We put together this guide to the area to give you an insight into this corner of Catalunya, an idea of the local cuisine, a glimpse of the village of L’Ampolla, the places of interest and activities available and a run down of day trips and excursions to great destinations you can include in your holiday. We also have included a brief culinary guide, a summary of the weather and a review of the best restaurants to go to. You will also find information on nearby theme parks with web-site addresses.

Reus airport is just forty minutes on the AP7 to the village of L’Ampolla where our coastal holiday resorts are located and since Ryan Air began flying daily, this small airport has undergone a transformation, offering everything a large airport has to offer but on a small and more relaxed scale. Thus it is both cheap to fly from Dublin, London, Liverpool, Paris, Frankfurt and a host of other destinations into the heart of Catalunya and exceedingly easy to retrieve your luggage and get on with your holiday. Flights are readily available from March until October. Barcelona Airport is also very close, just an hour and a half on the AP7 Autopista to L’Ampolla. It is an International airport with a global flight schedule and is serviced by major airlines such as Iberia, Air Lingus, Lufthansa and many others. Gerona airport is also relatively near us and it is also serviced by Ryan Air and Easy Jet. It is two and a half hours drive from Gerona to L’Ampolla.

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L’Ampolla is a fishing village on the edge of the Ebro Delta. It has been a favourite with mainland Europeans for over four decades, attracted by its quiet charm, sandy beaches, mountain backdrops and the Ebro delta. L’Ampolla is characterised by the elegant charm of the harbour and a relaxed pace of life. Famed as a destination through-out Catalunya for its sea-food, the Marina is dotted liberally with cafes and restaurants. Facilities in the village include a large municipal swimming pool with the mountains as back-drop, a summer season night-club and lots of sandy beaches where beach volley ball and sun tans are the order of the day. L’Ampolla also has a busy schedule of events over the Summer and Autumn with music concerts, festivals and special events. You can check it all out on the village web site on http://www.ampolla.org/eng/activitats.asp The site is in five languages. Worth a mention is the gypsy market every Wednesday morning where you can find anything from a conga drum to an Arabic tapestry to smoked traditional hams and country olives. It is well worth a potter around for the noise and the bustle and the views of the blue Mediterranean stretching into the horizon. Also worth a mention is the summer camp for kids every day during the summer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. At just five euros a day, its great value and offers the possibility of having the kids entertained for a few hours as mom and dad take some time out. From Les Oliveres/Cap Roig resort, L’Ampolla is a thirty minute walk by the coastline on the GR9.2 (a way-marked walk that begins in the Pyrinees and goes all the way down the coast and to Valencia) The walk winds its way past hidden coves and beaches, along cliff-tops as the turquoise Mediterranean glitters in the sunshine. Its certainly an idea to ear-mark one morning for this mini-hike into the village as it is truly an invigorating and scenic way to build an appetite before lunch in one of L’Ampolla’s many restaurants.

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The Weather

As one would expect, temperatures climb in June into the high twenties and remain in the high twenties to mid thirties until approximately the second week in September. As this area has a coastal mountain range that sweeps down to the Mediterranean, there is usually a pleasantly mild breeze that moderates the sensation of the summer heat. During the evenings and night, temperatures remain in the mid twenties and nothing more than a sheet is required while sleeping. It means that all you need to bring during on vacation is swim wear and a smile. It is, as a general rule, sunny most of the time although there can be one or two summer storms with high rainfall. Winds are moderate through-out this period. From mid-September onwards, the evening and night-time temperatures begin to fall and it feels quite fresh and cool. Evening/night-time temperatures can drop to 12/14 degrees Celsius while average day-time temperatures hover around 23 degrees. This is a trend that continues until October when evening time and early morning temperatures gradually drop to 8/9 degrees Celsius. It means if on holiday during this period, a fleece or jumper is required in the evenings and sleeping at night requires a blanket. It also grows dark earlier and nightfall arrives at 8 p.m. Catalan Ways does not provide holiday accommodation between November through to March unless by special request. From April onwards, temperatures pick up and an average of 18 degrees Celsius is normal for the month with temperatures midday getting up to 25 degrees. Towards the end of May, temperatures begin to climb steeply and the average temperature during the month of June is 24 degrees and highs of 32 degrees midday. However until the end of June, evening and night-time temperatures are cooler, circa 12 degrees Celsius, and again it is important to pack a light fleece/pullover and warmer clothes to cater for this temperature fluctuation. One also gets April showers and these continue into May so although mostly sunny in this period, there are intervals of rain-fall as this is the time when the majority of precipitation occurs in the area.

