Catalonia

• Situated in the northeastern Iberian peninsula, Catalonia covers an area of 32 000 km2 and has 6 million inhabitants.
• History, language and a distinct cultural, political and legal tradition have shaped the personality of the country and the people. Nowadays Catalonia is an autonomous community within Spain with a government of its own known as the Generalitat.
• Catalonia is a land of rich and varied scenery and has preserved a rich architectural heritage.
  • The Catalan Pyrenees, with peaks rising to 3 000 m, run along the northern side of the country and are ideal for skiing, hiking, hunting and fishing,
  • while perfect conditions for nautical sports are offered by the 580 km of Mediterranean coastline, where the tall cliffs and secluded coves of the Costa Brava and Costa de Garraf alternate with the long sandy beaches of the Costa del Maresme and Costa Daurada and the unique natural environment of the Ebro Delta.
  • Inland lie many fine cities steeped in character, with magnificent historic building, among them Lleida, Girona, Tortosa, Vic and several others. Barcelona, Catalonia's cosmopolitan capital, is one of the most fascinating cities on the Mediterranean, offering a lively cultural life, good shopping, and many sporting events and facilities.
  • All these factors, together with an established tradition for fine eating, plentiful accommodation and excellent services and facilities, make Catalonia one of Europe's leading tourist regions.
    
  • This map shows the location of the chief towns, cities and other sights of interest to visitors, though the sheer number of historic buildings and other attractions make the choice a difficult one. It also provides much useful information. Welcome to Catalonia!

Climate

• Catalonia is a land of many climates and microclimates created by the wide variety of geographical conditions.
  • The Pyrenees and Pyrenean foothills have a typical high mountain climate, with winter temperatures below 0oC, annual rainfall of over 1 000 mm, heavy snowfalls in winter and relatively cool summers.
  • Along the Mediterranean coast -Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Barcelona, Costa de Garraf and Costa Daurada- and in the adjoining inland areas, the climate is mild and temperate. As a general rule, the further south one travels, the higher the temperatures and the lower the precipitations. Thus Girona has an annual rainfall of 803 mm as against Tarragona's 525 mm.
  • There are also variations according to altitude: annual rainfall on the Montseny range, for instance, is 1000 mm.
    
  • The hinterland, far away from the sea, has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Annual rainfall in the city of Lleida is 388 mm.
  • The highest temperatures are recorded in the month of July, with averages ranging from 26ºC on the coast to 32º inland. Average minimum temperatures in January vary from 0ºC inland to 6ºC by the sea.

Language and culture

• Catalonia's own language is Catalan, a Romance language which has co-official status alongside Castilian (Spanish). Catalan literature, though affected by the political and cultural vicissitudes of the country's history, boasts outstanding prose writers and chroniclers -Ramon Llull, Ramon Muntaner, Josep Pla-, magnificent poets -Ausiàs Marc, Jacint Verdaguer, Joan Maragall, Josep Carner, J.V. Foix- and gifted novellists -Joanot Martorell, Narcís Oller, Mercè Rodoreda.
• Catalan music and drama have produced some remarkable works, personalities and groups. Examples in the field of music are the Llibre vermell de Montserrat, Antoni Soler, Enric Granados, Frederic Mompou, Pau Casals, Alícia de Larrocha, Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras, Tete Montoliu and the Nova Cançó movement, while the Teatre Lliure, Els Comediants, Els Joglars and La Fura dels Baus, are among the leading names of the major theatrical revival of recent years.
• Catalonia's artistic heritage is a permanent reminder of the creativity of the people. Examples are Empúries, the Roman monuments in Tarragona, the vast Romanesque heritage, both rural and urban, the civil and religious works of Gothic art, the great painters of the 19th century, such as Marià Fortuny, the flowering of Modernist art (Art Nouveau) with Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch, and the world-famous Catalan artists of the twentieth century -Nonell, Mir, Gargallo, Miró, Dalí and Tàpies. Catalonia possesses a large number of museums, ranging from the famous Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, with its extraordinary collection of Romanesque art, to the small ethnographic museums of country towns.

Post, telegrammes and telephones

• Postage stamps are on sale in post offices and tobacconists. Post boxes can be recognized by the distinctive yellow and red colours of the postal service.
• Telegrammes can be sent from hotels by telephone 902 197 197 from anywhere in Catalonia. They can also be sent from post offices.
• Large central post offices offer a Fax service.
• Phone calls can be made from special telephone offices or from phone boxes. Phone cards are on sale at telephone offices and tobacconists.
• International dialling codes are displayed in public phone boxes and listed in telephone directories.

