Costa Brava Hotels, Hotels Costa Dorada, Hotels Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol Hotels

For a Sinfully Delicious Escapade!
Barcelona is a city blessed with natural beauty so overwhelming that one is simply mesmerized. Dotted with virtually endless museums exhibiting chef d'oeuvres of art, history, shoes and a plethora of other items, it comes as no surprise that Barcelona features a museum even for chocolate.

The sweetest museum any tourist will come across, Barcelona is home to the exceptional Museu de la Xocolata which translates to the 'Museum of Chocolate'. Barcelona was the port through which cocoa entered into Spain about 5 centuries ago and Museum of Chocolate celebrates that momentous moment.

A short walk from Las Ramblas, you will find some beautiful banners guiding you to this extravagant display of chocolates. Enlightening tourists and visitors, the Museum of Chocolate in Barcelona is a journey through the history of the cherished delight, from the days it was used as a drink to its recent popularity as a dessert.

Given the current prominence of chocolate in the commercial world, this museum is an endeavor at showcasing the huge variety of purposes it is used for. The Museum of Chocolate in Barcelona pays a tribute to chocolate for its diversity and effectiveness as a medical element, as an aphrodisiac, as a nutritional product and a lot more.

From the moment you enter into a building, your enchantment will reach new heights as you will come across all those structures made up of chocolate. A must for every tourist coming to the area, no one can miss the Museum of Chocolate in Barcelona, as it enjoys eminence for being one of the most visited museums in the area.

Run and maintained by the local confectionary guild, the Barcelona's Museum of Chocolate has something to offer everyone, irrespective of age or size. Giving you a chance to relive your childhood, you can indulge in all those fun-filled chocolate-driven fantasies that are still lurking somewhere in your mind.

An eccentric celebration of the world's most famous treat, at the Museum of Chocolate you can taste the most delectable varieties of chocolate such as hazelnut, pecan, mint, etc. In addition, the sculptures featured here made entirely of chocolate are nothing but impressive.
Some of the most spectacular sculptures here include the giant chariot, chocolate windmills, chocolate horses, football players made up of chocolate and so on. Here workshops are also offered to give you and your wee ones a chance to try their hand at making chocolate figures themselves.

Unbelievably tempting and outrageously irresistible, the Museum of Chocolate in Barcelona is your chance of experiencing this much lusted after delicacy at its best.

Address:
Comerç, 36
08003 Barcelona
Tel. 93.268.78.78
Fax 93.268.78.79
museu@pastisseria.cat

And have you already found your Barcelona accommodation deal?

The Gazpacho is a soup made from mixed raw vegetables, served cold and widespread in southern Spain. Where does it come from, how to do it yourself? Everything to know about the gazpacho in this article!

With the discovery of the New World, many new products arrived in Spain, which were integrated quickly in Spanish cuisine and therefore, Andalusian cuisine and in each apartment Costa del Sol. Among them we note the arrival and the discovery of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cocoa, corn, avocado, etc..

The cultivation of this fruit / vegetable that is the tomato was the beginning of the saga of typical Andalusian dishes, such as the large number of gazpachos. This dish is probably one of the most universally known by foreigners, especially since the touristic boom of 60-70's on the Costa del Sol.
 
The word "gazpacho", in colloquial usage is often synonymous with confusion as much as the recipe. Based on the rules somewhat ambiguous, the recipe is made from a thousand different combinations depending on the location, time, budget and especially taste. Etymologically, it may be a derivative of the pre-Roman Mozarabic "caspa" residue fragment, referring to pieces of bread and vegetables that make up the gazpacho.

But the gazpacho is also famous for other reasons, more recent, the fashion of the "Mediterranean diet". Indeed, the gazpacho is a source of vitamins, fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals and carbohydrates. It has been scientifically proven to be ideal for people under stress, convalescence of the disease and be given as a treatment and finally, for those who wish to pursue a balanced diet. But the gazpacho is mainly suitable for everyone, at any time and any meal, as a main course or side dish.

Here is a recipe for gazpacho basic, you can change and improve your sauce after enjoying your holidays Costa del Sol! ;)

First, get:

2 slices stale bread

 125 S.C olive oil

5 ripe tomatoes 2 green peppers and

6 cloves garlic

2 raw eggs

vinegar, water and salt


For the topping: raw tomatoes, green pepper and onion. Diced ham and bread. Two hard boiled eggs chopped very finely.

