L T I P S V E A T
And from the minute I arrived on the Costa Dorada I wondered how I’d reached the age of 48 without doing a Spanish beach holiday.
I suppose I’d assumed it would be packed beaches, chips with everything and full of boozy Brits.
But our stay at Tamarit Park put that cliched view to rest.
Tamarit is on the Mediterranean in Catalonia, less than an hour from Barcelona and close to the small fishing town of Altafulla. The park lies alongside a golden beach too.
Though it is billed as a campsite it doesn’t feel like one. Yes, you can pitch a tent there but there is a huge choice of posher digs.
We stayed in a Lavanda bungalow, the signature accommodation that sleeps up to five. Large patio doors open on to a huge decking area, complete with sofas, safari-style awning and barbecue.
Inside it is open plan with two bedrooms on either side of the living area – a double and one with a triple bunk bed. The kitchen was well equipped – our only quibble was no kettle. They must know us Brits need our tea?
I loved where the cabins were – a peaceful, shaded forest area. It felt away from the rest of the resort, even though it was minutes from the beach and all the facilities.
A big plus was the surrounding courtyard and garden area – ideal for the kids to play safely.
It is not a huge resort but there is a really family friendly vibe.
There is one pool area split into three – a kids’ zone with waterslides, a pool for adults and kids plus a kids’ splash zone, which is best for toddlers. But the Med is right on your doorstep – pop through a gate and stumble straight on to a stunning – and mercifully not overcrowded – beach. Tamarit offers football, tennis, basketball, mini golf, table tennis and more. I meant to go to the gym but never quite made it. And you can hire bikes. Lots of parents did with their kids, even if they just rode around the resort. If you are craving time to yourself there is a free kids’ club that puts on a selection of daily activities. YOU are close to the buzz of Barcelona – a 45-minute drive away. Or hop on a train. There are fast, regular ones to Barcelona and Tarragona from Altafulla and tickets are cheap. IF it is thrills and spills you are after, go to nearby theme park Port Aventura or Ferrari Land. THERE is a fab takeaway at Tamarit Park that does whole roast chickens, calamari and pizza – all reasonably priced.
Cheaper
My 12-year-old daughter was too busy chilling by the pool to bother but my friend Caroline’s boys, aged five and six, adored the art and craft stuff and couldn’t wait for the mini disco. The on-site supermarket also sells everything you could need and was not pricy. The ice-cream parlour next door was a hit. There are three restaurants at the park. La Dolce Vita is poolside and serves up pasta, tapas and burgers. And best of all, the wine in Spain is sooo much cheaper than in the UK and even France. The sangria is really good too. If you want a break from self-catering and fancy a treat, head to the restaurant on the beach, Brisa. The view is like a scene from a movie – blue sea and white sand under a castle on the top of the cliff. It is just beautiful.
Thank goodness the food at Brisa is as good as the location. I loved the black paella-style rice served with prawns, lobster and squid.
And because Brisa is right on the beach, the kids can trot off to make sand castles between courses.
If you can bring yourself to leave the site – and I admit we did not venture out much – there are some terrific places to explore. You can take a 20-minute walk along the beach from Tamarit to Altafulla, a lovely 18th-century fishing village.
It is spread out along the seafront, and has some wonderful tapas and seafood restaurants.
If you can, take a day trip to Tarragona, a 20-minute drive away. The town is proud of having the most Roman remains in Spain, with a cathedral and amphitheatre.
Go in the morning before the sun gets stinking hot – and before the youngsters get too grumpy. The place was stunning. And when the moment came when I did have to leave, I really felt I’d had a high-end holiday with a budget price tag. FACTFILE: Prices for Lavanda bungalows start at around £300 for seven nights, up to £1,200 in summer. Towels, bed linen, wi-fi, TV and dishwasher included. Call 01606 717 900 or visit fireflyholidays.co.uk.