COSTA BRAVA GIRONA PYRENEES
Wellbeing*
* The ideal place to connect with your inner self
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Wellbeing
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Contents
Key
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PRESENTATION
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REST, UNWIND
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HEALTHY FOOD
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BODY, MIND AND SOUL
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LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
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HEALTHY GETAWAYS
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HEALTHY FORESTS AND THERAPEUTIC ITINERARIES
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CULTURE
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NATURE AND ACTIVE TOURISM
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MAP
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MAP LEGEND
Spa
Meditation
Healthy restaurant
Bicycles
Treatments
Yoga
Gym
Outdoor pool
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The Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees Health and Wellbeing Club The highly privileged region of Girona combines all the landscapes that you could ever dream of. From the crystalline, turquoise and blue waters of the hidden little coves of the Costa Brava to the green waves that crash against the rugged coastline of Cap de Creus. Mountain lovers can go skiing, Nordic walking, trekking, hiking, rafting or play golf… and take part in all sorts of adventure sports or much more family-friendly pastimes. The Pyrenees, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the coast make up a land that boasts a wealth of artistic, musical, sports and leisure activities along with a range of therapeutic experiences, with health resorts, thermal baths, spas and all sorts of water therapy facilities where we can laze away our free time on exclusive, healthy pampering. When we plan a getaway break it is because we want to have a good time, unwind, nurture our sporting or adventurous spirits..., but our plans also reflect a compelling need for rest, relaxation, pleasure and wellbeing. The Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board’s Health and Wellbeing Club has a wide range of
collaborators whose main priority is to do everything possible to help you to completely unwind and leave behind the stress and strain of everyday life. Historical health resorts with medicinal mineral waters, urban baths, and also spa hotels with treatments and medical teams made up of physiotherapists, endocrinologists, hydrologists, naturopaths, beauticians..., with tempting programmes to ensure your wellbeing and to send you home refreshed and full of energy to tackle everyday life again. Retreats at a health resort or a spa also give you the chance to enjoy state-of-the-art beauty treatments or to try the positive effects of chocolate wrappings, caviar massages and gold face masks, as well as benefitting from many other active ingredients that stimulate the skin’s cellular and metabolic functions so as to slow down oxidation, repair the stress caused by pollution in big cities, and restore a healthy glow, as well as prevent wrinkles from appearing.
The Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board’s Health and Wellbeing Club has a wide range of collaborators whose main priority is to do everything possible to help you to completely unwind and leave behind the stress and strain of everyday life.
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Presentation
A balanced diet, based on locally-sourced produce, is essential for weight-loss diets, which when combined with exercise, hydrotherapy, alternative medicine and the latest technology in cosmetics and cosmetic medicine will eliminate excess weight, purify the body and help it to regain its balance.
We mustn’t forget, either, that Girona is a land of creative geniuses, making it worth paying a cultural visit to the Dalà Museum, the Cinema Museum or the Toy Museum. And gourmet travellers will have the chance to try the distinctive, creative local cuisine, which ranges from traditional seafood recipes to hearty mountain cooking and game dishes, all washed down with delicious regional D.O. wines. It is all just a case of unwinding and spoiling yourself.
In our relentless hectic daily lives, having time for ourselves is the utmost luxury. Girona’s wide range of options means that as well as finding this time we can also enjoy the surroundings as we do so, regardless of our individual priorities. And, above all, we can discover new activities that combine pleasure with therapy, like therapeutic forest bathing, yoga and tai chi lessons and dance therapy. Then there are also sports like scuba diving, paragliding and sailing, as well as a variety of fun things for children to do, ranging from treatments to relieve study-related tension to, of course, outdoor activities like horse riding, hiking, bike rides and boat trips.
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Rest, unwind Peace therapy for integral wellbeing Sometimes we have to stop so as to make a fresh start. To recover all the energy and strength drained by the fatigue caused by routine and to discover peace, calm, harmony and balance, all so vital to making positive improvement on a daily basis.
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medicine, non-experimental psychology and stays at health resorts, spas and wellness hotels, has now been transformed into a much broader tendency, which includes perfectionism in terms of looking after oneself and leading a healthy lifestyle, with self-improvement activities, detox diets, fitness programmes and leisure activities. The positive influence of each of these options becomes clear when they are interiorised, assimilated and finally turned into a healthy habit.
health and wellness programme. Of course, certain options are much more popular than others, as is the case, for example, of a short break for an intensive sleep cure. Sleep specialists recommend spending a third of our lives sleeping, but obviously they prescribe high-quality sleep. This is now possible thanks to deep sleep rooms, which are noiseless, with carefully designed interior lighting and even relaxing room perfumes, without forgetting organic fabrics and no Wi-Fi connection, to ensure deep, restorative sleep.
At the beginning of the last century, stays at health resorts in order to rest and “take the waters� were all the rage among members of high society. Now they have become more democratic and are actually a requirement for almost one in three millennials, who only stay at hotels that offer an effective, alternative
A timely retreat can help us regain what is known as high-level wellness, as we will not just rest, sleep and disconnect, but also readjust the body with a carefully controlled diet to provide it with the right nutritional balance to encourage digestion and rest. Breaking with routine and experiencing a wellness retreat
Peace therapy for integral wellbeing Something as simple as taking a break should be a regular feature of our plans, since the hectic rhythm created by our routine limits both our physical and mental potential and, even though we may not realise it, we need time to switch off and start afresh with as much energy as possible. Getting away for a couple of days and unwinding is the very essence of the concept of wellness, created in the 1950s by the American Halbert Dunn with the idea of understanding wellbeing as a movement that extends far beyond health alone in order to achieve integral balance. The wellness philosophy draws on all possible dynamics that influence both the body and the mind. New Age culture, which was already a buzzword in the 1970s with the emergence of alternative
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allows us to schedule our day around new activities and diets that prevent metabolic syndrome, which is another of the various physiological factors that can cause organic or psychological disorders resulting in stress and anxiety. A “slow� break is the best recipe for good health.
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Balneari Prats *** Health resort Pl. de Sant Esteve, 7 · 17455 Caldes de Malavella Tel. +34 972 470 051 www.balneariprats.com · info@balneariprats.com
Annual closure: January Rooms: 83 (29 in the refurbished part, 2 suites and 52 rooms in the original part)
The medicinal properties of Caldes de Malavella’s thermal waters have been renowned since the early Roman Empire. Emerging from La Mina thermal spring at a temperature of 56-60 ºC, they have a mineralrich alkaline chemical composition, principally of bicarbonates, lithium and sodium fluoride, in addition to containing very small proportions of such varied elements as silicon, aluminium, calcium, potassium and manganese. The whole composition has excellent healing properties which stimulate bile secretion and pancreas activity and improve rheumatic, circulation and respiratory disorders, besides having a powerful relaxing effect on the nervous system.
The spa’s thermal therapy services include bubble baths, baths with essential oils, mud, seaweed and clay wraps, body massage by physiotherapists, Scottish shower, circular shower… And one of Balneari Prats’ biggest attractions is its thermal outdoor swimming pool, fed by a thermal spring at a temperature of 32 ºC, allowing guests to enjoy its benefits all year round. The hotel’s new rooms have an indoor Jacuzzi, while the suites have a terrace with an outdoor thermalwater Jacuzzi. Set among gardens which are an oasis of peace, Balneari Prats is the ideal option for both romantic escapes and family breaks, as the cosy
atmosphere and friendly staff make your stay truly relaxing. The restaurant serves high-quality cuisine with locally-sourced products, in line with the healthy Mediterranean diet.
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Hostal Spa Empúries **** Spa Platja del Portitxol, s/n · 17130 L’Escala Tel. +34 972 775 939 www.hostalempuries.com · spa@hostalempuries.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 55
Getting away from it all to Empúries is a mindfulness experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Hostal Empúries is right on the seafront, in Portitxol cove, just a few metres from the archaeological ruins once inhabited by Greek and Roman civilisations. Its privileged setting makes it easy for guests to take part in different activities, like bike rides along the coastal path, following the coastline as far as L’Escala to taste its typical salted anchovies, or going north to the little fishing village of Sant Martí d’Empúries. The hotel itself organises plenty of different sports, ranging from paddle surf (a leisure activity to eliminate tension, with the right sea conditions, of course,
which helps you learn to improve your balance, strength and endurance) to kayaking or boat trips. Facing the sea, the first rays of sunlight signal that it is time for the day’s yoga lesson to start with training in breathing, relaxation and meditation in accordance with its philosophy. The spa area caters for your physical and mental wellbeing, with a heated indoor swimming pool, steam bath, hammam and sauna as well as providing treatments to renew your vital energy and pamper your skin with our own range of organic, natural cosmetics, which are paraben-free and suitable for all skin types.
The hotel’s cuisine is utterly exclusive, based on produce from our own vegetable garden, locallyproduced food and freshly-caught fish from the fish market in L’Escala, just a couple of kilometres away. Our tasting-menu dinners in Restaurant Villa Teresita, overlooking the Mediterranean, are an unforgettable experience and our breakfasts of locally-sourced cold meats, cheeses and olive oils served in view of the sea are not to be missed.
