Girona Off The Beaten Path

Barcelona is one of the main towns in Spain, one of the most important ports in Meditarian sea region and Europe’s one of most touristic places.

Barcelona is probably the most known by modernistic Gaudi architecture, including main sight – Church of Holy Family (Sagrada Familia). Barcelona has nice old part with medieval Cathedral, active Rambla street, nice seaside port, Montjuic hill with parks and historical monuments.

Barcelona, if someday Catalunya will be fully free, could be a capital. Barcelona region is the most economically developed region in Spain.

Barcelona is about 100 kilometers from Girona.

For further information watch my Barcelona VirtualTourist page.

Montserrat is an escape to quite unusual Spanish mountains and monastery. Montserrat means “Teeth Mountains”, actually mountains look like teeth. The research showed that such form mountains were formed due to the sea water polishing in prehistoric times.

Monastery is known from medieval times, but got new look in 19th century and it stands in 800 meters high mountains. What is more, it is possible to walk or take funicular to 1236 meters high place. Place is famous for keeping statue of St. Mary.

Serra de Montserrat is about 120 kilometers from Girona.

For further information watch my Serra de Montserrat VirtualTourist page.

The gorgeous deconsecrated church of Sant Pere des Galligants (now an archeological museum) has splendid acoustics for a capella medieval music. If you're there all by yourself (as we were), practice your Hildegard of Bingen!

If you are into surrealistic art, you should visit the city of Figueres (Capital of the Emporda region). Figueres is birthplace of Salvador Dali and home to the famous Dali Museum.

After the Prado Museum in Madrid, it is the second most visited Museum in Spain. Figueres is situated about 40 km north of Girona.

I adore this bakery. First of, they offer the most fantastic bread in Girona, called Florentina. Not the cheapest bread but hey... worth it. Second, they offer fantastic pizzas, muffins, pies, sandwiches... really, a great offer and everything tastes wonderful.

INDUSTRIAL ARCHITECTURE
If you have a car and you plan to visit Ampurdan (road to La Bisbal) you can stop at Celrà where it is a nice factory restored.
They use the building for a dance school.
Inside it is a restaurant, the menú is quite good, simple but tasty: also a Library.
Very nice people and atmosphere!!!
You also see the buildings from the train (Portbou-bcn)...

Don't miss it!!!
every summer we enjoy this festival, it is unique. Not many tourist go there, mainly locals.
Unique festival and market of food from the world.
If you don't like the programm try at least to eat at the market (evenings). It is a lot of atmosphere, you eat outside at the Catedral square.

30.06.06-9.07.06

Tickets:
- Servicaixa de la Caixa: Terminals de Servicaixa, www.servicaixa.com o Tel. 902 332 211
- El Corte Inglés: www.elcorteingles.es o al Tel. 902 400 222
- Oficina de Turisme: Rambla de la Llibertat, 1
- Taquilles en el recinte del Festival: Plaça dels Apòstols, de 6 de la tarda a 12 de la nit, a Sant Lluc, de 5 de la tarda a 12 de la nit (els dies 4, 10, 11 i 13 de juliol) i a Sant Domènec, de 8 de la tarda a 12 de la nit (el dia 29 de juny).

... If you happen to travel by car and are able to move around... try visiting Santa Coloma... it is a small town, close to Girona. There is a place called Castanyet, a tavern with a very rustical atmosphere... Amazing place, the food is unbelieveble...