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Sea-food

No-place excels like L’Ampolla for sea-food and fish both in price and quality. Whether to dine in the restaurants or to buy in the fish-mongers, the range and quality of the sea-food is beyond compare. From Oysters to seven different varieties of cockles, from sardines to tuna steaks, from salmon fillets to hake and cod cutlets, from fresh lobster to live crab and mussels. From octopus to prawns, tiger shrimp to squid. Practically everything is available in the fishing village of L’Ampolla. And when you arrive, you will find a recipe compilation in your holiday home so you too can cook or at least attempt to cook some of the specialities of the area such as sea-food Paella or Cockles a la Marinera.

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Activity Options

There is always something interesting to do in this neck of the woods. We have our own activity programme which you can check out under the ‘Book Some Fun’ section of our web page. We offer activities as diverse as kayaking on the river Ebro to cycling through idyllic scenery, from cat-fishing to water skiing to deep sea fishing, from zip-wiring in Pine forests to canyoning to motor boating. But there are a myriad of cultural centres such as Tarragona, Barcelona or Valencia, perfect for day excursions. And if you are interested in wine, we can arrange a wine-tasting trip to the famous Terra Alta region to take in the famous Medieval village of Horta De San Joan and perhaps a visit to the Picasso museum; there are boat trips on the Ebro as well as a calendar of local events organised by L’Ampolla village that begin in mid June and continue to the end of September. And the nearby theme park of Porte Aventura opens in March until October and tickets can be booked through Catalan Ways. So whatever it is that you are interested in doing, let us know and we will research it on your behalf and arrange it for you.

Menu Del Dia

One thing you have to understand about Spain is the main meal of the day happens in the middle of the day. And because this is a cultural tradition set in stone, ‘Menu del dia’ or the set meal of the day represents a most economical way of dining out. It is served from one to three each day and take heed, do not arrive a second past three as you are likely to be told by a triumphant if bored looking waitress that the kitchen has just closed. But Menu Del Dia really is great value for money. During the week, this three to five course meal will cost you between €9 to €12 per person. You will always be given a starter option of a salad or steamed mussels or soup. One thing to be said about the salads is that all the vegetables are all locally produced so the tomatoes contrive to taste like tomatoes once did. You make your own dressing as the salad is served with an ‘aceitera’ or Olive Oil and Vinegar tray. The trick here is to take a slice of bread from the basket that always appears on the table, and pour on the virgin olive oil and sprinkle some salt to taste. Delicious and simple. Second course varies from fish and lentil stews, cheese sauce pasta dishes, paella or ‘fideua’ (a fried noodle dish that is quite delicious but tends to have quite an amount of peculiar looking shellfish in it), lasagne or Cannelloni. In other words there is quite a range of options. Finally there is a meat or fish course which is always served with Mediterranean vegetables. The vegetables vary with the season as it is all local produce. Then you get the to choose desert which will herald fresh fruit, yoghurt or ice-cream or Crème Catalan. The Wine and water is included in the price. The house wine can be good and you can be lucky but sometimes it may be a young wine and may feel like a runaway horse galloping down your palate. You have the option of ordering red and white but the red in invariably superior. The coffee may or may not be included in the price. A ‘cortado’ or strong coffee with a small amount of milk or a café con leche will cost you around one Euro thirty. One thing to remember is you have to ask for ‘menu del dia’. If not, you will be given the Menu card proper, which is a far more expensive proposition. As mentioned, a menu del dia during the week ranges from €9 to €12 but at the weekend can go up to as much as €18 but then again so too does the quality of the food served.

