Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is a holiday resort located in Catalonia on the Costa Brava, about 95 kilometres north of Barcelona and 100 kilometres south of the French border. It is accesible through Girona airport, some distance north. This is a pretty town with cobbled streets, a magnificent ancient castle and a beautiful mountainous hinterland with lush green valleys, gorges and natural springs. There's a bustling beach life in this attractive resort which appeals to couples and families rather than all night revellers.

Tossa lies at the heart of the Costa Brava, 95 kilometres north of Barcelona and 100 kilometres south of the French border. It's a world away from its near neighbour, Lloret de Mar which is the place to go if you're after more of a Club 18-30 type of holiday.

The coastline is a 14-kilometre stretch of sandy tourist beaches and small sheltered coves. There's a full range of watersports to be enjoyed here; the crystal clear waters and nearby islands are a magnet for scuba divers, snorkellers (and those who prefer underwater discovery from the safety of a glass bottomed boat!)

The town has an old quarter called Villa Vella which features an intact defence walls and towers. The castle which was constructed around 1187 is a highlight for any visit to Tossa de Mar, as it is steeped in history and provides a stunning view of the surrounding area including the 14 kilometre stretch of pristine sandy beaches and small coves.

Just 800 metres from the town is the Sa Riera park, a man-made nature reserve consisting of a Mediterranean forest, river and lake with an underground watering system all designed to encourage a wealth and diversity of plant and animal life.

Tossa has enough restaurants, cocktail bars and clubs to keep the average middle-market "thirty-something" holidaymaker happy during the long hot summer nights. But don't expect the wildest party scene on the Costa Brava here.if that's what you're after, head south to the nextdoor resort of Lloret de Mar.

There are plenty of good restaurants down at the seafront (especially in the old quarter) offering both international cuisine and local Catalan dishes. In high season restaurants and bars stay open well past midnight and many lay on live music and flamenco.