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Home , Calella de Palafrugell, Costa Brava, Gavarres, Lloret de Mar, Palafrugell, Portbou

The , authentic experiences all year round

Press Kit 2019 Cover Photograph: Calella de , IPEP Inner photographs: , Àlex Tremps. Cadaqués, Maria Geli - Pilar Planagumà. Teatro Museo Dalí, Fundación Gala Salvador Dalí, Imma Parada. Arroz Mar y Montaña, Joan Divi. Viña D.O Espelt Viticultors, Archivo Imágenes PTCBG. Gambas, Maria Geli - Pilar Planagumà. Islas Medes, A. Gosteli. Skydive, Mike Burdon. Hotel & Spa Terraza, Javi Cabrera. Begur, Jaume Campderros. 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, 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 sports tourism destination and has two French border, the province of Girona teams in Spanish first division football is promoted under the Costa Brava and and women’s basketball competitions: Girona tourism brands. With Girona FC and UNI Girona. 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 visitors wishing to discover the region in with the city’s patron saint festivities a different way. and the Temporada Alta performing arts festival. The city is also a reputed 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 Dalí surrounded by vegetation and rocky range of cultural tourism options and the collections housed by the 26 cliffs, stretching from to attracts millions of visitors seduced by museums on various subjects that make along 220 km of coastline. At present, the region’s rich, intense historical and up the province of Girona’s Regional 37 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, art, cinema, circus, magic –, Picturesque little seaside villages like heritage masterpieces still survive today, local festivals declared of national Cadaqués, and as is illustrated by the monasteries of interest, the network of memorial sites Begur, and tourist resorts like Roses, Sant Pere de Rodes and Sant Pere de (Exile Memorial Museum and Walter L’Escala, Platja d’Aro, , Galligants, or the castles of Begur and Benjamin) or the special themed routes, Lloret de Mar and Blanes provide a Montsoriu, all enduring witnesses of a including indianos architecture, literary, multitude of options to welcome and golden period in ’s history. scientific and art nouveau themes, delight any visitor attracted by the which have been created to present, Mediterranean light and climate. The medieval villages of , , explain and share the roots and history Peratallada, and Monells of this region and its people for the The destination also has eight seaside are excellently conserved architectural visitor’s benefit. towns with the Family Tourism Seal ensembles that are valued for their (DTF), which specifically provide all the interesting secular and religious For the last three years, the Som holiday products and services to cater sculptural features. These villages are Cultura (‘We Are Culture’) festival has for families’ needs. also outstanding in terms of their rich been held throughout the province of craftsmanship heritage, as can be seen Girona every November. The cultural The Costa Brava’s main holiday towns from the annual calendar of numerous experiences month has the intention of are Roses, , Torroella themed events such as fairs, festivals stimulating interest and encouraging de Montgrí-L’Estartit, i Sant and markets linked with their history. both local inhabitants and visitors to Antoni, Castell-Platja d’Aro, Sant Feliu de attend cultural events in the autumn. Guíxols, Lloret de Mar and Blanes. Travellers should not miss the Dalí Triangle, formed by the Dalí Theatre- It is worth noting that the 2018 Year of Museum in , the Salvador Cultural Tourism in Catalonia continues Dalí House-Museum in and into 2019, and the Catalan Tourist the Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol, and Board and the Costa Brava Girona which also includes special temporary Tourist Board are currently involved exhibitions at its sites. With almost in a programme of international 1.4 million visitors per year, it is the promotional and media events most visited museum ensemble in the to publicise the region’s cultural province and the third most visited in attractions. 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 mid-2019, cuisine, with such treats as chicken and that the end of 2020 should herald restaurants: cooked with langoustines, rabbit and the opening in Roses of Ferran Adrià’s El clam rice dish, squid with meat stuffing, Bulli Foundation project, a future centre *** always washed down with excellent D.O. for culinary creativity and 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 Els Brancs * 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 Les Magnòlies * adapted to suit modern tastes and the world of Empordà wine and the area Bo.TiC * expertise demonstrated by its chefs and where it is grown is to go on a wine tour the more than 2,000 restaurants serving of the Costa Brava, following the D.O. Ca l’Arpa * different types of food, with the accent Empordà Wine Route. With an area of Ca l’Enric * on Catalan, seasonal and signature 2,000 hectares of vineyards grouping Casamar * cuisine. The diversity, wealth and quality together over 300 winegrowers and 43 of the region’s produce is noteworthy, wineries, 27 of which offer wine tourism Els Tinars * as are the numerous quality labels experiences, the destination enables La Cuina de Can Simon * in use, such as the Girona Excel•lent visitors to immerse themselves in the certificate. This pride in local products universe of wine, terroir, tramontana Fonda Xesc * is popularised through food fairs and wind and countryside. Massana * festivals, which are often complemented by gourmet-themed campaigns, much Few places can rival the Empordà in Empòrium * to the delight of amateur cooks and producing varieties with such authentic, Peralada* food lovers alike. distinctive flavours and which are so worth discovering and tasting through Terra * (a new addition) The destination is renowned for its wine tourism. For the last six years, the sixteen Michelin-starred restaurants, Vívid festival has taken place every April, which clock up twenty stars making it the month for wine tourism altogether. These include the Roca experiences throughout the Costa Brava. brothers’ El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, ranked the second-best Similarly, the last few years have seen restaurant in the world in 2018 by the an increase in the number of companies prestigious Restaurant Magazine. Joan offering food and wine activities aimed Roca has also been nominated Best essentially at connoisseurs wishing Chef 2018 by The Best Chef Awards. to sample and learn about Catalan Two other acclaimed chefs are Paco and Mediterranean cuisine through Pérez, currently the only Spanish show-cooking sessions, workshops and chef with six Michelin stars, and Fina gastronomic tours. Puigdevall, chef at Les Cols restaurant in , awarded the National Gastronomy Prize 2019. 