La Galeria de Santa Maria Novella: skin care products from one of the world´s oldest pharmacies

Dominican monks began concocting herbal remedies in Santa Maria Novella (Florence) in the 13th century, in the time of Giotto and Dante. Later they prepared formulas for Catalina de Medici and it appears that the Eau de Cologne originated there, before it was made famous in Germany.

Being one of the world's oldest pharmacies, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella still sells traditional elixirs, along with more contemporary skin-care products, oils and perfumes. In Barcelona you can buy them in the charming concession shop located in the old town.  

Find out more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/heaven-scent.html

C/ Espaseria, 4-8, El Born neighbourhood, not far from the church Santa Maria del Mar

Metro: Jaume I (yellow line)

http://www.lagaleriadesantamarianovella.com

Altaïr: the bookshop for travelers

Named after the brightest star of the Aquila constellation, Altaïr is probably the largest travel bookshop in Europe. It is centrally located in Barcelona and there you will find a large selection of travel literature, nature guides, travel guides -Spanish and worldwide destinations, in Spanish and other languages-, maps, and travel gadgets. They also sell books about culture and anthropology, cooking and related topics. A visit to Altaïr is always a pleasure for travel lovers as it is more than a shop. They organise presentations and events and you can also check their board full of notices of people offering travel advice or in search for partners for their adventures.

Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 616
Entre c/ Balmes y Rambla de Catalunya
Metro Urgell (red line)
http://www.altair.es/

RUFUS Skate Shop

Rufus is a small shop specialised in skating located in the Raval, not far from the MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. They sell skates, shoes, clothes and accessories. It is the only shop in Barcelona where you can get Adidas skateboarding. Check the Rufusskateshop group in Facebook or the blog which includes several videos.

http://rufuskateshop.blogspot.com/
C/ Joaquin Costa, 9
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line) or Plaza Universidad (Red Line)  

Curtidos Pinós: cords to make your own costume jewelry

Curtidos Pinós –a traditional company originally selling leather for shoe making and repair, as well as products for professional shoe cleaning- offers a wide selection of cords in different colors to make costume jewelry: leather, rubber, cotton, round cords, waxed cotton, linen thread, braided leather and PVC. They also sell accessories for pendants and bracelets. It is a beautiful small shop. Visit it and unlash the artist inside you…..

Hospital, 79 (not far from the Ramblas)
Metro: Liceu (Green Line)
http://www.cordon-cuero-barcelona.com/en/index.htm