Tossa de Mar is located approx. 90 km North East of Barcelona and 85 km from the French border, the small city's flora includes pines and cork oaks in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Additionally, Tossa de Mar has a city beach richt next to the historic district.

Visitors who spend their holidays in a hotel in Tossa de Mar especially cherish the beach and the attractive beach promenade. Although the beach is a little coarse-grained, it is very popular because of its atmosphere protected by rocks on both sides of the beach.

Walking along the promenade, you will find numerous hotels and restaurants until you reach the small harbour. From there, you can take boat trips to explore the fascinating landscape. Those who like to enjoy a silent atmosphere at the beach should take a trip to one of the beautiful bays right around Tossa de Mar. There are eleven nice beaches in total. 

Having a car will give you the possibility to explore the landscape also on the panorama road that starts next to Tossa de Mar. This road has a length of 13 km and leads through pine forests along the coastline. You will be able to enjoy the view on the sea and the small bays from one of the parking bays. 

Tossa de Mar can be reached by plane. The nearest airport is the airport of Girona, alternatively the airport of Barcelona. From Barcelona, buses leave regularly to Tossa de Mar. Therefore, it is even advisable for those who live in Barcelona to take a 80 minute ride to Tossa de Mar. Fares rage from single tickets to group tickets, A single ride is about 10 Euros from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar.   

Being located just a few kilometers right next to Reus airport makes Port Aventura very easy to approach. Celerating this jublee on the whole park will make Port Aventura a special place during this easter holidays. This is one more reason to spend one's Ester holidays in a Port Aventura Hotel, enjoying Spain's sunny Costa Dorada.

The park offers leisure activities for all ages. There are relax zones for the adults, activities for the small ones and multiple facilities all over the place. Those who like to be thrilled will enjoy a rollercoaster ride at Port Aventiura. But there are not only hotels and facilities, you can also enjoy entertainment, delicious food from all over the world and activities for all ages. Also, because of its 15th anniversary, there will be additional events taking place at the time.

In addition to that, there is a special offer during the festivities granting you 15% discount on room prices from April 1st to 4th. This includes unlimited access to the park, the Camp Aventura Kiddie Club, as well as a pick-up service. Those who want to stay at least two nights at Port Aventur will be able to take advantage of this offer.

there are three airports in Catalonia. Every one of them is located in a different area. If travelling to the Costa Brava, you might use the Airport of Girona. Travelling directly to Barcelona will lead you to the city airport of Barcelona. Having arranged a holiday accommodation at the Costa Dorada, i.e. in Sitges, Salou or Tarragona it is recommended to use the airport of Reus.

The airport of Barcelona is located approx. 10 km outside the city centre of Barcelona. Arriving at the airport before 11pm gives you the opportunity to use the train to city centre. Alternatively, you can take the bus, which is much more expensive though. After 11pm it is advisable to use one of the yellow-black taxis, because there are no trains or buses departing at that time. Spending 12 Euros will bring you to the center of the city. Additionally, it is to be said that taxi drivers calculate the price by minute. So, it is not advisable to use a taxi during rush hour.

You can reach the Costa Brava by arranging a flight to the Airport of Girona. It is located north of Barcelona, approximately 100 km from Barcelona. From there, you can reach the city of Girona, as well as other smaller cities, such as Lloret de Mar. A lot of tourist use the LCCs (low cost carriers), such as Ryanair to come to Barcelona. After arriving in Girona most of them take a 90 minutes bus tour to the capital of Catalonia. Costa Dorada can be reached by the Airport of Reus. From there you are able to reach the beautiful cities of the Costa Dorada coast.

No matter where you fly to: The beautiful regions of Catalonia will delight you. Especially those LCC make it possible to reach those regions without spending to much money.

A Costa Dorada accommodation has become more and more popular in the recent years. More than 60 beaches offer rocky coasts, beaches and beautiful bay of all kind. Those of you who have already chosen a Salou Hotel will be happy to know that those beaches have been certificated as "very family friendly". In addition, the beaches of Calafell and Cambrils are also awarded in this category. The latter is also certificated for being environmental friendly.

At the home of Joan Miró, famous Catalan artist, in Mont-roig del Camp you will see the beautiful little bays, which are surrounded by green spaces and pines. The beach is 100 long and approx. 33m wide. Through its protected location, the water is very calm in this area, and has perfect conditions for swimming.

The coast of Torredembarra on the contrary is characterized by rocks. This rocky coast ranges about 2km. Its rocks can soar up to 25m. Between the rocks, you can find little, remote beaches.

Those who look for a classic beach for swimming can go to the beach of Coma Ruga. Nice and golden beaches can be found in this area ranging 2.5km with a width of 111m are the perfect beaches for enjoying your holidays.

To sum up the main characteristics, the Costa Dorada offers a variety of beaches, from rocky to golden, wild to calm - this region will delight you. 

The Montjuic cannot be described as an own district. However, it can be distinguished easily from the rest of the city because of its natural character. The Montjuic became famous for the 1929 world fair and the 1992 Olympic Games. Today, tourists in particular enjoy the great view over the city and the sea.

Scientists are not sure where the name "Montjuic"comes from. There are two theories: One of them describes the Roman garrison. During that time, there was a temple on the top of the hill, which was called "Monts Jovis" - Jupiter's mountain. In mediaeval times, the Monjuic has been called "Montjueu" - Mountain of the Jews. This is why there has been a Jewish graveyard at its south side.

