SPECIAL POST: SANT JORDI (ST. GEORGE)

Feliç diada de Sant Jordi! Happy St. George Day! Today, 23^rd of April is Saint George, the patron of Catalonia, that means that it is the most romantic day of the year.

In Catalonia, we have a very peculiar way of celebrating this day. The tradition says that men give their sweetheart a red rose, and the ladies give the men a book.  Moreover, the streets of all over Catalonia towns are packed with bookstalls and book markets on Sant Jordi’s day. It is almost impossible to have a relaxing walk, the main streets have crowed of people buying roses and books. However, it is one of my favourite holidays.

Barcelona's streets on St. George Day (I)

Barcelona's streets on St. George Day (II)

In addition to this tradition, children learned in the school the fantastic and knightly legend of St. George. The legend of St. George and the Dragon is truly a wonderful fairytale of knights in shining armour on white horses, dragons and beautiful princesses in the best traditions of chivalry, honour, romance, heroism, swordplay and love. This is the Catalan version of the St George legend:

Saint Jordi’s Legend:

"Once upon a time, a terrible dragon terrorised the inhabitants of a small village in Catalonia called Montblanc. The dragon wreaked havoc among the population and devoured the animals put out to pasture until there were none left. To calm the dragon's anger, the inhabitants of the village decided to sacrifice one person every day, chosen by drawing lots, and to offer that person to the dragon as a sign of their good will. "However, one, dark day, the person chosen to be sacrificed was the king's daughter. Just when she was about to be swallowed up by the dragon, a courageous knight appeared and confronted the evil beast. This was Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan). He thrust his lance into the dragon and, out of the blood that spurted forth, there grew a red rose bush. Since then, it has been the custom in Catalonia to present a rose to your loved one.”

St George's Legend

Hope you enjoy Saint George Day if you are in Catalonia, if not don’t hesitate to go the next year!

And don’t forget to give a red rose!

Feliç diada de Sant Jordi!

St. George

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GIRONA

Good morning guys! Did you enjoy the spring break? Today I will talk about Girona, a beautiful city in the northeast of Barcelona.

Girona is a popular destination for tourists and Barcelona day trippers. The train journey from Barcelona to Girona takes just a bit over one hour. The old town stands on the steep hill of the Capuchins to the east of the river Onyar, while the more modern section stands on the plains to the west.

Girona is known for the picturesque houses overlooking the river Onyar, the Jewish Heritage and the Cathedral. The information for these main sights can be found in any Girona’s guide. My porpoise is to show you the other side of Girona. So I will explain two events that have happened and will happen in this city.

• Girona temps de flors (Girona Flower Festival): have you ever seen a city bedecked with flowers? This festival is an exhibition held in May, with spring in full swing. For a few days, the colours and aromas of flowers fill the squares and streets of the city of Girona. The city becomes a huge canvas for artistic expression, where the beauty of the floral compositions is in prefect harmony with the city’s wonderful architectural and historical heritage.

Girona during the Flower Festival (1)

         

Girona during the Flower Festival (2)

When the exhibition take place?  From 7^th May 2016 to 15^th May 2016.

          

          For more information visit the following page:

o   http://en.costabrava.org/events/event/flower-festival

• Girona has also been a Game of Thrones scenario! The locations appear to be filled with character and potential for season 6 filming. The filming of the series took place the first week of September 2015. Game of Thrones chose Girona for what has to offer on medieval buildings, imposing medieval city walls and their amazing Jewish neighbourhood. HBO was fascinated with the Hebrew quarter of El Call, with its incredible narrow streets is one of the best preserved in Europe.

Game of Thrones filming scene

temps de flors

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SPECIAL POST: EASTER DAY

Hello! Today I will not talk about a destination to visit in Catalonia. Yesterday was the Easter Day, so I will talk about a Catalan tradition for these days. Traditionally in Catalonia on Easter Day, we eat a cake called La Mona de Pasqua. Basically consists of a cake with apricot jam and decorated with almonds, chocolate glaze and chocolate eggs. Sometimes the cake can be accompanied with a chocolate figure.

The tradition says that the godparents have to give to their godchildren La Mona de Pasqua.

Here you have some pictures of this delicious dessert!

Traditional Cake

Smurfs Chocolate Figure

Unfortunately, my godfather couldn’t give me La Mona de Pasqua this yearL. However, I tried, with two other Catalan friends, to make the cake ourselves. Here you can see the result. Not bad, isn’t it?

My Mona de Pasqua :)

mona de pasqua

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PYRENEES

Hi guys! How are you? Are you ready for the Easter Break? Today I’m going to talk about the Pyrenees. Many of you know Catalonia for it's rich cultural and the kilometres of the beaches there are. However, in the northern Catalonia are the Pyrenees, a range of mountains that forms a natural border between France and Spain. The Pyrenees are popular for winter sports such as skiing and mountaineering. The biggest ski resort it has is Baqueira Beret. Located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the Aran Valley is the largest and most popular winter resort in Spain.

Baqueira Beret has 91 miles of ski runs market spread in 150 pistes.

Here you have the map of slopes:

Baqueira Beret Ski Slopes Map

I encourage you to go skiing. Snow is running out!

CURIOSITIES

• Baqueira Beret is the favourite destination of the kings of Spain to go skiing. They have 3 houses next to the ski resort. The Royal Family used to go skiing since 1974, so as appreciation, the resort ski owners built a chairlift in front of the house of the king.
• Typically dish;  Aran hotpot. You can find the recipe in the following link: http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-vielha/gastronomy/recipes/aran-hotpot.

snow

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EBRO DELTA

Hiii guys!! Today I will talk about the Ebro Delta (Delta de l’Ebre). The Ebro Delta is situated in the western Mediterranean. Delta is in intensive agricultural use for rice, it is known for producing one of the best rice. For that reason much has become a tourist attraction. The main attraction is the rice fields, I recommend you to have a walk along the fields and finish your stroll in a restaurant eating paella.

rice fields

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MONTSERRAT

Good afternoon guys! Are you enjoying your weekend? Today I’m going to talk about Montserrat, one of the symbols of Catalonia. Montserrat is situated 50 kilometres from Barcelona; you can easily arrive by public transport or by car. Montserrat is known for being a spiritual spot but also for having one of the most stunning landscapes of Catalonia.

Montserrat

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TARRAGONA

Good morning guys! Today I will talk about my hometown, Tarragona. For me is one of the most beautiful cities of Spain. Tarragona it’s located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, not far from Barcelona city. It was formerly a Roman city and it still retains much Roman monuments. The main roman ruins in Tarragona are: the amphitheatre, the circus, the Roman walls, the Necropolis, the Forum, the Palace of Augustus and the aqueduct. At least this information can be found in guidebooks.

Roman Amphitheatre

My goal is to show you the most exclusive places that keep the city.  

Tarragona

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