Catalunya- Luxury

Catalunya has a culture that exudes the Mediterranean traditions and is distinguished from the rest of Spain by its coast, the Costa Brava, cosmopolitan demeanors and tradition as being the centre of international commerce.

Costa Brava literally means rugged coast and is a gorgeous landscape for holiday vacationers. You can bathe in the warm waters of the Mediterranean or rent a private luxury powerboat off the coast of these waters. Since the 1950's, Costa Brava has been a popular tourist destination with its resort towns and combination of unspoiled, beautiful beaches.

||link nearby is the birthplace of the famous painter, Salvador Dali. You can see the museum there dedicated to his career. Enjoy its circular nature and walk through some of the exhibits or see the large canvases and more in this quiet, scenic village.

The capital of Catalunya, Barcelona, offers plenty for the luxury vacationer to the area. With its origins as a Roman colony in the 2nd century, Barcelona features exceptional historical and cultural significanc. The streets of La Rambla are where you can find some of the best boutiques, street vendors, restaurants and more. Visit the Columbus monument at the end of the street to see Columbus pointing in the wrong direction since America is to the west and Columbus's statue is pointing to the east.

Shop for hours at the Maremagnum to enjoy 12 cinemas, an Imax theatre, restaurants, discos, pubs and more. The Aquarium of Barcelona is the largest in Europe and you can see a number of fish, flora and fauna galore here.

The restaurants in Barcelona feature classic Catalan dishes like the fish, prawn, spinach and mushroom mousses or the goose stewed in apples. Of course the Botifarra (local Catalan sausage) with haricot beans and the local red wine cannot be missed! Visit Can Culleretes, which offers a great atmosphere and service, and is one of the oldest restaurants in Barcelona. For a traditional Basque restaurant, visit Asador Izarra and try sardines in escabeche or jamon iberica, gambas or the baby octopus available in January as a special treat.

Stay in the city within the Catalunya region that you prefer. Whether you want the quiet coastal beauty of the Costa Brava or the cosmopolitan enticement of Barcelona, you can find luxury villas and houses that fit your needs. Ask for holiday apartments in Barcelona with special amenities like a sauna or Jacuzzi or a coastal house with a private BBQ area, personal maid service and more throughout your vacation.