Mamma Loves Cat. 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MAMMA EN* LOVES CAT. 2016 The Mammaproof guide for Family tourism in Catalonia Experiences of families who have visited and enjoyed Catalonia’s most family-friendly spots. EDITED BY: IN COLLABORATION WITH: #MAMMALOVESCAT #CATALUNYAEXPERIENCE *ENGLISH VERSION MAMMA LOVES CAT. FAMILY WELCOME Mammaproof is so much more than a media outlet – it is a community of urban mothers and fathers that face logistical challenges head-on, and go out into the street to discover the world through their children’s eyes. And this guide is so much more than a means of promoting Catalonia – it is the real testimony of families who have visited, enjoyed and captured the more family-friendly side of Catalonia. In this second edition, we have once again done what we do best: involve real families in a campaign to showca- se places with a special, proven family friendliness. The places that feature in this guide are the places that we enjoyed most. Other places that we did not enjoy so much we then contacted with feedback to help them improve their services for families. With our experiences and our opinions, we hope to contribute to improving family-friendly tourism in Catalonia. In 2016, we are presenting you with an updated guide to new destinations, and we are once again sharing some of the reasons why #mammalovescat. Come in, and make yourself at home in Catalonia. Catalonia is a unique destination for family holidays due to its large cultural and natural attractions as well as the numerous leisure activities on offer. The Catalan coastline possesses numerous beaches equipped with services that cater for children. Plus, inland Catalonia is abundant with many protected natural spaces and areas of great interest famous for their unique flora and fauna. The Platja en Família (Family Beach) and Natura i Muntan- ya en Família (Family Nature and Mountain) labels created by the Catalan Tourist Board (ACT) distinguish towns offe- ring attractions and infrastructures that are appropriate for the needs of families. The towns have a range of certified establishments appropriate for family tourism, including accommodation, restaurants, leisure services and activities and/or cultural facilities that have been validated and veri- fied by the ACT as being appropriate for children. Catalan Tourist Board (ACT) Come over and play at my place! Tamarit Beach – Costa Daurada Come over and play at my place! Tamarit Beach – Costa Daurada GETAWAYS INDEX 12 VALL DE BOÍ 9 VALLS D’ANEU 13 5 BERGA + LA MOLINA 3 SANT PERE VALL DE NÚRIA PESCADOR MAMMA 7 2 LOVES COSTA BRAVA CAT. 2016 LA VALL D’EN BAS NORD 6 COSTA BRAVA SUD 11 COSTA BARCELONA 4 8 MUNTANYES DE PRADES 1 + PORT AVENTURA VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ, EL VENDRELL 10 AND CASTELLDEFELS COSTA DAURADA 1 2 3 VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ, LA VALL D’EN BAS VALL DE NÚRIA EL VENDRELL I CASTELLDEFELS A masia with a playroom. Visit a dairy Reach an altitude of 2,000 metres by farm. A walk through Pedra Tosca Park. rack railway. Stay at a 3-star hotel at Sail along the Mediterranean coast. Visit Artisanal cheesemaking and tasting. Cy- the foot of the slope. Learn to ski as Catalonia Railway Museum. Discover cle along the Carrilet greenway. Explore a family. Enjoy the snow without the the world of animals. Family visit to Pau a picture-postcard village. Verntallat skiing. Night-time snow-grooming tours. Casals Museum. Year-round fun at the Children’s Park. The history of a mythical shrine. Hiking beach. Castelldefels Castle. Activities for for everyone. Visit “La Geperuda”. everyone on the Olympic Canal. P. 10 P. 13 P. 16 4 5 6 MUNTANYES DE PRADES SANT PERE PESCADOR COSTA BRAVA SUD The mushroom routes in Poblet Forest. Climb to the top of Sa Palomera. Family Watch a live demonstration of glass- gymkhana in Blanes. Learn about botany at blowing techniques. Magic, History and Bird watching while kayaking along the the Marimurtra Botanical Gardens. Twilight Tradition at Poblet Monastery. Gourmet Fluvià River. Much more than a campsi- at the gardens of Santa Clotilde. Strip off at Menu and games at the Hostatgeria de te. A visit to the Aiguamolls de l’Empor- Sa Boadella. A walk down the Camí de Ron- Poblet. Discover hidden natural treasures dà Natural Park. Spectacular beach. Sail da footpath. Catamarans for newbie sailors. in an off-road vehicle. A walk through along the river. Discover the ruins. Sant Zig-zagging through the winding streets of a the rural past of the area.A journey to the Pere Pescador by bike. medieval village. Miniature steam locomoti- prehistory of the of L’Espluga Cave.Tuck in ve. Cycle along a via verda to the sea. at the Simó de Palau Restaurant. P. 19 P. 22 P. 25 7 8 9 COSTA BRAVA NORD MUNTANYES DE PRADES VALLS D’ANEU + PORT AVENTURA Cultivating vineyards and fruit trees COSTA