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.

The Resclosa d’Orfes

Posted on 11 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

Where is the Resclosa d’Orfes?

Orfes is a sleepy little village. Situated roughly in the middle between Figueres, Girona and Banyoles and surrounded by forest and arable pasture land.

In ten minutes you will have seen all the village has to offer. but there is a pleasant little walk from the village to the “resclosa” or ford which crosses the nearby river Fluvia.

In the map below take the track indicated by the red line and you will arrive at the ford. You can either take your shoes and socks off and walk across and return on the track indicated by the purple line or return by the same way you came.

If you have built up a good appetite, the one and only restaurant in Orfes, La Barretina d’Orfes is a great choice for lunch. They have a great selection of duck dishes and don’t miss their onion cake starter!

Plaça Major, 28 Orfes

972 560 280

Closed Thursdays and Sunday evenings.

Read Travel Blogger Sherry Ott’s account of La Barretina here.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. Our goal is to make sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia. We can help plan fun day-trips to the Costa Brava and all kinds of activities and extra services. From tables at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca to dining on a pier with fishermen. Let us know how we can help plan the perfect vacation and we will do the rest.

Pont de Llierca

Posted on 10 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

The Romanic bridge, Pont de Llierca

The “Pont de Llierca” is a beautiful three meter wide Romanic bridge which spans the river Llierca. The date of construction is unknown but the earliest mention is in the 14^thcentury where Sheppard’s were charged a fee to cross with their livestock.

The bridge is located just off the GIV-5231 between Montagut and Saderness in the region of La Garrotxa.

The Llierca has some deep pools which are often used by locals and holiday makers for swimming during the summer months.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Banyoles lake and market

Posted on 10 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

The lake of Banyoles

Banyoles, a medium sized town close to Girona is famed for its lake. Scene of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic rowing events the lake serves as the central hub and focus of the town.

A view of Banyoles lake along a jetty — A view of Banyoles lake just after sunrise

With the increased popularity of triathlons, Banyoles is also becoming one of the main locations for triathlon training in Europe. The triathlon world cup is being held here in 2012. The town is also a popular training location for rowing teams from around Europe.

The Banyoles lake and market

However one does not need to be an Olympic rower or triathlete to enjoy the charms of the lake. At around 2 kms long and with a perimeter of just over 7 kms the lake makes for the perfect mid morning or afternoon stroll. It is also possible to hire canoes and bikes.

If you are planning a day trip to Banyoles a good idea would be to do this on a Wednesday when the weekly market is spread out between “Placa Major” and the large “Placa de Rodes” which is close to the lake. The market mainly consists of fruit and vegetables, cured meats and cheeses with many of the stalls offering local and organic products. The market starts early at around 08.00am and starts closing up around 13.00

Some recommended restaurants in Banyoles include;

Famed for its seafood Gils Banyoles restaurant is a popular lunchtime destination for locals. Located close to the lake.

La Magrana (The Pomegranate) is a small family run restaurant in the old quarter of the town offering a modern twist on traditional Catalan dishes using fresh seasonal produce.

Can Xabanet is another family ran restaurant located just between Placa de Rodes and the lake. Traditional flavorsome dishes in a friendly atmospheric setting.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Bascara Sunday market

Posted on 6 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

The village of Bascara is perhaps better known as that village which the NII dissects between Figueres and Girona on the way to the Costa Brava beaches.

Bascara market — Sunday market at Bascara

The majority of people just drive through on the NII and never get to see the real village. We think it is certainly worth a stop to take a look.

Bascara Sunday market

Although there may be more picturesque and historical villages around, Bascara does have some great positives. There is a busy weekly fruit and vegetable market on Sunday mornings in the main square next to a great authentic bar where you can soak up the local atmosphere. The first Sunday of every month sees the market expand with the incorporation of local antiques and bric-a-brac stalls.

Bascara on a Sunday morning also has two small supermarkets and great butchers which are open until 13.00.

If you are looking for a good quality restaurant look no further than Can Carles in Bascara. Their lunch speciality of “arros” or paella is definitely worth the visit.

Addresses:

Butchers. Giro Burset. Ctra, Girona, 26 17483 BASCARA Tel 972 560 021

Bar/Restaurant Bar Fluvia. Next door to Giro-Burset butchers. Very economical and good value 9€ lunch during the week. Closed Mondays.

Bascara Living Nativity

Bascara is also famous for it’s annual live Nativity held in the village. More information can be found about the Bascara Nativity here.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Aiguamolls de l’Empordà

Posted on 4 January 2013 by Richard Calvin

Where are the Aiguamolls de l’Emporda?

The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà is a beautiful natural wetland area situated on the Costa Brava roughly between Sant Pere Pescador and Empuriabrava. With a total of 4800 hectares and over 300 species of bird this makes a great day out for nature lovers.

Walking through the Aiguamolls

Entry into the park is free but there is a car parking fee during the summer months. There’s various walking routes to choose from and at the visitor center you can buy route maps for around 30c. We went for a family day out recently and walked from the visitor center at “El Cortalet” to the southern boundary of the park towards Sant Pere Pescador. From here you can access the beach where we decided to walk back along in the direction of Empuriabrava. After a couple of km’s you pick up a track which heads back to El Cortalet making a nice circular route of approximately 5 or 6 km’s.
This stretch of beach is one of the least populated along the whole of the Costa Brava and is perfect for those who wish to escape the maddening crowd.

The full address of the Aiguamolls is:

Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà
El Cortalet,
Ctra. De Sant Pere Pescador km 13,6
17486-Castelló d’Empúries
Tel. 972 45 42 22

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Rupit in Catalonia

Posted on 2 March 2012 by Sara Marti

Exploring rural Catalonia

Few tourists make their way to Rupit when coming to Catalonia for their holidays. Located in the province of Osona this picturesque village is set on top of an escarpment 845m above sea level. Even though it’s a popular destination by Catalan day-trippers it is rarely visited by foreigners. The streets and lanes of this small town have retained an atmosphere of gone-by times.

Rupit, Catalonia

Rupit in Catalonia has retained its medieval charm, with narrow cobblestone streets and a beautiful age old plaza. A number of walking holiday companies have routes that pass through Rupit such as On Foot Holidays.

The countryside around it is wild and beautiful, with dramatic rock formations and spectacular views across the Pyrenean foothills. The river running through Rupit has carved out a deep gorge over millions of years resulting in the 100m high Sallent waterfall.

It is definitely a place worth visiting when you come to Catalonia!

Read more about Rupit and the province of Osana on the Visit Osona website.

Costa Brava holiday villas

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Palau de la musica Barcelona

Posted on 25 November 2011 by Sara Marti

The Palau de la Musica is one of Barcelona’s hidden treasures. Quite often overlooked by the usual tourist the Palau de la Música is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Palau de la musica Barcelona is located in the heart of city just minutes away from Placa Catalunya.

Visiting the Palau de Musica

The Palau de la musica Barcelona was built built between 1905 and 1908 as a place where music could be enjoyed at its best. Today it is still hosts important festivals and music concerts.

The breathtaking architecture full of colour and natural light is a magnificent example of Modernist architecture. The Palau was designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner, who was a contemporary of Gaudi.

The interior design, made of mosaics, sculpted stones and numerous impressive stained glasses, is absolutely stunning and well worth a visit.

The best way to enjoy the Palau is to go to an actual concert, but there are also daily tours taking place in English, Catalan and Spanish. Visit: the Palau de la Musica website for more information.