Costa Brava Holiday - Palamos, Girona and The Dali Museum

Costa Brava holidays tend to mean different things to different people, so I was interested to see this article on the subject of a cruise ship stopping off at Palamos.

The writer of the article had picked up the cruise boat in Barcelona after a flight from the USA and Palamos was the first stop on his Mediterranean cruise.

What a pity he declined a trip to Girona and the Dali Museum in Figueres. Whilst I appreciate that jet-lag gets the better of most of us, he managed to miss a wonderful slice of Spain that is worth so much more than a quick stop.

He says that that there wasn't much to do in Palamos, and with that I can agree with him on, but Palamos is the biggest port in the area and was the starting point to getting him closer to other parts of the Costa Brava offering more in the way of history, art, culture, and spectacular scenery.

I wonder what views and opinions he will take home with him from Spain? Fairly vexing that the gentleman writer appears to be writing for a travel agency, apparently on the staff, so he is not really offering his readers much of an opinion on Spain if he declines to go on the tours and surely he is missing half the fun of cruising by not doing the tours?

It seems that it is not only Spain that he's not keen on doing tours - France's famous wine estates also missed the chance to play host to to this blogger.

Costa Brava Holiday is Hotting Up For Next Year

We've had a busy week here in Spain, gearing up for ... next year's Costa Brava holiday!

I've been pleasantly surprised and delighted that folks are booking Villa Amora up already. The whole of May is booked out and we have had several enquiries from people who have stayed this year to return next year.

If you are able to book this far in advance, you will get the pick of dates and of course villa rentals. You may even get discounts for booking so far in advance. The early bird gets the worm ...

Check out Vila Birdie and Villa Amora for your 2008 summer holiday now!

Spain Blog With Lots of Help

Just come across this blog, which I think is rather good! Take a look at all the free podcasts and information to help you learn Spanish ...

No excuses now! Tell me what you think of the site ...

Costa Brava Spain Sees New Blog

Jippee! My Costa Brava Spain business is finally joined to my Tailor Made South Africa Travel one through Coast 2 Coast Connection!

Don't worry though, I won't abandon you here, I promise! I love writing and fortunately with the two wonderful travel destinations that I love, I will be able to keep everyone up-to-date with everything that's happening.

The name, Coast 2 Coast Connection brings together two amazing coastlines, Costa Brava, Spain and the whole of the South African coastline that stretches for more than 2500 km from the Namibian border on the Atlantic coast right up to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

The Costa Brava is tiny in comparison, only 160 km, but its beauty is no less. Stunningly rugged in parts with turquoise blue seas and long sandy beaches and tiny inlets and coves. It is a fascinating destination with history, beauty, culture and cuisine which are international icons.

Why not go on over to Costa Brava Spain and take your pick of exciting things to see and do on your own Costa Brava idyll?

Foods of Spain in South African Twist

One of the blogs we love, which we have added to our Johannesburg to Cape Town blog has featured foods of Spain, which neatly brings together both sides of our exclusive travel business.

Cook Sister is a South African living in England and today she includes a recipe for Habas con Jamon which is a Spanish dish made from broad beans and Iberian ham, rather like Parma ham.

Over here the dish is quite a favourite on tapas menus or as a starter and is very tasty. Do try Cook Sister's food of Spain recipe. It's easy to make and we think you will agree with us, will become a much-loved family dish.

Also check out the fantastic photos of the broad beans! Doesn't it want to make you pick out the beans and eat them straight off the page!

Where is Costa Brava? It Must Be South Africa!

Where is Costa Brava? Well, most of us would say Spain, of course, but this particular African Hoopoe bird seems to have mistaken Costa Brava, Spain with South Africa!

I went yesterday to our Costa Brava holiday rental to show TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort to a friend over visiting from the UK and to go for lunch in one of my favourite spots on the coast at Tamariu.

Imagine my surprise and delight on gazing at the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains to see the wonderful African Hoopoe bird sitting in our garden!

