Two weeks were not enough to see and do all that was available in the Salou / La Pineda area.  There is much more in the outlying areas.  Madrid appeared to be an easy overnight trip by train we will save until next time.

     As could be imagined, things were very low key and laid back.  Nearly all shops closed during the middle of the day.  Early on the first morning (Sunday), I took a stroll to the beach and found already in progress a traditional bocci tournament in the open lot in front of the hotel.  The tournament lasted the better part of the day.  Bocci is also a popular game on the beach played with plastic balls.

     The beach (topless) was a five minute walk from the hotel.  The beach rules appear to be very liberal as you will also find the occasional fisherman sharing the beach. 

     The strip nearest the beach had many shops, restaurants and bars.  (Look for the *very tall* stylized Pineda Pines).  The restaurants there offered a large variety of foods that covered the favorites of many nationalities. 

     Along the strip, within a short walk from the hotel, we found the Aquopolis water park.  Tickets are available at the hotel for the water park or the park's Dolphin Show which is available separately.  

     Also within walking distance is the Town of La Pineda about 2 km to the northeast.  Here, also, you will find many shops and restaurants and interesting scenery including the tall (REAL) Pineda Pines that became the logo for the area.

     The Town of Salou is about a 15 minute drive southwest.  Along the way are many restaurants and bars as well as a large number of hotels.  Salou is a typical tourist town with hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants.  Parking is difficult to find along the streets but there is a large municipal parking lot beach-side that is very convenient to most of the shops as well as the beautiful park along the beach.    Another Salou link.    

    There is a small number of advertised 'discos' and bars in Salou that offer 'dancing', but be aware that there is very little disco activity.  The music was a tease as there was no crowd dancing and one of the 'discos' (Snoupy's) turned us away well after their 10 PM advertised opening time with a "we are not open"!  We found out later that the discos cater to certain national groups and if you are not in the favored group, admittance will be denied.  On the walk back to the car, we did find a rather good Spanish duo playing in the courtyard of a hotel.  They kept the crowd on their feet and kept us out until closing time.  

     Dancing in the hotel area of La Pineda also was limited.  The hotels all had entertainment nightly that usually ended with a Spanish band (all were good) or Spanish disco.  Occasionally, they played familiar tunes ('Achy, Breaky Heart' was a local favorite) but in Spanish which could be expected.  The dance crowd was the older group but they were very good and very energetic.

     In Salou (near Reus), we went horseback riding one day.  The cost was only 20 Euros per hour p/p and they provided transportation to and from.  The ride is tailored to abilities.  Our ride along the olive and hazlenut orchards was, of course, very pleasant.  Look for flyers for the "West Fork Hipica - Salou Excursiones".  Very nice people.  (English, Spanish and Russian speaking). Top off your ride with a beer, coke or cappuchino in the ranch bar.

     Nearby is a go-cart track which we will try during our next visit.

     Near Cambrils, a Jeep Adventure 4x4 is available at 36 Euros per person for the day.  The schedule conflicted with our Montserrat tour and I do enough Jeeping here in Colorado so we will hit this also during our next visit.  The itinerary looked interesting with visits to some scenic beach and hill areas as well as old towns.

     In the other direction from La Pineda is the Universal Studio Park.  Actually two parks at one location.  Theme park, Port Adventura and water park, Costa Caribe side by side.  We spent a day (not nearly enough time) at the theme park and had a great time!  Cost at Port Adventura was 34 Euros p/p which included all rides and shows. Cost of the Costa Caribe was 17 Euros p/p.  Both have multi entry tickets available.  Woody Woodpecker is the mascot and large, permanent Woody characters can be seen often along the streets and roads in La Pineda and Salou.

     Port Adventura offered many rides and shows (highly recommend that you don't miss Templo del Fuego) as well as snack stands, restaurants and souvenir shops.  Very well done and reasonably priced.  It is rare to hear English here also but I met a very nice British couple while waiting for Elena who went on the Dragon Khan alone (yes, I chickened out!)

     One of the theme areas was Far West which could have been old Colorado.  Very well done.  Elena had fun at the shooting gallery.  I was fortunate to beat her score only by one or two hits.

     Part of the Universal property is set aside for the Port Adventura Hotel which is very beautiful.  I will look into the Hotel Port Adventura if we are fortunate enough to visit again.  They offer on line booking at:  http://www.portaventura.co.uk.

Phone:  00 34 977 77 91 10.

     Within a 20 minute drive of La Pineda is the very interesting old town of Tarragona with a contrast of old town, 'new' town, Roman ruins and modern mall.  Must sees include the Roman amphitheater near the coast and the nearby Pretori as well as the old cathedral within a short walk through the old narrow-street neighborhoods.  Beautiful buildings, many with colorful inlaid tiles.  Huge, ancient wooden doors and wrought iron balconies are everywhere.  Roman ruins are in abundance in and around Tarragona.        

     Bus tours available include visits to Barcelona and Montserrat Monastery.  Various tours are readily found in Russian and not so readily in English.  The Montserrat tour in English can be purchased at the Pineda Palace.  Elena found the Russian Barcelona and Montserrat tours on a poster in the shop area.  Even though you may have a car, I recommend the bus tours as a good break from the driving and an easy way to see a large part of the area.  Costs were reasonable for all tours.        

     The Barcelona tour returned near 10 PM with a full day of seeing some great sights.  Stops included L'Aquarium Barcelona as well as some beautiful parks of sufficient elevation to afford a splendid view of the city and the harbor.  We were able to spend some time in central Barcelona sight seeing and shopping (bought several very nice Italian gold earring sets at a great price!).  At dusk, the tour stopped at the Capitol complex for the dancing fountain show.  Set to classical music with ever changing color fountains.  

     The tour to Montserrat Monastery returned to the hotel at about 6 PM and included a stop at the world famous Torres winery on the return.  The monastery is awesome in size and in it's living history.  The tour cost included a visit to the monastery museum which housed many paintings by artists recognized worldwide to include Picasso and El Greco.

     Unbelievable buildings and statuary throughout the complex.  The cathedral was breathtaking.  We were fortunate to visit just in time for a presentation by the boys choir.  Various local wines, liquors and chocolates can be found in the shops along with the usual (and unusual) souvenirs.  Prices here, too, were reasonable.  Another Montserrat Link.