Halloween in Barcelona

31st October & 1st November

Although Halloween isn't a traditional Catalan holiday, it has become increasingly popular in the past number of years.

There are numerous Halloween costume themed events taking place in the pubs and clubs of Barcelona. The 'Fira de Bruixes' now in is 9th year is a 2 day medieval and craft market held in Sants.

For details on other events happening in Barcelona this weekend click here. I'm reading: Halloween in BarcelonaTweet this!

Wine and Terroirs Fair in Toulouse

From 6th to 8th November 2009

This is the leading food and drink fair in the Midi-Pyrénées and is based on quality and a friendly atmosphere.

All the great French wine regions are represented with 240 exhibitors taking part in this 10th annual event.

Click here for more details from the Toulouse tourist office. I'm reading: Wine and Terroirs Fair in ToulouseTweet this!

St Narcis Festival - Girona

From 23rd October to 1st November 2009

The festival of St Narcis (Patron Saint of Girona) is the yearly highlight of Girona's festivals and activities. The legend goes that a massive swarm of flies came out of the tomb of Sant Narcis and drove away the invading French army and so the fly is duly celebrated as Girona’s emblem during this week long festival!

There is an amusement park based at the Devesa Park for the week, and there are daily street parades, free concerts, guided visits to the main cultural venues, fireworks, activities for children and dancing the traditional “sardanes” for all ages.

Click here for more information. I'm reading: St Narcis Festival - GironaTweet this!

International Dog Show in Perpignan

Saturday 31st October - Sunday 1st November 2009

The Perpignan International Dog Show is a must for dog lovers, with 167 difference breeds and around 1500 dogs registered for the event.

The show is held in the Grand Hall of the Parc des Expositions (website here) and will include exhibitions and puppy sales, demonstrations of defence, obedience, agility, etc. Doors open from 9h30 - 17h30 both days

For more info......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: International Dog Show in PerpignanTweet this!

Clocks go back this weekend

Sunday 25th October @ 1am

DON'T FORGET! : to reset your clocks before you go to bed tomorrow (Saturday night) as Sunday is the start of winter time.

For future reference, clocks always go forward in Spring on the last Sunday in March, and go back on the last Sunday in October.

Spring forward, Fall back! I'm reading: Clocks go back this weekendTweet this!

Witches in the Pyrénées-Orientales!

Friday 23rd October - Sunday 25th October

The 22nd 'Festa de les Bruixes' takes place in Tressere this weekend from Friday to Sunday.

There is a full programme of Halloween orientated activity over the weekend with street theatre, spectacles and lots of ghoulish creatures prowling the streets!

Tresserre is a small village in the foothills of Les Alberes, close to Le Boulou, click here for a map.

Download a full programme of the weekend's events by clicking here. I'm reading: Witches in the Pyrénées-Orientales!Tweet this!

Disney comes to Barcelona!

22nd - 25th October 2009

All Disney's favourite characters visit Barcelona for 3 days of shows at the Palau St Jordi. (Map here)

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy find a magical book and go on trip down memory lane with stories of Snow white, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella!

The production is performed in Spanish. Buy tickets online here. I'm reading: Disney comes to Barcelona!Tweet this!

Catalan Comedy Festival in Perpignan

24th October - 31 October 2009

Getting bigger and more popular every year, Le Festival du Rire Catalan has a week long series of comedy shows in Perpignan and the Pyrénées-Orientales area.

This year, as well as Perpignan based shows, some of the gigs take place at Tautavel and Peyrestortes.

For tickets and information call 0468 634302 or click here for further details I'm reading: Catalan Comedy Festival in PerpignanTweet this!

Special offer from MyPerpignan.com!

MyPerpignan.com Vacation Apartments special offer to FROGBUS.com customers.

10% discount available on the rental of MyPerpignan.com apartments during the period November 1 to March 31 to anyone traveling to Perpignan with FROGBUS.com.

All apartments are self catering and furnished to a high standard. Enjoy visiting Perpignan during the winter season at incredible value for money.

To find out more, visit MyPerpignan.com for details. I'm reading: Special offer from MyPerpignan.com!Tweet this!

Happy hour comes to an end in Spanish Catalonia

Catalonia has banned happy hour promotional gimmicks to help curb excessive drinking. Violators in the region, which includes the city of Barcelona, could face fines of up to €7,000.

The measure is part of a new regional health bill approved on Wednesday.

It bans promotions such as offering two drinks for the price of one and unlimited drinks after payment of an entrance fee.

Click here to read more. I'm reading: Happy hour comes to an end in Spanish CataloniaTweet this!

All the fun of the fair in Perpignan!

Foire Saint Martin, Perpignan : 24th October - 22nd November 2009

Traditionally starting in the last week of October and continuing throughout November, one of the oldest travelling fairs in France once again comes to the Parc des Expositions in Perpignan.

The Foire Saint Martin brings you all the fun of the fair - big wheel, ghost train, candy floss, dodgems...... a family day out or a wild evening in the tunnel of love!

