Winner of the monthly raffle - August

Like every month in GHT Hotels we celebrate a raffle among all our customers who have completed a satisfaction questionnaire on-line (to receive it, you have to leave your email address when you do check-in).The prize is two days in any of our hotels on half board.


So the lucky one on the past month of August was Mr.ATANASIO ROMAN GARCIA, from Spain. Congratulations!

Activities and parties in september

At today's pot we offer a range of activities that may interest you in the face of September, especially in Lloret de Mar and Calella. 

First, we remind you that this weekend, specifically on Sunday 11th, is “La Diada” or National Day of Catalonia, which we dedicated a post the last year (you can read it here). During this special day in Catalonia, various activities are performed related to Catalan culture and traditions in most cities and towns across the country. In Lloret, for example, there is a “Puntaires” (lacemakers, very typical in Catalonia) meeting in the Paseo Verdaguer throughout the morning and in 12 noon, is the "Cant dels Segadors" (the anthem of Catalonia) in the Plaza de la Villa. At 18.00 will be a contest of “Colles Sardanistes” (typical catalan dance) in the square Pere Torrent, and eventually, at 22.45 “Sardanas” hearing in the Plaza de la Villa. 

In Calella, on 10 September at 21.00, will take out a torch march organized by the platform CalellaDecideix per la Independencia. The march will begin at the Plaza Catalunya and end at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where a manifest will be read.

On day 11, at 11.30 in the Plaça del Ajuntament, Els Segadors (national anthem of Catalonia) be sung by the Choir Harmonic and “Gralleres i Grallers of Calella”. Then at 12 noon, will be the hoisting of the “Senyera” (Catalonian’s Flag) and offering to Rafael Casanova.

On September 14, at Plaça Pere Torrent of Lloret de Mar, Fiestalonia festival will be held with groups and dances of the Balkans and the same day in the church of Sant Romà, will be held the International Festival and Contest coral Mediterranean song.

And finally, and for those you like speed and cars, from 16 to 18 is the Rally of Lloret-Lands of Catalonia, the first French rally event played in Catalonia (and Spain). Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, have always had a special bond with rallies and motor, as also marks the Rally Costa Brava, which this year celebrates its 59th edition at the first week of November, and the Costa Brava Historic Rally, the next edition which will be at middle April 2012. We will keep you informed.

Sport, a whole world

"Fira de Calella i l'Alt Maresme", which takes place at the Manuel Puigvert, ride is a sample fair of products, traditions and culture of Catalonia which received the Innovation Award of the Fairs in Catalonia in 2006. Calella's Fair happening in our city is a door open to other peoples of our country, it's showcase of everything we do in our land and a place of encounter and exchange of cultures.

In recent years, the town of Calella has a strong commitment to sport events and to become a Sports Tourism Destination and, in fact, it has been achieved through, among others, the Challenge (and Half-Challenge) Costa de Barcelona-Maresme, which this year celebrates its 3rd edition in Calella. Also held several championships of beach volleyball, handball, beach soccer, taking advantage of the spacious beaches of Calella.

The dimension of sport is universal. The sport has surpassed the sole aspect of physical activity and has occurred one of the cultural and media phenomena in our society. It as a role in the collective imagination and in the organization of everyday life.

This privileged status makes it possible in sports where they express some of the great values ​​of contemporary society: the fair play, the collective success, personal improvement, the value of the strategy, teamwork, etc. At the same time, the media promote the values ​​that derive from the sport.

The manifestations of the sport are numerous. Among others, we should mention the following relationships that bring meaning and significance to sport:

- Sport and health

- Sport and Competition

- Sports and entertainment

- Sport and Recreation

And for all these reasons, this year, the XXXI "Fira de Caella i l'Alt Maresme", that will be celebrated from 22 to 25 September, is dedicated to the sport.

We remember you that our two hotels in Calella, the Hotel Balmes and the Maritim Hotel, remain opened during the days of the fair and with unbeatable prices and quality! To consult our prices and offers, click here.

