costa brava to costa blanca

costa brava to costa blanca
FLY-DRIVE 12 NIGHTS/13 DAYS
Travel down Spain’s Eastern Coast on your way
from the Costa Brava to the Costa Blanca. Begin
in Catalonia, amongst verdant hills, fishing villages,
and historic buildings, before beginning your
drive south. Stop off on the beautiful beaches of
S’Agaró’s peninsula, in the lively atmospheric town
of Sitges on the Costa Dorada, and in artistic
Valencia on the Orange Blossom Coast. Finally,
spend three nights in Dénia, between the Natural
parks and the blue sea of the Costa Blanca.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAYS ONE TO TWO
After arriving in Barcelona and collecting your
hire car, drive north east for just under two hours,
through Girona and Figueres to the Mas Lazuli
near the small village of Pau. This hotel was once
an 11th Century medieval friary, and has retained
some of its most beautiful original features. During
your two-night stay, use your hire car to explore
the Empordá region. The Romanesque medieval
Monasterio de Sant Pere is just a short drive away
on a mountaintop. Its tall brooding towers and
cavernous halls have a unique ambience. The fishing
town of Cadaqués, popular with artists such as
Picasso and Dalí, is on the eastern coast, and Roses,
perfect for shopping and dining excursions, is to the
south. In Figueres stands the intriguing and inspiring
Dalí Museum.
restaurants. The city of Girona is within easy reach
for a day’s excursion.
DAYS SIX TO SEVEN
Continue driving south along the coast, from the
Costa Brava to the Costa Dorada. Your next two
nights will be spent at the Hotel Estela in Sitges,
just outside of Barcelona. An infectious atmosphere
is at the centre of Sitges’ culture, be it at one of
the many film, theatre, or car festivals, the carnivals,
or the year-round buzz of the city centre in the
evenings. During the day, enjoy the overarching
serenity of the landscape, taking a walk along the
sea-front boulevard, or walking and cycling through
the Garraf National park. Several diverse museums
are open to the public, from more traditional
exhibits to the colourful Cau Ferrat, former home
of the Catalan writer Santiago Rusiñol. If you have
time, spend a few hours walking around the varied
quarters of Barcelona.
Begur, Costa Brava
DAYS EIGHT TO NINE
The fourth stop on this tour is further south, on
the Orange Blossom Coast, in Valencia. The Palau
de la Mar offers refined urban living in the centre
of a lively, historic city. Its central location means
that the Puerto de Valenica, the science and cultural
park, and the Torres de Serranos are just a short
walk away. Fine and modern art museums are
in abundance, each housed within an intriguing
contemporary or historic building, and enrich the
experience of every visitor to Valencia. Taste the
far-distant past in the 13th Century cathedral, with
its dramatic circular front window, and atmospheric
interior.
Harbour at Denia
DAYS TEN TO TWELVE
On the Costa Blanca, spend three nights at the
Posada del Mar in Dénia. This renovated 13th
Century building stands overlooking the quay, at
the foot of the hill on which stands Dénia Castle.
The restorative additions to the hotel, stone walls,
cosy lounges, balconies, and twisting staircases
compound the charms of the original features.
Spend a morning in Dénia exploring the castle and
its towers, the archaeological museum, and the
Portal de la Vila, which has connected the castle to
the town since Moorish reign. Outside of Dénia,
the Montgó and Peñon de Ifach Natural Parks are
perfect for active visitors, while the towns of Calpe,
Moraira, and Benissa, among others, offer fantastic
coves, cliffs, and fishing ports undiscovered by
tourists.
DAY THIRTEEN
Drive southwest along the coast for your return
flight to London from Alicante.
Valencia
DAYS THREE TO FIVE
An hour and a quarter’s drive south brings you
to S’Agaró, home of the Hostal de la Gavina, your
host for the next three nights. With direct access to
the Sant Pol Beach, and close to both the S’Agaró
coastal path and Sa Conca Beach, your stay at the
Hostal is the perfect opportunity for relaxing in the
sun. Emerging from the lush greenery of the town,
the hotel has a traditional white-washed exterior.
Inside, a unique, characteristic style combines rustic
Spain with elegant, refined luxury; in the bedrooms,
there is also a touch of grandeur. Nearby is Begur,
a colourful hilltop town with stunning Cubanstyle mansions, an austere castle, and excellent
PRICES
Prices from £1,840 per person based on two
people sharing.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
•Scheduled flights from London to Barcelona, and Alicante to London
•Type C hire-car for duration of holiday
•Accommodation with bed and breakfast at the following hotels, based on two people sharing a standard double room:
Two nights at the Mas Lazuli near Figueres
Three nights at the Hostal de la Gavina in S’Agaró
Two nights at the Hotel Estela in Sitges
Two nights at the Palau de la Mar in Valencia
Three nights at the Posada del Mar in Dénia
Patronat, Costa Brava
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For expert advice call our travel consultants on 01392 441276
Valencia
Valenica
For expert advice call our travel consultants on 01392 441276
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