Overview:
The stunning Costa Brava region of north east Spain is home to the sunkissed coastal resort of Tossa de Mar. Now Tossa may sound like the kind of place where George Michael would enjoy a holiday, but it is also a hell of a party town packed with pumping bars and heaps of daytime activities that make use of the crystal blue waters and the the nearby Cadiretas mountains. Unlike a lot of other towns in the Spanish hot spots, Tossa is thankfully not yet overrun with stag dos and pasty British tourists and retains a strong sense of traditional Spanish character.
Plus, topless sun bathing is a favoured pastime of the local lasses along the four miles of golden beaches. Hot.
The Facts:
- Tossa de Mar is located on the southern part of the Costa Brava, just 30 miles north of Barcelona.
- Many airlines fly direct from the UK to Girona, which is a 30 minute ride out to Tossa.
- Lloret de Mar, a 'Benidorm' style party town is just 10 miles or a 20 minute cab ride away.
- The battlements of Tossa de Mar castle featured in the 1951 Ava Gardner movie Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.
- During the 18th and 19th century Tossa de Mar developed - of all things - a healthy cork industry. As you do.
Drinking Scene:
Tossa de Mar's nightlife is centred around the hive of old town bars, clubs and restaurants that sit at the foot of the castle, just off the southern end of the beach. Groups can party like the locals by downing some traditional sangria or grab an ice cold Spanish beer while watching the stunning beach babes go by. Those who are after a more hardcore English resort/nightlife scene can easily hop into a cab and travel to Lloret, with its bigger, brasher nightlife and a casino.
Food:
One of the most well-known and popular Spanish dishes is paella, a tasty mix of rice with Mediterranean sea food (lobsters, clams, mussels) and vegetables. Other local specialities are the 'fideua' (sea food noodles) and the 'arros negre' or 'black rice' (rice with cuttlefish ink!). Some truly amazing seafood specialities abound in the narrow winding streets of the old fishing village.
Daytime Activities:
Adrenaline is in no short supply in Tossa. One of the best ways to blow away your hangover is with a crazy inflatable speedboat ride followed by a swim into some of the old smugglers' sea caves that dot the coastline. The quad biking in the Cadiretas (which begins a 5 min walk from your hotel) is some of the best quadding we have done anywhere in Europe. A championship quality paintball centre is also located close by, as well as a very good five-a-side football pitch and a top notch golf course.
Weather:
The weather in the Costa Brava is typical for the Mediterranean area, with its four distinct seasons. The weather is cool in autumn and winter but by late spring the waters are usually warm enough to swim in. The beach season usually kicks off just after Easter. June, July and August are the warmest months with temperatures easily reaching 30 degrees.
Currency:
The official currency in Spain is the Euro. The exchange rate is presently about €1.20 to £1. You can easily change money in hotels, banks, foreign exchange offices and ATMs. Exchange rates may vary.
Transport:
The town of Tossa de Mar is easily navigated on foot. We will collect you in a minibus from Girona or Barcelona airports and drop you back for your return flight. For activities outside the centre we will also provide a minibus transfer. Taxis to Lloret cost about 20 euros.
What Do Chillisauce Do For You?
We provide a one stop shop for sorting out everything for your Costa Brava weekend. We live, eat and breathe stag parties and after years of fine tuning, we know what works. Obviously you could have a crack at organising it yourself, however that does have its risks. There are always a few 'rogue elements' who will be happy to relieve tourists from their hard earned cash, so be careful! By booking with Chillisauce you rule out having to worry about these sorts of things. Have a look through our suggested package weekends and feel free to give us a call. If you would like to build your own custom package, that's fine too. We're more than happy to answer any of your questions and look forward to organising you a top weekend!