Hotels Costa Brava

More information:

http://www.firadecalella.cat/

Facebook Fira de Calella

Winner of the online satisfaction survey. July 2011

In GHT Hotels we are always thinking about how to improve our facilities and services and, therefore, we encourage all our customers to fill oursatisfaction questionnaire.And there's no better way to do it than raffle each month, among all those who have answered the surveys, two days in one of our hotels for two persons in half board basis.

Thus, the winners of the previous month is:

July: Mrs. Annika Häggstal from Sweden.

We hope you enjoy your holidays with us ... again!

Tossa de Mar loves classics

Tossa de Mar is a town with a special charm, situated in a beautiful spot south of the Costa Brava. It is a town that preserves its traditions and also created new ones, and we just want to talk about this today, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of September will celebrate the First International Scooter concentration of Tossa de Mar. This event is organized by Moto Club Tossa and consists of several planned activities, such as a route along the coast, a slalom, a gymcana, an acceleration test, market, food, prizes, music and much more!

Moreover, as every year the 23, 24 and 25 September is held the eighteenth Volkswagen Aircoled Classic Concentration of Tossa de Mar (Friends of Volkswagen of Catalonia). As announced last year in the article Tossa de Mar and the Volkswagen Beetle, during the 3 days that last the concentration, you can watch the vintage cars parked on the waterfront of Tossa de Mar, as well as attend the various tests that will carry out the participants.

Please remember that our chain, GHT Hotels, has 3 hotels in Tossa: Neptuno***, Costa Brava*** and Oasis Tossa****. If you want to come, do not hesitate to consult our offers on our website!

Fireworks for our new website!

We have just released the new GHT Hotels website, in which we have invested many hours for you, the customers, have a tool to know us better and, above all, to learn more about activities and places close to our properties, from beaches and coves to the agenda of our destinations. In addition, the site has been translated into 9 languages: Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Russian. We invite you to take a look!

We also want to remember that, today and untill Wednesday July 27, every day at 22:30 there is the fireworks competition in Blanes, held annually since 1970, although the tradition is much older (the first references to the disparament of fireworks dates back to over a hundred years ago, specifically in 1891).

The tradition of the fireworks were stopped by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War of 1936. In 1944 this custom is recovered in the Major Festival. Since that time until today have not failed to organize any year. The launch pad has always been the rock of Sa Palomera, beautiful setting located within the beautiful sea in the middle of the bay of Blanes.

The Fireworks Competition in Blanes is known throughout the Spanish State, has a great reputation amongst the pyrotechnic world. Competitiveness and the struggle of the participants to get the Trophy Vila de Blanes has brought the qualifying of the competition as Great Pyrotechnics. The primary purpose of holding this competition was to attract people of all nationalities

to boost tourism in Blanes. A total of 900,000 people will see this year's firework display that takes place in the course of Blanes Major Festival. Beaches, terraces, walksides, sports and commercial docks and mountains of Sant Joan and la Peña are crowded by public (between 120,000 and 150,000 people per day).

For all those who would like to attend we remind you that Blanes is easily accessible by public tranport from all our destinations. We also offer the chance to see the spectacle from the sea, aboard a boat with a glass of cava and the traditional cake included. Ask at reception!

Hotels a la Costa Brava

"Porta Ferrada" International Festival

The International Festival of la Porta Ferrada [the Closed Door], celebrated during

July and August of each year since 1958, is the oldest festival in Catalonia. It takes its name from the most ancien

t part of the monastery of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, which is the main festival venue. Other concerts take place in settings both incomparable and important, including the Romanesque church of the monastery, the, Municipal Teatre Auditori, the Casa Irla and l'Espai Port. The

festival's interdisciplinary nature – it includes music, theatre and dance – makes it unique of its kind. Performances are of the highest quality, with artists and works of recognised international prestige filling these special spaces of the city.

