Welcome to Can Cruanyes, we are delighted that you have chosen and especially our house for your holiday.

To help you and the other guests enjoy your stay, we ask that you keep the following in mind while you make yourself at home:

● Parking : Guests are kindly asked to park above the roundabout since this allows for access to the lower driveway for our neighbour.

● Pool : Please ensure that children are supervised when in and around the pool area. Please ask us if you would like to have the pool lights turned on at night.

● Heating & Stoves : To supplement this you are welcome to light a stove. There is a supply of firewood outside your apartment. A cleaning tip for the glass door is to use newspaper with cold water and some ash when the glass is cool.

● Water : The tap water in the apartments is perfectly safe to drink.

● Umbrellas : If you are not using your terrace umbrella please make sure that you close it to prevent damage from wind gusts. Please note that forcing any of the controls is likely to break them!

● Our Neighbour: Can Cruanyes property extends to all paddocks and lawns to the front of the house. However the back part of the building is our neighbour’s house. Please respect the privacy of our neighbour and stay within the bounds of Can Cruanyes.

● Noise: Please respect your fellow guests by being aware of noise levels particularly at night when some guests may be sleeping.

● Refuse : Your rubbish can be emptied in the community waste centre which is located on the left hand side of the road as you come down the hill towards Tortella. There is also glass, plastic and paper recycling there should you choose to separate your rubbish.

● Lightening : Due to our location we are prone to thunder and lightening storms at the house at certain times of the year. If the lightening knocks out your electricity you should be able to flick the fuses back up – the fusebox is beside your front door.

● Smoking : Can Cruanyes operates a strict no smoking policy. The house is centrally alarmed for fire, and cigarette smoke will activate the alarm. Ashtrays are provided for smoking outside at your terrace.

● Departure time : Check out time is at 11am. Please ask if you would like to stay later, we will try to accommodate you if possible.

● BBQ – We have a cooler box and some BBQ utensils for your use – we ask that you return them clean for use by the next guest. Can Cruanyes is in a protected area which is at high risk of forest fire. It is imperative that when using the BBQ you take all precautions necessary to keep this beautiful environment safe from fire:

■ Never leave the BBQ unattended while lit. ■ Only use special purpose BBQ charcoal easily available in local shops. This charcoal is less prone to sparks than wood. ■ Do not use the BBQ on windy days ■ If you notice smoke coming from any of the woods or growth around the BBQ, call 112 for Fire Services. ■ Use the BBQ at your own risk!

If you notice anything in your apartment that needs attention please do not hesitate in contacting us. Also if you need help with anything or would like advice or recommendations please let us know. Medical Info and Emergencies

Emergency Telephone Numbers : Fire / Police 112 Medical Emergency Besalu 607 07 23 42 or 972 59 00 32

Clinics/Hospitals In Besalu there is a daily medical service (CAP Besalu) located just behind ‘Oliveras’ restaurant – phone 972 59 00 32 ‘Sant Jaume’ Hospital is in the centre of – phone 972 261 800

Pharmacy There is a pharmacy on the main square in Tortella. Tips Opening Times: Siesta runs from 12:30 until 4:30 approx. Most shops close for siesta –even in the large towns and cities (see exceptions in the Groceries section below). Many restaurants open for lunch from 1.30 to 3.30 approx and are usually open in the evening from 8:30pm approx. Most restaurants are closed Sunday evening (after 3:30­4pm) with the odd exception in Besalu and .

Groceries: The local village of Tortella will bring you back to a lifestyle which many of us have left behind. The butchers, bakery and corner grocers stock much of what you will need for your stay for excellent value. There is a fruit and veg market in the main square on a Sunday morning until 13:00. Some of the shops open until this time on Sunday. Besalu has a Spar shop with easy parking on the left as you enter the town from the Tortella side, opposite the Repsol garage. This is open all day until 20:30 every day except Sunday when it closes at 14:00. There is a market in Besalu on Tuesday mornings. There are large chain supermarkets like MaxiDia, Carrefour, Consum, Lidl and Aldi in Olot. These supermarkets are open all day Monday to Saturday until 9­9:30 pm.

