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Explore the beautifully-preserved medieval villages in the Catalan countryside, and discover pretty fishing villages along the rugged coast.
Arrive at your hotel where all guests are accommodated in rooms with private balcony and sea view. It's just a 5 minute walk to the centre of town where you have so many restaurants to choose from that we've left evening meals here up to you.Comfortable Hotel
You start with a 20 minute ride to Mont-Ras from where you have a choice of routes. Both routes take you into the Gavarres hills to visit three dolmens with fantastic views as far as Begur and the Illes Medes, before descending to the peaceful medieval villages of Fonteta and Vulpellac. Then it's on to the Hotel Castell d'Emporda which has expansive views across the plain from the terrace by the pool. 2 options: Walking time 5hrs, distance 17km/11mi or walking time 6hrs, distance 19km/12mi.Comfortable Hotel
Distance in Km: 19
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 6
Laze by the pool or follow our suggested circular walk linking the pretty mediaeval villages of Corca, Monells with a pretty square and lovely choices for lunch, and La Bisbal, a lively market town famous for antiques and pottery. Take time to explore the old quarter including the Carrer de Call, formerly a Jewish ghetto; its intricate arches are still intact today. Alternatively, the local bus goes to Girona and Figueres if you fancy a longer day out.Comfortable Hotel
Gentle walking across the Emporda plain, stopping first at Peratallada, possibly the best preserved mediaeval village in Spain with its beautifully restored arches, arcaded passageways and lovely shaded squares. Continue through fields bright with sunflowers until you reach peach-coloured Pals, a lovely old village with Romanesque church affording stunning views. The final stretch takes you through pine forest to our family-run hotel in the old town of Begur. The food here is fantastic! 2 options: Walking time 5hrs, distance 16km/10mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 17km/11mi.Comfortable Hotel
Distance in Km: 17
Distance in Miles: 11
Activity Hours: 5.5
Begur is a fashionable hilltop town with 11th century castle, impressive villas and pretty, narrow streets made for exploring! It's just 10 minutes by local bus (mid Jun to mid Sep only) or taxi to the coast, where four beautiful sandy coves await: Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, Sa Tuna and, just over the hill, Aiguablava. For people looking for something a touch more challenging, we provide details of a circular coastal walk which takes in all our favourite places.Comfortable Hotel
Shaded forest paths take you to the lively seaside town of Tamariu, with a fantastic beach, where you pick up the pretty coastal path, passing rocky headlands and chic Spanish resorts en route to Llafranc, with spectacular views from the San Sebastian lighthouse. Enjoy lunch in one of the beachfront bars here, where you can almost dip your toes in the water as you eat! Then it's back to Calella, perhaps continuing along the coastal path as far as the botanical gardens at Cap Roig, in time for a swim in the pool or a couple of hours on the beach before dinner.2 options: Walking time 4hrs, distance 14km/9mi or walking time 5hrs, distance 18km/12mi.Comfortable Hotel
Distance in Km: 18
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 5
6 nights in 3 and 4-star accommodation3 days walking; averaging 5.5 hours per
dayAltitude maximum 460m, average 200mLuggage transfers between hotels
All breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.Traditional Spanish food such as
paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about every
menu in Catalunya, but there are plenty of tasty local specialities too.
Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world renowned anchovies
from L'Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the mountains. A delicious
starter is Pan Catalan, which is lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive
oil and topped with tomatoes and garlic. The geography of the area has
developed regional cuisine mixing 'surf and turf'; combinations such as
chicken and lobster, or rabbit with prawns. Fruits also feature strongly with
dishes combining chicken with figs, or pheasant and grapes. Dishes tend to be
rich and hearty but there are also plenty of vegetable options for
vegetarians. Catalan foods also feature sauces in many dishes, which are
usually rich in flavour.The region is also renowned for the production of
Cava, around the town of San Sadurni de Noya. There is a herby, smoky, grassy
flavour to some of these as a result of the grape varieties and climate. The
region also produces some of Spain's best wines. Though we do not cycle
through San Sadurni de Noya, try the wine from this region if you spot it on
a menu.