How to make your gazpacho:

Place ingredients in a bowl, suitably cut, beat for 3-4 minutes, pass the dough through a sieve (strainer) or a sieve Chinese, adding water at the same time. Serve cold, accompanied by the garrison to all your friends or family in your apartment Costa del Sol.

Buen provecho a todos! (enjoy your meal)

If you come to spend your holidays in Benidorm, activities are various. Its wonderful beaches are undoubtedly an incomparable advantage for you Benidorm holidays. You can even choose a Benidorm apartment facing the sea to take your breakfast the feet in water.

With its 5 km of beaches, water lovers will be happy in Benidorm. You will get out of your Benidorm apartment to walk on the beaches, swim in the small "criques" and enjoy the water sports.  Enjoy your Benidorm holidays to relax on the sun.

Benidorm holidays can be something different than relax. Of course if you have chosen a Benidorm apartment facing the sea, you will want to stay to enjoy the sun and relax on terrace. But if you want to discover the Costa Blanca for your Benidorm holidays, you can visit the Aigüera Park in the city center of Benidorm.

You will admire the wonderful sight from the belvedere of Benidorm overhanging the city called the belvedere of the Mediterranean Sea.

Get lost in the old small lanes of Benidorm is worthwhile. You will find undoubtedly the church of San Jaime. The village of Benidorm in Costa Blanca is an old fishing village. Walk on the Benidorm Port for your Benidorm Holidays and stop in terrace in one of the several restaurants to eat Benidorm specialties. The typical ingredients are fish and riz which is explained by the origins of Benidorm. The Paella in Benidorm is a main specialty of the city. The most of the dishes are served with aioli. For the desserts, it is the turron (specialty of Christmas in Barcelona), the amends cake and the ice creams are the most renowned.

Why not spend one day in excursion in Alicante which is apparoximatly at 35 minutes from Benidorm, you can drive along the coast and admire wonderful wilderness landscapes in the Costa Blanca.  

The evening, Benidorm becomes lively in order you spend unforgettable Benidorm holidays. The beach of Levante, on the North of the Port, has 2 km of fine sand and which is one of the beautiful beaches of the city, is really lively the night. Its maritime promenade offers several restaurants and places to have dinner and party for your holidays in Benidorm apartment.

So, enjoy your Benidorm holidays and even you want to stay at the terrace of your Benidorm apartment to take the sun, you should go in excursion in Benidorm and its surroundings, it is worthwhile.

You are here to spend your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment and you never heard about calçots? Impossible! If you booked a Tarragona apartment for your Costa Dorada holiday, you cannot miss the calçots.

The calçots from Valls in South Catalonia grow up since the XIXth century; enjoy your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment. Its production is still in Valls however you can now consume calçots in all Catalonia so even if you are not in Costa Dorada but in holiday in a Barcelona apartment, you can also find it. Indeed the onion cannot be produced everywhere because the calçots are protected by a controlled denomination.

The calçots are sacred. They have their own mass which is the starting point of the calçots season. The ceremony in honor of the calçots is at the beginning of each year and is called the calçotada. If you come in Costa Dorada accommodation don't miss the calçotada. Every year in Valls, you can assist to the Gran Festa de la Calçotada.

The calçots are different from the onions. In comparison to the basic onion, the calçot is eaten raw without side dish.

How to prepare the calçots ?

I you have booked a Tarragona apartment or even a Costa Dorada accommodation, eat calçots. We put directly the calçots on the grill of the barbecue. When they are ready, we put them in newspaper to keep them warm. The calçot is smooth and looks like a small leek.

How to eat the calçots ?

The calçots taste with Romesco sauce. The sauce is prepared with grilled almond, green and red peppers, tomatoes, pepper, salt and parsley.

To eat the calçots, we will have to take them by the hair, to press them on the bulb. When you will hear a noise and you will have to take out the skin of the calçot to dip it in the Romesco sauce.

But the calçots are not a complete meal, it is like a starter. For the calçotada, sausages, black and white puddings and grilled meat follow. But the calçots

Where to eat the calçots ?

The restaurants of Catalonia propose the calçots from December to April. I advice your to taste the delicious calçots for your holiday in Costa Dorada accommodation in the restaurant Calmossa (30km from Tarragona).

