Barcelona is a fantastic holiday location at any time of year for the gay traveller, but for bears there’s only one time of year to head to Gaudi’s native city.

If bears lolling about in the sun, in one of the world’s most artistically impressive and culturally rich cities are your idea of heaven, you’re in luck. Every year members of the bear community from Europe gather in Barcelona in the Diagonal Mar area for five days of frolicking, mingling and pool parties before it gets too hot to move in the Spanish city.

The schedule of events is quite standard for any gay gathering, but provides a relaxing holiday and plenty of opportunities for bears and otters to meet. Every day offers some sort of happy hour or cocktail hour in the main hotel (discounted reservations for which are available on the website), plus buffets, saunas, pools parties and a tour of Barcelona.