| A Costa Brava holiday definitely needs to consist | | | | 'abroad', the Costa Brava and Aigua Blava in |
| of sand, sea and sangria at some time during | | | | particular became the focus of attention. What |
| your vacation. Choosing the months of May/June | | | | draws people back time and again is the |
| and then September/October mean that the mad | | | | wonderful vibrancy of the place. Coupled with |
| mayhem that occurs on the coast has either not | | | | friendly and attentive service at the hotels and |
| arrived or just departed, yet the weather is still | | | | restaurants, you will be sure to enjoy a wonderful |
| beautifully warm and sunny, allowing you to enjoy | | | | Costa Brava holiday in this particular spot. |
| the beach to its fullest. | | | | Tamariu is slightly bigger than Aigua Blava and a |
| The amazing coastline that stretches for some | | | | short hike across the cliff tops if you would like a |
| 190kms starting at the French border has a | | | | change of scenery from Aigua Blava. This little |
| spectacular number of beaches and coves. | | | | cove opens out onto the Mediterranean Sea like a |
| Choosing the right one is made instantly easier | | | | flower, allowing the sandy beach protection from |
| with the Blue Flag which guarantees a high level of | | | | the rugged rock faces that line the inlet. |
| standards. | | | | The small spit of sand is lined with restaurants, |
| Many of the beaches in the Costa Brava have | | | | boutique shops and whitewashed houses where |
| been awarded Blue Flag status, which means that | | | | elderly locals sit and watch the world go by in |
| they have all passed the rigorous testing that | | | | their wicker chairs whilst the restaurants ply their |
| allows the beach to be given the Blue Flag. | | | | trade with their pavement tables and sun brollies. |
| Things like water quality, cleanliness of the beach, | | | | Sitting in the sun, gaze at the traditional, |
| information and education of the ecosystems | | | | multi-coloured fishing boats pulled up onto the sand |
| around the coastline, adequate number of | | | | with their distinctive lanterns waiting for nightfall to |
| lifeguards and lifesaving equipment must be on | | | | cast their nets, bringing in the freshest sardines to |
| hand, first aid equipment must be available on the | | | | serve at the restaurants next day. |
| beach and drinking water obtainable. | | | | Fancy a bit of exercise? Take a walk along the |
| To be awarded the Blue Flag, 29 conditions have | | | | rugged Cami de Ronda which has been restored |
| to be met and at any time these conditions are | | | | for you to discover the delights of the smugglers |
| not being met, the flag will be removed. This | | | | and sheep farmers who ranged across the |
| guarantees that you will be able to enjoy your | | | | hillsides in times gone by. The route takes you |
| time at the beach to its fullest, safe in the | | | | along the tree line towards Cala Pedrosa and |
| knowledge that the little things that make the | | | | onwards to Llafranc. |
| difference have been taken care of before you | | | | If walking is not your thing, hiring a kayak or small |
| even step foot on the sands. | | | | motorboat might be just the thing to find that |
| The Costa Brava coastline has the largest | | | | pretty inlet where you are the only person on the |
| concentration of Blue Flag beaches in Spain, a | | | | beach! |
| tremendous accolade which tells you that the | | | | Llafranc is the largest of our featured Blue Flag |
| Costa Brava takes very seriously its duties | | | | beaches, but is still small enough to retain an |
| towards you the visitor. | | | | intimacy with its stylish little port and crescent |
| Here then are three of the prettiest coves which | | | | shaped sandy beach stretching for some meters |
| have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag. There | | | | across the bay. |
| are many more that warrant further note, so | | | | Here your children can play in safety with their |
| watch out for more information on other beaches | | | | buckets and spades, whilst you enjoy the |
| on the spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava. | | | | tranquillity and fine cuisine on offer in the |
| Aigua Blava's turquoise blue water washes gently | | | | restaurants and hotels along the promenade - the |
| across the amarillo-yellow of the sand in this tiny | | | | perfect place to enjoy a sundowner, to sit back, |
| inlet. Turned to face away from the cliff faces, | | | | relax and watch the evening passeig. |
| nature has protected this special place from the | | | | Which ever Blue Flag beach you choose on a |
| ravages of the sea, allowing safe bathing in a | | | | Costa Brava holiday you will be sure of a warm |
| picturesque and tranquil setting. | | | | welcome and outstanding natural beauty to please |
| Back in the 1950's, for the first time more people | | | | the eye. I invite you to use these tips to make |
| had disposable income to spend on travel and with | | | | the most of your holiday on the Costa Brava. |
| Spain being a short distance away and definitely | | | | |