Girona Barcelona high speed train timetable

Posted on 25 April 2013 by Richard Calvin

Travel between Girona and Barcelona is now much easier and quicker thanks to the new AVE high speed train line. Opened in early 2013, the traveling time between Figueres and Barcelona is around 52 minutes. Between Girona and Barcelona around 35 minutes. The cost of a return ticket is around 25€ from Girona and around 32€ from Figueres. Here is the timetable of high speed trains between Figueres to Barcelona and Girona to Barcelona.

The timetable of the high speed train between Barcelona and Girona and Figueres

RENFE Barcelona Girona high speed train timetable

The high speed AVE train line connects Barcelona and France. Before reaching Barcelona the train stops first at Figueres then Girona. Here is a link to the RENFE Girona Barcelona high speed timetable

Barcelona to the Costa Brava by train

The high speed AVE train only stops at Girona and Figueres and does not have any stops on the Costa Brava. There’s other, slower train options which get you closer to the Costa Brava coast. These are known as the Rodalies and are as follows:

The line R1 departs from Barcelona Sants station and arrives at Blanes on the southern tip of the Costa Brava.

The line R11 departs from Barcelona Sants and stops at Llanca, Colera and Portbou at the northern tip of the Costa Brava.

Train to Begur

The nearest train station to Begur and Tamariu is Girona. To reach the coastal area around Begur and Tamariu by public transport the only option is by bus. Read more in our blog post Public transport on the Costa Brava

Luxury villas on the Costa Brava

At Charming villas Catalonia we have a good selection of luxury Costa Brava villas to choose from. We are locally based and offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. We can help plan your activities and give you suggestions of day trips.

Platja Fonda, Begur

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Richard Calvin

The beaches of Begur

The coastal area around Begur has some of the nicest beaches on the whole Costa Brava. Platja Fonda Begur is without doubt one of the nicest and definitely one of our favorites. This 160m long wild and hidden spot is accessed by a long flight of steps.

The Begur coastline stretching from Platja de Raco in the north to AiguaBlava in the south offers the beach lover some great choices of beach. Each beach in the area of Begur has its own distinct character. Platja Fonda is what i would describe as a “virgin beach” with no bars, shops or nearby mass tourism. With just one path leading down to the beach it is totally untouched.

Not as big as Sa Riera and lacking restaurants, shops and bars this is perhaps a somewhat less crowded option suitable for serious beach lovers. With coarse dark sand/small pebbles the beach is perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds of bigger beaches.

Platja Fonda, Begur, Costa Brava — Platja Fonda beach, Costa Brava

The clear turquoise waters and the lack of mass tourism make this a great choice of beach for those looking to simply enjoy swimming and sunbathing. Tip – Go early in the morning or later in the evening and enjoy the beach to yourselves.

Platja Fonda villas

Overlooking the beach we have the magnificent nine bedroom luxury villa Platja Fonda which is just a stone’s throw walk from the beach. This is a ultra-modern villa with full air conditioning and en-suite bedrooms. We also have a wide selection of alternative luxury villas close to Platja Fonda. Check out our portfolio of luxury Begur villas

For more information about Platja Fonda and the other beaches of Begur here is a link to the official tourism board of Begur

Cadaques: Where I Left My Worries Behind The Mountains.

Posted on 18 April 2013 by Richard Calvin

Cadaques Blog Trip 2013

Cadaques where i left my worries behind the mountains. This is a guest post by Ash Clark, one of our bloggers on our recent “blog trip” to Cadaques and the Costa Brava.

Seeing as I arrived at night, it wasn’t until the next day that I really got to appreciate the unique location that Cadaqués is set in. Invited on a four day blog trip by Charming Villas Catalonia Cadaques was where we were spending our first two nights.

When I woke the next morning, I got to see what it is that has made this sleepy fishing village grow into a popular summer holiday spot.

Walking from my villa through the cobbled lanes that wind around the town’s whitewashed buildings and villas, I had no doubt in my mind that I was on the Mediterranean.

Sailing on the Sant Isidre, Cadaques

I was lucky enough to spend my first day sailing on a ‘laüt’, a traditional Catalan fishing vessel. While I generally find most sailing experiences rather memorable, this particular one especially stood out as we sailed along the coastline of the Cap de Creus National Park. The unique perspective offered from the decks of our boat really allowed me to appreciate how spectacular the natural landscape is in this part of Spain.

While the coastline that Cadaqués sits on is without a doubt its main draw card, it was the mountains around the town that drew a lot of my attention.

The vast majority of the hillsides around Cadaqués have terrace levels, made from stack-stone retaining walls.

