Barcelona Market

While walking round the Spanish markets you can always be sure of seeing a wide variety of fresh exotic fruits and vegetables. These colourful photos are from the indoor market just off La Rambla in Barcelona.

There's far more choice for your '5 a day' here!

Lloret de Mar - Gardens

Views of the Italian styled gardens in Lloret de Mar, Santa Clotilde is perched on the cliff tops overlooking the Mediterranean on the Cost Brava. Sadly this is a part of Lloret which many visitors seem to miss out on, and its only 10 mins from Lloret centre on the bus.

Thanks To All Readers!

Many thanks to all readers of this blog for making it reach into the top best 100 blogs in Spain. I was notified this morning, so I have placed the award in the side column. The same award has also be given to 2 of my other blogs...Makes it all worthwhile !

• Lloret de Mar Stuff
• Lloret de Mar Holiday Guide
  

Free Sunday Lunch

While we were out walking yesterday, we came across someone who had just been out fishing and he was showing off his catch....for Sunday lunch I expect!

Costa Brava - Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is one of the prettiest resorts on Spains Costa Brava. Here you can have quite a relaxing holiday as its not exactly known for its nightlife, although there are many very good bars and restaurants.It has a very nice shopping area which winds down to the busy sea front from the town centre near the bus station.

To see the best views you must go up to the castle and view the town from the castle walls and pathways. To reach the castle there's a small train which will take you up to the top as it could be quite a difficult walk for the elderly.

Girona - The old town

The narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter of Girona date back to the 12th century, but then the Jewish community ended shortly before the end of the 15th century when they were ousted by the Catholics! Known as the Call, this area is one of the best preserved in Spain and one of the most visited in Cataloñia.
On the river Onyar are these homes from Medieval times that are still lived in today.

Weather conditions in Girona are quite variable throughout the year. With hot summers and temperatures that can be well below freezing during the winter.

Lloret de Mar - Tour de France

Lloret de Mar had a huge honour today as being one of the towns to host part of the Tour de France race for the first time. The bikes had set off from Girona to Lloret which was a 64km stretch of the race and they were then making their way down the coast to Barcelona.

The roads were closed from 12 noon and the crowds started gathering well before in order to find the best viewing point.

The weather in Lloret was the best along the route as some roads became very dangerous owing to heavy rain in parts.

Seville - Plaza de Espana

The Plaza de Espana in Seville is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The horse drawn carriages will take you on a tour of the plaza if the walk is a little too much in the hot Seville summer!

The last photo shows the famous Seville oranges which make the very best marmalade to spread on your breakfast toast!

Lloret de Mar Sights

Just two streets back from the beach front in Lloret de Mar is this very colourful church.

Sant Roma's parish church is one of the most famous landmarks in Lloret, and one of the most photographed. No matter what time of day you pass there are always several people competing for the best place from which to take their shots!

Before the construction of the church began back in the 16th century, the building which originally stood on the site was used to store coal, owing to it been so close to the sea for loading the ships.

Bet it looked quite different to the grand building which is standing here today!!

Seville - Spanish Ceramics

While walking around the streets of Spain you will come across some very 'tacky' souvenir shops, most of which will have come in from China! but this photo is the indoor display of one of the better class ceramic shops in Seville. Something like this would always make a nice present to take back for your family or friends!

Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the work that has gone into the detail of the different designs of each piece.