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A Walk around Vic

January 23, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

The city authorities have created a ruta turistica around the old town of Vic. By following this simple walk you get to see all the city’s main monuments in a short space of time

Start at the railway station (the bus station is 100m from here) Walk down Carrer de Jacint Verdaguer, directly opposite the station entrance, leading to Placa Major.

The tourist office is close to the town hall, directly ahead of you on the far side of the square. If it is open, pick up the leaflet about the town trail, with descriptions of the various buildings along the way. If not simply follow the signs marked Ruta Turistica.

Follow the route by heading down Carrer de la Ciutat behind the town hall, then turning right on to Carrer Miquel de Sants.

Continue on this route as it passes historic houses and baroque churches, as well as a Romanesque bridge, a section of the old city walls and a 2nd century Roman temple. Eventually you return to Placa Major, where you can stop for a coffee before returning to the station by a differet route.

Go down Carrer dels Argenters, the narrow lane in one corner of the square  with Forn Sant Miquel on the corner. Reaching a small square, urn left into Carrer de les Escales and go down the steps to reach Rambla del Passeig. Turn left and follow the Ramblas along the course of the old city walls. Turn right when you reach Carrer de Jacint Verdaguer to return to the station

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Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc

January 23, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

This 1 1/4 mile route (one-way) is one of the easiest and most representative stretch of the coastal trail.

Calella de Palafrugell
The trail begins at the northern end of Calella, at the Platja de Canadell. There is a car park nearby. look out for the signpost pointing to the Cami de Ronda (seaside path) which is marked with a small coloured code indicated that you’re on the GR-92, a massively long path that runs the length of Spain’s Mediterranean coast and forms part of the E-10 route, which runs all the way to the Baltic.

Llafranc – Mediterranean Views
The extremely east to follow path runs along the shore. In many places you’ll find a wooden rail guiding you along. Be sure to take a camera as this is one of the best areas to take photos of the coast and the town of Calella in the distance.

Placa de Marinada
In about 30 minutes you’ll reach the town of Palafrugell and its placa de Marinda. From here head to the Passeig de Cipsela, a pretty seaside promenade that follows the curve of Llafranc Bay. The promenade ends at the town’s marina.

Faro de Sant Sebastia
From the marina, take the steps to your left (marked as the GR trail) and climb slowly to the Faro de Sant Sebastia (St Sebastian’s Lighthouse). Along the way enjoy the fantastic views. In about 30 minutes you’ll reach the lighthouse and a lookout point. Nearby you can also see the ruins of an old chapel and an Iberian settlements

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Illes Medes Scuba Diving

November 24, 2009 by · 3 Comments 

illes-medes

Home to some of the most spectacular underwater scenery in the Mediterranean, the Illes Medes is a natural habitat for over 1,350 species of marine life. Making this area of the Costa Brava one of the most sought after scuba diving spots in Spain.

The Illes Medes or Islas Medas (in Spanish) is a small and craggy group of islets for dives for all styles. These islands were declared a protected area by the Catalan Autonomous Government in 1983, becoming an important marine reserve in the Western Mediterranean.

Beginners diving no more than 10m (40ft) will be able to spot lobsters and octopuses, while more experienced divers can head out to the rich coral landscapes the thrive in deeper, cooler waters.

Expert divers can explore the caves dug by time out of the rock massif.  Caves like La Vaca (The Cow) feature a series of tunnels that house marine plants and fish, including large Groupers. The mouth of La Vaca is well lit and ideal for photography, while its inner reaches (dark holes) guarantees a thrill.

There is even a wrecked ship nearby, which is one of the divers’ favourite spots to explore. The Reggio Messina, intentionally sunk in 1991, is a short boat ride from the islands and is the largest diveable ship on the coast.

There is a limit on the number of divers that can visit the site, and a complete ban on fishing around this area.

Marine life survives in this area with the help of conservation and also the rich organic life which comes from the nearby inlet of of the River Ter (although this source can sometimes be responsible for a merky dive depending on the amounts of rain).

When diving this area keep a look out for the following species

  • marine plants
  • octopus
  • bream
  • lobster
  • starfish
  • dolphins
  • whale sharks
  • blue marlins

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Walking Holidays in the Costa Brava

November 23, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

walking

One has to be ready to visit the exotic beaches that Costa Brava in Spain offers to the tourists and inhabitants alike. Other than the beaches, there are a plenty of places that would interest the adventure seekers and enthusiasts to set on a walking expedition.

