Catalonia is very popular as a holiday destination or to live (semi)permenantly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Not exactly because of the culture, although we like that a lot. It’s very inexpensive. For that reason it’s popular with younger people and pensioners.

I’m on a disability pension and have been thinking about moving to somewhere in southern Europe. It’s far easier to arrange a move to Catalonia or Alicante than any other place. There are Dutch services available (banks, shops, health insurance offices, legal advice) because there are already a lot of Dutch people living there.

I’m looking forward to hearing your experiences.

Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the “warning.” We’re figuring on about 5-days for the tourist sites in Barça, then start trying to experience more everyday life in the area, including day trips to Tarragona, Cadaques, Perpignan, etc. The last few days we’ll spend in Palma de Mallorca.

I had read about the prevalence of English and German, but I am a little surprised about Dutch in Catalonia! Molt interesant, muy interesante!

We’re going in late July.

But, if you don’t mind, is this your first visit? If so, you might get disappointed about the opportunities to practice either Spanish or Catalan. I was in another part of Spain (Ibiza) when I was a lot younger. I had practiced some Spanish and proudly ordered “dos vinos tintos, por favor”. The waiter anwsered… in perfect Dutch (he was Spanish).

Both Barcelona and Majorca are areas that have seen tourists from Britain, Germany and the Low Lands for decades. I certainly don’t want to be a spoilsport, but if you hope to practice your Spanish, you might at first be a little disappointed. Most people on the “costas” and the islands speak English, German and Dutch. From my point of view, I understand the Spanish. It’s equally near impossible for a foreigner to learn Dutch in Holland/Belgium too.

You’ll have to go outside the tourist areas and into the little villages to find people who don’t speak English.

Apart from that, it is a wonderful country and I am sure it will be an unforgetable experience for you and your dad. When are you going?