The dates of the Festival, during July and August, transform this city into a hub of cultural life and tourism in the demarcation and Sant Feliu de Guíxols becomes the capital of performing arts at the confluence of visitors from everywhere. The constant evolution that has experienced the event in the course of years, increasing media attention, has

also increased the number of attendees, who came in last year to fourteen thousand.

This are the planned perfomances for the present Summer.

21.07 / 22:00 Lloyd Cole Small Ensemble

22.07 / 22:30 Love of Lesbian

23.07 / 22:30 Cindy Lauper

24.07 / 22:00 Mavis Staples

27.07 / 22:00 Ludovico Einaudi

28.07 / 22:00 Return to Forever IV | Chick Corea

30.07 / 22:30 Gilberto Gil

01.08 / 21:00 Carles Casas

02.08 / 21:00 Pegasus (Berlín)

10.08 / 22:30 Brian Ferry | Olympiatour 2011

11.08 / 22:30 Luz

12.08 / 22:30 Nit Gospel | The American Spiritual Ensemble

14.08 / 21:30 Geronimo Stilton

15.08 / 21:30 Geronimo Stilton (Second actuation)

17.08 / 22:30 Comediants | Persèfone

18.08 / 22:30 Raimon

20.08 / 22:30 Compañía Antonio Gades

You can download the festival's program here.

Costa Brava Hotels

Monthly raffle of satisfaction questionnaire

In GHT Hotels we are always thinking about how to improve our facilities and services and, therefore, we encourage all our customers to fill our satisfaction questionnaire.

And there's no better way to do it than raffle each month, among all those who have answered the surveys, two days in one of our hotels for two persons in half board basis.

Thus, the winners of the previous month is:

June: Jean-Luc Frohlich

We hope you enjoy your holidays with us ... again!

Clon Festival and Major Festivities in Lloret de Mar

It is July in the Costa Brava, the sun and the heat of summer are noted on the magnificent beaches and there are activities for everyone. Next, we makesome proposals for which you may have already reserved

a trip to one of our hotels, strategically located along the Costa Brava and Costa de Barcelona-Maresme.And those that do not have a reservation, remind you that we have some unbeatable offers on our website ... Spend a few relaxing days at a good and reasonable price is now at your fingertips, you can't escape!

We start with a festival that takes place in Lloret de Mar since 2004 and is starting just today, July 8. We refer to Clone Festival, as its

name suggests, brings together the best clonic bands and tribute bands.There are 4 days of festival (not consecutive) with 4 different bands paying tribute to 4 different groups:

July 8: Achtung Band, honoring U2.

July 22: ABBA Revival, tribute to ABBA.

August 5: The Exploding Boys, tribute to The

Cure.

August 19: Gansos Rosas, paying tribute to Guns N 'Roses.

All concerts are at 22:15 at Paseig de Manel Bernat (roca d'en Maig)

Furthermore, in Lloret, from 21 to 26 July are the Major Festivals of Santa Cristina, the patroness of the city. The festival begins each year the evening of Santa Cristina, on 23 July with a parade. Th

e day of Santa Cristina, July 24, the procession leaves at 8 am in the church of Sant Romà and accompanies the image of the patron by boat from the main beach to the hermitage of Santa Cristina, while dispute S'Amorra sailing race. When the procession reaches the hermitage offers a breakfast for participants. In the afternoon, dancing in the town square the "Ball de Plaça" followed by “sardanas”, the typical dance in Catalonia. The party is over on 26 at night with a fireworks display.

Winner of the online satisfaction survey. May 2011

Like every month in GHT Hotels we celebrate a raffle among all our customers who have completed a satisfaction questionnaire on-line (to receive it, you have to leave your email address when you do check-in). The prize is two days in any of our hotels on half board.

So the lucky one on May was Michelle Pullin, from Great Britain. Congratulations!

Don't miss it!

It's been a long time since our last post in our blog, it's not we are getting lazy but we've been very busy with a very important project ...We are about to publish the new version of our website, faster, easier and above all, with lots of useful information to our customers. Stay tuned the next weeks!