During Francos dictatorship, the castle at the top of the mountain has been used as a prison. Nowadays, tourists are free to enjoy the beautiful view. Beside the castle ("Castell de Montjuic"), there are some restaurants, the botanic garden of Barcelona, the National Museum of Art from Catalonia, the Poble Espanyol (Spanish architecture and craftsmanship), the Caixa Forum (exhibition of contemporary art), the most beautiful spectacle made of water, music and light at the Plaça Espanya..

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.   

Gran canaria is one of these islands that can offer warm days even in winter time. However the temperatures are not that high as in summer, visitors can enjoy up to 20 degrees. Same goes for the neighbor island, Lanzarote. This island however, is in general one or two degrees warmer. Not only the air bit also the earth is hot during some days. Due to their volcanic activity, you will recognize that the island is still in active.

The last eruption was several years ago, in 1824. Tourists very much like the climate and the nature but also the beautiful beaches. Let's say, they are different from the other beaches tourists usually know. In the West of Lanzarote, we can find jet-black beaches, whereas in the East of the island we can find golden beaches. The black sand emerged due to the volcanic activity, which is still present. The sand from the West coast came by the wind from the nearby Sahara. Those winds are called "Calima".

Those of you who would like to experience new things, are welcome to take part in several sports activities. Both island offer great opportunities to pass time. Golfing, for instance, became very big on Gran Canaria during the last years. In addition, water temperatures tend to be very high. Even in winter the temperatures are around 18 degrees.

Not only because of this Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are two very interesting islands. The Canary island offer a lot leisure activities as well as sunny days - even in during winter.

The "Carnaval de Roses" has a long tradition. This celebration takes place in Roses at the Costa Brava in the middle of February. Not only because of this, Costa Brava hotels and Costa Brava apartments are often booked out.

The festivities start this year at 11 February for activities for the young and the young at heart. However, the official beginning is set by the arrival of the "king of carnival" in the afternoon. Music and dance follows throughout the whole day into late night. Who is interested in taking part is welcome to do so. There are no costs for taking part in the festivities. Merely, the traditional rice lunch requires a small amout of money.

In the late afternoon, dozens of people meet at the beach, next to the citadel of Roses. This large group of people will run simultaneously into the Costa Brava floods. this is usually a big spectacle - not only for the swimmers.

Also, part of the programme will be, of course, a large parade through the streets of Roses. Children play usually a major role of the parades. Like the grown ups, the kids diguise themselves with splendid costumes. But beside the kids, the elderly people take also part in the festivities. They even alect their own "carnival's king and queen". Those two lucky persons will be called out in the evning celebration, besides the regualr carnivals king and queen.

Similar to other carnival parties in Catalonia, the festivities end with the funeral of the old king. The "Carnaval de Roses" ends on February 15th with this annual tradition.  

Most people combine their holidays on the Canary Islands with a trip to the world famous carnival party of Tenerife, which has an interesting history: The carnival of Tenerife has a far reaching history, which begins in the 16th century. Even at that time, people used to disguise themeselves to express their criticism about satirical speeches and vocals. In the following years, the carnival has been forbidden. Not until the beginning of the 18th century, the prohibition has been lifted.But the during the dictorship of Franco, the prohibition returned. In 1961, the prohibition has finally been lifted.

Since that time, Santa Cruz de Tenerife was the first city that has celebrated carnival after years of prohibition. Until 1977, carnival has been known by the name of "winter festival" befor it changed his name to the Carnival of Tenerife.

The similarities of the carnival parties in Latin America is not a contingency. Like in Rio de Janeiro, the Carnival of Tenerife is known for its gorgeous costumes. This is why immigrants from latin America brought their influences to Tenerife.

The election for the carnivals's king and queen sound the bell for the beginning of the festivities. The queen wears a traditional and eloborate costume.Beside the carnival festivities for adults, there is also a carnivals party especially for children, which at least as lavish as the adult carnival..

Europe's largest carnival party starts on 7 February 2010 and ends on 21 February. The celebration will be located nearly in every village and city on Tenerife. The biggest party however, will be located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz. The Carnival of Tenerife ends with the beginning of the Lent at the end of February.

Catalonia is a region characterized by religion and tradition. Especially Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, offers its visitors a Mediterranean flair combined with tradition that particularly comes out during Easter time. The Mariolatry, which is very popular in Barcelona, is the reason why a lot of churches in Barcelona dedicate their church parades to the Blessed Virgin Mary. So does the church parade "Virgin de la Macarena", which takes place in Raval, a central district of Barcelona at 5pm on Good Friday 2010. The parade usually goes along the historic city and ends at the cathedral in the "Barri Gôtic" at 8pm.

Those who would like to explore the city on its own hook can take a walk through the streets of Barcelona. Besides the main attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia, the small alleys of Barcelona conceal a lot of small but attractive restaurants. Most of them are even open during Easter time.

 
Continue your walk through the capital of Catalonia towards the sea and you will come upon the beautiful harbor of Barcelona. Situated in the middle of the harbor you can find the Mare Magnum Shopping Center where you can find a couple of interesting shops and boutiques. The Mare Magnum also accommodates cafes where you can relax from your scouting expedition.

Different from the spring in the UK and Ireland, the Spanish spring can offer you warm days, as well as unforgettable experiences, especially during Easter time.