Barcelona Christmas markets

Fira de Santa Llúcia - Barcelona

Barcelona is famous for its Christmas markets, the best known of which is the “Fira de Santa Llúcia” which opened this weekend (28th November) and remains open until the 23rd of December – click here for details.

Travel with Frogbus.com to Barcelona by connecting with Barcelona bus services at Girona airport (described here), the quickest and cheapest way to travel between Perpignan and Barcelona. I'm reading: Barcelona Christmas marketsTweet this!

Girona airport Traffic up in October

In October, six of Spain’s top 15 airports reported year-on-year traffic growth, the most encouraging performance so far this year.

Girona airport traffic was up 1.6% on October last year. Barcelona international airport (BCN) again suffered negative passenger growth in October.

Ryanair continues to grow strongly in the Spanish market with their Spanish passenger numbers leaping by 44% from October 2009. Further details here. I'm reading: Girona airport Traffic up in OctoberTweet this!

PGA Tour Qualifying school at Girona

From Saturday Nov 28th - Thursday Dec 3rd

This year the qualifying school for the European Golf tour is being held at PGA Cataluyna, near Girona.

Played over 6 days, past and future golf stars will battle it out to finish in the Top 30 and earn playing rights on the European Golf tour for 2010.

Click here for event details on PGA Cataluyna's facebook page. I'm reading: PGA Tour Qualifying school at GironaTweet this!

La Cour de Noël - Collioure

From 3rd to 7th December

Get into the Christmas spirit in the Pyrenees Orientales at the Christmas market being held at the Château Royal de Collioure (map here) next week.

On display...Christmas decorations, gift ideas, seasonal delicacies, kids games and much more.

Click here for further information from the Collioure Tourist office website. I'm reading: La Cour de Noël - CollioureTweet this!

Wedding Fair in Girona

27th - 29th November 2009

The 'Fira de Girona' presents a wedding fair in the Palau de Fires (map here) this weekend.

The event is open from 11:00 - 21:00 each day and will feature exhibitors from all over the Costa Brava region promoting their essential ingredients for the perfect wedding day.....from hotels to flower arrangers, dress makers to wine suppliers!

Click here for further information from the Girona tourist office website. I'm reading: Wedding Fair in GironaTweet this!

Tango in Perpignan!

Tuesday 1st December 2009 - Palais des Congrès, Perpignan at 20:30

Otango, the ultimate Tango show, comes to Perpignan for 1 night only on the 1st December.

A wonderful love story in two acts, six scenes and more than sixty original costumes, Otango redraws also the fabulous history of a music and dance of legend, Tango.

For further information......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Tango in Perpignan!Tweet this!

Reminder! FAB-PO Christmas fair at St Jean Pla de Corts

Sunday 29th November: 11am - 5pm

The FAB-PO Christmas fair will take place on Sunday 29th November from 11am until 5pm at the Salle Polyvalente in Saint Jean Pla de Corts.

It promises to be a fun day out for all the family and rumour has it that Father Christmas will make an appearance! Click here for more details.

FAB-PO is an international non-profit making business network based in the Pyrénées-Orientales region. I'm reading: Reminder! FAB-PO Christmas fair at St Jean Pla de CortsTweet this!

Barcelona International Comedy Festival 2009

From 22nd - 29th November 2009

The multilingual Barcelona International comedy festival is taking place in the last week of November in ten different venues across Barcelona with comedy acts from all around Europe.

Comedy superstars Jason Byrne (Ireland) and Adam Hills (Australia), are joining forces to headline the festival with "The Adam and Jason show" on Saturday, November 28th at 22h00.

Click here for a full programme of festival events and venues. I'm reading: Barcelona International Comedy Festival 2009Tweet this!

Ryanair €1 Christmas seat sale

Until midnight (24:00hrs) Thursday 19th Nov.

Ryanair have released 500,000 Christmas seats for just €1 each for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in late December.

These €1 “all in” fares will be available on over 500 of Ryanair’s European routes but must be booked on www.ryanair.com before midnight (24:00hrs) Thursday (19th Nov).

Click here for further details. I'm reading: Ryanair €1 Christmas seat saleTweet this!

Photo opportunity for kids with 'Le Bouclier du Brennus'

18th November 2009 from 16h00

The French Top 14 rugby trophy, 'Le Bouclier du Brennus', will be on display at Planet Magic (kids activity centre) in Perpignan from 16h00 tomorrow evening, Nov 18th. (Map here)

This holy grail of the top division of French professional rugby was won by Perpignan (USAP) for the first time in over 50 years in June 2009.

Some of the USAP players will also be present so be sure to bring along your camera. I'm reading: Photo opportunity for kids with 'Le Bouclier du Brennus'Tweet this!

Fête de Port-Vendres

Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd November 2009

The traditional Port-Vendres festival will take place this weekend with a travelling fair present at Place de l’Obélisque throughout the week. Local restaurateurs de Port-Vendres will offer seafood, vin nouveau and hot chestnuts with live music in the streets.

One of the biggest vide-greniers (car boot sales) in the Pyrenees Orientales takes place from 7am - 6pm on Sunday 21st all around the port.

For further info...READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Fête de Port-VendresTweet this!

