Barcelona | Costa Brava Holidays and Vacations

Sitges has long been a popular holiday destination, in recent years it has been home to some of the best parties for the LGBT communities as well as a great family and couples resort. There is something for everyone in this fabulous coastal town – don’t spend every day relaxing in your villa with pool in the Costa Dorada , Sitges is bursting with energy, and with some of the best beaches and nightlife on the coast it would be a shame to miss it! Here are some of the fun places you could be exploring on your holiday in Spain. The Golden Beaches The Passeig Maritime is probably the most popular beach in Sitges, it’s the perfect place to sit with a glass of tinto de verano and watch the world go by. You will see cyclists, joggers and even roller bladers throughout the year trying to keep fit and making the most of the weather. Join them or indulge in one of the many water sports on offer on the beach. The boardwalk market stall holders will attempt to sell you a plethora of

Catalonia is a wonderful place for bird watching – and we mean of the feathered variety! The incredible, picturesquedelta plains and nature reserves of Terres de l’Ebre have over 350 species of birdlife for you to discover. If your Spain vacation rental is in this region and you are a keen ornithologist, then don’t forget your binoculars as this area will be right up your street! The Els Ports mountain range flanks the River Ebre as it meanders down to the delta and the sea. Keen observers can view rice fields, salt marches and hundreds of pink flamingos – almost unheard of in the western Mediterranean. The birdlife is unrivalled with rare species waiting to be discovered among the flora and fauna. Andouin’s Gull is one of the rare nesting birds which can be found along the delta, a greater number you are unlikely to see anywhere else in the Mediterranean. The Black Wheatear, Squacco Heron and Boneli’s Eagle also inhabit this area of Spain. Other rare and exotic bird

Everyone has a hidden talent, sometimes it just takes a while to find it. It’s easy to get swamped down in a 9 – 5 job where you sit in front of a computer screen all day with no room to think. Escaping to a villa with pool in the Costa Brava can help you tap into your creative side in more ways than one – you just have to know where to start. Think of the things you are interested in trying. Do you enjoy photography? Do you get a buzz from architecture or prefer to indulge your artistic side sketching pictures of landscapes? You can do it all here. If you fancy painting your own pottery these are some of the best areas to purchase good quality, solid terracotta pots, paint them with scenes from your stay in your family villa in Spain or take them home and design from memory. Take photographs of everything which interests you, if it’s the local wildlife or churches, document them in a scrapbook or an online page where your friends can view your trip through your

The Brexit vote result in the UK came as a shock to many, but what does this mean for ex-pats from the UK who has chosen to make Spain their official residence, and also the Spanish nationals who live and work in the UK? Well, rest assured it’s highly unlikely that anything will be affected in the short term, as Article 50 has yet to be triggered and the official negotiations can take two years following this event for the UK to officially leave the European Union. Ex-pats lived in Spain way before the EU came into full effect, if you can remember when there was border and passport patrols at La Jonquera on the French/Spanish border you will know that foreign nationals were still allowed in and out of Spain with little to no hassle – you just had to show your passport. There is speculation that ex-pats may lose some of their free healthcare benefits in Spain or their pensions have to be drawn differently, but nobody actually knows until the negotiations are finalised. It is

For any lovers of Spanish art, architecture and musicthe Route of the Four Geniuses is a trip you should take . Close to your Costa Dorada vacation rental , this route paints a picture of the unique landscapes, birthplaces and villages which influenced four of the greatest creative talent Spain has ever known – Gaudi, Miro, Picasso and Pau Casals.  The route explores four towns close to the city of Tarragona which have all inspired each individual artist at some point in their lives. The first village El Vendrell is located 35 kilometres north of Tarragona, this was the birthplace of Pau (Pablo) Casals, a renowned Spanish composer and musician. Casals was a cellist, a conductor and composer and is known to be one of the greatest cellists of this age. El Vendrell is home to the Pau Casals Vila Museum which tells the story of his life and many compositions. Reus is the next city on your trail, itwas the birthplace of Antoni Gaudíwho brought us the magnificent Sagrada

