Catalunya (in Catalan) - Catalonia (in English) РCatalu̱a (in Castelleano)

However you say it, Cataluña has its own unique character which sets it apart from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is a fascinating place to visit not least because of its cosmopolitan capital, Barcelona, arguably Spain’s most sophisticated city and without doubt one of the most exciting cities on the planet.

The northern border of Catalonia consists of awesome Pyrenean Mountain landscapes which offer some of Spain’s best walking and climbing country along with a number of good ski resorts, largely undiscovered by foreign visitors.

The Catalan Language

Catalan, one of Catalonia most distinctive features, is a Romance language understood by as many as 12 million people in portions of Spain, France, Andorra and Italy. The spoken language spread around the Mediterranean during Middle Ages through victory over the kingdoms of Majorca, Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, Athens and Neopatria.

L´Escala

L'Escala on the south of the impressive, sweeping Bay of Roses is one of the smaller more relaxed holiday destinations in the Costa Brava/Catalonia region. It is a traditional fishing town and offers superb scuba diving along the coast, within the new marine park, and at the Medes Islands Marine Reserve. Once you discover L’Escala during your dive holiday you’ll want to keep coming back.

Throughout the 7th century BC, the indigenous inhabitants of this area of the Empordà coast lived in different places on the headlands and hills within a large marshland. One of these settlements from the Iron Age was on a small isthmus, where the village of Sant Martí d'Empúries is found today. This settlement dates back to the end of the Bronze Age (9th century BC and had trade contacts with the Etruscans, the Phoenicians and the Greek. Parc Natural del Montgr, les Medes i el baix Ter is a new natural park currently being formed to protect the wonderful coastline where we love to dive, from the Medes Islands to north of Cala Montgo, L’Escala, a large inland area from the Montgri Massif  westwards and northwards, and the wetlands area of the river Ter

Els Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park  

This is the second largest wetland in Catalonia. It is made up of lakes and flood meadows at the confluence of the rivers Muga and Fluvià. It constitutes an exceptional habitat for fauna, particularly water birds. Its creation in 1983 was the consequence of a long and intense defence campaign started in 1976, to stop a housing project for 60,000 dwellings on the lagoon system located between the estuaries of the Muga and Fluvià rivers.

Cap de Creus Natural Park 

The Cap de Creus peninsula is the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Mediterranean side of the axial Pyrenees. It is a natural area of the first order, with its very particular geological make-up of structures and outcrops that make the area unique in the world and fundamental to our understanding of the evolution of the oldest lands in Catalonia.

The Dali Triangle is composed of the Salvadar Dali museum in Figueres (the famous surrealist painter’s birthplace), Port Ligat, Dali’s home during his adult life and inspiration for much of his work, and Gala’s Castle at Pubol, a small castle that Dali restored and furnished for his wife, Gala. These make three fascinating visits especially if you appreciate Dali’s unique and quirky style.

Pals

Pals is a medieval town, first mentioned in written documents in the 9^th century, lying a few kilometers from the sea. Its historic center stands on a hill surrounded by plains, which were originally marshland. Cobbled streets interrupted by Gothic arches, façades with pointed arched windows and stone balconies are among Pals' distinctive features.

Playa de Pals

Playa de Pals beach has more than four kilometers of broad golden sand, washed by a clear blue sea, and fringed by rugged cliffs, fragrant pines. It is not only a beach lover's paradise, but a conservation area too. So there are no noisy water sports to disturb you. Strictly pedalloes, snorkels and scuba gear.

Girona (Gerona)

The ancient and beautiful city of Girona is located about 60 miles north of Barcelona. A beautiful historic city with the old Jewish Quarter among its major sights.

Barcelona

Catalonia's capital, located at the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is quite simply one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. It is both medieval, with an outstanding Gothic Quarter and thoroughly modern. It is one of the trendiest places on the planet whilst steadfastly clinging to its age-old traditions.