CATALONIA COSTA BRAVA: BEACHES OF BLANES

Blanes, with 4 kilometes of beach and quiet coves like Cala Bona (Sant Francesc), is a perfect place in La Costa Brava for spending your holidays, or just a long weekend, in a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere.

We arrived by train to Blanes and after twenty minutes' walk we reached the long beach of S'Abanell. Strolling along the promenade we enjoyed beautiful views of the beach of Blanes and the castle of Sant Joan.

Beautiful view of S'Abanell beach in Blanes. I really like these beaches of clear water of La Costa Brava

After lunch at a restaurant on the promenade next to the marina, we walked to the beach of Sant Francesc (Cala Bona). We arrived after a 20 minute walk after enjoying fantastic views of the harbor and walking past the botanical gardens Mar i Murtra.

Next I would like to show you some pictures of the beautiful beaches and places I saw and enjoyed in Blanes:

• S'Abanell Beach
• Blanes Beach
• Sant Joan Castle
• Old City
• Marina
• Mar i Murtra Botanical Gardens
• Cala Bona (Sant Francesc Cove)

S'Abanell Beach

S'Abanell beach in Blanes

There were a lot of people on the beach enjoying of this sunny day in Blanes

Clear and fresh water of S'Abanell beach in Blanes

  

S'Abanell beach in Blanes was crowded that sunday morning

We were lucky because the day was lovely in Blanes

Blanes Beach

Blanes beach in La Costa Brava

Sant Joan Castle

Blanes beach and Sant Joan Castle on the top of the hill in La Costa Brava

Old City of Blanes

A colorful street in Blanes

Marina

The Marina of Blanes

Overview of the Blanes Marina. You can also see the beaches of Blanes (beside the marina)and S'Abanell

   

Mar i Murtra Botanic Garden

Walking from the marina to the beach of Sant Francesc (Cala Bona) we passed Mar i Murtra Botanical Garden

Closer look at the entrance to the Mar i Murtra Botanical Garden

Cala Bona (Sant Francesc Cove)

Costa Brava and Sant Francesc beach in Blanes

Another view of La Costa Brava in Blanes and Sant Francesc beach from this viewpoint

 I really liked Cala Bona (Sant Francesc) beach in Blanes

I enjoyed a lot the views of La Costa Brava and Sant Francesc beach from this viewpoint

Stairs to Sant Francesc beach in Blanes

Clear water of Sant Francesc beach in Blanes

A great example of clear water and rugged coastline in La Costa Brava

We had lunch in a restaurant on the promenade near the marina:

• La Góndola
• Passeig Mestrança, 80-81
• 17300 Blanes, Costa Brava

If you liked this pictures, clicking on the next links you will find more pictures of another fantastic beaches in La Costa Brava, like:

• Sa Tuna, Sa Riera and Aiguablava beaches in Begur
• Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell beaches
• Tamariu beach
• Tossa de Mar
• Sant Feliu de Guíxols
• Palamós and Sant Antoni de Calonge
• Cadaqués, Roses and Empuriabrava
• L'Escala, L'Estartit and Les Illes Medes

From Camins de Ronda in Costa Brava you can enjoy fantastic views of Costa Brava and its beaches:

• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Tossa de Mar
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Sant Feliu de Guíxols
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in S'Agaró
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Palamós
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Platja d'Aro
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Begur
• Camí de Ronda (Ronda Way) in Calella de Palafrugell

Moreover if you like beaches, below you have other beautiful beaches in Catalonia, Spain and Portugal:

- Costa Daurada beaches

• Barra del Trabucador beach in Delta de l'Ebre
• L'Ametlla de Mar
• Salou beach
• Miami Playa
• Beach beside the Castle of Tamarit
• Beach of Roc de Sant Gaietà

- Barcelona Beaches

• Barceloneta beach
• Castelldefels beach
• Sitges beach
• Sant Pol de Mar

- Spain and Portugal

• Mallorca
• Cádiz and Costa de la Luz
• Beaches in  Galicia
• Basque Country - Guipúzcoa and San Sebastián
• Cantabria and Santander
• Alicante

• Beaches in Algarve

Besides, in La Costa Brava you can visit the fantastic old city of Girona, many lovely villages and interesting places, like:

• Calonge
• Pals and Peratallada
• Dalí Theatre-Museum
• Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in El Port de la Selva
• Empúries
• Catedral de l'Empordà (church of Santa Maria) in Castelló d'Empúries
• Medieval village of  Besalú

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find more beautiful villages, beaches and landscapes in Catalonia.