General enquiries 1003, International enquirie 025.

Road:

• Tolls are charged in motorways.
• Maximum speeds:
  • cars and motor cycles, 120 kph on motorways,
  • 100 kph on main roads,
  • 90 kph on local roads;
  • buses, 100 kph, 90 kph and 80 kph respectively.
  • Automobile fuels: regular (92 octanes), super (96 octanes), diesel, unleaded petrol.

Rail:

• Railway lines through Catalonia link up with the French railways at the stations of Portbou and Puigcerdà.
• There are two railway companies in Catalonia: RENFE, which serves the whole of Spain, and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat. RENFE: T 902 240 202 Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat: T932 051 515

Sea:

• The Port of Barcelona is the largest in Catalonia, in terms of both cargo and passengers (cruises). The only regular passenger services are to the Balearic Islands.
• There are 40 marinas situated all along the Catalan coast (see section on Marinas).
  • Estació Marítima de Barcelona T: 933 068 800
  • Estació Marítima de Tarragona T: 977 259 400
  • Compañía Transmediterránea T: 902 454 645
  • Cruceros Costa Brava T: 972 314 969
  • Cruceros Costa Dorada T: 977 363 090

Long-distance buses:

• Numerous regular bus services link nearly all towns and cities in Catalonia. The main operators are:
  • SARFA (Barcelona-Costa Brava) T: 902 302 025
  • Alsina Graells (Barcelona-regió de Lleida) T: 932 656 866
  • Hispano-Igualadina (Barcelona-Igualada) T: 933 396 364
  • Sagalès (Barcelona-Vallès-Osona) T: 902 130 014
  • Hifesa (Delta de l'Ebre) T: 933 227 814 / 977 222 072
  • Julià (Montserrat i Europa) T: 934 026 937
  • Hispania (Tarragona-Reus) T: 977 754 147
  • Estació d'Autobusos de Barcelona (E. del Nord) T: 932 656 508
  • Estació d'Autobusos de Tarragona T: 977 229 126
  • Estació d'Autobusos de Girona T: 972 212 319
  • Estació d'Autobusos de Lleida T: 973 272 999

   

Taxis:

• In Barcelona and other major cities taxis are equipped with meters. Fares can vary according to the time of day, the destination and the day of the week, and certain extra charges can be made.
• Taxis can be hailed in the street or from taxi stands. They can also be ordered by phone (for numbers 1003).
• In small towns where taxis do not have meters, it is advisable to agree on the fare in advance.

Entry formalities to Spain, currency and exchange

• No special entry formalities are required of travellers crossing the frontier between France and Spain.
• When entering Spain from Andorra, citizens of the European Union must show their identity card (or passport), and citizens of other countries must show a valid passport.
• When entering Spain through airports and ports, travellers arriving from countries which have signed the Schengen Treaty (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden on top of Spain) are not required to go through passport control.
• Travellers arriving from other countries in the European Union have to show their passport or identity card. Travellers arriving from countries which do not belong to the European Union must show a valid passport. At border customs controls, citizens of countries which are not members of the EU must declare gifts and personal belongings worth over 175 e.
• There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency foreigners can bring into Spain. On leaving Spain, however, they may take no more than 6010 e with them in Spanish or foreign currency.
• Anyone wishing to take more money out of the country must have declared it on arrival.

Currency and exchange:The Spanish currency unit is the euro (€).

• There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.
• Currency exchange is available at any bank or savings bank, as well as at major hotels, camp grounds, exchange agencies, travel agencies and apartment rental agencies.

• Banking hours are usually from 9 to 2 Monday to Friday and from 9 to 1 on Saturdays in winter (closed on Saturdays in summer).
• Health services and pharmacies Major tourist establishments have their own medical services. Some countries have agreements with the Spanish health service enabling tourists to receive free treatment from all outpatients' departments and hospitals of the Institut Català de la Salut on presentation of a form issued by the health authorities in their country of origin.

