Worlds top 10 restaurants- 4 in Spain, 2 in Girona!
October 14, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Best of, Local news and info, Wine and food
The World?s 50 Best Restaurant Awards 1-50 (2010)
| Rank | Change | Restaurant | Region | Awards |
| 1 | Up 2 | Noma | Denmark | The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in the World, The Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in Europe |
| 2 | Down 1 | El Bulli | Spain | Restaurant Magazine Chef of the Decade |
| 3 | Down 1 | The Fat Duck | UK | The Chef's Choice sponsored by Electrolux |
| 4 | Up 1 | El Celler de Can Roca | Spain | |
| 5 | Down 1 | Mugaritz | Spain | |
| 6 | Up 7 | Osteria Francescana | Italy | |
| 7 | Up 3 | Alinea | USA | The Acqua Panna Best Restaurant In N.America |
| 8 | Up 33 | Daniel | USA | The Highest Climber sponsored by Cocoa Barry |
| 9 | Down 1 | Arzak | Spain | |
| 10 | Down 4 | Per Se | USA |
Posted via email from gironaJ
Museum of Exile La Jonquera
September 12, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture, Local news and info
What better day to visit the recently opened Museum of Exile in the border town of La Jonquera than on Catalan National Day where hundreds of thousands of political refugees are commemorated as they fled Franco's fascist Spain after losing the civil war in 1939.
The museum is full of pictures, drawings, news reports and films of the last days of the Republican government in Spain as Franco's troops swept all before them and the subsequent fleeing across the border, over the Pyrenees mountains that act as the border still today, into a less than welcoming France.
Some were lucky enough to get ships to S.America or N.Africa but many were interned in concentration camps in southern France and faced disease and malnutrition.
There are no precise numbers of the exiled that sought this route out of Spain but anywhere from 600,000 to a million people are estimated to have left their homeland for a very uncertain future in 1939, just as Europe was exploding in a world war. Some eventually joined the French resistance, others the armies of Britain or Russia, and some of the most unlucky ones were moved to work camps in Germany and E.Europe.
For the Catalans it was a particularly traumatic time as their President, Lluis Companys was held by the Gestapo in France and returned to Spain to be executed in 1940. It was not until after Franco's death in 1975 that democracy and a new political order meant that many of these exiles could return to their native country, although for many of them it was too late.
Posted via email from gironaJ
My favourite photographer: Jacques Henri Lartigue
June 13, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info
This photographer captures movement and situations like no other, Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) was truly a master of his craft.
Combining beautiful technique with humour and thrilling subject matter (he loved fast cars, sailing, swimming, tennis and winter sports) as well as beautiful women. He realised that everything he valued such as happiness and youth, light and beauty were fleeting and so by capturing the moment on film he could preserve it forever.
Enough said, the images speak for themselves and it is amazing to think that they are almost 100 yrs old!
They are exhibited at the Caixa Forum in Barcelona until October 3rd-get there!
Strategic Hostalric
May 23, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activity tours, History and culture, Local news and info
Hostalric is a town built on a basalt outcrop in the 12th century above the river Fogars because of its important position on the France-Barcelona trade route.
This intersection has proved both good and bad for the local residents over the centuries, encouraging investment in the form of castles and defensive structures but also attracting more than its share of sieges and sackings.
Hostalric is now on the main road and train lines with trips in under an hour to the centre of Barcelona so its strategic position has evolved somewhat to one of a dormitory town but there are plenty of local industries based here too.
It boasts easy access to the Costa Brava and also the Montseny mountains which is a protected UNESCO scenic area. The river Fogars it is the dividing line between Barcelona and Girona provinces.
It is the perfect place to stop for a walk around following the easy routes that are marked and finish up sitting in the mulberry shaded main square sipping a cool drink and looking up at the massive fortress which still dominates the skyline above town and which now houses a restaurant.
Posted via email from gironaJ
Miró/ Portabella art
May 20, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Cultural tours, Local news and info
This fantastic new exhibition at the Fontana d'Or in Girona shows how Miró the artist and sculptor collaborated with a young filmmaker, Portabella to illustrate the creation of some of the most emblematic pieces of art of the 20th century.
Miró was a creative genius in several formats and here we see him working on painting windows for a temporary exhibition, other creations made into massive wall hangings or cast into 1,000 kilo bronze sculptures.
