Day 51 - 31/10/2013 : Gosol

We've named Saldes as the main town in Pedraforca range, but there is another relevant and stunning town on the west side of Pedraforca following the B-400 road: Gósol.

Gósol belongs to Bergueda shire too, but in the state of Lleida. It has a population of 250 persons and it's located at 1423 meters above the sea level.

The town is known not only by to be near to Pedraforca, Pablo Piscasso was living in Gósol at the beginning of the 20th century, exactly in 1906.

We found in our first visit a restaurant we'll never forget : 'El Forn' with delicious catalan dishes as you will see in the following days.

Gósol, the west limit of Pedraforca !

Day 50 - 30/10/2013 : B-400 plenty of snow

We were lucky in 2009 to take this picture and to live a unforgettable day in the Bergueda shire with all the mountains plenty of snow.

After the big snowfall on the 6th of January, we went to Bergueda just two days after, and we found the paradise. Definitely, it was one of the best journeys in our Catalonia, with spectacular snowed landscapes and a considerable number of unforgettable pictures taken.

It was the last big snowfall in Catalonia, we hope we can enjoy a next winter with our mountains painted with white color, undoubtedly it will be the best way to begin a new year.

A true winter card !!!

Day 49 - 29/10/2013 : Pedraforca snowed

I wish when you came to Catalonia and goes to see the Pedrafoca mountain you will find it snowed,the spectacle will be unforgettable for your eyes.

The mysticism of the mountain get their top if the snow is covering their 2 summits : "Pollegó Superior" with 2506m above the sea level, and "Pollegó Inferior" with 2444,80m.

After leaving Saldes you should take the paved and narrow road that allow look into the mountain until you reach the park zone with the impressive lookout to the Cadi-Moixero range and to find the way to climb to the summit.

 Pedraforca, the Mountain !

Day 48 - 28/10/2013 : Maçaners

On the B-400 road, on the way to Saldes and the magnificent views of Pedraforca you will find some stunning tows on the beginning of the Cadi-Moixero range.

Maçaners is one of these little towns, it's located at 1240m above the sea level, and their population is near 40, it's really a little town, in fact it's a secondary town from Saldes.

The beauty of this road with the pre-Pyrenees and Cadi-Moixero range give us the knowledge to make the opinion that it's one of the most beautiful scenic routes in Catalonia.

From Maçaners to Gosol, an explosion of beauty !

Day 47 - 27/10/2013 : Berga Resort

We've been going to Berga Resort since 12 years and we consider this camping as our headquarters to visit the Catalonia mountains.

We've ever gone year after year from 2001, but not, i lie ! This year we haven't gone yet, but the year isn't finished, how about a weekend in one of their stunning cottages?

Berga Resort is located in the Berguerda shire, just before entering to Berga on the first exit of C-16 road. The best offers they have is their comfortable SPA and the wood cottages that give you the feeling to be in a true mountain house.

A place to stay one time at least !

Day 46 : 26/10/2013 - Ordino

We continue climbing mountains and narrow roads. After we reach Andorra La Vella we should continue to the north of our stunning neighbor country, Andorra, and visit Ordino, a little town in the way to VallNord ski resort.

The Ordino 'comú' is one of the seven 'comú' of Andorra administration organization. Ordino has 4500 population and it's probably the most tourist of them.

In Ordino you can find the best hotels in Andorra, as Bringué in Serrrat or La Coma in Ordino itself.

Now, you've to decide your next ski trip to Andorra !!!

Day 45 : 25/10/2013 - Grilled meat !!!

There is a fantastic restaurant in the C-16 road before to arrive to Guardiola de Berguedà (20 kilometers from Berga), it's called 'La Brasa'.

In the past, it was our after skiing stop, to eat a big pieces of grilled meat similar than the picture shows, now it's simple a must when we come to Bergueda shire.

Would you like to taste it???

Day 44 : 24/10/2013 - Castellar de N'Hug

If you plan to do the excursion of 'Fonts de Llobregat' from down to up you will finish in one of the most stunning town of Bergueda shire and Catalonia itself : we are talking about Castellar de N'Hug.

The town is very appreciate for schools, whose like to bring their student to stay some pleasant journeys in the mountain and learning to love the nature.

Castellar has only 210 inhabitants, they were too much in the twenties, when the Asland factory was working only 5 kilometers far.

Now it's considered a touristic town and one of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia due to their landscape and the architecture of the streets and monuments.

