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

What are the good ingredients for a good holiday in Spain? A nice Hotel in Barcelona or an Apartment in Costa Brava , and of course an amazing weather!

Do people actually know what the climate around Barcelona is like? Let's have a look at some interesting facts:

- Average annual temperature is 15.6 °C

- Average annual temperature of sea is 17.8 °C

- In the coldest month: January, the typically temperature ranges from 7 to 15 °C

- In the warmest month: August, the typically temperature ranges from 25 to 31 °C

- The highest temperature recorded in the city centre is 38.6 °C

-The coldest temperature recorded was ?6.7 °C (19.9 °F) on 11 February 1956

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!

If you go on holiday to the Costa Dorada and are looking for interesting activities with your family, I recommend you go to Port Aventura Salou, famous theme park inspired by the Warner cartoons, you could meet woody woodpecker, cookie monster, etc. Only one hour away from Barcelona and 20 minutes away from Tarragona.
The summer has come; it's time to take advantage of Port Aventura night tickets and Hotel + Ticket Port Aventura  

This is an amazing opportunity to spend a lovely evening as you can stay in the park between 7pm and midnight for a cheaper price than when you go during the day as well as enjoy the cooler weather and the magic of the lights.
For a good time, book online you night tickets for Port Aventura!
Port Aventura is a theme park taking you to different worlds through rides, scenery and entertainment. You will travel to Polynesia, Mexico, China, the Far West and the Mediterranean as well as enjoy a different and dynamic entertainment park.
The activities will delight the whole family: thrills for the slightly eldest of you, pools and water slides for young children, also ideal for golf fans and at the same time allowing you to admire the sea views! Parents and children will definitely love it.

Port Aventura Salou is easily accessible whether you decide to travel by car or by train (the park has its own train station) and stay in a hotel within the park or in Salou.
You no longer have excuses not to go to Port Aventura Salou this summer!

The 15th Anniversary of the theme park Port Aventura is coming up in a couple of days! Port Aventura is the biggest and most popular theme park in Spain.

Port Aventura celebrates the birthday by offering a lot of special offers to its visitors. A very appealing offer is that related directly to the 15th Anniversary: It grants a 15% discount on your booking, as well as a free ticket for children under the age of 12. In addition there are additional offers, like the 2x1 ticket Port Aventura and the 3 days 2 parks-ticket Port Aventura. Both are available all year long.

The theme park offers not only exciting rides, hotel within the theme park and fabolous restaurants but also a wide offer of entertainment. One of their new shows is the show "Celebration On Ice" starting in July 2010. This is a show on ice that will delight the whole family. Tickets on advance sale are about 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for children. Shows will take place daily át 7pm and 10pm.

Port Aventura is located in proximity to Salou, a city at the Costa Dorada, a few kilometers from Barcelona. In conclusion, it offers not only a variety of entertainment and accommodation but also a warm and pleasant climate - perfect for your family holidays. 

Port Aventura is the most visited park in Spain. Located at the Costa Dorada, it is not only a destination for adventurous people that love carousels but also for beach and culture enthousiasts.

Visitors deciding to spend their holidays at Costa Dorada have the opportunity to visit one of Europe's greatest theme parks. Port Aventura is close to several holiday destinations, such as Salou, Reus, Tarragona, and Cambrils. Especially families with children enjoy spending one or two days at the "port of adventures".

For those of you planning to spend more than two days in the park, there are several high quality Port Aventura hotels available directly inside the park. You have the choice between four great hosts: Hotel Port Aventura invites you to experience the romance and beauty of the Mediterranean. Hotel Gold River brings you into the Wild West where you can explore the saloons. Those of you enjoying the Carrabean are welcome to relax at the Carribe Resort. Last but not least, El Paso Hotel awaits you with Mexican style and cuisine.

For the bargain hunters among you, there are several interesting offers. If you plan to spend some days while you are staying in another town, the "2x1 - 2 days for the price of 1" might be suitable for you. If you cannot get enough of Port Aventura the "3 days 2 parks" ticket is your deal. Beside Port Aventura, you will also be able to visit Caribe Aquatic Park - a gorgeous water park with numerous attractions. An additional special is the 15th anniversary of the park. Therefore, Port Aventura grants 15% discount on every booking.  

