Spain is one of the most popular holiday areas in the world. 52 Million Foreigners
visited this beautiful country to enjoy their holidays in 2007. Catalonia is the
region most visited, with almost 12 million visitors coming from abroad each year.
Some 10% of these tourists stayed in a property on the coast: in places such as
Tossa de Mar, Pals, Begur, Playa de Aro, Estartit and Empuriabrava, which was either
rented or in ownership. Visitors are attracted to Catalonia, as this region has
managed to combine the beauty of nature with modern attractions, making it one of
the preferred destinations. So what does the Costa Brava have to offer?
• Spectacular scenery. In Spanish, ‘Brava’ means ‘wild’ or ‘rugged’. This perfectly
describes the Costa Brava, which runs from the French border through to Blanes.
It consists of 220 km of coastline, featuring some superb beaches, coves and mountains;
• The summer heat is less intense than further south. However, with daytime temperatures
of around 30c in the summer
• Excellent cuisine, with examples of typical dishes being mussels marinara and
local hams;
• The cosmopolitan cities of Barcelona and Girona are easily accessible;
• There are many beautiful well-preserved mediaeval towns and villages; e.g. Tossa
de Mar & Peratallada . Also, inland there can be found many castles and monuments
in Roman in Empurias, gothic or modern style. e.g. Besalú, Olot, Vic, Castellfollit
and Ripoll.
• A short distance inland is Andorra for summer walking and winter skiing.
• A number of lively resorts, that have a wide range of bars and discotheques; ideal
locations for family holidays, apartment holidays by the sea or in the mountain.
• There are numerous Golf courses of the highest standard all year round;
• In winter, there is good skiing in the nearby Pyrenees;
• There are cheap flights to Girona and Barcelona airports (Ryanair, Easy Jet, Bmi
baby, Thomson);
• Generally, the cost of living is reasonable.
An important aspect of the tourism on the Costa Brava is that it truly reflects
Spanish lifestyle and culture, with there being something to do for the whole family.
All in all, the Costa Brava is a fantastic place to live or to have a holiday!
Girona
Girona is one of the most ancient and historical cities within Spain. It can often
be compared to the famous city of Venice. It is highly recommended to see the Cathedral
of Santa Maria and the old Jewish Quarters, Arab baths and museums.
is well known for its botanical gardens built high on top of the cliffs and from
this viewpoint you can see along the coast towards Barcelona and in the other direction
the fishing port and marina of Sant Feliu de Guixols. Blanes has its own marina
and fishing port where the catch is landed everyday. Also, Blanes hosts an international
firework festival at the end of July every day which brings thousands of tourists
and Spanish visitors into the town. The local train runs from Blanes stopping at
all the coastal towns in Maresme on its way to Barcelona.
Now called Costa Barcelona. At a few kilometres North of Barcelona, ranging from
littoral hills to the sea, there is what we know as the Maresme coast. Long sandy
beaches, attractive towns and great tourist places. What makes this area so enjoyable
is the great weather, the Mediterranean Sea, the beautiful hills and mountains and
its geographic situation. In the Maresme besides its agriculture, mainly vineyards,
the flower and vegetable growth, we should also mention an important textile industry.
The fishing industry is mainly concentrated in Arenys de Mar, the forth biggest
port of Cataluña. The big tourist attraction centre and residential areas are well
equipped with excellent hotels, restaurants, camping, leisure places, and all kinds
of installations for sports. Tourism is the main source of income in the region,
and it offers to all of those who want to visit, quality and first class service.
Towns like Pineda de Mar, Calella, Malgrat de Mar are perfect destinations to enjoy
a relaxed holiday. Blanes is often related to Costa Maresme, but it’s not really,
the reason is that it’s the first town of the Costa Brava, but very well communicated
with the Costa maresme, and that’s the reason that most people think that Blanes
belongs to Maresme.
What makes the Costa Maresme to be so interesting it’s the location. North of Barcelona
, you can reach the city within minutes. By train, Car or Bus it’s easy, cheap and
quick to reach it. The Costa Brava is also within minutes. Actually Costa Maresme
starts at the North of the city of Barcelona, and ends at the beginning of the Costa
Brava.
Airports: They are only 55 minutes drive to Barcelona’s, and 30 minutes drive to
Girona’s. Low cost companies (Ryainair, Easy jet, BMI Baby, Thomson) have daily
flights to these airports.
Easy to reach the Pyrenees. Only 150 km. away of enjoying a fantastic scenery, skiing
resorts or just visiting.
We can say that Costa Maresme/Barcelona is convenient.
In terms of inhabitants and size, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain.
It is the Capital of Catalonia. It is a very modern and multicultural city, with
arts and culture being at the forefront of this magnificent city. Barcelona is also
famous for its fabulous architecture, cuisine and great variety of designer shops.
