| Local Information |
| Here is our guide to help you plan your trip to the Catalonia area of Spain: a choice of six tried and tested campsites, travel tips, how to get there and useful information on the region - all aimed at helping you have a happy holiday. Viva Espagna! |
Food of the region
The cuisine of the Province of Girona, which encompasses the Costa Brava, is rich and varied. This is due to climate and location,with the fine produce being reaped from the high mountains to the plains and the sea.
Within this Catalonian region of Spain, the art of good eating is an important part of everyday life. Along with the more typical dishes there are also seasonal ones which include ingredients only available at a specific time of year.
The chief dishes of this Mediterranean cuisine include salted cod salad, salads of cold, baked eggplant, onions, green peppers and Catalan-style soup. There are a variety of rice dishes, cold meats and toasted bread rubbed with garlic, tomato and olive oil. There is a long list of meat dishes, but around the coast, seafood is a speciality.
Each typical dish is prepared in a variety of forms, according to local tastes, with dishes once
associated more with home cooking but now found in the most prestigious restaurants.
South of Barcelona, along the Costa Dorada, as in most tourist hotspots, food on offer includes the so-called 'international cuisine' such as chips with eggs, fish, salad and so on, regarded by local gourmets as lacking in personality or interest. More attractive, they claim, are the specialities of Spanish cuisine: the toasted bread with olive oil, the exciting local dishes and, of course, a Spanish omelette (tortilla).
Of note, too, are the wine districts of Catalonia, to which we give special mention in our days on the preceding pages. |
PARKS GUIDE
1. La Torre del Sol
Although situated just off the busy N340, this park offers a
delightful, relaxing environment. It is approached by a banana tree-lined avenue which creates an instant tropical atmosphere. Beyond reception and supermarket, a broad roadway leads towards the shaded pitches and a clean, sandy beach.
Facilities are extensive and well-maintained. Sanitary units are spotlessly clean. There is a superb complex with three swimming pools, two of which are heated, and a sunbathing area shaded by palms. The disco is popular with teenagers and a 'Happy Camp' is an option for keeping the younger ones amused.
How to get there Leave A7 Tarragona/Valencia autopista at junction 37 (Cambrils exit). After 2km, join the N340 south for 7km. The site is on your left at the km1136 marker.
2. Vilanova Park
There are several features which make this park acceptable: not only do the terraced touring pitches have pleasant views over the countryside, there are quality sanitary facilities and an excellent pool complex. The sea is within sight and an unusual attraction here is a wildlife park inhabited by deer. The public footpaths can be followed, but picnicking is forbidden. The hard-standing touring pitches are well shaded and many have electric hook-up, water and drainage. On site is a supermarket, bar and restaurant housed in extensions of old Catalan farm buildings. There is entertainment on site in season and organised activities for children.
How to get there The park is 46km south of Barcelona. From the A16/A7 (Barcelona/
Tarragona autopista) leave at Vilanova i la Geltru/L'Arboc exit, direction Vilanova. The site is on the left after about 2kms.
3. Botanic Bona Vista (Kim)
A terraced, hillside site commanding sea views. A perfect location. Not only does it overlook the sparkling blue sea but the generous pitches nestle between shrubs and trees. The owner, Kim, tows your caravan to an allocated pitch, so there's no need to be put off by the steep approach. Sanitary facilities are of the highest standard and there is a jacuzzi, fitness room and sauna.
How to get there Travelling north on the N11 Barcelona/Girona road, pass through Sant Pol de Mar and take the outside lane shortly after the camping sign. The site entrance is just before two lanes merge. Note: its entrance is shared with Camping Roca Grossa.
4. Beach Camp El Pinar
Blanes is a major Costa Brava resort and this is a popular park because it is a touring-orientated campsite: no tour operators or mobile homes. Its situation appeals too, because it is at the southern end of the Blanes beach, giving it a more private aspect. It spreads to both sides of the road, the new section to the right has a swimming pool and both sections have direct access to the beach. Sanitary facilities are adequate and have been refurbished to a high standard. Pitches are on rough, hardstanding ground typical of the area. Added attractions include organised activities for children in July/August, and an aerobic centre.
How to get there From Blanes centre follow 'Campings' sign and El Pinar is the last site at the end of the beach road. (Reception on the left).
5. Treumal
You'll find this site in a delightful
situation running down to a private, sandy cove. Set in the grounds of a
former estate between a pine wood and the sea, it offers an idyllic, relaxing environment.
The pitches are on terraces with hard standing terrain and are particularly well sited, as are those to the rear of the site. It is here you can access the beach and where the restaurant sits high, offering a superb view. Sanitary facilities, housed in several blocks, are of an acceptable standard and additional facilities include a basketball court,
and organised activities for the children during high season.
How to get there The site is on the C253 coast road, 3km south of Palmos and is well signed.
6. Interpals
A mature site set in a pine forest close to the beach. The pitches are on shady, level terraces. Some have sea views. There are three clean sanitary blocks and a swimming pool adjacent to reception, but a fine sandy beach and a pretty cove are within walking distance. Additional facilities include volleyball, basketball, badminton, and activities for all the family in high season.
How to get there Leave A7 autopista at junction 6. Take the C255 to Pals via La Bisbal and follow the signs for Platja de Pals on the local road (just past the roundabout and a supermarket on the right).
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Travel Information
Ireland to England
From our base in Ireland we travelled with P&O (Irish Seas) Larne to Cairnryan (105 mins), a short and comfortable sailing.
• Reservations P&O (Irish Seas).
Tel 0870 2424 777
England to Spain
It was then a 470-mile tow to Portsmouth, making two stops en route. Our crossing to Spain was with P&O, Portsmouth to Bilbao (36hrs) on the well-equipped ferry - a relaxing trip which meant we arrived refreshed with the minimum of driving ahead to get reach our destination on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Due to disembarkation delays at Bilbao we stayed overnight at Camping de Haro and continued the following day.
• Reservations: P&O (Portsmouth). Tel 0870 2424 999
Bilbao to Tarragona
From Bilbao, we took the autopista A68 across country to Zaragoza. From here we continued on the A2/N240 to the N340 coast road at Tarragona, a total distance of 326miles.
Camping information
All sites featured in our Parks Guide (below) are recommended in the Alan Rogers Europe Guide and most participate in the Low-Season Camping Cheque scheme. The latter means that if travelling outside the peak period, by purchasing Camping Cheques prior to leaving the UK, a night's camping for two people, outfit and electric hook-up costs under £8. • Camping Cheques. Tel 01892 55 98 55.
Our outfit
• Towcar: Citroen Xantia HDI diesel 2.0 HDI (90 bhp), kerbweight 1361kg. A highly-recommended
towcar, giving an average fuel consumption of around 60mpg solo and 37mpg towing.
• Caravan: Bailey 2000 Pageant Majestic. MTPLM 1142kg. The
van's wheels are fitted with Tyron Safety Bands, which we consider to be essential.
• Outfit: a well-matched outfit with the fully-laden weight of the caravan representing 84 per cent of the Xantia's kerbweight. We normally load the van to achieve a noseweight of 70kg which results in excellent stability.
Tips for travelling in Spain
• It is advisable to include a Spanish Bail Bond with your
documentation
• The speed limit for towing on Spanish autopistas is 80km/hr
but there is a minimum limit
of 60km/hr
• At road junctions, a continuous white line in the middle of the
road you are approaching indicates that you cannot turn left: instead, you should turn right and continue to a Cambio de Sentido sign
before turning.
• Essential equipment: warning
triangle; spare bulbs; and two towing mirrors.
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