BRAVA respecting the rhythms of nature. Play Learning to ski as a family. Snow-tube races. NORD ‘Pony Games’. Wow, just look at the bot- Go deep into a fairy forest. Visit an en- Fill your boots tucking into wild boar like tom of the sea!. Enjoy history and nature. chanted village. Learn about the history Asterix and Obelix! Walk to a glacial lake. Discover oases for kids. Breath-taking and monuments of Prades through a Caring for wild animals. Visit the home of panoramic views. gymkhana competition. Cycle through the brown bear. Imagine life in a traditional the villa roja and its mountains. Non- mountain house.Trout fishing in the Nogue- stop climbing. Plunge into a swimming ra Pallaresa. Water sports on Lake Torrassa. pool in the forest. Explore Sesame Street with Bert and Ernie. P. 28 P. 31 P. 34 10 11 12 COSTA DAURADA COSTA BARCELONA VALL DE BOÍ A wooden walkway floating on the sea. The fountains beckon you to play. A walk Stay at a beachfront hotel with a pool and Explore sky-scraping churches. Discover among the olive groves. Cambrils by a kids club. A ride in a horse-drawn cart. the Romanesque through interactive play train. Admire the Costa Daurada from Views from Calella lighthouse . A guided with screens and objects. Enjoy a delicious the Mediterranean. Visit the city of the tour around El Montnegre i el Corredor escudella stew and jaw-dropping views. Iberians. Cool down sailing, kayaking or Park. Dip in the sea and climb at Cala Bathe among jets and bubbles. Touch and bodyboarding. Visit Hawaii on the Costa Rocapins. Visit an air-raid shelter. A play feed the trout . Be dazzled at El Planell Daurada. Open-air spa. Boat ride at Port session at Francesc Macià Park. Foam d’Aigüestortes de la Drassana. party at a mini club for kids. P. 37 P. 40 P. 43 13 BERGA + LA MOLINA + ADDRESSES Enjoy the dramatized fight between good and evil. A tour of the town of Berga. A pony ride with views of the mountain. Visit to the Shrine of Queralt. Spa session at the hotel. Visit a shelter by cable car. Winter and summer sports. The beach at La Molina. P. 45 P. 48 MAMMA LOVES CAT. 2016 1 NEW DESTINATION 2016 VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ, EL VENDRELL AND CASTELLDEFELS Very close to Barcelona, the towns of Vilanova i la Geltrú, El Vendrell and Castelldefels have a great deal to offer family tourists, with the beach as their main attraction. Museums for everyone, cultural visits brimming with history, leisurely walks TESTED BY along their long beaches. You’ll find a wealth of plans that are JÈSSICA perfect for enjoying with your tribe. From Sweet Pin You can read all about the experience at mammaproof.org + GIRONA LLEIDA BARCELONA 5 6 7 TARRAGONA CASTELLDEFELS 1 2 3 4 VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ EL VENDRELL TARRAGONA 1. Sail along the Mediterranean coast 2. Visit Catalonia Railway Museum 3. Discover the world of animals 4. Family visit to Pau Casals Museum 5. Year-round fun at the beach 6. Castelldefels Castle 7. Activities for everyone on the Olympic Canal 10 | #MAMMALOVESCAT GETAWAYS 1 SAIL ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST Go out to sea, close your eyes and feel the wind on your back. Take a sail boat with a skipper at the helm, skirting the coast of Vilanova i la Geltrú until you get to Sitges – or head to a destination of your choice! It’s a wonderful, unique way of enjoying the sea and breathing in the fresh, salty air. WHERE NÀUTICA SPIRIT +INFO NAUTICA SPIRIT 2 3 VISIT CATALONIA DISCOVER THE RAILWAY MUSEUM WORLD OF ANIMALS Experience a journey back in time, Explore this home for animals located where you will discover more than in an area classified as a refuge for wild fifty vehicles of all kinds (passenger animals and agricultural protection. carriages, electric locomotives and Private tours, children’s visits, solidarity more). Located in the city’s former days and parties and anniversaries – steam locomotive depot, the Rai- anything and everything can happen lway Museum captivates kids and at La Bassa. parents alike. WHERE REFUGI LA BASSA +INFO LA BASSA FARMHOUSE 4 FAMILY VISIT TO PAU CASALS MUSEUM The home of Pau Casals is the perfect place to introduce your kids to a bit of music and culture. Accessible and easy to visit, you can see Casals’ instruments, breathe in the atmosphere of the still-intact rooms, and hear about his artistic legacy. It’s a real treat for the senses. WHERE VIL•LA CASALS WHERE MUSEO DEL FERROCARRIL DE CATALUNYA +INFO VIL·LA CASALS MUSEUM +INFO CATALONIA RAILWAY MUSEUM VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ | 11 MAMMA LOVES CAT. 2016 5 YEAR-ROUND FUN AT THE BEACH Castelldefels has almost 5 km of beach, making it the ideal spot for activities all year round, and not just in the summer! There is a wealth of beach bars, a chil- dren’s library, water sports, kids’ activities, parks and walkways to the sand.