General strike in Spain - Wed 29th Sept 2010

UPDATE : 10am Wednesday 29th September

There is a general strike in Spain on Wednesday 29th Sept 2010 in protest at sweeping public sector cuts due to the economic crisis.

Expect widespread disruption in day to day public services and on trains/ buses. Ryanair have cancelled all domestic Spain flights and most international ones - Details here.

Frogbus.com services will run as normal but expect disruption/delays at the A9/A7 border crossing between France and Spain - allow plenty of time for your trip. Travel between Barcelona and France as described on this page. I'm reading: General strike in Spain - Wed 29th Sept 2010Tweet this!

Temporada Alta 2010: Autumn Festival of Catalonia - Girona

From October 1 to December 12 2010

In its 19th edition this year, the Temporada Alta - Autumn Festival of Catalonia 2010 will be held in Girona, with more than 75 shows from 18 different countries.

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

Click here for programme details & event and ticketing details. I'm reading: Temporada Alta 2010: Autumn Festival of Catalonia - GironaTweet this!

French strike September 23rd 2010 - FROGBUS.com services will run as normal. 99 cent fares for stranded travellers !

Travel in France will be severely disrupted on Thursday September 23rd 2010 as all major transport unions go on strike. Train services will be disrupted from 19:00 on September 22nd until 08:00 on September 24th. Expect disruption at French airports also as air traffic controllers and other union groups join the industrial action.

FROGBUS.com services will run as normal. In fact, FROGBUS.com have slashed fares for travel all day on Thursday 23rd September to ONLY €0.99 e/w on its Girona airport - Le Boulou - Perpignan line ! – click here to book your €0.99 fare now ! (Valid for online single bookings made before 5pm Wednesday 22nd September - Promotional tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged)

Escape the strike in France and hop to Spain for the day ! Travel to Barcelona, Girona or the Costa Brava coast as described on this page. I'm reading: French strike September 23rd 2010 - FROGBUS.com services will run as normal. 99 cent fares for stranded travellers !Tweet this!

Festival Occitània Toulouse 2010

From 20 September to 23 October 2009

The 11th annual Occitània festival in Toulouse brings together 1000 artistes performing in over 80 events during this month long festival.

Toulouse is a vibrant city with an eclectic mix of cultures making up its population. This festival celebrates its own 'Occitanian' culture and combines this with events & acts drawn from Arab, Catalane, French, Jewish, African, Castillane, Basque, and Celtic cultures.

Featured arts include poetry, cinema, dance, theatre, painting, photography, comedy, debates and music. Further details available from the Festival Occitània website (French only). I'm reading: Festival Occitània Toulouse 2010Tweet this!

Salon International d'Art at Château Valmy (Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales)

18th September - 3rd October 2010

The "Association Artistique d'Argelès" will host the 16th Salon International d'Art at Château Valmy between the 18th September & the 3rd October.

This year 150 artists will exhibit over 300 works of art. Chateau Valmy is on the outskirts of Argelès-sur-Mer, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, about 20 minutes from Perpignan and just over an hour from Girona airport.

For further details click here. (French only) I'm reading: Salon International d'Art at Château Valmy (Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales)Tweet this!

Perpignan - Festival International du Disque 2010

Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th September 2010

The Chapelle Saint-Dominique in Perpignan welcomes record, CD and comic strip fans for one of the largest record fairs in Europe. (Map here)

Now in its 22nd year, Perpignan's Festival International du Disque is a record fair with an enormous variety and choice of vinyl, cassettes and CDs on display and sale by dealers from all over the world. Elvis Presley fans should watch out this year for a theme paying homage to the great singer.

For further info and a full programme of events read more at Anglophone-Direct.com. I'm reading: Perpignan - Festival International du Disque 2010Tweet this!

Diada de Cataluyna - Catalonia National Holiday : September 11th

The date September 11th is infamous all over the world, but in Catalonia September 11th has special significance as the Catalan National holiday - Diada de Cataluyna.

Throughout the day, there are political demonstrations, concerts and celebration events and many citizens take to the streets draping the Catalan flag (called senyeres or estelades) on their backs singing the Catalan anthem, Els Segadors.

Expect Diada de Cataluyna celebrations in the major cities of Catalonia including - Barcelona, Girona, Figueres, Lleida, etc and even Perpignan in North Catalonia!

For further info on the history of Catalonia's national holiday click here. I'm reading: Diada de Cataluyna - Catalonia National Holiday : September 11thTweet this!

Barcelona - La Mercè Festival 2010

 24th to the 28th September 2009

Barcelona's biggest festival, La Mercè, is traditionally held in the last week of September every year. This week long festival, dating back to 1902, signals the end of summer and the start of autumn with concerts, open-air dancing, fireworks, human pyramid building (Castellers), and parades featuring spectacular floats and costumes.

Throughout La Mercè there will be street theatre, circus acts, and the Sardana (Catalonia's traditional dance) in a fantastic celebration of Catalan culture.

For further info visit the La Mercè festival website. I'm reading: Barcelona - La Mercè Festival 2010Tweet this!

French train strikes 6th/7th/8th September 2010

SNCF Unions have confirmed that strikes across the French rail network will affect services starting from 20:00 Monday 6th September until 08:00 Wednesday 8th September.

It is unclear how widespread the disruption to train services will be, there has also been mention of TGV services and French airports being affected. The best advice is to check before travelling with your departing train station, airport or airline.

Frogbus.com services will run as normal. Click here for information on how to travel between Barcelona and France with Frogbus.com. I'm reading: French train strikes 6th/7th/8th September 2010Tweet this!

Perpignan (USAP) to play Toulouse in Barcelona ?

This story is gaining momentum in recent weeks. Perpignan (USAP) Top 14 French rugby team and Barcelona FC have agreed in principle for Perpignan to stage a Top 14 rugby match at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona this season, likely against Toulouse in April 2011.

Perpignan have long expressed a desire to have stronger links with their southern Catalan neighbours and this agreement in principle was reached as Perpignan's president, Paul Goze, hosted his Barcelona counterpart, Sandro Rosell, at Stade Giral in Perpignan this week.

Watch this space.....!, I'm reading: Perpignan (USAP) to play Toulouse in Barcelona ?Tweet this!

Girona - Costa Brava Guitar Festival 2010

Until September 8th 2010

Catch the last performances this week of the Girona - Costa Brava Guitar festival (Festival de Guitarra de Girona) which boasts famous guitarists from all over the globe.

Now in its 7th year, the festival has been running to great acclaim this summer in the Girona and Costa Brava areas.

Performance details and venues available at the Festival de Guitarra de Girona website I'm reading: Girona - Costa Brava Guitar Festival 2010Tweet this!