Costa Brava — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Costa Brava, Spain

The beautiful Costa Brava area of Spain lies in the Catalonia region, which is adjacent to France and the Mediterranean Sea. Costa Brava is renowned for its rich history and great climate, and it contains several destinations that have become popular with vacationers. Although it's most famous for its beaches, there are many fascinating places to visit.

Calella
	Those who enjoy culture and history will be pleased to know that Calella has an interesting past, dating back to the Medieval era when the town was developed under hegemony of Barcelona’s Counts. Southwest Calella boasts an impressive lighthouse, which was constructed in 1859, and features two towers called “Les Torretes.” Calella is also home to a historical museum, which contains works of art dating back to the Roman era.
Lloret de Mar
	The coastal town of Lloret de Mar is not far from Barcelona, and it's perhaps the busiest tourist resort in Costa Brava. Not surprisingly, Lloret de Mar is best known for its fantastic beaches and active nightlife. However, there are several important historical locations to see, including the 11th century Castle of Sant Joan and the 16th century Church of Sant Romà.
Roses
	The coastal resort town of Roses sits on the northern end of Spain’s beautiful Gulf of Roses. Its location on the Costa Brava coast and the gulf’s quiet waters — a natural harbor — has made it a highly valued prize that was sought after and fought over by several countries over the years. Today, those same quiet, clear waters and beautiful location have made the town of Roses, which is located in Catalonia’s Girona province, a popular tourist destination
Tossa de Mar
	Tossa de Mar is another seaside town in Costa Brava with an interesting history. In fact, the only fortified medieval town that remains on the Catalan Coast — the 14th century Vila Vella enceinte — can be found here. Visitors can still visit its stone walls and towers. Additionally, the old part of Tossa de Mar has the remains of ancient Gothic and Roman churches. And like Lloret de Mar, there are plenty of beaches to be found there.
Figueres
	One of Costa Brava's most important cities is Figueres, which is located in the northeastern part of Catalonia. In addition to being politically influential, Figueres is celebrated for being the birthplace of Salvador Dali. Indeed, the city is home to the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dali, which is a huge museum designed by the artist himself. It's truly a must-see for anyone who travels to Figueres.
Pals
	The small town of Pals is a great spot for visitors who want to authentically experience life in Costa Brava. Since it's slightly off the Mediterranean Sea, the average tourist never makes it to Pals. Therefore, it's the ideal location to try Catalan cuisine and examine the regional culture firsthand. However, there are still several historical sites to see, such as Pals' four towers dating all the way back to the 4th century. And most importantly, everyone who visits the town should go to the Torre de les Hores, a magnificent Roman tower built nearly a millennium ago.

Filed Under: Catalonia, Costa Brava, featured, Spain

Calella, Spain

Calella is a seaside town in Catalonia, Spain, approximately 35 miles northeast of Barcelona. It is situated on the Costa Brava coast between Pineda de Mar and Sant Pol de Mar. In the 1960s, tourism began to thrive in the community and has continued to do so ever since. Prior to this, the residents of Calella focused on fishing and textile manufacturing for their economic survival. The population of Calella is 18,000; however, this figure has been known to triple during peak vacation season.

Those who enjoy culture and history will be pleased to know that Calella has an interesting past, dating back to the Medieval era when the town was developed under hegemony of Barcelona’s Counts. Southwest Calella boasts an impressive lighthouse, which was constructed in 1859, and features two towers called “Les Torretes.” Calella is also home to a historical museum, which contains works of art dating back to the Roman era. The Santa Maria Church is another outstanding historical landmark that deserves a place on every visitor’s must-see list. The church is located next to a popular attraction called the Casa dels Salvadors, which is a residential structure built in the 1300s for a local wealthy family.

Calella Beach is open to the public, and is a favorite of tourists and residents alike. The beach is just over one mile long, and its south end is relatively quiet, while its northern end is a bit livelier. The beach consistently receives the European Blue Flag Award for cleanliness and exceptionally good maintenance.

The rest of the area’s beaches span several miles, and offer visitors a mixture of course and fine golden sand. Similar to Calella beach, the surrounding beaches are also awarded the Blue Flag for superb maintenance on a regular basis, making them perfect for family vacations. There is a wide selection of water sports in Calella in which visitors can indulge, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, sailing, surfing, jet skiing or water skiing, and the main beach is also home to a water sports club and sports center.

Vacationers can also indulge in a vast array of land activities in Calella, including aerobics, football and beach volleyball, and children’s activities are available for youngsters ages 6-16 at the sports center. One can also enjoy additional activities in the immediate area, such as rollerblading, horseback riding, bicycling, golf, tennis or fishing. Regardless of one’s personal preferences, Calella offers something for everyone, and is the ideal backdrop for a pleasant and memorable vacation.

Filed Under: Calella, Catalonia, Costa Brava, Europe, featured, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Spain, Tossa de Mar

Roses, Spain

The coastal resort town of Roses sits on the northern end of Spain’s beautiful Gulf of Roses. Its location on the Costa Brava coast and the gulf’s quiet waters — a natural harbor — has made it a highly valued prize that was sought after and fought over by several countries over the years. Today, those same quiet, clear waters and beautiful location have made the town of Roses, which is located in Catalonia’s Girona province, a popular tourist destination.

Roses was founded by the Greeks, although there is some dispute as to exactly at what point in history. Some historians believe the town was founded in the 5th century BC, while others believe it was possibly in the 8th century BC. Over the years, Roses has been captured, besieged, or occupied by the Romans, the French, Barbary pirates, as well as the Spanish. Today, the city is home to many historical ruins, including those of the original ancient city that once sat on this site, which was known as Ciutadella, and a fortification that was constructed by Charles V in 1543 to protect the city from pirates and other invaders.

