Unfortunately, Tossa de Mar has the claim to fame as the city of mass tourism, but what is certain is that it has been able to maintain its own originality and roots thanks to the political protection of monuments, which were erected in one of the most beautiful places on the Costa Brava.

Why not leave your accommodation in Barcelona for a few days and visit Tossa de Mar, situated some 90km from the northeast of Barcelona and is very charming thanks to the beach, situated in a bay and surrounded by rocks and cliffs. As well as the marvelous bay, Tossa also has many interesting cultural monuments and ruins from past ages (above all Medieval and Roman).

Just as in Vila Vella as in the new part of the city, you can apréciate streets and buildings full of culture. There are some hints and tips that you should remember when visiting Tossa de Mar:

In the new part of the city there are many churches, amongst which is the beautifully decorated Capella de la Verge dels Socors from century XVI, situated in Plaça d’Espanya and the baroque church Sant Vicenç.

An archelogical deposit from the Roman times, which you will find in the east part of the new part of the city.
A wall with 7 towers which date back to the end of the XIV century, situated in la Vila Vella.
The ruins of the gothic church of Vila Vella which are also magnificent.

The Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar, situated in the walled precinct of Vila Villa in a building well known as the Governor’s House, in which many different Roman artifacts were discovered years ago.

And alter the stressful cultural tour around the city, you can go calmly to crash out on the beach o relax and do a bit of sun bathing.

To get to Tossa del Mar from Barcelona it is easiest to take the “Sarfa” bus. The buses go from Estació de Nord in Barcleona and arrive 20 minutes later in Tossa de Mar. In Summer the buses leave every hour. To see the timetable click here. The price of a normal ticket is €9.35.

If that seems like far too much activity for you for just one day (cultural sights, beach etc) and you would prefer to enjoy this marvelous city a bit more, or simply enjoy your wonderful hotel in Barcelona or apartment in Barcelona, I’d recommend a 2 or 3 day trip to Tossa de Mar. Enjoy the city in a calm way and soak up all the culture, and the sun on the beach! All that is left to say is that it’s definitely worth a visit! I can assure you..

Los Cabos, where the sea of Cortez meets the pacific ocean there is a land of fun and excitement, down in the most stunningly gorgeous part of Mexico. This exclusive sun soaked paradise is known as Los Cabos. Whether you want to take part in the exciting nightlife or soak up the warm rays on the pristine Golden Beaches, this paradise has something for honeymooners, single travelers and whole families to enjoy. From the warm waters to the sizzling nightclubs, from the World class golf to the World famous fishing, you can find it all in Baja’s most exclusive destination. Cabo San Lucas is at the tip of the Baja California South, Baja California is the world’s longest peninsula and is separated from the main land of Mexico by the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Golf of California. The peninsula is divided into two Mexican states, Baja California (Norte or North) and Baja California Sur (South).

On the west coast, fast-paced Cabo San Lucas Mexico is alive with busy restaurants, shopping and a frolicking party atmosphere. The city is well known for its warm waters, abundant fish and famous geological rock formation, El Arco. The city is also host to the largest marlin tournament in the world. Cabo San Lucas, once a small fishing village, enjoys a worldwide reputation for its endless variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as the beauty of its beaches.

On the east coast, laid-back San Jose del Cabo provides a quiet retreat from the high energy of Cabo San Lucas, with narrow streets and charming colonial architecture. Bridging Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo is the 17-mile Los Cabos Corridor, a strip studded with world famous golf courses and high-end resorts, bounded by pristine beaches of endless white sand. Cabo San Lucas Bay is a protected marine sanctuary. the bay side of the arch area is a prime location for scuba diving or try the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park that is located about 40 miles north of San Jose del Cabo on the eastern cape of Baja.Stroll the meandering streets of San José del Cabo, founded as a mission in 1730. Admire the Spanish colonial architecture and art galleries in an atmosphere rich with Mexican history and folklore..

These features make Los Cabos an ideal vacation destination, with relaxing resorts, fine dining, duty-free shopping and outdoor activities all close at hand. Enjoy fishing, golfing, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, diving, surfing, kayaking, and much more. Whale watching is popular in winter, when Grey whales migrate to the tropical waters to breed their young.