Some of the places we recommend you to visit are:
• Barcelona Football Stadium, known as Camp Nou, where more than 100,000 spectators
can watch a game;
• The famous buildings designed by the architect Gaudi, such as La Sagrada Familia;
• The historic Gothic Center;
• To take a stroll down the famous Ramblas.
Costa Dorada enjoys a fresh Mediterranean climate, marked by mild winters and warm
summers with little rain. The region's mountainous geography likewise contributes
to its stable climate, making it an optimum place to enjoy outdoor activities all
year long. Average temperatures range from approximately 14º in winter to between
21º and 29º in summer.
The Costa Dorada coastline offers some sixty different beaches in all shapes and
sizes from the small, secluded coves of Mont-roig del Camp - Miami Platja to the
dramatic cliffs of Torredembarra, from the high-iodine waters of El Vendrell, Comarruga
to the fine sand and clear shallows of Salou. Other holiday resorts are Calafell,
L’Atmella de Mar, Hospitalet de l’infant, Cambrils and The region of the Ebro Valley
(Delta del Ebro).
Tarragona is situated by the Mediterranean sea. You can find ancient remains, amphitheatre,
roman aqueduct, the cathedral and many more places of interest.
Many beaches in the area have been awarded the blue flag category.
The Costa Dorada is easily accessible. Within the area there is Reus airport which
is the actual base of Ryanair. Also, Barcelona airport (Easy jet, Bmi baby) is in
close proximity, only some 100 km´s north of the area. There is a train link (Renfe)
that also makes Barcelona accessible along with the A7 motorway that can take you
into the city in 45 minutes.
Traditional Mediterranean aromas and flavours are the essence of Costa Dorada's
cuisine. The region's wealth of fresh, quality seafood and produce has given rise
to an endless array of delectable dishes, as well as excellent wines from several
select wine regions.
The vine is perhaps the most prominent symbol of the Mediterranean culture, an undoubtedly
is a feature of the Costa Dorada. Over the area there are scattered numerous vineyards
which open up their doors for wine tasting tours. The Costa Dorada is renowned for
its outstanding veriety of vineyard scenery. (Priorat, Montsant, Penedes, ..).
Engaging in sport has long been known to help people forget about their worries
and rest. In Costa Dorada, you can do this whilst surrounded by nature and a year-round
temperate climate. Indeed, the region offers a nearly endless array of sporting
activities such as canyoning, mountain biking, kayaking, daytrips, horseback riding,
rock climbing, trekking, caving, archery and all sorts of other activities.
Leisure. Port Aventura is a Costa Dorada resort located in the towns of Salou and
Vila-seca. It includes PortAventura Theme Park, Caribe Aquatic Park. Guests to the
theme park will embark on unforgettable adventures in Imperial China, the raucous
Far West, exotic Polynesia, Aztec Mexico and the picturesque Mediterranean. The
park is brimming with thrilling rides. Guests can also enjoy theatre, dance, acrobatics
and an endless array of performances, as well as sample traditional dishes from
around the world at the park's many themed restaurants. What's more, all of this
is done in the company of lovable friends, like Woody Woodpecker and his girlfriend
Winnie, Popeye, Olive Oil, the Pink Panther...
Ebro Valley (Delta del Ebro)
The Ebro Valley is a stunning part of Catalunya. It is close to the beaches and
tourist towns of the Costa Daurada and also the cities of Tortosa, Tarragona and
Barcelona. The airport of Reus is served by Ryanair and there is a train service
form Barcelona to Tortosa. The Ebro Valley is famous for fishing particularly carp
and catfish. On either side of the river are orange groves and a bird sanctuary.
It is a very green area of Spain which is close to nature. The Catalunyan people
have a traditional and cultured way of life in this area.
The Costa del Sol (Andalucía region) is one of the most popular all-year-round destinations
of Europe with an average temperature of 20 degrees and a wide range of attractions
in the area including excellent beaches (canal meteo), attraction parks, and world-renowned
golf courses designed by the top golfers (see visita costa del sol, Malaga golf).
One can see why this area attracts visitors, young and old.
Property for sale in the Costa del Sol is as popular as ever and, with its winning
combination of excellent golf courses and leisure facilities, great weather and
good investment potential, the Costa del Sol continues to attract numerous foreign
property buyers.
Malaga airport provides daily flights to the main European cities, ensuring excellent
access and cheap flights to and from the Costa del Sol area. Ryanair, Easy Jet,
Clickair, BMI Baby are some of the companies that operate from Malaga airport.
Sale&Rental Spain offers you in the Costa del Sol, villas, houses and apartments
of sale and rent. At the best prices whilst retaining excellent quality and good
service. Málaga-Pablo Ruiz Picasso international airport is 8km from Málaga City
and 5km from Torremolinos. Its two terminals are easily accessible by car or public
transport from the capital city of the Costa del Sol and other important locations.
