CATALAN MOUNTAINS & COAST
From the coast to the mountains, from sea to crag, from sandy beach
to shady Mediterranean forest - the diverse and changing natural landscapes
exert a powerful attraction to walkers. To walk here is a revelation.
This walking trail holiday has been specifically deigned to reveal many aspects of this beautiful part of Catalonia; you will walk along the "wild coast" with its miles of coastal cliffs, solitary beaches and coves with crystal clear water. You will walk inland through the Aiguamolls Nature Reserve where innumerable seabirds and songbirds have settled. You will walk up mountain trails offering spectacular views sweeping far into the Pyrenees.
You will have the chance to discover romanesque, gothic buildings, the region's acclaimed gastronomy, and the wines produced by the vineyards you pass on your route and much more!
We have chosen accommodation that fit the character of the walk. We
believe they offer the best quality of service and value for money from
the choice available. They are small family run Pensions, Casa Rurals
and Hotels.
Why choose a self guided trail holiday?
Simple…….freedom, you have the freedom to start your holiday
any day you want and travel along a trail at you own speed with all
the tools and information you need to make it a great adventure. All
your needs are looked after so all you need to do is focus on enjoying
every step and take in the rich culture, history and spectacular scenery
this region has to offer.
Nights: 5
Grade: 1-2
Terrain: farm tracks, coastal paths and mountain trails
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Girona Airport where you will be transferred to you
accommodation in Sant Pere Pescador. Surrounded by natural spaces of
wonderful landscape and natural interest and crossed by the River Fluvià,
St. Pere dates back to the year 974 when it was still a possession of
the monastery of St. Pere de Rodes.
Accommodation: Rural Guest House (Casa Rural), Half Board, Sant Pere
Pescador. The house is situated next to the River Fluvia and surrounded
by fields of fruit trees. It is right at the beginning of the natural
reserve "Parc de Mig de Dos Rius", where there is a great
diversity of fauna.
The house was constructed in the 19th century and is completely restored
and furnished with care. It has five rooms all en-suite, heating, television
and air conditioning. The dining room is very sunny with views to the
garden; the living room has a chimney, television, music equipment and
board games. In the lounge of the top floor you will be able to relax,
read or simply enjoy the view. The Guest House also has a swimming pool.
Day 2: Today's walk takes you along the banks of the River Fluviá,
along the beach at its mouth and then through the Aiguamolls Natural
Park, dotted with hides. At any time of the year you are likely to spot
birds such as ibis, herons, tufted ducks, pochards, snipes, redshanks,
marsh harriers and sandpipers, but if you are lucky you can make some
exciting sightings during the spring and autumn migrations: grey herons,
golden plovers, flamingos, black storks and spoonbills.
You will eventually arrive at Castello D'Empuries. Castello is a beautiful
medieval village steeped in history. There are many historical buildings
to visit; however the landmark of the village, visible from afar, is
the parish church of Santa Maria which is often called the "Cathedral
of the Empordà" because of its size and gothic influenced
architecture. (12km, 4hrs)
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Half Board with evening meal at a local restaurant.
Located in the heart of the town, built on the ruins of the former home
of the Count of Castello, each of the uniquely designed rooms are fitted
with fully reversible air conditioning and all have en-suite bathrooms,
they offer lovely views of the village.
Day 3: You will be transferred to Platja Canyelles. You will head east
along the coast following a spectacular coastal trail that is destined
to fulfill every walker's hopes and dreams. You will pass many secluded
beaches and coves with ample opportunities for a dip in the crystal
clear sea. Eventually you will cut inland through hillsides packed with
tiers of old olive groves, and finally onto Cadaques.
Cadaques was a favourite of both Picasso and Salvador Dalí where
Salvador Dalí once famously said in 1920: "I have spent
a delightful summer, as always, in the perfect and dreamy town of Cadaqués.
There, alongside the Latin sea, I have been quenched by light and colour".
(16km, 5hrs 30min)
Note: Cadaques is a great place for eating out; there is a good selection
of restaurants ranging from small Mediterranean family run restaurants,
to fresh fish restaurants, pizza cafes and tapas bars. We would recommend
you try the seafood during your stay in Cadaques- its always very fresh
and delicious when washed down with a bottle of chilled Catalan white
wine.
Accommodation: Pension, Bed & Breakfast, Cadaques. Close to the
beach and the centre of Cadaques this family run Pension is simple,
clean and friendly. All the rooms are en-suite.
Day 4: Leaving Cadaques you make your way north through the heart of
the famous Cap de Creus National Park. You will follow a deeply rural
path with beautiful views of the Catalan countryside before arriving
at El Port de la Selva.