It doesn’t take one long to realize that most of these impressive walls are rather aged and that the incredible amounts of manual labor it would of taken to construct them was originally completed to serve a specific purpose.

The blank terraced hillsides that dominate the area today haven’t always been that way. I soon learned that Cadaqués was once a major producer of wine and olive oil. Unfortunately the wineries and olive farms that once thrived here were completely wiped out after an outbreak of a plant virus that destroyed the plants.

Today, wineries in the region are making a come back, offering some high quality drops of both red and white. Which, like almost every aspect of Catalan, have their own unique flare to them. Celler Martin Faixo grow their wines in the hills of Cadaques

Cadaques where i left my worries behind the mountains

As the local saying goes, “When you come to Cadaqués, you leave your worries behind the mountains.” The natural scenery, food, art and culture on display in this fascinating town really do play true to those words for those who visit.

About the Author: Ash Clark is a travel writer and photographer from Sydney, Australia. With a strong curiosity, he never manages to stay in one place for too long. To keep up to date with his current travels you can follow his personal travel blog at themostalive.com and on twitter @themostalive.

Cala Guillola, Cadaques

Posted on 3 February 2013 by Richard Calvin

Cala Guillola, Cap de Creus Cadaques

If hidden little coves and bays are your thing then look no further than Cala Guillola, roughly half way between Cadaques and Cap de Creus.

It can be a little difficult to find (you won’t see any signs pointing you where to go) and a little difficult actually getting there but your efforts will well be worth it.

We chanced upon the cove on a bright and fresh January morning with no other people in sight. Talk about idyllic, the temptation to try out the crystal clear water was very strong but the fact that we were in the middle of winter ensured sanity prevailed.

The area around Cadaques and the Cap de Creus peninsula is dotted with little coves like this. Check out another blog post which lists all of the many coves and bays in the area; The beaches and coves of Cadaques. Or check out the local Visit Cadaques website which has plenty of local information.

Cadaques vacation homes

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer our clients a selection of the best properties on the rental market in Cadaques. Browse our portfolio of Cadaques vacation rentals and holiday villas for rent in Cadaques.

Locally based we can help our clients plan activities and extra services. Fancy a lunch with fishermen on the pier at Portlligat? Take a Costa Brava hot air balloon trip or sail around the Cap de Creus? We can help plan all these and many more.

Aiguablava beach Begur

Posted on 3 February 2013 by Richard Calvin

The beaches of Begur

One of the prettiest beaches along the whole Costa Brava, Aiguablava beach Begur is a popular beach for holiday makers and locals alike.

The beach of AiguaBlava, Begur — AiguaBlava, Begur

At around 150m in length Aiguablava (Blue Water in Catalan) can become pretty crowded during the peak months of July and August. For this reason it is best to get there early to claim your spot!

Aiguablava beach, Begur — Aiguablava, Begur, Costa Brava

The beach of Aiguablava

One of our favourite beaches, Aiguablava is in our list of favorite beaches on the Costa Brava.

Aiguablava Costa Brava — The empty beach of Aiguablava close to Begur

Not as commercialized as nearby larger beaches such as Tamariu, Aiguablaba does however have a couple of decent restaurants. Toc al Mar is a restaurant located right on the water overlooking Aiguablava. Their specialty dishes are paellas and other rice dishes.

The photographs posted here were taken on a slightly overcast and windy February day.

Aiguablava vacation villas

At Charming Villas Catalonia we have a good selection of luxury Aiguablava holiday villas to choose from. Browse our portfolio of vacation rentals in Aiguablava and Begur.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all our customers. We love to help our clients make the most of their time while in the region and take great pleasure in helping arrange all kinds of activities and extra services.

Please contact us – we would be delighted to hear from you.

The beaches of Begur

Posted on 26 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

Begur and it’s beaches are far from the tacky image of all day breakfasts and mass package tourism that many people may have of the Costa Brava. This family orientated region has some of the prettiest pine clad beaches and clearest waters in the whole of the Catalan coastline.

Begur has long been a favorite summer destination for Spanish and Catalan people, especially from Barcelona, many of whom own a second home in the area.

What are the beaches of Begur?

Begur has eight beaches starting with Platja del Raco to the north of the town. With great views of the Medes Islands this is a long beach which eventually merges into the beach of Pals. Just down from Platja del Raco is the beautiful Illa Roja, a famous nudist beach. Sa Riera, Begur’s largest beach is next in line and is one of our personal favourites. A good sized beach which although does get quite busy in peak season. It retains a pleasant, intimate air to it with a handful of decent restaurants a stones’ throw from the beach.

