costa brava to costa blanca
FLY-DRIVE 12 NIGHTS / 13 DAYS
Travel down Spain ’ s Eastern Coast on your way from the Costa Brava to the Costa Blanca . Begin in Catalonia , amongst verdant hills , fishing villages , and historic buildings , before beginning your drive south . Stop off on the beautiful beaches of S ’ Agaró ’ s peninsula , in the lively atmospheric town of Sitges on the Costa Dorada , and in artistic Valencia on the Orange Blossom Coast . Finally , spend three nights in Dénia , between the Natural parks and the blue sea of the Costa Blanca .
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAYS ONE TO TWO
After arriving in Barcelona and collecting your hire car , drive north east for just under two hours , through Girona and Figueres to the Mas Lazuli near the small village of Pau . This hotel was once an 11th Century mediaeval friary , and has retained some of its most beautiful original features . During your two-night stay , use your hire car to explore the Empordá region . The Romanesque mediaeval Monasterio de Sant Pere is just a short drive away on a mountaintop . Its tall brooding towers and cavernous halls have a unique ambience . The fishing town of Cadaqués , popular with artists such as Picasso and Dalí , is on the eastern coast , and Roses , perfect for shopping and dining excursions , is to the south . In Figueres stands the intriguing and inspiring Dalí Museum .
Valencia
DAYS THREE TO FIVE
An hour and a quarter ’ s drive south brings you to S ’ Agaró , home of the Hostal de la Gavina , your host for the next three nights . With direct access to the Sant Pol Beach , and close to both the S ’ Agaró coastal path and Sa Conca Beach , your stay at the Hostal is the perfect opportunity for relaxing in the sun . Emerging from the lush greenery of the town , the hotel has a traditional white-washed exterior . Inside , a unique , characteristic style combines rustic Spain with elegant , refined luxury ; in the bedrooms , there is also a touch of grandeur . Nearby is Begur , a colourful hilltop town with stunning Cubanstyle mansions , an austere castle , and excellent restaurants . The city of Girona is within easy reach for a day ’ s excursion .
DAYS SIX TO SEVEN
Continue driving south along the coast , from the Costa Brava to the Costa Dorada . Your next two nights will be spent at the Hotel Estela in Sitges , just outside of Barcelona . An infectious atmosphere is at the centre of Sitges ’ culture , be it at one of the many film , theatre , or car festivals , the carnivals , or the year-round buzz of the city centre in the evenings . During the day , enjoy the overarching serenity of the landscape , taking a walk along the sea-front boulevard , or walking and cycling through the Garraf National park . Several diverse museums are open to the public , from more traditional exhibits to the colourful Cau Ferrat , former home of the Catalan writer Santiago Rusiñol . If you have time , spend a few hours walking around the varied quarters of Barcelona .
DAYS EIGHT TO NINE
The fourth stop on this tour is further south , on the Orange Blossom Coast , in Valencia . The Palau de la Mar offers refined urban living in the centre of a lively , historic city . Its central location means that the Puerto de Valencia , the science and cultural park , and the Torres de Serranos are just a short walk away . Fine and modern art museums are in abundance , each housed within an intriguing contemporary or historic building , and enrich the experience of every visitor to Valencia . Taste the far-distant past in the 13th Century cathedral , with its dramatic circular front window , and atmospheric interior .
DAYS TEN TO TWELVE
On the Costa Blanca , spend three nights at the Posada del Mar in Dénia . This renovated 13th century building stands overlooking the quay , at the foot of the hill on which stands Dénia Castle . The restorative additions to the hotel , stone walls , cosy lounges , balconies , and twisting staircases compound the charms of the original features . Spend a morning in Dénia exploring the castle and its towers , the archaeological museum , and the Portal de la Vila , which has connected the castle to the town since Moorish reign . Outside of Dénia , the Montgó and Peñon de Ifach Natural Parks are perfect for active visitors , while the towns of Calpe , Moraira , and Benissa , among others , offer fantastic coves , cliffs , and fishing ports undiscovered by tourists .
DAY THIRTEEN
Drive southwest along the coast for your return flight to London from Alicante .
PRICES Prices from £ 2,270 per person based on two people sharing .
WHAT ’ S INCLUDED
• Scheduled flights from London to Barcelona , and Alicante to London
• Type C hire-car for duration of holiday
• Accommodation with bed and breakfast at the following hotels , based on two people sharing a standard double room : Two nights at the Mas Lazuli near Figueres Three nights at the Hostal de la Gavina in S ’ Agaró Two nights at the Hotel Estela in Sitges Two nights at the Palau de la Mar in Valencia Three nights at the Posada del Mar in Dénia
Begur , Costa Brava
Harbour at Denia
Patronat , Costa Brava
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