Here we offer a range of activities coming weeks in our destinations, for you to profit the most your holiday with us!

In Calella, from 11th to 19th of June, is celebrated the Major Festivity of “Sant Quirze and Santa Julia”, with a wide range of daily activities. We recommend you Giramaresme concert, the 11th at 22:30 at Manuel Puigvert promenade and on Sunday at 14:00 the popular “arrossada” or paella also in the same promenad

e. On Thursday 16th at 18:00, the parade by “Geganters and Grallers” of Calella (pass in front our hotel Balmes and goes to the town hall by the Església Street).

More information here.

Within the framework of the annual festival in Calella it's also celebrated

Renaissance Calella, 11th and 12th June, in which the streets of old city recede in time 500 years and is organized a large craft market that is combined with

entertainment, animation in the streets, music, food tasting and activities for children. Both days there are guided tours in English, at 10:00 am at the town hall. We recommend also the staging of Renaissance Calella, Saturday at 19:30 at the Town Hall square by the group of artistic youth “Juventut Artística” of Calella.

More information here.

In Lloret de Mar, on 11th June and 1st July, is held the Fair of artisan products of Girona: “Vall del Ges” sausages, bread and cakes of Perafita, Palamós anchovies, cheese...10 to 21 hours in the Plaça de la Vila.

For more information and other activities, www.lloretdemar.org

In Sant Feliu de Guixols/S'Agaró, on 11, 12 and 13 June, is celebrated the Fair of the Sea, artisans and crafts fair set in the sea. At the Rambla Vidal. More information here.

In addition, the night of 23rd to 24th June is Sant Joan (saint John), and how tradition marks in Catalonia, people lit bonfires on the beaches and deafening and illuminate the shortest night of the year with thousands of firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the summer. Also you can see fireworks in several towns, including Platja d'Aro; the guests staying at our S'Agaró Mar Hotel will enjoy an excellent stage to see this castle of fireworks.

Second GHT Hotels' Photo Contest

After the successful First GHT Hotels' Photo Contest, we're pleased to announce the second edition of that contest! In the first edition we got three terrific photos, the authors of which won free stays with us, would you like to be you next?

We want you to show us how were your holidays, with whom you have been, what places you've visited, and so on. For that, just add our Facebook page and upload a photo, the one you like. The photo with Likes will be the winner, plain and simple!

The prize for the most voted picture is a week in Half Board for two people in any of our hotels! But do not worry if you're not the winner, as we look forward in GHT Hotels to deal with, so we decided to give second and third prize too! These consist of 4 and 2 days respectively in one of our hotels in Half Board. 

You can check the contest rules here.

Good luck to everyone!

I Sports Senior Meeting

If you've turned 40, you like sports and want to spend a fantastic holidays in the Costa Brava you want to look at this because this year, between 10 to 14 October, are held in Lloret de Mar, the First Senior Sports Meeting.

The First Senior Sports Meeting is a sports competition for people over 40 years and participatory spirit. Registration is open to anyone more than 40 years, whatever their nationality. Like all sports events, these are properly organized by gender, age and sport level.

The sports that will take place in the Senior Sports Meeting are sports being practiced by people aged 40 and above, such as: swimming, tennis, paddle, pitch and putt, golf, cycling, gymnastics, ball room dance, dominoes, bowling, athletics, table tennis, petanque, chess and football. 

The organization is in charge of a committee, chaired by Valero Rivera, Spanish National handball coach. It comprises representatives of the city, hotel groups, entities tourism, sports federations and organizers.

The honor committee, chaired by the Honourable ex-President of Catalonia Mr. Jordi Pujol and Soley, will be formed by the heads of companies and institutions involved: national, regional and local.

More information here.

The legend of Saint George

On Saturday 23 April (this year in middle of Holy Week) is the feast of St. Jorge, and today I will explain the origins of this magnificent day, not only held in the Catalan Countries, but throughout the world, each place with its traditions. 

