- Spain
- (1866)
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Sant Vicenç is a fine example of a Benedictine monastery which was partly demolished. Like Sant Pere you can't always get inside but the exterior is pretty enough with a rotund chapel containing the altar.
Praça de Sant Vicenç
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye66gdq
Sant Pere church is a Romanesque jewel with outstanding architecture and peace. You can't always get inside but the exterior is pretty enough with carvings and windows.
Praça de Sant Pere
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye66gdq
Below the fortified bridge are the remains of the Jewish synagogue and
mikvah (ritual bath). The mikvah is behind a locked gate and can be seen only at certain times with a guide - ask at tourist information for times). The ruins are clearly marked and helpful signs show you where each room would have been. From the ruins there are good views of the fortified bridge and river Fluvía.
There is an easy walk which leads from the ruins and goes alongside the river to just past the fortified bridge.
The synagogue/mikvah is well signposted from the praça de libretat.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye66gdq
The Praça de Libertat is the heart of activity in Besalú especially on Tuesdays when it is market day.
The market sells excellent quality goods at low prices. Around the praça are numerous shops and cafés.
There are the obligatory souvenir shop/newsagents on the corner of the square selling T shirts with Besalú written on them and other items with Besalú all over them.
The square is only a 10 min walk from the Teisa bus stop on the main road through Besalú - it is well signposted.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye66gdq
The fortified romanesque 11th century bridge spans the river Fluvía and makes for an impressive entrance to Besalú on top of its hill. It's unique because it retains its central tollhouse and portcullis for that medieval feel. It is also the only curving medieval bridge in Spain. Children will love it for the portcullis and watchtower.
Besalú is 40km west of Girona and the buses to Olot from Girona all stop at Besalú.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye66gdq
Santa María is built in the neo-gothic style with a rose window and intricate façade with ornate carvings - the one of the Virgin Mary above the door is especially beautiful. The terrace outside the church has excellent views of the beach and the town below.
Santa María is just a 10 min walk from Portbou train station from where there are frequent connections to Barcelona (via Girona and Figueres) and to Toulouse (via Perpignan) in France.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybs7xt6
Superb one to one tuition from artist and ceramicist Colin Bloom. His veggie food is delicious, the setting picturesque and rates are very reasonable. I loved the trips into Barcelona to the art museums. Recommended.
Vilafranca direct train 40 minutes to Barcelona.
0034 938 980 324
colinblm@gmail.com
Vamos Cycling is run by a wonderful British couple and is based in the stunning Alpujarras mountains on the edge of the Sierra Nevada. You stay in their beautifully converted home in the small and enchanting town of Cadiar in the heart of the Alpujarras. Gary (a fanatical cyclist) takes you out on guided rides up some impressive climbs and his wife Sarah cooks up a storm back at base. I went as a beginner and loved every minute but plenty to challenge road cyclists of all levels - La Vuelta passes through here. Awesome climbs, amazing food and if you fancy a day out of the saddle then Granada and the unmissable Alhambra are an easy day trip away.
www.vamoscycling.com
Calle Alfareria, 2
Cádiar 18440
Granada Spain
Telephone: 0034 958 850470
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye5fqj2
The arcaded plaça major is the heart of Banyoles with good cafés and restuarants around it. It is quite shady in the summer with trees standing in the middle of the square.
It's also a good starting point for walks exploring the old town walls, St Stephens monastery and the narrow twisty labyrinth which is old Banyoles.
The plaça major is a 25 min walk from the Estany but the regular buses from Girona drops you off nearer to the square at just a 10 min walk away - just ask for the Passeig Indústria stop outside the Teisa ticket office. The square is well signposted from there.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yen76bk
The Santa María church in the hamlet of Porqueres is a 12th century Romanesque jewel with a solid brick ceiling and nave. The four arched entrance is inspired by the Moors.
Porqueres is 3km west of Banyoles facing the town across the Estany. It only takes 25 mins to walk to Porqueres from the tourist office on Passeig Darder - just follow the signs to Porqueres and eglesia de Santa María.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yekma2d
The estany is the main attraction of Banyoles. It's also had TV coverage as it hosted the rowing events for the 1992 Olympics. It's quiet and pleasant to walk beside either on the Banyoles side or the side opposite the town. You can walk around the whole lake in around two hours. The lakeside facing Banyoles is better for family picnics.