When you mention the region of Tarragona, many people think of the city, majestic with its Roman ruins, beautiful golden beaches, excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife - but the region of Tarragona isn’t just about one city, it’s so much more. If you are planning to rent a villa on the Costa Dorada , don’t just stick to the main tourist areas, explore a little further and you will be surprised at the wonders you will find.   The region of Tarragona mainly comprises coastal areas, Tarragona itself being the star attraction. However, the inland territory has plenty of pretty villages and fertile pastures which grow grapes, olives, hemp, cereals and silk and marble and limestone quarries render the region both rich and heritage and natural resources. Tortosa is one of the lesser known cities worth exploring, it has a unique charm which captivates visitor’s imagination transporting them back to days gone by. It’s an easy place to reach, less than one hour’s drive fro

Catalonia is steeped in history and if you are lucky enough to rent a villa in the Costa Brava you will have the opportunity to experience it all. Leading from the coast near Calella de Palafrugell are several endearing medieval villages which should be on your itinerary to visit. If you are hiring a car or are a keen cyclist this is the perfect time to get out and about around Catalonia. From Palafrugell take the C-31 road to Pals first of all. Pals is a pretty hilltop medieval village with charming squares, tapas bars, ceramic shops and stunning panoramic views from the cobbled streets and village walls. It’s a great place to begin your medieval village trail. From here your next port of call should take you to the pretty village of Peratallada, the name means “carved stone” and it’s easy to see why, this compact fortified medieval town is built from carved stone from the moat which encircles it. The Romanesque church of Saint Stephen dates back to the 13 th century

Picture the scene, you have your entire holiday completely planned out to the finest minute detail, you have booked your villa with pool in Spain , the kids are happy they have a trip to the waterpark, beaches and markets. You have one day remaining to fill on your itinerary and you really want to see Barcelona while you are staying in the area. Can you do it in a day? Sure you can! Here are a few ideas on how to get the best out of Barcelona in a day. Don’t try to see too much It’s impossible, even with the best will in the world to see all of Barcelona in one day; the city is just too vast and way too interesting. Our suggestion would be to write down your top 5 and divide it into areas. That way you won’t spend all of your time travelling on the metro to get from one place to another. Prioritise Do you want to see the main tourist attractions or spend time in one or two lesser known areas which are of interest? Some areas are slightly off the beaten track lik

A wonderful medieval town located close to the town of Palafrugell on the Costa Brava, Pals is set atop a hillside, surrounded by sunflower fields and a patchwork of verdant green fields. If your holiday rental in Costa Brava is situated close to this picturesque village it is definitely worth a half day trip to explore its unique qualities. The centre is dominated by a medieval Romanesque tower which can be seen on your approach to the village; this was built between the 11 th and 13 th centuries and houses a clock tower. Charming cobbled streets give way to arches and pretty geranium covered balconies and doorsteps. There is an archaeological museum here as well which allows you to gain a deeper insight into the villages medieval history. The viewing point of Josep Pla is the perfect place to view all the way across to the coastline, on a clear day you will be able to see the Medes islands positioned just a mile off the coast of L’Estartit. The town’s Goth

When we think of choosing a destination for our CostaMaresme Vacation Rental we will usually think of Calella de la Costa or Malgrat de Mar. However, there are many other lesser known towns which make up this coastline just north of Barcelona which are often overlooked. Charming Spanish coastal towns with fewer tourists and a more relaxed ambiance may just be what you are looking for. Arenys de Mar Located a short train, car or bus ride from central Barcelona sits the pretty fishing town of Arenys de Mar. It’s been an important fishing port in this region for centuries, the town even hasits own fisherman’s quarter, the origins of which date back to the 14 th century. The town hosts many pieces of Modernist artwork for which the region is famous, and there are 10 defence towers to protect the town from invaders as the wealth from the fishing industry grew. The centre of the town is Rambla, it is here you will discover the beautiful baroque designed Santa Maria Church, if yo

Calella is a popular seaside town which is a tourist destination for both foreign and Spanish visitors. Not to be confused with its quaint Costa Brava cousinCalella de Palafrugell, Calella de la Costa is a larger town located on the Costa Maresme and is well known for being a lively tourist resort close to your Barcelona holiday rental . In addition to the family friendly golden sandy beach which stretches 3 kilometres, the resort also hosts numerous amenities like souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and supermarkets- it also has an eclectic nightlife. The centre of the resort is not really the place for a relaxing break as there is so much to see and do, however the old town is perfect for walking the cobbled streets and discovering authentic restaurants and tapas bars. For a more chilled out vibe head to the neighbouring resorts of Arenys de Mar , San Feliu de Guixols and Pineda de Mar. Also feel like taking in some nature and wildlife, a short walk from the town centre you