Liza was the best host one could ever wish for... attentive, forward looking, reasonable, kind, forthcoming with fantastic suggestions. I went to an academic conference in Girona and am now planning a family get away and using her place again. For a family or small group that wants a few days in Girona and its environs, you really can´t do any better than Liza. Thanks for a great time Liza, and hope to be in contact with you soon. Don´t think about it, just book it... (Mexico, September 2015)
Thank you - til next year
The apartment was clean, comfortable, cosy and had a really nice vibe. The beds were comfortable, it was really well equipped for me, my husband and our 4 teenage/ young adult children, and there was ample space to relax, eat and everything else. Liza was very helpful in every way, gave us great info on walks and things to do, always got back to us quickly, and was generally a great host. The apartment was in a great area of Girona, with everything you could want in easy reach, but also peaceful and quiet. We especially loved the 2 balconies which were lovely to eat breakfast on, sun and shade when you wanted. Nice cafes, bakery, shops, river, old town, all within easy walking distance. Also a great place to go for getting out to beautiful walking country, medieval towns, volcanos, and lots of info from Liza on all these. We would all thoroughly recommend this as a great place to stay, in a beautiful, not too touristy city, and with a helpful and friendly host. (UK, April 2015)
Liza was just the most fabulous host. From beginning to end. Not only did she make us most welcome, she also provided a wealth of local knowledge and advice. The apartment is lovely and very well equipped. The location is super to enjoy all the wonders of Girona, also very convenient to the train station and all the fast trains. Could not speak more highly of this experience (Australia, May 2015)
The apartment was great - exactly as advertised and really generous size. Liza was fantastic, very easy to deal with and good communication. Highly recommended. (Ireland, July 2015)
Liza was very welcoming and made it easy for us to check in when it suited us. This gave us time to enjoy Toulouse before arriving in Girona. The apartment was amazing. Great size, balconies front and back, lovely kitchen and comfort you would expect at home. We loved it. We loved Girona. We loved everything. Quiet location within quick walking distance of all the sights. Girona is the perfect location to see wonderful sights and eat glorious food!!! (Australia, August 2015)
Game of Thrones filming in Girona
Series 6 will be filmed in Girona in September or October.
"Game of Thrones title card" by Source (WP:NFCC#4). Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.
April 2015 review (Airbnb)
"The apartment was clean, comfortable, cosy and had a really nice vibe. The beds were comfortable, it was really well equipped for me, my husband and our 4 teenage/ young adult children, and there was ample space to relax, eat and everything else. Liza was very helpful in every way, gave us great info on walks and things to do, always got back to us quickly, and was generally a great host. The apartment was in a great area of Girona, with everything you could want in easy reach, but also peaceful and quiet. We especially loved the 2 balconies which were lovely to eat breakfast on, sun and shade when you wanted. Nice cafes, bakery, shops, river, old town, all within easy walking distance. Also a great place to go for getting out to beautiful walking country, medieval towns, volcanos, and lots of info from Liza on all these. We would all thoroughly recommend this as a great place to stay, in a beautiful, not too touristy city, and with a helpful and friendly host. "
(uk, April 2015)
Easter Procession in Girona
Easter Friday Procession - April 3rd
9 - 11pm around the town
Find the route here:
http://www.manaies.org/web/images/Documents/Recorregut%20Process%20Sant%20Enterrament%203-4-15.pdf
This is the organisation and photos:
http://www.manaies.org/web/index.php/8-activitats-confraria/70-setmana-santa-2
Olot and Volcanoes
Incensed by the completely inept websites and lack of specific detailed information in English about exploring Olot ONLINE, i am on a mission. 'They' still think if they ration the information online, you tourists will flock to their information offices and pay expensive guides to show you around and take you on interminable 4 hour walks in 35 degree heat. I am here to save you! It's not difficult. There are far too many people like me around here, qualified as Volcanic Park of the Garrotxa Guides, is why! Rant over. |
| Banyoles Lake |
So here you go:
 |
| Besalu |
Arriving in Olot, head for the Plaça Major, from there go uphill and you are at the foot of the Montsacopa Volcano (called 'Sant Francesc' if asking direction, because of the church on top). Walk up it via the 'stations of Christ' and down via the steep steps, or t'other way round. The cemetery is at the foot of the volcano steps. It takes 30 minutes, longer if you linger at the Carolingian war towers on top or have a picnic in the crater (not a bad idea). Pick up picnic stuff from the Olot covered market, c/ Mulleres.