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Hotel Spa Terraza **** Spa Av. de Rhode, 32 · 17480 Roses Tel. +34 972 459 930 www.hotelterraza.com · spa@hotelterraza.com
Annual closure: From 12/11 to 15/03 Rooms: 83
The hotel stands right next to the beach, like a vast balcony overlooking the bay of Roses, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The area is rich in history, with the 16th-century citadel dating back to Roman times, but it is particularly the wide variety of activities available that makes it so outstanding. These include cultural visits to the Dalí Museum, water sports and unique experiences like watching the sunrise from a fishing boat, eating a typical seafood rice dish in a secluded cove in Cap de Creus or tasting local wines from D.O. Empordà.
The spa on the top floor of the hotel enables guests to enjoy the stunning views, with a heated swimming pool covered by a glass roof to enhance the superb experience. The treatments are authentic rituals inspired by ancient local traditions, to reduce stress and mental fatigue, and other spa services include private double treatment rooms with a Jacuzzi, Vichy massage, a jet shower, hammam, sauna, bi-thermal and aromatic shower. La Cuina d’en Norat restaurant’s cuisine, created by the hotel’s founder based on the culinary tradition 80 years ago, revives typical local dishes from the
Empordà region and features fresh, locally-sourced products, in line with today’s market cuisine. The tasting menu is the luxurious finishing touch to an exceptional experience.
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Hotel Balneari Vichy Catalan *** Health resort Av. del Doctor Furest, 32 · 17455 Caldes de Malavella Tel. +34 972 470 000 www.balneari.cat · reserves@vichycatalan.es
Open: All year round Rooms: 86 rooms and 2 suites
The health resort is built on the site of the Vichy Catalan thermal water spring, one of the healthiest and most highly prized waters in the world. Its Neo-Mudejar style building is a fine example of 19th-century Art Nouveau architecture and its gardens are perfect for outdoor sports. Vichy Catalan thermal waters have unique properties, emerging at a temperature of 38 ºC and healing the body both internally and externally, since drinking a glass of this water before breakfast has a beneficial detox effect. However, the waters’ full properties can be seen in the spa therapy treatments, including the classic Vichy shower massage, inhalations, hydrotherapy, mud wraps and relaxing massages. At the same time, the thermal circuit offers a sauna, Jacuzzi, thermal pool
and bi-thermal showers, in addition to the hammam with wet steam, created by Vichy Catalan’s natural streams which run into the cave, resulting in an atmosphere which cleanses the respiratory system and skin and energises the whole body, both inside and out. Drinking the waters improves digestion, kidney function, skin cell tissues, muscles and bones. They are rich in fluoride, sodium, bicarbonate, sulphate, manganese, calcium, lithium and iron and have detox properties that thoroughly cleanse the body. The hotel’s restaurant, Delicius, serves seasonal, locally-sourced, healthy food, updating traditional regional dishes and even incorporating Vichy Catalan thermal water into certain recipes. A temple of relaxation, rejuvenation and health.
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Hotel Ciutat de Girona & Apartments **** Wellbeing hotel C. del Nord, 2 · 17001 Girona Tel. +34 972 483 038 · Fax +34 972 483 038 www.hotelciutatdegirona.com · info@hotelciutatdegirona.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 44 rooms + 8 apartments
The best thing about travel is experiencing all the different facets of a particular city and this small fourstar hotel, tucked away in Girona’s medieval quarter, answers even the most restless traveller’s dreams by offering an array of slow activities that appeal to the senses. The hotel holds Green Hotel sustainable tourism certification and proposes Great Green Experiences, with a whole range of different activities. More adventurous guests can fly in a balloon over the Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park, mountains like the Canigó, Montserrat or Pedraforca, and even along the Costa Brava’s sinuous coastline. Gourmets are recommended to take part in the botanical ecotourism workshops led by Evarist March, the botanist to El Celler de Can
Roca, who proposes an aromatic-gourmet experience based on a stroll through the Jewish Quarter to the gardens by the city walls. Along the way, he points out the aromatic plants used in medieval Girona’s traditional cooking and the walk ends up at the hotel’s cocktail bar Ms Moon with a wine tasting session, which includes identifying the floral notes discovered during the workshop. Facilities for sporty guests include guided virtual spinning lessons all day, a gym with guided spinning lessons every morning, cycling training sessions and full equipment hire for runners and fans of golf, sailing and swimming. Those that prefer to unwind in the waters of the hotel’s spa can choose from a selection of massages and treatment
rituals with locally-produced, handmade, sustainable cosmetics made with local ingredients. Besides all this, the trendiest experience of all is forest bathing, a Japanese therapy which has become a mindfulness tendency and which helps reduce stress and improve the nervous system. And to round off with, there is the option of exploring multi-faceted Girona with a visit to the Jewish History Museum, the Film Museum, the Gala-Dalí Castle of Púbol or the Roca brother’s ice cream shop.
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Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf ***** Spa C. de Rocabertí, s/n · 17491 Peralada Tel. +34 972 538 830 · +34 972 538 833 www.hotelperalada.com · www.winespa.com hotel@golfperalada.com · hotelwinespa@golfperalada.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 54 rooms and 10 suites
Luxury and pleasure combine with the most sporting spirits at Peralada Resort, with its range of exclusive experiences in a unique setting. Also for golf lovers, since the hotel has an 18-hole golf course for beginners, guests wishing to perfect their swing and even top competitions, because the course is suitable for players of all levels.
Cloister is a private spa suite for couples to relax in, with a sauna, Jacuzzi and four-hand massages. The skin experiences the sensations of red grape extract, micronized vine, wine muds or grapeseed oil, which leave it exquisitely smooth and radiant. Relaxation is completed with yoga activities to balance the body and mind, while gourmet guests can enjoy sampling the healthy food-tasting menus in L’Olivera restaurant or haute cuisine at the hotel’s newly Michelin-starred restaurant Castell de Peralada, under the expert direction of two former El Bulli professionals. With chef Xavier Sagristà in the kitchen and sommelier Toni Gerez in charge of the dining room, maximum pleasure and creativity for the senses are guaranteed.
All the Wine Spa’s treatments are based on wine therapy, using grape and wine products from the hotel’s own vineyards in the surrounding Alt Empordà region and from the Peralada winery. El Celler area has water circuit with jacuzzi, swimming pool, hamman, sauna and pediluvium. The Divinum area is modelled on ancient Rome, with a private circuit for small groups wishing to enjoy a shared thermal pleasure, and Balneo Great
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Hotel Resguard dels Vents **** Spa Camí de Ventaiola, s/n · 17534 Ribes de Freser Tel. +34 972 728 866 www.hotelresguard.com · info@hotelresguard.com
Annual closure: November Rooms: 17
The experience of staying at a typical country house, 1,000 metres above sea level, in the Valley of Ribes de Freser, in the heart of the Pyrenees, becomes so much more than just a pleasant, relaxing break. The hotel’s privileged setting, surrounded by woodland, makes it ideal for families with children as it invites you to explore the area by hiking or trekking, mountain-bike, horseback or 4-wheel drive vehicle, as well as to go skiing on the nearby ski slopes during the snow season.
The spa is an innovative space of contemporary design, reflecting the calm silence of the surrounding mountains and the sound of water in their streams. The heated indoor swimming pool overlooks the valley with views of the mountains, a landscape which relaxes the senses and fills the spirit and soul with energy. The spa’s treatments include remineralising mud and clay wraps, aromatherapy and relaxing massages, all complemented with marble heated loungers, a Turkish bath, sauna and an essence shower.
The stone and slate used in the construction of the minimalistic hotel building give it a charm of its own and provide a stunning contrast with its large picture windows, which overlook the breathtaking mountain scenery.
The restaurant’s traditional Pyrenees food is rich in the volcanic cuisine that defines the Ripollès region, in traditionally crafted and natural products (cheeses, cold
meats and jams) as well as ecological, locally-sourced produce such as ecological meat from animals raised on the property. Hotel Resguard dels Vents is the ideal place to go with your partner or family to enjoy the proximity of nature in all its intensity, at any time of year.
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Park Hotel San Jorge **** s Spa Ctra. de Palamós, s/n · 17250 Platja d’Aro Tel. +34 972 652 311 www.parkhotelsanjorge.com recepcion@parkhotelsanjorge.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 121
The Belladona cove is a setting of overwhelming natural beauty in the very heart of the Costa Brava and it is overlooked by the Park Hotel San Jorge, the sole spectator of this unique spot. The dominant presence of stunning views and the sound of the sea throughout the hotel is a form of relaxation in itself, a gift for the senses.
activated to care for all types of skin and help it regain its natural balance and beauty.
The spa’s atmosphere of serenity and privacy enhances the pleasure of its massages and treatments, featuring natural active ingredients from the sea and countryside, inspired by the region, which are tailored to each person’s needs and vary according to the time of year. Sea salts, extracts made from flowers and wild plants, aromatic oils and essences are blended and
The sensory experience of its circuit, with a thermal swimming pool, hammam, sauna and sensation shower, is the perfect formula to renew your energy. Sports are another way of leaving your stress behind and the Park Hotel San Jorge is within easy reach of the best golf courses on the Costa Brava and unique hiking routes, and you can go horse riding and take part in water sports nearby. Without forgetting, of course, family-friendly activities, as the hotel has several family suites.
