Costa Dorada Holidays in 2013

The name Costa Dorada means ‘Gold Coast’ and the beaches along this stretch of Spanish coastline don’t disappoint. If it’s a relaxing day in the sun you’re after then La Mora beach with its calm sheltered waters is the ideal spot to relax in peace and quiet. If you want beach activities and water sports then head over to the larger La Punta del Fangar beach with its selection of water sports in the nearby harbour. The majority of beaches along the coast have a Blue Flag rating, meaning that the beaches are maintained and cleaned to the highest standard.

When on holiday in Spain, sampling some of the local tapas is a must. Most bars and restaurants will serve their own speciality tapas dishes; asking for the specials is the best way to sample some of Spain’s iconic dishes. Most restaurants in the region will cater for children many having children’ menus. For more variety head to the built up areas such as Tarragona and Salou there is a larger range of restaurants and bars serving a selection of international dishes.

The PortAventura theme park is a great attraction on a Costa Dorada holiday - situated close to the beautiful beaches of the Costa Dorada, PortAventura is the largest family resort of the Mediterranean area, with two parks and four hotels. With plenty of restaurants and Another great day out is the Aqualeon Aquapark and Open Air Safari near Tarragona; here there are over 600 animals to see as well as a water park. Aquopolis in Vilaseca is a huge waterpark with rides and slides for people of all ages, an ideal family day out and Bosc Aventura Salou is an adventure park that has rock climbing, zip line and paintballing; perfect for those who are feeling adventurous.

For some excitement why not go to the PortAventura theme park. One of Europe’s largest and most popular theme parks, this is a great way to spend a day. If you fancy something a little cooler on a hot day then why not take a trip to the Aquopolis waterpark? There’s plenty of water based fun to keep you entertained and cool in the heat, or for a more relaxing day out then check out the Pescador Park Zoo in the must see town of Cambrils.

For a variety of restaurants that are open late Salou is the ideal choice. This seaside resort has plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from serving international cuisine as well as the local specials. The historic port of Tarragona has a wide selection of seafood restaurants serving fresh seafood caught locally; there are also a number of local style tapas bars in the town. Why not sample one of the area’s famous seafood paellas at one of the seaside towns, or head in land for traditional stews of rabbit or wild boar.

Tarragona is a beautiful historic port that was once ruled by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Much of the Roman architecture still stands such as the wall that used to surround the town and the aqueduct. Miravet Castle is a castle perched above the River Ebro whose origins are still unknown though it was used by the Knights Templar from the 12th century onwards. Visitors can take tours of the castle and the surrounding areas. Visit the pirate defence tower of Torre Vella in Salou, a historic 16th century building that now houses art exhibitions.

The historic port of Tarragona has a wide selection of restaurants many of which serve fresh seafood caught from the harbour. There are also a number of local style tapas bars in the town the majority of which will serve a selection of seafood dishes. For a variety of restaurants of varying styles of food, Salou is the ideal choice. The seaside resort has a large number of restaurants to choose from serving a selection of international cuisine as well as the traditional local dishes. Why not sample the famous Catalan paella at one of the seaside restaurants or further inland you can try a traditional Catalan stew.

The Roman town of Tarragona is the capital of the Costa Dorada. The town that came under Roman rule in the third century B.C. is full of Roman architecture and ruins. There are also a number of examples of medieval Spanish architecture, making the town an interesting mix of historic landmarks. The Miravet Tower on the River Ebro is a medieval tower that was used by the Knights Templar in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The fascinating city of Barcelona is the perfect place to go for a day trip, the spectacle of the Gaudi cathedral and the bustle of Las Ramblas is not to be missed.

Tres Tombs Festival begins on January 13th and is a festival honouring Saint Antoni who is the patron saint of animals. Festivities continue throughout the week-long celebration with horse and animal parades that are blessed by priests. The Easter Holy Week processions are some of the most spectacular in the world. The week around Easter sees the Spanish take to the streets in their thousands to take part in enormous processions, while the fiesta of St John held around June 23rd is celebrated by making huge wooden monuments which are then burnt; if you are going to the Costa Dorada in June it is a must.