Cash Machine: There is a cash machine accepting all major credit cards in the main square in Tortella, and more in Besalu.

Credit Cards: In , you must show photo identification when using your credit card. Passport and driving license are always accepted. Local Activities

Note: A detailed walking map with all local routes for the Alta can be found in your apartment.

A nice walk: The Church of Sant Miguel de Monteia Follow the asphalt road up the mountain from Can Cruanyes. (30 mins up is nice viewing point down the valley to Tortella). The road will go from asphalt to dirt track and back again but the first building you come to, the Monteia farm, is about 15mins drive/2 hour walk. The old church of Sant Miguel de Montia is about a 30 mins trail on foot from there. There are old wooden signposts directing the path.

River & Rock Pool swimming In , on the Riu Borro, near the house, there are a large series of rock pools in a gorge, where you can swim in clear, cool waters. Go back to the “1km” Can Cruanyes sign. Take the road for Can Bosch for 1.7 km. You will pass over a small concrete bridge. After the bridge you will see a house with raised solar panels. Park on the road and on the left you will see a trail – at the entrance to the trail there are 2 large rocks (one has a yellow marking on it). Follow this trail up the river bed for 10­15 mins. The bottom of the pools are slippery so waterproof footwear with a grip is recommended.

At the ancient Romanesque footbridge towards Sadernes, the Pont de Llierca, you park the car and walk down to the river below for a natural fresh river swim.

About 10 mins beyond Olot towrds '' lies the region of 'La Vall d'en Bas'. Go to the picnic zone at Sant Privat d’en Bas where you can bring your own food and coals and set up a barbecue at their woodland BBQ and picnic area. Walk across the rocks by the river to swim in natural rock pools.

Cycling: The tourist information centre in Besalu will arrange bike rental and has information on all the cycling trails in the area. There is a cycle path all the way from Olot to the coast which is great for all ages. The lake in has a 12km cycle track all the way around, and bikes can be hired through the tourist office there.

Golf: The closest recommended golf courses from Can Cruanyes are: ● Golf Girona: www.golfgirona.com ● Golf Torremirona: 20 mins from Can Cruanyes towards on the A26 then the N260. ● PGA Catalunya – A world famous course, and one of the best in Europe, just outside Girona. ● Golf de : Close to the coast in the town of Pals.

Horse Riding: In Montagut, Can Major, with beautiful surroundings. Just before Montagut follow signs for Sadernes and then for Camping Can Banal. A three hour trek through gorgeous scenery costs 35 euro per person. Beginners are welcome but it is more suited for people who have ridden before. Near Besalu, Can Genessa – www.cangenessa.com or 972 590 723 In the outskirts of Olot, the ‘Servei D’Equitacio la Fageda’ offers riding and demonstrations during the summer – 972 680 255

Beaches: San Pere Pescador is the closest beach from Can Cruanyes ­ about 40 mins away. It is a vast, clean, unspoilt, undeveloped beach popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. Llanca­Colera on the Northern part of the coast approaching the French border offers many small creeks and beaches, and more populated and developed resorts to the south include Begur, Empuriabrava, Roses and further south , . Callela de Palafrugel and Tamariu are our favourites. Day Trips and Outings Below are some suggested outings and day trips from Can Cruanyes for you to enjoy.

Girona A beautiful old town housing a wealth of Romanesque and Gothic buildings climbs the hill above the Riu Onyar to the un­missable Cathedral and its gardens – Jardins de Francesca. Girona has more shops per capita than any other city in Spain, with many small boutiques and craftshops offering great value. Start at the Cathedral and its beautiful gardens, then, walk up the Rambla and cross the river to the chique Placa de Independencia for a coffee or lunch and watch the world go by. Girona is 40 mins from Can Cruanyes. Follow the C66 all the way – avoiding the motorway, follow signs for Girona. You will come in by a number of free car parks near the river which are a short walk from the old town.

