9
15 405
Mainly coastal walking but also taking in sweeping green valleys, hidden white hamlets and colourful fishing harbours.
Explore the pretty streets of Garriguella before your evening meal. (Staying at Vilamont Spa Hotel)
After a 10-minute transfer to Pau, enjoy panoramic coastal views south as you ascend to Sant Onofre, a rocky 14th century chapel clinging to the hillside, then crest the peninsula at Castell de Sant Salvador, once a refuge from pirates and now a sunkissed crumbling ruin in a perfect spot for picnics! Descend past the 13th century Sant Pere de Rodes abbey, before the Vall river leads to the sea. Dine on the waterfront overlooking the picturesque natural harbour. (Staying at Hotel Porto Cristo)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 5
Perhaps use the hotel spa today (payable locally) or stroll along the waterfront; this is the only working harbour on the peninsula, where fishermen still land their catch. We also include directions for a 10.5km or 12.5km walk to the peaceful mediaeval village of la Selva de Mar, where you can enjoy a shady lunch in one of the terrace cafes, and some lovely views over the vines. (Staying at Hotel Porto Cristo)
Heading east, you walk through the heart of the Natural Park where neptune grass, shy orchids and bright yellow saxifrage cover the hillsides. Evidence of ancient settlements in the shape of dolmens appear at Cista dels Bufadors along the trail, before the white houses of Cadaques appear below you. it's a short stroll along the harbour to your hotel, complete with pool and private beach. (Staying at Hotel Playa Sol)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 5
Salvador Dali lived a short walk from Cadaques, and you can make an appointment to visit his quirky house if you wish. The pretty harbour, perfect light and relaxing atmosphere has made Cadaques popular with artists for decades; many art galleries and curio shops line the waterfront, and the narrow alleyways behind are packed with chic restaurants and bars. (Staying at Hotel Playa Sol)
Leaving Cadaques, you pass a rocky lighthouse outcrop and follow the southern edge of the peninsula, passing below Puig de sa Cruilla. The second half of the walk is all along the seashore, passing a plethora of pretty coves and bays, perfect for relaxing or swimming. (Staying at Hotel Almadraba Park)
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 10
Activity Hours: 6
It will be hard to leave the hotel today; its location is so perfect! Set just above a sheltered beach, with access via steps, it has tennis courts and landscaped gardens shaded by tall pines, not to mention a pool with 180 degree views and a tempting poolside bar. if you do explore, the centre of Roses has the remains of the 16th century Trinitat Castle, a star-shaped redoubt, and the ruined ciutadela, an impressive fortress from Greek and Roman times embellished by Carlos V in the 16th century. (Staying at Hotel Almadraba Park)
You ascend from Roses to a natural balcony, the Pla de les Gates, passing a clutch of dolmens in la Muntanyeta. After descending to the verdant plain below, your walk then takes you on country tracks through apple orchards and sunflower fields, with the high Muntanyes de Verdera as a backdrop, and ends in the wine village of Mas Palou. From here we transfer you (15 minutes) to your hotel in nearby Garriguella. (Staying at Vilamont Spa Hotel, Breakfast at hotel and evening meal in local restaurant)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4
8 Nights , Hotel-to-hotelAll continental breakfast and 4 evening mealsRoute
notes and maps provided Luggage transfers between hotels Walking transfers
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals.Traditional Spanish food such
as paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about
every menu in Catalunya, but donot forget to try the regional specialities
too. Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world-renowned
anchovies from L’Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the
mountains. A good starter might be Pan Catalán (pa amb tomàquet), this is
lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomatoes and
garlic. Thanks to its geography, the region has developed “Sea and
Mountain” - mar y muntana cuisine, combining chicken with lobster, or
rabbit with prawns. Fruits are used as well, such as roasted chicken and
figs, or pheasant and grapes.Dishes are rich and hearty, however, it is not
just a meat-based cuisine, and there are plenty of vegetable options.
Catalan dishes also rely heavily on sauces: Sofrito is an onion and tomato
sauce, Picada is made from dried fruits, nuts and herbs, Sanfaina is a sauce
of fried peppers, aubergines, onions and tomatoes and Romesco is made with
tomatoes, peppers, nuts and garlic. Most menus are written in both Castilian
and Catalan and sometimes in English too, but you may find a pocket
dictionary useful in the more remote places.
8 Nights , Hotel-to-hotelAll continental breakfast and 4 evening mealsRoute
notes and maps provided Luggage transfers between hotels Walking transfers
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.
HotelsYour family-run hotels are perfectly situated, with three out of four on the
beach. The Vilamont Spa, with pool, sits on the church square in a pretty
village and the Porto Cristo is set just back from the sea, with meals
enjoyed in the hotel's seafront restaurant. At the sea-front Hotel Playa Sol,
in the chic and arty harbour of Cadaques, there are swimming opportunities
aplenty and the Almadraba Park is a spectacular cliff-top hotel overlooking
the Bay of Roses, with a panoramic swimming pool and steps to the beach.
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. 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 travelling on a departure date.
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals.Traditional Spanish food such
as paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about
every menu in Catalunya, but donot forget to try the regional specialities
too. Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world-renowned
anchovies from L’Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the
mountains. A good starter might be Pan Catalán (pa amb tomàquet), this is
lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomatoes and
garlic. Thanks to its geography, the region has developed “Sea and
Mountain” - mar y muntana cuisine, combining chicken with lobster, or
rabbit with prawns. Fruits are used as well, such as roasted chicken and
figs, or pheasant and grapes.Dishes are rich and hearty, however, it is not
just a meat-based cuisine, and there are plenty of vegetable options.
Catalan dishes also rely heavily on sauces: Sofrito is an onion and tomato
sauce, Picada is made from dried fruits, nuts and herbs, Sanfaina is a sauce
of fried peppers, aubergines, onions and tomatoes and Romesco is made with
tomatoes, peppers, nuts and garlic. Most menus are written in both Castilian
and Catalan and sometimes in English too, but you may find a pocket
dictionary useful in the more remote places.
Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you. Transfers will be in
a taxi or minibus. There is a private transfer after breakfast on day 2 to
take you to your next hotel and on the afternoon of day 8.
The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Garriguella on the
afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary.Flight inclusive prices include our
standard flights/transfersBritish Airways Heathrow to Barcelona 09:35/12:45
then rail Barcelona Sants to Vilajuiga 15:16/17:35 and transfer to hotel 15
mins Return: Transfer to station 15 mins then rail Llanca to Barcelona Sants
13:35/15:39, then air Barcelona to Heathrow 18:15/19:35. Business/club/first
class seats are available on request.
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from
Vilajuiga train station at 17:35, and back to Llanca train station at
13:00. For land only bookings transfers are available for a supplement.
In April, May and September expect temperatures to average between 17ºC and
22ºC with high chance of rain showers though it could also be simply partly
cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures between June and August tend to be
higher, with averages between 25ºC and 29ºC, and highs reaching up to
33ºC. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds all year round.
Walking boots or shoes with sturdy soles that have been broken inComfortable
flip flops or strap walking sandalsDaypackWater bottleWind/waterproof
jacketWind/waterproof trousersWoolly hat and glovesWarm
clothes/fleeceSunglasses, sunhat and high factor sunscreen
Walking polesCamera
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all
drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per
day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend
€10-€15 for lunch.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory
supplement)Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on
a departure date)Visas & vaccinations
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.