BARCELONA: OLYMPIC PARK IN MONTJUÏC

Today is the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of London 2012. Moreover this week twenty years ago (on 25th july 1992) were inaugurated the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992. So this post is a tribute to my city in this special date and here I would like to show some pictures of the Olympic Ring in Montjuïc.
The Olympic Ring, built in 1992, is one of the most beautiful places in Montjuïc, as well as the Montjuïc Castle or the Magic Fountain. Actually, the visit to the Olympic Ring can begin in this fantastic fountain. Besides, next to the Olympic Ring you can visit the lovely Joan Maragall gardens.


Montjuïc is, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona and, from the Olympic Games in 1992, one of the most symbolic places in the city. Montjuïc vibrate with emotion during those wonderful days which showed Barcelona to the world. 

Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc has a capacity for 55,000 spectators. It can stage sports competitions, musical performances or any type of popular event



The current Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc is a transformation of the old stadium, of which it conserves the façade designed by the architect Pere Domènech i Roure (the son of the modernist Lluís Domènech i Montaner)

Palau Sant Jordi

The Olympic Ring in Montjuïc with the Olympic Stadium in the background, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Calatrava telecommunication tower

The Palau Sant Jordi is considered the most important element of the Olympic Ring in Montjuïc. It is a covered sports pavilion, designed basically for the competitions of athletic and rhythmic gymnastics and the finals of handball and volleyball of the 1992 Olympic Games

National Institute of Physical Education

Behind this square, called Europa square, is the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, also built for the Olympic Games of Barcelona

Sunset in the Olympic Ring

The Olympic Stadium in the heart of the Olympic ring in Montjuïc

Another view of the Olympic Stadium, whose facade wasn't modified during the remodelling of this stadium

The Sant Jordi Sports Hall can stage a wide variety of sports events and other spectacles. An athletics track of 200 m inner perimeter and a skating rink can be installed, as can a stage for concerts or ballet performances

The Calatrava Telecommunication Tower was built in the Olympic Ring to improve communications

Near the Olympic Ring, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc astonished everyone who went to the Olympic Ring.

Montjuïc Magic Fountain

 Impressive performance at night of the Montjuïc Magic Fountain near the Olympic Ring of Barcelona

Besides I would recommend the following route to discover the fantastic places in Montjuïc around the Olympic Ring:

• Montjuïc Castle
• Montjuïc Magic Fountain
• Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc
• Montjuïc Park
• Palauet Albéniz and Joan Maragall gardens
• MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya)
• Poble Espanyol
• Las Arenas Shopping Center

Other areas of Barcelona which were really relevant during the Olympic Games were the Olympic Village and the Olympic Marina. This two places are adjacent to each other and have become one of the most beautiful areas in Barcelona.

Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts (the twin towers) in the Olympic Village of Barcelona

Olympic Marina in Barcelona

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to more beautiful and interesting places of Barcelona.

BARCELONA: HOTEL TERRACE IN PORT VELL

Some days ago I showed some pictures of the 360º bar in Barceló Raval Hotel. Today I would like to recommend spending an evening on the terrace Cocktail - Bar of Duquesa de Cardona hotel enjoying fantastic views of the Port Vell in Barcelona.

Having dinner at La Terrassa del Duquesa, is having the privilege of enjoying the best views over the port of Barcelona, from the Mapfre Towers at the Port Olímpic until Moll de la Fusta, entertaining our eyes also at the carismatic quarter Barceloneta, and the movement of the yachts arriving and departing the harbour.

La Terrassa del Duquesa has become during the last years into one of the most genuine bars in the city of Barcelona. A perfect refuge to scape from the hustle of the city at anytime of the day, to watch the sea line of the port in a unic and sophisticated atmosphere.

