FollowDEAR COSTA BRAVA – i fell in love with you!
i was lucky enough to attend a conference in late September in Spain. specifically in Costa Brava. i spent the first few days there attending sessions & parties and not really seeing much of the charming city of Girona. it was a wicked, wicked tease. FORTUNATELY, i had planned to stay on an extra couple of days for some blogger excursions. the excursion i was treated to through the Costa Brava Tourism office was called ‘surf & turf’ while i was only able to participate for one full day – it was enough to whet my whistle for a return trip. i’m a big fan of Southern France & the Cote d Azure but, i gotta say, the Costa Brava coastline may have surpassed my love of France’s coast. for one, it lacks the cheese factor found in France. LOVELY!
Costa Brava’s coastline is less well-known & therefore, more of hidden secret. my guess is prices are better too. the food is exceptional and there are plenty of luxury hotels & resorts to choose from. the day i was able to dedicate to Costa Brava was spent in Tossa del Mar and Blanes, two gorgeous coastal towns. i heard, after the fact, that the rest of the ‘surf & turf’ tour was even more breathtaking.
beautiful Cadaques – i’m smitten!
luckily, i was invited back to tour Costa Brava with Charming Villas, a villa rental company specializing in high quality homes in Catalonia. i knew i wanted to go back to Costa Brava, but didn’t expect it to be so soon. i’m more than psyched for many many reasons.
first, let me give you a run down of some of the things you can expect to see me doing while there. i’m not going to reveal every detail but here’s some of the highlights.
sailing around Cap de Creus headland with Charter Sant Isidre
i always say things look better from the water
visiting Dali’s home, which is now a museum Fundacio Gala – Salvador Dali
looking forward to getting to know this eccentric artist a bit better
dining amongst the vines at Cellar Martin Faixo
the gorgeous 14th century farmhouse restored by the Martin Faixo family
dinner at the newest hotspot in Cadaques, Compartir, started by 3 gents of El Bulli fame
love the bright blue details here at Compartir (which means to share!)
faux sky diving in a wind tunnel with Windoor Realfly
does this suit come in hot pink?
touring the kitchen & cellar of El Celler de Can Roca – 2nd best restaurant in the world
cellar tours of top restaurants of the world – SI – that is something i’ll drink to!
4 wheeling with Fang Aventura
this looks less intimidating than the simulated sky diving
riding in a hot air balloon with Vol de Coloms
beautiful but i’m not so sure yet…
oh, and a few chefs are coming in to our villas to cook private meals for us. yeah, not too shabby. now, i’m all for delicious Catalan meals & wine tastings galore. i also will not say no to any stunning coast shot and it looks like i’ll have plenty to ooo & ahh over. what i didn’t realize is how “adventurous” this tour was going to be. and, to be honest, i’m not sure how i feel. lola sky diving & 4 wheeling?? i’m not partial to mud & having my face look like it’s melting off. i’m not saying no, i’m just saying i’m not sold. perhaps, i can wear pink goggles to drive & dive in 😉
now, let me show you a little bit about the villas & CASTLE i’ll be staying in!
Sa Costa in Cadaques
Castell de Rocaberti in Empuriabrava
Sant Ferriol villa in Besalu
YEAH, crazy beautiful, right?! maybe i can get past my vanity & anxiety of the “adventure” aspect of this trip since i’ll be staying in the lap of luxury the entire time!
i’m very excited to be a part of the group of travel writers touring Costa Brava. Gracias to Charming Villas for inviting me and Costa Brava Tourism Board for introducing me to Costa Brava in the first place. i hope you’ll stay tuned to my Twitter feed & Lola Facebook Page for updates daily. you can also follow the hashtags #InCostaBrava or #VisitCatalonia.
Hope you have a blast and take many photos that you share with us underlings!!! Ha! Safe Travels mi amiga!!!
Mike
Mike (Nomadic Texan) recently posted…How Much Does Your Underwear really Weigh???
<3
You will love Cadaques I am 100% certain!
That sound so super fantastic Lola! Well done and I KNOW you’re gonna have an amazing time there.. Hopefully I can get some similar opportunities in the future and we can go somewhere together hehehe. Mwah xx
Y
That’s a dangerous entourage you have on tow 😉
Can’t wait to go to Costa Brava! It will be a blast!
See you soon 🙂
Miret recently posted…Interview with DJ Mosaken
This looks lovely! I also liked my first taste of Costa Brava and would love to go back! You will have a fab time – Mrs O is muy jealous!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…My New York City by @travelpanties
Looking forward to meet you all!! 🙂
Wow, how lucky you are! Looks to be quite the luxurious adventure! If you do get to wear hot pink goggles while 4-wheeling, there better be pictures 😉
Francesca recently posted…Giving my daughter the gift of travel
You’re picking me up, stuffing me in your suitcase, and bringing me along, correct?? This trip looks, AMAZING! I want to do everything here. Cannot wait to read about all your adventures and then follow in your footsteps sometime soon. xxx
The World Wanderer recently posted…Montreal’s Snow Village. [VIDEO]
Looks absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! I want to go too! 🙂
Costa Brava looks so fun and beautiful! Gotta love the hot air balloon tour.
Jam @icoSnap recently posted…Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel
Booking my flights now!!! How can you refuse me as I arrive on your door step and join in! I come with cocktails!
Anita Mac recently posted…Monday Morning Series: Dubrovnik in the summer
I can see why you fell in love…that coast in gorgeous!! A photographer’s dream, for sure.
Christian recently posted…Say Hello To Ann Peavey, The Voice Behind @VisitSeattle
Another great adventure ahead…and anytime it includes a restaurant with a chef of “El Bulli fame” you know its gonna be a good time…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted…One Day in Atlanta – A 24-Hour Adventure
soo excited to follow along on this trip of yours! spain is never at the top of our europe list… we’re not sure why, exactly, but you may be changing our minds!
the lazy travelers recently posted…five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
ooh that castle looks beautiful – I am yet to discover Cadaques = looking forward to your review!
Fiona recently posted…The Yummy Way to See Verona
I want to go too!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Around the World in Mickey D’s
I can see why Costa Brava is not only Lola friendly but a great place for everyone to visit. Look forward to your reports.
Traveling Ted recently posted…The fanny pack is the stealth bomber of adventure travel
Looks awesome! And if you take Leah with you, you are bound to have more fabulous adventures 🙂
Erik recently posted…New Zealand- Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Auckland/New Zealand Dichotomy
spain such a lovely place… even Catalonia 🙂 I’d love to get out and sail along its coast one day… stay adventurous and have fun on your return, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted…Sunset Sunday-The Balcony Sunsets at the RIU Hotel in Mazatlán
Ohhhh I wish I was there it looks so fabulous!! xxx
Scarlett recently posted…A Business of Ferrets…
Flying in a wind tunnel likes like so much fun!
Hogga recently posted…Surviving the Arctic for Idiots
I love Cadaques, although the drive can be a little bit hairy. There is a great Moroccan restaurant just behind the seafront, amazing.. Great photos, keep it pink.
Flashpacker John recently posted…Sri Lanka Backpacking Costs
I love it tooo! Glad you’re having a great time, gorgeous photos!
Becky Padmore recently posted…In BIG pictures: the Finnish wilderness and Northern lights