Lovers of good food can discover the delights of Mediterranean cuisine at the Mar Blava restaurant, while during the warmest months of the year the Xiringuito restaurant is open on the garden terrace, allowing for alfresco meals overlooking the sea. The ideal combination for unwinding and reconnecting with nature and with yourself.
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S’Agaró Hotel Spa & Wellness **** Spa Platja de Sant Pol, s/n · 17248 S’Agaró Tel. +34 972 325 200 www.hotelsagaro.com · info@hotelsagaro.com
Annual closure: January Rooms: 95
S’Agaró Hotel overlooks the sea and is surrounded by gardens, with a swimming pool, chill-out room, library and terraces. It is the perfect place to unwind, on the edge of a little fishing village, but just a few kilometres away from the bustle and shopping centre of the tourist town of Platja d’Aro, with its shops open day and night.
pool, as well as the dry and steam saunas, private treatment rooms and sensation showers. The roof over the upper pool reflects the water’s transparency and frames the patch of sky, enhancing complete relaxation, as if it were a glasshouse of rippling water.
The Botanic Spa opens onto the Mediterranean garden, and its prize-winning minimalistic architecture is a brilliant exercise in innovative style. Water is the protagonist throughout the spa, whether in the leisure pool in the garden or in therapeutic form in the cascade pool, water beds, Jacuzzis and counter-flow
Besides pampering yourself at the spa, you can take part in activities organised by the hotel such as water sports, walks or bike rides, as well as play golf on both the best courses, which host international competitions, or on smaller courses that are suitable for beginners or family golf.
The hotel’s restaurant, Sa Conca, serves healthy Mediterranean cuisine, featuring fish and shellfish, traditional local rice and noodle dishes, meat and vegetables, giving guests the chance to taste the most typical specialities of this little fishing village.
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Sallés Hotel & Spa Cala del Pi ***** Spa Av. del Cavall Bernat, 160 · 17250 Platja d’Aro Tel. +34 972 828 429 www.salleshotels.com · jreccpi@salleshotels.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 41 rooms and 8 suites
Who wouldn’t like to get away for a few days to beautiful natural surroundings? Cala del Pi is a veritable balcony over the Mediterranean, the ideal place to rest, unwind and utterly pamper yourself with all its sensory experiences.
Morocco through massages with oils, fragrances and therapies inspired by exotic worlds. The true gem among Cala del Pi’s “ARRELS” treatments, though, draws on the hotel’s setting and the pine forest which gives the cove its name, with a unique massage which awakens a whole world of sensations that beckon you to leave your cares behind and totally unwind. Our restaurant, Aurum, under the expert guidance of chef Enric Herce, proposes highly creative healthy menus and an utter explosion of gourmet flavours in its tasting menus, making relaxation also a real pleasure for food lovers.
The wellness area boasts one of the few salt caves, with a microclimate rich in minerals (iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium) that boost the body’s defences, help replenish positive energy and improve respiration. The spacious spa (600 m2) has a very extensive water circuit with a sauna, hammam, aromatic showers and an ice cave, and if you enjoy trying new sensations its rituals will convey you to such distant lands as Japan, India, Hawaii and
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Spa Hotel Santa Marta ***** Spa Platja de Santa Cristina, s/n ¡ 17310 Lloret de Mar Tel. +34 972 364 904 reserves@hotelsantamarta.net ¡ www.hotelsantamarta.es
Open: All year round Rooms: 78
Waking up overlooking the sea, in a beautiful spot surrounded by 7 hectares of woodland and with a virtually private beach below you, is just the sort of luxury that your soul needs to regain its peace and calmness and for you to reconnect with yourself. Taking a short break at Santa Marta Hotel amounts to so much more than just staying at some hotel or other in the heart of the Costa Brava. The entire building is a vast balcony looking out over the Mediterranean and throughout the hotel the sound of the sea soothes even the most restless spirits.
thanks to being constructed on different levels on a rocky clifftop above the sea. The views from the thermal spa or from the gym could not be more comforting as you unwind in the peaceful atmosphere of the water circuit or with the Thai and Ayurveda treatments, based on natural massage techniques, with no other technology than the sensory experience resulting from hand contact.
The new spa facilities are minimalistic and highly innovative, perfectly integrated with the landscape,
Sports activities like kayaking, tennis, swimming and hiking also have their place in everyday life and are ideal for those searching for the purest contact with nature. In addition, guests can go on yoga retreats, designed for all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Santa Marta’s restaurant serves superb local cuisine, featuring freshly-caught fish and shellfish straight from the fish market, locally-sourced meat and vegetable produce, so that you can taste the delicious dishes of our Mediterranean cuisine.
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Healthy food
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Healthy food Eating well to be healthier and feel better Our nutrition reflects our philosophy of life. The right choice of foods and the correct way of preparing them enhance the health not only of our body, but also our skin, hair, nails and our mood and vital energy.
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Eating well to be healthier and feel better Good health is not just a matter of luck or a coincidence, but the result of a lifestyle that involves food awareness, eating healthy, balanced, well-cooked food in the right amounts and at the right times of day. Our hectic schedules force us to alter the body’s natural biological clock and we end up skipping meals, working long hours, eating fast food and going to bed late. All this can only lead to a constant state of anxiety, a tension that results inevitably in stress, insomnia, fatigue, aching joints and muscles, a lack of vital energy and concentration and a long list of other signs of distress. Plans for achieving optimum health should give priority to leading a healthy lifestyle, creating habits to limit harmful attitudes and to enable us to get back into shape, both physically and mentally, and improve our quality of life. Sometimes we insist on going against the flow and it does us absolutely no good. For one thing we break the body’s circadian rhythm which is responsible for regulating our activity
and rest into day and night, as can be seen with jet lag, for example, when we travel between different time zones. We need to compensate for the mistakes that inadvertently affect our biological clock by creating new habits which oblige us to leave our comfort zone, to experience new challenges, commitments and activities and, of course, by following a dietary treatment to help us achieve our natural balance and fill us with energy and comfort. It is impossible to change our way of thinking just like that, so the best thing is to go out and look for new experiences that can help us to alter our habits almost without realising it and enjoying all the little pleasures in life as we do so. Attending a show cooking session is an enriching way of beginning to adapt our eating habits. Hotels also hold cookery workshops as healthy activities along with courses to learn how to cook superfoods, which although not yet widely used in our Mediterranean cuisine are already an international trend. And we can learn to use spices not only to add flavour to dishes
that we cook but because they also have therapeutic properties. For instance, cinnamon aids digestion, turmeric and curry reduce cholesterol levels, saffron is soothing and ginger combats nausea and migraine. A weekend break in the expert hands of a wellness coach can be the ideal experience to start us on the road to healthy eating habits, sporting activity, relaxation and rest. All this will help us to discover the best version of ourselves so that we keep up a healthy lifestyle when we go back to our everyday routine.
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Healthy smoothies: Starting the day with the latest smoothie is not just a celebrity craze, but a healthy way of eating. Red smoothie: Combine some redcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, coconut water and a few dates. Drink it freshly blended for its great antioxidant effect. Green smoothie: This is made by blending green fruit and vegetables, like kiwis, apples, spinach, broccoli and avocado, with coconut water. It has a wonderful detox effect.
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EspaiCuinarSa Cooking class C. de la Universitat de Montpeller, 12, 2n 1a · 17003 Girona Tel. +34 972 224 104 www.cuinar-sa.es · espai@cuinar-sa.es
Open: All year round
Matthias Hespe trained in healthy cuisine in France with René Lévy and is a macrobiotic chef. He has a thorough knowledge of the culinary trends that globalisation has incorporated into our eating habits. Vegan, vegetarian, Japanese, macrobiotic and therapeutic cuisine are just some of the different ways of cooking healthy foods previously unknown in the traditional Mediterranean diet. His centre gives you experience in cooking healthy food, with show cooking and workshops where you learn much more than just how to make recipes. As Matthias himself says, “healthy eating can change your life,” since each body’s symptoms are really warning signs. They may
take the form of headaches, feeling heaviness, tired, insomnia, difficulty in concentrating or low energy levels, and they can be treated and healed by certain foods. His cookery master classes are aimed at groups or personalised for individuals. The healthy cookery workshop teaches you how to transform your life and have more energy and harmony. Therapeutic cookery corrects intolerances, allergies, diabetes, cholesterol or excess weight and improves energy levels for those involved in regular sports training. The antihistamine cookery workshop has a lot of fans and is completely different from the detox cookery workshop, which soothes and
regulates the intestine and its flora. The craze for different international diets has created a boom for cooking exotic dishes and in these experiential workshops students learn to cook with miso, kuzu, umeboshi, seaweed, ginger or turmeric. Attending a healthy cookery workshop is a luxury that enriches the diversity of our diet and teaches us about healing foods.
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Body, mind and soul
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Body, mind and soul A cure for the body and the soul Cultivating positive thoughts helps us to improve both mentally and physically, as we are what we think. The best experience for meditating and regaining control is to go on a retreat to discover our true selves.