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Eating Out

It is a feature of countries that border the Mediterranean that lunch tends to be the main meal of the day. Perhaps this can be explained by the simple fact that it is pleasant to dine outside on a sunny day. In any case, it tends to be a cultural tradition set in stone and a most enjoyable one at that. And while not all restaurants offer it, ‘Menu del dia’ or the set meal of the day represents the most economical way of dining out. It is served from one to three each day so do not arrive a second past three as you are likely to be told by the waitress that the kitchen has just closed. During the week, this four course meal costs between €9 to €12 per person. You get a first course option that varies from a salad to steamed mussels, from soup to pasta. One thing to be said about the salads is that all the vegetables are locally produced so the tomatoes contrive to taste like tomatoes should. You will find that most of the restaurants in the area leave you to make up your own dressing with the help of the ‘aceitera’ or Olive Oil and Vinegar tray. And while it seems simple, there is a trick to making these simple ingredients really delicious. First sprinkle quite an amount of salt on the salad. Then add the vinegar before finally adding the oil. It is the order that does the trick. The Second course varies from fish and lentil stews, from pasta dishes, paella or ‘fideua’ (a fried noodle dish that is quite delicious but tends to have quite an amount of peculiar looking shellfish in it), lasagne or a meat or fish course which is always served with Mediterranean vegetables such as aubergine, red peppers or courgette. The vegetables vary with the season as it is all local produce. Then you get the to choose desert which will herald fresh fruit, yoghurt or ice-cream or Crème Catalan. The Wine and water is included in the price. The house wine can be good and you can be lucky but sometimes it may be a young wine and may feel like a runaway horse galloping down your palate. You have the option of ordering red and white but the red in invariably superior. The coffee may or may not be included in the price. A ‘cortado’ or strong coffee comes with a small amount of milk. A café con leche comes with equal coffee and frothed milk and will cost you around one Euro thirty. Remember to ask for ‘Menu del dia’ as otherwise you will be given the Menu card proper, which is a far more expensive proposition A menu del dia during the week ranges from €9 to €12 but at the weekend can go up to as much as €18. However, so too does the quality of the food served. Dining out in the evenings is always A La Carte and the majority of the restaurants will have the Menu in Spanish, French, English and German as these represent the main Nationalities that visit this area. Average price for a four course evening meal varies from €35 to €50 per person including the house wine. Restaurants open from 8 p.m. and last orders are taken by the latest at 10.30 p.m.

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This is a short summary of some of our favourite restaurants to give you an impression of what culinary delights are waiting for you in Catalunya and what kind of fare to expect.

Perales:
This restaurant nestles up to the verge of the azure Mediterranean surrounded by pine and palm trees. It is a five minute walk by the coastline from Les Oliveres Beachside Spa Resort or Cap Roig. It is famous for its paella but the paella has to be ordered the day before. Things to look out for is the cod salad and the mussels or cockles ‘a la Marinera’. The menu is multi-lingual. Prices are reasonable but the location is almost a meal in itself. Through Catalan Ways, they will ensure you receive a complimentary bottle of the house wine. Menu Del Dia not available.

Pepe’s Chiringuito:
A Chiringuito refers to a restaurant either on the beach or directly overlooking it. Which pretty much tells you all you need to know about this little dining spot. Perched on a cliff top overlooking Cap Roig beach, it serves wonderfully fresh sardines and has a secret recipe for cockles ‘a la marinera’. It also serves prawns in garlic and olive oil called ‘gambas al ajillo’ and they are most excellent. The menu is multilingual and it is certainly worth a visit even to just sip a beer or glass of chilled wine and watch life on the beach. Menu Del Dia not available. The menu is multi-lingual.

Vanessa’s:
Located in the resort of Cap Roig, this quaint open air restaurant is open from June to end of September. Dining al fresco under the olive trees, it offers a great variety of salads, pasta and crispy delicious pizza. All at very reasonable prices. The bif-steak (thin cut of steak that covers the entire plate) is always done to perfection and the sign that this is a good dining spot is the fact that it is always choker-block full. It is particularly good as a family destination. Menu Del Dia not available. The menu is multi-lingual.

Casa Montero at the Yacht Club :
Situated in L’Ampolla in the harbour, Casa Monteroa is upmarket but not expensive. The bread is baked in the restaurant and served with either a delicate mayonnaise mousse or an almond and red pepper pate that makes for a very tasty hor d’ouevre. The warm prawn, crab and anchovy salad is a marvellous way to start while all the fish dishes, lemon sole, hake or salmon are served with distinctive and marvellous sauces. The pasta is also sublime and if your taste buds run towards rich and savoury, there is fillet steak served in a foie gras sauce which is truly inspired. And while the food is wonderful, its other real charm is that it is perched right over the harbour, so even as you dine in elegant surrounds, the yachts sway in a light wind and the sun tingles on the water and it is impossible not to get the ‘you are on the Mediterranean’ feeling. And it gets better. Through Catalan Ways, they will treat you a complimentary bottle of house wine and both the red and white are memorable. Menu Del Dia not available. The menu is multi-lingual.

