European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 31, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                During a recent trip a Riverside construction site in us Arroz had burned the us Arroz River and then the Esca Milky with Silt for Miles downstream. It was a disheartening contrast to the sparkling Waters of the Salazar and the iraqi. The largest Village in the Roncal Valley is Isaba located at the Confluence of the Delagua and us Arroz Rivers. In addition to a 16th-Century Church Isaba has Good tourist accommodations including a nearby campsite. The Valley s namesake Roncal is a Busy Well kept town. Visitors should be sure to Sample the pungent Roncal cheese which is made from sheep s milk. One of the most attractive towns in the Valley is Burguin with its Stone Bridge Over the Esca. From Burguin a narrow but Well paved Road na-214, winds Westward up into the High Barren country separating the Roncal from the Salazar Valley. This is a dry Stony land punctuated by Laurel and Thorn Bushes and an occasional Lone Walnut tree. Along the Way there Are spectacular views of the Gorges and canyons that Cut into the Hills. At Navascues na-211 cuts farther West and South to the lower reaches of the iraqi River. After a taste of the less hospitable landscape that covers so much of Spain it is a Relief for the senses to head Back North and East up the Green Gorge of the iraqi and into the Aez Coa Valley. Young hikers tramp the Road outside Carnaida. A Waterfall tumbles to the iraqi near Oroz botel. Panish Sun and ult Uke in a single package by Steve Snyder Sun sea and sangria Are magnets attracting tourists to Spain s Costa brava. Brava Means rugged or wild and the description fits not Only the coastline but also tourist attractions. The area extends from Blanes about 50 Miles North of Barcelona on Spain s Eastern Mediterranean coast North to port Bou near the French Border. Time and the sea have pockmarked the Costa brava with picturesque coves Cliffs and crags. An Early summer trip to Lloret de mar sort of a Spanish version of fort Lauderdale located just North of Blanes caught the flavor of this resort infested strip of Spain. We left Stuttgart Germany for Spain on an enjoy Tours bus trip. The package included five overnights in Lloret in budget Comfort or first class hotels. Meals were included in the latter two costing $269 for a shared room in a Comfort hotel and $289 first class. The trip took at it our 5 hours with rest stops. Sunshine greeted us at the Spanish Border illuminating the glittering Beauty of the pyrenees. Arriving in Lloret about noon my group checked in at the Gran hotel Flamingo. The Comfort class hotel was indistinguishable from first class accommodations and closer to the Beach. The first order of business was to hit the Beach about a Block away. The Sun was searing but the water surprisingly frigid. The Beach was covered with Small gravel like stones but still comfortable enough to lie at ease while watching the passing Parade of sunbathers. Returning to the hotel we quaffed a Pitcher of sangria. It had a disappointing Sticky Sweet syrupy taste. Sangria is a mix of cold wine White or red combined with sugar fruit juice soda water and sometimes Brandy. But everything depends upon How delicately it s mixed. The. Hotel bartender was obviously a sugar Freak fortunately others in his profession were not. As pleasant As it might have been we did t spend All our time lying on the Beach and drinking sangria. Among the optional Tours in the enjoy package was one to the Plaza de Toros in Barcelona to see bullfights. The trip Cost 3,300 pesetas or about $31. The afternoon was a revelation. Soccer has replaced bullfighting As Spain s National obsession and a tour guide said that the fights these Days attract mainly tourists. Matadors prance around in tight pants and wave red capes called Muleta before settling in to stick swords into charging bulls. They have assistants who Wear Down the bulls by slicing pikes or goads into the Back of the Bull s neck. Spectators can hear the bulls squeal. Hardly a fair fight. The beleaguered bulls managed to get in a few blows of their own one bullfighter was gored although his wound was Only minor. Following the bullfights we stopped to observe something far different from the fights violence. The Fuente magic or Quot magic Fountain Quot in the month Pic Section of Barcelona is a thing of Beauty. The Fountain s Waters Rise and fall in some 260 different patterns and colors set to music. The gardens surrounding the fountains Are equally Beautiful especially set to a background dominated by Pink and purple hued sunsets. Two other optional Tours give a sampling of Spanish culture and tradition. One trip to the Gran Palace in Lloret featured flamenco music acrobats chorus girls a magician and Champagne As part of the $35 cover charge. Flamenco sounds with castanets snapping shoes stomping and guitars humming out fizzled even the Champagne. The magician pulled a Soldier from our group onto the stage and proceeded to snatch an Ash tray and Chicken from the Man s pockets. The chorus girls were As Beautiful As any in Paris and performed a Superb Medley of american and russian songs in addition to Spanish classics. The other trip featured knights jousting and swinging swords in what essentially was a very Hokey rendition of a Noble tradition linked to the 11th-Century Spanish hero Elcid. The affair at Castell medieval in comte de Val Tordera was saved by the appearance of the original four tops. They Sang All their 1960s classics injecting american soul into the Spanish mystique. Also available through enjoy Are trips to the Mont Esert monastery in Barcelona and to a winery at Bodega Pruna. Enjoy tops euro Wolf and Tui Are among the tour operators that offer trips to the Costa brava and the rest of Spain through satos of and itt offices. According to a Sato spokesman most of the Tours run through Early december and then resume in mid March. Brochures for the 1992 trips should be available in the travel offices next month. A spec. Steve Snyder is assigned to 6th area support group. Stuttgart Germany. The Beach at Zoret de mar is one of the Best known on the Costa brava. File october 31, 1991 strip Magazine 5