Barcelona

I'd love for someone to care for my pets and plants, and keep the house tidy. The cats are both sweet and easy-going, however they need a bit of daily petting and playing. The dog is older so he is very calm and obedient. He needs attention and two walks a day. The outdoor plants need watering anywhere from every 1-3 days, and the indoor ones every 4-5 days.

A 35 square meter one bedroom apartment, with a balcony, on a third floor walk-up. It is bright and airy, and was completely renovated three years ago. However, they preserved the beautiful old traditional Catalan ceiling, doors and windows. The apartment is located three blocks from the beach.

Guitar, violin, yoga mats, resistance bands (for weight training), a large iMac and very good speakers.

Barceloneta was originally a fisherman's village. It has small streets and a close-knit atmosphere. It is just a few blocks from the sea, with many plazas and good restaurants. You can swim, sunbathe, surf, and go diving, and if you like rock climbing there are many small towns close by in which to do so. It is in the heart of the old city, a few minutes walk to El Borne, El Gotico, and La Rambla. There are museums, shopping, and live music venues nearby. The metro or bus is a ten minute walk away. Bicycles are available to rent by the hour or day in the plaza two blocks from home. Taxis are reasonably priced (and safe) as most everything is close by.

From Lonely Planet's review of Barcelona (couldn't have said it better myself):

"Barcelona is an enchanting seaside city with boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-class drinking and dining scene.

Under the Iberian Sun
The deep blue Mediterranean beckons. Sun-drenched beaches make a fine backdrop to a jog, bike ride or long leisurely stroll along the seaside – followed by a refreshing dip. You can also enjoy the view from out on the water while kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or taking it easy on a sunset cruise. Looming behind the city, the rolling forest-covered Collserola Hills provide a scenic setting for hiking, mountain biking or just admiring the view. Closer to the city centre, hilltop Montjuïc offers endless exploring amid botanic and sculpture gardens, an old castle and first-rate museums with panoramic views at every turn.

Architecture of the Ages
Barcelona's architectural treasures span 2000-plus years. Towering temple columns, ancient city walls and subterranean stone corridors provide a window into Roman-era Barcino. Fast forward a thousand years to the Middle Ages by taking a stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter, past tranquil plazas and soaring 14th-century cathedrals. In other parts of town bloom the sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme, a mix of ingenious and whimsical creations by Gaudí and his Catalan architectural contemporaries. Barcelona has also long inspired artists, including Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, whose works are in bold display in the city's myriad museums.

Twenty-four Hour Party People
The night holds limitless possibilities in Barcelona. Start with sunset drinks from a panoramic terrace or dig your heels in the sand at a rustic beachside chiringuito. As darkness falls, live music transforms the city: the rapid-fire rhythms of flamenco, brassy jazz spilling out of basements, and hands-in-the-air indie-rock at vintage concert halls. Towards midnight the bars fill. Take your pick from old-school taverns adorned with 19th-century murals, plush lounges in lamp-lit medieval chambers or boisterous cava bars. If you're still standing at 3am, hit the clubs and explore Barcelona's unabashed wild side.

A Moveable Feast
The masters of molecular gastronomy – Albert Adrià, Carles Abellan et al – are part of the long and celebrated tradition of Catalan cooking. Simple, flavourful ingredients – seafood, jamón (cured ham), market-fresh produce – are transformed into remarkable delicacies and then served in captivating settings. Feast on hearty, rich paella at an outdoor table overlooking the sea or step back to the 1920s at an elegant art nouveau dining room. Barcelona's wide-ranging palate adds further complexity: Basque-style tapas bars, Galician seafood taverns, avant-garde Japanese restaurants and sinful chocolate shops are all essential parts of the culinary landscape."