Aigua Blava Hotel

Aigua Blava Hotel

by Peter R Stewart

If you are looking for a haven of peace and tranquility in one of the most spectacular settings anywhere on the Spanish coastline, then look no further than the renowned Aigua Blava Hotel.

Why Go To The Aigua Blava

Opened in 1929 with just eight rooms, it has gradually grown to 18 suites and 70 double rooms, all of them different to each other. You can relax over the many terraces, or enjoy tennis, swimming, boating and beaches. It is also considered a 'best kept secret' by many British families who keep very quiet about the fact that they return year after year, sometimes for over 20 years, and always in the same room, in case it becomes mobbed!!

It's that kind of hotel. The staff is also part of the hotel family. These are not temporary employees who come and go - for most of them this has been the only job they ever had. They care about their guests, in a way that most hotels can never hope to achieve.

The Aigua Blava is a way of life, much more than just a hotel. A beautiful double room with private terrace, overlooking the sea, including breakfast buffet and four-course dinner will cost just € 87 per person per night, in May. That is marvelous value for money. In addition, if you are a golfer, the hotel has 20-30% reductions on the green fees of all courses. Where is It

Aigua Blava is on the north west mediterranean coast, or the north east coast of Spain, not far from Barcelona, and just north of the beaches of the Costa Brava, but it is a different world from the tourist traps found only a few miles away.

Aigua Blava is the name given to the small but stunningly picturesque stretch of coastline around an inlet between two rocky, pine-covered headlands Literally translated from the Catalan as Blue Waters, it encompasses three beaches connected by a road.

Arrival

The Hotel Aigua Blava is about 40 minutes from Gerona airport and 90 minutes from Barcelona airport. It is easy to drive from the UK, and we did it in a day, so you have a car for exploring. Accommodation

The Hotel has 70 double rooms, 6 suites and 11 junior suites, all with air-conditioning, heating, bathroom with shower, private balcony, satellite TV, hairdryer, telephone and safe, based either in the main building or in annexes.

Dining

The restaurant is the place for romantic dining, wonderful food, and spectacular views, it is first class with superb Catalan and international cuisine. Half board is included and represents excellent value. A comfortable and hospitable bar offers a warm atmosphere for aperitifs.

The levels of service and the quality of the Gastronomic Restaurant, together with an impressive wine cellar outclasses many 5 star hotels in other regions of Spain.

Amenities

The Aigua Blava is more than just a hotel, it is a resort. In June and September half board is offered as a mandatory inclusion, whilst in July and August, a unique full board package is offered.

In the summer one can hire boats from the harbour below the Hotel via reception, to explore the coastline.

Amenities include a secluded pool area with bar, tennis court, parking, outdoors cooking area, hairdressing and beauty salons and useful money changing facilities. Bar and terrace bar, 2 restaurants, table tennis, room service 7 am - 11pm.

Golf

All area courses are between a 15 - 40 minute drive making Hotel Aigua Blava the perfect place to stay during your Catalonian Golf Tour. The excellent golf courses of Pals and Emporda are both approximately 15 minutes driving time, while Girona, PGA Catalunya and Golf dÕAro are also within easy reach.

The hotel is closed from early November until end of February

What to See & Where To Go

The closest large cities are Girona and Figueres, and the roads are good and in the main uncluttered

The city of Figueres is the birthplace of the 20th century surrealist painter Salvador Dali, and the Dali museum here is the second most visited museum in Spain. Inaugurated by Dali himself, it is dedicated to his weird and wonderful work and will not fail to delight, surprise and puzzle.

Further south, the beautiful walled city of Girona hosts a number of ancient monuments within its old town. Further afield, beyond Barcelona, is Montserrat, a great mountain of strange rock formations shaped by centuries of wild weather and with one of Catalonia's most important shrines, the Benedictine Monastery, perched on one side. Although popular with tourists and pilgrims, the Monastery is still inhabited by monks and is a fascinating place. If heights don't faze you, the approach by cable car is the most dramatic.

You will enjoy a visit to the village of Cadaques, which has traditional white houses, narrow cobbled lanes and arty boutiques. It was made famous by Dali, who live close by, and it was a well-known haunt of artists.

The delightful coastal villages of Llafranc and Tamariu are close by and well worth a visit.

Summary

With clients coming back to the hotel year after year, early booking is essential at the Aigua Blava, because now you have found it, you must try it and discover why it is one of the best kept secrets in Europe

Beach Vacations - The Perfect Way To Spend Your Summer Holidays

Beach Vacations - The Perfect Way To Spend Your Summer Holidays

by Brooke Hayles

"We're going to the beach!" The phrase brings back memories of being children and building sandcastles out of wet sand and letting the waves chase us up and down the coast.

As we grow, the beach never quite looses it's magic. In fact, it gains more magic as we discover beach vacations have more to offer than just sandcastles and waves. Nothing soothes us after a long work year like the sun tanning us, the water lapping at the shore and knowing there will be a clam bake later on tonight and a bonfire past that. With little doubt, beach vacations are among the most relaxing vacations you can take.

The Caribbean Island of Delos Santorini seems to be almost custom made for the explorer in all of us. They are full of history and they have even preserved a town ravaged by a volcano. You can go through and almost touch history as you explore how ancient people lived.

If you are a frequent surfer and are looking for the best surf spot in the world, you will want to check out the Canary Islands, they have recently been given this honor. Whether you are looking to check out ancient ruins or surf the curl, beach vacations are for you.

You will find there is far more to do than in days gone by. While the image of the beach back when you were a child may have involved sandcastles and people in the shade under big umbrellas sitting on towels or lawn chairs, today, they have become full-blown resorts. You can get a message, have room service send up a tropical drink and then walk on the beach at sunset. You can relax your day away or fill up every moment of it.

The typical tropical beach vacation is about two weeks.

Accommodations on the beach have also undergone a big change over the years. No more with the motel that is 3 hours away. Now there are hotels right on the beach that offer more than just a place to sleep. With room service, beautiful views and other amenities, you may be too relaxed in the room to make it to the beach some days.

Another option on some beaches is to get a bungalow right on the beach so you get the feeling of never having to 'go home' while on vacation.

The great thing about beach vacations is they can truly be anything you want them to be. Deep sea fishing, shopping at the local shops, surfing, laying on the beach, rock climbing, cabana boys serving drinks as you work on your tan, swimming, clam digging, bonfires, etc. Very truly anything you want. Lately, Greece has become a very popular destination for a lot of celebrities looking for a beach vacation. Thanks to the incredible, full flavored foods and ancient ruins like the Parthenon, this area seems to draw a variety of people.

Your local travel agent can help you plan the perfect beach vacation, if you are unsure or overwhelmed with the choices. Simply tell the agent what you want and they will put together a beach vacation package for you. You will not have to worry about getting your hotel room or flight arrangements - they will do it for you. They will provide you with information of the area such as restaurants and attractions. Basically, they will take care of the stressful part so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy it! Summary:

No matter you age, activity level or interests, beach vacations are going to hold whatever you want to do. Activities range from staying on the beach and working on your tan to deep-sea fishing and rock climbing. No longer is it just some place to go when you have a weekend you don't know what to do with, but more of a designation when you want to spend some time in a special place.