Going to Barcelona for 2 weeks - taking nothing??

[FL shaver]

I will be purchasing shaving gear in Barcelona and southern France when I travel there on vacation. I am toying with the idea of bringing as little stuff as possible and purchasing stuff there to shave. I'm thinking that I can get away with bringing a Gillette Travel tech and VDH boar and 2 Astra SP blades. I will get a La Toja stick in a local drug store, order a tub of Manantiales soap, and pick up some Monsavon in France. I will keep my eye out for other stuff, but I would like to shave like a local when I am there!

Should I leave the razor, blades, and brush at home, too!?

[FL shaver]

Also, my old Barcelona thread is gone!! I was wondering where the shaving shop is located in Barcelona. Someone posted photos and the address of it...

[FL shaver]

Found it!

Name: Ganiveteria Roca
Adress: Plaça del Pi, 3 - 08002 Barcelona - España
website:http://www.ganiveteriaroca.cat/es/aparador/index.htm

[malocchio]

" order" a tub of la toja ? I think the tub is only available at the factory,not in shops...you can also email juan at giftsandcare.com,he will arrange whatever goods you are looking for to be delivered to your hotel,or otherwise...he also has myrsol,but you can go to the lab yourself,you may want to call ahead and make sure senor miguel is there...

[FL shaver]

It can be ordered from the factory and shipped within Spain, I have read. I thought I could save on shipping charges that way. I am considering the other suppliers, too. Thanks!

It looks like it is much cheaper to go through the La Toja site. 10,30 Euros per tub plus 5.00 Euros to ship it.

[FL shaver]

But I can't enter an American billing address with the Barcelona shipping address! Looks like giftsandcare.com will get the business and I'll only get a single tub...

[malocchio]

But I can't enter an American shipping address! Looks like giftsandcare.com will get the business and I'll only get a single tub...

email giftsandcare and get the telephone # from juan,when in barcelona give him a call a day or 2 ahead of time,I'm sure he will bring it to you...

[FL shaver]

Email sent. Thanks. I'll order tomorrow and it should be there next week. I'm not going to expect him to drive up from Valencia. Is he in Barcelona some times?

[malocchio]

I know he buys from the factory often,so he will figure a way to get it to you...if he has extras ,let me know,I will take one off your hands ! also,I do not think most stores carry the myrsol,I believe it is in more barbershops instead...you can get mr. miguels address and take a cab to his laboratory in barcelona where you will get good prices,GLASS bottles and one hell of a selection !

[brianw]

But I can't enter an American billing address with the Barcelona shipping address! Looks like giftsandcare.com will get the business and I'll only get a single tub...
3 weeks ago I ordered 4 tubs with an american billing address and a Madrid shipping address and had no problem !!!!!

[dougr]

For some reason I could not get the English link to work on the site; not sure if it is my Norton interfering or not? nice and interesting thread anyway and my experience with Senior Miguel has been excellent. Doug


Found it!

Name: Ganiveteria Roca
Adress: Plaça del Pi, 3 - 08002 Barcelona - España
website:http://www.ganiveteriaroca.cat/es/aparador/index.htm

[RABIDMONKEY]

you should be able to stuff your bags full of goodies from shave soap to aftershave .. Where are you at in florida , fl shaver ?

[FL shaver]

Five and a half hours from you in Cape Coral.

[FL shaver]

3 weeks ago I ordered 4 tubs with an american billing address and a Madrid shipping address and had no problem !!!!!

You must be talking about giftsandcare.com? I could only select Espana for a country on the La Toja site. I'd love to get it from La Toja...

[FL shaver]

For some reason I could not get the English link to work on the site; not sure if it is my Norton interfering or not? nice and interesting thread anyway and my experience with Senior Miguel has been excellent. Doug

I couldn't get it to work, either.

I like the movie quote in your sig!

[FL shaver]

Juan has already e-mailed...

[malocchio]

I always take several sheets of bubble wrap with me so I can wrap all my liquid shave items securely for the trip back home...never had a problem...you certainly will find some great products on your trip..

[FL shaver]

Great suggestion! I was wondering what to do with glass bottles. I'm still a bit worried about leakage.