Take a time to see Castellar !

Day 43 : 23/10/2013 - Fonts del Llobregat

The birth of Llobregat river is an excursion you should try if you come to Bergueda shire.

The known name of this beautiful place in Catalonia is 'Fonts del Llobregat' and you might begin the walk from Castellar de N'Hug in the upside or from the rest stop in BV-4031 road in the down side.

Our suggestion is to take the walk from the down to up direction, is more impressive than the opposite direction because you can admire the mountains and the town when you are arriving to the top.

The path is sure, you will walk in some wood path but you will be protected to fall into the river, there isn't risk i you come with children.

The Llobregat, from the mountains to Barcelona !

Day 42 : 22/10/2013 - Pedraforca, the Catalan Fizt Roy

I'm pleasant to introduce you the most emblematic mountain in Catalonia. With their two summits it hypnotize you at the moment you see it, it's an unforgettable sensation driving into the road to Saldes and find it after a left curve having passed Vallcebre.


It's not too difficult to reach Pedraforca from Berga. You should continue to the north following the signs to Puigcerdà and Tunel del Cadi and before to arrive to Guardiola de Bergueda you have to turn on the left and take the B-400 road.

This road is a scenic route between mountains and cliffs until you reach in your eyes the beauty of Saldes and Pedraforca above.


Pedraforca, the magical mountain !!!

Day 41 : 21/10/2013 - Pont de Pedret

Berguedà is one of the most beautiful shires of Catalonia creating a frontier between the central plate and the Pyrenees.

It's very easy to come from Barcelona taking the C-16 road that takes 1 hour to the main town of the shire, Berga.

Only 6 kilometers to the north-east of Berga we can find a impressive Gothic bridge over the Llobregat river : 'The Pont de Pedret'. This bridge old from 1246 and we might take spectacular pictures from the floor near the river, showing in the water the reflection of the surrounding mountains and the bridge itself.

Near the bridge you should continue the excursion to the 'Sant Quirze de Pedret' church.

Would you like to take a bath below the bridge ???

Day 40 : 20/10/2013 - Xevi Pons, our rally-driver

Catalonia is a country of rallies, in our roads a very known rally competitions has been raced over the history, for example Catalunya-Costa Brava rally which is raced in Lloret area and nowadays one of the most interesting rallies in WRC Championship, the Catalunya-Costa Daurada rally.

In last years, our rally-driver Xevi Pons has been participating in the WRC Championship but unfortunately without any relevant success.

In this picture he is driving their Subaru Imprezza in the Catalunya Costa-Daurada WRC rally of 2007.

Come on Xevi !!!

Day 39 : 19/10/2013 - Més que un club.

A few years ago, a Barça manager told a sentence that entered in the history : 'El Barça és més que un Club'. What wanted Mr Nuñez say with this phrase? We though he was drunk but with the pass of time we should confirm the words of Mr.Nuñez were rights.

Barça is more than a club, this is true because it's accepted as a Catalonia representative over the world being more a national team than a private team.

The catchword designed in the tier of Camp Nou will show that


We are 'Mes que un club' !

Day 38 : 18/10/2013 - Montserrat.

We are looking round these days through the symbols of Catalonia. Yesterday we showed the sportive symbol and today it's the time to know something about one of the landscape and spiritual symbols of the country.

Monserrat is more than a simple mountain. It's a place of pilgrimage for those who want to visit their magnificent abbey and take a walk in their surroundings.

We can't climb to Montserrat by car easily, the best way is driving to Monistrol de Montserrat and take the 'cremallera'. The journey only takes 15 minutes and there is a departure every 20 minutes.

There is a free parking outside the 'Cremallera' station.

You haven't excuse to come and visit it !

Day 37 : 17/10/2013 - We are the Champions.

Here one of the most representative symbols of Catalonia, the best team in the world playing in the best arena in the world.


I'm talking about Barça, the team that has discovered the real football to the world, and the Camp Nou, one of the most visited sights in Barcelona.

This picture was taken in may of 2006, after Barça won the Spanish League and a few days before reached the glory in Paris, by winning their second Champions League.

It was the period when Ronaldinho brough us their best release, giving us unforgettable matches in the stadium.

We are the champions !

Day 36 : 16/10/2013 - Andorra La Vella

And finally, our last picture of this first tour into Andorra, the view of their capital, Andorra La Vella, from the road to Encamp.

