Photo by Piero Forconi
June Metropolitan cover
June's edition of Metropolitan features fireworks, the Tour de France, public pools to escape the heat and a fascinating piece on the chequered history of the banana trade.
Suzanne Wales investigates how new EU regulations could effect popular Catalan traditions like the Corre foc and the fireworks used during the night-long Sant Joan festival in her piece Forbidden fireworks.
Power pedalling focuses on the gruelling French cycling race the Tour de France and how for the first time this year there will be an extra route through Barcelona.
Regular contributor Alex Philips looks at the logistical process of obtaining various licences in the city. In Getting licensed she talks to four people who have gained licenses for driving, sailing, a bar license and one to import food.
When the temperatures rise this summer, a pool is an ideal place to cool off, Stefana Serafina lets you know where and how to dive in for her article Go get wet.
If you are looking to head out of town for a break then Nancy Todd suggests Reus, Gaudí's birthplace, as a culturally rich option in Gaudí and more. Follow a Modernista buildings route with works by Gaudí, Domenech and Montaner.
Bananas are now a common feature in the fruit bowl but find out about the unassuming yellow fruits fascinating past and discover where the best bananas come from in Spain. Our resident food and drink writer Tara Stevens educates us in Going bananas, also make sure you try her delicious recipe for Two-fried tostones.
Tara Stevens is charmed by the inventive and light Nordic cooking at restaurant Rauta in Northern Lights, our regular What's for Lunch feature sees her tuck to the gutsy meals at new Poble Sec spot Sifo Xico, and the spotlight is on chervil for June's Market watch.
Our interview this month is with Erika Lust, a young feminist porn-film maker from Sweden.
Our 'vocab spot' this month is for people heading to the beach, an essential guide to keep in your beach bag. The 'Q&A section' is about how to make a complaint in Spain and how residents from different nationalities can go about renewing their passports.
'What's hot' this month includes Virgin Vie facials and make up all in your own house - how to make like a millionaire and drive sports cars - new international children's bookshop and a new city-based literary magazine.