One of the highlights of my recent jaunt through Costa Brava, Spain, was the exquisite food and wine: our meals were made up of fresh Mediterranean food, punctuated with some of the best wines in the world – from Priorat wine to Freixenet cava (Spanish version of champagne). At Celler Martin Faixo, we sampled the best in the region against the stunning backdrop of Cap de Creus.

Family-run Winery

Arriving at Celler Martin Faixo, we were greeted by the vast greenery and gorgeous landscapes that enveloped the winery. Extensive hills of vineyards and meadows spread for miles. In the center of it all was the masia, a Roman villa made up of stones and rocks from the area. Dating back to the 13th century, the beautiful villa has been refurbished to house the sprawling cellar, rooms and restaurant.

Run by the Martin Faixo family, the cellar was first started with an aim to recover the wine originally produced in the region by their grandparents. Now, having restored the masia and winery to its original glory, the family is making wine-production their pasttime. “ We do it for passion and preserve our culture, not for anything else. We want to sell not just our product but also our culture,” says Ester, the manager of the winery.

Unique Wine Flavors

Wine produced in this area, known as Cap de Creus, has its own unique flavor. The winery’s in-house wine-maker Joan Benejamvidal tells me why, “The land here is very stressful on the grape plants, so they need to extend their roots deep underground for water, therefore giving the wine an extraordinary flavor.”

Here at Celler Martin Faixo, there is a good selection of home-grown wine on offer: Merlot, Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Marsala. These wines are of course accompanied by local fare – such as the escalibada (aubergine and capisicum salad), jamón iberico, tomato toast and preserved anchovies.

An All-Encompassing Experience

Costa Brava is a rising star in Spain’s wine tourism industry, with Celler Martin Faixo setting the golden standards. Besides serving up high-standard homegrown wine along with matching cuisine, the winery provides comfortable B&B-style accommodation. The rooms are tastefully decorated in modern country-style and range from 2-storey studio lofts to simple double bedrooms – all looking out to the green vineyards and valley.  (Room prices are 150euros/night including breakfast – click for more information).

For travelers interested in learning more about wine, Celler Martin Faixo  invites guests to get involved with the wine-picking process and get to learn how wine is made in their cellar. As a guest here, I felt like I was family friend here to visit and know more about the Martin Faixo’s home.

What to See Around the Area

With its location close to the coast, there is plenty to do in the Cap de Creus area. The picturesque town of Cadaqués is 10 minutes away by car, as well as the Casa de Dali at Portlligat and the Monastery of San Pedro de Roda. If you’re looking to soak in nature, there is a network of hiking trails and countryside to explore. For those planning to visit Costa Brava, be sure to rent a car to explore the surrounding region.

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here.

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From the rugged coastline of Costa Brava, we head inland towards the volcanic area of Garrotxa. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, this part of Spain is not just all beaches and resorts – there’s a whole world of nature and medieval towns to explore. A good place to start is La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park. It’s less than an hour from the coastal highway but seemingly both an age and a continent away.

The Garrotxa’s Volcanic Zone is the most well-preserved volcanic terrain on the Iberian Peninsula, with over 40 volcanic cones and 20 lava flows. The landscape here is a complete contrast to the coast – featuring red-rose rock faces, black sand and a myriad of vegetation ranging from oaks to beech trees. Sprawling across 120 km² of surface area, the natural park is mapped with 28 walking routes, among which some of them are historic paths known as Itinerànnia.

As we enter the volcanic area, fields of yellow magnolia fields flank our path – landscapes reminiscent of the Tuscany countryside. But soon enough, the greenery is replaced by brown earth, black sand and an arid terrain. Within 15 minutes of walking, we reach the tallest volcano in the natural park, Volcan Croscat.

“Although standing at a humble height of 160m, Volcan Croscat is the tallest volcano on the Iberian Peninsula. This volcanic cone is one of the most well-preserved one in Spain, spotting important flows of basaltic lava. It’s relatively young, around 12,000 to 15,000 years old.” Our guide, Mike Lockwood, shares enthusiastically.