The Ficomic Convention 2010 in Barcelona is a unique exhibition of modern art, dedicated to the art of comic writing. From May 6th to May 9th, visitors will be able to experince one of the best known exhibitions for comics and its writers.

Spending you holidays in Barcelona or enjoying your holidays at Costa Brava in May will give you the opportunity to take part in numerous events in Barcelona as well as at the Costa Brava. Among those, is the Ficomic Convention 2010 in Barcelona, which is perfect for diving into the world of comics.

This exhibition totally dedicates to the art of writing and several interesting examples from well known writers, such as Jeff Smith, Tanino Liberatore and Gilbert Shelton. They, as well as many more international artists, will be presenting their newest products as well as classical material from all around the globe. Therefore, it is no wonder that visitors from different countries will be expected at the beginning of May in Barcelona. Visitors will be able to get in contact with their stars either in a personal conversation or during a presentation.

The annual exhibition starts on May 6th (Thursday) at 10am and ends on Sunday May 9th at 8pm at the im Palau de Congressos de Barcelona (Palacio 8) next to Plaza Espanya. Plaza Espanya can be reached by metro line 1 (red) and metro line 3 (green), metro station "Espanya". Tickets can be bought there (6 Euros) and also beforehand at "El Cort Inglés" or "ServiCaixa"

Address:

Palau de Congressos de Barcelona (Palacio 8)
Plaza de España
Avenida Reina Maria Cristina
08004 Barcelona  

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.

Salou is a coastal city at the Costa Dorada in the province of Tarragona in southern Catalonia. Salou offers its visitors a lot of leisure activities that offer more than only lying on the beach.

Of course, visitors who have booked a hotel in Salou can enjoy the beautiful weather at the beach. Salou has a 1.2 km long beach with the name Platja de Llavant that is perfect for lying in the sun and relaxing. Also, there are numerous little bays nearby.

Those of you who do not want to lie at the beach all day, Salou offers maybe something you have not expected: Spains best theme park - Port Aventura is just some kilometers away and can be reached easily by bus from Salou. 3,3 million people are visiting the park every year. Therefore Port Aventura is one of the most important attractions in the region.

The park offers a lot of leisure activities. Beside thrill rides, an aquatic park, cild care and festivities you can directly book a hotel inside Port Aventura. Currently, there are some special offers available, for example the 2x1 Ticket: two days for the price of one.

Whereever you live - directly at Port Aventura or in Salou - you will be also be able to explore the culture of Salou. Located at the beach promenade Passeig de Jaume I, you can visit the Casa Bonet of Domenèch Sugranyes, a student of Antoni Gaudi.

In conclusion; Salou offers you: relaxation, culture and action.

Are you a fan of Rock, Metal and Indie music? Then the shopping promenade "Las Ramblas" has something to offer you. No matter where you have booked your Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment, Las Ramblas can be reached easily by Metro.

Not directly on the main street, far away from the souvenir shops, in the Carrer del Tallers you can find shops for alternative fashion. Surrounded by old record stores, you can find t-shirts of your favorite band as well as other types of fashion that differs from the mainstream.

Beside Heavy metal fashion and piercing accessories, all kind of other curiosities can be found there, such as plastic figures. Also, you will be able to find water pipe accessories, humorous stickers etc.

In addition to that, there are also retro and second hand stores that offer some surprises. Those record stores offer beside CD and records also information about current concerts and festivals. You will be surprised about the huge variety of records in these little stores.

Those who believe, that these stores are only made for attracting tourists will be surprised that a lot of Barcelona citizens are shopping in these stores. This can also be seen in the numerous clubs of the alternative scene in Barcelona such as Estraperlo, Monasterio or Valhalla Club de Rock.

The city of Barcelona is famous for its sights and also these little cities and villages at the coasts of Costa Brava and Costa Dorada are attracting more and more visitors.

Those of you who would like to make use of the time and explore the beautiful landscape beside the city of Barcelona can use a rental car. No matter if you have an apartment at Costa Brava or an apartment at Costa Dorada you will be able to explore the whole region easily and confortably.

