Tuesday, August 1, 2017

My Barcelona and Catalunya E-book







Parador de Cardona, about 55 miles from Barcelona 
[all photos kindly provided by Paradores de Turismo de España]









My Barcelona ebook, a VintageShort, has been published!   It's officially entitled 'Barcelona From A to Z' but there are some letters of the alphabet included that are devoted to Catalunya.  It's only 99 cents so take the plunge and buy it if you're thinking of going (or even if you just want to read about it).

I like to remind people visiting Barcelona how easy it is to make day trips (and overnight jaunts) from the city, even without a car, and in only a short distance away you can really feel like you're far from the city and you can see a fair amount of the region, which is quite diverse.  One really nice place in the foothills of the Pyrenees is Cardona -- the photos in this post are all of the Castell de Cardona, which is today one of the lodgings in Spain's paradores chain.  I'm a big fan of the paradores, and the Cardona castle is one of the best.  You can reach Cardona by bus but it's better to have a car if only so you can stop along the way -- the drive is pretty and there are some good opportunities for taking photos.  As the road climbs in elevation, the site of the 9th century castle perched high on a hill is magnificent.  Catalunya has a string of fortifications and monasteries within the region (the most popular one is Montserrat, which is even closer to Barcelona), but the castle in Cardona is a Spanish national monument and represents several eras of Catalan heritage.  Cardona’s name derives from quer, rock or steep mountain, and the town became wealthy from its Roman-era salt mines, the Montaña de Sal Gema (Rock Salt Mountain; parador guests receive a 10% discount off the admission price).  The town of Cardona is very pleasant, with some good restaurants and shops catering to locals, but the parador is really the highlight.  The castle was built to secure territory that was reconquered from the Moors (and it also protected the salt mines) and the town charter of around 986 dictated that the men of Cardona had to devote one day a week on the construction of the castle, and all law-abiding citizens were granted personal use of the salt every Thursday.  After making it through the War of the Spanish Succession and the Peninsular War, the castle was damaged during the Spanish Civil War, but was repaired and opened as a parador in 1976. 

Exploring the exterior of the castle buildings (which are Romanesque and Gothic) is fun as there are wooden walkways all around it, with great views of the town, the salt mine, and the forests along the Cardoner River.  The interior public rooms feature lots of stone walls (some painted a pretty shade of red), arches, tapestries, wrought iron torch holders, and dark wooden beams.  Guestrooms are quite nice, most larger than standard European rooms, and are filled with Catalan antiques; many have four-poster beds.  The main dining room (which serves Catalan dishes) is beautiful with stone arches running the length of the entire room and walls painted a great shade of yellow.  It’s a grand room in which to eat anything, and happily the food is equal to the setting.  Also within the castle is the second century Torre de la Minyona (where Adalés, daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Ramón Folch and Enguncia, was imprisoned by her brothers for falling in love with a Moorish jailer); the San Vicente Collegiate Church (whose crypt once held relics of Saints Sebastian, Ursula, and Inés); and the Chapel of San Ramón Nonato, a monk related to the Cardona family (the Cardonas were of the Catalan and Aragonese nobility and the prestigious name was second only to that of the royal family).  



Rates are moderately expensive and there are a number of special offers throughout the year.   In addition to Cardona, there are 7 other paradores in the region: Lleida, Vic-Sau, Aiguablava, La Seu d'Urgell, Arties, Tortosa, and Vielha, each representative of a particular corner of Catalunya.



7 comments:

  1. I like these rates are moderately expensive and there are a number of special offers.
    airport parking Stansted

    ReplyDelete
  2. What ever the rates the place looks incredible cozy. I would love to stay there.
    cheap airport parking
    airport parking deals

    ReplyDelete
  3. Trekking in Nepal is delighted to welcome you tiny but amazing country. Natures to renew one’s own self regard to relive of beauty realize of Nepal Tour to interact with its generous friendly peoples are highlights of Nepal Trekking and is one long term activity that draws repeat visitors with Treks Himalaya trekking company who offer wide verities of travel package in Nepal such as trekking, helicopter tour, mountain flight, peak climbing, sightseeing tour, Tibet tour, Bhutan tour and many more. Final purpose for trekking offers numerous options walking excursion to meet snowy peaks, their foot hills, valleys but however there is amazing for each who hope Trek in Nepal and mountain area. Typical trekking and Hiking in Nepal as unique combination of natural glory of Annapurna Trekking where you can see spectacular view from Annapurna Base Camp Trekking in 360 degree angle with sunrise and sunset. Langtang Trekking is most rewarding way to skill Nepal natural stunning view of Phaplu Everest Base Camp Trek and array is to walking, trekking, width and the height of country. Trekking is important of Nepal Himalayas on description Nepal Travel of large range of ecological features for Nepal Holiday. Scenery of Annapurna Panorama Trekking in addition to natural atmosphere to rich Nepalese culture where many of visitor trek to different part of Nepal every year to experience its rustic charm, nature and culture. Most treks through areas between 1000 to 5185m, though some popular parts reach over 5648 meters. Every travelers knows trekking from all over the words an exciting experience in Nepal.
    Further information please feel free to visit below without any hesitation:-
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/annapurna-panorama-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/annapurna-base-camp-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/ghorepani-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/helicopter-tour-in-nepal.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/manaslu-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/mardi-himal-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/annapurna-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/langtang-trekking.php
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com/phaplu-everest-base-camp-trek.php

