The Wine Festivals may be well and truly over, but that's no excuse not to go exploring the Torres Vineyard. Most people who come to Sitges combine this visit with a trip to Montserrat.
The Torres Vineyard
Even for non-wine drinkers a visit to the Torres Winery is truly facinating. You can see the arrival of the grapes, the fermentation process and visit the ample underground cellars. You will be able to walk amongst the casks and smell the wine whilst it ages and understand the secrets of of the Torres process.
The tour lasts approximately one hour and at the end their is an opporrunity to sample some of the delicious range of aperitifs.
Once you have finished your tour, make sure you take a stroll through the grounds as they are truly magnificent.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday and bridging days from 9:00h to 17:00h. Saturdays from 9:00h to 18:00h. Sundays and holidays from 9:00h to 13:00h. Closed 25th and 26th December and 1st and 6th January.
For further information visit the Torres Tourism WebSite.
A visit to Montserrat
site of a Benedictine abbey, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified by some with the location of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth. So for all those Da Vinci Code Fans.. its a must.
The name “Montserrat” literally means “jagged mountain” and is used because of the peculiar aspect of the edifice, which is visible from a great distance.
The abbey can be reached by road, by cable car, or by the Montserrat Rack Railway from Monistrol in the valley below, which in turn can be reached by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya train from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station.
The International Boat Show of Barcelona takes place from 4th to 12th November this year in the Gran Vía exhibition centre and in Port Vell areas and will have more activities than ever this year. And suprisingly its not just for boat lovers either. If you enjoy beach life and activities then this is the place to visit. Get all of the latest gear you need for your trip to Sitges in 2007!
The Fun Beach Area will set the scene for alternative water sports activities, such as light sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding. This area will house a 15-square-metre swimming pool for demonstrations where huge directional fans will create the conditions necessary for sailing, canoeing and trying out small boats. School children will be able to try out and learn about these types of water sports.
Look out for Eric Sanllehy, World Junior Windsurfing Champion of slalom in the IFCA 2005 World Championship, and his brother Aleix Sanllehy, the runner up, who will be there on Saturday.
Port Vell is the venue being used for the 250 large boats in the Boat Show’s International ‘On-Water’ Exhibition. This location will also be used for numerous other events, such as the Sailing Pro Am, which will consist of amateurs and major professional racers, on 4th and 5th November.
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Comming to Sitges? Don't want to be laden down with baggage? Then take our advice… Bring an empty suitcase.
There are some great shops in Sitges. However if you want some real retail-therapy at a price that won't leave you bankrupt, then head for the hills of La Roca Village where you can splurge your cash on some designer gear! Just 40 minutes by car, La Roca Village is an unmissable value-for-money shopping experience
The village has been tastefully designed in the form of a 19th century catalan village The Catalan architecture and hacienda style buildings are a tribute to international designers – Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Versace, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna and Tommy Hilfiger.
So make sure you look your best… like all the other Gay boys in Sitges… and take a day off to go shopping in style!
For opening times and directions visit the website.
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We recently received an email from two gay boys planning their forthcomming honeymoon. They wanted to have a honeymoon-to-remember, “something different, spectacular and memorable”.
They were definite on two points! 1. They wanted to stay in Sitges. 2. They wanted a 5-Star holiday. Now that we had their requirements, we set about putting together a dream holiday to remember….the highlights of which made it to the blog.
1. First, where to stay?
There really is only one option for those seeking true luxury in Sitges and that is the 5 Star Dolce Sitges resort. Although it is a bit far out of town, the service, views and atmosphere make the journey more than worth it. Note that this resort is not Gay, but very gay friendly.
The Dolce commands magnificent views over the golf course, the Mediterranean coast and this famous seaside town. Each of the hotels 263 rooms are beautifully designed with the latest amenities and incorporate terraces that offer coastal or pool views.
The two restaurants of the Dolce Sitges Hotel, the Verema and Esmarris offer superb Mediterranean cuisine and the opportunity to enjoy some terrace dining whilst taking in the exotic surroundings. The Malvasia Bar is great for pre-party cocktails or late-night nightcaps with that special someone.
