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It is important that you take into account your planned destination has a good record on

gay rights as some countries are rolling back gains made and so do not deserve the

income from tourist.

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France:

Almost all swimming pools including those at holiday parks,

camp sites etc insist that all male

visitors wear trucks & not shorts of any type so don`t risk getting banned.

Some motorway tolls are cash only so make sure your haves some lose euros.

Hypermarkets & Supermarkets often close around midday,or don`t open on Sundays, so make

sure you do your shopping before the weekend.

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Barcelona Spain:

The Rambla: A long pedestrian boulevard shaded by plane trees runs up from the port to the

main square.

The Boqueria Market: About two thirds the way up the Ramble is the Boqueria which is far more

than just a market. The displays are magnificent with everything from seafood to fruit juices.

Allow plenty of time and come in hungry. Various food

bars in the middle.

The Barri Gotic: On the north side of the Ramble stands Barcelona`s medieval heart and its like

steeping into the set of Game Of Thrones. You see glimpses of fountains and patios, expect

a dragon marching towards you. Not forgetting the 13th century cathedral with its highly

decorated faced. This area is where to find proper tapas bars.

The Rambla Del Mar And Port Vell: A continuation of the inland Rambla but across the

water leading out to the Maremagnum shopping center,leisure center and the aquarium.

Barceloneta And The Beach: Land sticking out into the sea formally a place of dock workers,

and now thick with cafes, narrow lanes, and a place to hire a bike. Popular with younger crowds.

Hop On Hop Of Bus: There are many routes enabling you to get a quick view of the famous

land marks. Try to avoid main ticket offices as they are full price.

Palau Guell & Park Guell: Industrialist Eusebi Guell was Antoni Gaudi`s chief patron and two

key destinations carry his name. The Guell Palace is the most easily accessible just of the

Rambla. Park Guell: take the metro out of Lesseps.Entering the park is like entering a

magical kingdom.

Places To Visit: Goths, medieval lanes, Fancy Steps: roofs in Barcelona, Gaudi`s Casa Battlo,

the beach, The Palce at Montjuic, Sargarda Famila.

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Sitges Spain:

The History of Sitges

An Introduction

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Sitges was put on the map toward the end of the 19th century when it became a hip enclave

of bohemian cool, attracting writers, artists and intellectuals. They fell in love with and were In

spired by what was then a small and attractive fishing village. Among the leading cultural

figures who made their way to the northeast coast of Spain was Santiago Rusiñol, a Spanish

poet, painter and playwright and a leading light

of Catalan modernism. 

The art and literature movement flourished here and in nearby Barcelona, finding expression

in architecture, painting, design and decorative arts.Its legacy can be glimpsed in some of

the buildings that grace the town such as Cau Ferrrat, Rusiñol’s former home now a museum,

and the magnificent Maricel Palace.

Early Civilizations

Long before the artistic set moved in, Sitges was the seaside home of numerous cultures

and civilizations spanning thousands of years. Excavations in the 1950s revealed a 53,000-year-old

mandible tooth and in 2012, scientists identified a Neanderthal incisor tooth that’s believed

to be just as old.  It was found in the nearby Gegant cave. 

These are among the oldest

human remains found in this part of Spain. 

Turn the clock back to the sixth century BC and there is a clutch of small settlements in the area. 

Toga-wearing Romans came into town a few centuries later and evidence of a third century

AD Roman villa has been found in the Vinyet area. During the Roman era, Sitges was an

important port trading products with other towns and

cities along the Roman Mediterranean.

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One of the earliest mentions of Sitges comes from parchments dating back to the 10th century. 

It was during this time that many silos were discovered, cavities gouged out of the ground to

store grain and preserve food.  They gave the town its name as the Catalan word for silo is “sitja”.

By the eleventh century AD there was a castle, but today no visible remains of the defensive

stronghold exist.  The current town hall building was constructed over its ancient foundations

on La Punta Hill at the end of the 19th century.

Bombs and Bullets

Life has not always been genteel for the good folk of Sitges.  During the Franco-Spain War

(1635-1659) Neapolitan soldiers from Felipe IV of Spain's army looted the place and in 1649

Sitges was attacked by the Viceroy of Catalonia’s troops.  Two days of heavy bombardment

from land and sea caused extensive damage, including the collapse of part of the town’s

defensive wall.  Sitges was also ravaged by pirate attacks, the War of the Spanish Succession

(1701-1714), the Peninsula War (1808-1814) and a series of civil wars in the 19th century.   

However, the town is made of stern stuff and survived the onslaughts to grow and prosper.

Good Times

For many years Sitges traded on agriculture, fishing and the wines produced in its vineyards,

its fortunes waxing and waning with harvests and the state of the economy.  The 19th century

was a period of great prosperity as trade routes opened up with America.  Along with the exports,

many Sitgetans also left Spanish shores.  Some returned, once they had made their fortunes

overseas. 

 

They invested a lot of money in the area and built sumptuous villas, some of which are

still standing.

Every year during the Festa Major of Sitges two giant figures with painted papier maché

heads

and arms represent these "Americanos" who did so much for the town by pouring money

into banking,

industries, railways and the vineyards.

The good times continued to roll and by the end of the century new industries had

sprung up

such as shoe manufacturing.  More than 20 factories across several industries employed

most of the population, including a gas factory that produced gas for street lamps. 

Tourists also started to make a beeline for Sitges, attracted by its landscape, medicinal

bath waters and cultured and cosmopolitan

vibe.  By now, the poets, intellectuals and artists were in residence.

During the 1960s, Sitges was the epicentre of Spain’s counterculture movement, a

liberal antidote

to the ultra-conservative strictures of Franco’s dictatorship. Today, this forward-looking and

easy-going town cherishes its historic roots which are seen in the museums, buildings,

artworks and colourful festivals that are celebrated throughout the year.

The town is a thriving community and popular tourism destination attracting hundreds of

thousands of visitors each year from nearby Barcelona and across the world.

The town is now well known for its international gay scene and hugely popular a

nnual carnival held in February, as well as the annual Sitges International Film

Festival held in October.