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| Pere Colldecarrera - La Moixina |
Les Mores, cross the main road after the park and follow the country lane. You will pass La Deu Restaurant and La Moixina Restaurant, Olot institutions, past their best, but still with potential for a good lunch, a pleasant sit on a shady terrace, a drink of fresh cold water from a natural spring. It's a circular walk of about an hour if you start from the car park of La Moixina for example, add half an hour each way if you start from the centre of town and it's hot. The walk itself is shady with streams and rivulets to walk by and magnificent views to the volcanoes and mountains. (I will walk it this afternoon and post slightly more specific directions here)
This combination of Sant Francesc and La Moixina is a combination we walked with an ex-pat. group from Girona and they all loved it. http://www.gironagrapevine.co.uk 'Girona Grapevine' - they meet for coffee at 11am every Wednesday in La Farinera cafe, near La
Punxa, just ask directions, and all visitors are welcome. Catalans go to practise English.
 |
| El Croscat |
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| Santa Margarida |
For more volcanoes, on another day, drive towards Santa Pau from Olot. There is a sign for Santa Margarida Volcano car park on the right, before you arrive at Santa Pau. Park there and walk either El Croscat (other side of the road) or Santa Margarida if you don't want to get heat exhaustion. El Croscat Volcano is fascinating, it was used as a quarry during Franco's time, and now you can still see the innards, beautifully presented. Santa Margarida crater contains a little hermitage, very picturesque from on high.
Also very popular is La Fageda, one of Europe's lowest altitude growing Beech Woods, happy on it's porous volcanic rock. Whatever you do, don't go at the weekend, as it is full! It's a lovely walk and you can visit La Cooperativa d'Olot for an ice-cream or yoghurt. Even the website isn't in English but there are some indicative photos.(http://www.fageda.com).
Saratoga - near the apartment
It was 2 o'clock so we had to wait for a table for a few minutes, but nothing like the wait for those arriving after us! This is not a tourist trap, partly because it is a few minutes from the old town, very near the apartment in fact. It's clocking off time for office workers so they come in two by two and four by four. The week day 'menu' is 12,50€ for 3 courses. Between my friend and i we managed to polish off one very tasty fresh cheese and smoked salmon salad, one 'escalivada' mousse, one 'paella' and one 'rostit' of chicken and sausage. Ice cream. The service is very pleasant and efficient and consistently good, we have been various times and the premises are clean, modern and pleasant.
There are some photos on the website below.
http://www.saratoga.cat/menjar_menu
There are some photos on the website below.
http://www.saratoga.cat/menjar_menu
Easter in Girona 2015
Easter Saturday
Dance Lindy Hop
4/04/201511.30 a 14h.
Web: www.jazzdegirona.com
Place: Pont de Pedra
Street Band
4/04/2015 12pm Plaça IndependènciaBanda de Música "La Lira" de Vilafamés (Castelló de la Plana)
At 11am they will walk round the town playing - these streets:
Pompeu Fabra, Plaça Catalunya, Sant Francesc, Santa Clara i Plaça Independència
"Temps del romànic" exhibition (Romanesque Times)
17/02/2015 al 17/05/2015CAIXAFORUM GIRONA
C. Ciutadans 19 17004 - GIRONA
Web: agenda.obrasocial.lacaixa.es/ca/-/tiempo-del-romanico
Easter Sunday
Open Day for Museums of the Town (Free entry)
Jornada de portes obertes als museus de la ciutatDies: El 5/04/2015
Hora: 10 a 14h.
Web: www.gironamuseus.cat
First Sunday of each month
History of Girona museum, Jewish History museum, Cinema museum
Easter Monday
International Sports Day!
(go for a walk! - head for Sant Daniel)
6/04/2015
La Vajol - Ruta del Exili (Walk into Exile)
During the Spanish Civil War, many people had to flee across the border to France on foot and there were several routes through the mountains. This route from La Vajol in Catalunya to Les Illes in France, was famously taken by Lluís Companys (President of Catalonia), Manuel Azaña (President of the Spanish Republic), and Manuel Aguirre (Basque Lehendakari) in 1939 to escape Franco's forces, as well as by thousands more. In France the gendarmes took the exiles to the internment camps, one of the most notorious being on Argeles beach. The memorial statue of the man with his amputee child is a representation of a photograph taken at the time of two such people on the route.The route on foot is from La Vajol - Monument a l'exili - Can Comaulis - Can Barris - Coll de Lli - Les Illes (Catalunya Nord aka France) - Coll de Manrella - La Vajol - Mina Canta - La Vajol.
Distance: 13 Km.