Originally from the UK, Mike has been a resident in the area for the past 27 years. He shares his expertise with visitors, leading them on educational hikes as well as historic walks in La Garrotxa. As a volcano buff and outdoors expert, he says that this is the perfect place for him,      “We’re just one hour from the beach, one hour from the ski resorts and a hop away from nature. What more can I ask for?”

98% of the Natural Park territory is private property. The capturing of animals and the collecting of plants, rocks and minerals are not allowed in the area of the Natural Park. The majority are of the walking paths in La Garrotxa are signposted, except some of the long ones, which can be followed easily with the help of the guide map for the Natural Park.

For more information on La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park, refer to the Turisme Garrotxa website. Mike Lockwood can be contacted via his website www.walkingcatalonia.net.

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here.

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Onboard our sailboat, we let our bodies sway to the movement of the waves and the sound of the gentle breeze. Watching the port of Palamós slowly disappear before us, we listen intently as Captain Joan shares  stories from the past, “This boat was built in the colonial days. It’s since been used by many people, including pirates.” Our eyes light up at the mention of the word ‘pirates’ – it is after all every child’s fantasy to be on a pirate ship.

We are onboard el Rafael, a traditional catboat built in 1915. Now owned by Tela Marinera, el Rafael serves as a reminder of Costa Brava’s maritime heritage. Captain Joan brings visitors out on day trips and organizes pirate-themed boat trips for children.

Cruising along the rugged coastline of Eastern Spain, also known as Costa Brava, we catch glimpses of secluded coves, craggy cliffs and isolated lighthouses – many of which are only accessible by boat.

Captain Joan tells us that it’s common to see dolphins and even whales (during season) in the area. But instead,  we spot a curious moonfish swimming alongside our boat, waving its fins as though to say hello.

Bountiful Nature

 “Most parts of the rugged coastline are nature reserves, protected by the government from commercial development,” says Captain Joan. It’s no wonder the shoreline manages to retain a tinge of raw wilderness that is lost in other coastal areas of Spain.

After sailing past a myriad of landscapes, we reach our destination for the day: Cala dels Lliris. The tranquil bay spots turquoise waters, white powdery sand charming little white houses perched on the seafront. There must be less than twenty people on the beach – a rarity considering it’s nearing summer here in Spain.

Fishermen’s Feast

Lunch on Cala dels Lliris is a serious affair: an enormous feast prepared by the chefs of La Cuina de L’Empordanet in a 100-year-old fishermen’s hut. Our lunch table is laid out with colorful local cuisine -  platters of butifarra (Catalonian sausages), pan con tomate (tomato toasts) and escalibada (cold dish made up of capsicum, aubergine and pepper).

But the main star of the meal is yet to make an appearance. In the makeshift kitchen before us, the two master chefs, Kim Farraron and Toni Izquierda, prepare to make a sizzling entrance with some gambas de Palamós. The local speciality – prawns from Palamós – is prepared within seconds as Kim gives the red wriggly prawns a quick fry in the hot pan and Voila!

Toni then proceeds to show us how to eat the prawns – first, peel the shells, then suck the head – the head??! “ It’s the best part of the prawn – nutritious and really savory,” Toni tells us. I cringe a little before sticking my tongue down the prawn’s head and surprisingly, Toni’s right. I might just start eating prawns this way from now on…

Kim and Toni belong to a group of professional caterers called La Cuina de L’Empordanet who have been working for years to promote the cuisine of this small county called Baix Empordà. The Empordà is the centre of Catalan cuisine and has a wide, important gastronomic offer, with restaurants of great prestige in the area. It was formed in 1995, with collaboration from sixteen restaurants in the Baix Empordà region.