[malocchio]

[QUOTE=FL shaver;3237879]Great suggestion! I was wondering what to do with glass bottles. I'm still a bit worried about leakage.[/Q enclose the bottle in "zipper" type quality ziplock bags,use two,then wrap a couple of the bubble wrap sheets around that,and secure with rubber bands.....place between your clothing for even more padding...you'll be o.k...if anything should happen,the double ziplock will keep you safe,but if you spend some time really padding it,even the roughest treatment by luggage handlers will not affect the package...

[FL shaver]

In Barcelona. All I have seen of interest was tubes of Williams mentholated cream and Gillette cream (UK) in the little corner markets. Either worth picking up at less than $2 a tube?

I tried La Toja foam this morning as I couldn't find the stick. Pleasant scent.

Plenty of gels and foams available, but I haven't seen traditional stuff.

[malocchio]

In Barcelona. All I have seen of interest was tubes of Williams mentholated cream and Gillette cream (UK) in the little corner markets. Either worth picking up at less than $2 a tube?

I tried La Toja foam this morning as I couldn't find the stick. Pleasant scent.

Plenty of gels and foams available, but I haven't seen traditional stuff.

a lot of the good stuff is not in local markets or chemists.....myrsol is available at the myrsol lab,address and phone are on their website...for anything else give juan at giftsandcare a call....hate to see you come back from barcelona carrying only foam bombs !

[miamimoe]

Just came back from Barcelona this morning, so I will share my findings. La Toja shave sticks and creams are available at most supermarkets. There is a large Carrefour market on Las Ramblas, and I picked up 3 tubes of the cream for 2.25 Euro, and 2 of the sticks for 1.85 Euro. I found Floid at a perfurmeria. Don't waste your time at pharmacys, "Farmacia" in Spanish. They carry little shave stuff except for white Noxzema in the can. Ask at your hotel for a local perfumeria, and you can buy Floid. Also at Carrefour they have Henio and Aqua Brava, as well as some other body colognes, that serve nicely as aftershave. If you check the ingredients on the body colognes, you will find that they are identical to the ingredients in a lot of high end aftershaves. Bought a bottle of a brand called S3, paid 4.50 Euro for 750 ML, and it is a great aftershave with a wonderful fresh, floral scent, but still manly. I bought 3 Myrsol aftershaves and the balm at a local barbershop for 12 Euro each. Enjoy your time in Barcelona, absolutely delightful city, plan on returning soon!

[FL shaver]

I have already ordered from giftsandcare.com and hope to see my tubs of Manantiales in a day or two! I am still going to check out the knife shop.

[FL shaver]

Just came back from Barcelona this morning, so I will share my findings. La Toja shave sticks and creams are available at most supermarkets. There is a large Carrefour market on Las Ramblas, and I picked up 3 tubes of the cream for 2.25 Euro, and 2 of the sticks for 1.85 Euro. I found Floid at a perfurmeria. Don't waste your time at pharmacys, "Farmacia" in Spanish. They carry little shave stuff except for white Noxzema in the can. Ask at your hotel for a local perfumeria, and you can buy Floid. Also at Carrefour they have Henio and Aqua Brava, as well as some other body colognes, that serve nicely as aftershave. If you check the ingredients on the body colognes, you will find that they are identical to the ingredients in a lot of high end aftershaves. Bought a bottle of a brand called S3, paid 4.50 Euro for 750 ML, and it is a great aftershave with a wonderful fresh, floral scent, but still manly. I bought 3 Myrsol aftershaves and the balm at a local barbershop for 12 Euro each. Enjoy your time in Barcelona, absolutely delightful city, plan on returning soon!

I haven't been able to find a large market. I'll have to look for the Carrefour. I expect to pick up a bunch of sticks to share! I guess I expected it to be available EVERYWHERE here. Plenty of time to continue exploring here in Spain. We are in the Gracia neighborhood. It is awesome to have such a pedestrian friendly, beautiful city! The subway system is great for getting around. Checked out Sagrada Familia after making up for sleep lost on the trans-Atlantic flight. Can't believe I am here.

[FL shaver]

I went top Placa del Pi this morning and found the cutlery shop after walking a couple of miles through this amazing city! I picked up a bottle of Floid and a LEA shave stick. They had no La Toja. I passed on the Myrsol products after sampling their scents. I came back to the Fontana stop and visited a little perfumeria. There I found the Floid for 3 Euros less and La Toja shaving sticks for 1.6 Euro each. Still trying to get payment to Juan at giftsandcare.com, but the site is down for maintenance.

