We spent a week in Sven's flat in Barcelona and had a fantastic time. We were sent a very thorough set of instructions on how everything in the flat worked which was really useful. Sven's communication was great, he was actually on holiday himself when we stayed but was very quick to help with a couple of questions via email.

The flat is modern and well equipped with everything we needed (except a kettle!, but with the hob being so fast a pan boiled as quickly as the kettle would have anyway).

Sven warned us that the front bedroom could be a little noisy and I suppose it was but we soon got used to it. It wasn't the general noise of people enjoying themselves in the lovely square opposite in the evenings, that was easily ignored, more the bin men who empty the recycling at rather odd times occasionally. Anyway that's the only minor quibble and only a problem if you are a very light sleeper.

The Gracia area is really good to stay in, far enough away from the centre to give it a village feel and close enough that it's easy to get the metro or walk into the main parts of the city.

There are abundant shops, a small supermarket on every road it seems and some very good local bars and tapas places.

We couldn't have packed a better spot to stay and enjoy the joys of the Catalan capital.