In Costa Brava, in the coastal region of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain

 “I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!” ― George Orwell

==================================================================
(in the coastal region of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain) Costa Brava can be regarded as stretching from the town of Blanes, 60 km (~37 mi.).northeast of Barcelona, to the French border, and thus includes the coastal parts of the province of Girona. In the 1950s, the Costa Brava was identified as being suitable for development as a holiday destination. The combination of a good summer climate, nature, and excellent beaches made Costa Brava an attractive tourist destination, which was exploited by the construction of many hotels and apartments in such seaside resorts as Blanes, Tossa de Mar, and Lloret de Mar. (Tourism rapidly took over from fishing as the main business of the area.)

+ The Costa Brava ("Wild Coast" or "Rough Coast") region of the autonomous community of Catalonia, coinciding with the coast of Girona province, was almost unknown to tourists until the 1920s, when the rugged grandeur of its rocky shores, deeply indented by small sandy bays bathed in warm seas, and its temperate climate began to win recognition. Attractive villages, now busy resorts, also include San Felíu de Guixols, Palamós, and Port-Bou. (Agriculturally, it is the most important cork-growing region, supplying the wine producers of the world.)
+ Stretching north from Barcelona to the Spanish–French border, the Costa Brava is considered to be the most beautiful of Spain's three main holiday coasts. Though there is plenty of tourism development, this wonderfully scenic region of Catalonia also unveils unspoiled coves, spectacular seascapes, wind-battered headlands, coast-hugging hiking paths, charming seaside towns with outstanding restaurants, and some of Spain's finest diving around the protected Illes Medes.

+ Delightful stone villages and the majestic Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes nestle in the hilly backcountry, cloaked (in the south) in brilliant-green umbrella pine. Inland, wander northern Catalonia's biggest city, Girona, home to a moodily atmospheric, strikingly well-preserved medieval center and one of the world's top restaurants. Neighboring Figueres is famed for its bizarre Teatre-Museu Dalí, foremost of a series of sites associated with eccentric surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, who fell, like many others, for the wild natural beauty of seaside Cadaqués.

+ Costa Brava is home to some of the best beaches in Spain and is filled with historic cities and museums. From the winding streets of Girona and the Jewish Quarter to the amazing Dali Museum in Figueres and the pristine beaches along its endless coastline, Costa Brava is the perfect combination of culture and leisure and an ideal destination for families and active travelers.

+ Pictured here is Girona, with houses overlooking the Onyar River. These were built over many years and give the flavor of a small Mediterranean city.