To the East of Begur you find the bays of Auigafreda and Sa Tuna. Not as big and sandy as Sa Riera these are charming and atmospheric nonetheless and are great for people who prefer smaller, quieter beaches.

To the south of Begur you find the beaches of Platja Fonda, Fornells and Auigablava. Platja Fonda is one of the wildest and most unspoilt beaches you can find on the Costa Brava and the best in this region for sunbathing. Accessed by a series of steps this really is one of the gems of the area.

Fornells and Aiguablava are the most southern beaches of the Begur region. Here you will also find the small secluded coves of Estasia, Malaret, Ses Orats and Port Esclanya.

More information about Begur and it’s beaches can be found at the official Visit Begur website.

Begur holiday villas

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a selection of hand picked luxury villas on the Costa Brava. Browse our portfolio of luxury Costa Brava vacation rentals and Barcelona beachfront homes. Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients.

The beaches and coves of Cadaques

Posted on 16 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

A comprehensive list of the beaches and coves of Cadaques

Situated within the Cap de Creus headland, the beaches of Cadaques and its surrounding area tend to be smaller, more intimate coves and bays. If it is long sandy beaches you are looking for then Cadaques is not for you.

The best beaches on the Costa Brava — Platja del Ros, Cadaques on the Costa Brava

Where is Cadaques?

Cadaques is located at the end of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Windswept, wild and unpopulated, Cadaques really is stuck out on it’s own. The feeling of detachment from the rest of the Costa Brava is one of the reasons which make Cadaques so unique.

A great place for swimming, the water quality in this region is probably the best of the whole Costa Brava.

Although not official nudist beaches, don’t be surprised to see nudists in some of the more secluded bays further from Cadaques especially in the Cap de Creus.

The best beaches of Cadaques?

We have a few favorite beaches such as Platja del Ros, of of the few sandy beaches close to the town of Cadaques. We also love Cala Sa Sabolla which is a fair old walk in the direction of the Far de Cala Nans. The walk itself is a pleasant 5Km stroll through nice countryside with lovely sea views. The beach itself is pebbles rather than sand but nonetheless a great place to spend a few hours.

Another hidden favorite of ours is Cala Guillola. This is located to the north of Cadaques in the direction of the other lighthouse of Cap de Creus. Small and intimate this cove is sheltered from the local Tramuntana wind.

More information about Cadaques and the surrounding area can be found at the official Visit Cadaques website.

In the following Google map you will find the location of all the local beaches of Cadaques.

Choosing where to stay on the Costa Brava

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

First time on the Costa Brava?

For many Brits the mention of the Costa Brava can conjure up notions of tacky seaside resorts possibly something akin to Blackpool in the North of England. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This blog post is aimed at helping first time visitors choosing where to stay on the Costa Brava.

Port Lligat, Cadaques — The crystal blue waters of Cadaques

It is true that the Costa Brava was the first “Costa” to open up to mass tourism in the 50’s and 60’s. However because of the rugged nature of the Costa Brava (The Wild Coast) developers quickly moved further south in search of flatter, easier accessible land to build accommodation. So with perhaps the exception of Lloret de Mar and Platja d’ Aro you find largely untouched small towns and villages all down the Costa Brava coastline.

Begur and Cadaques

A very popular area is the area around Begur. You have various beaches to choose from and is very family orientated. Another popular town, and probably my favourite, is Cadaques. Cadaques is situated in the “Cap de Creus” national park and is somewhat isolated from the rest of the Costa Brava. This is the main reason why it has retained so much character and has not been spoilt by development.

Cadaques, Costa Brava — Cadaques on the Costa Brava

What I normally suggest to people is that Cadaques is perfect for those who want to stay put. If you like to explore other towns, villages and beaches then Cadaques is probably not for you. The road in and out is pretty narrow and winding and can be a lengthy journey. So if you go to Cadaques, plan on staying there and not travelling very far. Of course there are some beautiful little bays and coves close to Cadaques and along the Cap de Creus. Most are walkable or are a short journey by car but other towns are more of a trek. If you enjoy exploring other villages and beaches then I would suggest staying around the area of Begur or Tamariu.

Luxury vacation homes on the Costa Brava

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a wide selection of carefully chosen vacation rentals on the Costa Brava. We offer a free concierge service and can help our clients in choosing the best place to stay on the Costa Brava.

Costa Brava towns — Towns of the Costa Brava

If you are looking at a two week vacation and this is your first visit to the area then it may be a good idea to go with two different villas in two different areas. This way you will probably get to see more meaning that it will make your choice of where to return for future visits easier. And we are sure that once you discover the Costa Brava you will want to return time and again!

Further information about the Costa Brava can be found on the official Costa Brava website.

