Aug 31

Spanish culture invading Berlin

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 31st, 2010| icon31 Comment »

Every culture is individual and interesting on its own. Spanish culture is truly diverse in all its manifestations, be it the food, literature, cinema, etc. This is why the Spanish embassy in Berlin decided to open a special program titled “Spain: New urban cultures”.

spanish culture in berlin

The exhibition that is going to take place between July and August and will offer a wide range of cultural events, such as art shows, concerts, meet ups and even culinary events, where you can actually taste the Iberian country. The project started last year and the first presentation was held in Tokyo. And due to the great success they had in Japan, they decided to do it in Germany as well.

The Spanish embassy decided to take this event to Berlin, because this city has become one of the most important cultural capitals in Europe, a globalized city, where you can find people all over the world, making it the perfect place to divulge Spanish culture in its maximum splendour. The idea behind the programme was to promote the different artistic expressions that have risen in Spain and, hopefully, stimulate interest in Spanish art among the German audience.

When speaking of “Urban Culture” the creators of the programme refer to the different manifestations of emerging art, such as design, cinema, architecture and fashion coming from an urban background.

If you don’t want to miss “Spain: New urban cultures” and not only get to know the German capital, but also enjoy Spanish culture, rent apartments in Berlin and go to this fabulous event.

Aug 30

Avarus, a swinger club in Berlin

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 30th, 2010| icon33 Comments »

If you like the swinging, don’t miss the Avarus swinger club, with a lush spa ready for the hottest nights in Berlin.

Avarus swinger club berlin

To get the most out of its hedonism, the Avarus dress code requires seduction. Suggestive underwear or attire that bares a lot of skin is ideal for generating an erotically charged atmosphere in which swinger atmosphere can flourish. This applies not only to women (as often happens in other clubs) but is also expected that men will wear their best clothes.

One of the main attractions of Avarus is its spa facilities, steam bath and Jacuzzi. Get ready to relax and experience sexual ecstasy in the water.

Inform yourself beforehand, to know the rules of etiquette or see if there are special events. The club has a packed agenda filled with thematic activities. There are bisexual nights, explosive parties or events that combine succulent chocolate and the sauna so that everyone can melt with pleasure, make Avarus a true temple of pleasure.

Although ticket prices can vary depending on events, they are generally between 40 and 60 euros per couple and include all the drinks except champagne and cocktails.

While some might consider it sexist, single women are free or pay 10 euros on weekends, while men must pay between 80 and 110 euros to enter. I imagine that this way of charging the entry is a way to maintain a balance between visitors, since, even though women have the same intensity of desire, it is true that there is a strong social taboo against visiting swinger clubs alone contrary to many men who, on the surface, have fewer inhibitions about the subject. On the other hand, for those with a group of swinger friends who want exclusivity, there exists the possibility of private parties at the club.

In Avarus, they reserve the right to refuse admission to drunk or “bedraggled” people Also, prostitution is prohibited which promotes a great atmosphere for genuine visitors.

There are condoms available, but always better to bring your personal favourites. They also recommend bringing a towel for use in multi-bed seats in play areas. A silky sheet appears to be a good alternative or addition to the towels, and will further stimulate the senses.

For any other questions that may arise on your first visit to Avarus, write or call the staff with any questions beforehand. Getting involved in the details can help us have the best experience, full of delight that Swingers exchanges can offer.

Finally, we should mention that, unlike other swinger clubs in the world, Avarus has no rooms for the night; hence it’s a good idea to rent one of the apartments in Berlin and perhaps share it with new friends.

Aug 24

Berlin Festival 2010

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 24th, 2010| icon3No Comments »

September 10 and 11 get ready for the 5th edition of the Berlin Festival, which promises to be one of the best musical events of the year. It’s not just the fabulously curated line-up of bands, but also because it will take place in one of the most music-forward culturally propulsive cities in Europe today: Berlin.

berlin-music-festival

This edition features, like every year, an exquisite list of bands interspersed with the darlings of the indie dance-pop and IDM scene such as the Editors, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Peaches and Soulwax.
Here, briefly, three of the most interesting Bands set to play:

Seabear: This Icelandic group spins melodies with an exotic chill, and is sure to be a hit with well-informed festival-goers lovers of experimental pop, seasoned to perfection with references to the mythical Bjork and Sigur Rós. Indie-folkist Seabear, masterfully toe that fine, but devastating line between bland and melancholy.

Lali Puna: A musical project with more than 11 years under their belt is a favourite among electrotwee fans for their characteristic sixties pop infused with the sweet crunch of an electronic sound, a note apart from techno. Led by Valerie Trebeljahr, the band has just released their fourth album entitled “Our Inventions” which will be presented at the festival to the expectant public and critics.

Junip: Though it might seem like he’s been lying low for a while, the Swedish songwriter Jose Gonzalez, returns to give signs of life. He will be returning to the stage with his band Junip, which he founded in the late ’90s and made his first album. Luckily for us, because we missed the sweet voice of the melancholy Swedish crooner.

