Wrapping it all up, there is little doubt that dTapes is getting more and more popular every year which is a credit to the fantastic organisation behind this event and the many great restaurateurs of this city.

Started in Tarragona, it has now been copied by many other places including the mighty Barcelona, but I have yet to see the same high standard replicated to equal measure  - Tarragona still holds the crown.

Visca la Terra by El Llagut Taverna Marinera

Our final round up of the dTapes Festival in Tarragona, one of the best gastronomical experiences to be had this part of the woods. We started  in the Part Alta with one of the most memorable entries,  the beautifully named Visca La Terra! (long live the Earth) created by El Llagut Taverna Marinera, one of the top restaurant in town.

dtapes - Xipirabo at Mos Restaurant

It’s really interesting to find 3 different types of gastronomy in Tarragona ; these are represented by the Serrallo with the best seafood, the Centre where you get you traditional earthy Catalan cusine and then the Part Alta which adds a touch of fusion and leap to its food. Of course every part has a bit of both but there is a definite gastronomic character to each area.

Roses for sale at Sant Jordi, Tarragona from the boys of Artesania Florae

Today, 23rd of April, is Sant Jordi, also known here as ‘the day of Books’ or ‘the day of Roses’ and the thing to do is to give a book to your man and a rose to your favourite girl (needless to say, a lot of girls buy their own rose to get in to the spirit of things).

dTapes - tapas season in Tarragona

Tarragona takes its Tapas reputation seriously and this is why we have not just one, but two Tapas events running next to each other this month: dtapes and tap Alta.
But let’s focus on dtapes: from the 19th of April to the 6th of May we have the fourth edition of the event  which takes you around some of the best eateries in town – tapas hopping!

Tarragona Martes Santos procession

The solemn procession, marking the Martes Santos in Tarragona, started at the food of the old town, at the Sant Francis Church on the old Rambla. Intruduced by a legion of Roman soldiers it was followed by people wearing the Nazareno, the sinister robe and conical hood which hides the penitent on its journey.

Palm Sunday in Tarragona

The Palm Sunday procession lead by the Archbishop of Tarragona down Carrer de les Coques in to the Cathedral. As many events here it was very understated and had none of the pomp one has come expect by this Catholic highlight.

Els Tres Tombs in Tarragona

This ancient festival is celebrated in Catalonia to commemorate Saint Anthony, patron of all animals big and small.  Here in Tarragona, around 400 horse riders and traditional working carts, encircled the Rambla this Sunday, in a parade headed by the statue of the saint.

Tarragona - Semana Santa rehersal

In typical Tarragona fashion, this was a serendipity moment and completely unannounced, I just heard the drums. It started on the Rambla and grew louder and louder…

Tarragona Dixieland Festival

News has come in that the Dixieland Festival has been partly rescued from oblivion by the Estudi de Musica.

The new smaller and more compact  Festival of Jazz will take place on the 13, 14 and 15th of April next month with micro concerts to be held around the streets of Tarragona.

The Estudi de Musica does stress that this initiative is not intended to be a  replacement of the popular Dixieland Festival, which has been running for the past 18 years,  but at least the tradition will not be completely lost.

For more about his see the article (in Catalan)  on the Noticies TGN site

UPDATE!

The major of Tarragona, Josep Fèlix Ballesteros, has confirmed the the Dixieland Jazz Festival and the International Firework Competition will be back in 2013.

For more about this see the article on the Diari de Tarragona site