Now you know everything on the calçots. Either you are in holiday in Barcelona or in Costa Brava, taste the calçots !

Tarragona capital of Costa Dorada has an incomparable heritage. Come to visit the romaine city for your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment in Tarragona. If you want to discover the history of the city; you will have to book a Costa Dorada apartment because to visit Tarragona one day is not enough.

Tarragona offers beautiful Costa Dorada apartments, a Costa Dorada apartment playa to wake in front of the Tarragona Sea or a Costa Dorada apartment in Tarragona in the heart of the history of the city.

Since 2000, Tarragona was declared by Unesco as a world heritage for its roman archaeological complex. To discover the city for your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment, my advice is to do the guided tour of two hours started from the tourism office. Indeed, there is a lot to see in Tarragona that a guide will be really useful for your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment.

To do not spend too much money and to be able to book a beautiful Costa Dorada apartment or degust in the several Tarragona restaurants, you can buy the Tarragona Card to enjoy plenty of Tarragona discounts. The Tarragona card costs 15 euros and is available 48 hours. With the Tarragona card you will have access to museums for free and even guided tours! You will also have the transport for free and a lot of discounts in the Tarragona restaurants and Tarragona bars and shops. Therefore we can say that the Tarragona Card is necessary for your holiday in Costa Dorada apartment.

Tarragona activities & Tarragona gastronomy:

For culture, Tarragona offers several theatric representations all the year along and music concerts as well. You can visit Tarragona heritage, its museums and its monuments.

But you come maybe for Tarragona beaches, you won't be disappointed, Tarragona has wonderful beaches of fine sand. With its weather, you can swim and enjoy Tarragona beaches from June.

Tarragona and its gastronomy are as rich as Tarragona and its heritage. Indeed the city of Tarragona is a port-city. So even if you can cook in your Costa Dorada apartment, you should try the cassola de romesco. Several small restaurants are in historical edifices given to your Costa Dorada holiday an authenticity.

You will have understood, Tarragona is the ideal place for those who want authentic Costa Dorada holiday. Book a Costa Dorada apartment in Tarragona to be sure to spend a good holiday in Spain.

Like every year in the week before 19th March, the city of Valencia becomes witness to one of the most interesting festivals in Spain, when the Fallas Valencia 2011 will take place. From 15th until 19th March the city dresses up in costumes to celebrate Saint Joseph, designed and building huge statues called falla and eventually burning them at the end of the Fallas Valencia 2011.

Mentioned in this entry before, Valencia attractions are abundant and there are a lot of sights to explore during Valencia holidays in Spain. But there are at least as many Valencia festivals and Valencia events as there are sights in Valencia! If you decide to visit the Fallas Valencia 2011, you can expect to spend a wonderful time with an unique atmosphere. Booking a Valencia hotel or an apartment for your holidays is recommended, because the city can get crowded during the Fallas Valencia 2011. There are costumes, fireworks, street discos, concerts, parades, paellas cooked on the streets, dances, music and much more events during this time, with the city celebrating the Valencia culture and traditions.

Preparations for this event usually take place throughout the whole year before, when the different neighbourhood groups of Valencia, also called casal faller or comissió fallera, prepare dinners, costumes and of course the famous figures fallas. The puppets are made of papier-mâché and decorated with a lot of detail and care. Starting with the 15th March of the Fallas Valencia 2011, each group is parading with their puppets through the streets. If you are lucky enough to spend your holiday in a Valencia hotel or an apartment in Valencia near one of the streets, you have the perfect position to see and enjoy the incredible event during your Valencia holidays.

Usually the falla puppets are intended as a satirical pun on different persons, from all over the world or even fictional characters. During the falla parade in Valencia the city is celebrating on the streets, adding to the party colorful fireworks and enjoyable music. Also the people cook Paella on the streets, which is an excellent opportunity for you to try this traditional dish, if you stay in your Valencia hotel or apartment in Valencia.

The Paella is often seen as Spain's national dish, but did you know that it originated from Valencia? The original recipe includes rabbit and chicken, sometimes also duck and snails in a special kind of pan, the paellera or also paella. Later the recipe was adapted to the region it was made in; the Mediterranean coast offered plenty of seafood and fish which was added to the paella.

