Barcelona City Add-On

Idyllic walking along a beautiful coastline, with excellent hotels.

As a walking holiday, the route from S'Agaro to Aiguablava has many delightful stretches and follows the GR92 long distance route.  Although graded as a Grade 1 walk, this route has some harder sections, including some steep, twisty descents and climbs. A walking pole can provide extra stability, especially on steep, twisty descents.  Walking this route becomes markedly less enjoyable in temperatures over 28 degrees Centigrade or so, therefore April-May and October might be ideal months for this holiday.  Take great care where the path reaches the southern end of Tamariu beach where you may be wading in the sea up to your knees or rock climbing.  

The highlights of our holiday were the Hotel Sant Roc and the charming town of Calella, swimming in the sea at Calella and Aiguablava, and our 3 days add-on in Barcelona.  The taxi and train transfers organised by Inntravel worked faultlessly.  We recommend using a taxi rather than the Metro from Barcelona airport to Barcelona Sants train station, an add-on in Barcelona and taking a bus tour around the city. 

The main holidays are both excellent. The first hotel on the Costa brave walk should be reviewed. Good food, but its a very ordinary property in an odd location. for example the aircond in our room didn't work. Marseille is rea a pretty horrible place and should be deleted from the list.,

We chose this holiday as a sequel to the Costa Brava one further south that we did in the springtime (and somewhat preferred -- but these could easily be combined for one long holiday walking along the coast). All water and light, it is no wonder this landscape has attracted artists over the centuries. In addition to the Picasso museum in Barcelona, we enjoyed walking in the artists' neighborhood in Collioure (Matisse, Derain) and visiting the exceptional Dali house at the end of the holiday. Also on the list of non-walking attractions is the aquarium (biodiversariam) in Banyuls. The botanical gardens are closed in the off season, but the walk up into the vineyards there is easy and beautiful.

We also chose this holiday for the opportunity to swim in the sea along the way, and were not disappointed. In mid October the water temperature was around 20C, quite swimmable and a welcome relief during hot walks. On one day (day 2) I swam three times in rocky little coves and beaches along the way. This was partly in order to cool down, as the air temperatures were in the mid 20's, too hot for our walking standards, and it was also quite humid. The Mediterranean waters are clear and fresh in general, although the beaches on the way to Llança and at Cadaqués a little murkier than the others. The last day we did not do the long hike out to the lighthouse, so we had time to wander around, and found a good swimming spot a little north of the Dali house at Platja s'Alqueria. In addition, three of the hotels had pools -- and the Catalan and the Playa Sol had pools large enough to have a proper lap swim for those inclined. The walks were good -- vigorous enough and scenic -- particularly the inland Day 5 walk but also the vineyards and the lovely vistas along the coast. The only difficulty other than the heat was that several of the trails had loose rock underfoot (what the notes call "slithery").  I was glad to have poles and light hiking boots.

As always, Inntravel holidays offer a perfect balance of catered and independent: providing hotels and transfers, and some meals (excellent breakfasts throughout), along with maps and walking notes and ideas to take or leave, so that it is possible to have the freedom of one's own journey (or a day off) with all the essentials very well provided for. For lunches in that part of the world you can't go wrong with bread, cheese, and fruit. And we had some excellent red wines, especially in France.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These custoemrs combined our walk Collioure to Cadaqués with our Barcelona City add-on

This Catalan Way trip is amazing.  Walking every day and spending nights right on the beautiful Mediterranean felt like heaven.  The hotels are lovely and some luxurious.  The hotel staff were friendly and most helpful.  Special thanks to Eton at the  LLevant Hotel.  At 82 years old I found some of the trails along the Sea very challenging, but the beauty will remain with me forever. Suggestion, if you take the Barcelona add-on, add a couple of extra days--it is an amazing city. 

Barcelona was wonderful and your introductory walking tour was very helpful.  Hotel Colón was perfect.  Hiking from Collioure to Cadaqués was an unforgettable experience, and not bad exercise either.

The Hotel Colon is perfectly located in the Gothic Quarter.  It is surrounded by historical buildings, wonderful tapas bars and beautiful shops.  Walking the narrow cobble stone alleys was awe-inspiring, and we thoroughly enjoyed the street performers on the square in front of the hotel.  The Metro is close by allowing for easy access to all of Barcelona's historical sites.  The Sagrada Familia church and the Park Guell are absolute must sees!!  We were extremely fortunate to spend our last evening watching an incredible performance of the Guitar Trio and Dance at the Palau de la Musica Catalana!  A truly wonderful holiday!