Spain's L'Escala on the Mediterranean Coast
The GPS took us right to the doorstep of our apartment; next to a rough and windy Mediterranean...lucky for us that was the most tempestuous we ever saw the sea! We were on the top floor of a building with 8 units - a to die for view - and within walking distance to everything in town. Wow! Really the weather was clear, dry, warmish and hard to complain - especially when we got news of the rough icy, snow-packed winter in Denver.
L'Escala is a small fishing village of about 5,000 that balloons to over 50,000 with summer vacationers. This is the area of the Costa Brava where the Romans first landed in Spain and took over the peninsula from the Greeks, who had taken it over from the Celts, who had taken it over from the Iberians. It was our first experience with the Dolmens and Menhirs of the Celts which were generally all located in out of the way, scenic places that were well worth the reason for the journey.
We enjoyed all of the cultural celebrations of Christmas time with the three kings arriving by boat, protected by the Roman guards. We walked thru the Passado of Pals where biblical scenes are reenacted all through this restored medieval village a few evenings a year. On Christmas Day, when we were expecting everything to be closed, there were people out on all the streets wishing their friends well. We decided to go for coffee and pastries and walk around with everyone - a very pleasant way to spend the day.
We stayed here a month, enjoying many day trips to surrounding areas. Really we could have stayed much longer as we still seemed to have a list of interesting ideas. It was great to live as locals, and meet some locals such as Wendy and Stan. We sat next to them at lunch one day - a restaurant we went back to on paella day. We met up with them another evening for dinner and then again for a trip to Dali's wife's house for lunch. It has been fun to stay in contact with them and keep tabs on the community.
Sunrise over L'Escala Spain- View from our fifth level balcony of one of the many great sunrises over the Bay of Roses on the Mediterranean.
 Henry on Balcony of our new home for the month |
 Sunrise over the Mediterranean from our balcony |
 Pam near Dolmen de la d'en Cobertella |
 Celtic Dolmen de la d'en Cobertella |
 Henry at Iberian/Celtic Menhir de la Casa Cremada II |
 Doorway in Medieval town of Pals |
 Pals Living Nativity Chapel |
 Henry at Dolmen de les Vinyes Mortes |
 Pam at Dolmen near Espolla |
 Henry at Monestir Sant Pere de Rhodes |
 Pam at Jadin Botanic Mar i Murtra |
 Henry at Jadin Botanic Mar i Murtra |
 Pam enjoying the Mediterranean near Tossa de Mar |
 Our new friends Wendy and Stan |
 Pam and Henry enjoying lunch with Wendy and Stan |
 Sunset from our L'Escala balcony |
Schedule
Itinerary Highlights.
Fun things to do.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| La Vilella Baixa - Hike to Pont Cavaloco (base of Montsant) Torroja del Priorat, Spain |
Parc Nat Delta Ebre La Cava Sant Carles de la Ràpita Torroja del Priorat, Spain |
Paint-Sketch stone bridge across Rio Siurana Torroja del Priorat, Spain |
Montserrat & George left for Barcelona Hike to Barraca del Creuetes (Montsant) Torroja del Priorat, Spain |
Paint Stone Bridge Drive to Falset (Internet), Reus (ATM), & Carrefour (groceries) |
Flix & Asco on the Rio Ebro Iberian Poblet del Roig del Roget Torroja del Priorat, Spain |
Montserrat Helped old man with his high centered car Girona L'Escala, Spain #4 Passeig Mar, L'Escala |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Sunday Market Toured Marina & Town L'Escala, Spain |
Christmas Day - Holiday Walked around L'Escala L'Escala, Spain |
Three kings Festivities in Town for the kids Listen - City Band in Square L'Escala, Spain |
Hike Parc Natural Aiguamols de l'Empordà L'Escala, Spain |
Pals Medieval town Begur Castle Hill Aiguablava Beach - Lunch Ullastret Iberian Ruins L'Escala, Spain |
L'Escala anchovy & Sal Museum Empuries Greek & Roman Town L'Escala, Spain |
Roses Hike Megalithic Trail to Dolmens L'Escala, Spain |
| 31 | 1 January 2007 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Hike to Empuries & Beach L'Escala, Spain |
New Years Day - Holiday Hike Cliff South of L'Escala Pals Living Nativity L'Escala, Spain |
Trip Planning & Relaxation L'Escala, Spain |
Tour Carcassone, France Walk Midi Cannel Gorges de Galamas L'Escala, Spain |
Drive to L'Estartit Torroella de Montgrí L'Escala, Spain |
Hike to Dolmen de les Vinyes Mortes Drive to El Port de la Selva, St Pere de Rhodes, & Cadaqués L'Escala, Spain |
Kings Day - Holiday Hike Parc Natural Aiguamols de l'Empordà L'Escala, Spain |
| 7 January 2007 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Jadin Botanic Mar i Murtra Tour Blanes, Lloret de Mar, & Tossa de Mar L'Escala, Spain |
Tour Espolla Dolmen near Espolla L'Escala, Spain |
Tour Olot Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica Sant Joan les Fonts Besalú (Ponte) L'Escala, Spain |
Poblat Iberic de Castell Dolmen de la Cova d'en Daina L'Escala, Spain |
Day off L'Escala, Spain |
Day off L'Escala, Spain |
Collioure, France L'Escala, Spain |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Relax L'Escala, Spain |
Empuriabrava L'Escala, Spain |
Tour Figueres Teatre-Museu Dalí L'Escala, Spain |
Lunch with Wendy and Stan L'Escala, Spain |
Ceramic Shopping Re-visit Ullastret Iberian Ruins L'Escala, Spain |
Day-off & pack for France L'Escala, Spain |
Drive to France Pont du Gard Les Arcs, France 1 Rue du Four 83460 Les Arcs / Argens |
Happy Travels,
Pam and Henry
Copyright © 2004-2010 Teal Sky. All rights reserved. Last updated 04-Feb-2010.