There is also the possibility to use the train instead of the car. However, you will not be as spontanious and flexible as using the train service. Therefore, a rental car is the perfect for exploring the sourrounding areas. There is the possibility to explore the rocky coasts of Costa Brava as well as the beautiful beaches of Costa Dorada. Also, you should experience the nice panorama street along the Costa Brava coastline.

Large companies, such as SIXT offer a good and comparable cheap service in Barcelona and sourrounding areas. To rent a car, you need to be at least 21 years old and need to hold your license at least for year. those who have not a European driver's license should be able to present an international driver's license.

Spanish roads have a speed limit of 50kph / 31mph in the city, 90 kph / 55 mph on open roads and 120 kph / 74 mph on highways. Also, a toll fee needs to be paid on so called "autopistas" marked with an "A" at the highway entrance. In "blue zones" - "zona azul" you can park in city areas 2 hours and for unlimited time in parking blocks.

Tossa de Mar is a popular little fisherman's village at the Costa Brava. Tossa de Mar is characterized by a historic city and gashed rocks and a beautiful beach that can be reached even from Barcelona by bus. 

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.   

In case you have already arranged your holidays in Catalonia, for example in a hotel in Barcelona or an apartment at the Costa Brava you have might have thought about how to arrive at your destination. The following paragraph gives you an idea about the different possibilities

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.

Besides Sitges, Roses at the Costa Brava offers a unique carnival celebration in sunny Catalonia. Not only because of its costumes can Roses offer its visitors a great carnival party.

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.  

The secound largest carnival in the world is the Carnival of Tenerife. As soon as the Spanish spring begins, the whole island is on its feet. Because of this two reasons, tourists from around the world travel to Tenerife and spend the first warm days in a Tenerife hotel.

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.

Continue reading "Carnaval de Tenerife: Europe's largest carnival party" »

Do you want to give your Love something very special for Valentine´s Day this year? Then you should surprise her with a weekend on the coast of Spain. Book a little romantic Costa Brava hotel somewhere in a cozy little village. Or do you rather want to have a Costa Dorada accommodation? It doesn´t matter on which part of the coast you will spend the most romantic days of the year. They will be unforgettable and your Dear will love it.
You can do a lot of things here to win someone´s heart. Discover little places along the coast. You can do long walks along the beach. Especially in the twilight the walk hand in hand under palms could be one of the romantic things. But keep in mind that the way to a heart leads always through the stomach. Let yourself carry off to the Spanish cuisine. Find a place in a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy your food without disturbance.
Afterwards you can inspire yourself by the passion of the Spain people when you will dance Flamenco, the typical dance here. But don´t forget the most important thing! Get a present for your partner. In Catalonia it is tradition to give the beloved girl a red rose. But if you think men aren´t getting anything, than you are completely wrong. All the girls and women get a book for their truelove.
But whatever you plan to do - the coast of Spain is the perfect place to spend romantic and relaxing days with your beloved one!

Do you want to experience something quite different for Carnival? Or do you just plan to spend your Costa Dorada holiday earlier this year to relax and get some sun sunlight? Then you should definitely go to Sitges to attend the Carnival in Sitges there. It will be an unforgettable experience for you and your friends or family. You can discover how the Spanish people will celebrate this event.
Just book a Sitges hotel and get dress up yourself! The carnival will take place from the 19th to the 25th of February 2010 and is known as one of the most extraordinary and most colorful one in the world.
The celebration will begin on Thursday with the arrival of the King of the Carnestoltes who is the spirit of the carnival. But the most spectacular event will be the parades which will be on the Ruá del Extremini. But if you are expecting a normal parade you are absolutely wrong. This one will be much more colorful and a lot of drag queens will attend it. You will also see beautiful decorated carriages and amazing costumes. So therefore this special period of time is also really attractive for the gays but it is not only for them. Last year over 250 000 visitors came to enjoy the happening and celebrate during the next mornings.
But even the greatest feast will come to an end. In this case it will end on Wednesday with an old tradition. There will be a traditional fight between the queen and the king of Carnival and the ghost of the Shrovetide. Of course the ghost will win this fight. Afterwards the king and his queen will be buried symbolically. With this action the Carnival of Sitges will be over.
So if you want to come now to Sitges to see it yourself than take you chance!