6 nights in 3 and 4-star accommodation3 days walking; averaging 5.5 hours per
dayAltitude maximum 460m, average 200mLuggage transfers between hotels
This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and
you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. Please bear in mind that
although this is a self-guided holiday, the atmosphere in the hotels tends to
be quite social and they will sometimes place walkers together at breakfast
and dinner. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but
as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will
ultimately leave this decision up to you.This holiday provides spectacular,
yet relaxed walking and is perfect for people wanting to fit as much as
possible into a short holiday. The route takes in the winding, sandy paths of
mainland Spain's loveliest coast experiencing frequent glimpses of dazzling
aquamarine seas through the umbrella pines, as well as heading inland to
discover the truly unspoilt landscape of the Catalan countryside. This is a
wonderful region for bird and plant life. Over a third of the countryside is
now protected under a government scheme to preserve natural habitats, which
means a staggering variety of rare species: golden orioles, booted eagles,
purple-shot copper butterflies and colourful wild flowers. Hidden deep in the
forests are stunning natural curiosities, including the 5000 year old dolmens
and sparkling freshwater springs which drew the first settlers to these parts
thousands of years ago.
HotelsOur hand-picked hotels include the lovely, family run Hotel Garbi in the
traditional fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell which is set on the
hillside overlooking the sea. The magnificently restored 14th Century castle,
Castell d'Emporda is perched on a rocky outcrop which affords breathtaking
views from its terrace and the Hotel Rosa in Begur is renowned for its food
and is only 3km from the sea.All prices are based on 2 people sharing, so if
there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are
travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for
the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to
cover transfer costs.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
agent is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week
to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest.
Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route
notes contain an emergency telephone number. In an emergency, the local agent
is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish
to charge for this service. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers
included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked
on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers
and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person is travelling on a
departure date.
All breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.Traditional Spanish food such as
paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about every
menu in Catalunya, but there are plenty of tasty local specialities too.
Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world renowned anchovies
from L'Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the mountains. A delicious
starter is Pan Catalan, which is lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive
oil and topped with tomatoes and garlic. The geography of the area has
developed regional cuisine mixing 'surf and turf'; combinations such as
chicken and lobster, or rabbit with prawns. Fruits also feature strongly with
dishes combining chicken with figs, or pheasant and grapes. Dishes tend to be
rich and hearty but there are also plenty of vegetable options for
vegetarians. Catalan foods also feature sauces in many dishes, which are
usually rich in flavour.The region is also renowned for the production of
Cava, around the town of San Sadurni de Noya. There is a herby, smoky, grassy
flavour to some of these as a result of the grape varieties and climate. The
region also produces some of Spain's best wines. Though we do not cycle
through San Sadurni de Noya, try the wine from this region if you spot it on
a menu.
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by taxi or minibus.
British Airways Heathrow to Barcelona 09:35/12:45 then rail Barcelona Sants
to Girona 15:40/16:15 then transfer to hotel 50 minutes. Return: Transfer to
station 50 minutes then rail Girona to Barcelona Sants 12:56/13:34 British
Airways Barcelona to Heathrow 18:15/19:35.Business/club/first class seats are
available on request.
The trips runs from April through to October (except 5-23 Aug) with the early
and later part of the season experiencing cooler temperatures, highs
averaging 18-20°C and lows averaging 11-15°C. In the height of July
temperatures will reach highs of 28-30°C so it is important to be prepared
for this. There is always a chance of rain throughout the year, so it is
always best to be prepared.
Walking bootsWater bottleDaypackSun hat, sun cream and sunglassesWarm
jumperWaterproof jacket
Walking polesSwimwear
You will need money for two dinners, all lunches, snacks and drinks and entry
for any sites you wish to visit. Depending on your choice of restaurant
dinners will range in price, we suggest allowing approximately €15-35.
Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and
make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15.
We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches and allow an additional
€10 a day for any extras.Bikes are available on the rest days. Please call
for details and prices.
Travel insuranceVisas & vaccinationsSingle accommodation (available on
request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplements (where only one
person is travelling on a departure date)
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.