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The trend is now for hotels to go beyond simply being places to stay and to provide yoga sessions and workshops for oriental practices such as tai chi, Ayurveda and qigong which develop harmony, balance and flexibility in both the body and mind, since they help to improve concentration.
everyday life. This is the first step in the process of becoming a whole person, much more positive and enriched in all ways.
A cure for the body and the soul If we want to find our own inner ecology we must first eliminate all toxic thoughts, attitudes and habits. Everyday life is full of fears, doubts and worries, which are merely concepts generated by our own thoughts, but which end up being channelled physically into the body’s organs. Anxiety creates tension in our joints and muscles, it affects the nervous system, our glands, stomach and the tissues responsible for eliminating toxins and this explains why many people cannot lose weight despite going on a diet. It is not just a matter of looking after our body, but also our mind and soul if we want to be completely healthy. And it goes without saying that to reach this state of mindfulness there is nothing better than a retreat for letting go, healing our wounds, coming to terms with our stress and liberating our soul.
Among the most widespread therapies, yoga is the discipline with most followers, including some very young ones, because some of the asanas, or postures, not only give the body a thorough workout but at the same time help reduce stress and encourage relaxation by relieving tension in the muscles and joints. Recent statistics estimate that over three hundred million people practise yoga worldwide. This can be accounted for by its numerous benefits, though basically by the inner peace that comes from meditation, helping us to cope with the intensity of
For a hotel stay to be complete, besides providing a space in a calm setting, near the sea or in the mountains, there must be optional activities to soothe the mind and soul, as well as the body. Yoga workshops tend to form part of most wellness hotels and allow guests to join small groups of beginners or more advanced students, regardless of their age, as yoga is suitable for everybody. It is the perfect discipline for different objectives, such as improving body posture, breathing, flexibility, balance, endurance and control of the mind, in accordance with the different types of yoga, as they vary in terms of how dynamic they are. Hatha yoga is the basic or traditional type of yoga, with asanas combining
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postures with synchronised breathing, while strala yoga and asthanga yoga are more active and extreme, more athletic and demanding in terms of the amount of exercise that the positions require. Bikram yoga is the ideal way to eliminate toxins since it is practised at a room temperature of 40 ºC, while yin yoga and lyengar yoga are the calmest, with postures being held for 5 minutes – the perfect choice for releasing blocked energy. Yoga is a luxury which from the very start improves your quality of life forever.
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Mindfulkit. Mindfulness experiences in nature Activity companies Pl. de la Victòria Catalana, 1-3, 2n 2a · 17480 Roses Tel. +34 606 579 826 edgar@mindfulkit.com · www.mindfulkit.com
Open: All year round
Those that like experiencing new sensations of wellbeing have the chance to do so with the coach and founder of Mindfulkit, Edgar Tarrés, thanks to his highly personalised and exclusive range of services which reflect a new way of understanding healthy leisure involving wellness tourism. His trips, health retreats and workshops are all aimed at improving participants’ quality of life through musical therapies with zen sounds, which help to reduce stress, increase motivation and make the most of personal qualities, by dealing with emotions and fears more effectively and enhancing creativity and concentration.
of cultures, such as the Hindu culture, and of national and closer, more ecological destinations, such as Sicily or the Costa Brava, where he arranges sound workshops, forest bathing, sea outings by full moon or zen concerts under the stars. Musical sounds are used to awaken each participant’s deep, dormant consciousness so that the workshops and trips ultimately become an enriching journey of inner discovery.
Each trip is meticulously designed, with a selection of international destinations, to allow for the discovery
One of the most interesting workshops is the Harmony of the Spheres concert, which takes place under the stars and consists in observing the sky and the constellations and learning the musical notes that identify each planet. This connection was
discovered mathematically by Pythagoras 2,500 years ago and modern science has now verified it through planetary energy. The workshop is accompanied with a concert of Tibetan bowls, hang drums, chimes and gongs so as to enjoy the stars in a healthy way. And in the forest bathing workshops participants work with woodland textures, since they are blindfolded so as to discover new sensations of sounds, smells and sensibilities, boosting their self-confidence and eliminating ancestral fears with the accompaniment of their own breathing and the therapeutic sounds used in the session. A series of very tempting proposals to achieve emotional control and consciously enjoy one’s own wellbeing.
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Natura Respira 3.0: European School of Breathing Activity companies Camí del Mas Espolla, 1 · 17483 Bàscara Tel. +34 647 559 078 info@naturarespira.eu · www.naturarespira.eu
Open: All year round
At times we are overwhelmed by a feeling of anxiety, strain and even a shortness of breath because of stress and the fact that we have to spend many hours in enclosed spaces with air conditioning systems that prevent the air from circulating. A short break by the sea or in the mountains can help us get back on an even keel, but unless we work on our breathing correctly, the emotions that oppress us remain trapped inside us.
you breathe and I’ll tell you how you live. Her experience has led her to compose a guide to better living based on a correct praxis of breathing, posture and nutrition.
M. Àngels Farreny is the founder of Natura Respira 3.0: European School of Breathing. She is a personal coach in postural re-education and breathing and for many years has carried out scientific research into the control of respiratory, cardiac and postural rhythms, which has enabled her to write the book Tell me how
From Natura Respira 3.0, she organises breathing retreats and workshops with different programmes of conscious hiking designed to help participants achieve the greatest possible wellbeing between mind and body, get in shape emotionally and physically and become aware of their body, mind and soul. The activities are organised around therapeutic hiking in silence, so as to help participants reconnect with their own inner silence. Breathing correctly while walking has a relaxing effect on the brain:
it activates the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid bathing both hemispheres and the spinal cord and lubricates the central nervous system’s electrical function, thus reducing tensions and boosting vital energy. It also activates the pineal and pituitary glands, which are the doorways to our consciousness, enabling us to manage our emotions, attitude, concentration and selfconfidence and to avoid muscular injury when we walk, transforming negative emotions into positive ones through glottis breathing. It’s how you live each step of the way that determines how you’ll live your life.
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Tròbat centre de teràpies naturals Activity companies C. de la Llibertat, 16 · 17820 Banyoles Tel. +34 658 901 993 trobatcentredeterapiesnaturals@gmail.com www.trobatbanyoles.com
Open: All year round
The wellness tendency that has taken the world by storm is mindfulness, a practice that acts as a therapy by helping us to make a profound self-reflection so as to question ourselves and evaluate the positive and negative aspects of our lives, our everyday routine, our work, our leisure time, our relationships, in short, of our essential self. Tròbat natural therapy centre provides an introduction to the different therapies that undoubtedly lead to this introspection, in order to improve our wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and discover new facets of our own personality.
Mindfulness develops the technique of full or conscious attention and helps us release tensions, pain, anxiety and stress. Conscious breathing is very important for having a clear vision of reality, by improving our concentration, and to achieve even more effective results at Tròbat it is combined with other therapies such as Bach flower remedies, aromatherapy, reflexotherapy and reiki, as well as yoga classes for couples, families, children or prenatal classes for expectant mothers.
Following the natural concept that inspires it, the centre proposes a selection of facial and body massages, based on ancestral techniques and procedures using natural essential oils, hot stones, pindas or little bags full of aromatic herbs and medicinal plants, which act aroma-therapeutically via the skin. This incorporation of Hindu Ayurvedic medicine has therapeutic effects that boost relaxation. Thanks to the centre’s clear commitment to gentle medicine its treatments include the well-known Japanese kobido massage, which has a facial lifting effect, through simple hand massage, and its detox and oxygenising effect gives spectacular results.
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Look after yourself
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Look after yourself Self-care to make you feel good and love yourself more All forms of health are indispensable and beauty is one of them, the reflection of personal care and attention. The soul needs beauty, just as the body needs air to breathe or water to drink. Beauty through health is today’s true luxury.
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Self-care to make you feel good and love yourself more Looking after ourselves is the way to improve the quality of our health and particularly to live longer, because the high degree of pressure that most of us are subjected to creates a deterioration that speeds up the process of cell oxidation, ageing us prematurely, both organically and in terms of the appearance and condition of our skin. While for years prevention was the only way to care for our health, we now have functional medicine, which rather than waiting to detect an organic disorder is proactive and steps in with treatments to improve psycho-physical functions to the utmost. These treatments are decided by the meticulous monitoring of hormones, proteins, enzymes and genes at any age, although check-ups are recommended from the age of 35-40 onwards.