Medieval Towns of Besalu, and Santa Pau’s main square and church with small craft shops nearby are the main attraction but make sure you take a sleepy stroll circling around the outskirts of the town alongside the farms and streams below. About 25 mins from Can Cruanyes follow the A26 into Olot and then take a left as you come into Olot following signs for Santa Pau.

Castellfollit de la Roca stands atop a crag composed of several layers of petrified lava – It is a magical little place to marvel at from the road below. There is a nice walk with footbridges along the river bed below which will lead you to steps which take you up the cliff and into the small, sleepy old town. Follow the A26 towards Olot for about 10km ­ Castellfollit de la Roca is signposted off the motorway.

Besalu is a 10th and 11th century picture postcard town with many shops restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the tall crooked 11th century fortified bridge and the views from either side of it. On a rainy day the museum of miniatures is a wonder for all ages. The tourist office on the central square has lots of information on other activities close to Can Cruanyes. We’d recommend seeing Besalu by day and by night. The market on a Tuesday morning is a great time to visit, or have cocktails in the jazz garden bar overlooking the bridge on summer nights. Besalu is about a 10 min drive from Can Cruanyes and well signposted. Dali Day Out ­ Cadaques and Figueres Cadaques is a little whitewashed village around a rocky bay with a special magic partly due to its life long inhabitant – Salvador Dali. He described the area, his inspiration as a ‘grandiose geological delirium’ and thanks to him and other artists the area and town has drawn artists, stargazers and celebrities for decades. The atmosphere of creativity and uniqueness is tangible. About 1 hour from Can Cruanyes, its well worth following the A26 then the N260 into Figueres and then following signs for Roses/Cadaques. Traffic down the hills into Cadeques can be bad during high season so be sure to leave in the morning.

En route to Cadaques, Figueres, Dali’s birthplace, houses the unreal, surreal, for real Teatre­Museu Dali. Figueres itself is a bustling town with some good shops tapas bars and cafes so be sure to leave yourself some time to stroll around before your museum visit. Dali himself described the museum as ‘a gigantic surrealist object, everything in it coherent, there is nothing which escapes my net of understandings’. You can pre­book tickets online or buy them early in the day for an evening entrance – this is recommended in high season when queues could be long.

The High Life – A day up the mountains Vall de Nuria offers activities throughout the year including skiing, horse riding, walking, and activities for kids. Take the cremallera (an electric narrow­gauge, cog wheel railway) from , which rises over 1000m on the 12km journey. Bring warm clothes since the high altitude can bring temperatures down. Check the website for more information on opening times, access and booking activities: www.valldenuria.com or phone 972 73 20 20. From the top you can follow many walking trails to the peaks along the French border. Go to the information office of the Vall de Nuria for route maps and more info on the walking trails before starting any walks. About one hour from Can Cruanyes, to get there follow the N260 west to Olot and then to . From Ripoll follow the N162 to Ribes de Freser for the cog train. Half way up the train stops at a picturesque little town which has good spots for eating. It is also possible to drive to Queralbs and get the train from their – and you can even do the 10km walk back down to your car along the river with its waterfalls and gorges.

Rupit and Sanctuari de la Salut Through Olot follow signs for Santa Coloma de Farners then signs for Rupit. A quaint old town with cobbled streets set in beautiful surroundings. On the climb up to Rupit you will see a sign for the Sanctuary de la Salut to the right. Stop for a coffee and enjoy the magnificent views over the Garrotxa to the snow capped Pyrenees. There are some walks that start from here. Continue to Rupit for lovely choice of restaurants and small craft shops. Beget Joyful hamlet of stone buildings nestled in a valley high in the Pyrenees. Only 5km from the French Frontier, the village hosts a rare and preserved Catalan wooden image of Christ in the church of Sant Christofer. Many mountain trails begin from here and are well marked. The best restaurant is Can Jeroni – worth a reservation for lunchtimes between 1­4pm. Sit on the terrace for a highly recommended romantic setting. Follow signs for Olot, Oix and then Beget.

Magma A thermal pool complex in Santa Coloma de Farners. Great for relaxation and muscle relief. All massage and other treatments on offer. Good for rainy days or tired bodies!

