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Home , Costa Brava, Portbou, Province of Girona, Sant Pere Pescador

The , authentic experiences all year round

Press Kit 2020 Cover Photograph: Cala Corbs, Palamós. PatitucciPhoto Inner photographs: . Alex Tremps; . Isabelle Kenis. Vilajuïga. Celler Espelt; Restaurant Toc al Mar. Begur. Alex Tremps; . Pere Duran; Costa Brava. Jase Wilson; Baix Empordà. Dani Salvà i Palamós. Jaume Campderros. Archivo Imágenes PTCBG. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 3

The Costa Brava, authentic experiences all year round

Walking the Costa Brava’s coastal paths, pedalling through the on greenways, tasting D.O. Empordà wines, parachuting down over the bay of Roses, sampling local gourmet food in Michelin-starred restaurants, revelling at musical festivals, having a go at scuba diving or an introduction to astronomy… these are just a few of the truly authentic experiences that the Costa Brava offers visitors in search of memorable holidays.

Situated between and the destination and has two teams in French border, the province of Girona Spanish competitions: Girona FC, at the is promoted under the Costa Brava and second division football league, and UNI Girona tourism brands. With Girona, at women's basketball league. its amazing wealth of attractions, the region is just waiting to be discovered The Costa Brava is an all-year-round and lived intensely. Visitors are drawn holiday destination known for towns to this welcoming, tourist-friendly area like , Roses, L’Escala, Platja and to the chance to experience Dalí’s d’Aro and Cadaqués. It has suitable homeland, with its vital, inspirational inclusive infrastructures, facilities, setting, its traditional and innovative tourist products and services for visitors cuisine, its multicoloured patchwork wishing to spend memorable holidays of different landscapes and the with their family, partner or friends. idiosyncrasies of everyday life in its Whether fans of sports or outdoor capital city, Girona. activities, culture enthusiasts, business professionals, wellness devotees, The capital of the province is a medium- foodies or cruise passengers, on the sized, well-communicated city, with an Costa Brava they will all find something airport and high-speed railway station, to suit them among the wide choice of halfway between the coast and the top-quality products and activities. Pyrenees. Girona is reputed for being one of the cities with the highest The Costa Brava also has a standard of living in . It is a specific range of luxury, exclusive popular city-break destination thanks tourist products, which includes to its cultural, sightseeing and shopping accommodation with the accent attractions, along with its good road and on small, family-run and boutique railway links. Its heritage is particularly hotels, as well as transport and activity well conserved, with an old town where companies, luxury and bespoke numerous places of interest are to be specialist travel agencies, which provide found. It is well worth visiting the city exclusive programmes, personalised in May to see the Girona Flower Time services and select experiences for festival, and in autumn, to coincide with visitors wishing to discover the region in the city’s patron saint festivities and the a different way. Temporada Alta performing arts festival. The city is also a reputed sports tourism The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 4

