Imagine this: Four girls, two from Germany, two from Austria. The “north” heading “south”, meeting up to travel in a fun, creative way #inCostaBrava. I mean, how do you possibly explain to your friends, families, and German-speaking blog readers, that what you do as a creative traveller in Catalonia, has to do with painting the butts of small ceramic figures ..? Or, and this perhaps slightly more appealing, source ice cream from the best ice cream parlour in the world?
Let’s face it: People in Costa Brava really are, a little bit crazy. In a good way, of course. Salvador Dalí for sure knew about this. Travelling in the wake of his inspiration from Blanes to Pals …
… we start our four-day girls’ getaway in the coastal town of Blanes, famous for its “window to the Costa Brava“, an ancient stone gate high above the city opening up to some truly mesmerising views. Do stop at “Sa Lola Gastronomic Bar & Restaurant” right by the sea: Their cuisine is amazing! All of this is but an hour north from Barcelona Airport: As we have all visited Barcelona before, we are keen for a different experience this time …
… and wouldn’t you, too? Welcome to the southern-most tip of Costa Brava, in the city of Blanes …
… a place to fall in love with:
… freshening up at “Sa Lola” restaurant …
… giving Janett and me fresh forces to strike a first photo pose by the beach ..!
Blanes, however, is but the beginning. Soon, Costa Brava wraps us up in the magic of its many little old towns, such as Peratallada here …
… or Pals. I have already written about, and shared more travel tips for visiting both towns here.
Start up your segway, and make your own mojito : More unusual, creative travel tips #inCostaBrava (and where to find them).
If you enter the hashtag #inCostaBrava in Google, you are virtually guaranteed to find fancy alternatives to the more mainstream travel activities. The Costa Brava Tourism Board has curated it further, calling it http://en.costabrava.org/enjoy/with-other-eyes. Because yes, even things like riding your own segway through medieval towns, or mixing your own mojito with Mediterranean herbs, are possible here #inCostaBrava. It’s even better though, if said mojitos are prepared & served to you with just the right dose of storytelling by a team of the most charming local Catalan people, in a little town called Corçà. Check this out.
Oh, the Catalans … You can’t help but fall in love them! Here we are with our team of local hosts, Pol Fages & Marian Riembau Rosich, proud house owners of “the Indian past” in Corçà …
… and while Marian’s husband still greets us from the kitchen …
… Pol has already prepared us these wonderful, fresh mojitos in the garden .. check out his travel company “Turismon” for further ideas about creative travel #inCostaBrava. Salut!
I have also made a short travel video about harvesting herbs for making mojitos (wait for it .. the end, Pol Fages in a Heidi dance! Mediterranean herbs, hey. Only #inCostaBrava):
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE2mDpDv-wI” width=”800″]
The next day, it’s back to the same routine on our “girls’ getaway”: Laughing out loud …
… waiting for tips from our admittedly handsome segway instructor …
… and shortly after, taking our first ride across Toroella de Montgrí & Gualta, in the nearby surroundings …
… love the views from right up top, and navigating the segway has proven to be super easy and comfortable, too.
But wait, the best is yet to come. #CreativeTravel #inCostaBrava is really about this .. Getting hands-on with the sweet local people you meet!
Not even half an hour driving distance from Girona, you will find the creative capital of La Bisbal d’Empordà, famous for its ceramic art far across the borders. After Barcelona, the city has the highest density of artists and craftspeople per capita; out of 60 craftspeople, about 35 are dedicated to ceramics alone. Josep Torres, of “Ceràmica Torres”, welcomes us on a sunny Saturday morning and entertains us in perfect English, on how to make small souvenir tiles #inCostaBrava.
When visiting La Bisbal d’Empordà …
… do not miss visiting the terracotta museum in town …
… including a visit to some of the more avant-garde artists, such as Annick Galimont, of “Whales & Crafts” …
… or talking about the whole variety of creative, culinary, and nature-based activities, available through “VisitEmpordaNet” …
… shortly after, Josep Torres’ ceramic workshop invites us to choose our own motives for getting creative …
… “scratch-painting” ceramic tiles in our own, customised fashion …
… can’t wait to see the vibrant colours they will have, after burning them in the oven! Josep even takes our addresses, and promises to send them home to us in Germany and Austria! How very sweet, and what a service.
Just a little later, north of La Bisbal d’Empordà, the small town of Toroella de Montgrí welcomes us to a creative workshop of a kind …
… because this is the epicentre for all things “Caganers”, the little “shitting men” ( or how would you call them ??) …
… who, traditionally, are part of every Nativity Scene in Catalonia, and mean a token of fresh luck / fertility for the next year! (I told you, Catalans are slightly crazy .. but so sweet and funny, too!).
Today of course, you are welcome to choose your own colours, styles and figures, with Janett opting to paint Homer Simpson & Donald Trump Caganers here ! Nicole, seen working in the background of this picture, has written a nice round-up post of her experience with the Caganers, introducing you to all of its history, details and traditions!
Check out even more inspiration for creative travel in La Bisbal d’Empordà through my travel video:
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDf9FCQfaUI” width=”800″]
Last but not least, it’s Flower Festival time & the best ice cream in the world, in Girona, for us.
“Rocambolesc“, the ice cream shop run by the famous “Celler Can Roca” family (voted best restaurant in the world two times), is a surprisingly simply, funky ice cream parlour – the ice cream is, naturally, very delicious. If you come to Girona in May, try early May next time: “Girona Temps de Flors” Flower Festival will turn the city into a sea of colours, sights and sounds; opening up many more backyards and gardens than you can normally see.
Girona, you beauty …
… let’s meet again …
… for the love of flowers …
… and one of the best local storytellers, Joaquim Puerto, who even entertains us in German! Congratulations on such an effort Joaquim, we really appreciate it.
And wouldn’t you like to sit here one day? The inner courtyard of Girona Cathedral is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen …
… and then, there’s the ice cream at night .. Janett?
Thank you so much girls, for such a wonderful trip together!
If you are still looking for other great foodie tips around Costa Brava, as well as inspiration on charming countryside accommodation, I have just what you need here:
- “Foodie Travel Tips #inCostaBrava : Cook & eat your way through these restaurants from Blanes to the Pyrenees.“
- “Four very charming Countryside Accommodation tips for your next trip #inCostaBrava & #inPyrenees.“
Check out even more happy write-ups of our creative trip #inCostaBrava on the websites of my friends:
- Nicole: “Lustige Sachen gibt es: Caganers anmalen” & “Mit dem Segway durch das mittelalterliche Gualta“
- Janett: “Ein Wochenende an der Costa Brava” (YouTube Video), “Eine Zeitreise an die Costa Brava“
- Christina: “Barcelona oder Girona? 7 Gründe für Girona und die Costa Brava“
Disclaimer: I have been supported on this trip by Costa Brava Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.