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In Sant Feliu de Guixols, in addition to the famous Benedictine monastery, the market square, the Rambla and the building of the Constancia casino, there is another attraction that is mostly known only to locals. It is about Pedralta rock, which until 1996 was the largest detached and freely swinging rock in Spain and the second largest in Europe.

In 1996, the strongest hurricane threw a rather big (about 80 tons!) “pebble” down. But the locals were able to lift it into place with the help of cranes, not forgetting to fix it securely. Now the stone does not swing, but all the same, residents are drawn here to admire it; here, not far from the stone itself, on the top of a nearby cliff, there is an observation point, from where there are wonderful views of the surrounding Vall d’Aro valley.

More photos of the Pedralta rock in Sant Feliu de Guixols can be found in our information blog following the link.

The province of Girona includes the province of La Garrotxa, to which the word “volcanic” is usually added. Indeed, once there was a large number of active volcanoes, which could not but affect the profile of the area, as well as the fertility of the surrounding lands.

The capital of the province is the city of Olot, but today we will go to the small picturesque medieval village of Santa Pau, famous for its production of beans. The local castle around which the village was formed dates from the 13th-15th centuries. Fortunately, buses with tourists rarely come here, so even on a day off the streets are not crowded. Therefore, you have a chance to stroll slowly through the narrow streets, take refuge in the shade of numerous stone arches and enjoy the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

And between Olot and the village there is a local outdoor recreation center, Camping Lava. There guests are offered a wide range of services; you can ride a small train along volcanoes, or you can take a wheeled cart driven by horses through a dense forest located in the mouth of an ancient volcano.

A short story and photos can be viewed at the link – Santa Pau and Camping Lava.

If you are traveling around Catalonia by car, do not miss the chance to visit the small seaside town of Collioure. This city belongs to southern French department of Pyrénées-Orientales, very close to the Spanish border.
Already on the way you can enjoy the most picturesque views of the mountains, vineyards and, of course, the Mediterranean sea!
In the city itself there is an old fortress, in which the Palace of the Kings of Aragon and Mallorca is located. It is also worth noting the famous Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame-des-Anges.
The city is considered the cradle of Fauvism; this is an artistic movement whose parents are called Henri Matisse and André Derain. In the narrow streets of the old city you will not be able to pass by the numerous workshops of local artists – followers of this trend; and indeed, it’s a sin not to draw pictures in this bright and amazing city!

A detailed story about Collioure accompanied by photographs can be viewed at the link.

Costa Brava is a unique coast, in which secluded coves with sandy beaches alternate with steep rocky shores overgrown with Mediterranean pines and eucalyptus trees. Not only numerous owners of various floating facilities or oligarchs on super yachts can admire the views of the coast. By the way, it’s more difficult for them to turn around on our narrow lagoons. But ordinary tourists can also enjoy the beauties of this mediterranean coast! It’s enough just to take a tour along the Costa Brava on a pleasure boat starting, for example, in Tossa de Mar.

Short squeeze of useful information and photos of the Costa Brava, which you can see with your own eyes during the boat trip from Tossa de Mar, can be found following the link.

The city of Olot is located in the province of Girona in the northern part of Catalonia. This is the center of the administrative district of La Garrotxa, which is better known as the “land of volcanoes”. Thousands of years ago there were numerous active volcanoes (about 40 in total), threatening all the living. Scientists claim that the last eruption of the volcano Croscat occurred about 11,000 years ago. Today, volcanic crators are overgrown with dense oak forests, and in the fields, due to the high content of nutrients and peat, local farmers harvest rich crops. In Olot, among others, there is a special museum dedicated to volcanoes. And do not forget to try the traditional local herbal liquor “Rataphia”!

A short story about our visit to Olot with photos can be seen following the link.