For further details.......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: All the fun of the fair in Perpignan!Tweet this!

Temporada Alta - Autumn Festival of Catalonia 2009

From October 1 to December 11

In its eighteenth edition this year, the Temporada Alta - Autumn Festival of Catalonia 2009 will be held in Girona, with more than seventy shows from 16 different countries.

This year sees a vast programme over the autumn period drawn from theatre, music, and dance with something to suit all tastes.

Click here for event and ticketing details. I'm reading: Temporada Alta - Autumn Festival of Catalonia 2009Tweet this!

Relive the 60's in Les Pyrénées-Orientales!

From 9th to the 18th October

Hosted by l'association culturelle in St. Estève, this festival has a series of concerts, films and events celebrating the swinging 60's!

The festival will finish with 'La BOUM des Années 60!" on Sunday 18th October. For the full programme of events click here.

St Estève is on the north western outskirts of Perpignan, click here for a map. I'm reading: Relive the 60's in Les Pyrénées-Orientales!Tweet this!

Vins Primeurs Festival 2009 - Perpignan

Thursday 15th October & Saturday 17th October.

From 19.00 onwards on Thursday 15th October, 'L’Association pour la Promotion des Vins du Roussillon' invites you celebrate the new wine harvest in cafes, bars and restaurants in Perpignan city centre.

On Saturday 17th October the festival proper takes place between 11.30 and 18.00. In addition to lots of street entertainment, the streets of Perpignan will literally flow with wine! I'm reading: Vins Primeurs Festival 2009 - PerpignanTweet this!

Barcelona International Jazz festival 2009

FROM 18 OCTOBER TO 6 DECEMBER 2009

The Barcelona international jazz festival is one of Europe's premier jazz events. This year sees world class jazz artistes perform over 70 concerts in a festival which also honours the legendary jazz musician, Miles Davis.

The festival takes place at 15 different venues in Barcelona, including L'Auditori, Sala Bikini, Jamboree, Le Palau de la Musica and the Harlem jazz club.

For further information from the festival website please click here. I'm reading: Barcelona International Jazz festival 2009Tweet this!

Picture-perfect Côte inspired artists

Journalist Richard Collins writes in 'The Irish Examiner' about his experiences of the Pyrénées-Orientales.

THANKS to two Irish entrepreneurs, the most distant part of France in now one of the easiest to reach.

The trick is to take a flight, not to France, but to Girona in Spain. This city of 71,000 souls had a modest little airport until recently. Then an Irish budget airline began using it and the airport, you might say, took off. It now has connections to over 80 destinations.

Read the full article here. I'm reading: Picture-perfect Côte inspired artistsTweet this!

Ryanair launches 1 million €1 seat sale!

Ryanair have announced that from midnight (24:00hrs, 5th Oct) it has released 1million seats at an all inclusive price of €1 for travel in late Oct and Nov. These €1 “all in” fares are available on over 500 of Ryanair’s European routes but must be booked on www.ryanair.com before midnight (24:00hrs) Thursday (8th Oct).

Ryanair’s €1 tickets include all taxes and charges so passengers who chose to avoid discretionary fees by paying with Visa Electron, travel with carry on luggage only and forego priority boarding can book, check in online and fly for this advertised €1 fare (Tues,Wed,Thurs).

Click here for further details. I'm reading: Ryanair launches 1 million €1 seat sale!Tweet this!

Perpignan Accomodation with Myperpignan.com

Experience the real Perpignan with Myperpignan.com!

Myperpignan.com appartments are located in the Ramparts district, and aim to make visitors feel at home in private appartments in a totally refurbished building in the heart of 'old' Perpignan.

Behind the restored façade, the appartments are modern, cosy & well equipped and all have satellite television and WiFi available. Details at Myperpignan.com. I'm reading: Perpignan Accomodation with Myperpignan.comTweet this!

Girona film festival 2009

From 13th - 19th October 2009

The 20th annual edition of the Girona Film Festival is being held from the 13th - 19th October 2009. This is one of Cataluyna's best known film festivals and is designed to give local film directors the opportunity to showcase their films, share experiences and encourage creativity.

The two main venues for the festival in Girona are the Albèniz Plaza cinema complex (Jordi de Sant Jordi Square) and the Casa de Cultura cultural centre (Hospital Square).

For more details click here. I'm reading: Girona film festival 2009Tweet this!

Welcoming 'Nouveaux Catalans' in Perpignan

Saturday 3rd October : 10am - 4pm

The Palais des Rois de Majorque in Perpignan (map here), will be hosting for the 8th time, an exhibition aimed at welcoming newcomers to the Catalan region.

Organised by the Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, more than 1000 exhibitors from business, public services, sports and culture will be there to inform you and help you to discover everything there is to know about the beautiful Pyrénées-Orientales region.

Entry is free and don't forget to enjoy the Catalan Buffet! I'm reading: Welcoming 'Nouveaux Catalans' in PerpignanTweet this!