Torras Chocolate Banyoles

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

We all love chocolate right? Hands up who watched “Charlie and the Chocolate factory” in their youth and since have dreamed of visiting a real life chocolate factory? Torras chocolates Banyoles allows this dream to come true.

Torras chocolate Banyoles

In the 50’s and 60’s Torras installed many ceramic advertising signs on the sides of houses in the Banyoles region. Many can still be seen to this day and the sign pictured is in the village of Orfes.

Founded in 1890 Torras is one of the biggest chocolate producers in Spain.

Sugar-free and organic chocolate

As well as the traditional regular chocolate, Torras chocolates Banyoles also produce a large range of sugar-free, gluten-free and organic chocolates. Their pioneering sugar-free organic range is a world first!

It is possible to arrange visits to see how chocolate is made and to taste some different varieties. There’s also an on-site shop which sells the full range of Torras chocolates. It is also possible to order on-line through the Torras website. Here is the contact information to arrange a visit:

Girona-Banyoles Road, Km 15

17844 – Cornellà de Terri – GIRONA Tel.: +34 972 58 10 00

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer our clients a wide selection of luxury holiday villas on the Costa Brava. Let us guide you through the villa selection process from start to finish.

We offer a free concierge service to all our clients and can help arrange activities and extra services. Locally based our aim to make sure that our clients get the most out of their stay while in Catalonia. We can help arrange special day-trip itineraries and give suggestions of activities and things to see and do. We are here for you.

What to do in Cadaques

Posted on 12 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

Brief history of Cadaques.

One of the most sought after holiday destinations on the whole Catalan coastline, Cadaques has an undeniable charm and mystique which draws you back time after time.

Cadaques for the most part evaded the developers of the 1960’s and 70’s mainly because of it’s isolated location within the Cap de Creus national park right at the top of the Costa Brava. The developers were more interested in flat, easily accessible beachfront real estate to exploit so thankfully left the town alone. Cadaques has been around for centuries but the only road in and out of the town was built around 1908, meaning that up until then the only real access to the town was by boat. By all accounts some Cadaques residents had sailed to Cuba and North America but had never traveled inland to the nearby town of Figueres!

The beautiful coastal town of Cadaques

The Cap de Creus peninsula is the most eastern point of Spain. This means that it is also the first part of Spain to witness the sunrise. People from the region gather at the Cap de Creus lighthouse in the early morning of the 1st of January every year to welcome in the New Year with dancing and merriment!

The area has inspired many artists, most notably Salvador Dali who lived in the area. He venerated the elements of light and texture which inspired him throughout his lifetime.

Dali bought a bunch of fisherman’s shacks on the harbour of PortLligat which I guess you could call a suburb of Cadaques. He converted them into one abode and spent a great part of his life here. The house is now a museum which is open to the public.

Cadaques beach

Things to do in Cadaques

Staying in one of our Barcelona vacation rentals or one of our luxury Costa Brava villas in Begur or Tamariu? Charming Villas Catalonia can help put together a bespoke Cadaques day trip itinerary for you. We can arrange a driver to pick you up from your villa and take take you back in the evening. Set up a local guide to walk you through the ancient heart of the town exploring the cobbled streets, artists galleries and hidden corners.

Have a unique fisherman’s lunch on the pier at Portlligat or in one of the many good standard restaurants in the town. Try the famous Cadaques Taps – a sweet dessert cake made for generations from a secret recipe by the local bakery Pastisseria La Mallorquina. Take a refreshing smoothie or organic juice at Brown Sugar, one of the most authentic bars in Cadaques.

Visit the Dali museum, take a boat trip or a pleasant walk to the the lighthouse at Cala Nans or the hidden beach of Cala Guillola. Let us know your interests and we can help you plan a bespoke and memorable day out in Cadaques, our favourite coastal town on the Costa Brava.

A great way to spend a day or half a day is to take a boat trip around the Cap de Creus. The Sant Isidre is a classic Catalan fishing boat built in 1925 and which has a capacity for up to 35 people. You will visit isolated bays which are only accessible by boat and have the option of lunch onboard.

Where to eat in Cadaques?

Cadaques also has some great restaurants and too many to list here but here is a small sample:

Martin Faixo is a producer of some great local wines grown in the Cap de Creus and they also run the two very good restaurants Can Rafa and the Enoteca MF.

Compartir Cadaques . Opened in 2012 by three local chefs who worked at the world famous El Bulli, Compartir has quickly became one of Cadaques’s most popular restaurants.

MOS Cadaques is another new restaurant which opened its doors in 2012. Contemporary food from a Michelin starred chef.