Mediterranean light Travel to a land and landscape steeped in culture

In many people’s minds the Costa Brava With over 550 heritage sites of Culture on the Costa Brava, though, is is identified by its 245 golden sandy outstanding interest listed in the not limited to Iberian, Greek and Roman beaches and its coves and creeks province of Girona, the Costa Brava’s remains, the legacy left by Salvador surrounded by vegetation and rocky range of cultural tourism options Dalí and the collections housed by cliffs, stretching from to attracts millions of visitors seduced by the 26 museums on various subjects along 220 km of coastline. At present, the region’s rich, intense historical and that make up the province of Girona’s 36 beaches and marinas fly the blue artistic heritage. Museum Network. Culture also means flag awarded by FEE (Foundation for the hundred festivals of different types Environmental Education). It is an area where Romanesque art that take place in the province – music, once proliferated and where genuine theatre, like the festival Temporada Picturesque little seaside villages like heritage masterpieces still survive today, Alta, art, cinema, circus, magic –, Cadaqués, Calella de and as is illustrated by the monasteries of local festivals declared of national Begur, and tourist resorts like Roses, and Sant Pere de interest, the network of memorial sites L’Escala, Platja d’Aro, , Galligants, or the castles of Begur and (Exile Memorial Museum and Walter Lloret de Mar and Blanes provide a Montsoriu, all enduring witnesses of a Benjamin) or the special themed routes, multitude of options to welcome and golden period in ’s history. including indianos architecture, literary, delight any visitor attracted by the scientific and art nouveau themes, Mediterranean light and climate. The medieval villages of , which have been created to present, , Peratallada, and explain and share the roots and history The destination also has eight seaside Monells are excellently conserved of this region and its people for the towns with the Family Tourism Seal architectural ensembles that are valued visitor’s benefit. (DTF), which specifically provide all the for their interesting secular and religious holiday products and services to cater sculptural features. These villages are For the last fouryears, the Som Cultura for families’ needs. also outstanding in terms of their rich (‘We Are Culture’) festival has been craftsmanship heritage, as can be seen held throughout the province of The Costa Brava’s main holiday towns from the annual calendar of numerous Girona every November. The cultural are Roses, , Torroella themed events such as fairs, festivals experiences month has the intention of de Montgrí-L’Estartit, i Sant and markets linked with their history. stimulating interest and encouraging Antoni, Castell-Platja d’Aro, Sant Feliu de both local inhabitants and visitors to Guíxols, Lloret de Mar and Blanes. Travellers should not miss the Dalí attend cultural events in the autumn Triangle, formed by the Dalí Theatre- by programming genuine cultural Museum in , the Salvador proposals. Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat and the Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol, and which also includes special temporary exhibitions at its sites. With almost 1.1 million visitors per year, it is the most visited museum ensemble in the province and the third most visited in Catalonia. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 5

A Michelin-starred region

The province of Girona’s culinary wealth It is also worth mentioning that Jordi makes it a real pleasure to sit down in Roca’s chocolate factory, Casa Cacao, List of Michelin-starred a restaurant and taste its surf and turf is due to open in Girona in 2020, should cuisine, with such treats as chicken herald the opening in Roses of Ferran restaurants: cooked with langoustines, rabbit and Adrià’s Foundation project, clam rice dish, squid with meat stuffing, a centre for culinary creativity and *** always washed down with excellent D.O. research. Miramar ** Empordà wines, of course. The province of Girona has always Les Cols ** The superb quality of the destination’s been renowned for its cuisine, and for Les Magnòlies * cuisine is based on its locally-sourced the last few decades, for its wines as ingredients, time-honoured recipes well. And the best way to discover the Bo.TiC * adapted to suit modern tastes and the world of Empordà wine and the area Ca l’Arpa * expertise demonstrated by its chefs and where it is grown is to go on a wine the more than 2,000 restaurants serving tour of the Costa Brava, following the Ca l’Enric * different types of food, with the accent D.O. Empordà Wine Route. With an Casamar * on Catalan, seasonal and signature area of 2,000 hectares of vineyards Els Tinars * cuisine. The diversity, wealth and quality grouping together in 43 wineries, 30 of of the region’s produce is noteworthy, which offer wine tourism experiences, La Cuina de Can Simon * as are the numerous quality labels the destination enables visitors to Fonda Xesc * in use, such as the Girona Excel•lent immerse themselves in the universe certificate. This pride in local products of wine, terroir, tramontana wind and Massana * is popularised through food fairs and countryside. Empòrium * festivals, which are often complemented by gourmet-themed campaigns, much Few places can rival the Empordà in Peralada* to the delight of amateur cooks and producing varieties with such authentic, food lovers alike. distinctive flavours and which are so worth discovering and tasting through The destination is renowned for its wine tourism. For the last seven years, fourteen Michelin-starred restaurants, the Vívid festival has taken place every which clock up eighteen stars April, making it the month for wine altogether. These include the Roca tourism experiences throughout the brothers’ El Celler de Can Roca Costa Brava. in Girona, proclaimed the-best restaurant in the world in 2018 by Similarly, the last few years have seen the prestigious Restaurant Magazine. an increase in the number of companies Two other acclaimed chefs are Paco offering food and wine activities aimed Pérez, currently the only Spanish essentially at connoisseurs wishing chef with five Michelin stars, and Fina to sample and learn about Catalan Puigdevall, chef at Les Cols restaurant and Mediterranean cuisine through in , awarded the National show-cooking sessions, workshops and Gastronomy Prize 2019. gastronomic tours. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 6 The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 7