Day by day, deficiencies are generated in cells throughout all the body’s metabolic processes, and these can now be detected with a simple blood test so as to regulate them and avoid the deterioration that causes oxidative cell stress, which ultimately is what ages us, both internally and externally. Getting away for a few days to pleasurable, restful surroundings is the intelligent choice for getting back in shape without overdoing it. There are plenty of hotels, wellness spas and health resorts that offer medical services to give the body a thorough overhaul, improve sugar or cholesterol levels or lower our blood pressure. Treatments tend to be integral, starting with a suitable diet to replenish deficiencies and eliminate excess weight in accordance with each person’s individual genetic profile and lifestyle. This healthy diet is complemented by a sports activity adapted to each patient’s personal habits, ranging from a simple stroll in the fresh air to a workout
session, swimming or Pilates. Proactive therapy also includes cosmetic medicine, which employs various techniques to help us look and feel better, by enabling us to correct small details that we don’t like, such as fine lines around the eyes or lips, puffy eyelids, lips that are too thin, or even the first signs of flaccid facial skin, without the need to resort to cosmetic surgery. The current tendency is to treat signs of ageing with minimally invasive techniques, with small surgical tweaks using scar-less endoscopy or else with fillers or vitamin injections for instant radiance and to recreate the lost volume and firmness of cheekbones and facial contour, making the patient look up to five years younger in a single session. It has become a trend to spend a few days in a health cure hotel or in hotels with a medical service and this has given rise to what is known as “health tourism”, which is increasingly in demand, since after just a few days spent relaxing, patients go home feeling completely refreshed.
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The key to healthy living is also to look after ourselves on a regular basis so as to avoid reaching extremes of stress and imbalance and this is where urban spas come in, providing the most intelligent way to relax and unwind at the end of the day. After a hard day’s work, there is nothing healthier than pampering ourselves with the healing properties of water, a mud bath or a massage to relax tense muscles. It is a great way to restore our sense of balance and wellbeing and to look after ourselves.
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Aqva Banys Romans Spa C. de Galligants, 5 B ¡ 17001 Girona Tel. +34 972 664 824 info@aqvagerunda.com ¡ www.aqvagerunda.com
Opening times: From 10 h to 22 h Annual closure: Open everyday except December 25th and January 1st
A great way to discover an oasis of peace and quiet right in the heart of the city of Girona. This exclusive urban spa enjoys the highly privileged location of being built on the site of an authentic Roman villa dating back 2,000 years. The site was carefully restored in such a way as to convert arches and walls from the 2nd and 3rd centuries into a soothing hydrotherapy experience, with thermal baths and massages. Girona has an ancient tradition going back to the GrecoRoman and Arab baths, and down through the years it adapted the cultural liturgy of the Greek and Roman thermae, Muslim hammams and Jewish mikvahs. Today Aqva conjures up a whole world of sensations
and experiences based on thermal waters, as a place for meeting, relaxing and rejuvenating the body, since the postures that we routinely adopt tend to create muscle tension and stress. These are released in the thermal bath circuit, following the purest Roman tradition, going from the cold water of the frigidarium to the warm water of the tepidarium and then to the hot water of the caldarium. This initiation wakes up the body and it is followed by different rituals like the wet steam room or hammam and the Himalayan salt sauna, with properties that improve the respiratory system, acne and psoriasis, boost the defences, balance the
nervous system and speed up recovery from sports injuries. The circuit also includes a thermal bath with aromatic essential oils, which is a real pleasure for the senses. And visitors can also experience rituals inspired in Ayurvedic pinda massage, Thai bamboo massage, geothermal hot stone massage or a Mediterranean-inspired massage. The thermal bath circuit provides two hours of utter luxury for both body and soul.
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Clínica Bofill, Proactive Health Medical centres Av. de S’Agaró amb c. de Santiago Rusiñol, s/n 17250 Platja d’Aro (Castell-Platja d’Aro) Tel. +34 872 598 000 costabrava@clinicabofill.net · costabrava.clinicabofill.net
Open: All year round
The personal need to harmonise both physical and psychological health with wellbeing and quality of life has given rise to the international trend of health and wellness tourism. Proactive Health has been created in the centre of the Costa Brava in response to this interest in order to give a 360-degree service with its FQL (For Quality Life) programme, which collaborates with various hotels in Girona to provide a personalised service for their guests in terms of diets, nutrition, sports training, treatments and cosmetic surgery in addition to internal medicine procedures. The medical team covers all specialities, diagnosis, prevention and surgery and its
members also work in specific multidisciplinary units so as to take wellbeing a step further from the medical point of view. The overweight and obesity unit makes a diagnosis to determine the causes of the patient’s excess body fat and its physical and psychological consequences, in order to find the most suitable personalised treatment in each case. This includes child obesity, and the option of following detailed distance programmes is also available. Proactive medicine takes a great stride forward in improving the quality of life by addressing nutritional, physiological, genetic and psychological components to achieve an integral
health balance. The wellbeing programme includes the latest techniques in non-invasive cosmetic medicine and in cosmetic and restorative surgery to correct the effects of ageing on the skin and hair, as well as facial and body proportions. It is a cure-hotel service based on the interaction between the clinic’s medical teams and the Costa Brava’s hotels in order to cover absolutely all the needs of health and wellness tourists from both home and abroad.
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Look after yourself
Hotel Gem Wellness & Spa Wellness and health center C. de Josep M. Sert, 16-18 · 17310 Lloret de Mar Tel. +34 972 347 004 www.institutgem.com · rgem@guitarthotels.com
Open: All year round Rooms: 56
This unique spa hotel is situated right next to Fenals beach in Lloret de Mar, in the heart of the Costa Brava, and is the ideal option for taking care of your health and diet, regulating your body and enjoying a well-earned rest with a short break to help you regain your optimism, particularly your health, and even your weight!
The hotel’s Mediterranean cuisine focuses on a healthy diet, with detox and weight-loss options, supervised under medical guidance and combined with walks on the beach, revitalising treatments, aqua gym, fitness workouts and the synergy of anti-stress massages and detox hydrotherapy.
The spa provides thermal therapy with a heated swimming pool, a whirlpool, a Scottish shower and seaweed and mud wraps. Its services also include physiotherapy and chiromassage, in addition to the cosmetic medicine unit, offering general cosmetic treatments for both the face and body, with personalised programmes for beauty, relaxation, fitness, anti-stress and slimming.
In just a few days you will regain your full health in this exceptional wellness hotel, where our priority is your wellbeing and helping you create good habits for responsible and healthy self-care.
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Qualia centre wellness Wellness and health center C. d’Alemanya, 18 · 17600 Figueres Tel. +34 972 511 400 www.qualia.cat · info@qualia.cat
Open: All year round Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 9.30 h to 21h
Qualia is a space created for all wellness fans, spa lovers and natural therapy addicts in the heart of the Alt Empordà, in Figueres, just a few minutes from the Dalí Museum and within easy reach of the unspoilt coves of Cap de Creus. It is a true oasis of peace inviting you to unwind and recover from all the stress of everyday life. Unlike other more leisure-oriented spas, Qualia’s concept involves intimacy, calm and silence, essential requirements for those wishing to recover the energy and vitality undermined by an accumulation of stress. Its spa is a private area for four to six people, and the circuit includes a revitalising pool, dry sauna, wet steam hamman, shower temple and Tepidarium or relaxation area. One of the most re-
commendable sensory experiences is the Floatarium, a saltwater pool heated to 35 ºC which enables you to float as if in the Dead Sea and relieves muscular tension, immersing you in a state of deep relaxation. A glance at its list of treatments transports you to distant countries like India and Thailand, with relaxing and comforting Ayurvedic massages, which combine the use of hot stones, aromatic bags, precious stones, flowers and natural essential oils. The centre uses natural, organic, vegan cosmetics which cater for both men and women’s facial and body requirements and treatments are available in a double cabin and for expectant mothers from the third month onwards. There are also postural re-education activities to recover
balance and harmony with Kundalini Yoga classes, hypopressive exercises to strengthen the abdominal wall and pelvic floor, stretching with Pilates and Hypopilates in addition to Atmandance dance-yoga, a fluid dance to improve agility and coordination. The classes are given at different times every day of the week so as to achieve integral wellbeing.
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Healthy getaways
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Healthy getaways Healthy getaways that broaden horizons There is nothing more stimulating than travelling in search of new experiences, to stretch yourself to the limit even though it means leaving your comfort zone, in order to open up new horizons full of highly tempting challenges.
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so as to bring you into direct contact with each wine’s origins; or even romantic breaks, full of pampering with aromatic massages, warm oils, hydrotherapy and Jacuzzi, all shared with your other half, so as to make your stay sensual and seductive.
surroundings that will enable you to cycle back through history and discover the ancient cultures and the traces left by the Greeks and Romans. Scuba diving to explore the depths of the sea, so rich in the Mediterranean Costa Brava. Parachuting or paragliding, clipped on to professionals, who will give you the key instructions for taking the leap into the void and releasing a pure rush of adrenalin, so as to experience the utterly amazing sensation of flying. Then there are also more low-key sports like kayaking on the River Ter, balloon rides to enjoy the peace and quiet of the landscape from the air, trekking to discover new paths in the mountains or horse rides, trotting through woodland and along the coastal paths with breathtaking sea views.