The scenic locations make a good starting point for walkers and these walking routes vary accordingly. While some drive the walkers inland, others tend to provide a better view of the nature by directing the tourists to the hills and mountains in the regions of Catalonia in Spain. Based on the age group and capability of the walkers, tourists can choose the perfect places to start their walking expedition. While there are several paths which are divided into short walking and long walking routes, it would be a fair chance to approach the tourist office in the Costa Brava and attain the maps before taking a walking expedition.

Long distance walking provides appropriate trails so that you can never get lost in the myriad. These trails were usually used by the Christian pilgrims and Romans. Long distance walking routes are easily classified by their red and white trailed markings.

A walk in Costa Brava is meant to remember for a life time. The perfect view of the molded-like cliff-tops, scenic locations which tend to take off your tiredness from the long walks, scattered restaurants offer a good chance to take rest and start on your expedition again.

Llafranc is the perfect spot where a novice walker can start. A perfect spot for lazy walkers too, all you need to keep an eye on are the red and green colored route markers. The pathways rolled out on the cliffs are well attained and provided with good signs which make it an easy path to follow the Cami de Ronda signs. No matter from which direction you start a walk over here, you can always make out an exit to a easily accessible location. That makes it perfect to stop walking and start on some other tourist spot.

After taking a well meant rest, you can start on to a challenging route by moving to the eastern end of the bay, by the marina. You will start to ascend a 167m cliff, Cap de Sant Sebastian which hoists a lighthouse, which has provided guidance to sailors of the Costa Brava for the past two centuries. After a nice walk of about 40 minutes, you can reach the lighthouse from where the breathtaking views would surely reward you for the walk. The mirador offers you views of both inland stretching through the forests and never-ending plains of Emporda and out to the sea. This is a walk which you would remember for the rest of your life time.

If you are ready to take more, it’s advised to move to the north of the lighthouse. A two hour walk would offer you an opportunity to take a break from the hustling busy lives. You reach the perfect picnic spot of a deserted Cala Pedrosa, a fishing village of Tamariu. Tamariu is a small beach resort tucked in at the bottom of steep and pine clad hills.

As the summers are quite hot, serious walkers tend to shift their destinations towards the north of Spain. Spain’s Basque regions is a perfect escape from the summer heat because if its comparatively cooler weather and breathtaking locations.

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Costa Brava Water Parks

November 22, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

Waterslides and pools are a great way to spend a safe day out with the children. Below are some of the best water parks in the Costa Brava:

Aquabrava

Carretera de Cadaques, Roses
Waterslides, beaches and the biggest wave pool in Europe !

Aquadiver

Carretera Circumval lacio, Platja d’Aro
Children who enjoy messing about in water, will love this – wave machines, zigzagging toboggans, safe white-water rapids and a ‘kamikaze’ free fall ride

Marineland

Carretera Malgrat a Palafolls, near Blanes
Aquatic park with dolphin and sea lion shows and a small zoo with penguins and seals. Thrill rides include the Black Hole and the Canyon River ride. Sperate pools and rides for unders 6yrs old.

Water World

Carretera Vidreres, Lloret de Mar
Pools, slides and Water Mountain, where you can take a big-dipping roller coaster ride!

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Costa Brava Golf Courses

November 2, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

Golf is one of the more popular activities to participate in the Costa Brava

Central Costa Brava

Club de Golf Girona
Urb. Golf Girona , s/n
17481 Sant Julià de Ramis
Girona – Spain

GOLF GIRONA is an 18-hole, par 72 golf course designed by the prestigious English architect F.W. Hawtree, seeded entirely with Penncross, the best quality grass for playing golf.

A course that is entirely adapted to its natural surroundings, without any antennas, power lines or highways crossing it, featuring an advanced sprinkling system using regenerated water from Girona’s purification plant, and meeting the most up-to-date environmental standards.

The top nine holes are extremely competitive – their design requires players to use all the clubs in their bags. The bottom nine are simply spectacular, with all the tees set atop walls built with Girona stone, offering impressive panoramic views of the fairways. It is a true pleasure to follow the flight of the ball towards its destination, and encourages many players to take out their woods. When Mr. Hawtree designed this part of the course, he probably wanted players to feel as good as possible after having completed the rigorous top nine.

Emporda Golf club
ctra de Torroella de Montgri a Pals s/n. 17257 (Gualta) Girona.