Andorra La Vella has ever been known for being a shopping center, in the past a great number of people came to Andorra to buy electronic devices, perfumes or tobacco.

But nowadays the external image of Andorra has changed to become a tourist center taking the ski season as a their high season.

Anyway, a walk for Andorra is a suggestion in every season of the year. Would you like to discover it?

Day 35 : 15/10/2013 - Andorra, the road from Ordino to Canigó

After the stop to see the magnificent views from the 'Roc del Quer' lookout the road begins to go down to Canillo.

The road will show us the greatness of the Pyrenees, you won't never stop to see great mountains. If winter is the ski season, you can enjoy a funny summer too in Andorra. The country is opened in the heat season to hikers and people loving walk in the mountains and avoid the crowned beaches.

Andorra, the country of the mountains !

Day 34 : 14/10/2013 - Andorra, the 'Roc del Quer' lookout

The CS-240 road from Ordino to Canigo is a must if you come to Andorra.

First of all you should driving to Ordino following The VallNord road or CG-3. When you've arrived to Ordino you have to turn on the right to take the 'Crta Coll d'Ordino' road, it's steeped and narrow but beautiful and funny to drive it, specially in winter.

Is very frequently to find animals running wild by the mountains, sheep and goats are the most common.

In the middle of the road, before to change to the Canillo shire we will find a stop : the Roc del Quer lookout. The views around all the mountains will be unforgettable.

Enjoy it !

Day 33 : 13/10/2013 - Andorra, the VallNord Road

We are going to spend some day in our lovely neighbor country, Andorra.

Leaving Andorra la Vella, the main town, to the North and driving to Escolasters we'll begin to climb a steeped road that bring us magnificent panoramic views to road VallNord road and the valley.

Specially in winter, the panorama is impressive, with all the mountains plenty of snow. The road to VallNord is split in La Massana, giving to the West North to Arinsal resort and to the East North to Ordino resort.

Visit Andorra, the country of mountains and snow !!!!

Day 32 : 12/10/2013 - Ordino

Winter is coming !!! And when the snow is covering our mountains, Andorra, our neighbor country, became one of the most interesting places to visit.

A great deal of people comes from all the Catalonian towns to taste the stunings ski resorts in Andorra. One of the most beautiful resorts is located in Vall Nord, we are talking about Ordino, considered the best ski resort in Andorra.

The resort is located 14 km from Ordino town and 22 km from Andorra la Vella and it's easy to reach following the road that cross Vall Nord. There are 15 km of snowed tracks.

Andorra, the country of the snow !!!

Day 31 : 11/10/2013 - Pyrenees

We are going to come back today to the Pyrenees, exactly to Alt Urgell shire.

From the main town of Alt Urgell, La Seu d'Urgell, a narrow and serpentine road give us to Sort in Pallars Sobirà shire.

This road is marked as N-260 but it's possible was a C-xx road soon, don't you? In the way to Sort the road show the beauty and majesty of the mountains, with impressive gorges and the snow of Cadi-Moixero range on the North.

You might lost your breath !

Day 30 : 10/10/2013 - Masia

Here the typical Catalan house, la Masia. Probably you know from the Masia of F.C. Barcelona, but 'la Masia' is more than a training house, it's the main building of a 'Mas', a farm normally outside of a town.

The 'Masia' isn't only located in Catalonia, we might find a lot in Aragon, Ses Illes and País Valencia, but the most concentration  is located in the North of Catalonia.

Nowadays, a significant number of old 'Masia' has been turned in tourist cottages, a kind of tourist very popular and in continuous improvement.

If you would like to have a quiet weekend, look for one 'Masia' and try it !

Day 29 : 09/10/2013 - The fall

Catalonia is a country plenty of forest and mountains. This factor give us the chance to live beautiful and colorful fall seasons.

From the beginning of October the Catalonian mountains offer a explosion of color, from red until yellow, passing to brown and green, they are the fall colors.

We should admire them near from the capital city, Barcelona, in the Natural Park of Montseny. Only 40km from Barcelona, Montseny offer to the visitor a significant number of trails to explore the nature and beauty of this season. Santa Fe del Montseny is a good place to begin to know Montseny.

Enjoy the fall !

Day 28 : 08/10/2013 - Catalonian Rally

The Catalonian Rally is one of the most prestigious in the World Rally Car Championship. It's organized by the Reial Automobil Club de Catalunya, RACC, which owns their management since the early sixties.