Healthy getaways that broaden horizons Simply planning a trip or a short break gives us a shot of adrenalin because the trip starts when we organise new challenges and experiences, when it takes shape in our imagination. There is nothing more stimulating than our own thoughts and if we channel them into discovering new challenges they will fill us with energy. A weekend away by the sea or in the mountains, after long, dull days of hectic work, is like a gift to awaken our most inspirational side. Most hotels suggest a myriad of different getaways so that guests can choose the weekend break that best suits their mood and expectations. These include, for example, delicious gourmet discovery, sampling exquisite locally-sourced Mediterranean cuisine, or a chance to taste D.O. EmpordĂ wines, with the experience taking place in the heart of the vineyards
However, the current trend is much more active and challenges those wanting to break with the relentless rhythm of city life by doing all kinds of sport. Actually, this sort of short break has increased by no less than 253% in the last year. And we are not just talking more conventional sports, like skiing in winter, swimming or surfing in summer and golf, which can be played all year round and ranges from lessons for beginners to perfecting strokes and even professional golf. Challenges to take part in new sports activities grow in accordance with your expectations and dreams. Bike rides through uniquely beautiful
A few days away from it all is just what you need when monotony or boredom seem overwhelming
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and sports activities provide the creative touch that wakes you up and boosts your self-esteem. But, above all, these are outdoor sports in contact with nature, which brings both physical and psychological benefits, because the best thing of all is experiencing the sensation of freedom.
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and the Garrotxa regions or the Girona Pyrenees. Each trip is lovingly designed to achieve excellence. The programmes follow an almost fictional script, immersing visitors in the culture of each area. The Intimate Dalí tour explores local landscape that has been a source of inspiration for international artists. The Costa Brava Break reveals the fishing tradition with a trip on a sailing boat, a visit to the fish market, an anchovy-salting workshop and a show cooking session with habanera-singing thrown in. Their creativity knows no limits and you can also relive Out of Africa in the Empordà, flying in a light aircraft over the rice fields of Pals and the Medes Islands, to then
go on to sample a typical rice dish for lunch in the midst of a vineyard. They also propose a mindfulness option of going on a spiritual retreat, practising yoga and qigong in an ecological, sustainably-built, family villa with spectacular views over the plain of Begur. Short, women-only breaks are proving very popular, with activities like dance therapy, fishing, wine and oil tasting sessions, grape picking or gourmet meals at Michelin-star restaurants. There’s nothing better than unwinding and enjoying the excitement of new experiences.
FIL Mediterranean Travel Designers Incoming travel agency C. de Sant Grau, 29 · 17136 Albons Tel. +34 654 424 338 · +34 616 189 423 hola@filtraveldesigners.com · www.filtraveldesigners.com
There’s nothing quite as tempting as breaking with routine and exchanging the stress of everyday life for a unique, one-off experience and the chance to discover a peaceful, pleasurable new world. This is what the two entrepreneurs Susana and Cristina aim to provide, with the aid of their broad experience in tourism and event planning. At their newly-created incoming travel agency, FIL Mediterranean Travel Designers, they design guided tours packed with emotions and fun. These are a wonderful therapy to share in small groups of 10-12 people, enjoying a “slow” getaway break and discovering new experiences on the Costa Brava, in the Empordà
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Hotel Can Xiquet & Events Centre **** Wellbeing break C. dels Afores, s/n · 17708 Cantallops Tel. +34 972 554 585 www.canxiquet.com · info@canxiquet.com
Annual closure: January Rooms: 27
Spending time in close contact with nature, near the sea or the mountains, is good for us emotionally, physically and for our health in general. And this explains why Hotel Can Xiquet & Events Centre, in Cantallops (Girona), is such a privileged place, set as it is, halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern tip of the Pyrenees. From this exclusive setting in the lush Albera massif, just 200 metres above sealevel, it affords stunning aerial views, as if it were an enormous balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, embracing the magnificent bay of Roses and Cap de Creus, with its rugged cliffs plunging into the untamed sea. Can Xiquet Events Centre has large open spaces on its outdoor terrace, with all the facilities to cater for workshops, conventions, family
get-togethers and business meetings. The restaurant on the upper floor serves its own unique brand of Mediterranean cuisine and the ground floor is occupied by large, airy rooms with all the fittings to ensure an utterly comfortable, luxurious stay. The surrounding area is ideal for excursions, hiking, cycle touring, horse riding, golf and scuba diving, as well as for discovering the cultural and gourmet food and wine delights of the Alt Empordà region. The indoor and outdoor spaces, the setting and the scenery make for a winning combination for reducing stress and achieving integral wellbeing. In line with the mindfulness trend, the Events Centre holds various
getaway breaks based on combining the peaceful setting with different activities, including yoga retreats, meditation to regain a sense of balance, workshops focussing on dance, photography and healthy cookery, Wellness Evenings with talks given by a psychology coach, forest bathing, Yoga & Brunch and a ladies-only boot camp fitness weekend. The blend of experiences is a relaxing and enriching way of learning new habits, improving our way of life and, of course, enhancing our wellbeing.
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la
BRUGUERA de pubol
La Bruguera de Púbol Wellbeing break La Bruguera de Púbol, afores de Púbol · 17120 Púbol Tel. +34 630 802 901 hello@halovelo.cc · www.labrugueradepubol.com
Nestling in the heart of unspoilt countryside in the Baix Empordà, this beautifully secluded large estate boasts 3 hectares of Mediterranean forest and a spectacular castle-villa, formerly the home of the Catalan artist Casademont and his family. It has recently been converted into a stunning eco-friendly country villa by its new owners as a venue for yoga retreats, with teachers specialised in the different disciplines. An ideal trend for more energetic guests is AcroYoga, a discipline founded in California about 12 years ago, although it originated in India and is a mixture of traditional yoga with acrobatic asanas or postures. There are also writing and dance retreats in different studios with picture windows that allow
guests to connect with the outdoor spaces, brimming with lush verdant nature. The retreats also cater for other more energetic activities, including horse riding, golf, hiking, fishing, diving, surfing, water skiing, sailing, paragliding, rafting and climbing. But cycling is another of La Bruguera’s specialities, with a cycling coach for integrated training camp packages that include full board, bike hire, routes and guides. The 7-bedroomed villa sleeps 17 people, and has 5 bathrooms and a kitchen with a larder stocked with vegetarian food straight from the villa’s own vegetable garden, which guests can prepare and cook themselves, as well as a barbecue in the outdoor
porch. The villa occupies a total of 550 m2 and also has an outdoor heated saltwater swimming pool and a small henhouse with animals. The options available at La Bruguera de Púbol are endless, ranging from family get-togethers, company conventions, sports meetings and races to productlaunch presentations and all sorts of other events. Stays are for a minimum of two nights or a weekend so as to fully enjoy this authentic beautiful natural setting within easy reach of the Empordà’s most popular tourist areas.
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Healthy forests and therapeutic itineraries
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Healthy forests and therapeutic itineraries People that look after forests, forests that look after people The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees have a network of seven natural forests where you can take part in peaceful forest bathing. This guided activity is a therapeutic combination of relaxation, contemplation, connection with nature and mindfulness.
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polluted by noise or human intervention and that it has trees in the process of ageing, which causes a natural regeneration of the forest, creating biomass with new life from lichens, bark and moss. Fallen trees make cavities which interact with animals, with the microbiota of living organisms and with a multitude of volatile organic compounds; it has been scientifically proved that they boost the immunological system through respiration into the blood and through the pores of the skin. Other positive effects on the body include an improvement in insomnia, stress, fatigue, fibromyalgia and pain. The guides design different forest bathing experiences for groups of 10-12 people, working on breathing, yoga, tai chi and enjoying the
harmony of the countryside. Each forest is protected as a refuge for biodiversity so as to carry on an ancient ritual of connection with nature. Therapeutic forests are approved and certified according to their characteristics (volcanic, spa-style, Mediterranean, Atlantic or Euro-Siberian) and each one provides different properties for the organism. It is a healthy experience suitable for any time of year, which helps us to broaden our minds, to get to know ourselves better and to enhance our health.
Sèlvans Association Universitat de Girona - Aulari Comú (Campus Montilivi) Oficines de l’Institut de Medi Ambient C. de Maria Aurèlia Capmany i Farners, 40, planta -1 17003 Girona Tel. +34 972 418 234 info@selvans.ong · www.selvans.ong
The Japanese therapy shinrin-yoku, which means “forest bathing”, has been assimilated by the mindfulness trend which has captivated Europe. The Sèlvans Association has now started forest bathing in the province of Girona, with specialised guides who organise therapeutic walks in unpolluted woods, so that their properties can be absorbed by all five senses. Forest bathing takes the form of a two-hour walk during which participants interact with nature, with the benefit of its atmosphere and aerobiology, so as to improve the body and the mind. Not all forests are therapeutic – a wood’s quality must be certified and it must be mature, which means that it is not cut down, that it has large trees, that it is not
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Therapeutic Forest Bathing www.selvans.ong
Healthy forests: For more information: »» Can Fornaca - Caldes de Malavella
»» Salvador Grau i Tort - Les Preses/Olot
»» Palau-sacosta - Girona
»» Serra d’Heures - Sant Hilari Sacalm
»» Les Torrenteres - Vidrà
»» Requesens - La Jonquera »» Sant Grau - Tossa de Mar
T. +34 972 418 234 info@selvans.ong www.selvans.ong
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France N-154
GIRONA PYRENEES
France
France 2 E-15
N-260
E-9 C-16
A-2
C-38
lona to Barce
C-26
RIPOLL C-26
C-252
FIGUERES
N-260a
A-26
OLOT
C-17
C-260
4
N-260 N-260a
COSTA BRAVA
C-66
Les Preses/Olot to Vic - Barcelona
N-260
3
N-153a
N-260
La Jonquera
AP-7
France
5
VidrÃ
C-31
BANYOLES
C-37
el Ter
C-63
E-15
6
C-252
AP-7
6B
el Ter
N-141
Sant Hilari Sacalm
SANTA COLOMA DE FARNERS
GIV-6542 C-31
8
C-31
C-25 C-63
A-2 9
E-15
AP-7
10
a
n rcelo
a to B
C-66
A-2
GIRONA-COSTA BRAVA AIRPORT
to Vic - Manresa - Lleida
GIRONA 7
A-19 to Barcelona
Caldes de Malavella
GIV-6548
C-253
C-65
C-35
Tossa de Mar
9
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
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Culture
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The great cultural wealth of the area is not limited to its architectural heritage. From the rugged cliffs along the Costa Brava to the deepest valleys of the Pyrenees, the landscape of Girona has been a source of inspiration for numerous artists: painters such as Salvador Dalí, Joaquim Vayreda and Marc Chagall, among others, found their muses in these lands. Artistic and pictorial expression is represented in the area above all by the figure of Salvador Dalí and the three vertices of the well-known Dalí Triangle: the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Portlligat House-Museum and Púbol Castle.
