Practical info
“Okupas”:
Squatters in Catalunya
In the 1980s, squatters in Spain started an organized social movement called Okupas (from ocupación) that is especially strong in Catalunya.
In the 1980s, squatters in Spain started an organized social movement called Okupas (from ocupación) that is especially strong in Catalunya.
Meatballs are a favourite all over Europe, and Spain is no exception. They are called “albóndigas” in Spanish, or “mandonguilles” in Catalan
In recent years the craft beer scene has exploded throughout Spain, Catalunya included, with a growing variety of beer styles to choose from
Some old and disused railway lines in Girona Province have been converted into beautiful cycle greenways suitable for cyclists of all levels
What’re the 4 seasons like on La Costa Brava? When’s the best time to come? And what about the famous Tramuntana, Garbi and the other winds?
Catalan is the first language spoken on the Costa Brava, not Spanish. Spanish is spoken too, of course, but very much as the second language
Artichokes (alcachofas) are in season December-March and this simple, delicious recipe, with chicken & beans is one lovely way to enjoy them
Seasonal autumn chestnuts combine delightfully with chocolate in this delicious chestnut and chocolate pie, perfect around Castanyada time!
FC Barcelona is a world-famous football club and a symbol of Catalan identity for many, but there are lots of other teams in Catalunya too!
Croquetas are as synonymous with Spanish cuisine as tapas or paella, and with a little patience, they’re pretty easy to prepare in almost any flavour you like.
El Camino de Ronda is a spectacularly beautiful coastal hiking trail starting at the French border and running the length of La Costa Brava.
What could be more seasonal – and delicious – around Thanksgiving time than pumpkin pie? And the good news is that it’s pretty easy to make!
Girona has been at the crossroads of history for two millennia with many cultures having left their mark. It’s a fascinating city to explore
Every 14 February cards, flowers & chocolates are exchanged between loved ones in the name of St. Valentine. How did these traditions begin?
Importing your foreign car to Spain? Need a Spanish driving licence? Looking for insurance? callCarlos are your go-to-guys on La Costa Brava
The spa town of Caldes de Malavella has been renowned since Roman times for its thermal springs which are believe to have healing properties
The Empordà region was once home to an ancient Iberian tribe called the Indiketes. The ruins of their main city lie just outside Ullastret.
Girona Province is home to a number of spectacular castles; some medieval and some even older. Some are ruins and others perfectly preserved
La Bisbal d’Empordà is the capital of El Baix Empordà county and renowned for its artisanal ceramics, and there’s lots of history there too!
Have you ever confused a ‘menú del día’ & ordering from ‘the menu’? The word “menu” is usually the cause of confusion, but really it’s easy!
The area around the Costa Brava town of Calonge is full of lovely walking trails that just so happen to take you by some excellent wineries.
Foreigners in Spain often ask “Can I drink the tap water?” The answer is yes – but water filters are definitely a good idea for many reasons
Recycling on the Costa Brava has been made easy for us all with a simple colour-coded system telling us where to deposit each type of trash.
Although not as renowned for cheese as its northern neighbour, Spain has over 100 types of its own, with many fascinating regional varieties
Clos d’Agon – Mas Gil of Calonge in El Baix Empordà produces some very fine D.O. Empordà wines, and can also be visited for tasting sessions.
Gambas de Palamós is a mark of quality and authenticity guaranteeing that only the finest of prawns fished off the Palamós costa are served.
One of the most common dishes to be found all over Spain is the tortilla, a thick omelette containing sliced potatoes sautéed in olive oil.
There are lots of recipes using figs and this is one of the easiest. It takes almost no time at all and the ingredients are all easy to find
Sea urchins go by many monikers in Catalan: garotes, urissos, oriços, eriçons de mar (sea hedgehogs), but in Palafrugell they are garoines!
Begur is an absolute must see with its colonial Cuban ambience, the 360º vistas from the ruined castle, plus its stunning Costa Brava coves!
