Spain is a vibrant culturally rich European nation on the Iberian Peninsula... with a deep history and stunning varied landscapes... I've only scratched the surface with what I wrote last month and what I'm sharing now....
Spain in more linguistically complex than most people realize... If you look at a map of Spain you will notice that place names have variant spellings... such as Villajoyosa and La Vila Joiosa... Almost anyone who took Spanish class in school learned to speak and read Castilian Spanish...which is the language used in Madrid and Seville. Catalonian Spanish or Catalan is the language used in much of Northern and Eastern Spain including Barcelona and Valencia as well as the Balearic Islands... I'm only bringing it up because often there are two different words meaning the same thing like 'playa' for beach in Castilian and 'platja' in Catalan... I've never had a problem with communication traveling (because I alway brush up on my language skills and have some common phrases memorized in case I need them... to tell you the truth almost every time I've met someone and I'm trying to speak a different language most have said in English that they want to practice speaking English... I think they were just being nice... that being said once you get off the beaten path... you don't always find people who speak English as a second language... so be prepared to communicate... it's a lot easier now because our phones have a language app.
The Official slogan of the Barcelona Football Club is "Més que un club" meaning more than a club... it was officially adopted in 1968 and represents the clubs deep connection to Catalan identity, democracy, social commitment, and values beyond sport such as unity, pride and solidarity... And thus sums of my feelings of admiration and respect.
I've met a lot of people that seem to think nudity laws are very loose in Barcelona... you have to understand that public nudity has been regulated since 2011...Nudity is permitted at the beach and the surrounding areas. Public nudity has been banned on the streets.
Spain is said to have over 200 costal sites where nude swimming and sunbathing is customary... that are strewn across the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts as well as the islands...nudity is generally accepted on any remote beach outside cities and towns... in addition many accommodations and resorts offer a clothing optional experience.
Barcelona is in the northern area of the part of Spain's Mediterranean coast known as Costa Dorado... Barcelona has three urban beaches established as clothing optional and all three can be reached by public transit.
Playa de la Mora is located just north of Barcelona in an industrial zone... it's rather bleak surroundings do not stop a large number of beach enthusiasts. It's easy to find... take Metro Line 2 to the Sant Roc stop in Badelona... from there is about a 1 km walk (use the chimney towers of the power plant as landmarks) walk east along Avinguda del Mareseme to the end of the street then go left around the power plant to reach the beach... If you drive there is street parking.
Spain is one of the places for me like Italy and Greece that I've never had a bad time... so whether you go to la playa or la platja your experiences will be the same but please be courteous , follow the rules... carry out what you brought in... and have fun...
After the beach... I usually start with food....
The food in Spain is in my opinion some of the best that the world has to offer... do a little research... go on line and find what will satisfy your taste buds... look into a cooking class if you are so inclined....
Since my friend and I attended the Olympics... I've never gone back to Barcelona without making a stop for at least a few day in Sitges.... this is the closest place we could find to stay...about 40 minutes away... and we only got in because there was a last minute cancellation... but the experience was so wonderful I've always loved going back for more.
It's a very popular destination with a very vibrant night life... The town beaches of Sitges are actually a long continuous beach divided by piers of eight small beach coves... the sixth (if counting south to north) with skimpy swim costumes to near nakedness.
It's two side by side coves both of which are designated clothing optional. A few kilometers south of central Sitges... the first cove about 300 meters is a mixed mostly nude crowd... the second is the southern cove around the corner about 150 meters of beach it's pretty much all gay and all nude... This is a somewhat strenuous hike so wear sturdy shoes and bring provisions... Sometimes there is a vendor or two selling refreshments... but not always. Finding it is pretty easy. The Hotel Terramar is a prominent eight story white facade hotel on the south end of town... follow the beachside road to the Atlantida nightclub from that parking lot there is a clifftop coastal path parallel to a railroad track. After about 10 minutes you reach the first cove and the second cove is around the corner... Public transportation will take you are far as the hotel and a taxi can take you from there to the nightclub. If you have a car public parking is available near the hotel.
It's really a charming beautiful costal town full of alley ways with shops and restaurants...
And a couple of vineyards in the area offer a tour and wine tasting with van pick at your hotel...
If you want to do any shopping... please keep in mind that the shops are open from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon... and reopen from 5:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 at night... some shops stay open until 11:00 pm during high season. (this is about the time that night life starts to take off)
There is so much more... if you fall in love with Spain the way I did you just have to make the commitment with yourself to come back every chance you get... Perhaps in the not too distant future we will return to talk about and revisit all the other places I love too... Spain has something for everybody... plus a little extra.
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