They are often seen throughout the summer months in southern and central Europe on golf courses and coastal fields, as they escape the South African winter and I guess that he was just stocking up on grubs to fuel him for his long journey south to the warmer climes of South Africa for their summer.

So if you like bird watching, why not come to Villa Amora for your next holiday and spot your own exotic birds from the comfort of your own villa rental Costa Brava.

photo © Arkadiy Yarmolenko

Location Costa Brava Tops For Ryanair And Girona

The location Costa Brava has come second only to Palma, Majorca for passenger numbers out of Bournemouth airport in the UK for Ryanair flights. Bournemouth's busiest summer on record helps the Costa Brava maintain its deserved spot amongst the most popular Spanish holiday destinations.

Girona airport which serves the Costa Brava, is a neat little airport. It manages to process thousands of flights and people in a reasonably ordered fashion, with little fuss and in a timely manner. If you have a choice on which days to travel though, try not to pick Saturday at the height of the summer season. It is unbelievably crowded and waiting around with all those bodies makes it very hot.

Ryanair flies to Girona from all over the UK and Northern Europe, making it one of the most popular airlines flying into Girona and the Costa Brava. From Girona you can also fly onwards to other destinations in Spain.

We love Girona airport because it allows visitors to Villa Amora, Vila Birdie apartments and TorreMirona Golf and Spa Resort easy access from across Northern Europe at any time of the year. Ideal for villa rental Costa Brava in those out-of-season months for a long weekend playing golf in the sunshine or spa relaxation, or those bustling summer months of lazing about by the pool or on the beaches.

Casas Costa Brava - Testimonial on Villa Amora, location villa Costa Brava

Casas Costa Brava are many and varied and those that are rented out through the summer months to visitors are no exception. However, many and varied also applies to the standard of accommodation and facilities that you will experience.

Make sure that you get the full low-down on the property you wish to rent, so that your holiday goes with a whizz, not a bang from the moment you step over the threshold.

Here are just some of the comments we have got in our Guest Book over the last few months for rentals in Costa Brava:

"Everything we could have wished for and more! A little piece of heaven" Mr & Mrs Mackenzie and family, Glasgow

"We had a very nice time in your lovely house. Perhaps too short ... "Mr & Mrs de Coq, Belgium

"We had a wonderful summer vacation in your lovely house. It was very convenient and pleasant. Thanks". Lux family, Israel

"A lovely holiday in a fabulous villa with spectacular views. Many thanks". Palmer family, Leicestershire

"Enjoyed a relaxing week at Villa Amora - very comfortable and lovely setting". Wilkinson family, N.Ireland

"Thank you for a lovely stay in your delightful villa. Such peaceful surroundings!" Mr & Mrs Boss, Leicestershire

"We had a wonderful time in your beautiful villa - lovely comfortable place. Thanks". Mr & Mrs Kaka and family, India

Each one of these comments can be viewed in our Guest Book and a full set of photos and descriptions can be found on our website, Costa Brava Spain.

Location Costa Brava - The Lakes at Banyoles on a Costa Brava Holiday

Location Costa Brava: A summer's day in August. Your mission is to venture into the hinterland to discover the Lakes at Banyoles.

Drive down the main road out of Girona, through the splendour of the dormant volcanoes of the Parc Natural de la Garrotxa and you will be forgiven for thinking that you have arrived at a very un-prepossessing town on your Costa Brava holiday.

The rather grey town of Banyoles does not encourage you to rest a while and discover its charms, but Banyoles secret lies not in the town itself, but to the west where the distinctive figure-of-eight lake, the Estany de Banyoles, occupies centre stage.

Surrounded by wooded hills, reflected in the still waters on a hot summer's day, the lake gives the feeling of a step back in time to a genteel Victorian age, redolent of elegantly dressed ladies with parasols and gentlemen with stripy jackets and boaters.

Rowing boats for hire and boat trips round the lake add to the mirage of a bygone era, with stylish stone built boat houses dotting the shoreline. Swimming is allowed in the lake at designated areas and you half expect everyone to be wearing the long, wool bathing costumes of our ancestors!

However, the Estany de Banyoles is firmly in the 21st century with cafes and restaurants surrounding the eastern side of the lake where the pleasure boats depart from. A delightfully restored boat house also provides an information bureau, where you can hire bicycles and discover walks around the lake, buy guide books and learn the history of the area.

Prepared routes for both cyclists and walkers encircle the 8km lake, along clearly marked paths. The leaflet, printed in a number of different languages, directs you to various points of interest along the way, such as the lovely twelfth-century Esglesia de Santa Maria, perched on a knoll above the lake on the south-western side.

The peace and feeling of space is remarkable, even in the height of the summer. Not crowded or hurried, this is a place to take your time, drink in the views and relax your mind.

We think you will agree for this location Costa Brava has it exactly right. Your mission has been successful!

I invite you to use these tips to make the most of your holiday on the Costa Brava.

And with your permission, I’d also like to offer you free access to my short report, Costa Brava Holiday - What Else Is There Apart From Sun, Sea and Sangria on a Costa Brava Holiday? You can download it by going to http://www.costa-brava-spain.com/shortreport.html

From Helen Palmer – The Exclusive Vacations Guide and Tailor Made South Africa Travel

Costa Brava Weather - 3 Special things to do when the Costa Brava Weather doesn't Play Ball

What do you do when the Costa Brava weather doesn't shine? Most of the time you can golf, walk or visit the beach, but when you haven't planned for inclement weather where do you go? Read on to find out 3 special things to do when the Costa Brava weather doesn't play ball ...

Costa Brava weather is usually very clement with warm winds, endlessly sunny days and very little rain. On occasions when the weather is not its usual sunny self, which one has to admit does happen from time to time, like today, what do you do?

Here it is the 3rd week in September and the day started out promisingly enough, but by lunchtime, Spanish lunch that is, it has degenerated into a deluge which seems to have no let up.

Away in the distance from our hilltop eyrie in Castelldefels, Barcelona appears to have escaped with sunshine pouring down over the capital of Catalunya with impunity.

Upon the Costa Brava coast though, things can be mightily different from the weather experienced here in Barcelona - even on the same day. So what to do when the weather is not kind enough to play golf or visit the beach?

Even when the Costa Brava weather is sunny there are always those times you wish to do something other than golf or play on the golden sands of the beach. Here are 3 special things to do when the Costa Brava weather doesn't match up to its usual sunny self.

1. Plan a trip to the historic city of Gerona. Gerona is the provincial capital of the Costa Brava and has been shaped by its past. Famous local writer, Josep Pla called Girona a "small and delicate city", which is a fitting description.

Consistently rated in national polls as the most desirable place to live in Spain, Gerona has modernised itself into a dynamic and prosperous university city whilst maintaining its marvellous historical and cultural heritage. With the beautiful old quarter, world famous culinary traditions with Michelin starred restaurant, El Cellar de Can Roca and a lively nightlife, Gerona encompasses all that the Costa Brava has to offer.

2. The Dali triangle shows off the best of one of the Costa Brava's much loved sons. Salvador Dali, love him or hate him, certainly left an exceptional legacy to the world in the shape of three very different museums.

The Casa-Museu Dali was Dali's main residence for some 50 years. Booking here is a must, but is well worth the effort to explore the labyrinth effect created from an original fisherman's hut and subsequent purchase of surrounding huts.

The extraordinary Teatre-Museu Dali is, in Dali's own words, "not just a museum, but a monument to the senses" and that feeling of 'extraordinary' starts from the moment you lay eyes on the spectacular façade with its magnificent giant, creamy eggs sitting aloft the velvety-looking scarlet walls.

