These are my top tips, based on my experience, on how you can improve your English pronunciation.

Decide which flavour of English you want to concentrate on

The three big ones are American English, British English and Australian English when it comes to pronunciation. Most people will want to learn American English as it is the most widely used, and frankly, for business use, that’s the best one to learn. In the future, we might need to learn Mandarin, but for now, the US is the world leader in business and innovation. So go with American English pronunciation unless you have some specific reason to learn one of the other two. A typical reason might be acting in a movie where your character is supposed to have a British English accent.

I like to use SoundsAmerican for learning the correct pronunciation of letters. I use the BoldVoice app regularly for improving my pronunciation when I’m not working with a personal tutor. ChatGPT can also be a great ally.

Methodologies. Books, Courses, One-to-One Training?

There are several resources available to you for helping you improve your English pronunciation. An important factor is your budget. There is no doubt in my mind that the most effective strategy is to go for personal one-to-one training, which can be done online using Skype. It is unfortunately also the most expensive option. Refer to the recommended tutors list below.

Recommended Books & Audio CDs

• American Accent Training – Ann Cook
• Tree or Three? Student’s Book and Audio CD: An Elementary Pronunciation Course – Ann Baker (British accent)
• Ship or Sheep? Book and Audio CD Pack: An Intermediate Pronunciation Course – Ann Baker (British accent)
• English Pronunciation in Use – Mark Hancock

Recommended Online Video Courses

• Rachel’s English
• Pronunciation Workshop

Recommended Tutors for Private Lessons

Should you opt for the personalized route, here are a few expert tutors to consider:

• Geoff Lindsey (30-minute sessions via Skype)
• Tom Kelley (1-hour lessons via Skype)
• Pronunciation Pro (several packages to choose from)

Barcelona is a fantastic place for food lovers. There is a wide variety of cuisines available to cater for all tastes and price points. Here are my favorites:

Japanese

• Sato i Tanaka – A highly-regarded Japanese restaurant offering an intimate dining experience, with a focus on fresh sushi and creative fusion dishes, prepared by chefs Sato and Tanaka.
• Suto – An intimate restaurant where the chef cooks and interacts with you.
• Shunka – Renowned for its authentic Japanese cuisine and exceptional sushi, Shunka provides a cozy atmosphere and has earned a reputation as one of Barcelona’s best Japanese restaurants.
• Aiueno – A trendy Japanese eatery known for its modern, minimalist decor and innovative menu, featuring a variety of beautifully-presented dishes, including sushi, sashimi, and tempura.
• Minamo – Offering a unique dining experience, Minamo combines traditional Japanese flavors with Mediterranean influences, served in a serene, zen-like atmosphere with a stunning water-covered ceiling.
• Usagui – Super tasty desserts and authentic Japanese food: As the name suggests, Usagui is famous for its delicious desserts and authentic Japanese dishes, including ramen, curry, and donburi, served in a warm, inviting setting.
• Mutenroshi – Themed around the popular Dragon Ball anime, Mutenroshi offers a fun dining experience with creative Japanese dishes, including ramen and fusion tapas, perfect for fans and newcomers alike.
• Hitsumabushi – Specializing in eel dishes, Hitsumabushi serves up a variety of unagi-based meals in a stylish, contemporary setting, allowing diners to savor this traditional Japanese delicacy.
• Sensato – Known for its high-quality sushi and sashimi, Sensato offers an authentic Japanese dining experience, complete with a sushi bar, where guests can watch the skilled chefs at work.
• 富士鷹 Fujitaka Teppan Okonomiyaki – A cozy, family-run restaurant offering a taste of Osaka with its delicious teppan okonomiyaki, Fujitaka also serves other Japanese favorites, like takoyaki and yakisoba, in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
• Ekubo
• Kurai

Healthy

• Les Tres a la Cuina – Healthy homemade food lunch set menu at 9 Euro.
• The Green Spot – Excellent cocktails and the best vegan pizza ever. Might be overpriced, but the ingredients are top quality.

