One of Guardamar del Segura's Parks
Guardamar del Segura Spain – Located to the north of Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca coastline of Spain, is one of the most popular resorts in this region. Boasting miles of fine sandy beaches, shady parks and excellent facilities, Guardamar del Segura has everything you would expect of a modern holiday resort. Also a desirable area for the purchase of holiday homes, or even for those wishing to relocate, Guardamar del Segura has its fair share of International residents, who live happily alongside its traditional Spanish citizens. Property development has become a major industry for the town, and thousands of properties have sprung up over the last twenty years or so. The three parks for which Guardamar is well known were created when the moving sands of this coast threatened to engulf the town, and a project was undertaken to plant thousands of trees and cacti, to anchor down the sand and protect the town, the resulting woodlands were subsequently turned into parks for everyone to use. The sunny weather is of course another big attraction for visitors, who make the most of its two thousand eight hundred hours of annual sunshine. Easily reached from Alicante airport, which is just twenty five minutes north of the resort, Guardamar del Segura is a good choice of resort if you are heading to this part of Spain.
Guardamar del Segura Map.
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A Spanish town in the Catalonia region of northern Spain, Figueres is mostly famous as the birthplace of Spanish artist Salvador Dali, and as such attracts thousands of holidaymakers and art fanatics, who visit to view a big museum which is dedicated to his work and called the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dali. Figueres is actually a sizeable town in its own right, and has a population of over 40,000 residents, the towns name is thought to derive from the Visigothic language. A popular day trip from many of the coastal resorts on the Costa Brava coastline, Figueres shold certainly be on your hot list of places to visit whilst in the area. It lies in the north-eastern section of Catalonia, and is just 40 kilometres from the provincial capital Girona, some close by coastal resorts include Roses, Empuriabrava, Cadaques, L’Escala and Llança, so if you are visiting any of these resorts, this could be a good idea for a day trip, especially if you are an art fan, in which case it will be a real treat. Pick a day when the weather is not so hot,then you can take your time and walk around Figueres in comfort, not missing a good beach day in the process.
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Fira Palace Hotel Barcelona
An elegant hotel well located in the city of Barcelona, Spain, the Fira Palace Hotel is ideal for both leisure and business visitors to this great city. Offering two hundred and seventy six rooms, all both excellent facilities, the Fira Palace Hotel Barcelona could be your ideal accommodation. The hotel offers such fine facilities as an indoor swimming pool, health and fitness centre, sauna, gift shop, piano bar, two restaurants, patio garden, gymnasium, hair salon etc. Rooms in the Fira Palace Hotel are available from 77 euros per night (around £64), very reasonable for a city centre hotel in Barcelona. Located in the Catalonia region of north-eastern Spain, Barcelona is the countries second largest city, it is around 150km from the border with France and about 100kn from Girona. The city has a huge variety of attractions, whether you are looking for culture, entertainment of even a beach holiday, and a visit to Spain would not be complete without a visit to this amazing place. Barcelona Map.
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Terramar Hotel Llafranc
If you are planning a visit to the coastal resort of Llafranc, located between Calella de Palafrugell and Tamariu on the Costa Brava coastline of north-eastern Spain, you will perhaps need a hotel for your accommodation in the resort. While there are several hotels which you can choose from, two of the most popular, the Casamar Llafranc and the Terramar Hotel should provide all you need for a pleasant day in the area. The Casamar Llafranc is a small friendly hotel with just 20 rooms, ideal for a quiet holiday while providing all the facilities needed for a nice holiday. The three star Terramar Hotel has more rooms with 53, and has the benefit of being located right on the beach so you can enjoy the wonderful Llafranc weather and take in the rays, while staying close to your hotel and easy to pop back for meals. Llafranc is a tranquil resort, which has not yet been ruined by tourism, expect to meet plenty of Spanish nationals, as this is a favourite spot of theirs, while also bumping into various nationalities of those enlightened enough to visit this lovely resort. Rooms in the Casamar Hotel range from 140 euros per night, while the more affordable Terramar Hotel starts at just 52 euros per night. Llafranc Map.
BOOK CASAMAR LLAFRANC
BOOK TERRAMAR LLAFRANC
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Hotel Bon Repos Calella Costa Brava
If you are planning a visit to the Costa Brava coastal resort of Calella this year, you might want to consider the Bon Repos Hotel for your accommodation requirements. Handily situated just 350 metres from the main beach of Calella, the Bon Repos is also convenient for the town centre and the main amenities of this popular resort. Offering a superb outside pool and Jacuzzi, the Bon Repos also has a fine restaurant, lounge, bar and entertainment programme. A good base for touring the Costa Brava and Costa del Maresme and also handy for Barcelona which is only 54 kilometres away, Calella has some fine sandy beaches, terrific weather conditions, good choice of bars and restaurants and plenty of sports and water sports facilities. Rooms are offered in the Bon Repos Calella from just 23 euros per night, a very economical option for your stay in this area. The closest airport for the hotel and resort is Girona airport, which is just 45 kilometres distant, about a half hours drive.