If you are thinking about your next ski holiday are you thinking of Spain at once? No? Then you should definitely wonder about to spend you next Costa Brava holiday on winter in order to go skiing with you family or friends. It will worth it for sure! Just book a cheap Costa Brava hotel and you can start.
This ski area from Girona and Lèrida to the eastern part of the Pyreness is the biggest in Spain. Here everybody will find the perfect conditions for oneself. It doesn´t matter if you are beginner, advanced or a professional, there are slopes for everyone. Even for ski jumpers or cross-country skiers it is a perfect surrounding to do this kinds of sports. There are more than twelve cross-country areas.
The most popular ski areas are the surrounding of La Molina which is near Girona. Or maybe you can do a day trip to Andorra. This country, which is also known for the good snow condition is only a short driving time away.
But it doesn´t matter at all where you are going to spend your holidays in Catalonia. The skiing there is an extraordinary adventure because you can find still untouched slopes and can ski nearly on your own without the mass tourism of the Alps. And you have the outstanding nature around you!
So come to Catalonia and enjoy a really special ski holiday.

Do you spend you Christmas holidays on the Spain Coast? Then it is a great opportunity to experience a quite different way to celebrate these special days. It doesn´t matter if you will spend a Costa Brava holiday or if you have rent a Costa Dorada hotel you can discover the traditional customs in whole Catalonia.
Enjoy the wonderful and silent pre-Christmas period on one of the several Christmas markets which you will find all over the country. Every year the main focus is on the spectaculars nativity sets which are quite often with real people. The whole town or village will attend on this happening.
You might also be astonished by the bright illuminated streets around the main places and streets. Therefore the decoration at home is not as much as we are used to. Even the Christmas tree is getting more and more popular over the last years. Before the Spain people did not have such a tree. The main decoration is also a cot. It is a Christmas tradition to put the three Magi closer and closer to the nativity set each day until they finally will reach it on the 6th of January. On this day it is also the gift giving by the Three Wise Men and the real Christmas is celebrated.
But already on the 24th of December the families will meet to eat together which can last several hours. Here you can also taste the typical Christmas sweets which will be served afterwards. On this evening the children get already presents. But if you thought now Santa Claus will give it to them is wrong! In Spain the "Gaga tió will give gifts to the children. But not until those have beaten the wooden log and have sung a song for him. As already mentioned the real Christmas celebrations will take place on the Twelfth Day. Already on the 5th of January the arrival of the kings is celebrated with parades. Quite often the three Magi are riding on camels and have sweets with them. The next day they will give presents to the children in the nativity set.
So spend a extraordinary Christmas in Catalonia - Bon Nadal!

Blanes, which is located in the province of Costa Brava in Catalonia, is a wonderful vacation destination for families and those without children as well. With its beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, daily activities and active nightlife, you will be able to relax and participate in a variety of activities during your Costa Brava holiday.

Blanes also has an active festival calendar, so be sure to plan your vacation around one of the many street festivals so you can mingle with the locals, sample local cuisine and just enjoy the surroundings.

Outdoor Fun in Blanes
Because of its proximity to the ocean, Blanes is the perfect destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, fishing and picnicking by the ocean. With cliffs overlooking the ocean, you can spend the day hiking to see beautiful views of the town and the ocean.

You can choose to camp during your vacation, rent an Costa Brava apartment or stay in one of many Costa Brava hotels located in the town. Blanes is close to other seaside towns as well including Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar. These towns also have historic landmarks and views of the ocean.

Local Cuisine in Blanes
During your stay in Blanes, you will notice that there are many restaurants, cafes and bars to visit. If you like seafood, you will find many restaurants that serve traditional Catalonian cuisine that include various seafood delicacies. Fresh vegetables, lamb, beef and fresh herbs can also be found in many of the dishes served in restaurants and cafes.