So after enjoying the delicious paella during the Fallas Valencia 2011, you can return to your hotel or apartment in Valencia to replenish your health during your Valencia holidays, because the celebrations and parties continue until the 19th March. Also typical for the Fallas Valencia are the medieval styled costumes the people wear, although other costumes are also allowed.

The queen of the fallas is also elected, reigning for one year and called fallera mayor. Of course this position has a high reputation in Valencia, and a lot of effort and money is put into the detailed costumes. Besides the fallera mayor of the festival, there are also falleras mayores for each of the falla parades.

On the Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia the people of Valencia build a huge wooden statue resembling the Holy Virgin, which is decorated with a lot of flowers, marking the beginning of spring an creating a wonderful picture.

On 19th March, the last day of the Fallas Valencia 2011, all the wonderful fallas will be burned. This process is called crema and symbolizes the end of old things and beginning of new things. This event should you absolutely see during your Valencia holidays, but it is important to stay a few meters away due to safety reasons.

Staying in a Valencia hotel or an apartment in Valencia gives you the perfect opportunity to experience this incredible event, so make sure to not miss the Fallas Valencia 2011 during your Valencia holidays!

Not only sweet toothed people may have heard of Turrón, a Spanish sweet traditionally made and eaten around Christmas. But did you already know that the best Turron is from Alicante?

So if you are planning a Spain holiday soon, you should spend it in an Alicante hotel to try the delicious Turron! For those who do not know what it is: Turron is a sweet made usually from honay, sugar, egg white and almonds. But there are a lot of different versions you will encounter during your Spain holiday, e.g. with hazelnuts, chocolate or candied fruits.

Turron from Alicante is verifiably made since the 16^th century, with the two most famous cities for that being Alicante itself and Jijona, or also called Xixona. The difference between the two kinds of Turrón lies in the consistency; Turron from Alicante is hard with whole pieces of almonds, Turron from Jijona additionally contains oil and the almonds are fabricated to a creamy dough, which makes them softer and stickier.

Turron is also called Torró in Valencia and Alicante and is a delicious treat, so famous and traditional that it is now under Protected Geographical Status. Should you spend your Spain holiday in one of the hotels in Alicante, you can bring some Turron from Alicante to your family and friends!

Although Turron is usually cut into long pieces, there are other forms as well, depending on the decoration. Another popular form is a circle, similar to a cake or a pizza the Turron is cut in pieces and shared. As traditional Christmas specialty Turron from Alicante is popular with young and old, so don't miss a piece if something is offered to you in your Alicante hotel.

But also outside of your Alicante hotel you can discover a lot of this sweet, if you are on a discovery tour during your Spain holiday. The local manufacture is a sight and a must see during a stay in the city. But not only Turron from Alicante is good for sightseeing, there are a lot of other sights in Alicante (read here my article about family holidays in Alicante).

What are you waiting for? Plan your Spain holiday and try the delicious Turron from Alicante!

Christmas in Salou Costa Dorada can be a good suggestion for you, because with the majority of tourists having left, you will experience more traditional holidays in Salou!

Catalonia's location directly at the Mediterranean sea thanks you with many sunshine hours even in winter. And maybe you prefer sunshine on Christmas in Salou rather than snowy weather? During Christmas time, the Costa Dorada will be mostly visited by locals who want to take a day off and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere Salou offers.

And remember, to experience the best from a culture or region during your Spain holidays, you should always let yourself guided by locals, because they have insider knowledge! So what to do during Christmas in Salou Hotels or other parts of the Costa Dorada?

Well, the good thing is that you have a lot of possibilities. Depending on your personal taste, you could visit the tourist areas in Salou during your Christmas vacation in Spain. At that time, they are much less crowded because usually tourists are gone. In bars and restaurants it is however vice versa, now that many locals enjoy the delicious Salou food and Mediterranean cuisine in general and due to the fact that also many other bars and restaurants are closed during winter. But that shouldn't distract you from enjoying your Chistmas holidays in Spain! Especially because Salou hotels are now calm and not crowded.

How about visiting a traditional bar or restaurant in Salou, enjoying the Catalan atmosphere and dishes and later walking with nice weather in Salou during the soft rays of sunlight in winter? In any case, Christmas in Salou is a good solution if you like calm holidays, so you should book a nice Salou hotel already now!