BOOK BON REPOS CALELLA
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Hotel Playa Sol Cadaques
A popular located right on the seafront in Cadaques, the 3 Star Playa Sol Hotel could well be your first choice for accommodation in this Costa Brava resort, though there are other hotels such as the Octavia, La Tarongeta and the Hotel Blaumar to choose from. You may prefer the Playa Sol’s beachside location, being situated on a small bay right beside a nice sandy beach, and you may appreciate its being handy for Cadaques town centre which is only about five minutes stroll away, in any case you will be attracted to the Playa Sol hotel’s friendly family run atmosphere and fine facilities to make your stay in this resort a pleasure. In a somewhat isolated position, Cadaques is perfect for a peaceful holiday away from the bustling crowds of some of the better known and busier Costa Brava resorts further south, and while it is visited all year round, the weather in Cadaques can get a bit windy and wild during the winter, so summer holidays are definitely more popular than winter breaks. Cadaques is ideal for visiting the Cap de Creus National Park and is also great for hikers, who visit this beautiful area to enjoy the spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava. Also ideal for water sports, this is an especially popular area for windsurfers, scuba divers and kitesurfers. Other nearby areas include Portlligat and Roses. Cadaques Map.
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Hotel Blaumar Cadaques Spain
If you are visiting the northern Costa Brava resort of Cadaques this year you might want to consider the three star Hotel Blaumar for you accommodation in the area. Situated only ten minutes walk from the centre of Cadaques this small family run hotel is a popular choice for those visiting the resort. Boasting a lovely sun terrace and superb outdoor swimming pool the Hotel Blaumar will surely provide everything you need for a relaxing holiday in Cadaques. In a somewhat isolated position, Cadaques is ideal for a tranquil holiday away from the crowds of some of the better known Costa Brava resorts, and while it is popular all year round, the weather in Cadaques can get a bit wild and windy during the winter months, so summer holidays are more sensible than winter breaks. Cadaques is perfect for visiting the Cap de Creus National Park and is also great for walkers and hikers, who visit this unspoilt area to enjoy the spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava. Also ideal for water sports, this is an especially popular area for scuba divers.
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Despite its proximity to several popular Costa Brava seaside resorts, the town of Palafrugell seems little affected by the tourism on which the area depends. Formerly supported by the local cork industry Palafrugell suffered considerably after the largest factory (American owned) closed in the 1970’s. Palafrugell these days has a population of just over 21,000 and administers the coastal resorts of Tamariu, Calella and Llafranc. Worth a visit in Palafrugell is the old town centre, where you will find the Gothic church of Sant Marti, the weekly market, the Town Hall and the Cork Museum, which informs of the previously important cork manufacture. Historically Palafrugell was a fortified town as inhabitants of the coastal towns moved inland to escape attacks by Barbary pirates, little evidence remains of its ancient fortifications and modern day Palafrugell is a more peaceful place with a slow pace of life. These days holidaymakers arrive to enjoy the fine weather, the rugged coastline and the attractive beaches.
Palafrugell Map.
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A very old fishing town situated on the Gulf of Roses in Catalonia, Spain, Roses was originally founded as a trading settlement by the Greeks in the 8th century BC. Within the walls of the later 16th century citadel, the Ciutadella, there are still some remnants of this ancient civilisation together with artefacts from the later Roman settlement which began in the 2nd century BC. Roses Spain became a fortified town during the 17th century, a necessary step due to frequent pirate attacks, and these fortifications were truly tested by at least 4 sieges over the ensueing centuries, they were finally destroyed by the French in the early nineteenth century. Roses benefited greatly from the explosion of tourism during the 1960’s and 1970’s and became one of the prime holiday spots along this part of the Costa Brava coast. Roses is still a significant fishing port and has a lively marina with plenty of bars and restaurants where Roses nightlife is enjoyed by its many visitors. Roses, and the Gulf of Roses has plenty of stunning sandy beaches and some fine conditions for water sports, a great attraction for the area. Worth visiting are the Ciutadella, the church of Santa Maria, the Aiguamolls Natural Park, the Cap de Creus and the town of Figueres, birthplace of artist Salvador Dali. This are of Spain enjoys a super climate and Roses weather is ideal for holidays all year round but especially during the summer months when sunshine is the order of the day and rain rare. Roses Map.
