Catalonia news. Pals - the masts have gone

Not everyone loved the telecommunication masts that were a feature of the skyline of Pals beach. The link to http://www.radioliberty.org/ takes you to someone who certainly did or for some photos go to http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/pals_radio_liberty.htm .

They were great at night when lit up as you could always find your way back to the apartment from about 10 miles away. Just look for the lights and drive in that direction.

It was several years before I knew what they were for. I did know that whatever station I tuned the radio to all I could get was Russian. I thought the radio was 'on the blink'.

The link to radio liberty is interseting

An introduction to Catalonia

Cataluña, Catalunya or Catalonia, however you pronounce or spell it is one of the most un spoilt areas of Spain, where you will find quiet countryside, medieval towns, fishing villages and hidden coves. It is a very pretty area with a beautiful rugged coastline as well as long sandy beaches. It is one of Spain's best kept secrets.

The purpose of this site is to give an update on what is going on in Catalonia that is of interest to holidaymakers and people with holiday property in the region.

To start it, this week the feature is on Pals:

Pals, nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, enjoys a year round more temperate climate than Southern Spain. This is an area of lush corn fields, cypress and olive trees, cork-oaks and pine forests running down to the inviting clear waters of the Mediterranean. It is an area of holiday villas for the prosperous people of Barcelona as well as an equal proportion of more northern Europeans. It is free from high rise hotel blocks and package tours. If that's what you like then this holiday area is ideal for you.

Visitors will find a wealth of memorable experiences from both the scenery and the the culture of the area. There are an endless number of inexpensive but good quality restaurants to choose from with a wide variety of local and international cuisine.
Cataluña, without doubt, is in one of the most picturesque regions of Spain. Don't just take my word for it, all the TV Travel programmes and newspaper reviews continually give it the highest ratings - see what the papers have to say about it.

Richard Walker

Holiday apartment Catalonia, Costa Brava www.catalunya.org.uk

Holiday villa rental Catalonia Costa Brava www.holiday-apartments-villas-spain.com

Restaurants in Catalonia near Palfrugell. For some reason you will have to scroll down the page to commence the text

