Catalonia – A Land Proud of Its Riches
When most people think about Catalonia, two things inevitably come to mind; Barcelona and the tourist-triptych of sun, beach and fiesta. But to reduce Catalonia to just those two is to miss out on much of what makes the region so special. Of course, that’s not to say it’s not accurate. As the most touristic region of Spain, the nearly 200 beaches that stretch from the coves of the Costa Brava (in the north) to the fine sand of the Costa Dorada (in the south) delivers firmly on the promise of sun, beach and fiesta. And Barcelona, with its more than 32 million visitors every year, deserves the attention it gets. But the beautiful and proud region of Catalonia is so much more besides.
The Catalonia hinterland is full of charm with precariously perched villages and natural parks of jaw-dropping beauty clinging to the steep slopes of the Pyrenees. Catalonia is home to Tarragona’s Roman remains, Romanesque churches, Girona’s rich Middle-Ages heritage and of course Barcelona’s celebration of flamboyant Catalan Modernism, where from Sagrada Familia to Palau Guëll, Gaudi and his colleagues left a collection unlike anywhere else.
Our hoteliers and their hotels will help you discover a land deeply attached to its thousand-year-old culture, its traditions (culinary in particular), its language (Catalan) and the Senyera, the Catalan flag of blood-red and golden-field-yellow stripes that is raised throughout the region. Find out what our local experts – our hoteliers - recommend doing, visiting during your stay in Catalonia!
Catalonia: THE HOTELS
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How to go to Catalonia ?
Catalonia’s popularity makes it easy to get to. Cars, buses and trains are all easy methods to arrive in the region, but air is the fastest and often the cheapest way to get there. Allow for 6 and half hours by TGV from Paris and just 3 and a half from Toulouse ((it is also possible to opt for the rail from Lyon, Marseille and a dozen other cities in the south of France). By car the point of entry is via the A9 (Catalan), which once past the Perthus pass in the Pyrenees becomes the AP-7 (Autopista de la Mediterrània). Catalonia’s main airports are Barcelona, Girona and Reus which offers in-season flights only.
When to go to Catalonia ?
Winters on the Catalan coast are mild and the more you go inland the more temperature drops, especially as you approach the Pyrenees. Summer? Guaranteed sun and high temperatures are tempered by a procession of small breezes, each with a name more exotic than the last (Gregale, Xaloc and Migjorn) which circulate between the ocean and the mountains. The only negative during the summer months is the extra influx of tourists. So, if you’d rather avoid them book your stay in spring or autumn where the weather is almost as warm, the crowds are fewer and the rain will rarely put too much of a damper on your days-out.
What to do in Catalonia ?
From our well-located hotels, admire the incredible Pyrenean landscapes, explore miles of coves and sandy beaches on the shores of the Mediterranean, be swept away for the night time festive whirlwind that seizes cities and villages after dark, discover a thousand-year-old culture and have your fill of museums, heritage and architectural discoveries ...Catalonia reveals its appeal as you go from art to adventure. Benvinguts to Catalunya! Take a look at some of our hoteliers must-visit attractions and top things to do.
Catalonia, Confident Gastronomy
hoenician, Greek and Roman influences, Catalan gastronomy offers an impressively varied mix of sweet and savoury flavours. Here, grapes and nuts are often find themselves in vegetable dishes and meats are totally at home when cooked with fruits. Among the typical dishes not to be missed: pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato, garlic and olive oil), calçots, green onions cooked over a wood fire (best eaten with your fingers) or coca de recapte (vegetable pie). For dessert, opt for panellets, almond sweets synonymous with All Saints Day, or the cousin of the creme brulée, crema catalana. Want to taste the best of Catalonia? Here’s what our hoteliers recommend.