The countries that celebrate St George's Day are England, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Bosnia Herzegovina, the Republic of Macedonia and Palestine. The cities are Moscow, Genova, Ljubljana, Beirut, Qormi and Victoria (Malta) and many others. It is also celebrated in the old kingdoms and counties of the Crown of Aragon, Spain - Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. 

The feast of St. George is the most important in England as well as other regions. In Catalonia, called the National Day of Sant Jordi is the second National Day and the tradition is to give a book or a rose to loved ones. 

But where the legends com from? 

"Explains the written legend in lands of Cappadocia, though popularly each region fits the legend to locate in its own, were a dragon which attacked the kingdom. The people decided that to avoid attacks, they will hand over two lambs every day to be devoured by the dragon and satisfy its hunger. 

But one day the sheeps began to run out and people agreed to send a person and a lamb, so every day was a sweepstakes and this person was sent to Dragon's Cave. One day in the draw, came out the name of the princess. At this time, the king offered wealth to the family of these who take her place, but people refused and they criticized him because many had lost their families and the King did not have to be the exception. Thus, no alternative, the princess walked to the dragon's den when she met halfway Saint George that, listening to her situation, offered to rescue her and killed the dragon stabbing his sword into the heart. From the blood that flowed became a rose. 

Saint George was offered him riches by the King, but he rejected it and called to divide by the people. He also built a church in his name, which flowed miracle water to cure the sick." 

In the Catalan Countries, the “Diadad de Sant Jordi” is one of the most important feast, and also the oldest. In Catalonia, it was proposed to convert this date in celebration of obligation for the first time 1436, when a proposal was made to cuts of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The proposal would be effective on 1456. Traditionally, and from the fifteenth century in Catalonia the “Diadad de Sant Jordi” is Lover's Day, and it is customary for couples to give a red "as blood" rose. 

In modern times, the book exchange is also frequent. Roses have been associated with this day since medieval times, but the delivery of books is a more recent tradition, originated in 1923 when a bookseller from Barcelona became to promote the feast as a way to commemorate the death of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, almost simultaneous, on April 23, 1616. A curiosity is that they didn't really died the same day, as in England still was use the Julian calendar and the Kingdom of Spain had already adopted the current Gregorian calendar. Still, the 1995 UNESCO declared this day as International Book Day. 

  

The party has an air of protest of Catalan culture and many balconies are emblazoned with the "senyera", the catalan flag. In Barcelona, and in all towns and cities of Catalonia, books and roses are selled all around, but La Rambla, and all the city centers, are where the event reaches its maximum expression. It is traditional to promote the sale of books with signatures of its authors and by a discount price. The libraries nearby Plaça Catalunya are crowded and open even if it is Sunday. There are also poetry and book's fragments readings and entertainment theaters make special promotions. In 2010 it is estimated that six million roses were sold in Catalonia, 40% of those sold throughout the year. There are tends with political demands, to raise funds for humanitarian organizations or schools or simply to get some extra money. The media broadcasts direct from the most emblematic spot. But above all we must stress the festive atmosphere generated by the party. Floral Games are conducted in schools, activities in libraries and concerts in the streets that add to the busy cultural agenda of the city. 

Catalan MotoGP Grand Prix 2011

From the 3rd to 5^th of June is celebrated, as every year since 1995, the Catalan Moto GP Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló.

If you are interested to attend and you haven't booked yet, you better take advantage of our offers, with up to 10% discount if you book before April 30th! Our hotels in Calella, just 50 km from the Circuit (30 min) and Lloret de Mar, 70 Km (45 min) is a quality option at an unbeatable price.

In addition, you can draw to do some shopping at the Roca Village Outlet, near Montmeló, with a selection of the best brands at a great price. 

More information here. 

Wifi at the whole GHT Hotels establishments!

At GHT Hotels we like to give the best service to our customers and all possible comfort. For this reason and because we believe that the High-speed Internet connection should be a global good accessible to all world, this 2011 season we've covered all our establishments with Wireless access to Internet at the whole hotel*, free of charge and without any limitation.