Festivals in Blanes
In case that there are so many small festivals held in Blanes during the year, you should have little trouble scheduling your vacation around one or more. Popular festivals held in Blanes include:
• Festa Major - held in July (21st-28th) to celebrate Santa Anna, patroness of the region
• Sant Tomas Fair - held on December 21st to celebrate Christmas
• Artisan Fairs - held throughout the year
Other events include folk music concerts, the International Costa Brava Fireworks Contest and dance festivals.

When visiting the Spanish coastal region of Costa Brava, you will have many opportunities to explore sunken ship sites, caverns and other natural wonders. Diving is a popular activity in this area, so whether you're a novice or an experienced underwater enthusiast, you will have plenty to do during your Costa Brava holiday.

The most popular diving spot at the Cost Barca is the Cap de Creus, which is a series of small islands that offer a variety of diving excursions. Here, you can take lessons, rent equipment, join a diving expedition or find sites on your own using a GPS tracking device and landmarks. Some of the most popular dive sites include:

Es Caials
This site is suitable for novice and experienced divers because you will not have to dive too far to find it. Here, you will find the remains of a British merchant ship called The Llanishen. Located close by is a dive center where you can rent equipment if necessary. There is plenty of parking in the area, so you can easily park your car for the day.
Massa d'Or is located on the most eastern point of the Iberian Peninsula. You can reach El Caials from Cadaques easily.

Massa d'Or
This dive site is for experienced divers as you will have to brave fierce currents and dive deep in order to reach the caverns underneath the water. Here, you will find different species of fish and plant life. This site can be found off of Sa Rata, a small island in Cap de Creus.

If you've always wanted to learn how to dive, you can take lessons at one of the many dive centers found at the Costa Brava. You will learn the proper diving techniques, how to fill dive tanks and how to test equipment. For those who want to learn how to explore the underwater world safely, you can take a few lessons from experienced divers if it is necessary. There are several Costa Brava hotels situated close to these Diving centers, so that it will be easy for you to reach them.

Port Aventura offers many Festive activities for Christmas in this year. The Christmas and new year period at Port Aventura runs from the 22nd November to the 6th January. It's magical snow and hundreds of lights give the attraction an enchanting atmosphere, perfect for sharing with the family; that's what Christmas is about after all. It is a great opportunity to catch some christmas atmosphere by visiting the park for several days, where you can stay in a comfortable Port Aventura Hotel. To add to this there are, of course, shows put on specially for Christmas and new characters designed to squeeze out every last smile.

It is important to remember that the Park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays during November although a variety of other dates are made available over the Christmas period: From December 6th to 8th, 13th and 24th as well as the 20th until the 31st. In January the park opens from the 1st to the 6th.

The best price for a single day entry is £38.62 for adults and £30.72 for children. For a four day pass the best prices are adults £56.05 and children £45.60. Passes for entry up to 14 days are £65.51 for adults and £52.56 for children.

Christmas is a time for spending with the Family. Even though Christmas has become more and more consumer lead throughout the developed world, there is still an emphasis on Family, even as the age old traditions are slowly playing a smaller role. Port Aventura, Salou offers a modern Christmas Experience which has something to offer for all the family, thus keeping the true spirit of Christmas alive and providing an unforgettable experience for the whole family. So get some Port Aventura tickets and have fun in Port Aventuras christmas world!

If you're looking for a unique way to discover the Costa Brava, how about signing up for a hiking tour? Most hiking tours take between 3-5 days and take you to small villages and towns you might not visit during your standard Costa Brava holiday. Hiking is not only an excellent way to stay fit, but it's a way to truly enjoy nature while learning more about the history of this region.

When it comes to hiking and sightseeing, there are a few tours to choose from depending on the amount of time you want to spend on the tour. If you're fit and used to walk a five or six day tour, there may be something that you're looking for. If you're not as fit as you would like to be, a three day tour may be the answer.

Popular hiking tours at the Costa Brava include:
Coastline Hikes
Take a day or three to explore the coastline of this beautiful region. Here, you will be able to hike narrow trails that lead to amazing and romantic views of the ocean or the countryside. Old monasteries, castles and homes provide an air of excitement as you learn more about Costa Brava and its extensive history.

