Brainfrieze

Sitges nestles comfortably between the buttocks of Barcelona and Tarragona, swathed in the rich green foliage of the Garraf Forest. An open secret, baring all its colours proudly and with panache, this little slice of beach based paradise has plenty to offer the most eccentric traveller.

Lauded by some as the Gay Capital of Spain it was long since a haven for those unable to express themselves under the oppression of Franco's rule. Sitting in it's own little bay tight-knit streets wend their way through each other, leading eventually to one of the 17 white sand beaches where the horizon opens onto the infinite blue of the Mediterranean. In the late 19th Century Spanish painter Santiago Rusino, regular of Barcelona's Els Quatro Gats green-fairy-chasing absinthe scene, recognised the towns simple beauty and took up residence there during the long Summers. Sitges provided the canvas that the 1960s counterculture, splashed with colour earning the quaint little town the title of 'Ibiza in miniature' which it maintains today.

The character of the town can not just be felt in its winding streets filled with rainbow flags, welcoming bars, cafes, restaurants and the hospitable smiles that reside within. Sitges although small, does everything big, with a Carnival celebrated ceaselessly through the months of Ferbuary and March called Carnestoltes. Of course the festivities begin on Fat Thursday (Dijous Gras) as locals and visitors anxiously await the fabulous arrival of King Carnestoltes. Once the King has landed the party begins and doesn't end until the burial of the sardine on Ash Wednesday, sandwiched between the King and the Sardine is a whole world of wonder including folk dancing, the Debauchery Parade and Extermination Parade.

In October the town is host to Europe's foremost festival on international fantasy and horror films. The Sitges film festival established in 1967, includes awards which carry quite a reputation amongst film makers and fans and so attracts an impressive celebrity following with previous stars such as Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch and Takashi Miike seen milling around with the locals. Although famous, the size of the town and event lend it the casual, alternative-indie vibe that characterises the location.