The Emporda Golf course offers a total of 36 holes, divided into two separate 18-hole courses: Links and Forest. The course was designed by Robert von Hagge, who chose to integrate a links-style course with two large lakes, dunes and rolling bunkers into a classic Mediterranean landscape replete with dense, manicured pine stands and spacious fairways. To this end, he was able to take full advantage of the natural beauty of the setting itself: stunning El Baix Emporda in the heart of the Costa Brava region.

With the inauguration of the final 9 holes, the course came to offer a total of two separate 18-hole courses. The first, called LINKS, spans dunes and lakes in a style reminiscent of the world-famous greens of Scotland. The second, FOREST, is more Mediterranean in style and winds invitingly through pine trees and lakes.

The Emporda Golf has been chosen as one of the Top Ten Golf Courses in Spain, recognized by the prestigious “Peugeot Guide” which has granted us a mark of 17/20 in the ranking of the 100 best golf courses. Furthermore, the famous American magazine “Gof World” has placed us in position 13 of the best courses in Spain. EG was made the permanent headquarters for the PGA Pre-Qualifying School II European Tour and, since 2002-2003, has hosted the PGA Qualifying School European Tour Final and the Peugeot Tour Emporda Golf in 2006 and 2007.

 

Golf Platja de Pals
Camí del Golf, 64 – 17256 PALS – Girona – Spain

Under the management of the English architect Mr. Fred Hawtree, who from the very beginning worked closely with the plans of the Parera-Coll family. The promoters displayed a marked respect for the environment, up to the point where they did not allow a single pine tree to be felled unless it had been marked beforehand

The first holes on the first Costa Brava golf course were inaugurated in the summer of 1966, and soon after, in 1968 the extension of the course was undertaken with nine holes more until the 18 regulation holes stipulation was fulfilled. The new regulation course was inaugurated in 1970 with the celebration of the “Spanish International Amateur Championship”. Two years later, the Golf Platja de Pals, held the “1972 Spanish Open”.

Since then the course has been considered as one of the finest in Spain thanks to its design and construction, and it has been the venue of numerous international competitions.

 

The North Coast

Peralada Golf Club
C/ Rocabertí, s/n 17491 Peralada (Girona)

An outstanding 18-hole par 71 course with a 6,071 metres layout and 4 tees boxes per hole. With few slopes and different areas with lakes, trees and lush manicured gardens it is a suitable course for players of all levels.

It blends in perfectly with its surroundings, being environmental preservation and nature protection present all along the area. It was the first European golf course to hold the UE Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certificate.

From its opening in 1993 it has been awarded as the best golf course of the Costa Brava on several occasions and the Emerging Golf Destination of 2000 -with the other Costa Brava-Girona Golf Association golf courses- by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators).

It has welcomed many competitions and tournaments of the highest level such as the Open Catalonia 95, the Pre-Qualifiying School PGA tests and the Seniors Qualifying School.

 

Torremirona Golf Club
Navata (Figueres) GIRONA

An exclusive 18 hole, championship golf course, designed and immaculately maintained throughout the year, offers the golfer spectacular views whilst navigating the various lakes and undulating greens.

The South Coast

Club de Golf Costa Brava
Sta. Cristina d’Aro – 17246 Girona

The 18-hole Golf course inaugurated in 1968 was designed by Hamilton Stutt & Co. It combines a very technical course in the first round with a more relaxed one in the second. The first nine holes, surrounded by pine and cork oak forests, differ from the other nine located on the flat with very wide fairways, leading to the 18th hole, below the Casa Club, a typical 1841 Catalan farmhouse.

The Club is private but Green Fees are accepted throughout the year.

Club de Golf d’Aro-Masnou
429 – 17250 PLATJA D’ARO – Costa Brava (Girona)

Club Golf D’Aro – Mas Nou lies between the towns of Platja d’Aro and Santa Cristina d’Aro up in the Les Gavarres mountains at 300 m above sea level. It is one of the oldest golf courses on the Costa Brava, featuring more than a thousand olive trees together with pines and cork trees and two large artificial lakes covering 2,600 m3.

The Club Golf D’Aro – Mas Nou was designed by architect Ramón Espinosa.
It features a par 72, 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole (Pitch & Putt) course, both of them in the heart of nature and with spectacular views of the Costa Brava, Les Gavarres, Montseny and the Valle de La Selva.

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