Engulfing the well known Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada, with their stretches of sandy beaches and high-rise hotels, the region of Catalonia receives about 12 million visitors a year. Known as one of Europe's playgrounds, with a wide array of beaches for the holiday-maker and a mass of places to visit, Catalonia has something to offer every visitor. Tossa de Mar has long been a respectable seaside haunt. The region benefits from a mild climate and a culture all of its own. The cuisine of Catalonia is very much fish and rice based and has an international reputation.