Spain's Costa Dorada (or Dourada) translates as the Gold Coast thanks to the sun-kissed beaches which skirt around more than 100 miles of coastline southwest of Barcelona.
Salou is the region's primary resort, a haven for families with young children, and the epitome of the mass market tourism traditionally so popular with British holidaymakers. Away from the high-rise, however, the area's true culture and flavour remain intact. The Old World ornateness of towns like Tarragona and Sitges, the pine-scented hills of Sierra de Prades, and the vineyards of Penedes are all testament to this.
Getting there/getting around Costa Dorada
The bulk of tourists travel to the Costa Dorada via Barcelona's El Prat de Llobregat or Reus airports, the latter more suitable if you're staying in the southern end of the region. Bus and tour operators offer transfers to the surrounding resorts.
Car hire is also an option, with highways from Barcelona servicing the main towns along the coast. Alternatively, hop onto one of the trains that run from Barcelona-Sants station.
Beaches in Costa Dorada
The sprawling resort of Salou is the undisputed tourist capital of the Costa Dorada, particularly popular with families thanks to its safe, sandy beaches and the nearby draw of the Port Aventura theme park.
The more humble fishing town of Cambrils offers respite from Salou's crowded shores, while nearby La Pineda boasts a good, clean beach and Aquopolis waterpark.
Sitges, meanwhile, is an attractive town south of Barcelona with a sweeping palm-lined promenade and a quaint old town.
Sightseeing in the Costa Dorada
Often referred to as the St Tropez of Spain, Sitges is a stylish beach resort, steeped in cultural heritage. The ornate museums of its old town chronicle Sitges's love affair with the arts, making visits to the Palau Maricel and El Cau Ferrat, the former home of influential 19th century painter Santiago Rusiņol,essential.
World Heritage site Tarragona is home to a wealth of historical attractions. The city's quaint tree-lined old square, Placa de la Font, is good place to start before exploring its immense Gothic cathedral, which houses numerous important tapestries and sculptures. The city's fascinating past is also evident in the abundant Roman remains on display - including a circus, forum and amphitheatre.
Restaurants in Costa Dorada
The region's renowned for its exquisite fish dishes, with particularly good seafood restaurants found in Cambrils and Sitges. Local specialities include delicious romescos (fish with rice or noodles), a rich fish stew called Suquet, paellas, and all kinds of steamed or grilled shellfish and molluscs.
Non-fish eaters can, of course, find an abundance of British grub, although more adventurous diners might like to sample other local curiosities, including pig's trotters with snails, rabbit with rice, partridge casserole, or truita amb suc (a juicy omelette).
To wash everything down, try sparkling Cava from Penedes or any of the high quality wines from any of Tarragona's 36 vineyards.
Nightlife in Costa Dorada
Salou is indisputably the Costa Dorada's most hectic nightspot, but some might baulk at the raucousness of its Brit-oriented bars and discos.
Older holidaymakers, for example, will be more at ease in the refined surrounds of Tarragona or La Pineda, while at weekends trendy Barcelonans descend on cosmopolitan Sitges, whose party credentials are further boosted by virtue of its thriving gay scene.
Shopping in Costa Dorada
Souvenir hunters should look out for traditional handicrafts such as iron work, pottery and botas - leather wine bottles made from goatskin.
Fashionistas should head to Barcelona for its great designer shops, market stalls and modern department stores. Boutiques can also be found in Sitges and along La Rambla Nova in Tarragona. Cambrils and Salou host popular markets.
Family attractions in Costa Dorada
Port Aventura theme park, near Salou, is part of the Universal Mediterranea Resort. It offers five themed zones, tons of rides, restaurants and shows and adjoins the Caribe Aquatic Park, a giant water park. Day passes can be bought or you can always stay in one of three on-site hotels.
There's also the Aquopolis water park at La Pineda which also features mini-golf and a zoo, and is open from May to October.
Day trips in Costa Dorada
Visit the Delta del Ebre Nature Park, a huge wetland area of salt and fresh water lakes, spectacular sand dunes and salt marshes. It's also home to over 300 species of birds, with twitchers frequenting the park in October and November to witness a mass migration. Walking, fishing, horse riding and boat trips are also available. You'll need to hire a car to get there, though.
Tours can also be arranged to the Mountain of Montserrat which towers over 4000ft high, offers stunning views, and boasts a 11th century Benedictine monastery.
If you like the Costa Dorada, read the following travel guides to:
