My adopted Mom Jeannie is back and writing again after difficult times, if you get time pop by and s...
My adopted Mom Jeannie is back and writing again after difficult times, if you get time pop by and see her. Lots of love to all xxxx
Member since:07.10.2002
Reviews:63
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After my heavy critism of the airline that carried us to Spain I felt that an op to show that where we actualy went was well worth the aggravation was in order. I can honestly say that if you are looking for a little peace and quiet and a lovely Spanish resort I would recommend La Pineda wholeheartedly.
I cannot tell you much about the prices because it was a suprise and so I was not told how much it cost other than the flights from Liverpool to Barcelona was 175.00 return and we used Record Car Hire for a car or rather van which was still waiting for us despite the delays. We ended up with a Mercedes Vaneo in excellent condition which for anyone with a wheelchair user in thier party is the ideal vehicle, plenty of room for the luggage and my wheelchair.
My husband soon got the hang of driving on the wrong side of the road, just a few hiccups especialy with roundabouts but we made it and headed off down the road to historic Tarragona and its port then on to La Pineda. One thing worth mentioning is that they have no road tax it is all
done with toll gates the price of which was 2.80 Euro's, so have some change at the ready.
La Pineda is situated on the Costa Dorada not far from Salou but the distance makes all the difference, it was getting to the end of the season and so things were slowing down and it was not the hectic tourist resort I expected. The other thing was it was comical to see the locals all wrapped up in thier winter woolies while we wandered around in short sleeves, night time required a cardigan but no more for us.
The apartments we were staying in were right over the beach and that for me made the holiday, the mediteranean was the most beautiful blue and the sound of it rolling in was stress relieving in itself, the whole beach area is kept spotlessly clean and the beach raked over each morning. the walkways on the beach front were swept daily and the people who live there obviously take great pride in thier town. This is a Spanish resort and so I would advise anyone going to learn a little of the the language before they go, it is Catalunyan dialect but I managed to get by with lots of pleases and thank you's in spanish.
The whole beachfront was lined with various palms which again have been well looked after and the area is flat there was plenty going on even this close to the end of the season, there was a plentiful supply of restaurants and lovely cafe's, the pastries are wonderful but we were lucky in that we found in our apartment complex a British owned cafe bar called Ann's Beach Bar, we tended to eat a good breakfast there before setting out for the day exploring.
One place that most people visit that come to Salou or La Pineda is the huge Port Adventura, it is a much bigger version of Alton Towers and you really need to alocate a full day to get the most out of the 35.00 Euro ticket price, thier are no concessions, once inside though you can hire buggy's for children of various ages and also scooters for then less able like myself, be warned though you become invisible when your driving one of these things, a bit like home really in that respect.
There are different worlds to explore and lots of rides of varied levels and I was suprised to find they have catered for the disabled on a lot of them, the most infamous ride in the park is the Dragon Khan, not to be undertaken lightly but my husband and daughter still went on twice while Mum and I took photo's. The most annoying thing was the piped music that was coming from stones and trees quite brilliant how they had disguised the speakers though, the different area's were all planted with indigenous plants for that area which was also a nice touch and the music related to the area you were in.
All in all we spent a full day enjoying the attractions and I have to say we all enjoyed it but were shattered.
On the beachfront in La Pineda there is a large waterpark which was closed due to it being the end of the season but it must be great during the hotter months, when I asked about how hot it gets I was told that on average they get up to 120 degrees seriously hot, it averages I read of 300 days of over 100.
Salou town itself is a pleasant place to visit too although it is very tourist motivated, thier are lovely beach side walks and a thriving market where you can buy just about everything, my daughter wanted to have her hair braided and so at a cost of 20 euros it was done, boy did her eyes water. We were told that during high season it would have cost 150 euros.
One other place you need to visit is the Rib Shack in La Pineda, everyone knows where it is in La Pineda and like us you will get great directions. Now first of all I do not drink because of the medication that I take so I was on the soft drinks but in the middle of every table was a huge bottle of red wine.
The menu is basicaly ribs of pork or steak and both came in huge quantities with the most lovely sauce, I put it down to honey and mixed spices but whatever it was it was superb. As the meal continued and the bottle of wine went down I began to notice that Mum and Rick my hubby were getting worse for wear and I casualy asked what the wine was, it was mountain wine and about 20 % proof.
Well they were legless and it was just as well we had walked on the beach front to get to the restaurant, getting back to the apartment was hilarious, we had no roads to cross but Rick was leaning on my wheelchair rather than pushing it, my daughter had to intervene in the end to get us all home. It was a great fun night and the sozzled duo were packed off to bed to leave me to listen and watch the sea.
All in all it was a wonderful place and the people were lovely and could not help you more, I will find out the name of the Apartments and will add it when I get it, it would be a little rude to ask just now but if you are looking at going to Spain and want somewhere where your children can play safely on a clean award winning beach with plenty of cleaning up facilities La Pineda is ideal.
For me personaly the walks on the beach front with the sea lapping against the shoreline which was quite close made this the perfect break for me and my husband, especialy during the evening when the only sounds you can hear are the crickets, surf and the occasional Ola from people passing you by.
Love to all
Gill 2003
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We stayed in Salou a few years ago when it was only just developing as a tourist area. port Aventura was fantastic although i wasn't so sure I liked the dragon khan. Sharron xxx
AimeeLouise18 23.11.2003 10:01
This sounds like an amazing place to visit.Good op :)
Aimee xxx
jeannie 09.11.2003 20:35
Glad you enjoyed it, you deserved it so did Richard he is a treasure not many like him about. If you go again please stick me in your case lololol. love and hugs Jean xxxxxxxx
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We propose some unforgettable holidays in "El Capistrano Villages", in Nerja, the privileged balcony of the Costa del Sol. "El Capistrano Villages" is, possibly, the most beautiful and exclusive Urbanisation on the Costa del Sol.
Advantages: freindlness of the people and the attractions are superb you will have the best time of your life gaurenteed Disadvantages: not anything i know of apart from it is hard to talk to some of the people unless you know spanish
martinwright 10.04.2001 (10.04.2001)
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Review of Costa Dorada (Spain)
Advantages: freindlness of the people and the attractions are superb you will have the best time of your life gaurenteed Disadvantages: not anything i know of apart from it is hard to talk to some of the people unless you know spanish
martinwright 10.04.2001 (10.04.2001)
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Review of Costa Dorada (Spain)
Nov 7th, 2003
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