Festivals 'give a taste of Catalonian folklore'

Catalonian festivals "offer spectacular demonstrations of traditional folklore," it has been claimed.

According to World66.com the Ball dels Gegants (Dance of the Giants) is a display of the "vibrant" dancing of the area.

In the festival, which takes place in Olot early September, 12-foot models are created and used to dance around. Locals also create huge caricature-style papier-mache heads and dancers sporting horse outfits dance down the streets.

Those dressed as horsemen hop on one foot before striking opponents with swords.

Olot's tourist office describes the town as "lively" and "active" as well as being "devoted to its festival giants". It is located in the natural park in the volcanic area of the Garrotxa and is accessible by ferry to Bilbao.

Olot has examples of modernist architecture and the Carmelite Cloisters date back to the renaissance period.