Indian

• Indian Herbs
• Veg world India
• Out of India

Fusion

• Ziryab Fusion Tapas Bar – Great fusion tapas, recommended for a night out with friends as it gets noisy.

Arabic

• Iakni – Best Lebanese food in Barcelona.
• Lazeez – Great lebanese.
• Mazah – Great Lebanese food, so and so service.
• Karakala – Our go-to lunch set menu during the weekend. Lebanese food.

Italian

• Il Cuore di Napoli – Hands down the best Napoletan pizza in Barcelona: This authentic Italian pizzeria prides itself on serving the finest Neapolitan pizza in the city, featuring a wood-fired oven and traditional ingredients imported directly from Naples.
• Don Kilo – A trendy Italian restaurant with a focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients, Don Kilo offers a variety of homemade pasta, risotto, and pizza dishes, as well as an extensive wine list in a modern, stylish setting.
• Sartoria Panattieri – With a reputation for crafting some of the best pizzas in the country, Sartoria Panattieri combines traditional Italian techniques with a contemporary twist, offering an extensive menu of gourmet pizza options.
• La Macchina Pasta Bar – Quick and tasty pasta at decent prices: A casual, laid-back eatery, La Macchina Pasta Bar serves up a wide selection of freshly-made pasta dishes, prepared quickly and at affordable prices, perfect for a satisfying Italian meal on the go.
• Nonna Maria – Authentic Italian food: Inspired by the flavors of home-cooked Italian meals, Nonna Maria offers a warm, inviting atmosphere and a menu filled with classic dishes like lasagna, osso buco, and tiramisu, all made with love and care.
• La Balmesina – Check out the menu del dia too: A charming Italian restaurant featuring a daily rotating menu, La Balmesina offers delicious, seasonal dishes made from fresh, local ingredients in a cozy, rustic setting. Also try sister restaurant Gina Balmesina.
• Acqua & Farina – A welcoming Italian eatery known for its homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas, Acqua & Farina focuses on using high-quality ingredients to create authentic Italian dishes, served in a warm and friendly environment.
• Mitoa – Great pizza place.

Mediterranean

• Insolent
• Mastico
• Oria
• Casa Lolea – Take sangria and mushroom risotto.

Catalan

• Can Cortada – Superb service and great local food in a very traditional location.
• La Perla
• Pirineu en boca
• Santa Magdalena

Argentinian

• La Parrillada
• Av. Corrientes

Asian

• Petit Bangkok – Thai food at its best. Book in advance.

Greek

• La Taberna Griega

Polish

• Polka Bar

Russian

• Souvenir – Friendly owners and great Russian food.
• Ekaterina

Chinese

• Oso Panda – A popular Chinese eatery known for its wide variety of delicious dishes, Oso Panda offers a cozy atmosphere and a menu featuring both classic Chinese favorites and unique fusion creations.
• Wenzhou – Specializing in cuisine from the Wenzhou region of China, this restaurant offers a diverse and authentic menu, featuring dishes like dumplings, noodle soups, and an array of seafood options, all served in a welcoming, traditional setting.
• Chengducheng – Focusing on the flavors of Sichuan cuisine, Chengducheng provides guests with a spicy and tantalizing culinary experience. The menu showcases the region’s bold and complex flavors, with dishes like mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and hot pot, all served in a vibrant, contemporary atmosphere.

Peruvian

• Toma Ya
• Cevicheria La Barraca
• Sr Ceviche

Vegetarian

• En Ville – Menu del dia €13.

Tapas

• Viana – My candidate for best tapas in Barcelona.
• Tosca – Really awesome tapas.
• La Mundana

Burgers

• Da Paola – Best burgers in BCN.
• Bacoa – Epic burgers. Many branches around town.

Steak

• Arcano – Good for steaks.

Cafes

• Federal Cafe – Good food and coffee and excellent spot for working.
• Coffee Hackers
• Abyss

Masias

• Can Jane
• Can Carbonell
• Can Borrell
• Can Travi Nou
• Can Cortada

Take Away

• La Fabrica (El Born) – Very good empanadas.