It begun to run as Rally Catalunya-Costa Brava taking the roads from Girona and having the headquarters in Lloret, but the increase of followers and relevance in the WRC Championship created many logistic problems in communications and public security.

Is for that the Rally was transferred to an area with better communications and after 2004 it has been celebrated in Tarragona, with Salou as a main town and changing their name to Rally Catalunya-Costa Daurada.

It's very impressive for rally supporters stay in a track and hearing the noise of this spectacular machines, it's very recommended to visit La Mola, Riudecanyes or Terra Alta tracks.

The outsider for last years has been the best rally pilot in times, Sebastian Loeb with 8 consecutively wins.

Run, run !!!

Day 27 : 07/10/2013 - Blanes from the castle

Let's continue with the main town of the Selva shire, Blanes.

In Blanes a lot of things begin or finish, for example the large beaches of the Maresme shire finish in Blanes but on the other hand the Costa Brava is said that begins there after the Tordera river mouth.

From the Castle of S.Joan there is a magnificent view of the town, with the S'Abanell beach showing their splendor with 'La Palomera' stone splitting the bay in two pieces.

Blanes has 40.000 inhabitants doubling this number in summer probably.

You can find more information about this town in  www.blanes.cat

Blanes, the sign the tourist find out in Barcelona to go to Costa Brava !!!

Day 26 : 06/10/2013 - Sea and mountains

 We've plenty of towns around the seaside where the mountains are merged with the sea, Tossa de Mar is a good example.

If you take the 'Camí de Ronda' either north or sud you will find a magnificent landscape with blue and green colors.

Let's a look of our last photo of Tossa in this first stage, walking on the west into the town after we reach to Castle's Tower it allow us to see stunning views of the 'Platja Gran' with the mountains behind.

See you later Tossa !!!

Day 25 : 05/10/2013 - The best of Tossa

When you stay in Tossa, you can't give up to look round all the town. In the top of the castle you will see the fantastic diversity between sea and mountains.

On the left, the town surrounded by the 'Massís de Cadiretes'.

On the right hand, the Mediterranean, splendid, magnificent, showing us their majesty.

If you like to look into about this town, you've work for the incoming days !

Day 24 : 04/10/213 - Massis de Cadiretes

Leaving Tossa to the south you should begin a great walk into the 'Massis de Cadiretes' park. This natural area give us the chance to take a peaceful walk between pine-tree and the cliffs.

The 'Cami de Ronda' to Lloret is within Cadiretes too and follow it to the north we will arrive to beautiful coves as 'Cala LLevado', 'Cala d'en Carles' and 'Cala Figuera'.

Undoubtedly, if you come to Tossa you should forgot a moment the beaches and think about a stunning hiking in Cadiretes, and profit the walk to take a batch in one of their nearest coves or take a beer when coming to the town.

Nature, sea, mountains, we live in a paradise !

Day 23 : 03/10/213 - The climb to the castle tower

From the 'Platja Gran' of Tossa the path to the castle begin.

It's a short but steeped path when you can realize how beautiful the town is.

In a few minutes you'll be on the top and you'll see Tossa under your feets and if you are getting tired you can stop and take a ice-cream !!!

Unforgetable !

Day 22 : 02/10/2013 - The Tossa Castle and the 'Platja Gran'

When the boat from Blanes is entering in Tossa you can take a number of beautiful pictures from the castle and the 'Platja Gran'.


Tossa is within 'La Selva' shire and it's one of the most charismatic villages in Costa Brava. They are 6000 inhabitants in this town aproximately.


The castle belongs on Gothic style and it was built in the 12th century, the climb from the beach is a unforgettable walk.

The 'Platja Gran' is the bigger beach in the town and it has Blue Flag ('Bandera Blava') according the quality of their services.

You will find a lot of information of Tossa but one reference should be
http://www.infotossa.com/indexeng.php


Now, you've the first stop in your trip to Costa Brava!

Day 21 : 01/10/2013 - Es Codolar

We begin today a sequence of days talking about of one of the most beautiful towns in Costa Brava : Tossa de Mar.

When you are arriving to Tossa in the boat excursion from Blanes you will see a stunning beach below the Tossa castle : Es Codolar (we shouldn't confuse with Es Codolar in Ibiza, they are different places).

Es Codolar is the beach we stayed in our first visit to Tossa together, is a quiet beach oriented to the north
with fine sand and isn't very big, only 85m lenght and 15m width.

You should add to the list of beaches to visit next summer !