The Catalunya Party

Our Spring trip to Catalunya remains a firm favourite and always books up early. A compelling mixture of Spanish olé and French oooh là là there is nowhere quite like Catalunya and no better way to explore it than on foot. Let us not forget Catalan gastronomy is one of the most highly regarded in the world. Dates 2026: 17th - 24th April

Church on the sea front at Sitges

Spring is a beautiful time to walk in Catalunya because the weather is warm and the air is pungent with the scent of new growth. We have found over the years that not only is the weather perfect, but that Catalunya offers the ideal mix. A mixture of dramatic coastline, cool pinewoods, incredible art and a distinctive cuisine that stuffs squid with pork among other things and gets away with it. Starting in the palm fringed seaside town of Sitges our itinerary takes you north via Barcelona, the Catalan capital, to end in the French artists’ town of Collioure where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean.

Walking through the Cap de Creus

Each day you will be immersed in a region that is neither Spanish nor French but which is an exciting hybrid of the two. Prepare to be converted to the region’s excellent Cava sparkling wines. Secondly bowled over by Barcelona’s Gaudi architecture. Then challenged by Salavador Dali’s art and finally wowed by the dramatic coastlines away from the resorts. Rock roses dominate the rugged coastline in huge balls of yellow, white or pungent pink in Spring.

On our way down from Cadaques

Some wild swimming opportunities in the Mediterranean! The bays of the Costa Brava are more like inlets and after a few hours of walking there is nothing more cooling than an invitation to dip in the fresh and turquoise waters. They call to you!

Taken on our way to Port de la Selva

The week is punctuated by stays in lovely hotels in the beautiful tiny ports of Sitges, Cadaques and Collioure.

First of all James hosts this trip. Hotels, restaurants and visits have been carefully selected to reveal the character and colour of Catalunya. Furthermore all meals are included. Also lunch will be a mix of picnics and restaurants.

Accommodation

HOTEL CALIPOLIS ****

An ultra-modern hotel with all bedrooms en suite on the promenade of Sitges by the sea. The bedrooms with sea views offer air-conditioning, telephone, Wifi and minibar. A small step out to dinner.  1 night.

ORIENTE ***

Comfortable three star hotel looking over the trees of the Ramblas.  I do love the hallway of this hotel.  It reminds one so much of an old colonial building with echoes of history resounding within.  The beds are simple but to look over the Ramblas for two nights is a joy.  There are many bedrooms all with bath or shower en suite with air conditioning, TV and wifi.  2 nights.

HOTEL PLAYA SOL ****

Overlooking the fishing village and bay of Cadaques this comfortable hotel offers en suite bedrooms with air-conditioning, Wifi, minibar, TV, telephone.  2 nights.

LE RELAIS DES TROIS MAS ****

Situated on a bay favoured by the Fauve artists such as Matisse and Derain for its wonderful light, this 4 star hotel has 23 bedrooms all with bathrooms en suite.  There is a swimming pool and, of course, a lot of sea.  We will eat at its Michelin starred restaurant on our last night overlooking the bay.  1 night.

Grade Of Walking

The walking is on solid ground. Some of the paths are narrow and a little rocky, especially in the Cap de Creus near Cadaques. There are also hills that are quite steep in the Cote Vermeille near Collioure and Banyuls. It will give you a good puff. Our day in Barcelona is a walking day too but on good pavements. We will cover a maximum of 55 kilometres in the week.

We always suggest walking the morning walk. For those feeling tired in the afternoon there is always a vehicle to take you back to the hotel. Our hotels have been carefully chosen (see ACCOMMODATION) so they are all excellent places for relaxing, reading and just taking it easy. The fact that we do not officially offer time in the villages that we stay in, as we always have walks on offer, means that often people will take an afternoon off to enjoy village life.

FOOD & WINE

As in their art and architecture it is a Catalan trait to bring together unusual combinations: chicken with prawns in their paellas or squid with pork. Anchovies and sardines are staples and onions that look like leeks called ‘calçots’ are roasted and eaten with a Romesco sauce of roasted peppers, garlic, onions, hazelnuts, tomatoes and almonds. Delicious!!

Cava wine day at Pere Ventura

The Catalans are investing millions to bring the status of their sparkling Cava up to near that of champagne, and there is no better place to see this happening than at Pere Ventura. We will also enjoy the characterful Penedès red and sample Spanish wines from Rioja, Albarino and Rueda.

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DURATION

8 Days

DISTANCE

67 miles

PRICE

€3390 pp

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

€450 pp

DATES

17 Apr - 24 Apr

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