Activity, adventure An oasis of nature and fun all year round

The protected natural areas are the most Further away from the coast, located in For more active and adventurous visible and accessible part for visitors the Pyrenees of Girona, there are three visitors, a good way to discover the of this living nature network situated in more natural parks of great scenic and Costa Brava is through land-based the province of Girona; a network that ecological value: La Volcanic sports like hiking, on over 2,000 km of goes from the mountains to the sea, Zone Natural Park, Natural Park of local footpaths, long-distance paths, from dense forests to the Mediterranean the and Freser Headwaters, both the Itinerànnia routes and the highly coast, and which account for 31% of the distinguished with the CETS seal, and popular coastal paths. Other options destination’s surface area. the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. include road cycling, mountain biking or cycle touring, on the Pirinexus route, The province of Girona has seven There are sustainable tourism activities along greenways, or gently pedalling natural parks, four of which are included in the protected areas to enable a burricleta electric bike through under the Costa Brava tourism brand. visitors to discover them in an active, Girona’s inland cities and villages. While They are, going from north to south, environmentally-friendly way. The most on the subject of cycling, it is worth the Natural Park, the first usual ones being hiking and bicycle mentioning the Sea Otter Europe natural park with both land and sea touring routes, water sports, wild animal Costa Brava Girona cycling festival, reserves in Catalonia; the Aiguamolls and plant observation activities, and held in the city of Girona in May every de l’Empordà Natural Park, an area of sociocultural events and activities. year. Other regular outdoor activities in wetlands of international importance; the area include horse riding, climbing the Natural Park of Montgrí, the Medes The Costa Brava is currently working and golf. The latter can be played Islands and Baix Ter, which is the towards being listed as a UNESCO at any of the province’s eight golf most recently created park and is Biosphere Reserve in 2021, an courses, including the PGA Catalunya committed to the EUROPARC Charter for international recognition awarded by Resort, ranked the best golf course Sustainable Tourism (ECST); and, finally, UNESCO to encourage the conservation in Spain by the prestigious website the Natural Park, the first of the landscape, ecosystems and Top100golfcourses.com. site in the province to be declared sustainability. If the process is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and successfully completed, it will become As far as water sports are concerned, which is also committed to the CETS. the third destination in Catalonia the Costa Brava’s coastline boasts Other sites worthy of mention include to have this distinction, along with eighteen leisure harbours and marinas, the Albera Natural Area of National Montseny and Terres de l’Ebre. enabling pleasure boats to moor on Interest, which is the massif forming the Girona’s coast. Seaside towns like Roses, border between and Spain, and Besides the natural areas, there Sant Pere Pescador, L’Escala, L’Estartit, the massif, at the northernmost are three botanical gardens and a Palamós, Platja d’Aro, Lloret de Mar and tip of the Catalan coastal range, which Renaissance garden, which act as Blanes offer a wide range of boating and also forms part of the Natura 2000 balconies over the Mediterranean and water sports and activities, including network. are ideal for visitors interested in botany, sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing art and architecture. of all types, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling, enabling visitors to explore the destination’s unique character from the sea. Dives at more than 60 diving spots catering for all levels, organised by the 34 diving centres operating between Blanes and Portbou, constitute a major attraction for those wishing to explore the Costa Brava from another dimension. Additionally, the bay of Roses hosts one of the World Windsurfing Championship events every year in June. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 8