Traditional Havanera Music

By the end of our meal, it’s time for the local group of Havaneres to make an appearance. The L’Empordanet havaneres group croons us with a collection of traditional music – from light-hearted songs of the past to sentimental romantic ballads.

The lead singer tells me the origins of the havanera music, “The havanera music was created when the Spanish conquerors came back from Cuba, thus bringing back a tinge of Cuban musical  influence with them. The cork industry was thriving then, so it was common for workers to relax, sing and drink a bit of cremat liquor.”

We end the day with a Catalan song, swaying our bodies to the infectious tune. When we boarded the sailboat earlier that day, I had no idea our day would turn out like this – another pleasant surprise that Costa Brava has sprung on me. 

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here.

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Early this week, I found myself in one of my favorite cities in Spain, Girona, to witness the annual flower festival in is full glory. From 7 to 15 May 2011, the city of Girona will be splashed in rainbow colors as flowers take over its streets and plazas. Temps de Flors started decades ago as a flower display competition, but today it has blossomed into one of the most important festivals of the city. There are over 110 flower displays scattered all over the city: in the main monuments, small squares and even private homes opened to the public for visits.

Sant Marti Church

Earlier that day, our tour started at the Sant Marti Church,perched on the higher grounds of the historical centre. On the steps leading to the church were a stack of brick-game blocks made out of flowers – an interesting play of colors and theme against the grey backdrop of the religious building. Inside the church, the use of fragrant lilies and silk created quite a dreamy wedding atmosphere.

As we weaved through the cobblestoned alleys of the historical centre, we would often drop in to private houses that wowed us away with the artistic displays of flowers. In a particular house, there were fiber-lit lamps hanging from the ceiling in one room and a twirling flower bed that dazzled visitors with its kaleidoscopic colors.

Girona Cathedral

We wound our way to the heart of the city: the Catedral de Girona. Along the steps of the Santa Maria Catedral, a broken piano stood mid-way between a patch of green grass and another patch of colorful flowers. Our guide, long-term Girona resident Carlos Pongiluppi shared with us, “It’s in relation to the requiem. The flowers represent life, while the broken piano signifies death. Beyond the piano, there are no more flowers, meaning the loss of life.”

Arabic Bath

The main highlight of the flower festival for me was the Arabic Bath – within the dome-shaped interior, wispy vines and crawling flowers weave together creating a rather Eden-like atmosphere. In its backyard, I found bright orange butterflies (fans used to give the impression of butterflies) and beautiful orchids on display.

If you’re in Girona during this time of the year, be sure to catch the flower festival. For more information, check out the Temps de Flors website where you can download the program and itinerary.

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here or follow me on Twitter with the #InCostaBrava hashtag.

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I’m suffering a serious bout of post-trip depression after spending one of the best weeks of my life in Costa Brava, Spain. A trip jam-packed with once-in-a-lifetime experiences: from skydiving in Empuriabrava to meeting one of the world’s best chef Ferran Adria to diving deep into history with Dali’s apprentice  and getting interviewed on Spanish national TV.

The Costa Brava trip brought us from one extreme end to the next – veering from the craggy coastline to the inland volcanoes by way of secluded coves and fishing villages. We conquered the skies (sky-diving), the road (amusing tourist train) and the sea (sailed the choppy waters but scuba-diving plans were cancelled). This trip was truly of epic proportions – here’s plenty of thanks to the Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain!  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing snippets from my trip here. Meanwhile, here are some highlights of our journey through Costa Brava as seen through pictures.

Panorama of Cala dels Lliris, Tamariu

      Quiet fishing village of Tamariu

Skydiving in Empuriabrava

Above the coast and green fields of Empuriabrava  

Lunch at the beautiful winery Celler de Martin Faixo

White-washed town of Cadaques, Spain

The crater of the Croscat Volcano in the Garotxa area found inland.

Medieval town of Santa Pau.

A festival taking place in Santa Pau.

The coloful hanging houses of Girona – the biggest city in Costa Brava.

