 23.40, arrival in Moscow at 5.55.

Reverse flight on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6.40 and arriving in Barcelona at 9.00. Since May 30, is scheduled to add flights from Barcelona hotels on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Moscow - on Thursdays and Sundays. Tickets to one side is 116 euros, round trip back - 239 euros.

Clickair - a subsidiary of Spanish national airline carrier Iberia. Its fleet consists of aircraft Airbus A320. It began flights in autumn 2006, but now faces some problems due to high competition of budget carriers in Spain. At several European lines offer fares at 20 euros, taking into account the charges. Clickair began to fly to Moscow in June 2007. Originally performed daily flights, but later the frequency was reduced to four per week. The flights were stopped for the winter from October 28.

The most stylish city - Forbes version

Forbes Magazine ranking of the most stylish cities in the world. When its design takes into account not only the appearance of mega-cities, but also the richness of their activity and business and cultural life, the beauty of homes and parks, contribution to science and culture, friendly residents, the level of pollution, and even climate, weather and quality management of local authorities.

The first took place in the ranking of London, the only shortcomings which were found "inadequate security" and "excessive cost". The second place was Paris, at the third - Sydney. Fourth place was awarded to New York, won the fifth Rome. Next in the ranking followed by Barcelona, Melbourne, Berlin, Amsterdam and Madrid, says RBC.