Charming, historic, compact and fascinating, Girona has been described as a smaller, safer, cleaner and more manageable version of Barcelona
Pumpkins & chestnuts are in season at the same time so a super easy delicious soup recipe with both as the star ingredients is a no-brainer.
St Jordi is the patron saint of Catalunya and on his feast day on 23 April men and women exchange red roses and books as tokens of affection
Girona-Costa Brava Airport links northern Catalunya with 26 destinations in 10 European countries from mid-March through the end of October.
Tartiflette is an easy-to-cook French dish made with Reblochon cheese that originated in Savoie in the Alps. Perfect for chilly winter days!
Fall is the ideal time of year for this simple yet delicious recipe as the key ingredients are in season – mushrooms, pumpkin, and even rice
Unlike many other countries, Spanish public holidays are not standard across the country. Some holidays vary by region or even municipality.
On the feast of Sant Esteban on the 26 of December (St. Stephen’s Day) there is no more typical a dish in Catalunya than canelones de carne.
Pals is one of the most charming of the many amazing medieval villages dotted around the Baix Empordà countryside. If you only see one, see Pals
High-speed train travel from Catalunya to Spain and Europe is ever-developing, but did you know La Costa Brava had a rail service years ago?
Are there any Catalan creatures that are dangerous to us humans? Wild boar can be a danger on the roads, but what about the creepy crawlies?
This easy-to-follow seafood paella recipe with prawns, mussels, clams & squid will have you producing delicious paella in your own home in no time.
Palamós is a fishing and port town on the Costa Brava, famous for its prawns and visited by thousands each year. But what’s its story?
“Last call for alcohol!” Closing time in Spain can vary by region, day of the week, the season, or whether you’re in a city or a small town.
Within easy reach of La Costa Brava, in the eastern Pyrenees, are skiing resorts catering for skiers of all levels of experience & ability.
Even people who have never visited Spain have heard of “paella”, but did you know that there exists a whole plethora of Spanish rice dishes?
“Trencaclosques” is a free-range chicken farm near Forallac run by a Dutch couple who have been living in the Costa Brava region since 2005.
Spanish wines are amongst the most widely consumed worldwide and certain Catalan wineries produce some of the finest wines in all the land.
Have you ever been served the wrong coffee because you didn’t know how to order? Here’s our beginners’ guide to ordering coffee in Catalunya
The most (in)famous Carnavales happen in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Costa Brava Carnavales are smaller in scale but still lots of fun!
Turrón, in its many forms, is a typical traditional Xmas treat all over Spain, but did you know it was originally brought here by the Moors?
When autumn rains begin to fall Catalans traditionally “hunt” mushrooms, and some of the best spots are in the Pyrenean foothills of Girona.
Local Catalan black pudding, or morcilla, prepared with apples in a brandy sauce – this simple recipe will really impress your dinner guests
Catalans have some pretty unusual Christmas traditions not found anywhere else in Spain, or elsewhere, some of them involving poo. Yes, poo!
Did you know the name “Empordà” comes from the ancient Greek “Emprion”? It meant the “place of trade” at St Martí d’Empúries, near L’Escala
Chickpeas with spinach is especially typical of Sevilla, where it is eaten during the winter months. During Lent it is eaten all over Spain.
Palafrugell’s 12km coastline includes the gorgeous seaside towns of Tamariu, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell — three absolute gems!
The Costa Brava hinterland is full of history & charm, as is instantly evident to anyone exploring the hamlets of Peratallada & Palau-sator
Semana Santa, or Easter week, is the biggest religious event annually in Christianity and it is celebrated with particular fervour in Spain.
It’s not always easy to find bars selling anything other than typical lager style beers. But we have found a few that are worth checking out
What better way to get your Sunday off to a great start than with a pre-lunch “vermut” or two? No need to feel guilty, it’s the done thing!
