Tarragona was chosen because that is where we ended up when we decided we had driven far enough for the day. It is on the Costa Duarada – Golden Coast- and about one hour south of Barcelona. It is a very interesting town full of Roman ruins, a legacy of the time it was the Roman town Tarraco. One of the principal streets, Rambla Vella follows the line of the Via Augusta, the Roman road from Rome to Cadiz. Those Romans got about.
Roman ruins by the beach
Rambla Vella sometime after the Romans were here
We had our last Spanish paella at El Palau del Baro, a restaurant in a lovely old mansion in Carrer de Santa Anna.
El Palau del Baro
El Palau del Baro
It was served by the very friendly Jose. We had ordered just the paella, but Marco, the chef came out to our tabel and told us it would take a while to prepare and suggested we try a couple of his special dishes while we waited. We did, and they were delicious. Thank you Marco.
Jose and the paella
Marco the chef came for a chat
The restaurant was in a beautiful old part of the town. There was a square not far from the restaurant where what looked like an old Roman wall was incorporated into a cafe – what fun. I want one too.
a lovely square in Tarragona
a great backdrop for a cafe
The next morning we did a quick skid around the town before we headed off. We walked to the catheral at the top of the town. It was built between 1171 and 1331 on the site of a Roman temple. It was closed, but it looked impressive from the outside.
walking up to the cathedral
I liked the drinking fountain at the front
decoration on the front of the church
an interesting roof line
was it something he ate?
We came upon an interesting painted house.
a painted house
And a very cute little garden in a tiny courtyard.
a great courtyard
We thought it quite odd that the railway line runs between the town and the sea.
the railway line cuts the beach off from the town
We stayed at Hostal La Noria which is in an excellent position in the main square of the old town, Placa de la Font. We even had a balcony looking over the square. The car park is under the square so we were able to park in front of the hotel – very convenient. The hotel cost 38 euro for a double room with a bathroom.
Placa de la Font
the narrow, red Hostal La Noria
Tarragona is well worth a visit. The beach looks good and there are lots of interesting things to look at in the town. Call in and say hello to Jose and Marco.
Palau del Baro – http://www.palaudelbaro.com
It is really great to follow your blog. Your posts are always intereting to read and inspire to travel more!
By: Minna on May 1, 2011
at 7:03 am
Thank you. I love to travel and see new places and writing the blog makes me more aware of what I see.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:55 pm
I was thinking that it must make you seek out even more beauty than one normally sees in order to take pictures for your blog. I am going to pretend I am doing a blog on my next trip!
By: Denise Blackman on May 2, 2011
at 4:07 pm
Writing the blog does make me notice things more than I used to. It also helps me to remember where I have been and to find them again if I need to. You think you will remember where that great restaurant was, but sometimes you don’t.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:26 pm
love the painted house. Plenty of personality with that one 🙂
By: Anna Johnston on May 1, 2011
at 8:44 am
I thought it was great – so much fun. Imagine being brave enough to do that to your house.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:57 pm
Love it all.
By: mary D on May 1, 2011
at 8:58 am
It was a great town, I would be happy to go back for more.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:58 pm
That painted house is amazing! :O Is it a shop or someone’s house?
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on May 1, 2011
at 9:47 am
I think it was apartments.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:58 pm
My husband has a friend who lives outside of the town and we’d loved to drive there from Italy some day.
By: paninigirl on May 1, 2011
at 12:33 pm
The drive is not too bad. We took our time and stopped lots.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:59 pm
Love the decoration on the church. Always amazes me! Is the wall that the painted house is on flat or are some of the windows real??
By: Denise Blackman on May 1, 2011
at 3:27 pm
Some of the windows were real and some not, but I can’t remember which.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 3:59 pm
Ditto to all the comments on the painted house… I’d be running around like a little kid if I saw that! So cool.
By: David Robertson on May 1, 2011
at 4:59 pm
I think it would be fun to live in it.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:00 pm
awesome photos as always 🙂
By: thelocalguide on May 1, 2011
at 6:17 pm
Thank you. It is easy when you have good subjects.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:00 pm
The Roman Amphitheater by the beach is my favourite. How wonderful.
By: Moira Drexler on May 1, 2011
at 8:52 pm
There were Roman ruins all over the town – amazing.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:01 pm
Deb, I can see the advantage of having a car to drive off the beaten track and discover hidden gems in towns like Tarragona with their timeless beauties. The Roman coliseum by the sea is well designed. Imagine having a cool dip in the sea after a hot day in the arena? I love the painted house and the old Roman walls by the restaurant. I recall a similar experience in Arles, where we dined in a friendly cafe next to the Roman amphitheatre on a clear balmy summer night. Those experiences stay long in our memories. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures.
By: Sandra H on May 1, 2011
at 11:35 pm
Driving all that way can be a bit of a drag, but it means you can stop where you want and, as you say, get off the beaten track a bit. Having said that, the Romans beat that track a very long time ago.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:02 pm
I love the painted house! How lovely 🙂
By: beautifulamnesia on May 2, 2011
at 1:38 am
We loved it too.
By: bagnidilucca on May 2, 2011
at 4:03 pm
[…] last stop in Spain was Tarragona, a lovely town by the sea just south of Barcelona (click here). We dropped into St Tropez on our way home (click […]
By: Driving all over Spain « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 12, 2011
at 12:36 pm