Added: 01/31/2006 |
Catalonia: the land of contrasts and gorgeous landscapesCatalonia is a land of contrast and beautiful landscapes. It is spectacular in every way: the scenery, the culture, the cuisine are magnificent. You can wander through places with the signs of daily living from centuries, passed in the form of sanctuaries, hermitages, bridges, and be astonished by the strength of the nature. Enjoy Catalonia's excellent gastronomy, which is characterized by seafood, rice dishes, wines of great international reputation and traditional desserts, like the famous "Catalonyan Cream".
Catalonia has a very marked culture of its own, most evidently of Mediterranean tradition, and is distinguished out of the most other Spanish regions in several aspects, not at least by its language, Catalonian (though everybody speaks and understands Castilian Spanish perfectly). Certainly, it is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Spain, due to its long tradition of international commerce.
Everywhere in this area you can find the signs of Catalonia?s special talent to combine the beauty of nature or monuments with modern attractions. That is probably the main reason why Catalonya has developed into one of the most preferred tourist destinations.
The main attraction of this region is certainly Barcelona. Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish community of Catalonia, home to the world famous architect Gaudi and is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Spain. Among its most outstanding highlights, usually included in Barcelona daytrips, there is the Gothic Quarter and the works of Antoni Gaudi. Another famous place of interest of Catalonya is Girona, a beautiful historic city with the legendary old Jewish Quarter.
To experience the diversity and splendor of extensive Catalonia?s nature, you can take a tour over its mountains, vineyards and infamous beaches. Certainly, one of the most famed Spanish coasts, stretching from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona, is Costa Brava. It is of great natural beauty, with steep cliffs and romantic small coves.
Barcelona, Catalonia, is home to several innovative and exclusive Catalan (Spanish) wines and champagne or cava, as it is known locally. Visit local cellars, located in the beautiful world, renowned Penedes wine country south of Barcelona. A catered meal of Catalan food is prepared and served to tourists in a wine cellar, as they enjoy extensive cava and wine tasting in El Penedes.
Being in Catalonya, a visit to the Mountain of Montserrat is a must for anyone. A trip to the top of the mountain gives some breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. With its spectacular peaks, rising over four thousand feet, and the Benedictine monastery, founded in the 11th century, this magnificent natural park is only fifty kilometers from Girona and ninety from Barcelona.
Set in the Pre-Pyrenees, the Nuria Valley is actually a ski resort in winter, but in summer it provides a lovely peaceful setting to relax or perhaps take one of the mountain tracks. The valley can only be reached by the rack-railway, which winds its way up more than three thousand feet to the sanctuary and hotel, noted for its excellent cuisine. The sanctuary is surrounded by peaks of more than nine thousand feet and is an ideal place for taking a few spectacular photos.
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