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BUSINESS: For those who hope to set themselves up in business in Spain or to found a company there are plenty of helpful tips on the following websites, all in English. http://www.spaincorp.com/business.php covers topics such as taxes, accountancy, legal basics.

Another site covers franchising: http://www.ongoingprofits.com. For those setting up business in the Barcelona area only, a site which is a must is: http://www.barcelonanetactiva.com. Very clear and uncommercial , it offers important tips, legal stuff etc. This site is in English, Catalan and Spanish.

BUSINESS: LANGUAGE SERVICES: Assertio translation agency offers high-quality translations of technical documentation and localisation of software: a comprehensive service from the translation through the proofs to the definitive version. Specialisms are information technology, electronics, engineering, medical and legal texts. Translations from and into all languages in all common formats. Information and costings from: Assertio, Gran Via Carles III, 33-35, Entl., 08028 Barcelona, Tel. 93 409 7026, Fax: 93 491 1818. E-Mail: info@assertio.es.

TRAVEL: FLIGHTS: Why not visit the USA at low cost with Lufthansa?

Lufthansa just has launched a very attractive offer for flights to several destinations in the USA. For example: You can fly to New York for only 199 Euros! Booking period is from 7th and 11th of March, the trip must be realized  between March 14th and April 6th. More infos you find here under the following link: http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/es/book_and_prices/top_offers?l=es&nodeid=1574160.

CHILDREN: LEISURE: The Chocolate Museum at Carrer Comerç 36, near Ciutadella park makes a nice outing with children. To get the most out of the visit, contact the museum in advance to register to take part in activities, as the actual exhibition is just a mix of chocolate sculptures and panels describing the origins and history of the delicacy. Info: Tel. 93 268 78 78 or e-mail: museu@pastisseria.com.

LEISURE AND SPORT: NORDIC WALKING: Nordic Walking, a sport which is becoming increasingly popular, trains up to 600 muscles. Nordic walking is suitable for young and old, sporty types and the not so sporty, it’s a gentle way for everyone to get fit. Even at low speeds you notice an increase in stamina. The trainer Susanne Heinen offers basic courses in the Barcelona area and gives insights into this form of whole-body training which makes you want to go out into nature, which improves self-confidence and leads to a healthy balance between body and mind. The courses take place once a week (90 min sessions) in Sant Cugat and Sant Just. A course in Castelldefels is in the planning stages. Course lasts for 7 90-minute sessions. Sticks are provided. Individual lessons can also be arranged. For further info and registration call Susanne Heinen on 620 25 29 90 or e-mail: suse.mic@wol.es.

LEISURE: VINTAGE CAR RALLY: The traditional Barcelona to Sitges Rally takes place this year on 19th March. From 18th to 20th March you have the chance to admire these cars from all over Europe, around 70 in total. For the rally the drivers all dress in costume appropriate to the age of the car. They drive the 42 km from Plaça Sant Jaume in Barcelona to Sitges via the coast road (corniche). Once in Sitges the cars will be on view on the Paseo Maritimo .

LEISURE: EXCURSIONS / DISCOVERING BARCELONA: the authors of the city website www.bcn.es, have had a really good idea and introduced themed walks, which you can find under “oci” (then “agenda” and then right at the bottom of the menu on the left) . The descriptions are interesting not only for people who want to walk the route because they are also an introduction to the different barrios and areas of the city. Amongst the routes are: multicultural BCN, Collserola park, gastronomic Barcelona, the city’s markets, BCN by bike, Barcelona and the sea, and lots more. Routes include recommendations for the time of year and the time of day, both of which can make a big difference to the experience.

CULTURE: PHOTO EXHIBITION: The Instituto Municipal del Paisaje Urbano de Barcelona and the Chilean Chamber of Commerce has organised the exhibition "Valparaíso. Un puerto y mil balcones", featuring 66 photographs by Raúl Hernández, combined with poems by Pablo Neruda, Rafael Alberti, Rubén Darío etc. In the Institut d`Estudis Catalans, at Carrer Carmen, 47 until17th March. More info on:

http://w3.bcn.es/V07/Home/V07HomeLinkPl/0,2488,1653_377528_2,00.html.

CULTURE: CONCERTS: The Festival “Nous Sons '06” at L’Auditori from 1^st March to 7^th April shows modern tendencies in classical and experimental music. Composers include Messiaen, Iannis Xenakis, Luciano Berio, Morton Feldman und Steve Reich. Full programme on: http://www.auditori.org/ under “Nous sons 06”.

CULTURE: EXHIBITION ON ANCIENT PERSIA: CaixaForum is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to”The forgotten Empire: the world of ancient Persia”, an Empire which at its height stretched from Greece to the Caspian to Egypt . The exhibition was shown last autumn at the British Museum and includes among the 500 exhibits pieces from the National Museum in Teheran which had never before left Iran, complemented by pieces from the collections of the British Museum and the Louvre. The exhibition runs from 8^tth March to 11^th June. Admission is free; guided tours in Spanish on Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 12 noon. There is also a series of lectures on “Persia the last empire: history, myth and religion” (cost 2€ per lecture). More info: www.fundacio.lacaixa.es.

CULTURE: PHOTO EXHIBITION: The Goethe Institut has organised a photo exhibition in cooperation with MAGNUM PHOTOS entitled “World language football- Football planet” which shows that football’s appeal cuts across national and cultural boundaries, so should appeal also to non-fans. The Goethe-Institut, is at Carrer Manso 24-28. Tel.: 93 292 60 06. It runs until 22nd March and entrance is free. More info on:http://www.goethe.de/ins/es/bar/ver/de1184782.htm.

CULTURE: THEATRE: Next on the operatic programme at the Liceu is “Die tote Stadt” by Erich Korngold, which was first performed in 1920. It is a melodramatic opera influenced musically by Mahler, Puccini and Richard Strauß. Opening night is 12th April and performances continue until 8th May. Tickets on http://www.liceubarcelona.com/teatreliceu.asp and also from http://www.barcelona-football-tickets.com/ which does not restrict itself to football.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH: For art-lovers this website is a real find. On http://www.masdearte.com/: you get an overview of the most important exhibitions all over the world, plus interviews, reviews of new art books, details of competitions, useful links etc. Being a Spanish site, the listings for Spain are particularly strong so it is useful for those looking for ideas for weekend trips.to other Spanish cities, not just for world travellers..