A Taste of the Catalan Coast

We have been taking Inntravel European walking trips for 10 years and I have to say A Taste of the Catalan Coast was by far our favorite trip. The hikes, the hotels, the scenery were outstanding. Our friends back home could not believe our beautiful pictures from Calella and Begur. For four women walking together, this was the perfect itinerary. Thank you Inntravel for making this another October hiking trip for the record books! 

As a first timer on a walking holiday we found the planning and execution of the holiday a very easy and enjoyable experience. The hotels were a good standard and in excellent positions. The routes were picturesque and of a standard that challenged us just enough. An extra night in Begur was a great idea as we found yet another delightful restaurant and locals bar. Definitely not our last holiday with Inntravel 

Overall a wonderful holiday and we would definitely use Inntravel again.

Swimming was fabulous and I am definitely returning to this area. Walks are always lovely.

2 lovely spots that we wouldn't have known about without going on this holiday

I would thoroughly recommend 'A Taste of the Catalan Coast'. This a beautiful part of Spain with lush, green landscape & wonderful food. Both hotels are set in very different locations, Hotel Sant Roc in Calella de Palafrugell by the sea with a large terrace with wonderful views in contrast to the Hotel Aiguaclara which is set in the town of Begur and is just stunning with lots of character. The staff in both hotels were very helpful & friendly.

The walks are in the main straightforward but can be challenging in places but you are rewarded with seeing some beautiful countryside and lovely seaside coves and beaches. The food in both locations is excellent, plenty of choice if you like local cuisine, tapas and seafood.

I would probably recommend adding a couple of days in Girona as you will not want your holiday to end!   

Really enjoyed our "Taste of the Catalan" trip. Our stay at the Hotel Sant Roc was wonderful and the hotel is situated in a beautiful spot with a restaurant and patio to fully enjoy it. The hike in that area including the Botanical Garden was lovely. The second day's hike toward Begur was longer than we desired with the last portion being all uphill. After already having climbed up to the lighthouse and then the climb up from the rocky cove beach, we opted for a taxi for the last stretch. Begur and the Hotel Classico were both lovely. We chose to tour the town and its historic sites and climbed up to the castle, but did not do the hike down to the beach/water and back up again. Instead we window shopped and enjoyed sampling Tapas. Overall, some wonderful days in a beautiful location.

Despite the disappointing hotel, we were very glad we extended the holiday with 2 nights in Girona. It's a very interesting city, with excellent restaurants. We would particularly recommend Casa Flora, Carrer de les Ballesteries; and El Cul Del Mon, Disseminat de Sant Daniel for lunch in a woodland setting only 15 minutes walk from the Historic. 

The first hotel in Calella was a delightful place to relax in the sun. The setting was idyllic and perfect for us, as I was not very well, and couldn't do the prescribed walking, but here it did not really matter - there were a few gentle alternatives. Everything was lovely - the food and the staff, the view, and we were very lucky with the weather . 

The hotels were good, and our hosts were kind. Calella has a Spar for water, snacks etc in the streets behind Port Bo. The terrace bar and restaurant were relaxing. The second hotel in Begur is a contrast to the first being in the equivalent of a UK listed building and is dark, and has no lift. The church bells stop at midnight till 7 am. The bar nearly opposite, Sabarra, was good, several staff speaking English, but the hotel’s restaurant was marvellous, you need to book. We had to leave early on our last day and the staff made us a breakfast to take with us. The walks on days 2 and 3 were difficult and vertiginous with rough narrow paths, and we feel the holiday is graded wrongly. We have done grade 2 walks with Inntravel and this walk was far more difficult than any of them. If you are elderly, have hidden disabilities or suffer vertigo, we advise you not to do this holiday. We particularly chose a grade 1 walk as we are now in our 70s and although fit expected a leisurely holiday (as is the case with day 1) not an endurance test. We found the holiday very disabling and at the end, not an achievement. There are some errors in the walking notes (eg there are now no concessions for elderly at the Botanical Gardens, the Begur town map (available from the hotel) has a different numbering system so does not match the town walk maps – still worth doing the town walk) but irritations rather than blockers.

Hotel Aiguaclara is amazing. Stylish and quirky with super service.  Would be good to add a longer walk around Begur

This is an easy, calm and leisurely walking trip allowing plenty of time to enjoy the local food so is aptly named. No walk is too hard to carry on after a long lunch with wine and the hotels are wonderful choices. Hotel Aiguaclara is an opportunity to stay in a respectfully restored 'casa indiana' full of character and history. This is an area with a big Hollywood history, you'll be visiting the same coves as Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner, if visiting in early October there is even an international film festival. Combining the Girona add-on gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in a wonderful part of Spain. The weather on early October was great, just a couple of rainy days that didn't stop the walks. The gardens at Cap Roig are fantastic, don't miss. 

Overall, we enjoyed this holiday immensely. The hotels were both excellent and the scenery along this coast was beautiful. The walk along the coast from Callela to Begur was spectacular, as was the afternoon walk from Begur down to Aiguafreda on the coast. Begur was a beautiful and a very interesting place to visit. The standard of food and wine met or exceeded our expectations. A 2-day extension of the holiday to visit nearby Girona is recommended.

However, the overall categorisation of the walk as Grade 1 is not, in our opinion, correct and in several places along the coastal route and in the ascent from Aiguafreda to Begur merits a Grade 2+. This may not be an issue for many but can provide a safety risk to older or other less capable walkers expecting an easier stroll. 

Excellent! Beautiful walks, would say easy to medium in some parts especially the coastal path day.  Lots of French holidaying and not many Briitsh at all - felt like a secret! Both hotels nice - upgraded Hotel Sant Roc to get a terrace not just the balcony. Begur a lovely town. Instructions were spot on. Great places to eat along the way - lots of seafood.

Overall a wonderful holiday for myself and friend post being ill with covid. Sant Roc hotel in particular was perfectly situated and service excellent. The walk was ideal as a post covid exercise and the area of Costa Brava stunning. Have been recommending the walk to everyone! I also plan to do the longer version of the walk with husband as enjoyed it so much. Definitely recommend the add-on city break in Girona - try to co-ordinate with the flower festival.

A beautiful piece of coastline. The walking is easy, with occasional steep stoney descents. Highlights were drinks on the terrace at the Hotel St Roc and lunch beside the beach at Sa Tuna.

Wonderful area and visited towns and hotels we wouldn't usually have found. The tough walks gave a sense of achievement. Have already asked husband to join me me on the next trip .