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Lloret de Mar |
Overview History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to
foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the
region's fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret de Mar
is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa Brava. As a
resort the town caters for the 18-30s and families with children.
There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and clubs to
choose from, and the days are packed with programmes of beach
frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a massive
water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of the real
Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in the
town's Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in when locals
dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
Shopping There are a multitude of shops and markets to choose from in
Lloret de Mar, and plenty of time for holidaymakers to browse. The
main shopping enclaves, from malls to small kiosks, are centred in
the streets behind the waterfront. Wares tend to be touristy items,
from souvenirs to bathing suits, and prices are generally
reasonable although quality may be lacking. Some of the smaller
shops close in the early afternoon hours and on Sundays, but in
general visitors can shop happily from around 9am until late at
night any day of the week during the busy summer season. The
traditional local market is held every Tuesday on the Carrer dels
Mestres, and there is a municipal market every weekday in the
Carrer Senia del Rabic and Carrer Verge de Loreto.
Restaurants While in Lloret de Mar, holidaymakers should be sure to dine at
America, La Parrilla, Disaster Café or La Pampa Steak House.
There is a wide variety of cuisine available in a plethora of
restaurants and fast-food outlets, from the best of British to
traditional tapas, at very reasonable prices and generally good
quality. Favourites with holiday-makers are strawberries and cream,
Sangria (fruited sparkling wine) and delicious dishes of paella
(seafood risotto). Many of the local restaurants in the old town
offer a "menu of the day" deal including two courses, dessert,
bread and even wine for a few Euros. There is also tex-mex, Chinese
and various other flavours to indulge in.
Nightlife The nightlife in the holiday resort of Lloret de Mar is
exhilarating, its hundreds of bars and 30-odd nightclubs pulsating
all night, particularly along the Avinguda Just Marles I
Vilarrodona strip of the old town. Night owls who stroll along here
in the late evening are accosted by touts offering free tickets and
drinks vouchers for the clubs, and partying here can be as cheap as
it is lively. Among the more popular clubs and pubs are Bumpers,
renowned for its Caribbean cocktails and glass dance floor; Moby's,
where karaoke is the popular entertainment; and Tropics, the
biggest and best night-spot in town where guest DJs rock the night
with a mix of house, rock and trance music enhanced with laser
lights and foam. Families opt for friendly "home-style" pubs in the
suburb of Fenals, where kids are entertained and the favourite
English soap operas are screened.
Activities Days are usually spent enjoying Lloret de Mar's seafront and the
shingly beach that slopes sharply into the sea, making ideal
conditions for a variety of water sports for holidaymakers to
enjoy, from lazily pedalling boats, skimming the surface on a
windsurfer, or diving into the depths. Other diversions include a
host of holiday fun like go-karts, bungee jumping, a mini-train,
bowling alley and horse riding. For a change of scene visitors can
head off to the Waterworld aquatic park, or play a round of golf at
nearby Santa Cristina de Aro. Most visitors opt for one or more
sightseeing excursions during their stay; local operators, hotels
and package tour companies offer a wide variety of outings from
exploring Old Girona to coastal cruises and wine tasting in the
Catalan countryside. Most popular are trips to the huge theme park
at Salou and Marineland near Blanes, both a few hours drive away.
Those who wish to get away from it all can opt for one of a series
of mapped walks along the coast or to traditional villages
inland.
Negatives The beach is comparatively small and becomes very over-crowded
in the height of the season.
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