A Birthday in Lloret!

One of the tobacconist shops in Lloret de Mar has had a big birthday celebration this week. 80 years to be exact! This is the one near the church which is run by the Bertran family who opened their business in 1931. With the new non smoking laws enforced in Spain since January the family are not making any predictions of how this will effect their trade, but do say that trade is normally slow at the start of every new year until the tourists turn up!

Girona Airport - Ryanair

Since the dispute between the Catalan government and the lowcost airline Ryanair its been reported that hotel bookings in Lloret de Mar and surrounding areas are well down for the Easter period and beyond. The Catalan Government have asked Ryanair for more time to decide on their available budget for 2011 before signing on the dotted line, but it seems Ryanair have given up on the negotiations.

Filming in Lloret Casino

Filming has now begun in the casino and around Lloret de Mar for the new film 'Los Pelayo'
400 extras were chosen for scenes from those who turned up for auditions back in January. The film is a true story about a family who travelled the world playing the casinos, using their mathematical skills to reap millions from the roulette tables. The crew and cast will be in Lloret for the next 3 weeks staying at local hotels. If all goes to plan the film will be released next year.

Girona Airport

The recently reported new 5 year deal between Girona airport and Ryanair has collapsed, meaning the airline now will cease to operate many of it destinations at the airport blaming the Catalan government for not honouring its agreement.
From as early as the end of February Ryanair is to start cutting 18 of it 64 routes and reduce frequencies on 17 other routes. You can read the full story over at Ryanair