For more than 30 years, the Water Sports Lloret Center in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, has provided a wide range of water-related rides to help make a holiday in Lloret an unforgettable experience. The summer of 2011, will be business as usual for the Water Sport Center team, who are now checking equipment and getting ready for the oncoming season.

Water Sports Lloret Attractions

The main water sport attraction for tourists continues to be parasailing, which provides visitors with a hands-free, bird’s eye view of Lloret. Unlike some of the other water attractions, parasailing is a calm, relaxed activity that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. For just 45 euros, beach-goers are privileged to savor an unusual experience they are unlikely to forget.

For the more active, water skiing is hugely popular attraction, that has been enjoyed by many thousands of visitors to Lloret main beach over the last decades. While others choose a different activity because they think water skiing is too difficult, regular participant Christian Mueller, 59, says it is not as hard as many people think.

“I didn’t ever consider trying it”, says Christian who moved to Lloret in the early nineties. “I used to sit on the beach bars and watch the skiers, but never thought I would be able to do it. One day I was with a friend who bet me I wouldn’t be able to stand up on the skis. I took him up on the bet, won his money and have never looked back. Now I think I am the best client the Water Sports Lloret Center has!”

In recent years the “Fly Fish” which on first impressions, looks like a huge inflated kite, has been a soaraway success in the popular Costa Brava resort. To ride the Fly Fish, you don’t need any skills, but you must be able to hang on as though your life depends on it. Each time the kite hits a wave, it literally takes off into the air, and depending on the wind, it can stay up there for quite some time. As several people can ride the Fly Fish at the same time, it is fast becoming the first choice water ride for groups of young people.

The Ski Bus, which is also known as the Banana Boat, is another crazy ride enjoyed by groups who come to the Water Sports Lloret center. Up to 10 people can ride the bus at the same time, but be prepared for a dipping. The bus is jerked through the water by the speed boat driver who makes a big effort to steer the boat at outlandish angles with the intention of throwing the riders.

Water Sports Lloret Discounts

For those can’t decide which activity to choose, Water Sports Lloret party tickets are a wise option. With both the mini and maxi tickets  beach-goers can enjoy all the activities at a largely discounted price.

For more details on water sports in Lloret, go to the Water Sports Lloret center website.

So what is there to do for kids in Lloret de Mar?

The lower part of Lloret de Mar beach is suitable for paddling

Firstly, it must be said, the Lloret beaches are not very child-friendly. The two main beaches, namely Fanals and Lloret have a very steep incline. No sooner than walking just a few steps, you find yourself to be out of your depth. Therefore, unless a child is an older child or a strong swimmer,  you might choose not to allow him to go in the water alone.

The small gravel-like stones on the beach also make it impossible for traditional young-kid beach activities such as sandcastle building.

However, at the furthest tip of both Fanals and Lloret beaches, there exists an area that is sheltered by rocks, where the water is shallow and suitable for paddling. These areas are understandably more frequented by families with young children, so your child is likely to find plenty of playmates.

Depending on the hotel you stay in, there is most likely to be a pool area for younger children; and as they cannot easily move out of your sight, you will probably find they are also perfectly safe in the adult pool provided they can swim or are decked out in armbands.

Costa Encantada Aparthotel

Many of the hotels also have play areas for children. The Costa Encantada in Fanals is reported as being extremely child-friendly and has plenty of  play sections and facilities for children.

This hotel also provides entertainers who will keep an eye on the kids and who additionally host a mini-disco every night, giving parents an opportunity to have a bit of time  alone.

Other than the beach, and the entertainment and facilities your hotel may provide there are several parks and day trips both you and your kids will enjoy in Lloret and surrounding towns.

Waterworld

One outing that shouldn’t be missed while visiting Lloret is a day out at Waterworld.

The park has a total of 17 rides, of which 10 are deemed suitable for young children.

There are also several food outlets, bars, a mini-golf, picnic area and the usual facilities such as lockers, showers etc.

Children under one meter are admitted free, and during 2010, those who measured between 1,00m to 1,40m were admitted for 15 euros. This price allows you to stay in the park all day. The 2010 tariff for adults was 25 euros. Additionally, there are family and group discounts.

Children’s Area Waterworld

The park is in walking distance as it is around two kilometres from the centre of lloret, or around 1.3 miles. However, the last part of the walk in on a main road without a pavement and therefore walking to the park with young children is not advised.

Waterworld provides a free bus to and from the park, which serves Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Pineda de Mar and Calella. The bus leaves Lloret bus station around every 30 minutes; on route it also stops at the Hotel Ancla in Fanals.

To see the bus pick-up timetable from other Costa Brava and Costa Dorada resorts, Click Here.

