Costa Brava Spain

So often today it is expected that we should know exactly where all the Costa's on Spain's mainland are. The Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Almeria and the Costa Brava tend to be the most well-known, but where exactly is the Costa Brava?

The Northern most point of Spain's Mediterranean coastline is home to the Principality of Catalonia with Barcelona as the capital city, which stretches from the French border down to its border with Valencia and Castellon.

The Costa Brava, Wild Coast in English, so called because of the rugged cliffs and treacherous seas that pound the rocks, where unsuspecting ships have found their watery grave, is the most northern district of Catalonia.

Because of the nature of the stunning terracotta-coloured cliffs that descend into the deep turquoise blue seas, the Costa Brava has been saved in the main from the concrete jungle that invades many of the other Spanish Costas, providing many pretty little coves and inlets sheltered from the high seas and providing tranquil havens for wonderful beachside vacations.

Where once quaint fishing villages stood, now summer visitors flock to enjoy the warm sunshine and sandy beaches. Tiny promenades surrounded by cafes and restaurants spilling their tables and chairs out under large 'brollies set to guard against the midday sun; and inland, vivid emerald green golf courses nestle in the lee of the snow capped Pyrenees mountains.

Back in the 1950's Costa Brava was the fashionable, "It" place to "hang out"! Chic Hollywood film stars and daring and innovative artists flocked to the area for the hedonistic pleasures of the rich, providing the area with much needed income.

The Costa Brava became the first destination for the package holiday phenomenon which allowed ordinary people the chance to holiday overseas at affordable prices.

When the package holiday gathered momentum through the '70's and 80's, moving onto other Costas, so the Costa Brava regained much of its tranquillity and peace, leaving behind the light and colour that typifies the steep rocky coastline; white sandy beaches and inland beauty; the energy and razzmatazz of the fiestas and carnivals and the warm, friendly people.

What's the Costa Brava weather in April like? One of the most searched for keyword terms on the internet at this time of year concerning the Costa Brava is what the weather is going to be like in any given month, especially those months that in the Northern Hemisphere might be a little inclement.

I have to confess that the weather can be mixed at this time of year. Last year, for instance, the United Kingdom had a very warm, sunny Easter which fell in early April, whilst on the things were very different!

Plenty of rain abounded and the weather was distinctly cold in comparison. It was certainly a time to be considering creature comforts in the way of central heating in your holiday accommodation, so that you could boost the background temperature and also dry out if you had got caught in a shower.

Costa Brava, like many other parts of the world, usually enjoys warm, sunny days with little rain throughout the year, with most of it falling in the autumn or spring times. Temperatures usually remain within a band somewhere between 12 and 20 degrees centigrade, even in the winter.

Unfortunately, whilst most new properties are now being built with central heating here in Spain, many older properties do not have it. Always check when making your booking, especially if you are going to be vacationing through the winter, spring and autumn months.

Most houses in Spain have been built for the warmth and heat of August with cool marble flooring throughout, which is great when the temperature is reaching 30 degrees. But, climbing out of bed on a winter's morning and stepping onto the icy, unforgiving marble or tiled flooring can be a total shock to the system!

You may also want to think about the type of holiday you want. Seaside venues will not necessarily be your best bet at this low season time of year. Contemplate staying at a resort where you will find indoor swimming pools, a range of other sporting facilities and maybe a golf course or spa and beauty salon.

Indoor attractions such as museums or art galleries come into their own on days when it isn't so pleasant outdoors. The Costa Brava is renowned for its cuisine and wine and coupled with an extensive array of alternatives to the beach, offers the visitor an all-year-round destination.

Prices are attractive and of course the peace and quiet all adds to the holiday experience. Roads are not congested, flights are plentiful and you have the pick of restaurants, bars and golf courses.

Make sure you put the Costa Brava, Spain high on your list of winter/spring sun destinations and you won't be disappointed, but just check those small, but vital items when you book your accommodation. Then you will have definitely have got the best out of the weather in April.

Spanish golf holidays are extremely popular. The advent of cheap flights to Spain with companies like Ryanair, Easyjet and BMI Baby has brought the possibility of escaping for much needed sunshine and relaxation within everyone's reach.

A few short hours and you can be out on the manicured, velvet greens perfecting your swing and putting those balls. Year round warmth and sunshine make a Spanish golf holiday very appealing, whether for a long weekend or an extended stay. The only decisions you have to make are which airline best suits your needs, which course to chose for those all important leisure hours and where to stay to get the most from your Spanish golf holiday.

Golf on the Costa Brava is heaven-sent. The Costa Brava is now Spain's leading golfing destination, due to the proliferation of championship courses all within a short distance of each other.