Barcelona Independent Cinema Festival 2009

From 13th Nov - 21 Nov 2009

Barcelona's largest independent film festival (L'Alternativa) promotes new directors and alternative independent films.

This year over 1720 titles from 79 different countries will be shown.

The films will be screeened at various venues including CCCB, Los cines Maldà, FNACTriangle, Institut Francés and Casa América. Click here for further details. I'm reading: Barcelona Independent Cinema Festival 2009Tweet this!

Ryanair - 1 million €2.99 Seat Sale

Until midnight 24:00hrs) Friday (13th Nov).

Ryanair has released 1 million seats at an all inclusive price of €2.99 for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday in late November and early December. These €2.99 “all in” fares will be available on over 500 of Ryanair’s European routes but must be booked on Ryanair.com before midnight (24:00hrs) Friday (13th Nov).

Ryanair’s €2.99 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 €2.99 fare.

Click here for the Ryanair press release. I'm reading: Ryanair - 1 million €2.99 Seat SaleTweet this!

Midi-Pyrénées book fair - Toulouse

14th and 15th November 2009

“Vivons Livres !” focuses on books, combining an exhibition area for publishers from the Midi-Pyrénées and a varied literary programme made up of readings, meetings and debates aimed at a wide-ranging audience.

Included in the programme for 2009 are a series of debates and meetings based on 3 historic anniversaries: the birth of Jaurès, Retirada and the Spanish Civil War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The event is held at the Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis, Boulevard Lascrosses, Toulouse (map here). Click here for further info. I'm reading: Midi-Pyrénées book fair - ToulouseTweet this!

Medieval Festival in Perpignan

Sunday 15th November 2009 - 10am to 6pm

"La Rose de Paille" (The Straw Rose) is a free medieval themed festival and is being held at Serrat d’en Vaquer, Perpignan on Sunday 15th November. (Map here)

Step back in time and witness jousting, re-enactments of battles, horse and foot fighting, fire eaters, jugglers, musicians......and much more!

For further details......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Medieval Festival in PerpignanTweet this!

Perpignan - Heineken Cup Accommodation Special December 2009.

Myperpignan.com Special offer to Munster fans

Travelling for the Perpignan v Munster Heineken Cup match? Extend your stay in Perpignan with Myperpignan.com who are offering a 15% discount to FROGBUS.com customers for 4 night stays.

Special group and family rates also available. Email Myperpignan.com for details.

Myperpignan.com offers top quality, tourist board approved, self catering appartments in the centre of historic Perpignan. Click here for their website. I'm reading: Perpignan - Heineken Cup Accommodation Special December 2009.Tweet this!

FAB-PO Christmas Fair - Pyrénées-Orientales

Sunday 29th November: 11am - 5pm

The FAB-PO Christmas fair will take place on Sunday 29th November from 11am until 5pm at the Salle Polyvalente in Saint Jean Pla de Corts.

It promises to be a fun day out for all the family and rumour has it that Father Christmas will make an appearance! Click here for more details.

FAB-PO is an international non-profit making business network based in the Pyrénées-Orientales region.

I'm reading: FAB-PO Christmas Fair - Pyrénées-OrientalesTweet this!

Toulouse - Short Film Festival 2009

From 13 - 29 November 2009

The 18th annual Toulouse Short Film Festival (Séquence Court Métrage) takes place this November at Cinema & Theatre venues across Toulouse.

Over 300 entrants will compete for prizes in various categories, the only rules for entry are that the film is a work of fiction and is 30 minutes or less!

For further details visit the Toulouse short film festival website. I'm reading: Toulouse - Short Film Festival 2009Tweet this!

Heineken Cup - Perpignan v Munster

Perpignan - Heineken Cup match - December 20th 2009.

FROGBUS.com is pleased to announce special services for Munster fans travelling via Barcelona to the Heineken Cup match in Perpignan in December.

Departing Barcelona airport at 10.45am on Sunday 20th December with a pick up in Barcelona centre, arriving in Perpignan at 13.45. Return trip Monday 21st December to arrive at Barcelona airport for 08.30am.

Special offers also available on FROGBUS.com scheduled Girona airport to Perpignan services.

Click here for further details. I'm reading: Heineken Cup - Perpignan v MunsterTweet this!

Guided tour of Historic Perpignan

Every Wednesday at 14.30 until December 30th

Discover the rich history of Perpignan's old city centre on a guided walking tour leaving from the Tourist office on place Arago (Click here for map) every Wednesday afternoon.

The tour takes approximately 2 hrs and is a unique way to experience Perpignan's major tourist sites and heritage. Ticket prices are : Adults - €5, Students - €2.50, and under 12's are free.

Contact Perpignan tourist office at +33 (468) 663030 for further details. I'm reading: Guided tour of Historic PerpignanTweet this!

Ryanair announce impressive half year results

Ryanair have this morning released an impressive set of half year results. At a time when many businesses are suffering the effects of the economic downturn Ryanair have grown profits by 80% on the same period in 2008.

They also managed to increase passenger numbers by 15% to 36m passengers for the half year, reduce the average fare paid to €39 and grow ancilliary revenue from 8% to 20% of total revenue.

Click here for the full press release. I'm reading: Ryanair announce impressive half year resultsTweet this!