Brunch

• Enkel – Great brunch selection including sandwiches, eggs in different styles, shakshuka and arepas. Nice juices too.
• La Esquina
• Check this site for more brunch options

Fine Dining

• 130 Restaurant – Wagyu meat and fantastic service in La Bonanova
• Ekubo – Authentic Japanese in Eixample
• Mae
• Disfrutar
• Hofmann
• Quirat

Paella

In La Barceloneta:

• Can Ros
• La mar salada
• Ca la Nuri

In Montjuic (good views if u get a nice table)

• Terraza Martinez
• Arrosseria Xàtiva (for a more authentic paella)

Other options

• Barceloneta – A bit overpriced and service doesn’t feel homely, but paella is consistently good.
• El Raco del Aguir
• Taverna Hofmann
• Arroz i Peix

Sweets

• Pasteleria Arabe El Principe

Calçots

The best calçots are found in Valls, where they make a popular fiesta every year in honor of this delicacy.

If you want to try them out in places closer to Barcelona, you will have to be careful when choosing, as there are many places that are rip-offs with low-quality products.

Here are the places I recommend based on my own experience or that of trusted local friends.

• Sa Montoliva (also have a daily menu del dia for 12 euro with local food) – Tarragona
• Can Cortada – Barcelona
• Can Jane – Sant Cugat
• Can Carbonell

Do you know any other awesome places for eating calçots?

How I Find a New Restaurant to Try

There’s something special about eating out beyond not having to cook and do the dishes. Whether you’re eating alone or with someone close to you, there’s a certain quality to eating at a restaurant that can’t be replicated at home. Unfortunately, going to the same restaurant time after time can get a little stale.

Finding a new restaurant can often be a challenge, as you won’t know what kind of food to expect, what their best dishes are, and what the interior is like. Here are some strategies I recommend.

Take a Walk

By far the most proven method for finding a new restaurant is going out and taking a walk until you find one that you like. Physically exploring each restaurant allows you to get a feel for the atmosphere, and you can take the time to talk to the staff about their menu and what dish they think is best.

Nobody will know what you like better than you do, so experiencing the various options for yourself can help ensure that you make the right choice. If you’re going out to dinner with someone else, you can always make this a fun part of the night as you explore for the perfect place.

Ask Friends and Acquaintances

If walking around sounds a little too tedious, you can instead ring up some foodie acquaintances who’ll be sure to give you the scoop about any great places in town. Since your friends know you and your preferences, they will also be more qualified than a stranger on the internet.

You can even ask your friend if they’d like to come along to the restaurant with you, considering they recommended it. This technique obviously won’t work if you’re on vacation or if you’ve recently moved to a new place and haven’t gotten a chance to get to know people yet.

Use a Restaurant Finder App

These apps can help you find new restaurants regardless of where you are, and they will usually have a taste profile that can help find the best places for you.

While a restaurant finder app won’t know you as well as your friends, it will have a repertoire of all of the restaurants in your immediate area, which can be even more helpful. You can then go through the various options and check out images, menus, and reviews to help you find the best one.

Conclusion

Finding a new restaurant doesn’t always have to feel impossible, and these three methods make it far simpler.

When I’m looking for something new in Barcelona I also look at the Plateselector or Barcelona Food Experience websites to find new ones. Traveler also has a great list of menus del dia in Gracia, my favorite barrio in Barcelona.

If you’d like to learn what are the most typical dishes in Catalonia and other regions of the world, I recommend Taste Atlas.

What are your favorite restaurants in Barcelona?

Living in Barcelona is an absolute blast, and these mobile apps will help you get the best out of it. Most of these apps can be used by tourists visiting this city, and even other cities in Spain.

Scroll down towards the end of the post to get all the discounts and coupons to use when signing up for these services.

Food & Beverage

• Tripadvisor / Restaurant Guru / El Tenedor – Find the best restaurants and cafes.

Deliveries

• Glovo – Delivery of anything you fancy.

