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Villefranche de Conflent, France

Villefranche de Conflent, France
In that part of Catalonia which was ceded to France following the outcome of the Iberian Peace Agreement of 1659, at the foot of the Canigou mountain range, which is called the “heart of Catalonia”, there is a town of Villefranche de Conflent. This town, like Castelnou, takes pride of place in the list of the most beautiful villages of France. Apart from the fact that 300 meters from the city there are the famous caves of Las Grans Canaletas (La Grote des Grandes Canalettes in French), Villefranche itself deserves a separate visit to enjoy the beauty of its medieval streets, go to the many shops of local craftsmen and have a cup of coffee admiring the church of Saint Jacques …
A story about the sights of the Villefranche de Conflent in France and photos taken during our visit can be viewed at the link.
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Caves of Las Grans Canaletas, France

Caves of Las Grans Canaletas, France
Have you ever been to the underground Versailles of the Pyrenees? That is the name of the famous underground caves of Las Grans Canaletas (in French – La Grote des Grandes Canalettes). These caves are located in France, in the vicinity of Villefranche de Conflent, near the border with Spain.
Incredible fantastic piles of stalactites and stalagmites, created by nature itself, skillfully illuminated by human hands. As a result of this collaboration, we get an indescribable spectacle that stays in astounded imagination for a long time, drawing drawing intricate and incredible pictures accompanied by artfully selected musical accompaniment…
The story about the history of the discovery of caves of Las Grans Canaletas and photographs, which, of course, do not convey even a hundredth part of impressions, can be viewed on the link.
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Railway Museum of Catalonia

Railway Museum of Catalonia

Did you know that the very first railway on the Iberian Peninsula was built here in Catalonia, and it connected Barcelona and the town of Mataro on the Costa Maresme? Did you know that the suspension system of high-speed trains produced today by the world-famous Canadian company Bombardier was developed by Spanish engineer Goicoechea and used on high-speed trains Talgo in Spain?

All this information and much more can be found and viewed in the Railway Museum of Catalonia (Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya). This museum is  located in the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú, south of Barcelona.

To get practical information for planning a visit to the Railway Museum of Catalonia, as well as see the photos, please click here.

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Castelnou

Castelnou

You can plunge into the spirit of the medieval Catalan villages not only in Spain, but also in France. There is a black page in the history of Catalonia – after the signing of the Pyrenean Peace Agreement in 1659, part of Catalonia, located north of the Pyrenees mountain range, was ceded to France. As a result, today we have a wonderful opportunity to wander through the old Catalan village, soaked through with elusive French charm.

A brightest example is the picturesque medieval Castelnou, which is included in the list of the most beautiful French villages. The village sprang up around Viscount Castle Vallespir, built in 990. In the vicinity of the village there is also a watchtower La Tour de Castelnou of the 13th century. This tower was part of the network of signal towers of the Roussillon region, which served to detect and warn about the movement of enemy troops.

Сastelnou – a place absolutely recommended for a visit!

Detailed story and photos of Castelnou can be viewed at the link.

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Flower Festival in Girona 2016

Flower Festival in Girona 2016

The traditional annual flower design festival Temps de Flors Girona 2016 takes place these days in Girona for the 61st time. This year, the organizers of this magnificent event declared 134 expositions. The best designers will decorate the streets and famous buildings of Girona in the eternal competition – who is more talented and creative!

We managed to photograph a little more than half of the presented compositions, our photo report can be found following the link – Temps de Flors Girona 2016.

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Cardona

Cardona

Cardona is a city located 90 kilometers from Barcelona, which gained fame and influence in the Middle Ages due to the richest salt deposit – the famous Salt Mountain of Cardona.

In addition to the Salt Mountain, Cardona is also famous for the eponymous fortress Castell de Cardona, founded in the IX century and towering above the city on a high hill. Currently in a once formidable fortress is a 4-star haunted parador hotel. The historic city center is included in the list of cultural heritage of Spain. Of particular note are the old Romanesque cathedral church of Colegiata de San Vicente, the church of Parroquia de San Miguel, as well as the market square.

The story about our trip to Cardona, accompanied by photos, can be found at the link.

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Oyster farms in Leucate, France

Are you on holiday (or living) on the Costa Brava and your soul asks for oysters? You can, of course, go to one of the many fish restaurants and pay about 1.5 euros for an oyster. But the real lover and connoisseur of oysters will go where the oysters are caught; where the oysters simply cannot be more fresh… The closest place in Spain is the Ebro delta in the south of Catalonia, and we will definitely go there somehow. Well, from the shores of the Costa Brava is easier and faster to get to the oyster farms in Leucate, located in France, about 60 km from the Spanish border. In addition, the oyster orgy can be combined with a visit to Perpignan , Collioure or other numerous beautiful places in the vicinity of the French region with the poetic name Languedoc-Roussillon.

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The Magic World of Trains

The Magic World of Trains

If you were fond of toy railways in your childhood, or, God forbid, your children picked up this infection – in no case try to find and visit a place called Magic World of Trains (Màgic món del tren)!
This is a relatively small (on three floors!) private exhibition dedicated to collecting railway models. The Magic World of Trains is located in the small town of Santa Eugènia de Berga near Vic. If you do get there, then you risk hanging there forever (at least until the museum closes), the addiction is instant, there is no treatment …

Persons with an unstable collectible psyche are not recommended to read the details and see the photos following the link.

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Medieval Fair in Hostalric 2016

Medieval Fair in Hostalric 2016

The traditional medieval fair (Fira Medieval Hostalric 2016) is being held these days in the old town of Hostalric, for the 20th time this year.

Everything is as usual – healthy and fun! For children and adults – dressed-up characters, knightly battles, numerous tents of merchants, trays with different stuff, children’s toys, magic potions and stones, edibles, pickles, jams and sweets; obligatory fried catalan sausages, chicken wings and potatoes with spicy sauce (patatas bravas) and much more …

A small photo report from this holiday can be viewed at the link – Medieval Fair in Hostalric.

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Winter walk in Vall de Nuria

Валь де Нурия зимой

Vall de Nuria – a small valley, sandwiched between the mountains at an altitude of 1.970 meters. This is a beautiful place that has long been loved by local shepherds, hermits and saints. Today, people come here to enjoy the cleanest mountain air, go skiing or just walk along the numerous trails laid on the steep slopes. Mountain streams non-freezing even in winter, waterfalls, a small lake…

You can get here only taking a trip of the cog railway (cremaliera), or on foot (in winter it is an entertainment for madmen).
A great place to spend a winter holiday with children in the snow, play snowballs and try to build a snowman. The average daily temperature in winter here is about 0 degrees, while on the coast the temperature does not fall below +12 … + 15!

Details about the history of this place, as well as a photo report about our winter journey to Vall de Nuria, can be viewed at the link. And here you can find out what Vall de Nuria looks like in summer.