Girona City Add-On

We first did this holiday 5 years ago, our first walking holiday ever! We have holidayed with Inntravel every year since because we have found them very efficient and we have always been pleased with the accommodation. We decided to do this one again because we thought it was the best we've done so far. It's an interesting coastline, lovely views and the walks are challenging (for us anyway) in places, especially to the last hotel. We always add an extra night in each hotel so we can explore the local area and relax a while, rather than ploughing on the next day. Recommended restaurants - S'Agaro: Arnall Degustacio - deli/bar/cafe/restaurant - very nice simple menu of local cuisine - atmosphere changes up in the evening; Calella: Calau - fantastic tapas bar for lunch. When we were there 5 years ago this was very small, with just the two owners serving. Now it has moved a couple a metres up the hill into bigger premises and there are always queues, but they took our number and texted us when the table was ready. Girona: Brots de Vi - Small, looks like a cafe but again comes to life in the evening - we went there both nights - small simple local menu - booking essential as people were being turned away. I would avoid Independence Square for food based on our experience 5 years ago and comments from a couple who were at our hotel this time.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers enjoyed our Girona City add-on following our Along the Catalan Coast self-guided walking holiday.

Contrasts of Catalonia, Mas Rabiol - An excellent location in every way! We particularly liked the peaceful location and relaxing in the garden at the end of the walks.  The food, both at breakfast and the 2 evening meals was fresh, delicious and plentiful!

Girona add-on at Hotel Historic - Very central and quite appropriate for a 2-day break.

Overall we would highly recommend this Inntravel holiday.

We travelled in early June when the temperatures were in the low 20s which was okay for us as there was some cloud and shade whilst in woods on each day. We had one day when it rained all day which was our day in Santa Pau. We enjoyed all the the hotels each very different. We were unable to stay at Can Pei due to it being overbooked but luckily this meant staying two nights in the Hostal El Forn which was our favourite as Silvana and Dani were the most lovely hosts. This was quickly sorted out by Inntravel who arranged transfers so that we didn't miss out on any of the walking. Our least favourite was La Perla which was more functional although perfectly fine. We enjoyed all our meals but Cal Sastre certainly our favourite. We found the notes easy to follow and times accurate which allowed plenty of time to explore the villages on arrival. Each day there are sizeable sections of each walks in woods but even in early June there were plenty of wild flowers to be seen. The first two days being our favourite walks with the walk to Olot being our least favourite. We were joined on day 1 by Palamino the old english sheep dog who led the way to Beget. He is now well known by Silvana and Dani and once they see him they know the Inntavellers have arrived. He does not pester you or beg in anyway he just seems to enjoy the company and apparantly spends a day in Beget greeting old friends before walking back the following day.

Following our walk we enjoyed a short stay in Girona, a compact city with an interesting old town with plenty to see. We stayed a lovely room in the Hotel Peninsular which idealy situated close to the centre.

This was a wonderful holiday and a really good way to experience this region in a more intimate and natural way. The cycle trip to Pals on one of the three recommended routes during the Hotel Picasso stay was a highlight for us, a beautiful route, and our first cycle trip. The other route we took out of Hotel Picasso was longer, to Empuries, which we did not find as interesting but these are subjective views of course and it was probably too long for a 10-year-old with little interest in the Roman and Greek settlement which lay at the end of the trip. There was an excellent mix between the rural stay at Mas Masaller, and the more coastal options. Some of the cycle terrain was breathtaking. Girona was very special, a very memorable stay, and the hotel exceptional. We are looking forward to booking again with Inntravel. We were a bit concerned that our ten year old might not last the pace, and get bored, but apart from the odd relapse he really enjoyed it too. We are not experienced or regular cyclists so it was a new departure for us as a family.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our family cycling holiday Bikes, Back-roads and Beaches with our Girona city add-on

We really enjoyed our stay in the Garroxta and Girona. There were many lovely villages to explore and a variety of walks.We would reccomend the Hotel Cal Sastre for a short break. The tasting menu was a highlight and our room (No1) was beautiful with wonderful views of the town and surrounding countryside. We arrived on the festival of St Joan and got an excellent view of the fireworks.

Highlights:

• An impressively well organised holiday - nothing to fault on Inntravel's part.
• Girona is one of the loveliest cities we've been to and best viewed from the superb city walls walk. We're glad we took Inntravel's suggestion to time a visit with the Flower Festival, which was stunning - and should be experienced at least once. But the crowds started to feel overwhelming half way through Day 2 and we were relieved to escape to Mollo's peace and quiet.

• The varied geology and stunning landscapes from Mollo to Besalu often took our breath away.

• Wondrous birdsong accompanied us almost every step of the way.
• Day 4: Olot to Santa Pau counts as one of our favourite all-time walks. For the beautiful scenery with distant views of the snow-capped Pyrenees, the volcanic landscape and fertile fields - and for being able to set off early on a cool, clear, calm morning with dew still on the ground (after a very welcome 7:00 breakfast).
• All the accommodation was very good, but Hostal El Forn and Hotel Els Jardins de la Mantana were just that bit extra special.

• In Besalu, we would recommend Castell de Besalu, below the hotel, as a good 'cheap and cheerful'. Really lovely staff, a varied flexible menu (serving from 7:30 the night we went), a pleasant Euro 5 house wine, a relaxed vibe and what must be the best restaurant view in Besalu from the terrace. 

• The House of Miniatures in Besalu has an exquisite and awe-inspiring collection, some of which has to be viewed through microscopes. Ideal for anyone who enjoyed Jessie Burton's 'The Miniaturist'.

Comments:

• We didn't have any problems with distances or ascents/descents and completed each sub-route within the given times. However, Day 5: Sanctuary Santa Maria de Finestres was a different kettle of fish - very steep and very challenging, and therefore our least enjoyable day. In hindsight, we should have opted for one of the easier walks available from the tourist office in Santa Pau.
• Next time, for a similar holiday, we would go in March/April or at least early May. It got quite hot by midday, especially on exposed sections. Also, it rained very heavily from about 2:00-5:00pm each day (as is normal in May), and when it rains it can get quite cold. So be prepared for a wide range of temperature at short notice.