TRAVEL

THE MOUNTAINS, THE OTHER SIDE OF SUMMER

ALLIN ALL, A NEW POSSIBILITY, AN OPEN DOOR TO A SUMMER WICH IS DIFFERENT FROM AND COMPLEMENTARY TO THAT OF THE COASTS OF CATALONIA.A JOURNEY THAT WILL ALLOW VISITORS TO COMPLETE THEIR PICTURE OF THE COUNTRY AND, ABOVE ALL, WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF IT. hen the words "Catalonia7' and thousand metres, ktween the valley of scape here is completely different, closer "summer" appear together, most Aran and the eastern region of Girona. to the typical image of the Swiss Alps than of those who know the country, Starting the jorarney in €he city of Girona to that of the Mediterranean. or simply know where it is on the map d ítself, nnquestiionably one of the most You now return along the same road, but Europe, immediately associate it with the kautiful Pn the Principat, the visitor has to towards Sant Joan de les Abadesses, image of beach, sand, water, sun, aowds head towards Banyoles, still on the plain, where you should visit the monastery. of people and so on. But this is nob ani whe~ehe will be ab1e to see a large lake From here, you go on to another monas- altogether accurate picture. Theae ís am- peserved as a first class ecological zone tery, at Ripoll, a few kilometres away, other side to Catalonia and, as welU as ahe and on which one can enjoy al1 sorts of before setting off for one of the most im- summer of the coastal tourist rewrts, me water sports. The itinerary continues to- portant mountain passes in Catalonia, can find a summer that ís rekmedl, cm!, wairds the town of Olot, an important that of Tosses. Before starting this part of green, quieter and less welP known: the Catalan centre and capital of the Garrotxa the journey, though, it is well worth mak- summer of the mountains. region. The town is surrounded by an in- ing a detour and visiting the village of The visitor who would like to see this active volcanic zone and clearly marks the Queralbs. When you get to the top of the hidden side of the country has an im- divisíon between the plain and the start of pass, you can enjoy a fabulous view of mense range of possibilities to choose the mountains. From here on, you can the Ripollks region, in the south, and the from. The most recommendable, by vírtue follow a long, winding road that will take Cerdanya region, in the north. From of its size and therefore the díversíty it you through the towns of Camprodon, here, you can visit the ski-runs of La Mo- offers the visitor, is the Pyrenean route, a Setcases, Molló, Baget, and others; small lina and the villages of Fornells and D6r- joumey of over three hundred kilome- towns that, in winter, act as bases for visit- ria. On the other side of the pass, we tres, at a height of more than one ors to the Vall-Ter ski-resorts. The land- come to Puigcerdi, one of the most im- TRAVEL

portant towns in the Catalan Pyrenees, a border. This region, called La Val1 $Aran, Should you prefer to spend less time trav- commercial centre and a high-class has its own quite different language and elling but still want to see and enjoy the summer resort. A visit to the towns of traditions and its undeniable beauty is mountain scenery, the other possibility is Alp and Llívia is recommended. The lat- possibly the most remarkable of this green to visit the area of Montseny, situated a ter, actually in French territory but under summer we are recommending you. few kilometres from Barcelona. This Spanish administration, boasts a fine This journey can be completed in some range is an immense woodland park sur- church and one of the oldest chemist's seven or eight days, and shows one of the rounded by villages, some of which are shops in Europe. elements that profoundly influences the slightly larger than the villages of the The next stage takes you from Puigcerdh national reality of Catalonia. In recent Pyrenees; for example, Aiguafreda, Vila- to Andorra, calling in at Meranges and years, foreign tourism has begun to show drau or Breda. Here you should visit Martinet, where you find two of the re- an interest in this hidden side of the coun- Santa Fe and Sant Marqal, go on excur- gion's most recommendable restaurants: try, that exists alongside the more popu- sions to the Turó de l'Home or Matagalls the Hotel Boix and Can Borrell. lar tourism in the country. This hidden and see the Hotel Sant Bernat, set amid We can enter and leave Andorra via Seu side is for the tourist who wants to get the most fabulous scenery. d'urgell. Practically al1 of this little coun- away from the noise, the bustle, the Al1 in all, a new possibility, an open door try is worth visiting, for its scenery, the crowds and, at the same time, widen his to a summer which is different from and shopping and the charm of a society with knowledge of our society. complementary to that of the coasts of one foot in the eighteenth century. From The return journey can be made towards Catalonia. A journey that will allow visit- Seu, you go to Viella via Sort, Llavorsí, Barcelona, via the city of Lleida or, if you ors to complete their picture of the coun- Espot, and the Bonaigua pass as far as want to go north, crossing the border at try and, above all, will provide them with Bossost, once again on the French Bagneres de Luchon. a deeper understanding of it. M