This concert was absolutely great. It took place near to l’Hospital in Barcelona in the middle of the street, in what is known as a “manzana” which was packed out to the max! A completely free concert – I couldn’t believe my luck when I read “Primal Scream” on the official La Mercè programme for 2008.

I left my Barcelona apartment at about 9:30 and the concert began shortly after 10:30. There was an enormous crowd there already and we pushed our way in to get a good view. The band started off with a few favourites of mine; “Echo Dek”, “Vanishing Point”, “Can’t Go Back” and “XTRMNTR”. A real mix of songs from different albums, which is something that I really liked about the concert. They saved Country Girl for last, a song which will always be one of my favourites…

Perhaps one of the coolest things about this concert was that it was based right next to the Estrella factory in Barcelona. The factory opened its courtyard and had set up lots of bars selling all types of beer for 1€ each – absolutely fantastic! It made me laugh so much because in Britain, at an event like this, you would be absolutely rinsed for a pint of beer… concert time is prime time to milk us poor students dry, no?

So, the beer was flowing freely, the crowd was really hyped and Primal Scream were on top form. They played for about an hour and a half in total, coming back onto the stage two times to blast us with some more tracks from their most recent album –“Beautiful Future”. I mean, we were in Barcelona at the end of September in our shorts and t-shirts, it couldn’t really have got any better! If you are thinking of coming out here, make sure you book your accommodation in Barcelona or Barcelona hotels early on for next summer…
If you haven’t seen this band live, you’ve got to. Or if you don’t even know who they are, make sure you download some of their tunes… Primal Scream formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie (vocals) and Jim Beattie. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes (guitar), Martin Duffy (keyboards), Gary “Mani” Mounfield (bass), and Darrin Mooney (drums).
Many people would tell you to give their album Riot City Blues from but I would recommend you decide for yourself, I particularly like the track “When the Bomb Drops”.

Day 7: Seville

You will want to rise early to take in the fullness of Seville, the capital of Andalusia. You can start out by having a continental breakfast in Barrio de Santa Cruz. This little burgh exudes ancient charm with its medieval streets, pocket-sized plazas, flower-filled wrought-iron balconies and tiled courtyards. You can spend the remaining morning hours visiting the Catedral de Sevilla and Giralda Tower. The cathedral is the world’s largest example of gothic architecture and it is the third largest church in Europe. The Giralda Tower was built by the Moors in the 12th century.

To the north of the cathedral is the Alcazar Seville. This is the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use, dating from the 14th century. Allow a couple of hours to see it. With whatever time you have left visit the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla. This converted convent contains some of Andalusias greatest artwork, including masterpieces by El Greco and Murillo.

Finish your day with a stroll through Parque María Luisa on the banks of the Guandalquivir River. During the summer months sail boat rentals are available. Enjoy a relaxing dinner in Old Town and afterwards, if you’re not too tired, you can see a flamenco show.

This will give you enough of a taste of Andalusia to savor until your next trip to Spain.

Day 5: El Escorial

El Escorial rivals Toledo as the most popular day trip from Madrid. It is about an hour from Atocha station. The half monastery/half royal mausoleum of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was built here by Felipe II in the mid 1500′s The mammoth complex contains some of the world’s greatest art. You can spend a full day here wandering through its splendid library, art galleries and state apartments, including the throne room.

If time allows, you can make a side trip to El Valle de los Caídos. This memorial is a moving tribute to those who died in the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s.

Day 6: Córdoba

Cordoba is a couple of hours to the south of Madrid leaving from the AVE or TALGO stations. It was once the capital city of Islam in the west. Here is where the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba, the greatest Palestinian landmark in the western world, still stands. Its stunning structure consisting of a labyrinth of columns and red-and-white-striped arches is a marvel to see. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fine example of military architecture where Ferdinand and Isabella once governed.

The trip from Cordoba to Seville is forty-five minutes to an hour, depending upon the train you take. The AVE is the fastest. There are very good over night accommodations in Seville. Get a good nights rest.

Day 3: Toledo

From Madrid you can take a RENFE train to Toledo. These depart frequently from Chamartín station and the trip takes about an hour and a half.