The Vall d’en Bas This green valley is worth a drive around with some lovely villages and a great BBQ picnic zone at Sant Privat d’en Bas – bring your own charcoal and food and enjoy the pine shaded woodlands with the gushing river alongside. You can swim in the rock pools along the river, about 10 mins walk from the picnic zone. Be sure to have a stroll around the villages of Hostalet and Joanetes

La Roca Fashion Outlet Village Modern designer label shopping village with restaurants and coffee shops off the AP7 towards Barcelona. About 20 mins south of Girona airport (signposted La Roca).

Banyoles Lake – Pla de l’Estany The lake was chosen as the home for rowing events for the Olympic Games in 1992. This beautiful and tranquil lake offers a great range of activities for all the family including walking, cycling and fishing. And after you have enjoyed all of this, why not unwind in one of the lakeside cafés or restaurants. The best approach is from the North road at the small settlement of Porquers. Park at the Santa Maria church and walk to the right around the lakeside.

Barcelona Day Trip The Jewel of Catalonia is an easy day trip from Can Cruanyes. Bus: Teisa bus from Argelageur runs approx every 2 hours (7am­5pm) for about 25euro per person return. The junction of Carrer Pau Claris and Carrer Counsel de Cent near Passeig de Gracia is the pick up/drop off point. It’s a comfortable drive through Besalu and Banyoles and takes about 2 hours.

Train: This is the cheapest (but longest) way to go. You can drive to Girona and park for free on the outskirts of the city. It’s about a 20 min walk to the train station where a return ticket will cost about 13 euro per person. The train takes about 2 hours.

Car: a 90 min drive will take you to Port Olympic where you can park in a secure indoor carkpark for about 25 euro per day. We do not recommend parking on the street or at the beachside car parks. Tolls will cost about 18 euro return.

Barcelona has so much to see for all ages and tastes, that it’s best to have a chat with us for some recommendations.

Ooh la la, a day in France! 10km north through the Pyrenees from Can Cruanyes lays the French region of Languedoc­Roussillon. A wealth of beauty and culture, it makes a fantastic day trip. The 2 key towns to visit are Ceret and Collioure (both just over an hours drive). Both towns are happily French, yet proudly sport yellow­and­red Catalan flags, street names in French and Catalan, and business names with el and las rather than le and les. Ceret is a pretty village famed for its Museum of Modern Art. The collection houses important pieces from Picasso, Matisse and many others. Collioure is a stunning costal town jam­packed with arts, crafts, culture, food, and the wine, wine, wine. The region is dominated by 740,300 acres of vineyards, three times the combined area of the vineyards in Bordeaux and the region has been an important winemaking centre for several centuries. Head for Figueres and onto the AP7 North, both towns are found from the first French exit off the motorway. Bring your passport as sometimes there can be border checkpoints in place. Check with your car hire company if your insurance covers you across the border.

The Rain in Spain… – ideas for a rainy day ● Girona museums – Museu d’Art, Museu d’Historica de la Ciutat, Museu del Cinema ● Besalu museum of miniatures – great for both kids and adults ● Banyoles Darder Museum of Natural History and the Geology of the lake and surroundings ● Figueres – Teatre­Museu Dali, Toy Museum ● Olot – Volcano Museum, Museum of Saints, Espai Zero1 contemporary art ● Magma – thermal pool complex at Santa Coloma de Farners ● Bowling in Figueres ● Castle – July & August classical music performances. For the rest of the year it is a restaurant and casino. To get to Peralada following the A26 and the N260 into Figueres and follow signs to the North East. ● MasHoms, – An interior design and architecture showpiece, near Girona airport. Open till 9pm every night and late Fri & Sat nights. Has a café and restaurant but don’t miss the quirky, funky home and clothes shopping. Some Saturday nights they have a DJ set till the early hours.

