Saint Narcis - Girona's Patron Saint's Fantastic Festival

Girona's reputation as one of Spain's most beautiful cities is a well-deserved one. It ranks among the top cities to live in every year, and the history, legends and culture that imbue the winding streets and stone walls make it a treasure for any inquisitive traveler. But every year at this time, the city rolls out the fireworks, giants, street stalls selling everything from roasted chestnuts to regional wines to books and locally produced crafts. Today marks Saint Narcis, the patron saint of the city whose church is easily recognizable to anyone familiar with Girona as the "other" church in the city (the Cathedral sits high above everything else). The saint's history and  legend intertwine throughout the 2000 year history of the city.  While October 29 is the official date, the festival lasts for a week, combining its proximity to the celebration of All Saints and ending on the following Sunday.

In addition to the stalls and traditional dances (Sardanas and Haveneres), there are a number of open house visits that are free and include some of the most remarkable buildings in the city. Throughout the day and week the city is one large celebration of history, culture and the vibrant daily life that make Girona such a special city.

For more information on private guided tours in Girona or throughout Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

A Different sort of Sunday Afternoon in Barcelona - time for a ride

On Sunday I picked up a happy couple for a different sort of Barcelona experience. They had been travelling around Spain, had visited Madrid, taken a Mediterranean cruise and had just arrived in Barcelona the previous day. And now they were headed up to take a horseback ride through the Collserola hills just behind Barcelona. A romantic outing and a unique way to get a different view of the Catalan capital. Their arrival coincided with the coldest weather Barcelona has had in months. Not particularly cold, mind you, just colder than it had been. But Sunday morning broke with a crystal blue sky, and the winds that had whipped the region Saturday had settled down. By midday they had all but blown themselves out. As we headed out to the we talked about the history of the city and Picasso.

The horse ranch was almost completely empty, as Sunday afternoon is not a very popular time for locals to go out. And the route chosen would take them on the hills where the clear skies would allow for some great panoramas over the city. First they had to get to know the horses, brushing them and learning how to fit the bridle. Naomi even borrowed some riding shoes from the instructor. Two and a half hours later we headed back to the city, and both of them were extremely happy with their experience, having thoroughly enjoyed their romantic, personalized adventure.

For more information on private guided tours in Barcelona and throughout Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.