Can Pinana:
Recently refurbished, Can Pinana is an institution akin to the town hall in L’Ampolla. All roads lead to the café that God dictates you have your morning coffee in. Facing the marina and beside the village playground, it is very popular with both natives and visitors alike. Half of Can Pinana is dedicated to being a café and the other half dedicated to the culinary arts. Recommended is the seafood paella which is truly good but if you are vegetarian, they do a vegetarian paella which has to be checked out. It is every bit as tasty as the traditional version just minus the seafood. They also serve a ‘black rice’ dish prepared in squid ink which is a surprising taste sensation. It is not recommended if you are on a romantic date as your smile becomes less than dazzling after just a mouthful. The salads are enormous and the Ensalada Catalana (salad served with a variety of cold meats) with a side order of bread is almost a meal in itself. Also excellent are the hake and sole dishes served in a casserole pan. And another big pro is the fact that it is right next to the playground so you can eat and chill out and give the kids the option of playing on the swings. And the good news, through Catalan Ways, Senor Pinana will make sure you get a complimentary bottle of wine with you meal. It also offers a Menu Del Dia but it is not recommended. The menu is multilingual.

Fata Morgana:
This is a popular spot for a Menu Del Dia as it is both cheap at €9 per person and everything is included. When we say everything, we mean a five course lunch with wine or similar and coffee all lobbed into the price. In other words you cannot go wrong. There is an impressive range of dishes served each and every day so the Menu Del Dia is never the same twice. The pasta and pasta sauces are great, the stews are usually terrific and you frequently get melon with cured Spanish ham or Gaspacho, a refreshing chilled tomato and cucumber soup. There is always a great choice between fish and meat dishes so the joint is heartily recommended. The bad news is that during July and August, Fata Morgana only opens in the evening which means there is no Menu del dia available. However the good news is that during the evening and all summer long, this enigmatic restaurant undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a Pizzeria in the evenings. With its own wood-fired oven, you can imagine that what comes out of it is a lot better than just good. It is located in the harbour, behind the Yacht club and you also have the option of dining inside or out. And the other bit of good news is that through Catalan Ways, you get a complimentary bottle of wine with you meal.

Café Lilla:
Just as you go up the coastal boardwalk and are leaving the Marina, you will spy some tables under a parasol on your right. This is Café Lilla. They also are well known for the Menu Del Dia, which, if dining outside, comes to €10 per person. You get the usual five course lunch with wine and coffee included. The food is good if basic and each course has two options. But the views of the bay and delta from the outside dining area are breathtaking. The Menu is multilingual.

Chez Anny:
You have to work hard to find Chez Anny. It is situated off Plaza Catalunya in L’Ampolla where Catalan Ways has its offices. Walk through the Square past a little shop called ‘Decoracio Maite and continue to the end of the street. Chez Anny is on your right. This is a Swiss run restaurant that rebels against the sea-food culture of the village and refuses to serve anything with fish in it! In that sense the menu is quite alternative for L’Ampolla. They do a Menu del dia that serves a green salad in an interesting fenugreek dressing, a soup of the day that is made from a rich stock and very French in influence, and a main course that invariably means pork fillets, stuffed chicken breast or similar. Wine and coffee is not included in the €9 Menu Del Dia price. In the summer, it is recommended you dine outside as it is a smokers restaurant. The Menu is multilingual.

Plat-a-Taula:
Plat-a-Taula is a catering company that just happens to have a little upmarket bistro in the cellar. Unless you knew, you would never find it. And it is worth finding it. Located on Carrer Plaja, the road behind the playground, the food served is transcendentally good. Try the prawns ‘Piri Piri’, freshly prepared and served with carbonised garlic and ‘Guindilla’ red peppers. For a serious rush of temperature across the palate, try eating the pepper whole. The salads are exotic and the croquettes home made and quite a treat. You will find there are a huge number of starters as well as a legion of main courses which you can pick and choose from. And while the a la carte menu is enormous, they also have a Menu Del Dia which basically is a selection of courses taken from the a la carte menu. At €10 per head, it is worth a visit. The Menu is multilingual.