Vela Hotel and Port Vell in Barcelona from the terrace of Duquesa de Cardona hotel

Imax Port Vell in Barcelona from the terrace of Duquesa de Cardona hotel

World Trade Center and Port Vell in Barcelona from the terrace of Duquesa de Cardona hotel

Cocktails in Duquesa de Cardona hotel in Barcelona

Terrace of Duquesa de Cardona hotel in Barcelona beside the Port Vell

Tables on the terrace of Duquesa de Cardona hotel in Barcelona

Below you have a list of the hotels in Barcelona with outdoor terraces:

Hotels with outdoor terraces in Barcelona

• 1898
• America Barcelona
• Arts Barcelona
• Axel Hotel Barcelona
• B-hotel
• Bagués
• Barceló Raval
• Barcelona Catedral
• Barcelona Center 
• Barcelona Princess 
• Best Western Hotel Confort Golf
• Casa Fuster
• Catalonia Catedral
• Catalonia Ramblas 
• Catalonia Plaza Cataluña 
• Claris
• Condes de Barcelona
• Cram
• DO: Plaça Reial 
• Duquesa de Cardona 
• España
• Eurostars Grand Marina
• Gallery Hotel
• Gran Hotel la Florida 
• Gran Hotel Princesa Sofia
• Granados 83
• Grand Hotel Central
• Grums Barcelona
• Grupotel Gran Via 678
• H10 Itaca
• H10 Marina Barcelona
• H10 Montcada
• H10 Universitat 
• Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona
• Hotel Neri
• Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I 
• Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
• Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
• Me Barcelona
• Miramar Barcelona
• NH Podium
• Novotel Barcelona City
• Ohla Hotel
• Olivia Plaza 
• Omm
• Onix Liceo 
• Pulitzer
• Pullman Barcelona Skipper
• Renaissance Barcelona Hotel 
• Rivoli Ramblas
• Silken Diagonal Barcelona
• Tryp Condal Mar
• Villa Emilia
• W Barcelona

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona, among them, the Gothic Quarter or the Born and la Ribera district.

CATALONIA: AIGÜESTORTES AND LLAC DE SANT MAURICI

Recently I went to Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park, located in the north of Catalonia, near France, between the mountains of the Pyrenees. The landscapes I enjoyed were wonderful, so I would like to show you some pictures I took there.

Espot and Boí are the villages where the headquarters of the National Park are. You have to go there to visit the most beautiful places of this park: Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici Lake. Actually, in 2008 I visited La Vall de Boí and the area of the park beside Boí. This time, I enjoyed the landscapes of Sant Maurici Lake.

Our headquarters was Casa Font in Saurí, a lovely village near Sort. We really liked this house and we felt really comfortable there. From here, on saturday,  we went to Sort for doing rafting and, on sunday, we went to Espot to visit the Aigüestortes i Llac de Sant Maurici National Park. It was an intense and fantastic weekend.

Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park

Llac de  Sant Maurici (Sant Maurici Lake)

Sant Maurici lake surrounded by mountains of the Pyrenees in Aigüestortes National Park

Clear water of Sant Maurici lake in Aigüestortes National Park

Cascada de la Ratera (Ratera Waterfall)

Ratera waterfall in Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park

Walking to Estany de la Ratera in Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park

Fir trees and Llac de Sant Maurici in Aigüestortes National Park

Creek near Estany de la Ratera in Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park

Estany de la Ratera (Ratera Pond)

Estany de la Ratera in Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park

Another picture of Estany de la Ratera surrounded by mountains of the Pyrenees in Aigüestortes National Park

Llac de Sant Maurici Viewpoint

This path leads to a viewpoint from which the view of Sant Maurici lake in Aigüestortes National Park is wonderful

Fantastic view of Sant Maurici lake and Encantats Peaks in Aigüestortes National Park

Finally, if you liked these landscapes, clicking on the next links you will find links to other fantastic places in the Pyrenees of Catalonia,  Andorra and France, like:

- Catalonia:

• Aigüestortes National Park and La Vall de Boí
• Vall de Núria
• Castellar de N'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
• Vall de Camprodon
• Camprodon, Ripoll and Setcases
• Medieval village of Beget
• Olot and Vall de'n Bas
• Port del Comte
• Santa Pau
• Puigcerdà

- Andorra

• Andorra and La Seu d'Urgell
• Andorra Vallnord Ski Resort
• Andorra Vallnord Arinsal and Arcalís
• Andorra Grandvalira Grau Roig Ski Resort

- France:

• Medieval village of Collioure
• Carcassonne
• Canal du Midi and Pays Cathare
• Gorges de la Fou and Coustouges
• Villefranche de Conflent