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Places of Interest in Costa Brava
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Tossa
de Mar offers a little bit of everything. It will be difficult for you to find a
place such as this, which gathers in perfect harmony thick woods suitable for
long walks, with pine trees by the seaside or hanging onto the cliffs, and quiet
secluded beaches caressed by a transparent blue sea, with waves breaking against
the rocks...
Tossa, the Blue Paradise, the Pearl of the Costa Brava, worldwide
representation, by its own attributes, of our welcoming and hospitable Coast,
generously offers the warmth and affection of its inhabitants and looks forward
to providing you with all the services you might require as a complement to your
holidays.
The Municipal Museum displays the pictorial work of Marc Chagall and other contemporany artists, this museum exhibits a well-endowed collection of Roman archeological remains from nearby.
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Roses
Once
the oldest town in Catalonia (Rhode), Roses is a living museum mapped out by the
traces of the passing ages, and as a privileged place that was lodged deeply in
the affections of the many cultures who once inhabited its past. Adorned by a
wide and varied range of artistic and historical monuments, it lies at rest
sustained by the perfect scenic and geometric setting of the bay, a perfectly
sheltered spot to enjoy the sandy beaches: Plain set against the rocky
outcropping of Cape Creus.
Still in the fifties a fishing village, Roses experienced the tourism boom of
the following years the strongest, compared to all other resorts of the northern
Costa Brava. Today Roses still has an important fishing fleet; its most
important commercial activity however is the tourism.
Roses was founded by Greek mariners from Rhodes, who named it after their home.
Roses was fortified in the 16th century by the Emperor Charles V as a bastion
against the Turks. The nearby fort of La Trinitat was the object of a fierce
attack by the French during the Peninsular War. For cool and insolent daring its
defense by the British naval commander, Lord Cochrane, was one of the
outstanding combined operations of the war. When the French launched an all out
attack on November 30, 1808, with some 1,200 men they were ingeniously repulsed
with heavy losses by a handful of sailors. Nonetheless the citadel was
eventually blown up by Suchet in 1814. Other good examples of Roses long history
are the monastery Santa Maria de Roses and the Dolmen Creu d'en Cobertella.
Outside the tourist season Roses has about 15.000 permanent inhabitants, amongst
them many foreigners who are either self employed or have chosen Roses as their
retirement home. Many restaurants, hotels and other businesses are opened all
the year. Especially popular and well frequented is the market on Sunday
morning.
In summertime the number of inhabitants rises up to approximately 90.000. Who
looks for peace, must literally search for it, but will find it nearby in the
small bays towards Cap Creus, on trips through the countryside or visiting the
small villages close to Roses. Who looks for more vacation excitement, is also
well provided. The municipality and many private enterprises organize numerous
fiestas, Jazz festivals, classical music and folkloristic events. In Roses
always something is going on... Numerous restaurants compete for the tourists.
Discotheques, small bars and Bodegas provide for an exciting night life.
Market on Sundays. Pastries at Mallol, Pi i Sunyer 4. Xarrich on Mossèn Carles
Feliu 12 is a fancy fishmonger, specializing in prepared fish such as salted
cod, salted anchovies, and the delicious boquerones (same fish as anchovy but
prepared in vinegar). The Don Pancho cruise-boats go out from the harbor, and
tour the Cap de Creus or go all the way down the Gulf of Roses to the Illes
Medes. The first route is shorter and more spectacular. The Agua Brava aquatic
park is a few km out of town, a little beyond the crossroads for Cadaques and
Figueres. Across from the aquatic park is the best go-kart circuit on the coast,
Karting Roses boasting a 900 m track. There are three scuba centers in Roses.
Can Ramon at Sant Elm 8 is a economical and popular restaurant with a relaxed
family atmosphere. Bullabesa, suquet, oven-baked fish, fried seafood, wild game,
etc.
The New York Times "Dining Out" section (Sept. 15,1999) says of
restaurant Hacienda El Bulli (972 15 04 57) "Some say it is the best
restaurant in Europe, possibly the world." It is one of two Spanish
restaurant which has consistently earned top three-star rating in the Bible of
Gastronomy, the Guide Michelin (the other one is Arzak in San Sebastian). Set on
a remote cala several kms east of Roses on the Cape of Montjoi, the restaurant
is best reached by yacht -or, if you travel like the President or King of
Spain..., by helicopter. The road out towards the Cape is rough going, and don't
expect to be able to continue to Cadaques unless you have a four-wheel drive.
With spectacular sea views, El Bulli's famous young chef, Ferran Adria, 37,
serves a highly creative mix of Catalan and international cuisine, and has an
extensive wine cellar. Though the restaurant does offer a set menu for about
€100. Shrimps with wild mushrooms, buckwheat blinis with smoked chicken and
caviar, codfish empanadas with tamarind sauce, vinaigrette with pine nuts and
sweet fresh onions, lobster gazpacho with basil, abalone and bacon with ginger
root and a salad of coconut and apple, etc. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except
in summer, and from mid January to mid-March.
Recommended beaches: The road along the cape beyond Montjoi is in bad shape and
serves to dissuade sun bathers from frequenting some of the areas best beaches.
Perhaps the best of them is Cala de la Pelosa, 2 km beyond Montjoi on the dirt
track, just before reaching the Cape of Norfeu. The cala is surrounded by pine
and oak trees, and the rocky promentories hide protected species of Greek sea
turtles and rapacious acquatic birds.
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Begur
The
coves along the Begur Coast, between Aiguablava and Sa Riera, are said to be the
most beautiful of the whole Costa Brava. The coves of Aiguablava, a name
connected with the intense blue of its waters, where the state run Parador lies,
and Fornells, which lies before Begur, are justly called "shining
scenery" because of their colour and transparency. There, accommodation is
compatible with peace and quiet.
Begur lies in a semicircle around a hill on which a castle stands, the 5 huge
towers of which are officially protected as a site of national importance. The
castle is of the 15 Century and was occupied during the War of Independence.
From there the beach of Pals, the Medes Islands and the Emporda plain can be
seen. The narrow, winding streets with the porticoed galleries of the houses are
typical. These buildings belonged to the so called Indianos, natives of Begur,
who emigrated in the 19 Century and returned rich.
After rounding the Cape of Begur, leaving a rough coast, the Bay of Sa Tuna
provides the first contrast: the beach of eternally peaceful waters skirts a
fishing village, where a 14 Century fountain and the ruins of a medieval tower
are preserved and shared with the summer visitors. Aiguafreda is the next lovely
cove of the characteristics described. Sa Riera was nothing but a fishing
village a few years ago due to the abundance of anchovy and sardines; today its
beautiful beach has a modern tourist centre from where the Medes Islands can be
seen in the distance.
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