Costa and Coasters

Tour Introduction

The Costa Brava and Costa Dorada are in a privileged position on the north east coast of the Iberian Peninsula with its shores lapped by the Mediterranean Sea set to a backdrop of the stunning Pyrenees mountains.

This region offers visitors a tantalising mix of adrenaline and excitement, with fantastic beach resorts all along the coast leaving sun lovers spoilt for choice. There are also many world class theme parks and waterparks to tease you away from the blue waters. Throw in visits to the stunning city of Barcelona, renowned for its exciting city life, or Tarragona for its history and culture, you can have the best of it all in this exciting part of Spain.

Stay 1. Pals or Estartit – recommend 5 days

Local Map of Costa Brava highlighting nearby attractions, monuments, towns and villages described below.

Why not start your Catalan adventure with a stay at what is regularly voted Spain's best campsite. Pals Cypsela is ideally located to get that tan on its way with the beach resorts of Palafrugell, Palamós, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Lloret de Mar only a short drive away. If you want to get away from it all, the Golf de Roses to the north are more peaceful than the beaches to the south.

Continue your holiday at an easy pace with a visit to the delightful town of Figueres and marvel at the life and times of Salvador Dali in the purpose built museum dedicated to the artist. Make a point of dining out in the beautiful coastal villages, such as L'Escala, Begur or Calogne. Here you will sample some of the best Catalan menus, where seafood is abundant, freshly caught and of course, local.

If you fancy a day of exploring or some fresh mountain air. Consider heading inland to the tiny country of Andorra. Only an hour or two to the northwest, this beautiful country is set amongst the Pyrenees mountains which dominate the landscape has a charming capital, Andorra La Vella, which is an absolute must visit. Make sure you have your driving gloves as this journey will require some expert driving as you negotiate the many hairpins and turns. Once the tan is coming along and you start to feel the need for speed, action and adventure, it is time to head a little further south and prepare for an adrenaline rush.

Recommended parcs: Estartit or Pals

Stay 2. Salou (3 parcs) – recommend 7 days

Local Map of Costa Dorada highlighting nearby attractions, monuments, towns and villages described below.

Choose from any of our three parcs in the Salou region and use this as a base to take on the best that Catalonia can offer you. Start your stay here with a visit to the world famous Port Aventura Theme Park where visitors can race around one of the largest roller coasters, the "Dragon Khan" or be amazed at the stunning pyrotechnics at the "Temple del Fuego". Race each other on the dual tracked "Stampida" or get soaked on the "Tutuki Splash". Only the brave will ride these twice. Take a journey into the deepest ocean with "Sea Odyssey" or hold tight as you race around on the "El Diablo" - the runaway train. You can buy tickets for just the single day, but with so much to offer, you'd be making a sound investment by buying a multi day ticket and coming back for more...

When you have had enough of the exciting rides, head to the Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, located just next door for some "fun in the sun". Race around some of the wildest water rides or simply relax on the purpose built beaches. Go rafting on the El Torrente, get caught in the El Río Loco river rapids or plunge down the massive Barracuda slides. Had enough yet? How about sliding in pitch darkness on the El Tifón waterslide or riding the large waves of the lively El Triángulo de las Bermudas.

If that is not enough, a visit to the Aqualeon Safari and Water Theme Park will complete your stay in the Salou region. This attraction, only a short drive away near Tarragona is Catalonia's largest and most unique nature inspired theme park. Here there is a large aquatic park, two safaris and threeimpressive wildlife exhibitions.

At night, keep up the pace and head into Salou or Tarragona to sample some of the Costa Dorada's best nightlife with restaurants galore catering for all palates, dozens of bars and several nightclubs. If you are looking for a quiet break after all of the hectic activity of the day, heading into Salou Old Town, the Marina or Cambrils can be rewarded with some delightful restaurants and quieter bars.

Last but not least and only an hour from your parc is the truly magnificent city of Barcelona. This is a city that gives you it all from its lively café society, its stunning architecture, history and culture through to its impressive sports stadia and fantastic shopping and even more theme parks. How about this for a few days visiting Barcelona.

Start your visit with a trip to world famous Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's most impressive structure which is still being built after all these years. Marvel at its spires and the innate artwork across the entire building and wander the surrounding parks for some stunning views. Follow this with lunch in the nearby cafés and restaurants before heading to Las Ramblas. No visit to Barcelona can be complete without a stroll up and down this world famous street. Marvel at the street entertainers, wander in and out of cafés and visit the busy La Boquería market. Once you reach the bottom of this fantastic street, jump onto the funicular up to Mount Montjuic, and take in some impressive views of the city whilst absorbing the stunning architecture of the varied stadia and pools used for the very successful 1992 Olympic Games. In the evening, head back down the hill to watch Las Ramblas turn from daytime strollers into a night time street party.

On day two, start your day with possibly the best stadium in the world, the Nou Camp, home to FC Barcelona which regularly hosts over 100,000 spectators for its home games. For lunch, head down to the trendy Marina area. Follow this with a visit to the fantastic shopping district centred around the Passaig de Gracia. Here, you can shop for almost everything with world famous brands and fashions, intertwined with local specialities and produce - perfect for that gift to take back home. In the evening, head to the beach resort town of Sitges, just to the south of the city. Here the nightlife is wild with famous parties, fantastic bars and a superb nightlife.

Still feel like a theme park? Head to the top of Mount Tibidabo by the fantastic funicular and as well as the best views of the city and the Mediterranean, you can race around on roller coasters, rides and monorails - all at the top of a mountain. Furthermore, whilst you are in the Catalan capital, your appetite will definitely enjoy settling into the Catalan style of dining. Catalans believe that to bring the best out of food, the secret is with the sauces, such as "sofregit" which is a delightful mixture of fried onion, garlic and tomato. How about samfaina or chanfaina (sofregit plus red pepper and aubergine or courgette); picada (based on ground almonds, usually with garlic, parsley, pine or hazel nuts, and sometimes breadcrumbs); allioli (pounded garlic with olive oil, often with egg yolk added to make more of a mayonnaise); and romesco (an almond, tomato, olive oil, garlic and vinegar sauce, also used as a salad dressing).

No meal is complete without a suitable wine or local beer. Catalunya's white wines are better than the reds, but the regional favourite is Cava, a bubbly alternative to champagne. As for beer, the choice is endless, but you can't go wrong with locally brewed San Miguel or Estrella Damm. When you have had your feel of this cosmopolitan city, it is time to head back to Salou and spend a few days by the beach recuperating.

Recommended parcs: Cambrils Park and Torre del Sol