• Pharmacies can be identified by their red or green luminous cross.
  • Opening hours are usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • When the services of a pharmacist are needed outside these hours, a list of pharmacies on 24-hour emergency duty is posted outside of pharmacies that are closed and published in local newspapers.
  • In small towns and villages, apply to the local police. Most medicines are sold on prescription.
  • Information on health services. T 902 111 444 (24h
    

   

• Accommodation.A wide range of acommodation is available in Catalonia, including various types of hotels, camp grounds, spas and farmhouse accommodation.
  • Hotels and guest houses are divided into different categories -hotel, hotel residència, pension, - and rated with one to five stars. Camp grounds are also divided into categories:Luxury, 1st, 2nd and 3rd class.
  • Spas are classified according to the accommodation they offer.
  • Most gîtes and farmhouse holiday homes are located inland and in the Pyrenees and Pyrenean foothills. They are basically designed for family and nature holidays.
  • All establishments offering accommodation or food (including restaurants, bars, cafeterias, etc.), and all travel agencies, are obliged to place Official Complaints Forms (Fulls Oficials de Reclamacions) at the disposal of the public. These forms can also be obtained from any Tourist Offices in Catalonia.

Festivals

• Numerous popular festivals are held in Catalonia throughout the year, following a cycle based mainly on the major Christian festivities but with clear reminiscences of pre-Roman and Roman origins.
• The most important dates are
  • the two solstices -Christmas in winter and the Eve of Saint John at midsummer- and the two equinoxes, marked by the Carnival, Holy Week and Easter in spring, and the wine harvest and the Feast of All Saints in autumn.
  • Many festivals -known as the Festa Major- recall the feast day of the patron saint of each locality while others relate to particular arts and crafts, farming and seafaring. There are also many fairs and markets. One key feature of the proceedings is fire, as exemplified by traditional bonfires, firework displays, or the dazzling Patum festival in Berga. There are parades with giants and dwarfs; a vast range of folk dances, foremost among which is the Catalan national dance, the sardana, in which the participants form a ring and dance to the sound of characteristic wind instruments; spectacular human towers built by castellers; ancient liturgical performances including Passion plays; popular Christmas plays or pastorets; and the strange Dansa de la Mort (dance of death) which takes place at Verges. Processions and gastronomical specialities are another important feature. Gaiety and participation are the keynotes and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.
  • Public holidays in Catalonia:1 January: New Year's Day; 6 January / Epiphany (Feast of the Three Kings);
    March-april: Good Friday;March-april: Easter Monday; 1 May: Labour Day; 24 June: Saint John (midsummer);
    15 August: Asumption of Mary; 11 September: Catalan National Day; 12 Octobre: Feast of the Hispanic Peoples; 1 November: All Saints' Day, 6 December: Constitution Day; 8 December: Immaculate Conception of Mary; 25 December: Christmas; 26 December: Saint Stephen (Boxing Day).
    

Automotives Club

• Reial Automòbil club de Catalunya Oficina Telefònica General (Fono-Racc)
  • Oficina Telefònica General (Fono-Racc). T 902 307 307. webmaster@racc.es. http://www.racc.es
    
    • 08034 Barcelona.Av. Diagonal, 687. T 934 955 058
      
    • 08011 Barcelona. València, 146-152. T 933 236 064
    • 08013 Barcelona. Padilla, 228. T 934 955 055
      
    • 17001 Girona. Cra. de Barcelona, 22. T 972 223 662
      
    • 08400 Granollers. Francesc Macià, 45. T 938 792 676
      
    • 25007 Lleida. Av. del Segre, 6. T 973 241 245
      
    • 08302 Mataró. Sant Josep, 23. T 937 903 454
      
    • 17800 Olot. Pare Roca, 9. T 972 266 800
      
    • 43001 Tarragona. Rbla. Nova, 114. T 977 211 962
      
    • 43500 Tortosa. Av. República Argentina, 5. T 977 444 216
      
    • 25720 Bellver de Cerdany. Túnel del Cadí. Àrea de Servei. T 973 510 233
      
    • 08500 Vic. Dr. Junyent, 10. T 938 833 552
      
    • 08800 Vilanova i la Geltrú. Av. Francesc Macià, 96. T 938 101 286
      
    • 17600 Figueres. Pl. de l'Estació, 9. T 972 673 395
    • 17310 Lloret de Mar. Cra. Vila de Blanes, s/n (Servei Estació Lloret). T 972 363 763
    • 17230 Palamós. Av. President Macià, 30. T 972 319 729
    • 43500 Tortosa. Av. República Argentina, 5. T 977 444 216
      
      
      
      
• ADAC Allgemeine Deutsche Automobile Club (08820) El Prat de Llobregat. Parc de Negocis Mar Blau, edifici Muntadas. T 934 787 878. http://www.adac.es
  