Marineland

Marineland is another popular day trip which is enjoyed by kids of all ages. Marineland is in reality two parks in one; as it incorporates a water park with a Marine Zoo.  Dolphins, sea lions,  exotic birds,  seals and otters are just some of the park’s inhabitants that will fascinate and entertain young children.

Dolphins at Marineland

Marineland employs guides who will educate the children (and their parents) on each animal and their habitat. Dolphin, sea lion and exotic bird shows are scheduled throughout the day.

The park is situated around 10 km, or 7 miles from Lloret. There is a free bus service provided that serves the resorts of Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar,  Blanes,  Calella,  Pineda de Mar,  Malgrat de Mar and Santa Susanna.

Prices during the 2010 season were 15 euros for a full-day adult ticket, and 10.50 euros for children. If you buy tickets from the Marineland website, you will receive a discount of 1.50 euros per ticket.

Marineland has a restaurant where you can sit down in comfort and eat a full three-course meal; plus many fast food kiosks and small stalls. The park also has a large gift shop, which has a good selection of souvenirs aimed to tempt kids.

Gnome Park

Gnome park, or Gnomo Park is built on a small hillside just outside Fanals, around 1.8 miles from the centre of Lloret.

Adventure Golf at Gnome Park

While the theme of the park is more suited to younger children, their are also facilities for older kids and their parents to enjoy including a licensed restaurant, bowling, remote controlled boats and adventure golf. There are a multitude of activities for the younger ones, such as water slides, mini-karts, an adventure tree area and numerous rides and climbing activities.

The park is set in a natural setting among trees. It could be reached on foot, although this is not recommended as the only way to reach it is by walking on the side of the main road.

Although Gnome park does not have a complementary bus service, the Lloret-Blanes bus stops directly outside the park. This bus leaves Lloret Bus Station every 15 minutes, and the adult fare is around 1.20 euros.

Dates

The theme parks mentioned above are typically open from May when the weather begins to warm up, and close around mid-September. Waterworld sometimes remains open until mid-October; weather permitting.

If you visit Lloret outside of those dates, there may be little available to interest young children other than entertainment provided by hotels and local amusement arcades.

There is a small indoor bowling alley in Lloret, but it is generally more suited to children aged around 10 and above.

Along the seafront in Lloret you will find the Maritime Museum, an interesting collection of boats and all things related to the sea.
Located behind Lloret, half a kilometre up into the mountain, you can find Roman ruins to explore. There is an open top bus which you can pick up on the seafront, which will take you around the Roman ruins and other places of interest.

Not far from Lloret centre, within walking distance along the coast, are the Gardens of San Clotilde. These are beautiful landscaped gardens, in an incredible clifftop setting, with breathtaking views over the sea. The gardens were designed in the manner of the Italian Renaissance, by Nicolau Rubio i Tuduri , when only 28 years old, showing immense admiration for his master and inspiration, Forestier.

Forestier taught Spanish Arabic style, mixed with French, as he used on the Montjuic gardens. Nicolau here though, preferred to use the spirit of the Italian Renaissance.

Nordic Walking is being promoted in Lloret de Mar, as another facet to its offers to tourism. Nordic Walking is the same as taking a normal daily stroll, but using specially designed poles, aimed at improving muscle, the cardiovascular system, coordination and mobility. The walking can be combined with a series of exercises to help power or muscle  elasticity depending on the individual’s physical level.

This project, forming part of the Lloret nature programme and musical sports service, claims the following goals: to raise awareness of Nordic walking among the population as well as tourists, emphasising health benefits, and enable walkers to discover the beautiful natural settings, and to add a new outdoor activity as an aid to discovering the interesting trails and coastal paths of the Costa Brava. Also hoping for Lloret to become known as a Nordic walking destination for the growing number of enthusiasts from all over Europe.

Scuba diving is a popular pastime around the Costa Brava, with diving centres in Lloret de Mar, Tossa, Estartit, L’Escala among others.

The Costa Brava offers some of the best diving in Spain, with an abundance of interesting sites along the rugged coastline (Costa Brava means rugged coast) Divers with all levels of training and experience will find something to interest them.

Water temperature varies from 13° in the winter to 24° in the summer, so divers can enjoy their sport all year round, provided the northerly tamuntana doesn’t put in an appearance: icy winds from the Pyrenees which can gust at well over 100 km an hour. Some dive centres operate all year round, but of course in winter there are occasions when weather will not permit.

Highlights of diving off the Costa Brava include the submarine nature reserves of the Medas Islands, and the Cap de Creus Natural Park as well as a number of dive sites over wrecked ships. Diving excursions are available, as are diving lessons.