Tulips all over the city during Girona’s Flower Festival.

Costa Brava is home to some of the best foods in the world – we started with some traditional Catalan suquet (fish stew).

Then we sampled some nouveau cuisine at the world’s second best restaurant in the world, Celler de Can Roca (voted by San Pellegrino). Josep Roca, recently named the best sommelier of Europe, pictured above.

The highlight of it all: meeting the world’s best chef – Ferran Adria of el Bulli fame.

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels inCosta Brava here or follow me on Twitter with the #InCostaBrava hashtag.

The post Costa Brava in Pictures – The Best of Spain in One Region appeared first on Wild Junket.

Heart reeling and legs shaking, I’m standing at the edge of the aircraft, about to take the plunge at 4,000m above the ground. Looking out of the plane’s opened door, my head spins deliriously while the strong wind slaps me back into reality. Green fields, snow-peaked mountains and buildings are scattered below me like tiny lego pieces. But amidst the chaos (overpowering winds and dizzying heights), I am air-bound without even realizing it. The rush from the free-fall sweeps through me like an electric current and before I know it, I’m experiencing an adrenaline high.

Skydiving in Costa Brava sure as hell tops any other adventures I’ve had (from climbing an active volcano to swimming with nurse sharks and cliff-jumping). During the seven minutes of the jump, I experienced a whole series of adrenaline and emotions: energy powered through me during the initial 60 seconds of free-fall, which later transformed into awe-inspiring pleasure as the parachute was released. Surprisingly, free-falling actually felt more like flying than the sensation of falling, which made skydiving much more enjoyable than bungee-jumping. Here’s a series of photos shot by my cameraman in the air – enjoy!

   Just off the plane

Above the green fields and mountains of Costa Brava

Screaming ‘hell yeah’ during free-fall

A video of fellow blogger John O’Nolan landing (with voice commentary by Keith Jenkins):

Skydive Empuriabrava

Empuriabrava is the largest marina in Costa Brava, the northeastern coast of Spain. As skydiving expert Santi Corella from Skydive Empuriabrava mentions, this is the only drop zone in the world that is close to a town/city.  With easy access to restaurants and hotels, Empuriabrava makes for an excellent spot to try out skydiving.

I had the chance to speak to Santi, who’s traveled the world in search of the best skydiving spots. He’s worked as an instructor for decades, was part of the Spanish national skydiving team for 10 years and is now actively involved in Proyecto Atlas (a project that brings skydiving enthusiasts together to skydive in wingsuits around the world). Here’s a short video clip from Santi:

This experience was made possible by Skydiving Empuriabrava, Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here or follow me on Twitter with the #InCostaBrava hashtag.

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Having just traipsed my way through Northern Spain, I’m now continuing on my journey to the Northeastern edge of Spain – Costa Brava. So named for its rugged coastline, Costa Brava stretches from Blanes to the French border.This region of Spain is known for its excellent beaches, Dalí’s renown art works and top-notch cuisine (home to the best restaurants in the world).

But that’s not the main aim of my trip: I’m here for a whirlpool of adventures and the Costa Brava Tourism Board promised me just that.

I’m heading to Girona as we speak and I’ll be spending the entire week getting a taste of the adventurous activities that Costa Brava has to offer. Along with a fun group of travel mates (travel bloggers from around the world), I’ll be exploring offbeat parts of the region and reporting back here.

Although the itinerary is kept a secret, I’m thrilled to share that it’ll include some crazy adventures like sky-diving, hot-air ballooning and scuba-diving! As the region is home to two of the best restaurants in the world (awarded the most Michelin stars), we might also be sampling some of its nouveau cuisine and talking to a few of Spain’s top chefs.

I’ll be writing about my adventures in Costa Brava shortly, in the meantime, read my short updates on Facebook or Twitter. Hasta luego!

This experience was made possible by Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Costa Brava here or follow me on Twitter with the #InCostaBrava hashtag.

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