The Estany is a 30 min walk away from the centre of Banyoles and is well signposted within Banyoles or from the C66 bypass if you're driving.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yajh8de
To get a real feel for the labyrinth that is medieval Call this walking route is good as the narrow streets and alleys invite exploration.
Start at Carrer Força, turn onto Callejón Sant Lorenç and finish at Carrer Cúndaro
Just follow signs to Jeu or the
Jewish museum.
El Call is Girona's Jewish quarter where Jews lived happily with Christians until they were expelled from the city. Narrow lanes thread their way up to Sant Feliu and the cathedral. Stairwells connect these lanes and if you're lucky you can take a peek at the courtyards and patios of the houses. The best way to explore the quarter - get lost!
C/Força leads right into the heart of the quarter with numerous lanes and stairwells leading off it.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yc9xuge
Equity Point is one of the few hostels offering clean if cramped dorms right in the heart of Girona. Shared six bed dorms are around €15 per night, but you do get a very good free breakfast which you can eat as much as you want of.
There is also an adequate kitchen if you can't afford to eat out and want to cook your own food. The staff are really friendly and helpful.
But if you want to use the Internet - don't use their machines as they are ridiculously expensive (€2 just for 1 hour) - instead go to the cultural centre or library where you can use the Internet for up to an hour for nothing (but you must have your passport to show them to get this free usage). On the plus side, the hostel is within walking distance of the train and bus stations making it an ideal base for day trips from Girona. The hostel roof has a terrace with stupendous views of the old walled city of Girona.
Plaça Catalunya 23, 17002 Girona
Tel: 97 241 78 40
www.equity-point.com
20-30 min walk from the train and bus stations
Google map: tinyurl.com/yebwxpv
Sant Feliu is the second most important church after the cathedral. It is a lot quieter and smaller but nevertheless still exquisite.
The curved stone ceiling gives an impressive backdrop to the tomb of Saint Narcis - the patron saint of Girona. It is not visited as much as the cathedral so it's more peaceful for prayer and contemplation.
Just by the entrance to the church there is a terrace which gives good views over the modern side of Girona and the hills around the city.
Don't miss the tower of the church - remarkable because the top of it was toppled by a lightning strike in 1581 and it was never replaced which is probably just as well as it is the symbol of Girona
Just look for the tower right next to Santa María cathedral - all lanes in the old city eventually lead to the church.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yaq26y4
The cathedral is at the heart of the city and its impressive nave is the second widest in the world. Its mixture of Gothic and Romanesque architecture is stunning with an ornate façade with delicately carved and handsome sculptures and rose windows. The best time to see the cathedral is at sunset when the light reflects off the polished marble and lights are turned on in the Torre de Carlemany.
You can't miss it - the cathedral looms over old Girona all of the winding lanes lead to it eventually.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybmma79
I recently used this site to book a hotel in Barcelona - we stayed at the Hotel Murmuri which was lovely. It has a great selection in Barcelona and the rest of Spain, including all the Paradores.
It’s not easy finding a nice breakfast cafe in Playa de las Americas, but after some searching I found two: Cozy Café by Playa del Bobo and Café Henandez by Torviscas beach.
Cozy Café is located up some stairs on the pedestrian walkway leading down to Bobo and got panoramic views over the ocean. They serve all sorts of fresh bread, cakes etc.
Hernandez is just by Villa Adeje Beach hotel. It doesn’t have a nice view but a terrace with morning sun so still worth a visit for breakfast. Full of colourful expats and fiendly staff.
Cozy Cafe by the casino, Playa del Bobo - Google map: tinyurl.com/ygqo3gm
Hernandez by Villa Adeje Beach Hotel
Avda. De Los Pueblos - Google map: tinyurl.com/y8pu8y3
My wife and I spent over three weeks on a business assignment in Barcelona. We stayed in a pillowapartments on Avinyo (gothic attico) - an excellent location in the center and close to the Rambla. It was just over a block to the metro stop and to the underground train station allowing us to easily take trips to Girona, Terragona and Figueros on the weekends.
The apartment was modern: large TV, DVD player, wifi, tall ceilings, microwave, big refrigerator, toaster, dishes and all the start-up supplies needed (toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning materials, etc.).
Pillowapartments did an excellent job in managing the lease. Mr Devaux was fast, efficient, courteous and extremely responsive to emails and questions.
Overall, we had an excellent stay and will use pillowapartments in the future.
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