[FL shaver]

Juan has been very helpful in getting my order straight. I should see the tubs of La Toja Wednesday.

I picked up 2 more sticks of La Toja at a perfumeria off Ramblas. It was an Ella y El perfumeria.

I am passing on the tubes of La Toja, Williams, and Gillette cream though they look very cheap for a good quantity of qualilty cream.

That La Toja stick provides the densest non-tallow lather I have had yet!

[miamimoe]

The La Toja shave cream is worthwhile. I like it better than the sticks. I bought the sticks for travel purposes only.

[FL shaver]

Geez, Moe. I'm already over budget here! I guess another 2 Euro won't hurt anything...

[malocchio]

my sister and her husband love barcelona so much they are seriously considering moving there...

[FL shaver]

Pretty great city. Saw the Zoological Park, Museu de Picasso, Museu de Xocolata. In the park some guys had run a strap between two trees and were tight rope walking. They were happy to let the kids try it. Lost one wallet on the subway, though. Good lesson for my teenagers. Fantastic food. Lifetime of exploring to do. I've heard Barcelona is the center of the cultural universe and I have seen nothing to suggest otherwise.

[saxog]

you would love to visit:

Sta María Novella
Espasería 4-8
08003 Barcelona
932 680 237

high quality + high variety of artesanal natural shaving soaps, aftershaves, etc. a bit pricy, but good valued.

also recommended:

LA BARBERIA DE GRACIA
BOADA 7
08012 BARCELONA
TEL: +34 93 217 33 95
WEBSITE: www.labarberia.net

[FL shaver]

The Barberia is only a couple blocks away. I need a walk before dinner! Thanks!

[FL shaver]

Two minute walk to the shop, but he was closed. Open at 9 am tomorrow!

[FL shaver]

I picked up two tubes of La Toja cream and received my Manantiales from Gifts and Care! Only item left on the list? Monsavon. It will be a full suitcase. I'd love to get ahold of some Santa Maria Novella stuff, but maybe next trip...

I have to thank Juan at giftsandcare.com for great communication and service. I look forward to trying the Manantiales when I get back home.

[miamimoe]

Are you sure you lost it? About the only negative side to Barcelona is that it is known for pickpocketing. We were warned several times at our hotel, as well as at the perfumeria, and the money exchange to carefully guard out wallets, cameras, and cell phones. It is a fantastic city, and SWMBO and I have decided to go back in October, after the tourist season, for a few more days.

[miamimoe]

my sister and her husband love barcelona so much they are seriously considering moving there...

I could see myself doing so. I speak Spanish fluently, so it is not an issue. One of the most "liveable" cities I have ever visited. The public transport, between the Metro and the buses is superb.

[FL shaver]

We are definitely not certain it was lost. It came up missing after a ride on the most crowded train we had been on. Trip has been excellent otherwise!

[FL shaver]

Passed up on some Cade soap for 10,50 Euros at Arena de Barcelona at Placa d'Espanya. The architecture and views from Montjuic are stunning!

[FL shaver]

Might be missing out on a trip to France. Monsavon on hold...

[Go West Young Man]

You have to stop with the daily updates, you're making me insanely jealous!!!
Barcelona and Madrid are two of my favorite cities in the world!

[FL shaver]

Sorry! Checking in again!

We went from L'Escala to Figueres today, expecting to go to Cadaques, as we were told there wasn't much to see in Figueres. Well, besides the Dali Museum and their cathedral and the open markets and more beautiful Spanish women, there was a knife shop with this stuff in the window...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/surferfletch/ffc2a1e0.jpg
I also saw Proraso in a green tub, but left quickly!

Back to BCN tomorrow for a Jack Johnson concert and a flight back to Miami Saturday. The concert ends at 2:30am Saturday so we'll be catching some shut eye at the airport. Gonna need those 6 hours back I gave up coming over!

[FL shaver]

Wow! Back Stateside! Slept in a bit this morning then had the first go with the Manantiales soap. Great soap! This is vegetable stuff?! The scent is just a little milder than the stick. Very easy to lather. Might have slightly less cushion than your best tallow soaps, but this stuff is great. I would not have tried it without picking it up in Spain, though. The price here is too steep.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/surferfletch/IMG_2121.jpg