COSTA BRAVA

COSTA BRAVA, SPAIN

In a few words...

THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORELINE OF COSTA BRAVA WAY, THE TOWN OF BESALU IN THE GARROTXA VOLCANIC NATURAL PARK, THE TRIANGLE OF SALVADOR DALI, THE ARCHITECTURAL MEDIEVAL GEMS OF EMPORDA, THE GAVARRES FOREST, THE MEDES ISLANDS, THE CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK, THE LA BISBAL’S WORLD OF POTTERY, ANTICS AND MODERN INTERIORISM, THE OLD TOWN OF GIRONA, THE SEA FRONT TOWN OF CADAQUÈS AND MORE.

Program

  • DAY 1

    Saturday, Sant Climent. After meeting in Girona at 9am we will go for a walking tour of the old town, taking the Archaeological Way which runs on the ancient ramparts. We can also wonder through the Jewish Quarter and visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Around noon we arrive in the area of Sant Climent where we stay for the following five nights. After lunch we travel to the medieval town of Madremanya. In the neighbouring town of Pubol we visit the 14th century Gothic church and Gala Castle. It’s where Salvador Dali’s wife used to live and today the castle has been converted to a museum dedicate to Dali. Then taking the scenic route we’ll drive through the hamlet of Millas, into the forest of the Gavarres and all the way up to Els Angels. Here we can contemplate the panoramic views, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains. On the way back, in Monells we visit the stone arched main square.

  • DAY 2

    Sunday, Sant Climent. From Palamos we follow a part of a long distance trail called the Costa Brava Way (GR-92). These particular parts are among the most remarkable stretches of the Mediterranean shoreline. The trail goes through a spectacularly shaped landscape connecting it with some magic coves, bays, caves and rocky, sandy beaches. All this is flanked by dramatic hanging cliffs. We will also walk by some of the oldest Iberian settlements as well as the seafront promenades of intimate and ancient fishermen’s village like Calella de Palafrugell. We enjoy our picnic at the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens. From there we walk all the way down to picturesque bay of Calella de Palafrugell (12-14 km, + 300m). In the afternoon we explore a medieval architectural gem, the town of Peratallada. A labyrinth of cobbled streets winding up to the well preserved castle and lookout towers, whose written records date from 11th century.

  • DAY 3

    Monday, Sant Climent. The inland day sightseeing trip. On this circular tour we travel to the foothills and gateway to the Catalan Pyrenees. In the morning we arrive at the Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park and walk from the medieval town of Santa Pau to the crater of the Santa Margarida Volcano. Then we walk through the medieval town of Besalu in Garrotxa. There in the main square, we enjoy our lunch. On the way we stop by the lake of Banyoles of tectonic origins. It’s the biggest natural lake in Catalonia and its blueish waters contrast with the green hilly background.

  • DAY 4

    Tuesday, Sant Climent. On the first part of our circular walk from the seafront ancient fishermen’s village of Llafranc we follow the Costa Brava Way. On the highest part of the cliffs we walk by an ancient hermitage-hospice, the 15th century watch tower and San Sebastia lighthouse. The most powerful in Spain and located 180m above sea level, offering stunning views. Our trail will descent to the bays of Pedrosa and Roig. By the charming beach of Tamariu we turn inland. On our way back to Llafranc we stop by the Can Mina dels Torrents Dolmen and the Roman ruines remaining their five century presence in this region (12km, +450m). In the afternoon we visit the town La Bisbal d’Emporda, where we can discover pottery making traditions, a well known antique shops and trendy interior decoration show rooms.

  • DAY 5

    Wednesday, Sant Climent. The second Costa Brava Way day walk from Begur to Platja de Pals. We start our route by visiting Begur, the watchtower of Costa Brava. The oldest vestiges of this town dating back to the Iberian culture, from 6th century BC. Once it was a Greek settlement, followed by the Romans. We will climb to the ruins of the 11th century castle, to enjoy panoramic views. From there we will stroll all the way down to a tiny port of Aiguablava. We are back on the costal path. On our way we walk through some stunning bays and beaches like Fornells, Fonda, Tuna, Riera, Illa Roja, Pals and Raco (10km). Late afternoon we visit the enclave of Empuries. The most important ruins of an ancient Greek city on the Iberian Peninsula, but it was also used as the base for the Roman armies.

