Holidays in Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is a popular tourist destination in the coastal town of Catalonia in the Mediterranean. A favourite amongst us Brits, it has become a popular for its package holidays and is synonymous with the 18-30`s crowds seeking a warm climate and an active nightlife.

Though some may say that the influx of visitors has overpowered the culture somewhat, Lloret de Mar has in fact always been a place widely associated with entertainment. Back in the second and third centuries, the Iberian settlers had already established relations with other cultures enabling them to buy goods and pottery from Greece and Rome. Whilst sea trades meant that the economy began to boom during the nineteenth century, the civil war left its impact on the town which went into an economic decline. It wasn`t until the 1950`s that Lloret de Mar sought opportunities from tourism and so went about converting the old mansions into high rise hotels.

For those seeking an action packed holiday, then Lloret de Mar has much to offer. Its beautiful clear waters and sloping beaches make it ideal for a variety of water sports from the more gentle pedalling boats to the more adventurous windsurfing. The Waterworld aquatic park makes for a great family day out as do the golf courses, tennis courts, go-karting and bowling alleys that attract a number of visitors every year.

After sunset, there are literally hundreds of bars and over thirty night clubs to choose from, where guests can indulge in cocktails, dancing and karaoke, as well as take advantage of the level of competition amongst the different bars who frequently reduce prices to attract the customers. For a more family-friendly evening, then there are also a number of 'home-style' pubs in the suburb of Fenals where the kids will have their own entertainment.

The active nature of Lloret de Mar ensures that visitors return year after year, and along with its regional cuisine, the time-honoured fiestas remain a major attraction. If you`re visiting between June and September, the Placa de la Vila on a Saturday night will see the locals dance the Sardana - a traditional dance (once banned under Franco`s fascist regime) that represents the sense of brotherhood and democracy amongst the Catalonians.

Loret de Mar is located about 70km from Barcelona airport, and 30km from Girona airport to which there are many budget savvy flights from domestic airports in the UK. The large package holiday nature of the resort means that many tourists will be catered for when it comes to travelling from the airport to their own hotels. There are over 130 hotels to choose from, most of which are rated three stars and above. Along with the holiday apartments, private villas and campsites, visitors have a wide choice but remember that the peak season (July and August) will see these fill up fast.

For more details on where to stay this summer, see Rental apartments in Costa Brava