Here in no particular order are 9 reasons why you cannot afford to miss playing golf on the Costa Brava

Reason 1. TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort - Stay in a villa for rent in the exclusive surroundings of this delightful resort, walk a short distance to the first tee AND get 15% discount off your green fees. An academy, driving range, three practice holes and a practice putting hole make sure that this pretty course caters for everyone. American style course with lovely views and peaceful setting will have you relaxing in no time.

Reason 2. Golf Costa Brava is one of the daddies of the Costa Brava golf courses. Surrounded by pines and cork oak trees, this golf course has a spectacular, traditional Catalonian farmhouse which houses the club house and where you can enjoy a meal watching the golfers on the 18th green.

Reason 3. Emporda Golf Course has the luxury of two separate 18-hole courses, both with very different feels. One is a classic links course and the other forest with tall pine trees and lakes.

Reason 4. Girona Golf Course - Stunning views and a tricky course make this one of the course you will not want to miss. Feel the elation of completing a round having negotiated hazards such as tight doglegs, ravines and sloping lies.

Reason 5. Golf Gualta is a golfer's paradise. A beautiful parkland setting makes this course a challenge for all levels of player. This is one course in the Costa Brava that novice players with appreciate as they are able to take to the course after a few lessons, as golf handicaps are not obligatory. Separate tees allow for novice and experienced golfers alike.

Reason 6. Golf d'Aro Mas Nou's mountain top setting allows for plenty of fun with sheer drops from some fairways testing your steady nerve and straight hitting. This course has been ranked in the top three courses in Europe and it's not hard to see why! This course is the sister course to TorreMirona, so stay at TorreMirona and qualify for 15% discount off your green fees.

Reason 7. Golf Platja de Pals offers you premium golfing along the dunes overlooking the Arenals de Mar beach. Top class competitions have been held at this course including the Spanish Open, Catalan Open and Spanish amateur and other professional championships. The many Umbrella pine trees play a large part in this magnificent course with narrow-tree lined fairways and doglegs to test the most experienced of players.

Reason 8. Golf Peralada is perfect for a pleasant and relaxing day of golf. Take the time to watch the water birds, birds of prey and enjoy the great variety of plants and indigenous animals you will find around this pretty course set with small olive trees lining the fairways. A visit to the traditional Catalonian country house club house is a must to take pleasure in the views over the golf course and towards the beauty spot of L'Albera.

Reason 9. PGA Catalunya golf course has been described as the jewel in the crown of the Costa Brava golf courses, as well as having been voted in the top 10 European golf courses in recent years. No surprise then that it is an outstanding course to play.

Costa Brava holiday conjures up many things for many people, but here are 7 suggestions that will have you rediscovering the delights of this rather overlooked corner of Spain.

Tip 1 - El Bulli Restaurant - The world's best restaurant for the second year running and it is situated in the Costa Brava!

Tip 2 - Diving - Discover the treasures of the underwater world just off the Costa Brava coast. Famed for its fauna and coral beds, the Illes Medes Maritime Reserve is the most important in the Western Mediterranean.

Tip 3 - Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres. Salvador Dali was an extraordinary person and it goes without saying that his museum in the town of his birth is too! You really do have to see this building to believe it.

Tip 4 - Cadaques - where the white-washed houses come down to the waters edge and the light is exceptional. No wonder artists are drawn to this village clinging to the rocky outcrop headland of Cap de Creus.

Tip 5 - Hill walking at its best! Mountain to Mediterranean. You don't have to be a mountain goat to appreciate the stunning views. Gentle climbs or mountaineering, you can take your pick. Why not finish off your walk with a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean?

Tip 6 - Empuries - One of the most important archeological sites in Spain. Founded by the Greeks and colonised by the Romans, uncover the mark both civilizations left on the area at this ancient city by the sea.

Tip 7 - Cami de Ronda - Walk the route of the old coastguards and shepherds tracks which hug the entire length of the Costa Brava coastline from Blanes right up to the French border. Dramatic scenery at every turn, this is one coastline that never fails to take your breathe away. And don't worry, this route has been beautifully restored and offers everyone a choice from gentle paved promenades to paths dipping down to hidden coves.

Choosing a hotel to stay at is always difficult if you don't know the area. Picking the best one for your situation - travelling with children, want a sea view, close to the beach, away from the "madding crowd", peaceful and tranquil - is always risky when you have to rely on sketchy information with grainy photographs.

Check out this website for some of the best Costa Brava hotels with good descriptions, photos and best of all reviews by real guests - good and bad!

We have found that the reviews are pretty accurate when we have stayed in some of the hotels featured.

Why not check out one of our favourite locations at Tamariu? This little cove is beautifully secluded, with a lovely array of restaurants and houses around the white sand beach.

Or for something completely different, head inland to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains and the historic Medieval town of Besalu.

Here you will discover ancient history by staying right in the heart of this pretty town and uncover the magic of this region with its extinct volcanoes and Roman artifacts.