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Girona adds a touch of flower power to spring golf breaks

pr costabrava-30apr12Golfers looking to take on Spain’s No.1 golf course in Costa Brava this spring should also consider a trip to Girona’s Barri Vell (Old Town) quarter to experience one of Europe’s celebrated flower festivals, between May 12-20, 2012.

The Girona Temps de Flors - now in its 57th year - transforms the city’s monuments, courtyards and streets into unique ornamental gardens, filled with spectacular floral displays and magnificent aromas.

The festival is a celebration that goes beyond flower arranging. During the nine days, local artists creatively fashion plants and flowers into striking contemporary sculptures, which are strategically placed around Girona's patios, cobbled streets and urban locations.

Players enjoying golfing breaks on Spain’s illustrious Mediterranean Golf Coast - home of the country’s best golfing experience at PGA Catalunya Resort - will be able to combine world-class golf with one of Girona’s most important festivals, where over 110 vibrant floral creations will capture the imagination of thousands of local, national and international visitors.

Commenting on this year’s Temps de Flors festival, Ramón Ramos, Director at Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, said: “Each May, vibrant floral tapestries spill down the stone steps outside Girona's Romanesque Cathedral and Church of Sant Feliu, attracting huge numbers of visitors to wander about the Old Quarter, enjoying the charm and originality of the artistry.

Temps de Flors started almost six decades ago as a flower display competition,” Ramón Ramos continued. “Today, it has blossomed into one of the most important festivals of the city, welcoming people from all over Europe and the world.

“With PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course ranked the best in Spain - and with the resort only 20 minutes from Girona - we are hoping to welcome an increased number of visitors this year to take in our golf courses and the cultural heritage of our amazing Catalan city,” added Ramón Ramos.

Located an hour north of Barcelona and easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport - an important Ryanair hub - the region is home to many prestigious golf resorts, the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants (18) within 5.9 square kilometers, and a wide range of comfortable accommodation.

Golf Girona is just minutes from the town centre, where golfers can enjoy a true F. W. Hawtree gem, which until today still stands as one of his best designs,” explained Ramón Ramos. “Frederic William, who remodelled the famous Royal Birkdale course to championship standards in the 1930s, blended seamlessly the natural parkland contours of the 18-hole par-72 course with strategically demanding layouts - especially on the front nine - and superb views.”

Golfers looking to be close to the action during the Temps de Flors festival can also choose between Club Golf d’Aro-Mas Nou, set in beautiful parkland, Club de Golf Costa Brava that offers a challenging, British-designed course, and, of course, PGA Golf Catalunya Resort, ranked a World Top 100 Course and a former Spanish Open venue.

Slightly further afield at the foot of the Pyrenees - and under an hour away from Girona centre - are Torremirona Golf Club that enjoys wonderful views over the mountain range and Club de Golf Peralada whose course presents a good test for players of all standards; while Empordà Golf and Golf Platja de Pals' award-winning resorts offer visitors slightly more challenging rounds.

For those looking for a quick round, the Gualta Par-3 Pitch & Putt course close to Empordà Golf is ideal. Otherwise, closer to the bustling region of Lloret de Mar is Costa Brava’s Par 3 Lloret Papalús course that recently hosted the VI Open Catalonia International Pitch & Putt Papalús.

The Temps de Flors celebrations will be held each day from 10am-9pm throughout Girona's Barri Vell. For more information on the festival, accommodation and what to do while in Costa Brava, visit the Costa Brava website.

Additional information on the region’s golf courses can be found at www.golf.costabrava.org

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