We arrived in La Vajol, had a little wander around the small hamlet with its' Romanesque church (closed) and then headed for the monument, which considering it is the only such monument in Catalunya, was isolated in a disgracefully unkempt back lane with a derelict-looking caravan parked round the back. (Nobody else tells you that). Things improved, though. It being December and hot, naturally, we passed on the suggested complete re-run of the exile walk/cycle. We took the car part of the way up, walked to the commemorative plaque, where we had a picnic, then took the car to the top. We drove over the top of the mountain and down into France and Les Illes, where we had coffee in the charming Hostal dels Trabucaires, it being a little late for 'omelette'. It was magical, a time capsule, though the road is not to be driven by those with nice cars! It is almost vertical and unpaved. We spent the afternoon in the La Jonquera Exile Museum which is fantastic.
Route Description
Just beyond this building, we come to a crossroads, where we continue straight on towards the village of Les Illes in France. At this point there is a small esplanade with a wire fence, where signs indicate the French border. Another sign, which reads Gite d’étape, indicates the direction towards a rural holiday homein Les Illes. We have now reached the top of Coll de Lli hill.
Our path now leads downwards, along a slope of low-to-medium difficulty. In autumn, the track, which leads through a chestnut wood, is thick with fallen leaves, which makes it difficult to negotiate, and it is advisable to walk along the side of the path itself. The last stretch of the path runs through private property at which, though we have right of way, we must open a gate and follow the path to a second.
Passing through this second gate, we find ourselves in the centre of Les Illes, where the exiles arrived after climbing the Coll de Lli. The first building we reach is the Hostal dels Trabucaires. This hostel is a historic establishment where, according to the local people, President Companys stayed. When he left, the hostel keeper made him an omelette, though he was unable to pay her for it as he had no money. There is a saying around these parts that the Catalans still owe them an omelette. Opposite this hostel is a Gite d’étape (rural holiday home). Another interesting site in Les Illes is the monument to the International Brigades and the republican army.The quickest way back to La Vajol is to retrace our steps along the same path. An alternative route is over the Coll de Manrella hill, though the journey is longer and the path is not so easy to follow due to the many forest tracks that cross it. However, on leaving Les Illes, those returning by this route should take the cement road towards the Mas del Batlle farmhouse then follow an easterly direction until they reach the forest path to Coll de Manrella.
http://coneixerhistoria.cat/en/routes/the-route-into-exile/ (thank you for great description of walk above)
Directions to La Vajol: N-II national road to km. 773, or A-7 motorway to Exit 2 (La Jonquera), then take N-II towards Barcelona to the sign indicating the turn-off to Agullana and Maçanet de Cabrenys GI-500. From Agullana, the road to La Vajol becomes the GI-501.
Directions to La Vajol: N-II national road to km. 773, or A-7 motorway to Exit 2 (La Jonquera), then take N-II towards Barcelona to the sign indicating the turn-off to Agullana and Maçanet de Cabrenys GI-500. From Agullana, the road to La Vajol becomes the GI-501.
La Jonquera. 43-47 Carrer Major
http://www.museuexili.cat/index.php?lang=ca
Girona Temps de Flor (9-17th May 2015)
Every year Girona has a week in May for artistic floral displays to be seen all over the town.
The most important aspect of this week is the opening up to the public of all the hidden patios of the Old Town and many of the secret passages of the Jewish Quarter, filled with flowers and visitors. They are very atmospheric, though i officially complain here and now that more natural plants and flowers should be used. Catalans have an unfortunate penchant for artificial flowers. However, many of the displays are more 'art' than flora and the toilet brush display in one of the medieval Jewish houses, is still a highlight for me. I am always impressed by the whole-hearted and time-consuming participation of the people and associations in these cultural events in Catalunya and Spain. There is a decent route map you can follow, but it's usually so hot, what with the sun and the extra bodies an' all, you won't need to consult it. Go with the flow... Just don't expect to eat a decent lunch (at the weekends) and reserve a table for supper, if so inclined.
Images from 2014
http://www.gironatempsdeflors.net/cat/imatges.php
The most important aspect of this week is the opening up to the public of all the hidden patios of the Old Town and many of the secret passages of the Jewish Quarter, filled with flowers and visitors. They are very atmospheric, though i officially complain here and now that more natural plants and flowers should be used. Catalans have an unfortunate penchant for artificial flowers. However, many of the displays are more 'art' than flora and the toilet brush display in one of the medieval Jewish houses, is still a highlight for me. I am always impressed by the whole-hearted and time-consuming participation of the people and associations in these cultural events in Catalunya and Spain. There is a decent route map you can follow, but it's usually so hot, what with the sun and the extra bodies an' all, you won't need to consult it. Go with the flow... Just don't expect to eat a decent lunch (at the weekends) and reserve a table for supper, if so inclined.
Images from 2014
http://www.gironatempsdeflors.net/cat/imatges.php
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