Making up the third side of the triangle is the Castell Gala-Dali, named after Dali's Russian born wife, Gala. Mischievous Dali even manages to create an alcove in the Salo del Piano - piano room - to look like a radiator, as Gala ordered all the radiators in the castle to be covered up!

3. Visit the medieval prison museum in Castello d'Empuries. This has to be on of the most novel museums in the Costa Brava. 500 year old graffiti can be seen on the walls of this tiny prison, quite out of proportion to the huge cathedral church in the centre of this small village.

Long ago attempts to become the centre of importance for the region came to nought, but left us this impressive church with its unfinished belfry, unique double font and towering alabaster altarpiece. Take a wander round this amazing medieval structure and wonder how they came to build it.

The sun has come out now. It doesn't stay wet for long - just long enough to allow you to experience another aspect of this fascinating region of Spain called Costa Brava, which is far more than just sun, sea and sangria.

I invite you to use these tips to make the most of your holiday on the Costa Brava.

And with your permission, I’d also like to offer you free access to my short report, Costa Brava Holiday - What Else Is There Apart From Sun, Sea and Sangria on a Costa Brava Holiday? You can download it by going to http://www.costa-brava-spain.com/shortreport.html

From Helen Palmer – The Exclusive Vacations Guide and Costa Brava Spain

Blogrush for Costa Brava Spain

Well Folks!

I've supposed to have added Blogrush to my blog, but can I seem to make it happen?

I've done everything they've asked of me, but I still can't seem to make it work, so I hope you all have more luck than I do. I have to say that in theory the idea is great, so I hope they can get mine to work!

Learn Spanish The Easy Way

Want to learn Spanish the easy way? Well, I guess we would probably ascribe to that one! Why make it difficult for yourself when the simple route is being pointed out!

I have found the best way to learn Spanish. Take a look at Costa Brava Spain for some of the best ways to get you speaking Spanish within the next few weeks. You can test drive the course first, but I can tell you from first hand experience, you will definitely want to get the Spanish language course and get learning NOW!

When you've learned to talk to the locals, why not take a trip to the Costa Brava and stay at Villa Amora? To visit the spectacular coastline and explore more of this facinating region you will need a car, so check out the fantastic Plant A Tree offer for offsetting your carbon emissions and STILL get great prices.

How Many Golf Courses Spain Has To Offer

When you think of all the golf courses Spain has to offer, you'd be suprised at the golf Costa Brava has in its tiny area, but Costa Brava has the highest concentration of the highest quality courses in an area that is rapidly becoming known as Spain's best golfing holiday destination.

Take a look at Costa Brava, Spain to get an idea of which course would suit your handicap. Why not stay on the course itself? Take a look at Villa Amora, with the golf course a few feet from your front door. What better way to spend your leisure time, playing golf and sunning yourself by the pool.

Villa Amora, Costa Brava

Golf on the Costa Brava

You must be wondering where I've got to. First she sets up a blog and then nothing for some days!

I promise I have not been idle - I've been getting you great information to go on the Costa-Brava-Spain website and to be honest, I've been up to my eyeballs in Golf Costa Brava!

Did you know that Costa Brava is now the best place to visit to play golf because of the intensity of high quality courses within a small area of Girona, Catalonia? You didn't! Then you really had better go and check it out.

Whilst you are there, why not get 15% discount off your green fees when you stay at TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort.

Costa Brava, Spain Launches Blog

Well, here I go again. A new blog. Perhaps there is something called a blogaholic, because I think I am definitely beginning to be one. Johannesburg to Cape Town is one all about South Africa and the wonderful trips you can experience with Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

Life at Casa Palmer is all about our move to Barcelona, Spain and our life here in this magnificent part of the world and as a follow-on from that this blog is about our villa in the Costa Brava region of Catalonia.

Costa-Brava-Spain is the new website, which admittedly has only got the home page up as we speak, but in the fullness of time will be your one-stop information site for Costa Brava. It is a fantastic area for holidays and over the coming weeks, I'll show you around. Stay tuned for more!