From the rugged cliffs along the Costa Brava to the deepest valleys of the Pyrenees, the landscape of Girona has been a source of inspiration for numerous artists: painters such as Salvador Dalí, Joaquim Vayreda and Marc Chagall, among others, found their muses in these lands.
Culture The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees are brimful with tradition and modernism. Following in the footprints of past civilisations, we can catch glimpses of the area’s ancient and more recent history. The Iberian settlement at Ullastret shows us how the first settlers of the Iberian Peninsula lived; the ruins of Empúries bear witness to the grandeur of classical Greece and Rome; the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a monument of Romanesque architecture; the Hebrew tradition lives on in the Jewish Quarters of Girona and Besalú; and the Middle Ages left their mark in villages such as Pals, Peratallada and the Vila Vella or Old Town of Tossa de Mar.
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Nature and active tourism
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Nature and active tourism Outlined by the Pyrenees to the north and bathed by the Mediterranean Sea to the east, the counties of Girona are the perfect setting for enjoying outdoor activities. Thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean, this end of the Pyrenees boasts a mild climate and a unique landscape. Visitors are immediately struck by the area’s nature, with colours that change with the seasons, and by the wide range of sports and cultural activities on offer in the province.
The magnificent sea and mountain setting is ideal for enjoying nature while having fun with adventure sports. Combine state-of-the-art modernity with a journey into the past, exploring the legacy of Romanesque art and the traditions that celebrate the origins of this rich land. All of this can be found in the same destination, with many different facets but one common denominator: a love of adventure.
The magnificent sea and mountain setting is ideal for enjoying nature while having fun with adventure sports.
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Map
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Rest, unwind
Healthy food
Map Main attractions 1
Music Festivals of the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees
Peralada, Cap Roig, Torroella de Montgrí, Porta Ferrada (Sant Feliu de Guíxols), Sant Pere de Rodes, Schubertíada 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Coves of Begur and Palafrugell and Sant Sebastià Lighthouse La Molina-Masella Lake of Banyoles Medieval Towns of Pals and Peratallada Iberian Settlement of Ullastret Camprodon Valley Valley and Sanctuary of Núria Vila Vella or Old Town of Tossa de Mar Gardens of Costa Brava (Santa Clotilde, Pinya de Rosa and Marimurtra) Old Town of Girona Pottery of La Bisbal Alta Garrotxa (Oix and Beget) Garrotxa Volcanic Area Nature Park Cap de Creus Nature Park Sant Pere de Rodes Santa Pau Besalú Ruins of Empúries Cadaqués Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Nature Park Marshes of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Nature Park Dalí Triangle (Museums of Figueres, Portlligat and Púbol) Romanesque Santa Maria de Ripoll, Sant Joan de les Abadesses, Sant Quirze de Colera, Santa Maria de Vilabertran, Sant Miquel de Cruïlles
25
«Surf and Turf» cuisine (throughout the region)
1
Balneari Prats ***
2
Hostal Spa Empúries ****
3
Hotel Spa Terraza ****
4
Hotel Balneari Vichy Catalan ***
5
Hotel Ciutat de Girona & Apartments ****
6
Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf *****
7
Hotel Resguard dels Vents ****
8
Park Hotel San Jorge **** s
9
S’Agaró Hotel Spa & Wellness ****
10
Sallés Hotel & Spa Cala del Pi *****
11
Spa Hotel Santa Marta *****
Healthy forests and therapeutic itineraries 1
Sèlvans Association
EspaiCuinarSa
1
Body, mind and soul 1
Mindfulkit. Mindfulness experiences in nature
2
Natura Respira 3.0 : European School of Breathing
3
Tròbat centre de teràpies naturals
Look after yourself 1
Aqva Banys Romans
2
Clínica Bofill Costa Brava
3
Institut Gem
4
Qualia centre wellness
Healthy getaways 1
FIL Mediterranean Travel Designers
2
La Bruguera de Púbol
3
Hotel Can Xiquet ****
Girul
Viliella Arànser
Talltendre
Lles
Ordèn
Martinet
Guils de Cerdanya Saga Bolvir
Cortàs
Gréixer
Ger
Montellà Olià Pi Coborriu Nas
Villec Estana
Vilallobent
CADÍ-MOIXERÓ NATURAL PARK
Riu de Bor Pedra Cerdanya
Urús
E-9 Túnel del Cadí C-16
Cantallops 2
8
Núria
Queixans Urtx
Prullans Bellver de Isòvol Fontanals Cerdanya Alp N-260 de Cerdanya Santa Das Sansor Eugènia
Maçanet de Cabrenys
HEADWATERS OF THE TER AND FRESER RIVERS NATURAL PARK Setcases
el Vilar d’Urtx
Masella
la Molina
Tregurà de Dalt
Queralbs
3
Planès
Toses
Nevà
to Barce
7
Planoles Campelles
Abella
Pardines
La Roca
Beget
C-38
13 13
lona
Sant Pau de Segúries
Ogassa N-260 C-26 Campdevànol
Historic Highway and Cattle Track
Sant Joan de les Abadesses el Ter
24 24
13 13
la Vall de Bianya
Sadernes
l’Hostalnou de Bianya
Sant Joan les Fonts
Castellfollit de la Roca
24 24
C-17
N-260a
Sant Jaume de Llierca
la Pinya
14 14
OLOT
Sant Privat d’en Bas
C-26
les Preses
Puigpardines Joanetes
Vidrà
Sant Miquel del Corb
Serinyà
Bas
Porqueres Estany de Banyoles
Mieres
la Vall d’en Bas
Collada de Bracons C-37
Falgons
Sant Feliu de Pallerols les Planes d’Hostoles
la Salut
Sant Esteve de Llémena
Gauge Railway Route
FRANCE
Pujarnol
Palol de Revardit
Canet d’Adri
Bonmatí
la Cellera de Ter Osor
CATALONIA
Mediterranean Sea
Espinelves
Viladrau
Salitja
A-2 8 Riudellots de la Selva
Vilobí d’Onyar C-25
1
Caldes de Malavella
Maçanet 9 de la Selva
Riells
4
2 23 23
el Ter
Rupià
Tordera
10 10
to Barcelona
Palafolls
Fonolleres
11 3
2
Cala Montgó
Riells
Cala Farriola Golf de la Monedera
Sobrestany
Ullà Gualta
11
Cala Pedrosa
l’Estartit Torroella de Montgrí
21 21 Platja Gran
Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Nature Park
Serra de Daró Llabià
COSTA BRAVA
Platja del Moll Grec Platja de les Muscleres Platja de l’Escala Platja de Riells
Fontanilles
Platja de Pals
6
55
2
12 24 12 24
Cala d’Aigua Xelida
Palafrugell GIV-6542 Platja de Tamariu Tamariu Mont-ras Cala Pedrosa GIV-6548 Cala de Gens C-31 Ermedàs Llafranc Calella de Vall-llobrega Platja de Llafranc Palafrugell Platja del Canadell Little Train Route Platja de Port Bo
22
Cassà de la Selva
11
Palamós - Vall-llobrega - Mont-ras - Palafrugell
Romanyà de la Selva
Calonge
C-31
Platja de la Fosca la Fosca Cala Margarida Palamós Platja Gran Platja des Monestir Sant Antoni de Calonge Llagostera Platja de Sant Antoni Platja de Torre Valentina Castell d’Aro C-65 Solius Cala Cristus-ses Torretes Platja d’Aro Cala sa Cova Cala Rovira Santa Cristina d’Aro Platja Gran Cala sa Conca s’Agaró Platja de Sant Pol Sant Pol Platja de Sant Feliu de Guíxols Sant Feliu de Guíxols Canyet Sant Grau Platja dels Canyerets Platja del Senyor Ramon Cala Salionç Salionç
C-253