There is much to see in Toledo because of its rich history. On a tight schedule, it is not possible to see it all. For a single day visit, these are the must-see highlights. The crowning glory of the city is the Catedral de Toledo. You will also want to see the fortified palace, the Alcázar, with its army museum. Much of El Greco’s art resides in Toledo. His masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, rests in Iglesia de Santo Tomé. If there is still time visit La Casa y Museo de El Greco.

Day 4: Segovia

You can get to Segovia from Madrid on the RENFE train from Chamartin station. It’s a two hour trip. The attraction here is the spectacular Alcazar Segovia, which is one of the most distinctive palaces in Spain. It has the look of something created by Walt Disney. Other landmarks include the Cabildo Catedral de Segovia and the Acueducto Romano, an example of ancient engineering. After resting a bit, you may want to top off your sight seeing tour by visiting the Palacio Real de La Granja just seven miles to the southeast of Segovia. This was the summer palace of the Bourbon kings.

Day 1: Madrid

Fly into Madrid as early as possible so you can check into your hotel and have time to recharge with a café au lait and croissant before sightseeing. Take the Metro to Atocha or Banco de España for access to the

Museo del Prado. Allow a couple of hours for a brief visit. You won’t be able to see it all, but you will be able to take in the impressive collection of works by Velázquez and Goya, including such pieces as the Clothed Maja and Naked Maja.

Break for lunch at Plaza de Santa Ana This historic neighborhood of outdoor cafes was once a favored hangout for the literary set, attracting such Golden Age authors as Lope de Vega and Cervantes. In the 1920′s, Hemingway came here to drink. After lunch, walk west to Puerta del Sol. This is the Times Square of Madrid. To the northwest you can visit Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. This beautiful old convent houses a threasure trove of mid-16th century art.

You may be ready for a siesta before going out in the evening. When your ready to dine, may we suggest Ernest Hemingwat’s favorite restaurant, Sobrino de Botin. To finish the day you can go to the beautiful Plaza Mayor, the hub of Madrid’s nightlife.

Day 2: Madrid

Today you will finish your tour of Madrid’s great museums, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Take the Metro to Atocha to get started. The Nacional Centro houses one of the greatest collections of modern art in Spain. Its centerpiece is Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica. The Thyssen-Bornemisza also has many treasures. You will want to allow at least two hours for each attraction.

In the early evening you can partake in the tradition of tapas hopping. You can enjoy a wide variety of Spanish cuisine by visiting a succession of the neighborhood bars and taverns that are virtually on every street corner. Each estblishment offers their own version of hot and cold tapas. These are small plates of appetizers, ranging from fresh anchovies to the tail of a bull. You can discover plenty on your own and you won’t need to make dinner plans. Afterwards, you can retire for the evening or take in a flamenco show.

Spaniards love to celebrate life and do so with a festival for just about every occasion. These extravaganzas are hallmarked by unbridled revelry. Ranking high among these events is La Tamborrada in San Sebastian on January 19, where the whole town dresses up and goes berserk. In late February, Carnaval is celebrated throughout the country. The most notorious locations for this event are Sitges and Cádiz.

In Valencia, there is a week long celebration every March known as Las Fallas, where they have parades and fireworks along with all night dancing and drinking. During the week before Easter the whole country celebrates Semana Santa with parades of holy images through the streets. The city of Seville counterbalances the religious fervor during the month of April with Feria de Abril. The popularity of this spectacle is such that people make hotel reservations well in advance to ensure securing accommodations.

Spain’s most famous event, the Running of the Bulls, put Pamplona on the map. It is known to the locals as Fiesta de San Fermin and it is celebrated in July. During the first half of August Semana Grande is celebrated all along thhe north coast. The last Wednesday in August sees the Valencian town of Buñol go bonkers with La Tomatina This celebration of the tomato harvest culminates in a free-for-all where the town’s inhabitants hurl the surplus of produce at each other.

People enjoy traveling to Spain year round. The best times are the months of May, June and September. In the south this season includes April and October. Travel weather is excellent during these times with the added bonus of avoiding the mad rush during the high season of July and August. Andalusia has the longest season where there are plenty of warm and sunny days right through winter.

The year round traveler will enjoy the mild winter months along the southern and southeastern Mediterannean coasts. The northwest beaches and high mountains are a retreat for those traveling during the height of summer. The peak weather season between April and October is also the best time to enjoy the myriad of festivals put on by the Spanish people.