The Costa Brava is also famous for its wonderful golf courses. There are 11 full 18 hole courses. Nine championship courses and several nine hole pitch and putt. PGA championship golf is played here, in the PGA golf de Catalunya.

The professional courses are:

• PGA Golf de Catalunya
• Golf Serres de Pals
• Golf Platja Pals
• Golf Girona
• Club de Golf D’Aro-Mas Nou
• Club de Golf Costa Brava
• Empordà Golf
• Golf Club Perelada
• Torremirona Golf Club

In Lloret de Mar, and close by, there are several spas and water treatment centres, and also many natural springs in the surrounding countryside.

In Fenals, Lloret de Mar, you will find the Gem Wellness and Spa Centre. It spreads 1600 m² over two floors, and you will enjoy the services of a medical equipment specialist, dietician and nutritionist.

Therapies available include:

• Physio electrotherapy, ultrasound, spinal traction, Massage, and pressure therapy.
• Aerosol therapy: inhalation and steam baths
• Rejuvenating beauty treatments for face and body.
• Balneotherapy Unit, with therapeutic baths, underwater massage, seaweed wraps, seaweed baths, essential oil baths, dynamic pool, mud treatments, Scottish shower and Saunas.

Caldes de Malavella is the site of a natural hot spring when you can collect natural spring water from natures own ‘taps.’ It also boasts a beautiful spa treatment centre.

The characteristics of the spas:

Hyperthermic, bicarbonated, sodium rich, mineral rich, and a 60° c temperature.

Therapeutic indications:

Rheumatism, arthritis, circulation, respiratory tracts, digestive tracts, health treatments, beauty treatments, stress.

Technical:

Thermal pool, hydro massage, massage, Jacuzzi, pressure shower, Massage shower, foot reflexology, inhalations, obesity treatments, facial and body aesthetics, sauna, treatments with clay, mud and myrrh, and UVA treatments.

The Renaissance and Art Nouveau style resort in the centre of Caldes de la Selva, has good views of the town, and is surrounded by a lovely park with woods and gardens. It is easily reached, within 30 km of any of the main tourist resorts on the Costa Brava.

The Costa Brava also has some wonderful places for your day excursions:

• Marineland, a theme park with rides and fun as well as many examples of the wonderful marine life from this area.
• Waterworld, a water park with enormous slides and fun for all the family.
• An children’s adventure fun park In Lloret de Mar, where you can swing from the trees, climb rope ladders, and grope your way across rope bridges. The park also includes a gnome park for the little ones.

With so many places to see and visit, there’s never a dull moment on the Costa Brava!

Catalonia in comparison to other areas, is generally well run with decent roads and an expanding railway network.The A7 motorway is rarely more several minutes drive away, and connects to the French autopiste network.

Barcelona is easily accessible; golf courses are numerous and of the highest standard. In winter, there is skiing available in the nearby Pyrenees. Cheap flights are available into Girona airport and to Barcelona and Perpignan. Eating out is inexpensive and a real pleasure.
Generally, the cost of living on the Costa Brava is reasonable. Eating out will usually cost between 15 and 30 euros per person, and public transport in Spain is remarkably cheap compared to the rest of Europe. Due to the collapse of the Costa Bravaproperty market,  attractive property can be found very cheaply.

Many different nationalities settle on the Costa Brava and become permanant residents , but unlike further south nationalities are intermingled, with no “English” estates or “German” estates. The whole atmosphere tends to be more cosmopolitan.

Before buying anything, do visit the area in and out of season. Resorts that are a lively hub of action in the summer often die completely in the winter. Many Catalonian from Barcelona and other cities spend their summer holidays on the  Costa Brava; they don’t live here, and many don’t even visit at week-ends out of season. If you are buying just for summer rentals and/or your own summer holidays, that does not matter, but if you are thinking of permanent residence, it is a critical factor. Never assume that you may be able to rent your property in winter. It is quite unlikely.

If you are thinking of semi-permanent or even permanent residence, you may be concerned that you will find it hard to make friends here, and therefore be somewhat isolated. This is generally not so. Most residents are retired or semi-retired and it is fairly easy to meet new people, particularly of course if you play golf. Incomers tend to be of a similar age and background, even if from different countries. They too want to make new friends.

All in all though, the reasons to move to the Costa Brava are evident, as it is a terrific place to holiday or live as long as you have thought your decision through. The Costa Brava is not the Costa del Sol either in terms of weather or lifestyle, but it is culturally rich, welcoming, and offers a great life to those that respond to what it offers.

The original of this article “Reasons to Move to the Costa Brava” was published by Costa Brava Homes.