Cala Giverola Cala Bona Platja de la Mar Menuda Platja Gran Cala Llorell Platja de Canyelles Platja de Lloret de Mar Platja de Fenals Platja de sa Boadella Blanes Platja de Santa Cristina Platja de Sant Francesc Platja de Blanes Platja de s’Abanell
10 10
Badia de Roses
1
Verges C-252 Ultramort
Parlavà
11
Lloret de Mar
lona
e Barc
1
Ullastret Platja del Racó Palau-sator Corçà Cala d’Illa Roja Sant Julià de Boada Peratallada Platja de sa Riera LA BISBAL Monells Platja d’Aiguafreda D’EMPORDÀ Canapost Pals Sa Riera Sa Tuna Sant Sadurní Vulpellac Sant Feliu de Boada Platja de sa Tuna Cruïlles de l’Heura Begur Cap de Begur Torrent Fonteta Platja Fonda Regencós C-66 Fornells Cales de Fornells Esclanyà Platja d’Aiguablava Llofriu Aiguablava
Madremanya
99
10
l’Escala
C-31
8 10
Vidreres
AP-7
Hostalric
A-19
04/18
Sant Andreu Salou
E-15
Massanes
to
Púbol
Foixà
Platja de s’Alqueria
23 23 20 20
Montjoi
19 19
Bellcaire d’Empordà
LES GAVARRES
C-35
Sils Sant Feliu de Buixalleu
Breda
Flaçà
Juià
22 22
Albons
la Tallada d’Empordà
Jafre
Narrow-Gauge Railway Route
C-63 A-2
Viabrea
Garrigoles
Girona-St. Feliu de Guíxols
SANTA COLOMA DE FARNERS
Riudarenes
Can Salvà
Vilopriu Colomers
la Pera
Cadaqués
15 15 Roses
Cap de Creus Portlligat
Badia de Cadaqués Platja Cala Jóncols Platja de la Punta Platja de Canyelles Platja de l’Almadrava Platja d’Empuriabrava
Empuriabrava de Roses
Sant Martí d’Empúries
Viladamat
Sant Martí Vell
Llambilles
Campllong
Franciac
Ventalló
Saus
Sant Jordi Desvalls
Sant Joan de Mollet
Quart Fornells de la Selva l’Onyar
Sant Dalmai
GIRONA-COSTA BRAVA AIRPORT
Arbúcies
MONTSENY NATURAL PARK
Sant Julià Sarrià de Ramis de Ter
Celrà
11 1 5 11 GIRONA 1 1
Aiguaviva
Castanyet
Sant Miquel de Cladells
Salt 7
Vilablareix
Brunyola Sant Hilari Sacalm
6
Bescanó
N-141
Anglès C-63
to Vic - Manresa - Lleida
Medinyà
E-15 AP-7 Sant Gregori 6B
el Ter
Pantà de Susqueda
Cervià de Ter
el Port de la Selva
Mas Sopes
Camallera
Bordils
Sant Martí de Llémena
Sant Mori
Vilaür
Viladasens
Cornellà del Terri
la Selva de Mar
Torroella de Fluvià Cal Cristià Sant Miquel Platges de Sant Pere Pesacdor de Fluvià l’Armentera
Arenys d’Empordà Orriols
5
Olives
Pujals dels Cavallers
Vilamacolum Sant Pere Pescador
11
3
AIGUAMOLLS DE L’EMPORDÀ NATURAL PARK
Sant Tomàs de Fluvià Vilacolum
Palau de Santa Eulàlia
2
Bàscara
Vilademuls
Sant Esteve de Guialbes Pujals dels Pagesos Vilamarí
Camós
Amer
Sant Martí Sacalm
Barcelona
44
3
Granollers de Rocacorba
Olot-Girona Narrow
Girona
Vilavenut
BANYOLES Sant Aniol de Finestres
els Hostalets d’en Bas
Galliners
Fontcoberta
la Muga
Fortià
Cala Canyelles Platja de Grifeu Platja del Port Platja de les Tonyines Platja del Port de la Selva Platja del Pas El Golfet
CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK
Palau-saverdera
Castelló C-260 d’Empúries
Vila-sacra
Vilamalla Siurana Garrigàs Ermedàs
Romanyà d’Empordà
Orfes
C-66
Sant Miquel de Campmajor
Santa Pau
4
16 16
Pau Pedret i Marzà
el Far d’Empordà Riumors
Ordis Pontós
Espinavessa
el Fluvià
Esponellà
el Torn
Sant Martí Vell
17 17
Navata
Crespià
Besalú Sant Ferriol
GARROTXA VOLCANIC AREA NATURAL PARK
Borrassà
N-260
18 18
Begudà
Riudaura
Vilafant
Santa Llogaia d’Àlguema
Vilajuïga
Peralada
24 1 24 23 4 23
Avinyonet de Puigventós
Cabanelles
Maià de Montcal
A-26
Argelaguer
Vallfogona de Ripollès
les Llosses
to Vic - Barcelona
Lladó Beuda
Sant Pere de Rodes
C-252
Vilabertran
FIGUERES Vilanant
Llançà
Garriguella
6
11
Cabanes
3
Cistella
Mare de Déu del Mont
Sales de Llierca Montagut Tortellà
N-260a Túnel de Collabós
Olot Iron and Coal Route
RIPOLL
Boadella d’Empordà Terrades
Albanyà
Oix
N-153a
Ripoll-St.Joan de les Abadesses - Ogassa -
Campdevànol-Sant Llorenç de Campdevànol
A-2 Pont de Molins Llers
Bruguera
el Baell
Sant Llorenç de la Muga
Platja de Garbet
Vilamaniscle Mollet de Peralada
Masarac
Biure
24 24
Rabós
Sant Climent Sescebes
Pantà de Boadella
Camprodon
Ribes de Freser
Montgrony
Gombrèn
Llanars
Espolla
Capmany
Rocabruna
Vilallonga de Ter
Ventolà
Agullana Darnius
Cala de les Rates Platja Gran
Portbou N-260 Colera
Sant Quirze de Colera
3
E-15 AP-7
la Vajol
Tapis
Molló
Tregurà de Baix
Dòrria
France
Espinavell
77
el Freser
3
France
ALBERA MASSIF la Jonquera
Vallter 2000
el Segre
Olopte All
Talló Baltarga Beders Prats Tartera
Bèixec
France
PUIGCERDÀ
Coborriu de la Llosa
Músser Travesseres
Meranges
Eller
France
GIRONA PYRENEES
Llívia N-154
Tossa de Mar
2
9
Mediterranean Sea
Wellbeing
Map legend
86
Map legend Toll motorway National main road Dual carriageway Major road County road Local road Under construction Other roads River Rack railway AP-7
Motorway symbol Motorway exit
N-141 C-1141
National main road symbol County road symbol
C-25
Major county road symbol
C-151
New code system High-speed rail station County boundary Railway AVE (High-speed train) Greenway Tunnel
Blue Flag Beaches 2018 Award granted by the European Union that recognises the quality of the waters and the services provided to users on the beaches. Blue Flag Port Cruise port EMAS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme 2018 Begur: Club Nàutic Aiguablava Blanes: Club Vela Blanes and Blanes Port Calonge: Can Cristos - Ses Torretes cove, Torre Valentina Beach, Sant Antoni Beach, Es Monestri Beach and the town seafront promenade Castelló d’Empúries: Empuriabrava Beach El Port de la Selva: Club Nàutic Port de la Selva and El Port de la Selva Port L’Escala: L’Escala Port and Club Nàutic l’Escala Llançà: Club Nàutic Llançà and Llançà Port Palafrugell: Port Bo, Canadell, Llafranc, Tamariu and Calella de Palafrugell Beaches Palamós: beaches, coves, Port Esportiu Marina Palamós, Palamós Port, seafront promenade and urban parks Platja d’Aro: Club Nàutic Port d’Aro Roses: Santa Margarida, El Salatar, El Rastrell, Nova, La Punta, Els Palangrers, Canyelles-Bonifaci and L’Almadrava Beaches; Murtra, Rostella, Calís, Montjoi, Calitjàs, Pelosa, Canadell and Jóncols natural coves; Roses Cruise Port, Roses Marina, Roses Fishing Port and seafront promenade Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Sant Feliu de Guíxols Port Torroella de Montgrí-L’Estartit: L’Estartit Port, L’Estartit Main Beach, Club Nàutic Estartit and L’Estartit seafront promenade “Q” for Tourism Quality Certificate - ICTE (Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality) 2018 Calonge: Sant Antoni Beach Castell-Platja d’Aro: Platja d’Aro Main Beach and Sa Conca Beach Castelló d’Empúries: Empuriabrava Beach Torroella de Montgrí: L’Estartit Main Beach Cerdanya: La Molina Ski and Mountain Resort Garrotxa: Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park Ripollès: Vall de Núria Ski Resort
Published by Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board Design Minimilks Translation and proofreading Link Traduccions Printed by GrĂ fiques Trema, SL. Legal diposit GI 1133-2018 Cover Photographs Javi Cabrera Photographs Javi Cabrera, PatitucciPhoto and Pere Duran Images courtesy of Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board Image Archive
Costa Brava Girona Pyrenees
Wellbeing www.costabrava.org