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 range, which also forms part of the For more active and adventurous most visible and accessible part for Natura 2000 network. visitors, a good way to discover the visitors of this living nature network Costa Brava is through land-based situated in the province of Girona; a There are sustainable tourism activities sports like hiking, on over 2,000 km of network that goes from the mountains in the protected areas to enable local footpaths, long-distance paths, to the sea, from dense forests to the visitors to discover them in an active, the Itinerànnia routes and the highly Mediterranean coast, and which environmentally-friendly way. The most popular coastal paths. Other options account for 31% of the destination’s usual ones being hiking and bicycle include road cycling, mountain biking surface area. touring routes, water sports, wild animal or cycle touring, on the Pirinexus route, and plant observation activities, and along greenways, or gently pedalling The province of Girona has seven sociocultural events and activities. a burricleta electric bike through natural parks, four of which are included Girona’s inland cities and villages. While under the Costa Brava tourism brand. The Costa Brava is currently on the subject of cycling, it is worth They are, going from north to south, working towards being listed as mentioning the Sea Otter Europe the Natural Park, the first a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Costa Brava Girona cycling festival, natural park with both land and sea 2021, an international recognition held in the city of Girona in June every reserves in Catalonia; the Aiguamolls awarded by UNESCO to encourage year. Other regular outdoor activities in de l’Empordà Natural Park, an area of the conservation of the landscape, the area include horse riding, climbing wetlands of international importance; ecosystems and sustainability. If the and golf. The latter can be played the Natural Park of Montgrí, the Medes process is successfully completed, it at any of the province’s eight golf Islands and Baix , which is the will become the third destination in courses, including the PGA Catalunya most recently created park and is Catalonia to have this distinction, along Resort, ranked the best golf course committed to the EUROPARC Charter for with and Terres de l’Ebre. On in Spain by the prestigious website Sustainable Tourism (ECST); and, finally, a global level, there are 700 biosphere Top100golfcourses.com. the Montseny Natural Park, the first reserves, 48 of which are in Spain, the site in the province to be declared country with the highest number of As far as water sports are concerned, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and distinctions throughout the world. the Costa Brava’s coastline boasts which is also committed to the eighteen leisure harbours and marinas, CETS. Other sites worthy of mention Besides the natural areas, there enabling pleasure boats to moor on include the Albera Natural Area of are three botanical gardens and a Girona’s coast. Seaside towns like Roses, National Interest, which is the massif Renaissance garden, which act as Sant Pere Pescador, L’Escala, L’Estartit, forming the border between and balconies over the Mediterranean and Palamós, Platja d’Aro, Lloret de Mar and Spain, and the massif, at the are ideal for visitors interested in botany, Blanes offer a wide range of boating and northernmost tip of the Catalan coastal art and architecture. water sports and activities, including sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing 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 and just an hour from Barcelona, the offers a myriad of unique, exclusive the three top parachuting centres Costa Brava has established itself as venues for holding professional in the world, or hot-air balloon rides, one of the most attractive business, events and meetings in natural and with breathtaking views of the plain of convention and incentive trip historical settings, including castles, the Empordà from the sky first thing in destinations as an alternative to large monasteries, museums, gardens, the morning. Finally, there is also the 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 In terms of both amateur and central locations, within easy reach of courses and product presentations. professional sports, the Costa Brava accommodation and leisure areas. They has five Sports Tourism Destinations can host any number of events ranging The various options range from outdoor listed by the Catalan Tourist Board: from scientific and business meetings leisure and adrenalin-packed activities -Pla de l’Estany, Castelló to all sorts of medical congresses, trade in beautiful natural surroundings d’Empúries-Empuriabrava, Girona, conventions and product presentations to cookery courses and workshops, Lloret de Mar and Blanes. These and can be found in various towns, astronomy sessions and themed destinations promote such diverse like Girona, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Olot, cultural visits. sports as road cycling, mountain Torroella de Montgrí, Sant Feliu de biking, triathlon, athletics, soccer, Guíxols, Palamós and Platja d’Aro. 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 600,000 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.

www.costabrava.org

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

Press Kit 2019 www.costabrava.org www.pirineugirona.org

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