For more information about the festival and ticket prices, check out the event web-site:http://www.berlinfestival.de. And for comfortable accommodation to relax after a few days filled with musical frenzy, rent apartments in Berlin.

Aug 9

Stolen work of Levitan found

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 9th, 2010| icon31 Comment »

Stolen work of russian artist Levitan found after over 10 Years.The story began more than a decade ago, when somebody stole a painting by the famous Russian painter Isaac Levitan. Recently, the National Bureau of Interpol in Russia announced that they found the work in question in London.

levitan painting

The painting is named “Path” and was stolen from a private collection. Now, a decade later and after its discovery by government agents it is the process of being returned to its country of origin to be part of a public collection.

The work in question depicts a meadow with a cloudy sky and trees in the distance.

Isaak Ilich Levitan, was born in Kibartai in 1861 and died in Moscow in 1900. He was one of the most important artists of the region and was greatly influenced by Corot and the aesthetics of the Barbizon school, a group of French painters who lived in the Barbizon village near Fontainebleau Forest. At present, the minor planet “Levitan 3566, which was discovered by astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravlyova in 1979, is named in honour of the Russian painter.

Most of his works depict landscapes of beautiful Volga region that had the, the largest European river which rises from the Valdai Hills and flows into the Caspian Sea. The colours and style he achieved later inspired famous artists such as Dali. In addition he also painted large landscapes of the capital of his country. You could rent apartments in Berlin to reflect on the nature of art and beauty and follow his footsteps.

Aug 4

Dining in the Dark

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 4th, 2010| icon31 Comment »

Recently we told you about a dining trend called “Supperclubs”. Let’s stay on the terrain of latest crazes in the dining culture and let me enlighten you on “Dining in the Dark” (Yes, that word play was totally intended!).

eating-in-the-dark

This trend started in 1998 in Zürich, Switzerland when 4 blind people opened a restaurant and named it “Blindekuh” (German name of the game Blind Man’s Bluff). The concept is based on the idea that you will eat in a room that is pitch black dark and you won’t be able to see a thing. And it is a known fact that once you can’t rely on one of your senses, the other ones will compensate and intensify. The waiter, who is usually blind, will welcome you at the door and guide you through your table. You just have to put your hand on his shoulder and follow him.

Can you imagine taking a date out in a restaurant like that? Talking about a blind date (Sorry, had to…!). The fact that you won’t see anything can be a little disorienting I can imagine: Looking for the napkin or silverware and actually using the silverware, with no idea what you are about to eat, possible food stains- but an upside is that the food might taste better, because when you loose one sense your other senses are heightened…

On a social level this can turn out to be quite interesting as well, I’m sure. If you can’t rely on interpreting someone’s facial expressions or gestures, you might just have to resort to getting a little touchy-feely. You can definitely heat up things with a handjob under the table. Well, the good thing in this case is that it stays discrete.

By now there are several dining in the dark restaurants in Europe and the US. There is one in Berlin that is called UnsichtBAR (German for “invisible”). I highly recommend renting Apartments in Berlin to see what this is all about. Maybe it will inspire you to continue this journey of senses and give you some ideas in the bedroom as well.

Aug 2

Supper Clubs

icon1 berlinblogger | icon2 Berlin | icon4 08 2nd, 2010| icon3No Comments »

underground restaurants

Apparently dining out in a fancy 5-star restaurant is old news. The latest trend is underground supper clubs or guerrilla dinners. In fact some might even refer to it as a whole underground restaurant movement. The revolution finds more and more supporters but what does it exactly entail?

Like the name already says, it’s kept under wraps and it seems to be within a legal grey area. People organize dinners in their private apartments but it is not a regular dinner party with your best friends, it’s a whole new food experience. Dates are posted on blogs or Facebook groups etc. If you are interested you sign up via email, and space is limited. Payment usually happens in advance and you don’t get the address of the location until 24h before the dinner. It sounds more and more like a top secret mission to me…

Once the address in hand you find yourself in front of the door of someone’s private home. You enter and you experience a little bit of a thrill, because you are doing something forbidden, you have no idea who else will come to this dinner and what’s on the menu. Two things are sure, though: It will be an eclectic, interesting mix of people and the food will be outstanding.

The hosts of these guerrilla dinners have meticulously planned out the whole evening. Their passion to cook and their love to entertain and be the host inspired these dinners despite the lack of having a proper restaurant license. A dinner at such a club is pricy ,at about 50€ per head but it sure is worth the experience.

“The Shy Chef” is a well-known guerrilla cook in Berlin so check out his blog for his next dinners and see if you can snatch a spot at his exquisite table:http://theshychef.wordpress.com/.
Since there hasn’t been an underground bed and breakfast movement yet, the best choice for accommodation is to rent apartments in Berlin.