More for kids Aqua Park in Roses Butterfly Park – Castello d’Empuries Wizard playhouse in Banyloes Boat trips from Roses, Llanca, Empuriabrava La Garrotxa train and horse & cart trips through the volcano region – at Camping Lava (near Santa Pau) Football Golf, near Figueres Recommended Restaraunts

All the restaurants below are favourites of ours and our previous guests. Unless otherwise stated they are open for lunch from 1.30 to 3.30 approx and are usually open in the evening from 8:30pm approx. Most restaurants are closed Sunday evening (after 3:30­4pm) with the odd exception in Besalu and Girona.

Hostal Sadernes, Sadernes +34 972 687 536. Good meat restaurant serving local catalan food. Traditional style. Open Fri, Sat night and Sat, Sun lunchtimes – reservation recommended. Leave time for a stop at the Pont de Llierca on the way – an ancient Romanesque footbridge with rock pools you can explore below.

Can Bundancia, Oix +34 972 294 481 Carretera de Castellfollit de la Roca a Oix. Traditional farmhouse cooking in an open wood barbeque. Open every day lunch and dinner. Menu del dia is great value Mon­Fri lunchtimes. Reservations recommended on weekends.

Can Jeroni, Beget +34 972 741239. Romantic setting in the hamlet of Beget, in the mountains beyond Oix, about 60 mins drive from Can Cruanyes. Well worth a visit. Style and tradition are combined in both the décor and the menu. Excellent service and presentation. Reservation recommended.

Pont Vell Pont Vell, 24 +34 972 591 027 A wonderful setting, just below Besalu’s stunning medieval bridge, perfect for a romantic night. Traditional Catalan menu at its best. Closer to Barcelona prices but if you go for a menu its better value. Ask for a table with a view.

Oliveras, Besalu Pau Claris,13 +34 972 590392 Part of the Volcanic Kitchen group, modern décor with a well kept garden and courtyard. Open Mon – Fri lunchtimes and Sat night during the summer. Menu del dia at lunchtime is great value. Take a right turn after the Respol petrol station as you drive into Besalu. Els Jardins de la Martana – Cocktail &Tapas Garden, Besalu Owned separately to the hotel itself, the gardens of the hotel are a fabulous choice for a classy evening drink and some tapas. Follow the atmospheric lighting and jazz music on the car park side of the bridge. The owners’ Great Dane is part of the charm.

La Roda Groga Pizzeria, Besalu Just off Plaça Llibertat this new pizzeria offers great artisan pizzas at reasonable prices. Ingredients are beyond the run of the mill, and if you get a seat outside the street view is very quaint.

Viena, Olot Fresh and tasty fast food on the lovely square Placa Clara – open till 11pm every night and during siesta.

La Quinta Justa, Olot +34 972 263 396 Passeig de Barcelona near Placa Clara. Tue­Sun lunch 1­3:30pm Tue­Sat dinner 8:30­11pm Friendly staff and modern décor with good value lunch and dinner menus.

Les Cols, Olot +34 972 26 92 09 Carretera de la Canya. This restaurant holds 2 Michelin stars and has won many architecture awards. Local market food presented immaculately. Wed­Sat dinner 9­11pm (approx 90 euro pp). Closed during August.

El Cellar de Can Roca, Girona +34 972 22 21 57 Can Sunyer, 48 17007 Girona. We can’t have a restaurant list without mentioning the world renowned Roca Brothers restaurant. In 2013 it has been named as the world’s BEST restaraunt, 8 years in the top 50, it seems almost futile to try to describe what they do, and how they do it so well. It’s not unheard of to get a lunch­time reservation midweek within a weeks notice, so always worth a try. (approx 180 euro pp)

Divinum, Girona +34 872 08 02 18 C/ General Fournas, 2, 17004 Girona. One of our favourites in Girona, this place is list #3 of 215 restaurants in Girona on TripAdvisor with great reviews. The tasting menu for 2 offers great value and is a lovely way to sample the catalan treats they have in store. (approx 30 euro pp)

Café Bar Roc, Tortella Has a set menu del dia for 10­15 euros (their outdoor terrace on weekends also has a great barbeque day and night) – this is the centre of activity in the village and on Fri and Sat nights sometimes has live music.