Transport

• FreeNow – Cab hailing.
• Yego / eCooltra / Acciona – Scooter rental on demand. Scoot also rents e-bikes.
• Bicing – Bike rental on-demand.
• ParkMe – Find parking spaces and show prices of car parks.
• ElParking – Find parking spaces.
• Parkapp – Book parking spaces.
• Parclick – Cheaper parking.
• Bip&Drive – Easier and faster passage through toll road booths and parkings.
• Komoot – Directions for biking around town, I use it on my Apple Watch.

Accommodation

• Airbnb – Apartment and room rental.
• Badi – Find rooms for hire / rent out a room in your apartment.
• Booking – Best app for booking short-term stays worldwide

Banking

• N26 – The only bank account you’ll ever need.
• Revolut – Online bank.

Wellness

• Bucmi / Treatwell – Find and book wellness services.

Social

• Meetup – Find like-minded people to hang out with, participate in sports activities, excursions, you name it!
• Internations – Meet people wherever you are.

Other

• CallBlocker – A product from ListaSpam that blocks incoming spam calls.
• Mr Number – another similar app

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If you are staying in Barcelona for a few months, or have moved there permanently (great decision!), you probably know that transportation options abound. You have the metro, bicycles, buses and of course, you can always opt to walk around.

However, Barcelona is also the city with the biggest density of scooters in Europe. You’ll hear and see them everywhere. They are definitely the fastest way to get around town, so I was really happy when scooter sharing apps started appearing recently. Moreover, there are now various ways to use a car without actually owning one.

In this post, I will share my experience with the two leading scooter sharing apps, as well as the car sharing platforms. Not everyone likes riding scooters, and sometimes it’s just necessary to use a car (baby in tow anyone?).

Alright, let’s start with the scooters. There are three major platforms you can use: Yego, eCooltra and Acciona.

Acciona

Acciona motosharing is not only available in Barcelona but also in other Spanish cities like Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Lisboa in Portugal. That means you can use your account in various cities without needing to sign up to another service, which is very hand if you travel to and from these cities.

Acciona is the newest service to land in Barcelona and is definitely the best one at the moment.

They have started operating in 2019, and have the best technology overall, with a nice website and easy-to-use app that works perfectly.

While having the advantage of driving the newest scooters in the city, you also benefit from features such as a mobile phone holder, so you can put in your phone and use Google Maps to get you to your destination, as well as a convenient packet of wet wipes in the helmet box that you can use to wipe the seat before you hop on.

What I love about it is that you have the custom “C” riding mode which allows speeds of 80km/h, making these scooters save to drive on the highways. Whenever I tried taking scooters from Yego, eCooltra or Scoot on the highway it always was a bad experience as you end up being slower than the rest of the traffic and makes things unnecessarily dangerous.

Thus I had been stuck to driving within the city even though sometimes it’s much better traffic-wise to take one of the cities rondas to get to the other side of the city. This problem is now thankfully solved thanks to Acciona’s scooters.

Get 30 minutes free on Acciona with the code SUD67888

YEGO

Yego is one of the best scooter-sharing services in Barcelona. They are doing very well and the number of scooters is always on the increase. Their web and mobile interfaces are modern and easy to use. Many of my friends have switched to using Yego from eCooltra.

However, as of 2019, they are definitely being beaten by both Scoot and Acciona in terms of scooter quality.

You are fully covered by the insurance for damages against third parties. For damages caused to the scooter, or theft of the scooter, the insurance reduces the amount to be paid to an excess – in a case of compliance with the rental agreement. There is also the possibility to get an excess reduction for your scooter insurance.

The insurance which is already included in the rental price covers third party damages. Additionally, it is also included road assistance inside specific radius outside the shop. The damages on the scooter or theft are covered with the excess of 500€. All the accessories (helmets, top case, GPS, gloves, lock etc.) are not covered by insurance and are paid apart in case of loss or damage. If you have an accident while driving, the insurance covers your hospitalization and that of the passenger, if need be.

Overall I like the service and wish that all scooters were electric. Barcelona is a very noisy city and non-electric scooters and motorcycles are a major noise pollutant.

