easyJet and Jet2 fly directly to Reus from Newcastle, with the former launching the route with the opening of its new base in March
Streets in Horta de Sant Joan near Reus, Spain(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Spain’s City of Gaudí is just a £56 from Newcastle Airport – but it’s not Barcelona. The Catalonian capital may have some of the architect’s best known buildings, such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and the “dragon skin” Casa Batlló.
However, it’s another city around 100km south on the Costa Dorada which bears his name. Reus is the birthplace of Gaudí, and it is one of 14 new destinations easyJet has launched flights to from Newcastle Airport with the opening of its base last month.
North East travellers can also fly directly to Reus from Newcastle with Jet2. Here are some of ideas of what to do when visiting Reus and the Costa Dorada:
Discover Gaudí’s birthplace
Billed as one of the most “culturally active towns in Spain” by the country’s official tourist board, Reus draws heavily on being Antoni Gaudí’s birthplace. Visitors can take a route around the city to visit the house where he was born and the church where he was baptised; as well as the Gaudí centre, which has exhibitions dedicated to his work.
The town also has a modernist route, which takes in around 80 buildings, or the Vermouth Route (more on vermouth below). Casa Navás in the city centre is said to be one of the “most iconic examples of modernist architecture in Spain.”
There is also a “Landscape of Geniuses” route, where visitors can learn more about some of Spain’s greatest artists, such as Picasso and Miró.
Admire the world’s largest vermouth exhibition
A fortified wine flavoured with herbs and spices, Vermouth is loved throughout Spain and especially in Reus. Often, social occasions are centred around the drink, especially in Plaça del Mercadal and the streets and squares surrounding it.
A series of historic brands are based in Reus, and you can even find the Vermouth Museum, a restaurant with the largest exhibition in the world dedicated to the drink.
Take a day trip and stroll Parc
This open air garden is around nine kilometres from the centre of Reus and can be reached by rental car or public transport. The summer residence of the Marquis of Marianao, it was built in 1881 and is now considered to be one of the best examples of romantic gardening in the Mediterranean.
Within the park, there is a palace, lake and waterfall. A zoo within the park has deer, peacocks, pheasants and exotic birds.
Explore historic towns and villages nearby
The tiny a remote medieval village of Siurana is an effort to get to, but that will pay off. Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia and was unconquered for hundreds of years, despite several battles.
Fast forward to the present day and Siurana refused to enter an invitation to enter the list of the most beautiful villages in Spain, with the intention of avoiding mass tourism. However, there’s no doubt how pretty it is, with a series of viewpoints overlooking the surrounding valleys and reservoir.
Sunset view of the village of Siurana, a fairytale village where we can see its houses and cobbled streets and the remains of the Saracen fortress, located at the entrance of the village(Image: Getty Images)
Another beautiful town nearby is Horta de Sant Joan, where Pablo Picasso spent a year in 1898. The town can also be a gateway to hiking and outdoor activities and the Els Ports Natural Park
Visit Salou
Some holidaymakers may choose to skip Reus entirely and head straight for Salou and neighbouring towns Cambrils and La Pineda. There are golden sand beaches, craggy coves to explore during the day; while the nightlife has everything from bars, to clubs, to karaoke.
Families flock to PortAventura, one of the largest theme parks in Europe. And it’s here that thrill seekers can enjoy Europe’s fastest rollercoaster, the Shambala.
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