Article publicat a la revista irlandesa Bussines & Finance, sota el títol "Brava bravado” en el que s'explica les experiències d'un periodista en el seu viatge a la Costa Brava, destacant com un dels llocs especials l'Hotel Aigua Blava, on gaudir d'unes vistes excepcionals de la badia, la gastronomia catalana amb productes locals frescos, el magnífic entorn de Begur... Artículo publicado en la revista irlandesa Bussines & Finance, bajo el título "Brava bravado” en el que se cuentan las experiències de un periodista en su viaje a la Costa Brava, destacando como uno de los lugares especiales el Hotel Aigua Blava, en donde disfrutar de unas vistas excepcionales de la bahía, la gastronomía catalana con productos locales frescos, el magnífico entorno de Begur... Article published on the Irish magazine Business & Finance, titled "Brava bravado" in which a journalist tells about his experiences during a journey across Costa Brava, highlighting Hotel Aigua Blava as one of the most special spots to enjoy the delightful sights of the bay, the Catalan cuisine with local fresh food, Begur's beautiful surroundings...

1. Business & Finance July/August 2013
only a few minutes’ walk from landmarks
such as the city’s cathedral, The Jewish
History Museum and the Arab Baths.
While we were in Girona, the ‘Temps de
Flors’ (flower season) was on. This flower
show is held every year and locals and
businesses get fully involved in filling urban,
public and monumental spaces with lush
artistic floral displays.
Award winning gastronomy
After walking around the city, dinner in
Divinum was – how shall I put this? – divine. A
firm favourite with locals, creative Catalan
cuisine is served with a range of local wines, in
spectacular surroundings. What’s not to love?
Girona is home to some of the finest
restaurants serving top quality cuisine using
locally sourced produce in an innovative and
avant-garde way. As if further proof was
needed in the eating of the pudding, El Celler
de Can Roca in Girona is officially the ‘Best
Restaurant in the World’ having been awarded
the illustrious accolade by Restaurant
magazine this year.
Salvador Dalí
After a night of being well feed and watered,
the following day we depart for Púbol to visit
Castillo Gala- Dalí. The Gala Dalí Castle in
Púbol has been open to the public since 1996,
and allows visitors discover this medieval
masterpiece in which Salvador Dalí fulfilled
his promise to make a mausoleum for his
muse and wife, Gala, thus making her ‘queen
of the castle’. After Gala’s death the castle
became Salvador Dalí’s last workshop.
From Púbol we take a short costal drive to
Peratallada. Whether a walking route through
the Camino de Ronda, from Calella del
Palafruguel to Llafranc or a bike ride between
Peratallada and Pals, the landscape and terrain
in any direction doesn’t disappoint. Jagged
Costa Brava is the name given to the coast
of Girona, the north-eastern Catalonian
province on the Iberian Peninsula. It’s not
surprising that the Costa Brava has been
voted National Geographic Best of the World
2012 as a top travel destination. From the first
Neolithic setters to the surrealist legend,
Salvador Dali, the Costa Brava is as rich in
heritage as it is in nature and landscape.
Girona
The city of Girona can trace its origins back
more than 2,000 years through two fortified
enclosures, the Força Vella and the Medieval
Quarter. The Força Vella dates back to Roman
times while the medieval extension of the
city walls was carried out during the 14th and
15th centuries. The city's artistic heritage has
been impressively preserved and the old
Jewish Quarter with its winding streets,
columned squares and exuberant baroque
architecture, makes this city ooze plenty of
appeal and charm. The fact that Girona
airport is less than a half an hour’s drive from
the marvellous old town is an added bonus.
The Girona region is one of the most varied
provinces of Spain. It has the stunning
coastal areas with sandy beaches and
secluded rocky coves, but it also has plenty of
historical and cultural trails. Staying at the AC
Hotel Palau de Bellavista, which is located in
a quaint residential area in Girona known as
Les Pedreres, this urban and modern hotel
has superb views of the city and yet is still
I
am one of those constant Spanish
tourists, having holidayed in Spain more
times than I can count. It’s always a firm
favourite on my list of destinations when it
comes to either short city breaks, long
lounging holidays, or activity filled
adventures. It’s easy to understand why more
than 1.2 million Irish people visited Spain this
year; ease of access, choice of destinations
and the variety of holiday types are all
compelling reasons for visitors. Equally, it is
steeped in history and culture and the
Spanish, much like the Irish, are welcoming,
friendly and fun.