J22:
As the name might indicate, J22 is a funky fast food joint with a Hollywood theme. You can amuse yourself identifying the famous faces that grace the tables, anyone from Lauren Bacall to Angelina Jolie will turn up on the photo montages. But the food is truly good and the portions really generous and the prices very reasonable. Pizzas are excellent, burgers are good and the chicken nuggets are made from real chicken. French Fries are served piping hot and you have a whole load of dips to keep the palate stimulated. There are Texan style barbecue ribs and, if you want, you can go even more Texan and order a sirloin steak. There is also, cue the cliché, a pool table to throw some shapes over. So its ideal for a family munch up. J22 is in the middle of L’Ampolla in front of Platja de les Avellanes, a very popular beach in the village. One of the unusual services J22 offers is a ‘Beach’ take-away service. You can go in and order your food and then head off down to the beach and they will bring your order to you so you can munch in the sun! And if you show them this card, J22 will treat everyone in your party to a complimentary drink to enjoy with your meal.

Casa David:
It is the first restaurant on the pier that runs off Plaza Gonzalez Isla, it has delightful views of the harbour and the possibility to stretch your legs and take a stroll along the pier or marina to work up an appetite before lunch or evening meal. The restaurant is a great all rounder specialises in pasta and salads. The pizzas are generous and the pasta dishes and accompanying sauces are very tasty indeed. The salad choice is good and the salad dressings vary greatly but are in general, very appetising. The menu is in four languages including English and some of the staff speak English as well. One thing to try is the cod salad in a garlic and parsley dressing and both the lasagne and cannelloni are exceptional. The pizzas are bigger than the norm and they do not spare the cheese or toppings. Seating is almost exclusively outside so the ambience is very chilled out. And through Catalan Ways, they will treat you to a free bottle of the house wine to enjoy with your meal.

Botavara:
Botavara is also located on the pier that runs off Plaza Gonzalez Isla and like its similarly named restaurant, this restaurant offers views of the harbour and a chance to stretch of the legs if so inclined. The restaurant specialises in seafood and rice dishes. The menu is in four languages including English while some of the staff also speak English. Things to try are the cockles and the lobster rice dish which, while served for two, could feed an army. Watch out for the rich parika or sweet pepper aftertaste. The dorada, a fish typical of the Mediterranean, is done a la plancha (on a griddle pan) and is a deliciously plump and meaty fish. You can order entrecote (boned T-bone steak) as well as solomillo (filet steak) served solo or with pepper or roquefort cheese sauces. The ambience of the restaurant whether seated inside our out, is relaxed and intimate. And through Catalan ways, they will treat you to a free bottle of the house wine to enjoy with your meal. Menu Del Dia is not available. The menu is multi-lingual.

La Barraca:
This is a sea-front restaurant near the Arenal beach towards the Delta end of L’Ampolla. Its location gives away its main culinary focus. It offers a large range of shell-fish such as pan fried prawns in garlic and lemon, cockles in a seafood sauce, lemon steamed mussels and a wide range of fish dishes in delectable sauces. The location is truly fabulous as you find yourself up close and personal to the sea. And throught Catalan Ways, they will offer you a complimentary bottle of wine with your meal. Menu Del Dia is not available.

L’Iglu:
If you like a crispy base to your pizza while it still stays juicy and succulent on top, then L’Iglu is the place for you. It has a wide range of toppings and combinations to choose from. To find this hidden haven of great pizza, you have to turn right at the playground and walk up Carrer Menorca until you come to the train tracks. Turn left and walk down the street for 300 metres and you will find L’Iglu on your left. You can eat outside and while the views are not amazing the pizza makes up for it. Menu Del Dia is not available

Hotel Pepo:
This is a hotel/restaurant that features in our GPS adventure challenge. It is located in the postcard perfect river side village of Benifallet and it is one of the most famous eating establishments in the province! And it well deserves the reputation. Hotel Pepo has a huge open barbecue and is famous for its roast and grilled meats. The steaks are sourced locally and they are done precisely according to your stated preference. The roast lamb from the oven is mouth watering while there are also griddle prepared fish in a variety of sauces that more than cater for the seafood lover. All of the vegetable are either roasted or prepared in the traditional Mediterranean fashion ‘al horno’ and there are also a variety of sausages from the area which are served on a ‘gallows’ which makes for spectacular presentation. Then the deserts are many and varied and essentially to die for. And the good news is that through Catalan Ways, the hotel will make sure you have a complimentary bottle of wine on the house. Recommended as one of the great gourmet experiences of Catalunya. Menu Del Dia is not available

