Salaou Holidays - Salou is one of those dream destinations for children as it is home to one of Europe's premier theme parks, PortAventura. In fact, if it is a child's dream, then surely it has to be absolute heaven for parents too - when the kids are happy, Mum and Dad are delirious too!
Spain's Costa Dorada is situated on the northeastern coast and this "golden coast" takes its name from the lustrous ball of sun in the sky or the glittering beaches that stretch in excess of 100 klms along its coastline. Salou has a vast sandy beach which envelops the resort like a pale golden fleece and a palm fringed promenade completes the tapestry. The town is almost divided into old and new and the infrastructure is second to none.
A real bonus in this area is that Costa Dorada and Salou in particular attracts Spanish tourists as well as an international audience. This means there are diverse holiday facilities and a wealth of entertainment. Salou's bars and clubs are pretty lively and, in the high season months, the resort fairly rocks! Vibrant and fun-filled, a young clientele can non stop party here whereas families can enjoy more mainstream entertainment with Irish ballad pubs, music bars, mini discos for the kiddies and games, competitions and nightly animation in many of the hotels.
Most families make at least one visit to PortAventura and neighbouring Caribe waterpark is a splashing day out where you can shoot the rapids or plunge the kamikazi chute. Aquapolis in the area of La Pineda is another waterpark worthy of a wet body with hydrotherapy pools, children's lake and wave pools. Don't forget to visit Cambrils, the dinky fishing village (and now busy tourist resort) for a meal at one of the waterside cafes.
You will genuinely be spoilt for choice in Salou when it comes to shopping and eating out. Every type of cuisine is on offer from local and regional specialities to fast food, upmarket and middle of the road international style dishes. Walk the promenade in the balmy evening air, window shop in one of the many outlets or sip a cooling drink on a seafacing terrace. There are no flights to Salou, but frequent direct flights to Reus from Ireland make the resort accessible.
Take a trip to Tarragona whose historic old town boasts a Cathedral and Roman walls. Go further afield to stunning Barcelona and enjoy Gaudi's funky and quirky architecture in the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and Parc Guell; the Olympic Stadium; the old Gothic Quarter; Las Ramblas and the Port.