Cal Pep: Catalan Dining in Barcelona

Cal Pep has long been a favorite of locals in Barcelona. Serving a variety of Catalan dishes - from tallarines saltadas to brazo de gitano de patata - the restaurant features a wide variety of flavors in a vibrant yet casual setting. When planning a trip to Barcelona, this is some authentic local cuisine that we highly recommend.

Click here for the Cal Pep Web site or call (93) 310-7961 for reservations.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Grilled Clams With Smoked Chili-Cachucha Mojo and Bacon

Hello and happy friday!

Here's another great tapas recipe to try soon.

MOJO:

• 5 smoked chipotle chili pods, toasted and minced


• 1/2 cup cachucha peppers, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped


• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced


• 1/4 cup scallions, white and green parts


• 1/4 cup red onion, minced


• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced


• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped


• 4 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice


• 6 ounces light olive oil


• Salt and freshly ground pepper

To make mojo, mix all ingredients together in a bowl and slightly chill before serving.

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place bacon in a saucepan over grill and cook until crisp. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Discard bacon fat.

• 4 dozen clams, scrubbed


• 8 ounces bacon, finely diced

Next, arrange clams directly over the grate of the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until shells open. Transfer clams to serving plate and discard any clams that haven't opened. Spoon a teaspoon of mojo into shells and sprinkle with crisp bacon. Serve immediately.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop

At this point, it's no secret that we at ILC are into wine culture. Today we've come across a great opportunity to pass on to our travel professional readers: The Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop. This event, taking place January 27-28, 2009 at the Port Sitges Resort in Barcelona, will bring together European wine providers and tour operators/travel agents at a unique event devoted to achieving results and growing international wine tourism in Europe.

The event draws a distinction with normal trade fairs and exhibitions as it takes place in a private environment that is perfect for one-on-one business meetings between wine providers (wineries, hotels, restaurants, cultural venues, etc.) and travel professionals.

This is a great way to secure those important business relationships without having to travel all over the continent in search of the right people.

You can get further registration information here.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

First Soccer, Now Cycling

Hot on the heels of the landmark Spanish victory in the Euro 2008 tournament comes the news that Carlos Sastre (a Spaniard) has won his year's Tour de France. Sastre had finished in the top-10 five times before the 2008 race, but finally focused more on time trials and came out the victor.

A huge congratulations goes to Carlos Sastre. Check out more commentary and some great photos at the New York Times.

Spain has always put an emphasis on cycling. Keep in mind this can be a great activity and mode of transportation when you explore the great cities the country has to offer.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Hotel Claris in Barcelona

Today we'd like to feature the wondrous Hotel Claris in Barcelona.

This contemporary 5-star G.L. (Gran Luxe) hotel was built within the former 19th C. Palace of Count Vedruna, and offers guests classic old world style. It is located in one of the finest areas of Barcelona, on one of the best shopping blocks in the city

• Only 1 block from the Paseo de Gracia, a block made famous by Antonio Gaudí’s two most distinctive buildings, the Casa Batlló and Casa Milá


• A short walk to the Plaza Cataluña, Las Ramblas, and the Gothic Quarter (old section of the city)


• In the old section, visit the Cathedral of Barcelona (13th C.), La Boquería Market (7th C.), Gran Teatre del Liceu (1847 Opera House), Frederic Marés Museum, Olympic Port & Aquarium, Picasso Museum


• 10 minutes by taxi to the Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc, Museum of Catalán Art, Miró Foundation


• Metro Station: Passeig de Gracia - 2 blocks away


• Train Station: Sants - 10 minutes by taxi or metro


• Airport: 15-20 minutes by taxi (12 km)

Visit our site on Hotel Claris for more information and some amazing photography.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Canapé de Atu (Tuna Tapas)

The following recipe makes 6–8 canapés.

You'll need:

• 1 jar (7.76 ounce) Ortiz Tuna with oil


• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar


• 1 tablespoon capers


• 2 teaspoons minced red onion


• 1 tablespoon chopped Call Vall piquillo pepper


• salt and pepper to taste


• sliced baguette (toasted, if desired)

In a small bowl, mix together tuna (leave some large chunks), vinegar, capers, onion and peppers. Season and let marinate for several hours or overnight. Serve atop pieces of bread (or salad greens.)

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Wines From Spain

We recently came across a comprehensive 144 page guide to Spanish wine. It's a great resource for everyone from beginners to connoisseurs and covers the entire nation.

Check out http://www.winesfromspainusa.com.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Spain Wins Euro 2008

Congratulations to Spain for their stunning win in the Euro 2008 tournament!

For more information on the game, check out the New York Times article here.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Friday Tapas

We're very happy to announce that we'll be providing a great new tapas recipes.

For our inaugural post in this series, we're featuring Santoña Anchovies, Melon and Pistachios.

To make this dish, you'll need 10 minutes and the following ingredients:

4 Santoña anchovies

Grated lemon zest

Green pistachios that are finely chopped and peeled

a 1/4 lb. of melon

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1. Dice the melon.

2. Place an anchovy on each piece.

3. Run a skewer through.

4. Sprinkle the lemon zest and chopped pistachios on top.

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Quick and delicious!

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Antonio López García

There's nothing like some great Spanish art in the summer, so today International Lodging Corporation is featuring the legendary work of Antonio López García. García was born in Tomelloso in 1936, and has consistently produced masterfully realist paintings that represent complex human relationships in the midst of Spanish history.

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid houses many of the classic García pieces. His work is also currently on display in a major American retrospective at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.