    ReplyDelete
  4. Permainan Sabung Ayam Online di Agen BOLAVITA , dengan minimal deposit hanya Rp 25.000 saja , dan minimal betting hanya Rp 10.000 saja sudah bisa mainkan permainan Sabung Ayam

    http://agensabungayam.logdown.com/post/7891494-cara-memerahkan-wajah-ayam-bangkok-yang-pucat

    Produk Kami Judi Sabung Ayam Online S128, SV388.

    https://www.sateayam.pro/
    https://m1.hj128.pw
    Daftar Sabung Ayam sv388
    Daftar Sabung Ayam Online S128

    Agen Sabung Ayam Online Bolavita Banyak Bonus dan Promo Mari Bergabung :

    Promo Sabung Ayam Terbaru 8x Win Beruntun.
    Bolavita Bisa Deposit Via OVO & GO-Pay.
    Sabung Ayam Deposit Via Pulsa XL & TSEL 25rb.

    Promo Promo BOLAVITA

    Telegram : +62812-2222-995
    Wechat : Bolavita
    WA : +62812-2222-995
    Line : cs_bolavita

    ReplyDelete
  5. Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is also call Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking as is an brilliant stroll thru diverse landscape and subculture complete with prosperous mountain vistas, terraced fields, quaint Gurung villages and a vast range of flowers and fauna during your trip with Treks Himalaya. Get the view of over three dozens of mountains trekking in Nepal. Mt. Annapurna (8091m) of Nepal is the tenth best possible mountain in the world and the journey to its base camp, which is at 4130m height, is one of the most popular walks on earth. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most famous treks in Annapurna region of Nepal trekking. Moreover, we reach our destination by way of Mt. Machapuchhre (Fishtail) which is revered with the aid of the Nepalese for its special beauty and most popular treks in the world. https://www.trekshimalaya.com/annapurna-base-camp-trekking.php

    Furthermore nicely groomed itinerary of this trekking it is a famous preference amongst various outside enthusiasts, from a solo lady tourist to hikers visiting in agencies to Nepal. Many landscapes and convey you so shut to the base of 7,000 and 8,000 meter peaks in a such a quick duration of time as this trek is the combination of easy walking trail along the various landscape, forests, water resources, villages and mountains. After an exploration day in Kathmandu, fly alongside the Himalayan Range to the lake town of Pokhara below the Annapurnas. Spend an afternoon exploring the town and strolling along the lake shore. Trail takes trekkers to base camp of tenth tallest mountain of the world Mt. Annapurna (8091 m).

    This Annapurna Sanctuary Trek presents a comprehensive exploration of the most hanging area in the 50 km Annapurna Range. This trekking package is designed to aid acclimatization with reasonable daily altitude increases. Setting of Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m is unique and fairly spectacular, set amidst the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m). ABC (4130 m) along the Machhapuchhre Base Camp is the ultimate destination for the trekkers in which the panoramic view of mountains never fail to dazzle. It’s ignored with the aid of the domineering peaks of Annapurna (8091m) and Machhapuchchhre (6993m), meaning “Fishtail” for its distinct summit.

    14 days Annapurna Base Camp Trekking itinerary

    Day 01:- Kathmandu-Pokhara (820m.) by drive 6 to 8 hrs, air 25 minute O/N hotel.
    Day 02:- Drive to Nayapul same day Tikhedhunga (1540m.) 4 hrs walk O/N hotel.
    Day 03:- Tikhedhunga-Ghorepani (2850m.) 6 hours walk and overnight hotel.
    Day 04:- Climb up to Poon Hill (3210m.) in the morning, see sunrise in 180 degree
    back down to hotel in Ghorepani & trek to Tadapani (2590m.) 6 hrs walk O/N hotel.
    Day 05:- Tadapani-Chhomrong (2340m.) 5 hours walk and overnight hotel.
    Day 06:- Chhomrong-Himalaya Hotel (2920m.) 6 hours walk and overnight hotel.
    Day 07:- Himalaya Hotel-Annapurna Base Camp (4130m.) 6-7 hrs walk O/N hotel.
    Day 08:- Morning view from ABC and trek to Bamboo (2335m.) 6 hrs walk O/N hotel.
    Day 09:- Bamboo-Jhinu (1780m.) 5 hours walking and overnight hotel.
    Day 10:- Rest day in Jhinu and enjoy with hot spring and overnight hotel.
    Day 11:- Jhinu-Ghandruk (1940m.) 4 hours walking and overnight hotel.
    Day 12:- Ghandruk-Deurali (2000m.) 6 hours walking and overnight hotel.
    Day 13:- Deurali-Dhampus Phedi (1130m.) walk & drive to Pokhara 5 hrs O/N hotel.
    Day 14:- Pokhara-Kathmandu by drive 6 to 8 hours, air 25 minute O/N hotel.

    Further information contact below:-

    Treks Himalaya Pvt. Ltd.
    P.O.Box: 23044, Tarakeshwor-5,
    Lolang, Kathmandu, Nepal
    Phone: 0097715169092
    Mobile: 009779841433205
    guidenepal@gmail.com
    https://www.trekshimalaya.com

    ReplyDelete