In 2019 Yego has also added very cool electric bikes to their offering.

Join me on YEGO and get 30 minutes for free!

eCooltra

eCooltra is an app with the largest fleet of electric scooters per minute in Europe, with more than 1000 scooters available. eCooltra was the first on the market and has the largest coverage of Barcelona. They have electric scooters which are absolutely silent and super easy to drive.

Pricing is 0.24€/minute with an insurance excess of 500€ or 0.29€ with an insurance excess of 99€. You can choose which tariff you want to use from your user account once logged in.

The downside is that they are quite underpowered, especially with two people on board and going uphill. I would say it borders on being dangerous as the acceleration is way too low, it makes it hard to keep the balance when doing a stop and go on an uphill road. Apart from this, it’s a good service and I haven’t had any problems using it. On each scooter you have 2 helmets, sizes M and L. It might be a good idea to keep a head cover of some sort so that your hair is not directly in touch with the helmet, which would have been used by thousands of others. It’s not the most hygienic thing to do really, and that’s another downside of using a scooter sharing service, unless you have your own helmet and don’t mind carrying it around with you.

Get 30 minutes free on eCooltra with the coupon code “hdmkc”

Before we move onto car sharing, I would like to point out that the two biggest advantages, apart from price, of renting a scooter versus a car are:

• Faster to get around town.
• Can be left at your destination without a requirement to return them to their original location.

Moving on to car sharing, the big player in town is Ubeeqo. See the offers below to get free credit when signing up.

Ubeeqo

Ubeeqo’s interface is very good. In this example, I searched for a car that I could use to go for a padel match in a part of Barcelona that is not very well connected for me to go by public transport. For a four-hour trip duration and 16km of driving distance, the calculated cost is 14.50 Euro.

Ubeeqo has two types of memberships. The first is free and the second is 5 Euro per month (annual payment, 6.90 Euro if you do monthly payments). With the monthly payment, you get cheaper hourly and daily prices, and I would definitely recommend it if you are going to be using Ubeeqo a few times every month.

Sign up to Ubeeqo and get €15 free credit

Final Verdict – Best Scooter and Car sharing apps

My favorite car-sharing system so far is Ubeeqo.

On the scooter side, it’s definitely Acciona due to Yego and eCooltra having less powerful scooters.

Best Mobile Apps for Getting Directions and Moving Around Cities

You might think that Google Maps is the one app to go to for all your navigation needs. After some research and trial and error, however, I discovered that there are some apps that are far superior for specific things.

The apps below will help you move around cities with great ease.

Waze

This is a great app if you’re driving. It displays instructions in big and easy-to-read text so that you can just attach your phone to the car’s dashboard and drive away. Need parking? Waze will show you where the nearest one is. Running low on fuel? Waze will show you all the gas stations on the way to your destination.

Waze is definitely better than Google Maps when using your own car/motorbike in a city or using a rental car or car sharing service. As expected, Waze comes with voice instructions as well, just like Google Maps.

CityMapper

This is the app I use when I’m using alternative modes of transport such as public transport or my foldable bike. It can also combine public transport and bike, for example. Google maps will only give you directions and time estimates for, say, bus/metro + walking. CityMapper can combine bus/metro + bicycle. The difference can be pretty significant at times so with CityMapper I can plan my trips more accurately.

Another awesome feature is that CityMapper taps into the bikesharing system here in Barcelona, so it will calculate the time needed to walk to the nearest bike station, then from the last bike station walking to the final destination. Before you plan a route, you will need to select whether you will choose your personal bike or the bikesharing service, and CityMapper will calculate accordingly.

Sygic

I find Sygic super useful when I am running low on mobile data or am in a foreign country without a data connection.

When driving at night, I find Sygic’s heads up display to be super cool. Basically, you put your phone flat on your dashboard and it will display directions, speed etc on the windscreen just in front of you. Don’t worry it’s not distracting at all and very easy on the eyes. At night I find it better than having to glance away from the road and into a bright phone screen to get navigational information.

Hope that was useful, if you have any other tips regarding using mobile apps to get around, let me know!