His work is a pleasure to view as there is always something unexpected to be discovered. As an aside, one of his largest wall hangings was on display in the foyer of the twin towers on fateful sep 11,2001 and he refused to make another.
Portabella captures these creative sessions perfectly, usually letting the craftsmen themselves express the process or just standing back for us to enjoy what could be a wonderful theatrical set.
Impressive in scale and ambitious in intent this exhibition is a treat, filmmaking as visual art, literally.
On from May 6th to August 29th 2010.
Posted via email from gironaJ
The Fiesta runs on…
May 9, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info
This weekend is full of activities as well as the Flower festival, a more sporting event is the 10km and half marathon road races which are annual staples around the centre of Girona.
Road running is very popular here, and like the professional cyclists have discovered, Girona is a perfect place for most sports in terms of weather and interesting terrain. All ages join in these runs with many schools and clubs participating which makes for a wonderful atmosphere both along the streets and between the participants.
Todays half marathon was won in a time of 1hour 4min 34 by Mohamed Ben Barka of Barcelona which was just outside the course record.
Several thousand people are feeling tired but happy as they head off for lunch with their families and friends this sunday, well done everyone!
Girona has Flower Power!
May 8, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info
Girona Flower Festival 8-16 th may
The 55 th Temps de Flors has begun and if today's crowds are any indication, this will be the best attended yet.
The Old Town of Girona is decorated with flowers including patios and gardens never usually open to the public as well as important buildings, churches and of course the Cathedral steps and cloister.
Even local businesses join in the spirit and include flowers in their displays or shop fronts.
Some displays are subtle and visually provoking, others a bit obvious and garish but there is plenty for everyone of all ages to enjoy and the atmosphere in town is truly festive so come and join in!
Posted via email from gironaJ
Alimentaria Food and Wine fair
March 24, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info, Wine and food
The Alimentaria Food and Wine fair only takes place every two years in Barcelona and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
This year, although space reserved by exhibitors is down sharply, the numbers visiting seem to be holding up. It does mean that everything is in one place instead of spread between the old World Fair site at Plaza España and the new purpose built halls in Hospitalet which is far better for all involved.
Some interesting products and trends are emerging here such as alcohol free wines (like with beer convenience displaces taste) and an emphasis on better presentation as well as healthier foods to combat increasing obesity levels worldwide.
Watermelons carved in the shape of a rose and hiring some human statues from the Ramblas to promote your stand is one successful way of attracting attention this year.
Spanish gastronomic tradition is alive and well with pata negra hams, seafood, cavas, wonderful cheeses, olive oils and of course wines of all styles and regions are what makes a trip to Alimentaria a true Spanish fair with flair!
Posted via email from gironaJ
The aftermath of the great storm
March 9, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Local news and info
What a storm!
According to news reports Girona province was the worst affected in Catalonia and for the record books this was the most snow locally since records have been kept!
Today, day two, and so far it has been clear and sunny which means the great thaw has set in with problems switching to drains and rivers overflowing. At least 200,000 people are still without electricity and the trains are not running yet. Other obvious damage was mainly to trees where branches fell under the weight of the wet snow and electricity pylons are also down as we had high winds all night long.
My son came back from an afternoon of sledding down the steps of the Cathedral which he rated as more fun than going to a ski resort and my big regret was not taking some pictures as I only heard about it afterwards…
Like the miners strike in the UK in the 1970's when the power was cut every evening we may see a mini baby boom here in Girona although we may need a few more nights to really get in the mood!
Worst snowstorm in 25 yrs hits Girona
March 8, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Local news and info
Just when we thought spring was on its way, the worst snowstorm for 25 years hits Girona, that's global warming craziness for you!
Schools closed, shops and businesses too and Girona seems like a ghost town except for the sirens of the emergency services and kids shouting with pleasure having snowball fights. Train station and airport shut down and many people stuck in mid voyage with waiting their only option.
The forecast is for the snow to continue most of today Monday but by tomorrow the sun will be out again and this will just be a white memory, a fun one for schoolchildren and not so great one for those trying to complete trips.
All you people from countries where snow is a normal part of winter can have a laugh at how 10 cms of snow can reduce a place to complete paralysis in a few hours, meanwhile we will get even again when we are walking around in short sleeves in a few weeks time!
Posted via email from gironaJ