  • DAY 6

    Thursday, Cadaquès. The next two days we spend in the area of the Natural Park Cap de Creus. This constitutes the last slopes of the Pyrenees and is the most easterly point of the Iberian Peninsula. The coast is abrupt and jagged, with towering cliffs and remote coves. It is the first natural park in Catalonia covering areas of both sea and land. In the morning we will discover a pearl of Romanesque architecture, the 11th century Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes towering 520m above sea level. From there we can also walk up to the 9th century castle ruins San Salvador and enjoy panoramic views. In the afternoon we will stop by the picturesque bay of Port Lligat. We visit a summer residence house there, a museum dedicated to a local icon, surrealist artist Salvador Dali. For the two following nights we stay in a hotel of one of the most romantic towns of the Costa Brava, where we can wander around narrow streets and the seafront of celebrated Cadaquès, which captivated so many artists (Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Marcel Duchamp, Walt Disney and many others).

  • DAY 7

    Friday, Cadaquès. For our last walk we are back on the Costa Brava Way. From Port Lligat we will trek through the Natural Parc of Cap de Creus, describe by Dali as « a grandiose geological delirium ». Hiking and wandering in this moon like landscape, we arrive at the extremest point of the Creus peninsula. High on the cliffs of this so called Devil’s Cape, stands the El Far lighthouse. Where we have lunch in a cosy restaurant, with unforgettable views. We shall enjoy our last evening in the lively and romantic atmosphere of Cadaquès.

  • DAY 8

    Saturday, Cadaquès. After breakfast we travel to the of Figueres and visit the Dali Theatre and Museum. It was his home town and he is buried in a crypt bellow the stage. The museum displays the single largest and most diverse collection of his works. By the time he was creating this place, that’s how he was imaging it to be: « I want my museum to be single block, a labyrinth, a great surrealist object. It will be totally theatrical museum. The people who come to see it will leave with the sensation of having had a theatrical dream ». Then after lunch I can bring you to the train station in Figueres or the airport in Girona.

Informations

Dates

From Saturday 4th till Saturday 11th of March 2023.
From Saturday 7th till Saturday 14th of October 2023.

Payment

Booking this trip I would ask you to transfer an account payment of 10% of the price, which is an amount of 160 euros. With this money I will prepay our accommodation and this deposit is non-refundable. The remaining 90% (1440 euros) should be transferred within one month before the trip. Thank you.

Departure & arrival

Meeting : Our meeting point is in the Old Town of Girona. As we are meeting in the morning it would be convenient for you to arrive there day before and stay for a night. I can help you to choose a nice place. The end of the trip: the Figueres international train station or Girona international airport, Catalonia, Spain.

Transport : Opel Vivaro mini bus (eight seats and spacious luggage room).

Accomodation

For the first 5 nights we stay in the private property in the Baix Emporda county, between La Bisbal d’Emporda and Palamos and just 10km from the Costa Brava beaches. The property is located between Sant Climent hamlet and the Gavarres Natural Reserve, a range of hills covered by dense Mediterranean forest. This ancient farmhouse was converted to the beautiful, rustic style and specious holiday house. It’s surrounded by olive groves, immense garden with the swimming pool. The house has 7 double rooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 dinning rooms, 2 kitchens, recreational rooms and large terrace with nice views.

For the following 2 nights we stay at the hotel located in the Llane Petit Bay, within 3 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes walk from Cadaques centre. It is set in a large estate with gardens, vineyards and fruit trees. From the outdoor pool and multiple different terraces we can admire stunning views. Among them the bay and town of Cadaques with its characteristic church, the cost and hills of Cap de Creus Natural Parc and the Saranella Island. We are in the Alt Emporda county, which in the north is neighbouring with France.

Food

We shall provide you with fresh, local, organic products as much as possible.

Group

Between six and eight people.

Price

The price is 1 600 euros per person in a group between 6 and 8 people. For the first 5 nights an individual rooms are at your disposal and if you wish to have a single room for the two following nights in the hotel, there is an additional cost of 90 euros.

The price includes : my guiding and driving, costs of transport, all accommodations and meals, tickets entrance to museums and map of region.

The price does not include : your personal insurance and beverages.

Bon voyage !