But also those who want to enjoy more active holidays find in Salou a perfect place to spend their Christmas holidays, because the Port Aventura Theme Park is still open during that time.

Port Aventura holidays are very popular with families and also couples, not only because of the many rides and attractions, but also because the different events that take place regularly in the park near Salou. And during Christmas, Port Aventura has an event especially for that! PortAventura Christmas is going to be a pleasure to take part in, with special Christmas shows and performances. Port Aventura Christmas takes place from November 27^th 2010 until January 9^th 2011.

You see, if you want to spend in Salou cheap holidays during Christmas, this might be the chance for you!

If you want to experience a wonderful seafood dinner during your next Costa Brava holiday, you should consider prawn eating in Palamós. The fishing town is located in the Girona province and is a popular destination for Costa Brava holidays as it is directly at the sea and offers a wonderful sight!

Fishing in Palamós is very important for the town; it is the most important sector besides the manifacture of cork and of course tourism. The ship fleet is therefore very important for the region. But what makes this small fishing town famous are their prawns, or gambas. When you think about prawn eating in Palamós, you can be sure to have the biggest and most delicious prawns in the Costa Brava.

The red colored gambas have a unique flavor and therefore are well-known in Catalonia and the local fishers carry loads and loads of them back home. The restaurants and fish-shop owners buy their fish and seafood directly from the fishers every day and so you can eat delicious seafood dishes from Palamós in the evening, freshly caught and made! Try to find a Costa Brava holiday home in Palamós that is near the port, so you can watch the ships leave early in the morning and return in the evening.

Prawn eating in Palamós, Costa Brava is of course possible in one of the many local restaurants. A famous restaurant is "La Gamba" (what a suitable name!) and it is located at the Placa Sant Pere, directly at the harbor. Try to be there a little bit in advance, as I mentioned it is quite famous! But in case you prefer something else, around the port are many bars and restaurants that offer quality seafood dishes too.

But of course instead of going to a good restaurant, you can try to cook by yourself! If you buy fresh prawns or other fish from the shop, you can prepare and cook them in your Costa Brava apartment or hotel! Prices for gambas differ widely, depending on many circumstances. But now that the summer months are slowly over, prawn prices are much cheaper. This is only another reason to book Costa Brava Accommodation now!

But gambas are not the only thing Palamos offers: It also home of Catalonias oldest football club, Palamós CF! The football club Palamos was established in 1898, and although it is not too successful, football is still popular in Palamos.

In case you prefer another Costa Brava holiday destination, you can also look for an apartment or hotel in Girona. It is not too far and you have the possibility to visit Palamos for a day to enjoy the gambas.

Are you looking for an amazing and unique experience for this summer 2010? Head off to Bunol, Valencia, to the Tomatina, tomato festival, where playing with food is allowed and recommended. Real tradition, gathering thousands of people each year coming from all over the world ready to participate to this tomato battle. The rules are simple: do not be afraid of getting red, dirty and throw tomoatoes at each other. All you need now is a Hotel in Valencia or a Holiday Rental in Valencia, a bit of craziness and a real will to enjoy and have fun!

Last year's edition gathered 45000 people using 125 tons of tomatoes. It is important to precise that the tomatoes used are rotten and not saleable.

 This astonishing tradition started in 1945, when young people back then, used to meet up in the centre of Bunol village. People started throwing tomatoes at each other after one man pushed another one and provoked a giant riot.

This year, the Tomatina is going to take place on the 25th of August, feel free to join in and to respect the basic security rules: prohibited use of bottles, dangerous items, tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown and the battle must be stopped when you hear the bell for the second time.

Look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

The "Terre de l'Ebre" ("Ebre land") is a very natural and relaxing region in the South of Catalonia. Its Name comes from the river Ebre that pervades the region and leads into the Mediterranean Sea.

When we think of holidays in Catalonia, we think of music and culture from Barcelona, Costa Brava apartments and Costa Brava hotels next to the beach and sunny weather. Most tourists also prefer a good "cuisine".

The first difference between our cuisine and the Catalan cuisine is the time management. Usually Catalan people eat very long and also very late in the evening. Whereas the breakfast is very important for us, Catalan people prefer to drink a coffee and have some croissants. Most of them have lunch at 2 pm or later. Dinner will be served around 9pm.

