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The Real Spain~

The Spain you don't see from your resort likes to PARTY FOR ANY REASON !.

When they aren't partying they are eating ..... and wow ! how they like their food !!!

Try a trip away from the coast and see The Real Spain. We can take you to festivals and parties, historic locations and village bars. We can take you to eat with the locals with a 4 course meal at less than 10 Euros (including wine) or you could choose a classy spanish restaurant in the hills for a meal you'll never forget for less then 30 Euros.

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Reus Festival~Reus Festival (29th June) La Tronada Originating in the 17th century and originally carried out with cannon shots, this striking event is used to mark an important moment in the town’s calendar. Straight afterwards the atmosphere will become hushed and expectant as Human Castles rise skyward in a spectacular demonstration of the unique Human Castle tradition. Human Tower formations stem from a 17th century Valencian dance in which a small number of people balanced on each other’s shoulders. It has since evolved into the massively celebrated Catalan event that it is today.~~~726~729~~

Misericordia Festival~(16th September)The Modernist town of Reus celebrates its 2nd big summer festival at the end of September for the Day of Misericordia (Compassion). A multitude of explosive events turns this week long festival into a spectacular celebration and one of the most interesting rituals is the Correfoc (Fire Run). As dusk falls over the town, devils run though the streets with fire forks amidst sparking fountains. The Correfoc comes from the older and more traditional Catalan Devil Dance, which is a type of street theatre in which the forces of Good (the Saint) fought against the forces of Evil (the Devil).~~~726~730~~

Mont Blanc~Montblanc was founded in 1163 and is similar to many other medieval walled towns. A visit to Montblanc allows you a couple of hours wandering the ancient streets. Enjoy hearing the legend of Saint George and the dragon, and how the citizens of Montblanc promote the Middle Ages and the legend of Saint George. Montblanc even has an annual two-week festival in April filled with dragons, fire, and a celebration of Saint George. Montblanc has a plaque marking the spot where St. George Slayed the dragon. You will also be able to visit an 'eat as much as you can' restaurant where you cook your own food.~~~726~731~~

Monasteries and Food~This collection of routes is a great way to combine an interest in Catalan wines and cuisine with a crash course in Catalan cuiture and history. Catalunya boasts great wines and amazing historical monuments, both of which can be experienced on the same trip. Benedictine monks grew grapes in the areas around their monasteries. Such is the case of the Benedectine monastery in Sant Pere de Rodes in the Ampurdán region, or the Poblet (pictured left) or Santes Creus monasteries. Touring the monasteries and the wineries can be accomplished almost simultaneously, or if wine is priority and you are pressed fortime, do tastings at wineries and view the monasteries only from the outside. The headquarters for the Consejo Regulador for the Catalunya D.O is located in Reus, making stopping there a must for anyone interested in Catalan wine tradition and winemaking. The Montserrat monastery is a popular day trip with visitors to Salou, but tourist seldom venture past it before returning to the resort. You can easily reach the towns of Manresa and Ripoll from Montserrat, visiting Manresa for wine tasting and Ripoll for trying traditional regional Catalan cuisine. Areas famous for wine are also known for having the best dining. Along with wine, these routes also offer a guide to what you should not miss in Catalan cuisine along the way.~~~726~732~~

Tapas~Any guide to Spanish or Catalan food would be remiss to exclude one of the Iberian peninsula's most famed exports: tapas. While you are probably well-acquainted with the topic, you may not know that some tapas are regional, and that in Catalunya you'll probably be faced with a menu in Catalan, making ordering a bit more challenging. Here are some basic tapas with the Catalan name first, then the Spanish name and definition to make your tapeo a bit easier to navigate.

Cloisa or Almejas: Clams, often marinated in white wine with garlic and parsley.Escopinyes or Berberechos: Cockles, fresh clams. Mostly served "al natural" (from a can with brine).
Navalles or Navajas: Razor Shells, popular in canned form or fresh; steamed, then sprinkled with lemon juice.
Calamars farcits or Calamares rellenos: Stuffed squid filled with chopped meat, ham or mushrooms.
Gambes or Camarones: Shrimp seasoned with garlic, brushed with olive oil and broiled a la plancha, grilled.
Musclos or Mejillones: Mussels, mostly served steamed in olive oil and white wine with garlic.
Croquetes or Croquetas: Croquettes, made from shredded chicken or ham with a bechamel-based filling.
Truita de patata or Tortilla de Patata: Potato omelette.
Anxoves or Anchoas: Cured anchovies, a specialty from the Costa Brava; also available freshly marinated or deep-fried with black olives.
Olives or Aceitunas: Olives, green or black and of various sizes; green olives stuffed with anchovy paste, almonds or peppers; in herb marinade.
Xampinyons or Champiñones: Mushrooms a la plancha (grilled), sauteed or served cold.
Bunyols or Buñuelos: Choux pastry filled with fish, cheese, sausage or ham and then deep-fried.
Pernil or Jamón: Cured ham such as Jamon Serrano.
Patatas Bravas: Deep-fried potato chunks served with a spicy sauce.
Cargols or Caracoles: Escargot, are roasted a la llauna (in a casserole dish) or cooked in a simple sauce with garlic, olive oil and parsley.~~~726~733~~

Traditions~Catalonia is very rich in customs and traditions. The squares and streets are full of animation all the year round due to the liturgical calendar or local celebrations.Sardana is considered to be the Catalan national dance. It is danced in circles to the strains of typical wind instruments of the cobla (typical ensemble). "Ball de bastons" (folk dance with sticks) and jota from Ebre region are other folk dances, while the singing of havaneres, typical from the coast, reminds us of a past of overseas colonies.Another very notable cultural expression is the building of human towers, a custom originary of Tarragona that has been spreading to other places in the country. The groups of castellers (participants in the human tower) compete to build the tower of best structure and height, up to nine floors crowned by the enxaneta, a child who, standing at the top, raises his/her arm while the sounds of the gralla (a kind of flageolet) is heard.A perfect combination of feeling and culture is the celebration of Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia. Each 23th of April, the streets fill up with flowers and books. Some days later, on 27 April, the patron saint of Catalonia, Mother of God of Monserrat, is honored.~~~726~734~~

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Years of Experience !!!~~~~726~737~~

In & Near Salou~~~~726~738~~