Amare:
This is a family run restaurant that spans generations and its foundation goes back to the turn of the last century. It is the perfect place for a really special Menu del dia if you opt to go on a day trip to Tortosa. Situated in Roquetes, the neighbouring town to Tortosa, you just drive over the river Ebro on the old suspension bridge with the giant hoops, take the first turn right, then the second turn left, drive through the roundabout and about ½ kilometre along that road, you will come to the restaurant on the left hand side. The Menu del dia is based on old traditional Catalan home cooking and so it offers a whole host of specialities of the province. Depending on the season, you can order ‘Rovellons’, a wild mushroom that has a taste that defies words and a texture like a medium hard cheese. It has a million different versions of stews, roast and ‘a la plancha’ meats and, as always, wine and water is included in the price. The Menu del dia comes to €12 per person. The menu is in Spanish and Catalan only.

Hotel Corona:
This is a Hotel-restaurant that is both child friendly and offers a quite excellent Menu Del Dia in the spacious, expansive dining room. Situated in Roquetes, the neighbouring town to Tortosa, you just drive over the river Ebro on the old suspension bridge with the giant hoops, take the first turn right, the second turn left and you will come to a roundabout. Hotel Corona is situated just off the roundabout. The Menu is €12 per head and it offers an excellent range and choice for each course. The food arrives in great quantities but does not lose out on the quality for one second. In fact, with younger kids, one Menu del dia is large enough to share between two. All drinks are included and the house red, included in the price, is a Terra Alta wine called Marti Carbo which has an excellent, full bodied bouquet. And if you sit at the window of the dining room, you have a full view of the kids in the playground area. Relaxing both inside and outside for all concerned. The menu is multi-lingual.

Miralles:
Miralles Hotel and Restaurant is in the amazing Medieval village of Horta De san Joan which also features in one of our GPS Adventure challenges. It is again a famous destination for the gourmets of this world and there are those who make the two hour journey from Barcelona just to have lunch in this restaurant. It is easy to find. As you drive into Horta, you will see a large sandstone building on your right and this is Miralles. It is a restaurant that serves food from around the world. The owner and chef, Giuseppe, goes on food research holidays each year and brings back with him a treasure box of culinary delights which he then opens up in his own kitchen and gets to work. Thus the Menu del dia in Miralles is always very varied and throws up unusual choices and possibilities. Menu del dia runs to €10 during the week and €12 during the week-end and as always, everything is included in the price. The menu is multi-lingual.

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Beyond L’Ampolla is the Ebro delta. It is one of the biggest rice producing area in Spain and is the home of the famous rice dish paella. The restaurants in L’Ampolla are specialists at preparing the dish as well as a host of other delicacies unique to the area. (refer Restaurant Guide) The delta is also a Nature Reserve protected by UNESCO and is the home to a myriad of bird species which can be seen rising and landing in the watery expanse of the rice fields. There are numerous viewing platforms, the nearest being just beyond the Arenal beach in Les Olles laguna in L’Ampolla. An interesting day excursion is the daily boat trips that leave from the village of Delt Ebre, a ten minute drive from L’Ampolla. The boats are glass bottomed and go all the way up to the mouth of the Ebro to where the great river meets the Mediterranean.

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An ever moving gypsy market travels from town to town and opens the stalls at 8 am and closes at 12 noon. Clothes, smoked hams, beach-ware, ceramics, drums, shoes and just about anything you can imagine is on sale and at low prices if you like haggling. The gypsy markets in Tortosa and Perello are far larger than in L’Ampolla On Monday, the market is in Tortosa; on Wednesday it moves to L’Ampolla; and on Saturday it can be found in Perello, a quaint local inland village about five kilometres from L’Ampolla.

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The are three major theme parks all within driving distance or have train access from L’Ampolla. All of the parks offer day passes which guarantees tired but happy kids by sunset. A trip best reserved till near the end of the holiday as demands to repeat the experience will certainly drive parents either mad or back to the theme-park.

