Lleida flatlands use fog as tourist attraction in western Catalonia

Barcelona (ACN).- The flatlands in the counties near the city of Lleida (‘Pla de Lleida’ in Catalan) are probably the least touristy area of Catalonia and they are known for having fog during most of the winter. Now they are trying to reverse the negative view that this meteorological phenomenon implies. Tourism entrepreneurs have created a website promoting fog, with the slogan “Think positive, think fog”, and have now organised two walking routes through the countryside, visiting different villages and heritage monuments.

In Western Catalonia, the ‘pla de Lleida’ (or ‘Ponent’) is a vast flat agricultural area, which usually complains about being the most undervalued area of Catalonia, especially by people from Barcelona. Its topography produces fog in winter, which can result in many sunless days, but the creators of the website ‘La Boira de Ponent’ (‘The Fog of Ponent’) think it can be seen as an attraction for foreigners, because it creates a unique atmosphere, especially when it is ‘freezing fog’, which leaves everything white.

In addition to the attraction of the fog itself, they want to feature the dramatic changes it produces on the landscape, hoping that tourists that visit them in summer return in winter too. It is, in fact, a way to promote the area itself. The route crosses three villages from the Pla d’Urgell County through the countryside, with guides explaining different aspects of the landscapes or the castles or sanctuaries along the way. The route also has a street market with local products.

Ironically, the first edition of the route was held on a bright, sunny day. The organisers were already aware of the meteorological predictions and announced in advance that if there was no fog, it wasn’t important, “because it is a meeting of fog-fans”. Even in these conditions, some 200 people attended.