Tourist information Costa Brava page 2
- Northern Costa Brava
- L’Escala, on the beautiful Bay of Roses, can be a bit touristy, but the beach, nearby Greek ruins of Empuries and delicious local anchovies make it worth a trip. North of L’Escala is the Parc Naturel dels Aiguamolls, a protected parcel of land that has become a haven for migratory birds from Europe to South Africa. A network of foot and bike paths enable easy spotting of the flamingos, storks, ospreys and 300 plus other species of birds that flock here. While silence is valued at the Parc, nearby Empuriabrava, the biggest marina town in Europe, delivers plentiful and noisy nightlife. Greek, Roman, medieval and modern all describe the bustling city of Roses at the northern end of the Bay of Roses. High rises dominate the shoreline, but the ruins of old Roses and the medieval church of Santa Maria are within easy reach. What is not within easy reach is a reservation at the world renowned restaurant, El Bulli, the culinary palace of the crown prince of molecular gastronomy, Ferran Adria (more about Catalan cuisine at Catalan Cuisine). Inland of Roses is Figueres, the birthplace of Dali and home to the Teatre-Museo Dali, itself a Surrealist work of art. Cap de Creus, north of Roses, can also be considered a Surrealist work of art, albeit one made by nature. The 450 million year old rocky mineral formations of this cape have been scoured and eroded into the most extraordinary shapes by the fierce tramuntana winds that blow in the area. Above Cap de Creus is Cadaques, referred to as the ‘Saint Tropez of Spain’ and considered the crown jewel of the Costa Brava. Its jumble of whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs is capped by the looming presence of the sixteenth century Church of Santa Maria. No high rises. No cars. Just the young, beautiful, wealthy and hip.
- Girona
- No visit to the Costa Brava is complete without seeing the capital city of Girona, which retains the magic of its historic past. Located at the confluence of four rivers midway between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, Girona is considered the Venice of Spain. It is a city of narrow cobblestone streets, vaulted passageways, winding steps and small squares dominated by what is certainly one of Europe’s most unique cathedrals, the Catedral de Santa Maria. It also boasts an excellent collection of museums, including one regarding what was once the most important Jewish quarter in Spain, El Call. Vestiges of ancient Iberian and Roman walls are still visible in the cathedral square while galleries, boutiques and cafes are plentiful throughout the Old Quarter. And with 700 miles of surrounding mountain bike trails (Vias Verdes), Girona is one of Europe’s cycling capitals.
-
- Powered by Rent a Holiday Home
l Copyright 2009 home-owners contact Belvilla Disclaimer l