Most observations about traditional Málaga cuisine are in agreement that it is notable
for the simplicity of its ingredients, the variety of its dishes and the exceptional
flavour imparted by optimum use of excellent natural products in preparing its extensive
catalogue of recipes, which are closely linked to the so-called “Mediterranean diet”
that has been so highly regarded for years by the most knowledgeable gourmets for
its proven healthy benefits.
Wine production has always been important in the area. It is not by chance that
the province has 5,000 hectares of vineyards distributed in five regions –Axarquía,
the Málaga Mountains, Serranía de Ronda, the Western Coast and Antequera– and two
designations of origin: DO Málaga and DO Sierra de Málaga. There is also mention
of the Málaga Wine Museum, with its interesting collection of labels and bottles,
interactive posters and courses in wine tasting.
As for olive oil, the province of Málaga has 120,000 hectares of olive trees, some
of them being more than 100 years old, like the ones still kept in Periana (Axarquía)
or in Alameda.
Costa Azahar
The touristic term "Costa Azahar" [Orange Blossom Coast] takes in the whole province
of Castellón, which is the most northern of the provinces making up the ancient
Kingdom of Valencia. A hundred and twenty kilometres in length, it is endowed with
fine warm beaches and beautiful wild coves, all bathed by the calm waters of the
Mediterranean Sea. Inland, it is complemented by pine woods and immense orange groves.
It is bounded by Catalonia in the north, Aragon in the west and in the south by
the province of Valencia, in the unique stretch of land formed by the end of the
"Alto Palancia" and "La Plana" regions.
On the "Costa Azahar" we guarantee almost three hundred days of sunshine a year
and an average temperature of 18º C, which make it a magnificent area to be enjoyed
all year round. The climate is therefore a Mediterranean one of long, dry, hot summers
and mild winters, in which to stay and enjoy the extraordinary attractions which
this Spanish province has to offer to the visitor. The clean beaches of the coast
blend in with an aggressive mountain- escape inland which gradually declines as
it nears the coast.
Vinaròs is the first city to greet visitors to the " Costa Azahar"; Benicarló is
a city of Arabic origin, with nearby preIberian settlements. It has a medieval urban
nucleus with noteworthy houses on whose façades you can still see noble coats of
arms. The town is connected to the sea by a long avenue and its fishing port is
notable as well as the long, wide beach which stretches to the outstanding town
of Peñiscola, the touristic "nerve centre" of this part of the "Costa Azahar".Peñíscola
is not only remarkable because of its situation on top of a rocky promontory surrounded
by the sea and joined to the mainland by a sandy tongue of land, but also for its
exceptional monuments, for being the scene of historical events and for the beauty
of its beaches and its enormous cliffs.A little further south we reach Alcossebre,
an eminently touristic resort of Arab origin, which was subsequently inhabited by
fishermen. It is joined to Alcalà de Xivert, and has a modern marina, beaches and
magnificent residential areas of villas and holiday apartments.
Castellón will be offering this 2010 the opening of a new airport. They have already
agreed with the most important low coast companies schedule flights to the area.
Meanwhile, the nearest airports are Reus (90 km.) and Valencia (120 km.).
Gastronomy in Costa del Azahar is exceptionally rich and varied and has some specific
characteristics typical of each area of this Mediterranean Province. The common
feature of inland cooking is any kind of meat, while on the coast the main dishes
are fish and seafood. All over the Costa del Azahar the most emblematic dish is
Paella.
Costa Blanca
Over 218 kilometers of coastline packed with soft sand beaches washed by calm waters,
2,800 hours of sunshine per year, a privileged climate and a warm sea have been
the main attractions for our millions of visitors for decades.
Over time, the development of modern tourist infrastructure and communications routes
has made it easier to reach the Costa Blanca. The landscape is not just defined
by the sea, but also by the mountains that overlook it. Alicante is the second most
mountainous province in Spain and it is here that we see the grandeur of the Mediterranean
landscape. From valleys that are home to crops grown on terraces originally created
by the Moors to a horizon packed with oaks, pines and carob trees perfumed by a
wide variety of aromatic plants. Those who love mountains and hiking are sure to
enjoy the well-signed paths that run through our inland districts. In the south,
the mountains give way to palm groves and the smallholdings stretch as far as the
eye can see.
Whether on the coast or inland, you’ll be able to discover our rich local dishes
and the quality wines from our vineyards.
If you want, you can visit tiny villages hidden among the mountains and modern coastal
towns with a lively nightlife. History and monuments mark the landscape of our inland
villages and towns. Along the coast there are numerous marinas and countless facilities
to allow you to enjoy the sea and water sports.
Golf lovers know that our golf courses have facilities that are second to none.
Runs from Guadamar to Torrevieja
Theme park Terra Mitica at Benidorm
Elche – palm tree capital of the world
Villajoyosa – famous for its chocolate
Archaelogical finds from the Phoenicians, Greeks, romans, Visigoths, Carthaginians
and Moors
Costa Blanca offers something for all types of tourists and holidaymakers – fine
beaches, ancient towns, natural parks for nature lovers etc……