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Local Area:
North to Perpignan:
Perpignan, formerly the capital of French Catalonia, always seems buzzing with activity, is the largest city in the area with a
population of about 160,000. Its many shops, sites and fine restaurants are patronised as enthusiastically by its well-heeled
citizens as by visitors. A lively commercial city, its airport is served by RyanAir via the UK. Nearby Canet-Plage is a long,
established seaside resort, with a casino and a long seafront lined with bars, restaurants, shops and apartments. St. Cyprien
sports a 3km sandy beach, harbour and marina, Aqualand and an international standard golf course. Argeles-Sur-Mer is an old
Catalan village which is animated all year round with its colourful markets and games of petanque (bowls) under the plane trees,
as well as the dancing of the Sardane on Mondays during the summer.
South to the Border:
Barcelona Collioure is located about 2 hours north of Barcelona taking the motorway, or about 3.5 hours along the coastal route.
Barcelona is served by most international airlines, including some of the UK 'cut-price' airlines. Port-Vendres, about 5 miles
south along the coast from Collioure, is home to many fishing boats and has a well-equipped marina. Banyuls-sur-Mer, with its pale
pink and white buildings and shady squares feels distinctly Catalan, and is the home of the sweet, dark brown aperitif, Banyuls,
first made there by the Knights of Templar in the 13th century. Cerbere, a quaint border town, huddles around a small pebbly bay.
A village not to miss is Ceret, known throughout France for the delicious plump cherries which grown in the local orchards. There
are also a number of fine restaurants in Ceret and a Museum of Modern Art. Nearby Le Boulou and Amelie-les-Bains are spa resort
towns nearby. Hiking and biking treks throughout the area & skiing in winter.
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