Luxury Costa Dorada holidays

The Costa Dorada, sometimes spelled Daurada, always meaning Golden Coast, is a coastal area of Catalonia, between Cunit and Alcanar on the Mediterranean Sea and the long, golden sandy beaches which thread their way south and west of Barcelona boast sleepy resorts galore although the beaches, somewhat miraculously, always seem busy.

Tarragona is the main town, strategically important and beautifully situated, it was once the most elegant and cultured of all the cities of Roman Spain and its distinguished past, although diminished, is still visible through many splendid remains and a number of excellent museums. Vibrant by day, hedonistic by night, gay-friendly Sitges is perhaps the highlight of this part of the coast. The narrow, meandering alleys and streets of the delightful old town are dotted with bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques.

There’s a photogenic Baroque church overlooking the resort’s fine, golden beaches, a couple of small museums, some Gaudi buildings, and along the manicured promenade, attractive villas a-plenty.

Barcelona

Dividing Costas Brava and Dorada, Barcelona is one of the world’s most entertaining cities with architectural treasures from Gothic to Gaudi, a stunning medieval quarter with street entertainment on La Rambla, and a myriad of world-class museums and galleries, an Olympic Park, a monumental, unfinished Gaudi cathedral, Sagrada Familia, and everything from beachside tapas to Michelin- tarred eateries of the highest order; plus a nightlife that starts late and just keeps going.

Cava & Human Towers

Tarragona’s Roman, medieval and Gothic flourishes contrast with the modernism of nearby Reus. There’s freshly grilled seafood everywhere and to accompany, some of

Spain’s finest wines come from the Penedes plains, southwest of Barcelona, for here is the capital of Cava. There’s the impressive ruined fort at Lleida, and notable monasteries at Montserrat and Poblet. The area is also famous for its human

towers, where teams stand on each other’s shoulders in an effort to build the highest human edifice.