The southern end of La Costa Brava is home to three of its most famous towns: Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar and Blanes, each one of them unique
“La Ruta dels Volcans” (or “Volcano Route”), makes for a fantastic weekend break in the Natural Park of the Volcanic Region of the Garrotxa.
Escalivada is a roasted vegetable dish very traditional in Catalunya. Its name comes from a verb in Catalan meaning “to roast in the embers”
The stunning Costa Brava has almost too many beautiful beaches to count. We’ve picked some of the very best from the El Baix Empordà region.
Pirates once roamed the Mediterranean from ancient times, including La Costa Brava, whose rugged coves provided ideal hiding spots for ships
La siesta is a famous Spanish tradition that some foreigners living in Spain get used to quite quickly, but that others struggle to adapt to
Spain is the world’s biggest producer of olives. In Spanish they’re referred to as either “olivas” or “aceitunas”. So what’s the difference?
When temperatures begin to rise in summer in Spain, it’s time to break out one of the most popular dishes of the season: Andalucian gazpacho.
Switching to solar energy in the country with the most sun hours in Europe really is a no-brainer with so many savings to be made.
Cured meat (charcutería) has evolved over centuries to become an integral part of traditional Spanish cuisine and is a true culinary delight
Ordering beer in a bar in Catalunya isn’t too complicated once you know how, but don’t expect things to be the same in every bar you go into
Wild boar are nowadays seen as a pest, especially as their numbers are on the rise in Girona in the absence of their main predator, the wolf
The “official” mojito recipe! And the tale of how it grew from its humble Caribbean origins to become one of the world’s favourite cocktails
DosKiwis Brewing of Rupià in El Baix Empordà is a fine example of the growth of craft brewing in Catalunya as beer tastes continue to change
Spring cleaning your Costa Brava home? Here are some DIY tips if you’re doing the job yourself, or just callCarlos and we’ll do it for you!
Spain has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe and it’s mostly free for residents. How does one avail of the Catalan health service?
Halloween is often seen as an American custom, but where did it really originate and why is it observed around the world? And in Catalunya?
What’s the best way to travel between La Costa Brava and Barcelona Airport? Drive & park, or use public transport? Let’s look at the options
Can’t stand dubbed movies? Want to watch V.O.S.E? In Spanish cinemas most movies are dubbed, but some cinemas do show original version films
Thinking about buying or adopting a cat or a dog? There are a number of factors worth considering before making any decisions regarding pets
Why are the Spanish obsessed with bulls? How did the bull become a symbol of Spain? What’s bullfighting all about if they love them so much?
A calçotada is basically a BBQ with lots of calçots and lots of meat. It’s great fun, even if a bit messy. Best not wear your best outfit!
The “Dalinian Triangle” museums (Figueres-Cadaqués-Púbol) capture the aura of Dalí, the Empurdan artist who left his mark on the region.
The Costa Brava region of Catalunya boasts some of the finest golf courses you’ll find anywhere, from Par 3s right up to PGA grade courses.
Saffron chicken with green olives is a typical Moroccan dish of chicken pieces slow cooked with lemon juice, spices, garlic, onion & olives.
The Feast Day of Sant Joan on 24 June is a Public Holiday in Catalunya and marks the start of the tourist season proper on the Costa Brava.
Romesco sauce can be found at every calçotada and goes perfectly with both the calçots and the meat. Check out our recipe to make it at home
The Baix Empordà is full of picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval villages, full of local history and just waiting to be explored.
The Baix Empordà region on Girona’s Costa Brava has a wonderful variety of fantastic things to see and do. These are our Top 10 highlights.
One of the joys of life in Spain during the summer months is having a drink or bite to eat in those lovely beach bars known as chiringuitos.
If you’re unfamiliar with the coloured beach flag system used to indicate swimming conditions on Spanish playas, here’s a quick recap.
Before you came to Spain you’d probably already heard of tapas. And maybe pintxos too? So, what exactly are they, and what’s the difference?
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