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Here’s a quick summary of some of the reasons you might want to visit places such as Lloret de Mar, Barcelona and Tarragona in Catalonia. Lloret de Mar Although the history of this town goes back into the classical period, it is probably fair to say that it achieved continent-wide recognition only with the development of large scale Spanish tourism from the 1960s onwards. The biggest attraction originally was the 1 ½ kilometres long beach of excellent sand and, of course, the typically exceptionally good and reliable summer weather. Today the resort is famous for its regular awards of blue flag cleanliness for its beaches and its holiday entertainment orientation. It is particularly popular with younger holidaymakers at the height of the season, who enjoy a vast array of bars and nightclubs. Barcelona This is the capital city of Catalonia and one that is now generally recognised as being one of the world’s great architectural and cultural gems. There are simply far too many things to do here to be described in a brief article, but this city should be a "must see" destination for anyone travelling to Catalonia, even if their primary interests are the beaches, sun and sea. It is also a great centre of Catalan culture. Subject to current political debate, it is by no means impossible that the city will one day be the capital of an independent Catalonia. If you are travelling from Lloret de Mar, Barcelona is only around 70kms distant and is a comfortable day-trip for those who would like to see its cathedral and other numerous sights. If you're planning on a beach holiday in Lloret de Mar, Barcelona will usually be the airport of choice. Tarragona At one time, the city of Tarraco (modern Tarragona) was one of the most important centres of Roman settlement in what we today call Spain. This is a much smaller city than Barcelona but has a vast wealth of Roman and early Christian remains that make it a joy to explore. Try visiting the circus where chariot races once took place or the superbly preserved Roman amphitheatre overlooking the sea. You won’t find many better photo opportunities anywhere! It is also worth making the effort to visit the old town and the fantastic cathedral. The architecture in the streets is amazing and worthy of any holiday postcard. Tarragona is also a very civilised town, and strolling through its thoroughfares on a warm summer’s evening and stopping for a drink at a roadside café is an experienced simply not to be missed. Wider Catalonia Many visitors, perhaps understandably, tend to stick very much to the coastal strip running down from the French border towards where Catalonia ends, an hour or so north of Valencia. Yet it is also worth making an effort to explore some of its inland towns with just one example being Tortosa, where you will be able to find an interesting location on the banks of the River Ebro and some great ecclesiastical buildings on the top of the hill. So, although places such as Lloret de Mar, Barcelona and Tarragona all have their attractions, it’s worth getting off the beaten track a little as well. Author Plate Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer to Lloret de Mar, Barcelona will be your pick up point. Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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