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Girona Catalonia - Riverside Houses
A historic city in the Catalonia region of north-eastern Spain, Girona has a population of just under 100,000 and is the capital of the province of Girona which takes in many of the resorts of the popular Costa Brava coastline. Originally settled by the ancient Iberians, Girona was later called Gerunda by the Romans when they established a citadel there during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsular. Later occupied by the Visigoths and then the Moors, Girona was brought back to Christian control in the 11th century. These days Girona is the arrival point for most visitors to the Costa Brava region being the location of the main airport for the region. The airport is actually located outside the city itself, so to visit the city you will need to take a taxi or bus and from here you can access the coastline north and south via bus or train. Girona enjoys a fine climate with the best weather being during the summer months (May to September), winters are cold with frost not unusual. Worth a visit in Girona are the old town, the coloured houses of the riverside, the ancient cathedral, the Collegiate Church of Sant Feliu and the Benedictine church of Sant Pere de Galligants. Girona is located beside the AP-7 motorway which links it with Barcelona to the south-west, and Figueres and France to the north. Girona Map.
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Renowned for its rugged coastline Spain’s Costa Brava has some splendid coastal resorts which are very popular with holidaymakers. One of the most attractive of these seaside resorts is Tossa de Mar, a historic town which still has remnants of its ancient walled village (Vila Vella) and was originally a Roman town called Turissa some 2,000 years ago. Tossa de Mar was one of the pioneers of the Costa Brava tourist industry attracting such early visitors as painter Marc Chagall, who stayed there in the summer of 1934, he named Tossa his “blue paradise” and the town still proudly displays (in the Municipal Museum) the only Chagall painting known to exist in Spain. Renowned for its seafood, Tossa de Mar is a great place to taste some local dishes such as simitoba (fish in garlic sauce), the town has some top quality restaurants. While Tossa de Mar will attract its fair share of culture seekers, due to its long history, it is most popular with those seeking a traditional beach style holiday and its beaches, 2 having blue flag status, are perfect for this type of holiday, and also ideal for water sports enthusiasts with scuba diving and snorkelling being especially popular. Tossa de Mar has a decent choice of hotels including the Golden Bahia de Tossa, the San Eloy Tossa de Mar and the Hotel Diana. Tossa de Mar is situated on the GI-682 about 41 kilometres from Girona and its airport.
Tossa de Mar Map.
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One of the popular coastal resorts of the southern Costa Brava, Malgrat de Mar is actually situated on a stretch of coast known as the Costa del Maresme. The town has a resident population of around 20,000 and a municipal district of 9.05 square kilometres. The modern resort is well known for its excellent sandy beaches (such as L’Astillero) which are backed by hotels and apartment complexes, there are a good choice of bars and restaurants which become very busy during the summer season when the climate is fine and sunny. The original village developed during the 13th and 14th centuries when it was known Vilanova de Palafolls, the original dwellings were erected on a hill called “Es Castell”, for many centuries Malgrat de Mar relied on fishing for its economic survival and this continued until the 1950’s and 1960’s when the explosion of tourism changed the face of the town forever, and the population grew from under 4,000 to its present level. In the old town there are still some well preserved older buildings showing evidence of its long history, the 16th century church of Sant Nicolau is often referred to as the “Cathedral of the Coast” due to its large size. Malgrat de Mar is located between Blanes and Pineda de Mar and can be reached from the N-11 or the C-32 motorway.
Map.
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One of the Costa Brava’s best loved beach resorts, Playa de Aro is situated between the towns of Sant Feliu de Guixols and Palamos around 35 km from the provincial capital Girona. Apart from the obvious attraction of its 2 mile long beach, Playa de Aro can also offer visitors a wonderful water park in the form of the Aquadiver Waterworld, the Magic Park amusement extravaganza, a Pitch n Putt golf course and a ten pin bowling alley, together with one of the best nightlife scenes along this popular part of the coastline. The sun is of course another major attraction with Playa de Aro weather offering some 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, the best months being from May to October. To get away from the crowds of the main resort you can enjoy the coastal path where you can enjoy some delightful scenery and discover some isolated bays and coves. Playa de Aro offers a great choice of hotels and is located off the C-31 south of Palamos.
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One of the oldest established and best known coastal resorts along the Costa Brava in Spain, Lloret de Mar has the appearance of a modern holiday resort with some great family orientated facilities. The town however has a long and distinguished history with settlements recorded in the area since the times of the ancient Iberians way back in the third and fourth centuries BC. The Romans considered it important enough to establish a trading post in Lloret de Mar (although of course it was not called this at the time) during their time in the region, and much later a castle was built for the protection of its inhabitants, enabling them to live closer to the sea, a previously dangerous area due to pirate attacks. From about the early 11th century it took on its present name of Lloret which is though to have come from the Latin for ‘place of laurels’. After Spanish exploits in the New World, Lloret de Mar became an important area for shipbuilding and trade, its sailors heading off for such places as Uruguay, Argentina and Cuba, bringing back many riches making the town wealthy and establishing its ‘Americanos’ as these travellers became known. The 20th century saw the arrival of tourism in Lloret de Mar and it is this modern industry which predominates in the town today. The fine beaches, great weather and excellent facilities are what attract visitors to present day Lloret de Mar.
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