For everyone, whatever their likes and tastes may be, whatever their idea of enjoying themselves, the Costa Brava is "par excellence" the perfect place. This delightful coastline

on the Province of Girona has some of the most beautiful sites nature has to offer in every respect, but where its land and sea come

together, it is outstanding. This is stated continually by so many of the tourists, both national and foreign, who visit this region of

incomparable beauty, with its ever-mild climate. We say "region" because Costa Brava does not refer only to the coast itself -a feast

of successive, surprising delights- but refers to the geographical region of La Selva and Empordá. It includes the coastal area of

Girona and its adjoining lands bounded by the river Tordera to the south and the river Tec to the north, beyond the Pyrenees: by the

sea to the east, and the mountains of Vidrera and Llagostera to the west.

Because of its wildness, its abundance of rocky forms of sea-eroded granite, its irregular coastline with such a profusion of inlets

and headlands, the gigantic proportions of some of its crags causing the sea froth, it well deserves the name "Brava", rugged, with

which it was christened years ago by the then famous journalist Ferran Agullo. Moreover, although the most characteristic feature of

this coast is its fantastic ruggedness of its rocky cliffs, some of which have huge proportions, its capes, headlands, steep coves and

caves in some case accessible only by boat, there is nevertheless in the Costa Brava an abundance of large and small coves with

delightful sandy beaches. These may be found in those places where a river has brought down the sand formed from eroded granite

to form charming, sheltered beaches. Visitors to these spots find themselves amid the peaceful wonder of a scene, which is a lovely combination of the form and colour of the

rocks, rich vegetation, and the soft gold of the sand contrasting with the splendour of the blue sea.

Another attractive feature of the Costa Brava, and one which is an essential element of the international prestige of its holds, is its long

beaches and bays with extensive horizons, such as  Tossa de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Platja d'Aro, Palamos, Pals, L'Escala,

Empuriabrava, Roses, Llança...

To all of this we must add that the rocky, wild and rugged setting of the Costa Brava is allied to a climate, which is mild and gentle even in winter. Blue skies are the rule, the

seawater is lukewarm almost all the year, and it is always crystal-clear so that it captures the strong colours and tones of the submarine plantlife. Pine, corkoak, almond, citrus

and carob trees, rosemary and thyme, can be seen flourishing  here, emerging from the steep cliffs over the water of the Mediterranean, or clinging to the rocky ledges,

contrasting with the golden sand of the beaches and coves.

And this magnificent natural setting is protected, as we have just mentioned, by a mild climate, with temperatures which do

not usually fall down below 0 degrees C. or rise above 30 degrees C. There are few rainy days, humidity is low, and the

average barometric pressure is 762mm. The climate, then, is another of the reasons for this part

Catalonia's coastline being one of the most popular tourist areas in the whole world.
T

he international flow of tourism we refer to has not, however, altered the picturesque, traditional and attractive aspects of the

majority of the Costa Brava's villages in the least and the customs and daily tasks of its inhabitants remain the same.

Villages of whitepainted houses with their narrow but sunlit streets, clean and simple are to be found up and down the length of the coast and inland. Not far from these villages

are the modern urbanisations and groups of recently constructed hotels: In other cases, alongside the functional  architecture of chalets and residential areas for tourists, the

fishermen's districts add a touch of local charm. Some of these fishermen are real sea wolves who nevertheless are as skilful at home tending their lands and flocks of goats as

they are on the open sea. As well as these small villages on the coast and in the interior, there are relatively large towns such as  Llagostera, La Bisbal, Sant Feliu de Guíxols,

Palamós, Llançá and other equally important tourist resorts which are growing steadily year by year. Nevertheless, more extended than fishing and much appreciated by the

public in general, are the  handicrafts which flourish in the villages of the Costa Brava. Both in the little villages  and in the

larger towns, trade is important, and is aimed at the requirements of the floating population that assumes such large

proportions in summer. And, not surprisingly, it is the  tourist industry in all its aspects- hotels, apartments, restaurants, all

kind of commerce,  places of entertainment etc, wich dominates all others.

The real natives of this part of the country are still deeply imbued with their old traditions;naturally courteous, they are not,

however, at odds with modern life in the least. Friendly and welcoming, they are equally frank in their dealings with their

fellowcountrymen and with foreigners. Normally, the most outstanding charachteristic of their personality is a certain ironic eclictism, discreet and prudent.

As they  are a people who respect their traditions it is easy for visitors, taking advantage of the "fiestas mayores", to witness some of the wealth of their folklore. In this respect,

their ancient dances in couples are particularly interesting, and the famous communal dance, the "Sardana",performed to the accompaniment of the typical "cobla", a small

orchestra with the strange sound of the "tenora", a unique wind instrument. In terms of history, there are numerous highly important traces of cultures dating from the most

ancient civilisations up to more recent times. It is sufficient to mention the Phoenician, Greek and Roman ruins at Empúries, the dolmens and menhirs in various parts of the

region, the Iberian village at Ullastret, the monastery of Sant Pere de Roda, the castle of Perelada, the ruins in the villages of Roses,  Tossa de Mar, Pals, Palamós and many more.
The tourist can practise all kinds of aquatic sports and other entertainments under ideal conditions - waterskiing, rowing,

yachting, fishing of any variety, and also archaeological

exploration of the sea-bed where it is noy unusualto find old wrecks, ceramics, and other indications of the considerable

marine commerce wich plied up and down the Costa Brava in ancient times.There are various golf-courses all along the

Costa Brava. The vaiety ans exceptional quality of the fish wich is caught up and down the Costa Brava have long

contributed to its fame. So too, have the particularly tasty ways of serving fish here, be they sardines, hake, mackerel or

other seafood. Among the best-known of these famous fish dishes is the popular "suquet de peix".

Then there are "fritadas", lobster a le Catalana, Begur snails (called "a la Garriguense"). Besides possesing such a rich variety of fish dishes, the region has flourishing mar-

ket gardens and orchards wich ensure the constant supply of fresh fruit and vegetables wich is so important for the excellent cuisine here.We must also mention

the very high quality of the meat wich comes from animals bred in the region, favoured by such an ideal climate, and aided

by the shelter provided by its mountain ranges, sheltered valleys and fertile plains. This is a huntsmen's country,too; there

are wild boar in the woods "del Federal" between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu, wild duck on the rivers Muga, Fluvià and

Ter, and an abundance of rabbits throughout the region. Extensive vineyards and wine-cellars ensure adequate stocks of

their prestigious wines to complement the fine food. An ever-growing number of hotels caters for tourism in the different

parts of the Costa Brava. There are hotels of all classes, supplemented by great apartment blocks and all manner of

camping installations, all contributing to solving the problem of accommodating those who come to enjoy the unequalled

beauty of this coastline. Similarly, entire residencial towns have appeared along the coast, providing villas and chalets of all classes for the tourists