Barcelona (Thermas) 2019 latest recommendations

[davet]

Spain is now open. Any takers?

[msclelovr]

I wouldn’t describe Spain as ”open” @davet. Upbeat sentiments were expressed by the Spanish Prime Minister yesterday (16 June) but there are still numerous restrictions.
 

The restrictions vary between the regions and, hard as it is to believe, even within a region.  Recently in planning to travel to my house in the Balearic islands, I found that the restrictions differ in Mallorca from Ibiza and are different again in Formentera.

Also the difficulties in arranging the necessary tests to travel within Europe mean that although I’m keen to travel again, I’ll wait until the whole process is much easier - hopefully, later this year. 

[davet]

As I understand it, the country might go belly up (slight exaggeration) if they lose another tourist season. For them as well as us, I hope they straighten out the process.

Barcelona in September!

[Guest]

I’ve got a trip booked for 5 weeks in Spain & Portugal starting August 25.

Can’t wait to see the boys at Sauna Termas which is already open w reduced hours according to their website.  That’s actually my favorite sauna in the world just from an overall safety standpoint (Barcelona being much safer vs the Brazilian cities) and high quality of hotels in close proximity.  Full of Brazilians, Cubans, Venezuelans, and Eastern Europeans.  The going rate was 50 euros at the sauna - 100 for your hotel. 
 

I expect entry requirements to Spain will ease over the summer as infections decline - as is now, it’s really not excessive nor complicated.

[JackR]

I'm also booked for Barcelona in Sept. Davet and Slvkguy I'd love to hear your reports on Thermas if you get there before me. I can't quite tell how saunas like this will be affected in this new era. Hopefully there will still be some action

[Guest]

as of today -according to their website:  Sauna Thermas BCN is open w limited hours.  Masks appear to be required unless at the bar or in private rooms.

I may be going as early as August 20….will file a report 

[floridarob]

let us know if you get the sling room 

[Guest]

if there’s a sling there, I will find it

[tassojunior]

On 6/17/2021 at 5:36 AM, msclelovr said:

I wouldn’t describe Spain as ”open” @davet. Upbeat sentiments were expressed by the Spanish Prime Minister yesterday (16 June) but there are still numerous restrictions.
 

The restrictions vary between the regions and, hard as it is to believe, even within a region.  Recently in planning to travel to my house in the Balearic islands, I found that the restrictions differ in Mallorca from Ibiza and are different again in Formentera.

Also the difficulties in arranging the necessary tests to travel within Europe mean that although I’m keen to travel again, I’ll wait until the whole process is much easier - hopefully, later this year. 

I don't think there are land border checks, from what i'm hearing from friends using cars and buses. Not sure about trains. Airports do seem to be checking between Schengen countries though. I have a US passport expiring within six months that makes entry into some countries difficult (Czech). US passports are taking almost 3 months to renew expedited. I was planning a quick trip to BCN for Thermas. Spain, like most EU, only requires 3 months passport validity. 

I'm really wondering how many guys are in Thermas. Generally the post-lockdown has been a stampede, especially for young people, to get back to normal and catch up on good times. But the countries many of the guys are from still have severe covid, like Brazil and the Balkans. Thermas could be a buyers market right now or a sellers market if clients/providers aren't coming back equally. It could be slow (as evidenced by the hours cutback) or it could be packed (except i think Barcelona still has strict distancing). Since they aren't mentioning capacity controls, i assume Thermas is slow.  

[msclelovr]

 

18 hours ago, tassojunior said:

Spain, like most EU, only requires 3 months passport validity. 

It’s not a quibble @tassojunior but it’s important to be precise when it comes to the EU passport requirements. All the 26 countries that signed up to the Schengen Agreement require your passport to be valid for 3 months after your intended date of departure. (Of course, that’s not your arrival date into the EU/Schengen area but 3 months after the date of your return ticket - I think this is why it’s commonly asserted to be that your passport must have 6 months validity on arrival).

I know I don’t have to tell you @tassojunior but others may be unaware that Spain’s regions have local rules and restrictions. For instance, Catalonia just reintroduced on Monday the closing of clubs as the rate of infection has increased. I was not at all surprised that in the Balearics the rate has skyrocketed - the young have mingled at beach-parties etc in defiance of the local laws and some international tourists have arrived - even though the restrictions have not been fully relaxed. 

