Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to mix a bit of history with a dip
in the sea.
d
Empúries
•
972 77 02
08
•
Open Jun-Sep: 10am-8pm daily;
Oct-May: 10am-6pm daily
•
Adm
(
Port Aventura
A Scenic Drive
Morning
From Barcelona take the AP7
motorway until exit 4, then
take the C260 to Cadaqués.
The journey should take
about two and a half hours
in all. Just before dropping
down to the town, stop at
the viewpoint and take in
the azure coastline and the
whitewashed houses of
this former fishing village.
Once in
Cadaqués
, now
one of Catalonia's trendiest
beach towns, wander the
quaint boutique-filled streets.
After a splash in the sea
and a coffee on one of the
chic terrace cafés, take the
road leaving Port Lligat and
head for the
Cap de Creus
(see p125)
lighthouse. Drive
through the desolately beau-
tiful landscape of this rocky
headland before doubling
back and heading off to Port
de la Selva. The road twists
and winds interminably, but
the picture-perfect scenery
will leave you speechless.
Afternoon
Stop in the tiny, mountain-
enclosed Port de la Selva
for an excellent seafood
lunch at the Cala Herminda.
Then drive to the neigh-
bouring village of Selva del
Mar with its tiny river and
have a post-prandial coffee
on the terrace of the Bar
Stop before continuing up
to the
Monestir Sant Pere
de Rodes
(see p124)
.
You'll be tempted to stop
several times on the way
up to take in the views.
Don't, because the best
is to be had from the
monastery, which offers
an incredible sweeping
vista of the whole area.
There are plenty of well-
signposted walks around
the mountain top here
and it is worth staying
put to see the sun set
slowly over the bay.
Universal Studios' theme
park is divided up into five areas:
China, Far West, Mediterranean,
Polynesia and Mexico, each offer-
ing rides and attractions. Thrill-
junkies will appreciate one of
Europe's biggest roller coasters,
Dragon Kahn (China). There are
also shows, and the entire
experience is like being on a
film set.
d
Av Pere Molas, Vila-seca,
Tarragona
•
902 20 22 20
•
Open mid-
Mar-Oct daily, call for seasonal hours
•
Adm
•
DA
)
Costa Daurada & Sitges
With its wide sandy beaches
and shallow waters, the Costa
Daurada differs from the northern
Catalonian coastline. The sleepy
town of Torredembarra is a
pleasant and rarely busy family
resort, but the jewel in the crown
is undoubtedly Sitges. It's the
summer home to Barcelona's chic
crowd, as well as being a popular
gay resort
(see p49)
. All this gives
it a cosmopolitan, frenetic feel,
but the town never reaches the
tacky excesses of some of the
Costa Brava's resorts.
d
Tourist
Info: C/Sínia Morera
•
938 10 93 40
Waterfront, Sitges
121
Following pages
Inner Courtyard, Monestir de Montserrat
