The Costa Brava: not a Full English Kind of Holiday in Spain

When venturing out on a HOLIDAY IN SPAIN take a look at the Costa Brava with its 160 kilometres of rugged coastline that is home to beautiful sandy beaches and summer sunshine that seems to last forever. Even though this area became a hot spot for the package tour operators in the 1960s today you will still find the traditional fishing villages, secluded coves and medieval towns next door to the modern high-rise resort complexes.



The Costa Brava, which means "The Wild Coast", is an area of natural beauty. Once you see this majestic coastline you will appreciate why they named it as they did. With its cliffs plunging dramatically down to the beautiful sandy beaches and their rocky coves scattered along the seafront, you can understand why so many people visit this magical place each year.



With the Costa Brava as your base of operations you will have access to the hidden treasures of this fantastic Catalonia region. Barcelona, the capital city of this region, is an extremely cosmopolitan and sophisticated town where the ancient and the modern coexist comfortably next to each other. This is exemplified in the architecture with Spain's famous architect Gaudi being at the top of the list. There is so much to do and see in Barcelona starting with the Pablo Picasso Museum, Olympic village and La Rambla boulevard known throughout the world, that you will not be able to do or see it all. Another place of interest is the Salvador Dali Museum located in Fingers. This museum was designed and built by the man himself, which is evident in its construction and decoration. This is also a good place for a family holiday with Europe's largest water park situated just outside Lloret de Mar and in Blanes you have the Marineland complex especially its dolphin shows. There are also water slides to keep the kids busy all day long.



Another good place to visit is the ancient fishing village of Roses that has grown to become an international tourist destination. By looking at this village with time honoured traditions, it doesn't look as though it's able to offer all the modern tourist facilities that are found in the modern resorts but it does. It's amazing that Roses has been able to escape the overdevelopment and glitz found in the other better known seaside resorts. The centuries old fishing village of Roses is situated on the sweeping Bay of Roses on the north eastern end and is an excellent place to go walking or biking through the beautiful countryside. If you would like to venture over to France for the day, it is only 30 kilometres away.



If you would like to find a place that is quiet and relaxed then just south of Roses is the seaside resort of Estartit. This traditional Spanish fishing village is tucked away on the Costa Brava with a modern yacht marina just next door. What draws most people here is just off shore: the archipelago of seven Medes Islands, which form a nature and marine reserve that are considered to be of great importance. This is also a good place to sample the Spanish culture everyone is in search of along with the best local cuisine including fresh seafood dishes.



A good location for your HOLIDAY IN SPAIN is, without a doubt, the attractive resort of Tossa de Mar. With 14 kilometres of beach and secluded coves it offers a place to do nothing more than top up your tan or go for a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. If you are into history take a walk through the old quarter Villa Vella: here you will find ancient fortified walls and towers that still exist to this day.