[tassojunior]

8 hours ago, msclelovr said:

 

It’s not a quibble @tassojunior but it’s important to be precise when it comes to the EU passport requirements. All the 26 countries that signed up to the Schengen Agreement require your passport to be valid for 3 months after your intended date of departure. (Of course, that’s not your arrival date into the EU/Schengen area but 3 months after the date of your return ticket - I think this is why it’s commonly asserted to be that your passport must have 6 months validity on arrival).

I know I don’t have to tell you @tassojunior but others may be unaware that Spain’s regions have local rules and restrictions. For instance, Catalonia just reintroduced on Monday the closing of clubs as the rate of infection has increased. I was not at all surprised that in the Balearics the rate has skyrocketed - the young have mingled at beach-parties etc in defiance of the local laws and some international tourists have arrived - even though the restrictions have not been fully relaxed. 

I know the US treaty with the Schengen group stipulates only 3 months validity after departure, but even on the US State Dept website it lists Czech and Nederlands as still requiring 6 months. 

Spain's at US.gov but evidently Czech tries to enforce 6 months and Nederlands requires 6 months?  

PASSPORT VALIDITY:A passport must be valid for at least six months beyond planned date of departure from the Schengen area.  (Even though the US has a treaty with the Schengen zone for a 3-month validity)

 

So...If you have less than 6 months left on your passport it can get complicated even if an airline will ticket you.

[Riobard]

You would think Thermas might be closed again soon like it was during the incidence peak of a few months ago. CoV cases are surging, the past few days double the latest one-week average. However, any attempt to  reimpose lockdown, actually enforce it, is likely to be without legs. Among young adults, natural immunity is considerably and rapidly increasing. 

https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/spain-struggles-contain-rising-covid-infections

 

[davet]

On 7/16/2021 at 7:05 AM, Riobard said:

However, any attempt to  reimpose lockdown, actually enforce it, is likely to be without legs.

We will declare victory of the Vietnam and Afghanistan kind, withdraw, and wash our hands of what happens next. It's been a global collective failure including the biggest, richest, and "greatest" countries.

[young11]

I made a quick trip to Barcelona. I visited the sauna on two occasions. One was 7.30pm on Sunday and 5pm on Saturday. Saturday was busy but quite surprisingly more clients than boys. I would say there were 15 to 20 escort at 6 or 7pm, the busiest. However I noticed that the quality was a lot worse. Usually I can try three boys easily when I go to thermas but it was hard to find one these days. I tried Marcio, a buffy/muscly guy but he couldnt get hard. He said he can do everything but in cabin they changed his story. I hate these guys and of course it didn't go well. I asked him what to do, he replied we can finish but I asked if I have to pay 50e he said yes. Such a big turn off. I said he didn't deliver and he was not happy but in the end he wanted 30e so I gave it and got rid off him. Honestly if there were any other options I didn't have to deal with him but it is what it is. On another day I met with a guy I met long time ago. Actually he is really good and I took him immediately after seeing him. I also saw him finishing at least two more clients easily after me while I was cruising fory next, which turned out to be a lot harder lol I really don't understand why boys there who cannot perform or get clients spend so much time there... In any case at least I had one good sex. 

I also contacted a few boys I know from my previous times and most of them said they stopped going to the sauna. Maybe you guys could ask your regulars over whatsapp and get info about the current situation. Mine is just two nights so it might give you some limited insights. 

I also tried web ads and hunqs. It was endless process with chatting and not knowing who is real and a good performer. Also,there are jus too many ads and I didn't wanna spend so much time saving random numbers and whatsapping just to learn the rate. Most would quote 100 and slightly less for 30min. Things are slow on whatsapp and these sites. I was traveling with friends so didn't have the luxury to sit down and chat forever to figure out someone good. Overall I am disappointed in Barcelona in terms of what it used to offer. Hope it gets better soon

[JackR]

young11 thanks for your report.

I'm going to Barcelona in a couple of weeks. I was not planning to visit Thermas. I assumed it might not be great, given the whole covid / tourism situation. But I am slightly tempted. I have only been there once before, so I don't have much context for whats good or bad. But when you say the quality was a lot worse, what are you referring to? The guys not performing, or generally not great looking guys? And where are they from?

I have my eye on a few guys from Hunqz anyway.

[young11]

1 hour ago, JackR said:

young11 thanks for your report.

