Costa Daurada is more than just thrilling PortAventura World
DANGLING 367ft above the ground at the very tip of the rollercoaster’s summit, I held my breath as the car crept over the edge.
With the Spanish sun blazing as I peered down, thrill-seekers below now as tiny as ants, I gulped.
Suddenly we’re falling at 112mph, whirling back into the mouth of the tunnel that originally spat us out — the sound of a Ferrari’s engine roaring in the background.
I was at PortAventura World on the Costa Daurada, and aboard the Ferrari- themed Red Force rollercoaster, the fastest of its kind in Europe.
Just an hour’s drive from Barcelona airport, this huge theme park draws hundreds of British families to the popular coastal resort town of Salou each year.
It’s easy to spend weeks here, with its themed lands packed with enough adrenaline-charged attractions to give Walt Disney a run for his money, as well as restaurants, shows and parades.
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Hopping into a taxi, we head south to the Ametlla de Mar port. From here you can catch a catamaran to the Balfego Bluefin Tuna pools, home to hundreds of shiny fish.
A guided tour allows visitors to swim with them and sample tuna in its most natural form, shashimi style.
Geared up with snorkels, we took to the water.
Some fish here weigh 600kg, our guide told us. Dipping our heads into the sea, we watched in awe as shoals of huge tuna, over two metres in length, swam beneath us, their scaly flesh catching the light.
But it’s not only tuna that’s farmed here. Just down the road is the Ebro Delta region, famous for its fat mussels and oysters.
Set within the nature park and surrounded by salt marshes, coastal lagoons and sea birds is a mussel farm that tourists visit by boat.
Farther inland and not far from the Costa Daurada are a series of wineries belonging to the Carretera del Vi — a Mediterranean wine route which begins at Sitges and winds its way 33km to Sant Marti Sarroca.
Vineyard tour
Travel agency Esportec has an unusual way to enjoy a guided vineyard tour, for €75pp. Jumping aboard your own Segway, you’ll cruise past rows of plump grapes and the grassy landscapes, stopping off at grand castles en route and ending the day with a wine-tasting session in the cellars.
If you’re really into wine, though, it’s worth venturing to the Acustic Celler in historic Marca, hidden from civilisation on a lush hillside.
The 42 acres of sun-drenched vines and ancient olive trees are nothing short of extraordinary — their rich reds, zesty whites and punchy roses are all top-notch too.
Back on Salou’s beachfront, I spotted a few paragliders in the distance and a group of kids soaring into the air on flyboards, jets of water streaming from beneath them as they wobbled about.
It’s a bit of a party hotspot here, although the place still feels family-friendly. Rows of lively bars, ice-cream parlours and seafood restaurants line a busy promenade leading to a huge fountain.
The beachfront Arena restaurant serves tapas including Andalusian-style squid, duck cannelloni with truffle and cured meats, all washed down with superb local rioja.
We’d based ourselves at the Ohtels Villa Romana on the outskirts of the town. It’s a traditional costa hotel, with palm-tree lined grounds that contain the ruins of a roman villa, as well as pools and sun terraces.
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After a day exploring the town, we wandered back to find a live band bashing out tributes to The Beatles and Rolling Stones. Hands clapped and bodies swayed to the music as waiters served pitchers of sangria.
The Costa Daurada offers all the delights you’d expect from a Spanish Costa but head just a few miles further afield and you’ll discover authentic local treats.
GO: Costa Daurada
COVID: You need proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Double-jabbed Brits and under-18s need not self-isolate on return but must take a pre-departure antigen test and a PCR test on day two.
nvaccinated or single-jabbed adults must self-isolate for ten days, testing on days two and eight.
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies daily from Stansted to Barcelona from £8 one way. See . Also flights from other UK airports.
STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Ohtels Villa Romana is from £734 for a twin room for two people. See ohtels.en/en
OUT & ABOUT: Tickets for Portaventura World are €51 per adult, €45 under-11s. Tickets for the park’s Ferrari Land are an extra €22 per adult, €19 per junior/senior. See .
Tuna tours cost from €39pp, including snorkel or diving gear and a sashimi tasting session and drink. See .