Spain is a diverse and exhilarating mixture
of many things. It could be considered an
unsung hero in many ways especially as it
more commonly takes the title as a choice
destination for package holidays. But Spain is
so much more than two weeks in the sun.
On any visit to La Furia Roja, I am eager to
explore new places and given the size, depth
and variety Spain has to offer, looking for
something ‘different’ is never a problem in
this culturally rich and stunning land.
Having never been north of Barcelona, the
Costa Brava seemed like an ideal destination
for a relaxing three-day break. Its wild and
rugged landscape stretches 60km north of
Barcelona towards the Pyrenees on the
French border, where you can ski and
snowboard all year round, where mountain
ranges, valleys and coastline blend together
in a dramatic display of picturesque scenery.
Travel Spain
78
Travel
Brava bravado
On a whistle stop tour of the Costa Brava, Niamh Mac Sweeney
discovers rough and rugged Catalan coastline, sensational
gastronomy and a vista of fiestas and festivals

2. Girona and surrounding areas have plenty to
keep you amused and entertained, and if
sampling award-winning food and wine is
your thing, then you will be spoilt for choice
amid the top quality hotels and restaurants in
this north-eastern Catalonian province. Chic
and sophisticated, yet still full of character
and charm, my trip to the Costa Brava was
indeed short but it was also immensely
sweet. A real treat for all the senses, I vowed
to return to explore once more this diverse
and captivating region. Whether it’s teeing off
on the golf course, relaxing on the beach,
eating fresh fish in a quaint fishing village or
for the more adventurous, trekking in the
Pyrenees, the Costa Brava is less package
holiday and instead bravely boasts to being
the full package and much more.
cliffs, rugged and rocky headlands jutting out
into the sea... this is where mountains, forests
and sand coves make up a giddy and
captivating scene.
Begur
After tapas in Llafranc, it was on to Begur. A
charming and unspoilt medieval village, Begur
is full of old world charm. Stylish and very
‘Spanish’, Begur is situated on a rocky
coastline with quaint boutique hotels and
restaurants dotted around. Overlooking
secluded coves and beaches, this hidden gem
has lots of character and charisma.
Surrounded by coves, rocks and pines, the
Hotel Atigua Blava juts out into Aiguablava
Bay and is a relaxing retreat after a heady day
of walking and hiking along the hills and
coves. Aigua Blava is a family business
founded some 75 years ago and it has
managed to retain its homeliness and heritage.
Today, the hotel is managed by the third and
fourth generations of the very same family.
The restaurant in the hotel is outstanding
and boasts spectacular panoramic views of
Aigua Blava Bay. A fusion of traditional and
contemporary Catalan cuisine crescendo in an
endless selection of taste sensations as plates
and plates of delicious food is presented to us.
Fresh and locally sourced and produced food
fills the menu as does a great selection of
wines and Cava from the vineyards of the
Empordà region. Breakfast the next morning
on the terrace is delightful but then it seems
that no matter where we are in this hotel the
views, food and service are always spectacular.
Sadly short breaks are predictably short. But
still, there’s a lot you can pack into 72 hours on
the Costa Brava. From an archaeological point
of view the region is fascinating with many
examples of Greek ruins, Roman villas,
medieval towns and Romanesque and Gothic
churches. From a cultural and arts perspective,
Business & Finance July/August 2013 79
Travel Spain
restaurants across the Costa Brava. Divinum in
Girona hit a high note, as did the restaurant in
the Atigua Blava hotel in Begur.
Ask the expert:
Although it is easy to follow the costal walks
yourself, a tour guide always has insider
knowledge and interesting facts to share. Check
out the tourist Information office on
www.costabrava.org for a list of guides and
tours.
Don’t miss:
The Costa Brava seems to have a constant
stream of festivals throughout the year. For a
list of festivals taking place, log on to
www.girona.cat/turisme.
Getting there:
Getting there is easy. Ryanair operate daily
flights to and from Girona. To book flights and
for more details, log on to www.ryanair.com.
Getting around:
Girona airport is about a half an hour drive from
the city. Hire a car and you could be on the
beach in under an hour.
Staying there:
The AC Hotel Palau de Bellavista in Girona is an
urban and stylish city enclave. The Hotel Atigua
Blava in Begur is a coastal hideaway retreat.
Eating out:
There are many delightful tapas and fine dinning
Out and about
Costa Brava