The Costa Dorada

Cataluña (Catalunya)/Catalonia

From rocky Costa Brava to smooth Costa Dorada, the lush Pyrenees to chic Barcelona, Cataluña is a vacation in itself. It has also been graced with many of the nation's richest resources, making it the most prosperous region in Iberia. Catalanes are famous for their resourcefulness and work ethic. As the saying goes, "El Català de les pedres fa pa" (a Catalan can make bread out of stones).

Colonized first by the Greeks and the Carthaginians, Cataluña was later one of Rome's favored provinces. Only briefly subdued by the Moors, Cataluña's counts achieved independence in AD 987. Cataluña grew powerful as she joined the throne of Aragón in 1137; while this union empowered Cataluña to pursue her own empire for a time, it ultimately doomed her to be subjugated to subsequent Spanish rule. King Felipe V was finally able to fully suppress Cataluña in the early 18th century when the Catalans sided against him in the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1714). In the late 18th century, the region's fortunes revived when it developed into one of Europe's premier textile manufacturers, opening trade with the Americas. Nineteenth-century industrial expansion nourished arts and sciences, ushering in an age known as the Catalan Renaixença (Renaissance).

The 20th century gave birth to the Modernist movement and an all-star list of artists and architects, including Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Antoni Gaudí i Comet, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, and Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Home to staunch opponents of the Fascists during Spain's Civil War, Cataluña lost its autonomy in 1939. During his regime, Franco suppressed Catalan language instruction (except in universities) and limited Catalan publications.

Since Cataluña regained regional autonomy in 1977, Catalan media and arts have flourished. Today, Catalan is once again the region's official language. While some worry that the use of the regional dialect will discourage talented Spaniards from working or studying in Cataluña, effectively isolating the region, others argue that extensive regional autonomy has generally led to progressive ends. Many catalanes will answer inquiring visitors in Catalan, even if asked in Castilian. Lauded throughout Spain, Catalan cuisine boasts pa amb tomaquet (bread smeared with olive oil, tomato, and garlic), and ali-oli (a garlic and olive oil sauce).

Barcelona

Barcelona loves to indulge in the fantastic. From the urban carnival that is Las Ramblas to its Modernista buildings with no straight lines; from wild festivals to even wilder nightlife; from bronzed nude beaches to a beloved white gorilla named Floquet, the city pushes the limits of style and good taste in everything it does, and does so with amazing results. As the center of the whimsical and daring architectural movement, Barcelona boasts fairy-tale buildings like none other in the world. With artists like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and the lovable Joan Miró, even Barcelona's world famous art is grounded in an alternate reality.

The time is now for Barcelona. In the quarter-century since Spain was freed from Franco's oppressive regime, Barcelona has led Cataluña in a resurgence of a culture so unique it puzzles even the rest of Spain. The city has given itself a complete makeover, which began as preparation for the Olympics in the early 1990s but was so successful that the image-obsessed have kept it going. The result is a vanguard city squeezed between the mesmerizing blue waters of the Mediterranean and the green Tibidabo hills, flashing with such vibrant colors and intense energy that you'll see Barcelona long after you have closed your eyes.

Barcelona is a stunning gateway to Cataluña, Spain, the Mediterranean, and the Pyrenees. Pack your swimsuit and your skis, your art history book and your clubbing shoes, and don't worry if you don't speak Spanish---neither does Barcelona.
lost its autonomy in 1939. During his regime, Franco suppressed Catalan language instruction (except in universities) and limited Catalan publications.

COSTA DORADA

The Costa Dorada is Spain's "Gold Coast" extending from the city of Barcelona to south of Tarragona in the region of Catalonia. It boasts the dual attractions of seemingly endless miles of golden sandy beaches and the Port Aventura theme park, a Disney style entertainment centre which is the main magnet for many international holidaymakers. This stretch of the coastline has long been popular with Spanish tourists, anxious to escape the stifling summer heat of Madrid and the traffic chaos and congestion of Barcelona. But it only developed as a major international tourist destination after the opening of Port Aventura in 1995.

The 20 towns that make up the Costa Dorada cover a marine littoral 216 kilometres long, 786 hectares of spacious beaches with clean fine sand and transparent shallow water. In between the sea and the mountain range there are wide areas filled with peaceful towns and farmlands, where vineyards, olive groves, carobs, hazel trees and almond trees grow, and occasionally even vegetable gardens. The whole area, between; hotels, camping sites and apartments, has capacity for over 500,000 tourists, and receives an average 3,500,000 visitors per year.

The large tourist centres along the beaches of the Costa Dorada have developed in recent times upon the old fisherman's quarters in old towns mainly dedicated to agriculture, and sometimes located atop the hills near the sea in order to protect themselves from attacks by corsairs and pirates in earlier centuries.

There are three main tourist centres on the Costa Dorada (Costa Daurada in Catalan) - Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils, all of which are clustered together (unsurprisingly) on the section of coastline nearest to the Universal Studios theme park at Vila-seca. The nearest international airport is just 15 minutes drive inland at Reus which handles regular charter flights from London. International tourists also use schedule services to Barcelona, an hour's drive northeast along the coast.

SALOU
Salou is the undisputed tourist capital of the Costa - a totally modern resort, chock-a-block with high-rise hotels, bars and entertainment facilities all geared to satisfying the every whim of the international visitor. There are a huge number of pubs, clubs and discos here along with a wide range of watersports and other leisure activities including golf, para gliding, hiking, cycling and horse riding. The nightlife in Salou is one of the liveliest of all the Spanish coastal resorts, an attraction for teenagers who will love the frantic atmosphere. Whether you want traditional flamenco, a Mexican meal, karaoke or all-night discos you'll find it all here. Many of the bars and pubs are geared to the British and Irish markets providing draught bitter, quiz nights, celebrity impersonators and comedians. Don't come here for a taste of the "real Spain" but if you're looking for a purpose-built holiday town with all imaginable entertainment on your doorstep then Salou's the place for you.

LA PINEDA
La Pineda, a short drive northeast along the coast, is a better bet. The safe sandy beaches make this a perfect holiday spot for families with young children. The resort is the closest to Port Aventura and has the added benefit of the Aquopolis water park right on the beachfront.

A mini road train runs between La Pineda and Port Aventura throughout the day. The theme park has enough entertainment to keep you busy for three days including the world-renowned Dragon Khan roller coaster which dominates the skyline for miles around. It's one of the biggest of its kind in the world with no less than eight death-defying loop-the-loops. The park consists of five themed lands all packed with thrill rides, cabaret shows, bars, restaurants and shops. As one harassed mum put it: "Blindfold your kids and lock your wallet!"

CAMBRILS
Cambrils is the most southern of the three resorts and is a world apart from frantic Salou. Parts of the town are still very Spanish in character with narrow, cobbled streets, ancient buildings and typical tapas bars. The resort retains all the charm of a small fishing village and boasts some world-class seafood restaurants. Sit by the quayside with a pre-dinner drink in the early evening and you'll be able to watch the day's catch being landed.