Inland Girona
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Lake Banyoles
Lake Banyoles is a 20-minute drive west of Girona and well worth a visit. It is a beautiful natural lake with crystal clear water, used as the venue for the rowing events at the 1992 Olympics. The lake separates the Emporda from La Garrotxa and the volcanic hills of La Garrotxa provide a really stunning backdrop. On a clear, sunny day there can be few more beautiful sights in Girona Province. The lake is great for a family day out. Hire bikes and follow the 8km route around the edge of the lake, or take a trip on one of the tour boats. Alternatively, take a dip in one of the designated swimming areas or just take a picnic, relax, enjoy the views and feed the ducks! Don’t worry too much about visiting Banyoles itself – there’s really not much to see there. Don’t expect much from the cafes, hotels and restaurants that line the edge of the lake either – they don’t live up to the spectacular settin
Tourist office - Passeig Indústria, 25, 17820 Banyoles (Pla de l’Estany) 972575553 turisme@ajbanyoles.org www.banyolesturisme.com
Recommended by Tom Maidment
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Collsacabra Mountains
Amazing mountain range with spectacular scenery just south of Olot. Towns of Rupit and Tavertet particularly beautiful. Great for a weekend trip.
www.saucollsacabra.cat for information on how to get there and where to stay.
Recommended by Yasmina Old
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Pantano de Boadella - Darnius
Big artificial lake in the Alt Empordà which is great for swimming. There are loads of interesting paths and open spaces which are perfect for kite flying. It boasts a variety of water sports including water skiing and canoeing.There are also tennis courts nearby. Covered in forests of cork, pine, wild broom and rosemary the Muga Valley nearby is dotted with a selection of stone farmhouses, medieval villages and Romanic churches providing ideal terrain in which to enjoy a country walk, bicycle ride or picnic.
It´s about a half hour north-west of FigueresRecommended by Yasmina Old
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Vall De Nuria
Vall de Nuria can be reached by a steam train only. Wonderful mountains, beautiful natural waterfalls, rock pools, flora and fauna unfolds for you on your journey upwards.
Vall de Nuria is heralded by a whistle blow as the train arrives with a perfect view of the hotel, church and facilities in a little enclosed valley. This is primarily a winter resort but is also a welcoming alpine summer retreat. The beautiful lake is in front of the holiday complex built around an old but well preserved church. On a Summer visit you could do everything there is to offer within a day. As my youngest child observed, it was like Disneyland but real.
As you hop off the train you easily find yourself in the hotel complex with displays and three, tiny museums dedicated to skiing, the natural environment and the mechanics of the lifts and cable cars. There is also the typical souvenir shop and a another selling artisan produce. There are a number of different restaurants dotted around, a dispensary, cash-point and information desk. There are hotel rooms and apartments but is would hardly be self-catering as the shops to buy food and stuff are very limited (unless you came up on the train carrying your supplies) so you would be looking at eating in one of the on sight venues.
From the information desk you can book mini-golf, horse-riding, kayaking, rowing boats and archery. There is one cable car service running in Summer.
www.valldenuria.comRecommended by Debra Foremski