Montserrat
In this tour, tour guides take you through this mountainous region and point out many areas of interest along the way. During this tour, you will be able to visit the Montserrat Monastery and Basilica and climb to the highest point on the mountain called St. Jerome. From there, you will be able to see the Pyrenees Mountains.

St. Miquel del Fai
This tour takes place only 20km away from Barcelona. It is a tour that leads into this area where you can see waterfalls, cliffs and other natural wonders. You will also be able to visit the famed Sant Miquel Church, which is located at the top of the valley.

Booking a hiking tour as soon as possible is a good idea as these tours fill up fast. While some tour companies offer day tours, many hiking tours last two days or more. This is definitly an alternative to the typical beach holiday in a Costa Brava hotel.

Gibraltar's interest is essentially its novelty: the genuine appeal of the strange, looming physical presence of its rock, and the dubious one of its preservation as one of Britain's last remaining colonies. In Gibraltar you can find beautiful beaches and charming Costa del Sol apartments.

Form most of its history it has existed in a limbo between two worlds without being fully part of either. It's a curious place to visit, not least to witness the bizarre process of its opening to mass tourism from the Costa del Sol. Ironically, this threatens both to destroy Gibraltar's highly individual hybrid society and at the same time to make it much more British, after the fashion of the expatriate communities and huge resorts of the Costa. In recent years the economic boom Gibraltar enjoyed throughout the 1980's, following the reopening of the border with Spain, has started to wane, and the future of the colony-whether its population agrees to it or not-is almost certain to involve closer ties with Spain.

The Costa del Sol where is located Gilbratar is a perfect area to spend holidays with the family or with friends: the coast shelters a succession of extensive beaches, coves almost hidden between cliffs, marinas and anchorage for fishing. In the city you can find a great promenade with Bars Restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. There are Costa del Sol hotels for every taste and every budget. Gibraltar is truely a great holiday destination for travellers of every age.

Just a short drive southwest of Barcelona, sits the celebrated city of Sitges in Catalonia. This popular gay and lesbian holiday destination resembles an upscale tropical paradise, sitting picturesquely between the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and the lush green hills.

Sitges is an ideal destination to visit any time of year. There are different possibilities to stay, e.g. a nice Costa Dorada hotel or a Costa Dorada apartment. Many visitors flock to the area for its many festivals. Sitges is known internationally for its International Film Festival and its Carnival celebration. Carnival is a popular festival in the months of February and March, and is widely popular for the cultural dancers with bright costumes and its large parade that seemingly envelopes the city streets. The International Barcelona-Sitges Vintage Car Rally and the International Jazz Festival are also popular events.

Since the late 1800s, the city has grown and evolved into a hub for the art community, bringing together a diverse mix of local and seasonal writers, artists, and intellectuals. Enhancing the city's uniquely artistic ambiance is its large number of international residents, estimated to comprise over one third of the city's permanent residents. The artistic and international dominance creates a truly eclectic and liberal atmosphere.

The city is also known for its seventeen gorgeous beaches, which draws in gay and lesbian visitors in the months of July and August. Playa del Muerto is popular with the gay and lesbian community. Throughout the year, the area's nightclubs and restaurants are popular destinations for locals and visitors.

The Spanish city offers a diverse range of architecture, including a beautiful combination of centuries-old historical buildings with a distinctly Cubanesque influence. The Sant Bartmeu church is one of Sitges more popular historical structures, and was built in the 17th century. You will also want to spend some time exploring the Cau Ferrat Museum and the Maricel Museum.

While you are visiting Sitges, be sure to sample its delicious Catalan cuisine. Xato is one of the city's most popular dishes, and features escarole salad, cod, tuna, anchovies, arbequine, and black olives. Its sauce is made from scalded chillies, toasted almonds, garlic, olive oil, salt, vinegar and hot peppers. Other popular dishes include stewed sepia with potatoes and all-i-oli, bull de tonyina, fideuada, and stuffed peppers with cod. Such variety guarantees the extraordinary richness and singularity of Catalan's and Sitgetan's gastronomy. A meal in Sitges would not be complete without the accompaniment of Sitgetan malvasia, a dessert wine.

