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.
Archive for the ‘Costa Brava’ Category
Playa de Aro Costa Brava
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010History of Lloret de Mar Catalonia
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010One 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.
Lloret de Mar Costa Brava
Thursday, February 4th, 2010The history of Lloret de Mar is forever linked to the sea, the Iberians settled in the areas of Montbarat and Puig de Castellet and established trade with the Greeks and Romans, and the Romans themselves founded a trading post in what is now Lloret. The name Lloret lo Redo first appears in 966 AD deriving from Lauretum (place of laurels). At the beginning of the 16th century a new church was built in Catalan Gothic style and completed in 1522, the church served as a refuge from pirate attacks. With the discovery of the New World, many of Lloret’s sailors went to the Americas, resulting in a growing import and export trade with the colonies. After the collapse of Spain’s Empire, Lloret de Mar went into a period of decline and it was not until the increase in tourist activity in the 20th century that the town recovered and became what it is today, a popular seaside resort along the Costa Brava coastline of Spain. Though the towns population is only around 30,000, this rises to over 200,000 during the busy summer season, when the weather is excellent, as many holidaymakers arrive to stay in the many hotels such as the Lloret de Mar Oasis and the Costa Encantada Aparthotel. Lloret de Mar has a vibrant nightlife scene and attracts the younger set especially Germans, Dutch and Belgians. Also attractive to visitors is the fine beach and excellent range of facilities. Map.
L’Escala Costa Brava
Monday, November 30th, 2009A smallish but popular coastal resort on the Bay of Roses, L’Escala is one of the many attractive Costa Brava resorts of the Catalonia region of north-eastern Spain. Having a resident population of just over 8,000, L’Escala has an ancient fishing port surrounded by the narrow streets of its old delightful old town. A historic area, the neighbouring Empuries (St Marti d’Empuries) boasts one of the oldest Greek settlements in Spain, also featuring later Roman parts giving evidence of their time on the Iberian Peninsular. Especially important for fishing and the salting of fish, L’Escala is well known for its anchovies and its sardines, and a number of its many fiestas are dedicated to this industry. As a tourist resort L’Escala has two distinct areas, the old town (favoured by Spanish tourists) and the newer area of Riells (favoured by International tourists). The town has a decent range of amenities and a couple of small beaches near the old town and a larger ‘blue flag’ beach in the Riells district. For nature lovers and culture seekers there are plenty of places to visit and for sports enthusiasts there is a wide choice of facilities. L’Escala Map.
Llafranc Costa Brava
Friday, November 27th, 2009A charming and unspoilt resort on the Costa Brava coastline, Llafranc has long been the destination of the rich and famous along with well-heeled families from Girona and Barcelona. Visited by such names as Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor and Salvador Dali, this beautiful resort situated in a picturesque crescent shaped bay should be at the top of your holiday list for trips to the Costa Brava and Costa del Maresme. Private luxury villas dot pine clad hills around the bay and the white-walled houses of the old town look down on the beach, promenade and harbour filled with pretty yachts. The beach is golden and sandy and one of the main attractions of this resort, Llafranc and the surrounding coastline is renowned for its diving and three diving schools operate from the town. There is also a big tennis club with 24 courts, and three golf courses nearby, for golfers to get their weekly fix. A decent range of hotels includes the Casamar Llafranc Hotel and the Terramar Hotel plus some privately rented apartments and villas. Just 40 kilometres from Girona and its airport Llafranc is relatively easy to access and obtaining car hire for your stay is recommended to get the most from your trip. The area benefits from a wonderful climate and Llafranc weather is ideal for summer holidays between June and October, golfers may prefer the cooler months and divers may wish to avoid the summer crowds. The stuff of dreams Llafranc is a perfect holiday destination. Llafranc Map.
Club de Golf Costa Brava
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009If you are visiting the Catalonia region of Spain this year, and are looking to play golf, be sure to take time out to try the Club de Golf Costa Brava course located a little inland from the coastline near to the small town of Santa Cristina d’Aro. This fine 18 hole golf course is set amongst stunning scenery, and offers a great challenge to golfers of all abilities. Established in 1968 the course has a technical first nine followed by a more relaxed second nine. Places to visit nearby include Santa Cristina D’Aro and the historic coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guixols.
Empuriabrava Catalonia
Saturday, September 5th, 2009Begun in the 1960’s during an effort to reclaim swampland, the marina resort of Empuriabrava was built to resemble Miami and Venice by Miguel Arpa Battle. Claimed to be one of the world’s largest marinas it comprises in excess of 20 miles of navigable waterways, with canals providing boat access to privately owned luxury villas. With its fine beach and good facilities it now attracts holidaymakers seeking the sun and sand of the Costa Brava coastline on which it at stands, they flock here to enjoy the wonderful Empuriabrava weather conditions which are especially attractive during the months of May to October. Many other visit Empuriabrava to enjoy the superb water sports facilities and conditions and windsurfing and kitesurfing are especially popular. Empuriabrava also boasts a fine sky diving school and numerous visitors go there to participate or learn this exciting extreme sport. This part of Catalonia in Spain of course, receives millions of visitors each year and Empuriabrava has a wide range of attractions to draw them, its nightlife scene is also vibrant with discos such as Pasarella and Pacha to satisfy the younger generation. Altogether a fine resort for a summer holiday or a winter break, you will not be disappointed with a visit to the Costa Brava’s Empuriabrava which is located between Roses and Figueres. Empuriabrava Map.