A genuine region where ideas flow

Air-born activities include parachuting A far cry from the overcrowded big cities In a similar vein, the Costa Brava also at Skydive , one of the and just an hour from Barcelona, the offers a myriad of unique, exclusive three top parachuting centres in the Costa Brava-Girona has established venues for holding professional world, or hot-air balloon rides, with itself as one of the most attractive events and meetings in natural and breathtaking views of the plain of the business, convention and incentive historical settings, including castles, Empordà from the sky first thing in trip destinations as an alternative to monasteries, museums, gardens, the morning. Finally, there is also the large European cities. beaches, country houses and wineries. chance to experience the sensation Going beyond work, with the aim of of skydiving in a safe environment The numerous state-of-the-art, fostering team spirit, the destination in the wind tunnel, also located in multipurpose congress centres are provides companies with a wide variety Empuriabrava. equipped to cater for all sorts of of authentic experiences to complement events and are generally situated in conventions, work sessions, training The quality of the tourist offer and central locations, within easy reach of courses and product presentations. the excellent sports facilities of the accommodation and leisure areas. They territory, added to its climatic and can host any number of events ranging The various options range from outdoor natural characteristics, make the from scientific and business meetings leisure and adrenalin-packed activities province of Girona an ideal destination to all sorts of medical congresses, trade in beautiful natural surroundings for the practice of different sports conventions and product presentations to cookery courses and workshops, both indoor and outdoor. Thus, with and can be found in various towns, astronomy sessions and themed the desire to boost and promote this like Girona, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Olot, cultural visits. existing tourism offer, it has been Torroella de Montgrí, Sant Feliu de proclaimed 2020 the Year of Sports Guíxols, Palamós and Platja d’Aro. Tourism in Catalonia, also in the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees.

In terms of both amateur and professional sports, the Costa Brava has five Sports Tourism Destinations listed by the Catalan Tourist Board: Banyoles-Pla de l’Estany, Castelló d’Empúries-Empuriabrava, Girona, Lloret de Mar and Blanes. These destinations promote such diverse sports as road cycling, mountain biking, triathlon, athletics, soccer, swimming, tennis, rowing and canoeing. The province also has a long list of elite sportsmen and women that live and train regularly in the area, and has superb sports facilities, service companies, specialised accommodation and incoming agencies for planning international sports events. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 9

Wellness balms

For many visitors a trip to the Costa Brava means a chance to have fun and get involved in sports and adventure activities, but also to take a break and enjoy a relaxing holiday, to regain their energy and recover the sensation of serenity and harmony so as to make a fresh start.

To offset the relentless rhythm of everyday life, the province of Girona offers a whole range of options to help visitors find time and enjoy their surroundings while they discover new activities that combine pleasure with therapy, like mindfulness, woodland immersion, yoga, chi kung, dance therapy, thermal treatments and circuits, without forgetting gourmet healthy cuisine experiences, contemplative cultural visits and sports activities.

These activities take place at hotels with a spa, at modernised 19th- century thermal baths, at innovative health and relaxation centres, or at premises specialising in retreats and wellness activities. Getting away from it all with a wellness break is a great way to unwind and get back into shape. The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 10 The Costa Brava: authentic experiences all year round 11

Universal accessibility

The Costa Brava provides a wide variety of inclusive cultural, sporting and outdoor activities. These range from guided visits in sign language, tactile tables and panels in Braille at monuments and museums to outdoor activities adapted for people with functional diversity to have a go at scuba diving, cycle touring, kayaking, paragliding or hot-air ballooning. There are also hotels with accessible accommodation.

Finally, the province of Girona offers a great variety of accommodation options to enable visitors to enjoy every minute of their stay in the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees. There are all kinds of hotels, holiday apartments, campsites and holiday villages, as well as country accommodation and hostels, with a capacity for some 265,000 visitors altogether.

By all accounts, the Costa Brava has an amazing range of options to offer visitors to the region attracted by its climate, nature, culture, fine cuisine, leisure activities and its inhabitants’ hospitality.

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Press room: premsa.costabrava.org Photo Bank fotos.costabrava.org The Costa Brava, authentic experiences all year round

Press Kit 2020 www.costabrava.org www.pirineugirona.org

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