Tourists can choose from a number of beautiful beaches in or near Roses, including Playa Nova, which has many tourist-friendly facilities such as open-air bars and lifeguards; Cala Murtra, a very secluded and beautiful beach that is Roses’ only official nudist beaches; and Cala Joncols, which is located in the Cap de Creus Nature Park and offers excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Some of the sea life that can be viewed in the waters around Cala Joncols include moray eels and sea horses.

Cala Montjoi, which is located approximately seven kilometers from Roses, is another excellent spot for diving. It was also home — until recently — to a highly regarded restaurant, ElBulli. Founded in 1961, this small restaurant, which had been awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide for several years, was often considered one of the best in the world. Its chef, Ferran Adria, plans on reopening the restaurant as a culinary creation center in 2014.

The weather in Roses is generally pleasant. High temperatures in the summer average about 31 C or 87 F. Winter days are typically mild, with highs of 16 C or 60 F, but colder periods do occasionally occur. The area around Roses experiences approximately 1000 mm or about 40 inches of rain per year.

Filed Under: Catalonia, Costa Brava, Europe, Figueres, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Spain, Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar, Spain

A quaint town lined with cobbled streets, Tossa de Mar can be found in the Spanish area of Catalonia, along the Costa Brava. The mountainous region filled with beautiful green valleys, a multitude of gorges and natural springs juxtaposed the medieval remnants of what was once a fortress, complete with castle and alleyways, splashed with ancient homes, restaurants and little shops leaves nothing out for a vacation getaway memory.

Only 100 kilometers south of the French border, Tossa was visited by Hollywood in the 1950s, before it was known as a tourist attraction. The film, “Pandora & the Flying Dutchman” hosted screen greats such as Ava Gardner and James Mason, with Tossa de Mar’s beauty as the backdrop.

Sheltered coves and sandy miles of sandy beaches give the opportunity to play in the crystal clear, Mediterranean waters. Scuba diving and snorkeling adventures can be had or for those that would rather see the undersea creatures from the safety of a glass bottomed boat, they are available.

The activity along the coast is buzzing with fun in the bars, restaurants, gift shops and ice cream parlors. No vacation in Tossa de Mar is complete without a trip through the historic region of town. The Villa Vella still hosts the ancient walls used for defense against enemies years ago and the remaining towers that are still in tact, create a day filled with endless intrigue and educational fact learning. Medieval times saw Tossa in the year 966 and with the 1187 castle that was erected with defense elements in mind, leaving enough historical structures behind to enjoy today.

After a tour through the enclosure, a visit to the man-made nature reserve of Sa Riera park delivers wildlife views and a diverse inspection of flora and fauna. Wildlife abounds in the reserve. The special ecosystem hosts higher levels of humidity and rain, lending hand to the observation of numerous rare species along the six kilometers of coastline that is protected from harm.

Tossa de Mar is the perfect holiday getaway. Relaxing, yet fun-filled, Tossa appeals to families and couples alike. Visit Tossa for your next vacation and be reminded just how relaxing a vacation can be.

Filed Under: Barcelona, Catalonia, Costa Brava, Europe, featured, Figueres, Lloret de Mar, Spain, Tossa de Mar

Lloret de Mar, Spain

Lloret de Mar is a small resort town located in the northeastern part of Spain on the coast. It is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Brava and is 75 km from Barcelona.

Beaches

Since Lloret de Mar is on the coast, there are fabulous beaches to enjoy. You can bask in the sun, enjoy the Mediterranean waters, and sip a glass of Sangria. The beaches of Lloret de Mar consistently receive the Blue Flag award for cleanliness.

The main beach in Lloret de Mar is very popular and has white sand. Fenals Beach is nearby, less crowded, and has golden sand. Both offer an array of water sports including water skiing, jet skiing, and parasailing.

Things to See

The Sant Romà Church is a Gothic church built in 1522 which has been restored. It shows the influence of Byzantine, Renaissance, Moorish, and even Modernist architectural styles.

The Castle of Sant Joan is a castle from medieval times that defended the city from invasion by sea. It has been restored and offers a panoramic view of the area.

Two monuments that should not be missed are the beautiful Angel Monument that has an angel pointing up to Sant Pere del Bosc and the Monument to the Fisherman’s Wife that was placed on the beach on the 100th anniversary of the town.

The Santa Clotilde gardens are a lovely combination of landscaping and statuary. They were designed in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance.

Theme Parks

Water World is the largest water park in all of Europe and is located on the road to Vidreres. It has many rides to delight kids of all ages including a rubber raft ride that is 250 meters long.

Gnomo Park is another family theme park and it is located between Lloret de Mar and Blanes. It offers indoor and outdoor activities including a small animal farm.

Night Life

One thing about Lloret de Mar that keeps people coming back is the night life. It has over 100 bars and nightclubs that include pubs, karaoke bars, discos, and music bars and some of them stay open all night.

Lloret de Mar has many hotels, restaurants, and casinos for merry makers. It is known as the best party city in all of Costa Brava and is a favorite venue for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Filed Under: Catalonia, Costa Brava, Europe, featured, Figueres, Lloret de Mar, Spain

Costa Brava, Spain

Calella, Spain

Roses, Spain

Tossa de Mar, Spain

Lloret de Mar, Spain

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