• ANWB Koninklijke Nederlandse Toeristenbond (08820) El Prat de Llobregat. Parc de Negocis Mar Blau, edifici Muntadas. T 934 781 888. http://www.anwb.nl
• AA Autoamobile Association (08820) El Prat de Llobregat. Parc de Negocis Mar Blau, edifici Muntadas. barcelona@anwb.nl. http://www.anwb.nl
  
  

Catalan cuisine

• While Catalan cuisine has a personality and flavour all its own, it is also an integral part of the Mediterranean gastronomical tradition with its three classical ingredients -wheat, oil and wine- enriched by Oriental and New World influences. The country's varied landscapes give rise to wide range of ingredients and cooking methods. There are basically three types of cuisine: that of the mountains and hinterland -mainly meat, cheese, sausages, and the produce of market gardens, forests and farmyards -; that of the coast - tasty fish, often served with rice, noodles or potatoes-; and that of the cities, consisting of variations on traditional and international dishes.
• The following are some of the best loved dishes:
  • escalivada (baked vegetable salad),
  • pa amb tomàquet (the popular tomato bread),
  • botifarra amb mongetes (sausage with white beans),
  • escudella i carn d'olla (broth, stewed meats and vegetables),
  • arròs a la cassola (casseroled rice),
  • arròs negre (rice cooked in cuttlefish ink),canelons (canelloni),
  • coca de recapte (savoury pastry),
  • faves a la catalana (stewed broad beans),
  • rovellons a la llauna (wild mushrooms),
  • trinxat amb rosta (potato and cabbage cake),
  • pèsols ofegats (peas à l'étouffée),
  • fricandó amb bolets (veal fricandeau with mushrooms),
  • mandonguilles amb sèpia (meat balls with cuttlefish),
  • cargols a la llauna (snails),
  • peus de porc (pig's trotters),
  • bacallà amb samfaina (salt cod with ratatouille),
  • calamars farcits (stuffed squid),
  • graellada de peix i marisc (grilled fish and seafood),
  • llagosta amb pollastre (spiny lobster with chicken),
  • romesco (spicy sauce),
  • sarsuela and suquet de peix (types of fish casserole),
  • ànec amb peres (duck with pears),
  • conill amb allioli (rabbit with garlic mayonnaise),
  • costelles de xai (lamb cutlets),
  • perdiu amb col (partrige with cabbage),and so on.
• The most mouthwatering deserts:
  • include excellent fresh fruit (melons, peaches, apricots, figs, strawberries, cherries, etc.) and
  • high quality sweets and pastries: bunyols (fritters), coca de llardons (suet pastry), crema cremada (caramelized custard cream), massapà (marzipan), menjar blanc ("blancmange"), panellets (marzipan cakes), torrons (almond sweets), and tortells (pastry rings).
• A glass of one of the delicious Catalan wines are an essential complement: red, white and rosé table wines and generous desert wines (such as ranci) are sold under eleven different authorized labels (D.O.)
  • Penedès,
  • Tarragona,
  • Terra Alta,
  • Conca de Barberà,
  • Costers del Segre,
  • Empordà-Costa Brava,
  • Priorat,
  • Alella ,
  • Pla de Bages,
  • Montsant i
  • Catalunya.
  • Cava sparkling wines also enjoy a well-deserved reputation. Prepared by means of the "Champagne" method, they come mostly from the Penedès area (Sant Sadurní d'Anoia).

Publications of Turisme de Catalunya

• All tourist promotions brochures are available from Tourist Offices in Catalonia.
• Books and other publications which are on sale can be found in bookshops in Catalonia, and especially at the Llibreria de la Generalitat, la Rambla 118, 08002 Barcelona.

Useful telephone numbers

• Telephone enquiries (Spain and international). T 1003 / 025
• Spanish and municipal police. T 091 / 092
• Information about Barcelona. T 010
• One emergency number. T 112
• Information about health services. T 061
• Information about public transport. T 010
• Information about road conditions. T 900 123 505
• Tourist guides/interpreters. T 933 198 416/ T 932 682 422
• Youth information. T 934 838 384
• Consumer information. T 012
• Departament d'Indústria, Comerç i Turisme
  (Direcció General de Turisme). T 934 849 500
• Turisme de Catalunya.T 934 849 900
• Catalonia Government Open Line. T 012
  

Tourist Information on the Internet

• Catalonia Tourist Information (Web Catalunya Turisme) www.catalunyatourism.com
• Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan government). www.gencat.net
• Costa Brava-Girona. www.costabrava.org
• Lleida. www.lleidatur.es
• Costa Daurada. www.costadaurada.org
• Turisme de Barcelone. www.barcelonaturisme.com