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La Merc? Festival Of Barcelona

Towards the end of September Barcelona begins to limber up for the largest event on its festival calendar, La Merc?, a celebration of the city’s patron saint «Mare de Deu de la Merc?». The festival heralds the end of summer and the onset of the autumn months. The festival is a real big deal for the people of Barcelona and the still temperate weather means that, in true Mediterranean fashion, must of the fun takes place outside. There’s a massive amount to do whilst the festival is on with events popping up all over the city and over 3000 artists and performers on display with over 500 activities to watch or take part in. The festival has a long and proud and first took place in 1902; today it’s a fantastic blend of tradition and innovation.

You’d really need to write a novel to keep on top of everything that goes on at La Merc? each year so, we’ll just have to settle for some highlights. We start with one of the oldest traditions; the human towers or «Castells» are a real must-see, sometimes as much as ten stories high they’re a fantastic display of teamwork, agility and balance.

A recurring theme throughout the festival is the celebration of fire and one of the most exhilarating experiences of La Merc? is the «Correfoc» (the «Fire Run») where costumed fire-breathing devils rampage around the streets in a colourful pyrotechnic display. Kids absolutely love this sort of thing and audience participation is a big part as the devils chase after those foolish enough to get in their way. Another favourite of the children is the «Dragons and Giants» procession which starts in the Plaza Real next to Las Ramblas.

Foodies and wine lovers shouldn’t feel left out either as there is no shortage of indulgence in those areas. Food and wine shows run throughout the festival showcasing local produce and allow you to try and buy the best that Catalonia has to offer.

Festivities aren’t just kept on the ground either, La Merc? also celebrates the sky with static hot air balloon flights, kite displays and other aerial exhibitions taking place throughout the festival on the city’s beaches. Other areas around the city to look out for are the Centro de Cultura Contemperanea de Barcelona where you can view street theatre, Moll de la Fusta which will be giving centre stage to numerous circus acts and Plaza St Rei where various dance troupes and performing artists will be vying for your attention. There’s also a museum open day where many of the city’s museums and galleries can be entered free of charge including the Picasso museum, the Museum of History of Catalonia, the Maritime Museum and many more.

The culmination of the festivities is called «Piromusica»l — the finale involves music and a huge fireworks display choreographed together for an amazing audio-visual experience. A big named music star is usually brought in to play the finale and 2005 saw local singer and composer Pep Sala having the honour of closing out La Merc?.

For tourists La Merc? offers a perfect opportunity to see Barcelona at its best — it’s a colourful, vibrant spectacle which offers something for all age groups and all tastes. It also offers visitors the perfect opportunity to see more of this wonderful city.

Indian SMEs Boost Business in Bahrain

Over the years, Bahrain has maintained a steady economic growth prompting several foreign investors to explore its business environment. Bahrain’s free economy status in the Gulf region and a diversified industrial landscape are factors responsible for its attractiveness as a destination for large-scale investments. In recent times, a growing number of Indian SMEs are entering the Bahraini market to capitalise on the opportunities available for growth.

India’s total trade with Bahrain has increased substantially in the past few years. Notably, total trade between the two countries stood at around $1,081 million in 2007-08. India has been a major exporter of textile, fruits, machinery, iron and steel, paper, rubber and leather products to Bahrain. Alternately, Bahrain has exported oil, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, iron and plastic products to India.

Bahrain’s liberal tax structure that exempts all companies, except those in the oil and gas sector, from paying corporate taxes is the biggest draw for most foreign investment companies. In addition, Bahrain offers access to a highly skilled workforce, which makes it more lucrative for trade and Investment Guide .

Sectors of growth

Market analysts believe that Indian SMEs should target growth in sectors such as logistics, IT, automotive engineering, education and tourism in Bahrain. They further opine that Indian telecom SMEs should set up centres in Bahrain to maximise their return on investment (RoI).

Bahrain’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry is another potential segment for growth. The sector is expected to touch $375 billion by 2010 and is expected to grow at a robust pace in the next 5 years. Indian ICT SMEs can, therefore, grab a considerable market share by addressing the increasing demand for innovative IT products and services in Bahrain.

Indian SMEs in the finance sector should also tap the potential that exists in Bahrain’s financial markets. Mutual funds, asset management and private banking are some of the most promising segments.

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How You Can Find Melbourne Airport Transfers

If you are traveling to Melbourne you may be wondering how to get from the airport to the city. There are several different companies which offer Melbourne airport transfers to and from significant points in the city. This can include hotels and the Melbourne casino, one of the more popular tourist destinations in the city.

Melbourne airport transfers can be important for travelers who live in the city and travelling to other destinations. The airport is located 20 kilometers outside of the city. Parking can be expensive and it can often be much more relaxing not to have to worry about the security of your vehicle.

Melbourne airport transfers can often involve a mini bus which will take you from your hotel or motel to a central terminal where a bus will take you to the airport itself. The Melbourne casino has several hotels on premises and you may be able to get Melbourne airport transfers from the casino to the city terminal or in the opposite direction. This can make your travel even more relaxing and effortless.

The Melbourne casino is a massive complex that offers places to stay, eat and play. There are event spaces such as the Palladium, which has Melbourne’s largest ballroom. This massive event space has all the most modern amenities from sound and lighting systems to world class cuisine.

Gaming space at the Melbourne casino is also massive. Spread over more than half a kilometer, it features different gaming areas such as table games, poker and gaming machines. Do you like the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas casino? There is a room where you can have that experience. If you prefer a more relaxed gaming experience, try the Teak room or the exclusive Mahogany Room.

The Melbourne casino also offers other things to do besides gaming. There is shopping in one of the many specialty shops that can be found throughout the Melbourne casino complex. There are also cinemas, light shows and things to keep every member of the family entertained.

Imagine how wonderful it would be to plan an event at the Melbourne casino. Using one of the Melbourne airport transfers, you can bring your guests to the facility in comfort and enjoy a week or two of whirlwind activities and fun. There are even two hotels located inside the complex so that your guests have options when choosing where they would like to stay. Truly, a vacation at the Melbourne casino is like nothing else you have experienced.

If you are looking for information on Melbourne airport transfers, you should consult one of the many websites which are available. This can be helpful to learn scheduling information and ticket prices. Always remember to allow enough extra time to get from your hotel to the airport before departing since you don’t want to miss your flight. Whether it is from the Melbourne casino, one of the suburbs or the heart of the Melbourne CBD, an airport transfer will get you where you need to go.