A visit to Tibidabo - Barcelona

If you want a really exciting day out from your holiday resort near Barcelona then Tibidabo has everything from fairground rides, spooky horror shows, side shows, museums...to the greatest views over  Barcelona you could ever imagine! The park is easily reached by car or public transport from Barcelona, if arriving by car then you will find parking near the funicular that takes you up the final stretch to the top - 500 mts above sea level....! 

Ticket prices are very reasonable at present the standard price is €26.50 for an adult, this gives you access to all the rides. Reduced prices for children, disabled and over 60s are available. If you only want to visit to see the views and walk around the park then for over 60s and children less than 90cms its free! 

See more details about the parks amenities and price on their website here > Tibidabo Barcelona.

Lloret de Mar fireworks display

For the festival of Santa Cristina we have all seen a fantastic fireworks display, it took place on  the evening of 26th July on the the main beach of Lloret. Thousands of people start to make their way to the best view opoints around town about a hour or so before the start, we took our place at 10pm just above the Dona Marina statue....this is just a few of our best shots!

Santa Cristina / Lloret festival

Today is the saints day of Lloret & Santa Cristina, so to catch the procession of the boats leaving Lloret beach to make their way to Sant Cristina beach we had a very early start! We thought the best place to view the boats would be from the coast road between Lloret & Fenals, so we were there at 8am to make sure we got a parking place. Its quite easy to park there now since the parking meters have been installed all along that road.
Using the zoom lenses on our camers we could also get some very good shots of everyone on the beach waiting to board the boats for their trip down the coast. On arriving there they would make their way to the little church of Santa Cristina for a short service then all join in with the traditional Catalan meal on the beach....served I suspect with lots of wine!

Santa Cristina Agenda

There are lots of events planned for this years Santa Cristina event which is now taking place at different locations around Lloret. The most popular events of this festival are free musical concerts, dancing, exhibitions, fireworks and an open day when you can visit the museums etc for free.

A full agenda can be found by just following this link....SantaCristinaAgenda

Clon Festival News, 2016

The first band to take part in this years Clon Festival will be the 'Buzz Lovers' a tribute to Nirvana. There will be 4 acts appearing over the next 2 months, the Buzz Lovers will be on the stage down by the beach on Friday 15th July at approx 10.15pm.
The other 3 acts to appear will be announced at a later date.

Americanos 2016 event in Lloret

This is the full itinery for the coming Americaos event taking place in Lloret de Mar 17- 19th June....

Friday 17th June 2016

10.30 a.m. Awards Ceremony of the Lloret Schools Drawing Competition. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
11 a.m. Children’s show: “La ballaruca de la mama Inés” (“Mama Inés’ Spinning Top”). Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
12 noon Opening of the Indiano market. Passeig Jacint Verdaguer, Opening of the El Floridita de Lloret bar. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
5 p.m. Guided tour of the Maritime Museum and of the old quarter, with the spotlight on the Americanos of Lloret, 5 p.m. DJ and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
7 p.m. Caribbean dance workshops. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
9 p.m. DJ and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
9.30 p.m. Dramatised visit “Cementiri d’ànimes” (“Cemetery of souls”). Modernist cemetery
10 p.m. Cuban music concert performed by Unión Habanera. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square), 10 p.m. Closing time of the Indiano market.
12 midnight End of day’s activities

Saturday 18th June 2016

10 a.m. Opening of the Indiano market. Passeig Jacint Verdaguer, 10 a.m. Opening of the El Floridita de Lloret bar. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square), 10 a.m. DJ and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
11 a.m. Street entertainment by Quantus Teatre
12 noon Caribbean dance workshops. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
1.30 p.m. Concert performed by El Chalu. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
 4 p.m. Caribbean dance workshops and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
5 p.m. Historical street parade by Quantus Teatre, 5 p.m. Guided tour of the Maritime Museum and of the old quarter, with the spotlight on the Americanos of Lloret,
5 p.m. Cuban street parade. Starts in shopping district and ends in Plaça de la Vila
6 p.m. DJ and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
8.30 p.m. Guided tour of Santa Clotilde Gardens accompanied by film soundtracks
10.30 p.m. Cuban music concert performed by Mixael & Su Team Barcelona. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
12 midnight End of day’s activities

Sunday 19th June 2016

10 a.m. Opening of the Indiano market. Passeig Jacint Verdaguer, 10 a.m. Opening of the El Floridita de Lloret bar. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square), 10 a.m. DJ and entertainment. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
11 a.m. Guided tour “The legacy of the Americanos”. Modernist cemetery, 11 a.m. Street entertainment by Quantus Teatre
12 noon - 1 p.m. Son y Rumbas havaneres concert performed by Haváname, 1 - 2 p.m. Rueda casino dancing 5 p.m. Street entertainment by Quantus Teatre
5 - 6 p.m. Cuban salsa workshop. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
7 - 8 p.m. Bachata workshop. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
7.30 p.m. Street entertainment by Quantus Teatre
10 p.m. Closing time of the Indiano market 10.30 p.m. - 12 midnight Cuban music concert performed by Arturo y la Máquina del Sabor. Plaça de la Vila (Town Square)
12 midnight End of the 6th Americanos Fair

Cap Roig Festival

Something that may be of interest to those who live here and even those on holiday is the Cap Roig Festival which takes place every year just up the coast near Calella de Palafrugel. Some of the artists appearing this year are Rod Stewart, Status Quo and the Cors.

Learn more about the festival here ....  http://www.caproigfestival.com/en/

Vilanova de Sau & Folgueroles.

Out in the Catalan countryside heading towards Vic are 2 beautiful little villages as you turn off the C25,  the first one you reach is Folgueroles and just a few kilometres further on is Vilanova de Sau. From both of these picturesque villages you have amazing views of the surrounding mountains, well worth a visit if you can! 

Vintage car museum - Girona

For the vintage car fans there is a very interesting museum you can visit, its only a 20 mins drive from Lloret as you head out to Girona on the A-2 (exit 697). Those who are familiar with the TV programme 'American Pickers' will appreciate just what is hidden away in this building! The photos here are just a small example of the cars, bikes and ancient carriages etc on show. 

You can find more details about the museum here - www.casc.cat

Formula 1 event in Lloret

 This is now an annual event in Lloret de Mar which coincides with the Barcelona F1 and is proving to be a great success by bringing lots of people into town. From Friday through to Sunday there are racing/custom cars and bikes on show, racing simulators, go kart track, inflatable bouncy casles and a number of other activities for the motor fans!

Girona - Temps de Flors 2016

There are just a few more days for you to see the wonderful flower displays in Girona, the last day is 15th May. We were there yesterday and took lots of photos around the city....here you can see a few  of my favourites. There is a regular bus service from Lloret bus station but be sure to book your return journey to ensure you get a seat!