Blanes is a popular tourist destination for travellers around the world. The city offers many possibilities for all kinds of visitors and all kinds of budgets. This typical catalan town offers its guests nummerous of Bars, Restaurants and Costa Brava Hotels.

Especially the cusine is definitly a reason to visit Blanes. Blanes serves typical catalan dishes, with a large percentage of fish. You can of course also find the traditional spanish Paella in every Restaurant here. But there is also a large variety of chicken and rice included in the local cusine.

Special about this town is the long beach whcih spreads along the whole town. Most parts of the city center are situated dirctly at the beach, so you always have the perfect holiday beach atmosphere to the most places where you go. Along the beach you can find several shops, Bars, Restaurants and Costa Brava holiday apartments.

In Blanes you can find two of the most important botanic gardens in Europe. One of these two gardens is the Jardí Botánic Marimurta garden. This garden is visited by thousands of guests every year that want to see the beauty of the plenty of plants that are placed in that park. Here you can find an amazing combination of artistic garden architecture that is combined with the nature. There are more than 3,000 different kinds of trees, bushes and flowers situated within the park. The garden is 16.5 ha big and opened all year long.

Blanes also offers a lot of possibilities for young tourists. The parties and discoteques in blanes are known in whole Catalonia. There are thousands of party tourists that travel to Blanes every year to be part of the ultimate party experience. You can find a lot of international travelers in this town. Most of them are Dutch.

As you can see, a holiday in Blanes offers several attractions for everyone. It does not matter wheter you are looking for a beach holiday, a nice trip to nature or a party holiday, Blanes can satisfy every of their visitors. So do not hesitate to visit this great place on Spains Costa Brava.

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

Transport from Girona Airport - Barcelona:

By car: For the motorway AP7 from Girona Airport to Barcelona city center you need approximately 1 h 20 min by car. For using this motorway one has to pay a toll. The distance is about 100km along the AP7 motorway. The Spanish word for toll is "peaje", in Catalan you say "peatge".
By taxi: A taxi to Barcelona is very expensive. It will cost you around 120 €. The charge per kilometer is fixed at 1,08 €. The charge for extra baggage is not included in the price. For further information please call: +34 97 220 3377.
By bus: The bus goes directly from the airport to Barcelona Estacio Nord and takes no longer than 1 h 10 min. The timetables are tailored with the arrivals and departures of Ryanair flights. A single ticket costs 12 Euros, and a return is 21 Euros. It's not possible to buy the tickets in advance. For further information please call: +34 935931300.

Costa Brava accommodation in the immediate vicinity:

Numerous comfortable and beautiful Costa Brava hotels and Costa Brava vacation homes are located near the airport. How about the comfortable "Best Western Mar Menuda" Costa Brava hotel in Tossa de Mar! The 3 - stars hotel is directly located besides the Mar Menuda beach and and offers impressive views over the medieval walls of the old town.

Car hire companies at Girona airport:

Numerous car hire companies are established at Girona Airport and generally open from 08.00 am to 23:45 pm. Use the opportunity to explore the Catalan culture. With a hired car you are independent during your stay!

The following car hire companies are established at Girona Airport:
Atesa, AurigaCrown, Avis, Europcar, Goldcar Europa, Hertz und Sol-Mar.

Ryanair:

Airports of Departure in Great Britain: Bournemouth, Dublin, Liverpool, Glasgow (Prestwick), Shannon, Birmingham, East Midlands, London (Luton), London- Stansted, Bristol, Durham Tees, London- Gatwick, Doncaster, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester

Baggage: Each Ryanair passenger is permitted to check in up to a maximum of 3 bags (combined weight of 15kgs) subject to the payment of the applicable checked baggage fees. Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted.

Contact:

+34 97 218 6708 for info (Spanish and English) operating from 8.00 am to 20.00 pm everyday of the week.
+34 97 218 6600 for info (Spanish and English) operating 24 hours.
+34 97 218 6606 for flights (Spanish, Catalan and occasionally English).
Email: Gironainfo@aena.es