Catalonia is located next to the French border. And you will recognize that there are some similarities. Wine for instance grows usually at Penedes, an area which is specialized in cultivating wine. The most famous product from this region is the "Freixenet" and the "Cava".

Concerning food there is so much variety of the Catalan cuisine that I could write a whole book of it. However, there is one product, which is typical for the Catalan culture. This is the "Crème Catalana" - a similar product to the world famous Crème Brulée. You will find this typical food only in the old restaurants of Barcelona, especially in the Barri Gotic and the Raval area.

Whether you like it hearty or light, Catalan cuisine can offer you a variety of food.   

In Spain the day starts and ends later. It is not unusual to see someone who strolls along the road, visits friends or eats in one of the numerous tapas bars at about 8 or 9 o'clock. A Spaniard usually goes out for food between 10 and 11 o'clock.

You should visit Spain and experience the gastronomy behavior firsthand! Spend your beach vacation in Spain, e.g. in a beautiful beach hotel in Costa Brava and visit one of the numerous bars, in order to try one the typical tapas dishes. Espacially Catalonia is known for its unique way of serving Tapas dishes.

Spain is famous for its many, small tapas bars and restaurants. Tapas are small appetizer, which are generally offered with wine, or bear. Many restaurants and bars offer a wide range of tapas dishes; many are specialized in one or two dishes, which are preferably selected by the locals. You can enjoy the delicious "jamón serrano" in one restaurant and in the next one you can taste the fantastic "pulpo gallego". The possibilities are almost unlimited. Wonderful and comfortable Costa Brava accommodations can be found everywhere along the coast. An abundance of restaurants and bars are also situated around the coastline.

Here are only some of the delicious dishes:
- Peanuts
- Roasted and salted almonds
- Marinated anchovies
- Olives
- Pan con tomate
- Tortilla
- Serrano- ham
- Roscos (Bagel packed with different toppings)
- Gambas al ajillo (roasted shrimps with chili and garlic)
- Ciruelas (with bacon and roasted plums)
- Patatas bravas (deep- fried potatoes with hot sauce)

Catalonia is known for its excellent Mediterranean and culinary food. In Catalonia you can find various restaurants in that you can experience the exceptional Catalan food. Their chefs are known for giving their meals a handful of essential ingredients like olive oil, garlic and tomato which gives Catalan cooking the special Mediterranean flair. The creativity of the Catalan cuisine is known in the whole country. Specialties are for example to cook meat with fruits, to mix nuts and raisins into vegetables or to combine rabbit with snails. It is a great experience to visit Barcelona and try the amzing cusine during your stay you can live on on of the various Barcelona hotels.

The Catalan food is an important ingredient of the Mediterranean tradition. You will notice neighboring influences from France and Valencia when enjoying the extraordinary Catalan cuisine. The closeness to the sea also influences the cuisine by adding a lot of seafood. In general you can find 3 kind of Catalan cuisine. There is the cuisine from the Mountains, with its meat, cheese, sausages, and vegetables. Then you have the cuisine of the coast which includes fish with rice, pasta or potatoes. Finally there is the cuisine from the cities with its diversity of traditional and international meals.

A visit in Catalonia is not just advised because of the great cuisine, the nature and culture of Catalonia is also very interesting. The region satisfies every kind of traveler. You can travel to the big city Barcelona, you can do a party holiday in Lloret de Mar or Blanes or you can just spend a relaxing holiday on the nice Catalan coast with its long beaches. During your stay you can stay in one of the various Costa Brava hotels or Costa Dorada hotels.

El Bulli is one of the best restaurants on the world. It's absolutely difficult to get a table because the restaurant has opened for just 6 month a year. Executive chef of the restaurant in Catalonia is Ferran Adrià, one of the most influential cooks of the present.


The restaurant El Bulli is situated besides a lonely bay along the Costa Brava in the beautiful village Rosas. You should visit this great area but please note that the restaurant is fully booked quickly! There are numerous great Costa Brava hotels in Roses, near the restaurant El Bulli.

Transport:
By plane: You can reach the restaurant El Bulli from the airport Barcelona or from the airport Girona. From Barcelona the distance is around 177 km, from Girona airport you will need approximately 75 km.

