2018-05-17 Barcelona to Sant Carles de la Rapita, Costa del Azahar, Spain

Arriving at the Barcelona El Prat Airport quite late the previous evening, we checked into the Airport Hotel for the night. This morning we hired a car to drive to Sant Carles de la Rapita where we left our boat last year
Although it is unfortunate that we will have to return the car to Barcelona, we thought with the weight of our luggage this year (not to mention Ric’s bad back) it would be easier hiring a vehicle than transferring luggage a couple of times from one bus to another to get to Sant Carles!!! Last year we changed buses 4 times!!
Once underway with our hire vehicle, we missed a major turn off and we found ourselves on the scenic route south, rather than on the highway
This pleasant road took us past acres of vines
We decide to continue on this road as the scenery was wonderful driving through Catalonia’s main wine producing area

Our detour took us through lovely towns with spectacular monasteries

In the distance we can see the familiar mountain range which overlooks Sant Carles de la Rapita
We followed a truck for a several kms…..was hard not to want to stop for a snack!!
Not far to go now
The low lying expanse of the Ebre Delta which is the chief rice growing area of Bomba rice which is very close to Sant Carles de la Rapita
We finally arrive back in Sant Carles after leaving here in early October last year
It is nice to be back in this lovely town
The first thing on the agenda for us, is to visit to the marina

We catch a glimpse of the Tangaroa  as we approach the hard stand area of the marina
Once checking out the boat, we head back through the town to book into our hotel
Hotel Del Port is a very clean and well located small family hotel which we have stayed in the past
Our first night back in town ……we had to go to Taverna Dalmau
It is good to see chef and mine host, Ernesto once again

Vino tonito
We had to have our favourite tomato and tuna salad with olives
Followed by very fresh and beautifully cooked prawns
……and fabulous sole with chips and deep fried spinach all to share
We finish up with Ernesto’s famous gin and tonic dessert……superb!!!

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