The wonderful Mediterranean climate helps Catalonia retain a lush, fresh, green look, set off by the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance. The sun shines all year round, with hot summers tempered by pleasant sea breezes. Winter months are short and cold by Spanish standards but nevertheless, there are many days when one does not need a jacket.

The Catalans are warm and welcoming and place a strong emphasis on family values. This is often demonstrated by informal social events; on Sundays, for example, large groups of friends and family often come together to eat a long lunch lasting several hours.

Culture is at the heart of Catalonia. Picasso trained here, and Dali was born and lived in Figueres where he is honored with an amazing museum and gallery displaying his work. Barcelona is a beautiful, vibrant, international city and Gaudi’s spectacular architecture can be seen everywhere. Catalonia is full of Romanesque churches, medieval hamlets and villages, Gothic cathedrals and Greek and Roman settlements. It is considered to be one of the more wealthy departments of Spain, and is known world-wide for the excellence of its Cava, wine and fruit. Some of Spain's best seafood comes from the Catalan Costa Brava coast. Good quality food of all sorts can be bought locally at the fish, fruit and vegetables, and meat markets which are held in towns every week.