Accommodation:
Aparthotel Isla de Rosas: This attractive Costa Brava Hotel offers fantastic apartments. The apartment complex is located approximately 1 km from the nearest beach and 1 km from the city center.
Hotel Maritim: The 3- stars Costa Brava Hotel "Maritim" is located directly beside the sandy beach of Saint Margarita. Numerous shops, bars and nightclubs are to found within 2 km of the hotel.

Address:
El Bulli
Cala Montjoi, Ap. 30
17480 Roses, Spain
Phone: +34 972 150 457
Fax: +34 972 150 717
E-Mail: bulli@elbulli.com

Catalonia is famous for its fantastic bars and restaurants. You have the choice between a full menu or tapas. If you like to eat fish or sea fruits come to Catalonia! Along the coasts "Costa Dorada" and "Costa Brava" you will find great fish restaurants. Numerous comfortable Costa Dorada hotels and hotels at Costa Brava are in close proximity to great restaurants, bars or cafés.

Breakfast/ snacks/ sandwiches
For breakfast you are best off in a bar or café. The traditional Spanish breakfast is "chocolate con churros", a thick drinking chocolate with long tubular doughnuts. Numerous bars and cafés also serve toast with oil or butter and jam. A further delicate breakfast court is "Tortilla", an omelet prepared with eggs, onions and potatoes. The Catalan variant of "Bocadillo" is prepared with a French baguette. This is rubbed in with tomatoes and peppered with olive oil and salt, the Catalan name it "Pa amb Tomàquet".


Tapas
You can eat tapas in one of the numerous tapas bars, usually you stand, but there are also bars with seating- accommodation. The snacks are served in all possible variants. Typical tapas are: olives, peanuts, tortilla, etc. Many bars have a range of tapas on their menu board, but most tend to be known for just one or two dishes.


Meals
You can order a complete menu in a restaurant, a "comedor" (=dining hall), a cafeteria or a "marisqueria" (=fish restaurant). "Comedores" are places to seek out if your main criteria are price and quantity. For the dish of the day you pay around 6 - 8 €. Eating in a restaurant or a "marisqueria" is often not much different in price from "Comedores". Generally 3 courses plus wine and bread for around 7 - 12 €. In the blog "Barcelona apartments" you can find an interesting entry about Fish & Seafood in Barcelona!




If the service merits it, you can leave a small tip. The amount is up to you, but five percent of the bill is quite sufficient. Service is normally included in a restaurant! Ask if you are not sure!




Spaniards generally eat very late. Between 1 pm and 4 pm and between 8 pm and midnight most restaurants serve food. Many restaurants close on Sunday or Monday evening.

The "Blaumar" Costa Brava hotel in Blanes is a fantastic choice for your Costa Brava holiday. Guests can choose their breakfast, lunch or dinner from the buffet. There are themed buffets twice a week: Catalonian specialties or a gala dinner.

In Spain the day starts and ends later. It is not unusual to see someone who strolls along the road, visits friends or eats in one of the numerous tapas bars at about 8 or 9 o'clock. A Spaniard usually goes out for food between 10 and 11 o'clock.


You should visit Spain and experience the gastronomy behavior firsthand! Spend your beach vacation in Spain, e.g. in a beautiful beach hotel in Costa Brava and visit one of the numerous bars, in order to try one the typical tapas dishes.

Spain is famous for its many, small tapas bars and restaurants. Tapas are small appetizer, which are generally offered with wine, or bear. Many restaurants and bars offer a wide range of tapas dishes; many are specialized in one or two dishes, which are preferably selected by the locals. You can enjoy the delicious "jamón serrano" in one restaurant and in the next one you can taste the fantastic "pulpo gallego". The possibilities are almost unlimited. Wonderful and comfortable accommodations are everywhere, e.g. the comfortable "Amaika" Costa Brava beach hotel in Calella. An abundance of restaurants and bars are situated within the vicinity of the hotel.

Here are only some of the delicious dishes:
- Peanuts
- Roasted and salted almonds
- Marinated anchovies
- Olives
- Pan con tomate
- Tortilla
- Serrano- ham
- Roscos (Bagel packed with different toppings)
- Gambas al ajillo (roasted shrimps with chili and garlic)
- Ciruelas (with bacon and roasted plums)
- Patatas bravas (deep- fried potatoes with hot sauce)

You would like to get more information about the Spain culture? Then visit the following, very interesting blog:
=> accommodation Barcelona: Catalan culture.