Pizzeria niff niff, Platja de Pals. This is a friendly, fun, pizzeria that serves good value food throughout the season. Pizza smallish. Busy most nights but with a quick table turn. It is great value for money and is a 10 minute walk form the apartment.	Restaurant - Bar El Pedro, Pals. Pedros is situated towards the top of of 'old' Pals so makes a great place for a meal after a bit of early evening shopping Always a pleasant warm atmosphere with good wholesome food. Can be very busy so it is often best to book during the season. Closed Thursdays out of season You can visit their web site by clicking	Can Bech, Fontanilles. In our view the best in the region. Turn left from the road to Toroella just before the petrol station. Worth finding. Sophisticated menu & great food in a charming environment. Slightly higher prices than some of the local restaurants but still very reasonable and great value. (Do not confuse with Can Bach at Sant Feliu.)
Sa Marina Restaurant, Playa de Pals. A 10 minute stroll up the road from the apartment. Turn left at the top. An alternative to the pizzerias this restaurant specialises in grills, barbecue dishes, cold soup (gazpacho) and special salads. Open from June until Mid September	Can Dolc, Sant Feliu de Boada. Situated in a the quiet village of Sant Feliu de Boada this is a lovely traditional restaurant serving good food. Pleasant atmosphere and good value. Turn left off the road towards Toroella signed Peratallada and Palau Sator then turn left in couple of miles. You can dine inside or outside in the square in front of the church.	Restaurant Bonay, Peratallada. Excellent first floor restaurant with a better wine selection than most. There are many restaurants in Peratallada. Based on recent visits this one is one of the best. You can visit their web site by clicking
Can Bonet, Pals. Situated in the 'newer' part of Pals and approached from Pals main street, it can be seen from the road that skirts Pals. See directions to Teresa. A good local restaurant specializing in grills, ideal for a family meal. Excellent value.	L'Arc Vell, Peratallada. Attractive setting, cheap, large portions. Beans, battered courgettes, onion rings, chips etc. as side orders - only order one for 2 - 4 persons. Different menu to many, garlic steak (beefsteak) chicken are popular dishes. A must visit on a nice evening if you can sit in the outside area.	Gran Muralla (Chinese Restaurant) , Playa de Pals In walking distance of the apartment, this is one of few Chinese restaurants in the area. It is on the way into Platja (Playa) de Pals on the left. Pleasant 'conservatory style' environment. More comfortable restaurant at the back of the building used more out of season. Makes a change from local cuisine. Prices and style as you would find in a Chinese in U.K.
Restaurant Rotisseria Can Padres, Pals. Situated by the roundabout on the road form Pals to Platja de Pals this is a very popular spot for spit Roast Chicken. Ideal for a family meal and very competitively priced	El Raco De L'Era Palau-Sator A more modern exterior with traditional Catalan restaurant inside. A menu with more choice than many. Good food at very reasonable prices. May not look as traditional or attractive outside as some in Palau Sator but the food is up with the best.	Restaurant Can Bach. Sant Feliu de Boada. Not to be confused with Can Bech at Fontanilles. 1 mile up the road towards Peratallada turn left down a long cart track. Very traditional farmhouse/barn restaurant. Good value. In the day time visit the Vins Can Bach next door. Take a bottle to fill up with brandy from the barrel, and sample some of the liqueurs!
Sa Punta, Platja de Pals A 5 minute drive from the apartment - the restaurant is well signposted. The food and wine are excellent. Towards the top of the local price range, but worth it especially if celebrating.	Teresa, Pals. Follow road from beach to Pals, go past PCI office take 3rd road to left, turn right at the end and then sharp left. Good family restaurant. Next door to Can Bonet	Can Ruben, Pals. On the main road form Pals to Toroella just a couple of hundred yards from the large roundabout at Pals. Very low prices for good food in simple surroundings.
Mas Torrent In the village of Torrent, on the road from Pals to La Bisbal, on the right. Excellent atmosphere and service in a top notch restaurant. Similar prices to Sa Punta. Again ideal for a celebration meal.	Restaurant Sala Gran, Llofriu on outskirts of Palafrugell. On the main road with large car park the Sala Gran is very attractive and offers fine food & wine. More formal than some with good service.	El Boirinot, Peratallada. Traditional Catalan cuisine in traditional surroundings. specializing in 'carn a la brasa'. Another of Peratallada's good restaurants.
Mas Comangau, Begur. A beautiful setting overlooking the countryside around Palafrugell from the hill by Begur. Good food in pleasant traditional surroundings. Reasonably priced.	Sol Blanc. Pals. On the main road near Pals (near the large roundabout in the direction of Toroella on the left) this is an attractive setting in a traditional Catalan farm house style building. Regional cuisine with a warm ambience.	Sa Gatonera, Pals. A top quality restaurant offering creative dishes. Very attractive converted farm house with traditional curved roof. Situated below 'Old Pals' on the perimeter of the village. It also has an outside dining area with a view of Pals castle
El Pati, Peratallada. There can't be many more delightful settings for dining outside than this one. A garden terrace with lemon and orange trees is the setting for good food under the stars. Found just on the entrance to Peratallada if you have parked in the top car park by the 'moat'	Sa Torre, Palau Sator. On the entrance to Palau Sator this small traditional restaurant has a pleasant ambience. The food is typical of the region and as with most of the restaurants is reasonably priced	Restaurant El Romaní, Platja de Pals Only minutes from the apartment on the main road to Pals. Great for chicken on the spit or grilled meats cooked on a wood fire. Very cheap.
La Taverna, Palafrugell. Small friendly restuarant in the town centre just by the church. Personal service. Used by the locals as well as tourists. Just right on the way back after an evenings shopping	L'Arc. Palafrugell Off the main square up a side road. Unpretentious pizzeria and restaurant. Great French onion soup. Don't forget your cash when you go here - they don't accept credit cards. I nearly ended up washing up!	La Riera, Peratallada. Very traditional elegant setting. Great food at a reasonable price. All the restaurants in Peratallada are good but on our last vist this was excellent.
La Paissa D'En Cardina,Pizzeria, Peratallada. A bit different from the other restaurants in Peratallada. It has a full traditional menu as well as being a Pizzeria. Good if the adults want a 3 course meal and the kids want a pizza.	La Pizzetta, Begur. Don't be put off by the long flight of stairs down to this very pleasant pizzeria. Close to the village square and church. Conservatory style restaurant where you would have to book at the hight of the season. They do a great french onion soup.	Es Dofi, Tamariu. Lots of restaurants and bars to choose from in Tamariu, however at lunchtime Es Dofi makes a perfect place to take a break from the beach. Good simple food at reasonable prices. Tomato bread, omlette and salad with a glass of wine - just the thing for a snack.
Mar Blau. Pals Beach Better than it looks from outside. Quite a large restaurant serving good food. Outside beach side dining as well as a spacious restaurant inside.	SOL I MAR, Pals Beach. Next door to Mar Blau. On the corner by Pals beach. Both a snack bar and full restaurant, so depending on the occasion you have the chioce. Simple surroundings but good food lunch and evenings	Mas Pastor, Corca. Attractive Farmhouse style restaurant on the road from Girona to La Bisbal just outside Corca. Ideal if wanting a restaurant going to or coming from the Airport.
Les Acacies. Aiguablava Down by the beach, an ideal place for a leisurely lunch on a hot sunny day. Great for grilled sardines. Very cheap with good simple food.	Can Sago, Palau Sator. Picturesque setting where you can dine inside or outside. Traditional building and traditional Catalan food. Yet again prices that are moderate making for a good value meal	Mas Pou, Palau-Sator. Lovely restaurant with very good food and the name usually intrigues the kids. Medium price range and big portions often with appetizers on the house.
For a holiday apartment to rent in this gastronomic region www.catalunya.org.uk		Holiday villa rental www.holiday-apartments-villas-spain.com