The leisure facilities at the Hotel Dolce Sitges are superb and include four outdoor pools, fitness centre, indoor pool with spa centre including massages, sauna and beauty treatments…. perfect for the morning-after treatments! You have to look good in Organic after all!
From November to March, Dolce offers a special weekend rate of EUR 182.00 per person for two nights, including breakfast.
2. Something Really Memorable
The boys had never been sailing. Yachting around Sitges is one of the most popular activities during the summer. Whilst swimming in the sea you can view the amazing Yachts sail in and out of the bay. Sitges has a beautiful port and the surrounding Mediterranean coastline is truly spectacular. Stopping off for lunch at the little beaches of Cubelles or Cubit is a must.
There are several charter companies in the port area, all offering excellent service and full skipper services if required. We recommend Azul Sailing. for 2 reasons. First off, the staff are multi-lingual and secondly, you can skipper the entire Yacht yourself (provided you are qualified of course). Go for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser “New Dream” if you have the cash to splash.
3. Culture
The boys wanted to experience some unique Spanish culture away from the major tourist spots. They were also interested in wine. The Torres Vineyard immediately sprang to mind. Visiting in July can mean long-queues thoug as the winery can get exteremely busy at that time of year. So we opted for Spain's answer to Tuscany, the charming town of Priorat.
If you haven't heard of Priorat yet, you soon will. Home to some of the most expensive wines in Spain, this idyllic region has also become home to some of Europe's most notable celebrities.
Together with the stunning views of the Montsant natural park, there is the Moorish castle and Romanesque church at Siruana. History buffs with an interest in the Spanish Civil War can visit the sites of the Battle of the River Ebro, one of the most important and decisive of the war.
Of course the real reason to visit Priorat is for the wine. “Expensive, delicious and worth every penny”, was how the boys rated the trip on their return.
4. The Finishing Touch
The rest of the holiday was spent lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun on the gay beach and partying the night away in the many local bars and clubs. The finishing touch on the final night was a beautiful meal in one of Sitges most infamous of restaurants, La Fragata located at the very beginning of Passeo Ribera. (Telephone: +34 93 8941086)
If you would like a personal itinerary or have any questions then please just drop us a line.
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We're big fans of the Garaff Natural Park. Next weekend you can see the entire park in its stunning autumn glory by bike…
Leaving from St Pere de Ribes (about 10 minutes bike-ride from Sitges) your route takes in some of the stunning vistas of the Garaff park.
Your final destination is the smallest town in the region, Olivella. This little town is picture perfect. With less than 1,000 inhabitants it remains a typically charming Catalan town and is well worth the 30km journey.
This route is for fit boys only… of course you could always drive up to the village to see all those lovely guys arrive.
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This weekend sees temperatures in the mid twenties… 24 to 26 degrees each day. So what's a gay boy to do when in Sitges? Well there's always the beach. However if you are feeling a little bit more adventerous, may we recommend spending some time at the Club de Mar de Sitges.
Waiting for you in the middle of the seafront of Sitges is the SITGES SEA CLUB, a unique place for enjoying water sports. Its sailing school is approved by the Catalan Sailing Federation and comes complete with qualified instructors. Classes for beginners and experienced yachters. Learn to windsurf and show off to all the boys on the beach!
For further information: http://www.clubdemardesitges.com/ *Spanish Language Only
Pg. Marítim, s/n 08870 Sitges Tel. 938940905 Fax 938943844
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Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists, both Gay and Straight, decend on the tiny town on Sitges to take in the breathtaking views, Catalan cuisine, beautiful beaches and stunning gay boys and girls, only to leave it just as quickly by the end of September.
But as we have discovered recently, there is a lot to be said for visiting Sitges out of season… It makes a great weekend base to explore Barcelona or the perfect stress-free getaway, where you can relax and unwind from the cares of the world.