Aquapolis:
This is a water theme park with a host of activities that are fun and challenging. There is also a rather spectacular show in the ‘Dolphinarium’ which suggests that perhaps dolphins really are more intelligent than humans. Aquapolis is located in Cambrils, a twenty minute drive up the coast from L’Ampolla. You can book through the Catalan Ways office which will give you a discount of two euros per person up to 10 euros. Aquapolis can be booked through Catalan Ways Web page: www.aquopolis.es (Note – not available in English ) Prices per day: Adults €21.50, Children €16 and under four are free

Porte Aventura:
This consists of a Theme park and an Aqua Park. You can elect to opt for one or the other or both. The Theme park is more expensive - €37 per adult approx. and €30 per Junior as opposed to €19 and €15 in the Aqua park with a huge discount off season (i.e. from April to Mid May and from October onwards) The two can be combined which obviously works out more expensive. The Theme Park offers hair-raising rides and a lot of Spectacular Shows. You can check it out on www.portaventura.es Porte Avenura can be booked through Catalan Ways

Aqualeon :
The first thing you must know is that Aqua Leon is an hour and twenty minutes drive from L’Ampolla which makes for a two and a half hour round trip so the question is, is it worth it? Well maybe. First thing in its favour is the fact that the park combines two very different and contrasting elements. One is a Safari in deepest Africa experience followed by giant water theme park. Not bad! As regards the Safari, the first part of the of the safari is driven in your own vehicle through the simulated ‘savannah’ populated by zebra, wildebeest and antelope. Not all that exciting or amazing but it is definitely a case of keeping the good wine till last. Because the tiger, bear and lion compounds are alive with manic energy and you have to sit in an armoured bus as the animals are very active and accustomed to interacting with the vehicle. The bears come over to the driver looking for a tidbit while the tigers stalk the vehicle. Then, if your heart survives the close encounters, the water theme park is pretty good. Set in rolling hills and green lawns, there are a vast number of thrills, spills and splashes that will keep everyone on the move till days end when exhaustion will inevitably set in. And a very nice feature are the walk through compounds dedicated to different animal groups. So there are reptiles, monkeys, snakes and poisonous spiders, prairie dogs and amphibians. All in all, if you do not mind the drive, an entertaining day. Tel: 00-34-977-687656 Web page : www.aqualeon.es (Available in English) Prices per day: Adults €17.50, Children €12.50

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Beyond L’Ampolla is the Ebro delta. It is one of the biggest rice producing area in Spain and is the home of the famous rice dish paella. The restaurants in L’Ampolla are specialists at preparing the dish as well as a host of other delicacies unique to the area. (refer Restaurant Guide) The delta is also a Nature Reserve protected by UNESCO and is the home to a myriad of bird species which can be seen rising and landing in the watery expanse of the rice fields. There are numerous viewing platforms, the nearest being just beyond the Arenal beach in Les Olles laguna in L’Ampolla. An interesting day excursion is the daily boat trips that leave from the village of Delt Ebre, a ten minute drive from L’Ampolla. The boats are glass bottomed and go all the way up to the mouth of the Ebro to where the great river meets the Mediterranean.

An hours drive from Tortosa, Terra Alta translates into English as ‘High-lands’, an uplifted river valley that offers an extraordinary combination of softly undulating fields planted with vines and almond trees wrapped around by an unrelenting rugged mountainscape. One of the must see destinations is Horta de San Joan – a village that Pablo Picasso lived in for two years and of which he later said ‘everything I know about colour, I learned in Horta’. There is a museum in Horta dedicated to the great artist and is open Tuesday to Sunday but morning only until 1 p.m. It also features in our GPS Adventure Challenge. Yet one of the greatest treasures that this ancient village possesses is the fact that it is a time capsule. Just to wander along the old stone Medieval streets and through the 7th century squares transports you into another world and another time. The imagination simply soars. And although we sound like the proverbial broken record, Horta is also famed as a gourmet destination among the Catalans. There are no less than six restaurants in the village but the one which we especially recommend is Restaurant Miralles (see A Rough Guide to Restaurants in the area) During the week, you can get the menu del dia, a four courser with wine included for ten Euro per person. And while on the theme of food and drink, there is a famous wine cellar that is just off the main square in the village called Marti Carbo. Pay a visit and you can buy five litres of excellent full bodied drinking wine that is very soft on the palate for a mere €6. And still on the same theme, the bread in this neck of the woods is unique and delicious so make sure you stop off at one of the bakeries and pick up a ‘barra del pain’ or loaf of bread. You will understand when and if you see the size of the bread! Just point! Outside the village at the feet of Mount San Salvador is an incredible Gothic monastery. It boasts a portal archway that rivals Notre Dame. If you are feeling energetic, you can walk past this old religious enclave and veer to your left and find a path that will take you to the top of the mountain. And be rewarded with the most incredible panoromic view of the Terra Alta. And perhaps enjoy the transcendent beauty of sunset on the trip back down. (The round trip walk takes two hours approx.)