Now you can check email from your terrace overlooking the magnificent beaches of the Costa Brava or upload your vacation photos to Facebook from the pool. By the way, do not forget to rate and comment our hotels, now you do not need to wait to get home!

We hope you enjoy!

*Except Balmes Hotel and Xaloc, covered only the common zones and apartments.

Activities in Lloret de Mar - April 2011

We're pleased to show you the schedule of activities for Lloret during April. 

We would highlight the VIII Rally Costa Brava Historic (already mentioned in a previous post), from 31 March to 3 April, Nordic walking 2, 9, 16 and 23 April and the "Catalan National Day of Sant Jordi" and Book Day, also on 23 April. In sports there are many tournaments, starting from the Ultimate tournament (popularly called Frisbee) and ending with the Master of Bocce Vila de Lloret, through handball, football, basketball, judo and much more. 

Take this opportunity to remind the Aquarium Hotel & Spa, in Lloret de Mar, open this year on April 9. Do not miss it!

You can  get more information here.

Challenge Barcelona-Maresme: the best Spanish triathlon 2010

Two of the hardest sportive tests come back in Calella for the third consecutive year. We're talking about Half Challenge, with typical distances of 1.9 km. swimming, 90 km. cycling and 21.1 km. of foot career and the Challenge, with distances of 3.8 km. swimming, 180 km. cycling and 42.2 km. on feet. 

The seal of the Challenge brand, known throughout the world-famous Ironman from Roth come to Spain again this year. This is part of a expansion campaign that Challenge has begun in countries such as France, Portugal or New Zealand. And this year we are in celebration, as the COE (Spanish Olympic Comite) has awarded the Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme with the award of the best triathlon in Spain in 2010. Challenge Barcelona-Maresme will receive this valuable prize on February, 19th at the COE headquarters during the Spanish Triathlon Gala 2010, and will attend the Secretary of State for Sport Jaime Lissavetzky, the President of the ITU and COI member Marisol Casado and the President of the FETRI Jose Hidalgo. 

The Half Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme is celebrated this year on Sunday May, 29th and the Challenge on Sunday October, 2nd and in GHT Hotels we have the best rates and best service! In hotels Marítim and Balmes you can enjoy the best Spanish Ironman from 21.50€ per person and night with breakfast included. Don't miss it! 

More information here: 

Challenge Barcelona-Maresme 

Offers in GHT Hotels

Formule 1 comes back to Circuit de Catalunya, are you ready?

The Spanish Grand Prix is comming to Circuit de Catalunya and if you're planning to come but have no accommodation yet, what better to enjoy the hospitality of our facilities, at an unbeatable price? The Maritim*** and Balmes Hotel***, in Calella, and hotels Aquarium**** and Oasis Park ****, in Lloret de Mar, are, respectively 30 and 45 minutes (50 and 70 Km) from the Circuit de Catalunya. Also, if you book before April 30th, will get between 8 to 10% off! What are you waiting for?

The Spanish Grand Prix dates from 1913, but since 1991 has been held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló. Of the 20 races at Montmeló, Michael Schumacher has won 6, 3 for Mika Häkkinen and 2 for Kimi Räikkönen and Nigel Mansell. Fernando Alonso is the only Spaniard who has won the Spainsh Grand Prix; he got it in 2006 with Renault.

Ver montmelo en un mapa más grande

Early Booking discounts

It's been Christmas holidays and now we have to start thinking about the Summer vacation. Lately has been heard that to get the best prices for the holidays, it's best to wait until the last time ... GHT Hotels says NO! Now is the best time to book one of our hotels, 'cause you'll get between 8% and 10% of discount of the final price! What are you waiting for? Calella, Lloret deMar, Tossa de Mar, S'Agaró-Sant Feliu de Guixols ... The best Costa Brava at an unimaginable price, plus the security of staying in a GHT Hotel.


More information here.