Here are out top 7 reasons why Sitges shines, no matter what time of the year!
1. SUN
With 300 days of Sunshine and a unique microclimate it's more likely to be Sunny in Sitges while the rain pours down in Barcelona. Temperatures in October are around 21 to 22 degrees high. And whilst it gets cooler in the evenings, it’s still great to walk along the beach at midday and feel the warmth of the sun!
2. SPACE
Off Season is quieter. With fewer tourists around there's no battling to get that perfect sun lounger on the beach. Waiters and barmen are less stressed so service is generally better, but remember it is Spain so the mañana factor will always apply!
3. SEX
Locals will be glad of the new face… and they will probably remember it the following day. With fewer tourists to choose from, your chances of scoring have increased 10 fold! Cruising happens everywhere in Sitges, but there are some regular well known places too.
4. SHOPPING
Sitges is only a 30 minute journey from Barcelona. There are some great sales on in October, from Laptops to Leather Items…oh err! A lot of the shops in Sitges have some good bargins at this time of the year as well.. before they close for the season.
5. SIGHTS
The local tourist office puts together some amazing tours in October. Imagine a night tour of Garaff Natural park, or travelling back in time and exploring the architecture of the Americanos'. The tours are intimate, personal and a great way to learn more about the culture of one of Spain's most cosmopolitan destinations. Barcelona has something for everyone… from dancing dogs to the best that Gaudi had to offer!
6. SOUNDS
Some of the bars close in October, but favourites such as El Piano, Prinz and Oreks keep the music pumping where you can dance your ass off until the early hours of the morning! Catch up with a local and practice your Spanish!
7. SUMMER
After your out of Season visit, you will have made some great friends and know exactly where everything is! What better forward planning for your next visit during the crazy Summer Season… or better still why not book your weekend for Carnaval in February.
Remember, if you need any help, advice or guidance in planning your next trip to Sitges or Barceloan, drop us a line.
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Like most other things, the Houses in Sitges are truly spectacular. Its no wonder so many gay men want to make Sitges their second home. This tour takes you through scenic routes to see the architectural gems from the times of the Americanos, Sitges residents who, between the late 18th century and the 1930’s, immigrated to Cuba in search of fortune and who, returning to their village, invested a large part of their savings in constructing buildings and mansions. The houses by the oceanfront are more reminiscent of the mansions of old Cuba or new Miami than of Spain.
It is truly breathtaking to take in the Mediterranean ocean on one side and these beautiful houses on the other
…..not to mention all the fine gay men on the beach!
This route consists of about 80 different buildings and monuments created during the 19th and early 20th centuries. They are Americano buildings that belonged to traders from Sitges, and the first examples of summer homes built in the Terramar garden city. The different styles that went into building them (neoclassicism, Romantic, eclecticism, modernism and noucentismo) represent different stages that set the town apart.
So for the perfect tour of Sitges finest architecture, visit the Ageis website. Tours are the third Sunday of each month and cost EUR 8.00 per person.
Reservations: 619 793 199 or contact GaySitgesGuide.com if you wish to organise your own private tour.
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When Available 2nd, 9th 17th and 24th of October Where Garaff Nature Reserve
Continuing on our theme of doing something different…. what about a night tour of Garaff Park, one of the most spectacular nature reserves in Spain? This October you have the opportunity of visiting the park at night with a guided tour group where you will explore the old castle, Jafra and the wild fruits of the forest. For further information contact Jafra Natura: 627 978 569 / 627 978 568 or visit the offical site for the park.
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Sometimes you want to do something a little different on your holiday. So after all those days on the beach, you might want to consider a visit to Paramount's Port Aventura. This is a theme park with Spanish Style… no tacky plastic here! Just lots of hot boys enjoying the rides, waves and fun the park has to offer. Tickets cost between EUR 10 and 20 depending on the Season.
Getting there from Sitges is very easy. The resort has its own train station (Port Aventura Natrually) and is approximately 20 mins journey.
For further information visit the official site for Port Aventura