Tortosa is fond of saying it is a well-kept secret. But the truth is, it’s true. Lest we forget, we shall begin with one notable annual event that will simply take your breath away. The Renaissance Festival of Tortosa takes place in the last fortnight in July when groups from all over Europe descend on the town and literally convert it into a Medieval village. There is spectacle and fun, stage shows and sword play, eating and drinking in food halls based on bygone times, thrilling theatre and fireworks to light up the imagination. So if you are lucky enough to be holidaying with Catalan Ways in July, you simply have to visit Tortosa and revel in the spectacle and drama of this unique event. Check it out on the multilingual site www.festadelrenaixement.org and find out what we mean. On a less dramatic note, Tortosa is the capital of the delta, a mid-sized town on the Ebro river. It is of striking beauty, dominated as it is by the Parador or old castle that overlooks the town and the river. It has a wonderful park with a huge avenue of Maple trees and of course, the customary playground. The magnificently restored old style food market is a throw-back in time where the scent of seasonal fruits and olives, traditional meats and strong coffee blend in the air. It is open in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is well worth a visit as it has not changed in character since the turn of the last century. A visit to the Parador hotel is also recommended as it offers splendid panoramic views of the city, the Ebro and the ‘Els Ports’ mountain range which rise from the great floodplain in the distance. Have a walk around the garden and battlements, order a coffee in the Parador bar and soak in a different world. Then there is the must see Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria which brings you up close and personal to the dark Gothic imagination that inspires the mysterious religious iconography, naves and dark corners of this huge cathedral. The place reeks with the intrigue and the now faded magnificence of a bygone age. Tortosa is also renowned as a shopping destination with its wide range of designer label shops located in the winding little streets of the old city. You can find Mango, Zara, Massimo Dutti and many others that more often than not offer surprising bargains. And if you care to get up a little early, on Monday morning from 8 a.m. to 1p.m, Tortosa hosts the largest gypsy market in the region where you are liable to find anything from a dinosaur tooth to a crystal ball. And finally, if you find yourself hungry and in Tortosa at lunch-time, a great place for Menu del dia is Amare while if you have younger children, an equally impressive lunch venue is Hotel Corona where you have a playground and pool that you can see from the comfort of the luncheon table (see ‘A Rough Guide to Restaurants in the area’).

Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, has a population of 4.2 million and is regarded as one of the most avant garde cultural and artistic centres in Spain. Discover the brilliantly idiosyncratic art and architecture of Antoni Gaudi (born in Reus in 1852) as you stroll through Parc Guell, an urban oasis dotted with whimsical buildings and colourful mosaic sculptures of creatures straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Take a break from shopping in the L'Eixample neighborhood and visit Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, Gaudi-designed apartment buildings whose nautilus-spiral staircases and seashell-inspired exteriors suggest that Captain Nemo was the architect. And you can’t visit Barcelona without going to La Sagrada Familia, the unfinished Gaudi cathedral whose 300-foot ‘Smartie’ spires give the city skyline a surreal birthday cake look. And whether you're rambling among the buskers and artists of La Rambla (where some of the street lamps overhead bear Gaudi’s flamboyant stamp) or tucking into tapas in the shadow of the great cathedral, you'll realize that in Barcelona, strange and wonderful things are everywhere. It is just one of those cities that never ceases to surprise.

Valencia

They say that this is the city that has it all. Its is an architectural fairy land where the Roman and Medieval city centre effortlessly blend with modern new world building extravaganzas that make it the perfect city to wander through and simply enjoy the sights, the sounds and the smells. And one smell might be that of paella as Valencia is the very home of this famous dish. And if that was not enough, it is also famed for its golden sandy beaches. And the list does not stop there. It is impossible to visit Valencia and not pick up on the palpable cultural buzz as the city is packed with museums, theatres, art galleries and there is always an exhibition or major art event going on. And being so blessed, one might assume that the ‘Valencianos’ are a bit arrogant but again this is far from the case. They are an amazing mixture of Catalan pragmatism and Andalusian warmth and friendliness. And it is just two hours down the coast so it is well worth a visit or even an overnight stay if culture and paella appeals.