Catalonia and Pyrenees in October: weather? what not to miss?
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:16 AM
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Catalonia and Pyrenees in October: weather? what not to miss?
Dear Fodorites,
We are in the throes of planning an October trip to Catalonia and would like any advice you can give us. I have cruised the message boards and do not want to duplicate questions and answers. But I do have a few specific questions that I could use help with.
We have a choice to travel either the middle 2 weeks in Oct. or the last 2 weeks in October. Maybe it matters not at all, but I would like to know if the weather in the Pyrenees will be much cooler in the 2nd half of October than the first half?
First question is about the weather: we plan to fly in to Barcelona and head North along the Costa Brava including parador at Aiguablava and day trips to Cadaques, Girona and Vic areas. I am assuming the weather will be fabulously Mediterranean along the coast.
Then we plan to travel inland and spend time in La Seu de Urgell and Andorra and the Arties and Vielha areas which are quite high in elevation. Will all the leaves have fallen in the mountains or is it still Fall season until the end of October? Any information about the climate and weather or suggestions would be very welcome!
After our Pyrenees time we will head to the Cardona area for more hiking and then after a few more days, farther south to Tortossa where, I assume the weather will again be wonderfully mild. Our last 3 or 4 days will be in Barcelona which I think will also be lovely through the end of October.
Any other ideas for restaurants, hiking trails, villages, or special stops would be appreciated. We love the parador system and will plan several nights in paradors. We love just taking our time driving the backroads, stopping in small villages, eating with the locals and beautiful hikes.
thank you in advance!
Maria
We are in the throes of planning an October trip to Catalonia and would like any advice you can give us. I have cruised the message boards and do not want to duplicate questions and answers. But I do have a few specific questions that I could use help with.
We have a choice to travel either the middle 2 weeks in Oct. or the last 2 weeks in October. Maybe it matters not at all, but I would like to know if the weather in the Pyrenees will be much cooler in the 2nd half of October than the first half?
First question is about the weather: we plan to fly in to Barcelona and head North along the Costa Brava including parador at Aiguablava and day trips to Cadaques, Girona and Vic areas. I am assuming the weather will be fabulously Mediterranean along the coast.
Then we plan to travel inland and spend time in La Seu de Urgell and Andorra and the Arties and Vielha areas which are quite high in elevation. Will all the leaves have fallen in the mountains or is it still Fall season until the end of October? Any information about the climate and weather or suggestions would be very welcome!
After our Pyrenees time we will head to the Cardona area for more hiking and then after a few more days, farther south to Tortossa where, I assume the weather will again be wonderfully mild. Our last 3 or 4 days will be in Barcelona which I think will also be lovely through the end of October.
Any other ideas for restaurants, hiking trails, villages, or special stops would be appreciated. We love the parador system and will plan several nights in paradors. We love just taking our time driving the backroads, stopping in small villages, eating with the locals and beautiful hikes.
thank you in advance!
Maria
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:35 AM
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http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...a-weather.html
barcelona is cooler than you think in october, have a look at this. Can't you book in September, it is better for the mountains. ( Andorra is quite high)
barcelona is cooler than you think in october, have a look at this. Can't you book in September, it is better for the mountains. ( Andorra is quite high)
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:38 AM
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http://www.andorratoerisme.com/de/menu/klimaat.lasso
I also found this for you, but only centigrade.
I also found this for you, but only centigrade.
Jun 27th, 2005, 12:06 PM
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On one occasion, we were in Catalunya during the end of September until the first week of October. The weather was pleasantly cool (sweater or light jacket) during the morning and nights, but got nicely warm during the mid-day. We’re not beach people, but we drove around to some towns along the Costa Brava and as far south to Sitges and we didn’t see people by the beaches and assumed that the water may be too cold. But, the weather was fabulous for traveling and exploring.
We also drove up to some of the towns in the Pyrenees – some of which you’re planning on visiting. BTW, there’s nothing of interest, at least to us, in Andorra, other than driving in and out for a quick 20 minutes on a been-there-done-that jaunt. Try to visit the towns of Puigcerda and Rippol for some really cool and pleasant villages right on the border on the Spainish side and Llivia on the French side. It was interesting to see that the 5-minute 2-lane roadway that connects Puigcerda and Llivia had an unmanned guardhouse with a sentry pole that was just always positioned upwards. That was the only way you’d know that you’ve crossed into France (or vice versa). We were fortunate enough to be day-driving up in Puigcerda during a market day and some sort of tow-specific religious celebration and we ended up doing the Saldana (a Calunyan dance) with some children in their main square. The views of the valleys and mountains from some vantage points in the towns (we found a bench on one of them and picknicked on our locally-bought jamons, breads, cheeses and wines) are breathtaking.
BTW, if you’re driving, the mountain passes in the Pyrenees can be quite challenging (and to some extent, require good driving sense and skills) due to the steepness of some stretches, and hairpin turns within a 2-lane bi-directional roadways. Also watch out for signs indicating fog and strong winds – especially during the time of the year that you intend to travel.
We also drove up to some of the towns in the Pyrenees – some of which you’re planning on visiting. BTW, there’s nothing of interest, at least to us, in Andorra, other than driving in and out for a quick 20 minutes on a been-there-done-that jaunt. Try to visit the towns of Puigcerda and Rippol for some really cool and pleasant villages right on the border on the Spainish side and Llivia on the French side. It was interesting to see that the 5-minute 2-lane roadway that connects Puigcerda and Llivia had an unmanned guardhouse with a sentry pole that was just always positioned upwards. That was the only way you’d know that you’ve crossed into France (or vice versa). We were fortunate enough to be day-driving up in Puigcerda during a market day and some sort of tow-specific religious celebration and we ended up doing the Saldana (a Calunyan dance) with some children in their main square. The views of the valleys and mountains from some vantage points in the towns (we found a bench on one of them and picknicked on our locally-bought jamons, breads, cheeses and wines) are breathtaking.
BTW, if you’re driving, the mountain passes in the Pyrenees can be quite challenging (and to some extent, require good driving sense and skills) due to the steepness of some stretches, and hairpin turns within a 2-lane bi-directional roadways. Also watch out for signs indicating fog and strong winds – especially during the time of the year that you intend to travel.
Jun 27th, 2005, 07:59 PM
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Thanks for the links and the weather info. I should add that my husband and I are from Wisconsin so cool weather (50's and 60's) for hiking sounds fine to us. The difference in our date choices is not frst half of October or last half. It is only 1 week difference between the middle 2 weeks or the last 2 weeks. I will keep watching for any additional updates and, again, let me know any other suggestions for special places to visit or hike.
Maria
Maria
Jun 28th, 2005, 01:45 PM
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We enjoyed the Valle de Boi and looking at all the small Romanesque churches. then, when in Barcelona, we visited the Museu de Arte Catalonia to see how they had reconstructed the frescoes from the churches. it made for a very intereting combo.
Have you thought about spending a night at Montserrat and hiking there. That was one of our favorites, being there at night and in the very early norning before the tourist hoardes. During the day take the funicular up the mountain and hike; there won't be the crowds as very few of the visitors do this.
Don't waste any time in Andorra other than driving through.
Have you thought about spending a night at Montserrat and hiking there. That was one of our favorites, being there at night and in the very early norning before the tourist hoardes. During the day take the funicular up the mountain and hike; there won't be the crowds as very few of the visitors do this.
Don't waste any time in Andorra other than driving through.