I'm going to Barcelona in a couple of weeks. I was not planning to visit Thermas. I assumed it might not be great, given the whole covid / tourism situation. But I am slightly tempted. I have only been there once before, so I don't have much context for whats good or bad. But when you say the quality was a lot worse, what are you referring to? The guys not performing, or generally not great looking guys? And where are they from?

I have my eye on a few guys from Hunqz anyway.

The guys were 99% Brazilians, maybe a few other Latinos but dark skin Latino look. Almost all of them were chatting with each other in Portuguese to kill time so I guessed Portuguese. 

When I say quality I mean the quality of the boys. I like muscular guys but I rarely see them now there. Maybe one or two. Also, just a general attractiveness of the guys were much worse in my two visits this time. I felt like the excitement of seeing many attractive guys is not there anymore. Just normal looking guys, and didn't feel like worth paying or trying. 

[davet]

Marcio is hit or miss but he is undoubtedly a hot looking guy, the perfect white/Italian Brazilian hunk. I wonder what the pandemic did to the Brazilians and other migrants living Spain. Were they forced to go home? If any of them overstayed visas, they would not have been eligible for any aid.

[Guest]

Termas never disappoints & there’s really only one guy who’s always there that is pushy/aggressive: “The Pharoah”….just don’t let him get in the mix otherwise it’s a constant trying to get him away - major cockblocking.  And he’s very good looking & charming at first….I’ve seen many make the same mistake w him.  Avoid
The majority are Brazilian w some Cubans & Columbians. A few Romanians/Bulgarians which aren’t my thing & I avoid them. I’ve made friends w a couple of the Brazilian guys and true to form - they are kind, funny & very good at what they do.  They also look out for me while at the Termas and let me know quickly who to avoid and who is a good guy.  The bartenders and staff also keep an eye on things, so it really appeals bc it feels so safe.  Tip generously to the all locker room & bar staff upon arrival and you’re guaranteed a good time.  If it’s size you’re looking for, the Cubans seem to hold the titles. Lots of the typical rules hold true for me there - I never go w anyone that approaches me in first 30-45 min and usually go for the quieter ones that I approach. Also try to get some feedback from clients at the bar and from the bartenders…they’ve frequently guided me to a perfect hire.  A favorite of mine there is a Brazilian named Angelo - he’s a regular & always start w him  Then he introduces me his group of friends. Just like everywhere else, Termas very cliquey among the working boys & they all know who is running game.  It’s kind of fascinating all the things that are really going on just beneath the surface. 
the Brazilians I know from Termas returned to Brazil during Covid, but are now planning to return as Spain opened to Brazil two day ago.  So, expect to see an influx of boys.  I’d still go to Termas, but maybe just to hire and take out.  I like to see what I’m getting before a knock on the door

[Thumper]

Can't wait to go to this place some day, thje men seem HOT!

[Peter Parker]

I'm looking forward to returning to Termos in October for the first time since late 2019. I find the venue offers the best selection of guys outside of Brazil along with a more continental selection of European and Latin guys.  The going rate for a guy for 30/40 mins pre-Covid was 50 euros. I'm wondering are the some these days?

[zetor]

i miss Barcelona!!

[davet]

I know the Egyptian guy and yes, he has the bazaari pushiness that's hard to get rid of. But others have reported good experiences with him. He's just not my type. I'm wondering how the E. European and S. Americans at Termas have weathered the past 18 months. Are they still in Spain or have they been forced to return home?

[speedoo1]

Is there another Eqyptian guy in Thermas, named Adrian or something? Not so tall (170-175 cm) and lean body (some chest hair) but not muscle type; def. has an arabic/MEA look. He was a bit pushy 2 weeks ago. Although I explained that I already went with a guy and wasn't really in mood, he offered bj (and showed me the thing I would be smoking) for Eur 40. His English was OK but not outstanding; He said he was from Egypt. I'm not sure if we are talking about the same Egyptian guy. Once he understood that I was not interested in giving him a bj (for pay) he went away. I wouldn't call him too pushy.

,

[speedoo1]

12 hours ago, davet said:

I know the Egyptian guy and yes, he has the bazaari pushiness that's hard to get rid of. But others have reported good experiences with him. He's just not my type. I'm wondering how the E. European and S. Americans at Termas have weathered the past 18 months. Are they still in Spain or have they been forced to return home?

 

There were quite a few Brazilian guys two weeks ago (Friday); they seem to know each other and hang out after Thermas. Some E Europeans as well.

[Riobard]

Spain opened to Brazilians 10 days ago, lifted restrictions that were in place including quarantine.