Local Activities:
Although the villa is situated in a quiet, private urbanization, it is only a short drive from the many attractions and delights of the Costa Brava. As well as full use of your private pool at the villa, there are many sandy beaches and rocky bays for swimmers and all kinds of water sports only a short drive away. The countryside is ideal for walkers. This area is a golfers paradise, with championship courses and several 18 and 9 hole courses to test the best players. Facilities for tennis are available nearby and there are 2 horse riding centres (see below for more details on horse riding) within a 30 minute drive. Various other sporting facilities are possible, more information can be given on request. Barcelona is only just over an hour's drive with its many museums, historic buildings, shops and an excellent Zoo and Aquarium.
Family Activities:
As well as the many safe and clean beaches in the area there are three water parks within a 45 minute drive. Aqua Diver in Platja d'Aro, Marine Land near Blanes (which also has spectacular dolphin and sea lion shows as well as other small animals) and Water world at Loret de Mar, which gets bigger and better each year.
Horse riding Centre - Hipica Edna is a local riding centre with fully qualified instructors (2 of which speak fluent English). Based just outside Castel d'Aro it is only a 10 minute drive from the villa. Beginners are catered for in the riding arena and are fully supervised throughout their lesson. For more experienced riders, excursions in the countryside can be booked. For more details telephone 00 34 630 924 336.
Eating Out:
There are a variety of excellent restaurants in the area. In Platja d'Aro there is a large choice of food from Pizzeria's, Catalan Cuisine to Chinese. The fishing port of Palamos boasts some of the best seafood in the area, with many good restaurants some of which look out over the harbour and bay.
Further details, including a list of recommended restaurants can be provided and are also available in the villa.
Golf:
The Costa Brava boasts 9 excellent golf courses with some of the best in Europe. You can play from March to November. All are within 1 hour's drive.
1. Peralada - Open course on flattish terrain. Design is resort-style and small olive trees line most of the fairways.
2. Torremirona - In beautiful rolling countryside with panoramic views overlooking the Pyrenees, constructed as an “American resort style course” with big greens.
3. Girona - Sweeping valleys of forest pines and umbrella trees, with mostly elevated tee positions.
4. PGA Golf De Catalunya - A Championship layout
5. Emporda - Among Europe’s top 50 courses. American style with 3 contrasting loops of nine holes start with an outstanding links, followed by two superb forest courses.
6. Serres de Pals - Quite different from most of the others. It lies on the typical flattish rolling farmland countryside of the Baix Emporda, with few trees and strategic doglegs.
7. Pals - One of Spain’s finest courses and has held numerous national and European events including the Spanish Open.
8. Mas Nou (d'Aro) - Voted top 3 in Europe - This course has literally been built by slicing off the very top of a mountain.
9. Costa Brava - One the oldest courses in the Costa Brava, surrounded by pines and cork oaks, with flat terrain, wide fairways.
Other Activities:
Scuba Diving and Speed/Motor Boat Hire