El Port de la Selva is outstanding for its varied landscapes, its beaches
and its mountains. The first historic references to the settlement go
back to 974, although it did not become a fully-fledged village until
the 18th century, with the construction of its first church. The village
retains the charm of a small fishing village and a great many monuments
and historical buildings remain, such as the Taballera Dolmen, the Serra
de Rodes medieval site (made up of Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, Sant
Salvado Castle (13th century), Santa Elena Shrine and the village of
Santa Creu), and Sant Fruitós Church. The village has some of
Catalonia's best beaches. (12Km, 4hrs 30mins)
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel, Half Board, El Port de la Selva. The hotel
is an old manor house from 1864 made with stones from the Cap de Creus.
It's been a hotel since 1960 and was totally refurbished in 2005. It's
just a few meters from the beach. It has 2 restaurants (one of them
in front of the sea) and a panoramic lounge.
Day 5: Leaving El Port de la Selva behind you, travel South West ascending
up to the Sant Pere de Rodes cloister (Open October 1st to May 31st
10am - 5.30pm, June 1st to September 30th from 10am to 8pm, closed on
Mondays). Its origins date back to the first century after Christ. Christian
doctrine understands Sant Pere de Rodes as one of the most important
monasteries in Spain. You will then make your way up to the ruins of
Castell de Sant Salvador, from here you will have a breathtaking view
of the Alt Emporda, across to the Albera Mountains and far into the
Pyrenees. You also have stunning views over the Bay of Roses and the
entire Cap de Creus. You will then make your way down past the little
white chapel of Sant Onofre into the village of Palau Saverdera and
finally the end of your journey. (12.5Km, 5hrs 30min)
Palau Saverdera is a small medieval village with a beautiful little
church in the centre, there are a few local bars in the village in which
to enjoy a well deserved drink at the end of the day.
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Half Board, Palau Saverdera. The guesthouse,
renewed in 2006, is a charming house situated in a small Catalan village,
only 5 km away from the sea. The rooms offer you all the services of
a small hotel. In the evening you will have the opportunity to savour
some wonderful traditional Catalan cuisine.
Day 6: Pick up and transfer to Girona airport.
What your holiday includes:
· Transfer to and from Girona Airport
· Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
· Five night's B&B accommodation
· Optional Extra: Four evening meals (one taken in a local restaurant)
· Optional Extra: Three picnic lunches
· Moving of luggage between accommodation
· Detailed route maps (to be returned)
· Local maps (to keep)
· Personal information pack including information about local
history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions
etc
What's not included:
· Flights
· Holiday Insurance
· Beverages during evening meals (except accommodation in Palau
Saverdera)
Great idea's to make your trip even more special!!!
Whilst here why not spend an extra night at the end of your holiday in Girona
At the end of your holiday you will be transferred to your accommodation (4 Star Hotel) in Girona, a city rich in culture and history and the perfect place to relax and enjoy an extra day. Girona is a beautiful city where you get a real feeling for its history just by walking through its ancient streets. It's a walled city which dates back to the Roman period; the old quarter is located within the city walls. There is a well known stretch of houses, built in the 19th century, which make up the part of the city wall destroyed by the French in 1807 while the city was under siege. The city's main historical attractions include its Roman ruins, the charming small streets of its Jewish quarter, the Arab Baths and the magnificent cathedral which dominates the whole city.
In the evening you can dine at one of many outstanding restaurants. There is a wide range of cuisines to sample: Catalan, Mediterranean, oriental, fresh from the market, vegetarian, Basque and fusion. Furthermore, the city lies in an area of great culinary dynamism and enjoys a privileged geographical position that offers up a wide variety of ingredients and exceptionally high quality products from the sea and the countryside.
Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Girona. Your accommodation is in the historic and cultural heart of Girona. The hotel is decorated with iconic images from the city's past, which blend well with the modern style and facilities on offer.
· 85 Euros (Per person based on 2 in a double room)
· 127 Euros (Single person)
Note: You will need to get a taxi from the hotel to Girona airport (pay
locally approx 15 euros)
Why not jump out a plane at the end of a days walking
Who has never dreamed of the total freedom of flight without any other assistance, except from their own body? This dream is now a reality and within anybody's reach and less expensive than you would pay in the UK (normally between £250 and £270 in the UK).
Accompanied by a professional instructor with thousands of jumps behind him, you can enjoy one of the most memorable moments of a lifetime.
After a short briefing about the exit from the aircraft, control in freefall and the landing, you will take off for a 15 minute flight to 12.500 feet: Securely attached to a qualified instructor, you will jump and taste 1 minute of amazing freefall at 200km/hr
After the instructor opens the parachute at 4.000 ft, by no means has
the experience ended. You can then enjoy 5 minutes of flight over Empuriabrava
and the Bay of Roses.
We offer the option of a video/cameraman jumping with the tandem to
make a DVD or video and or photos of your tandem skydive. The video
man will make a film and/or take photos of the passenger in the plane,
during freefall and the landing.
Tandem Jump
242 Euros (per person)
Optional Photos
88 Euros (per person)
Optional DVD
102 Euros (per person)
