Group Tour Operator for Holidays to Girona, Catalonia
Barcelona & Girona at Temps de Flors
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Temps de Flors, Girona ©Girona City Council - AJ
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Temps de Flors, Girona ©Girona City Council - AJ
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Temps de Flors, Girona ©Girona City Council - AJ
Visit Girona in Catalonia to see the incredible 'Temps de Flors' - a spectacular Spanish Flower Show
For 11 days in May,”Temps de Flors” engulfs the whole of Girona. The city is abundant with flowers and floral motifs. Not only do the local authorities make a great display, but everyone gets involved. All the local shops, bars and restaurants also reinvent themselves for the festival of “Temps de Flors”.
Read moreSee more Flora and Fauna of Catalonia’s Botanicals
Not to far from Girona, southwards towards the coast, Santa Clotilde Gardens in Lloret De Mar are beautifully located on a cliff with great views over the Mediterranean. The main landscaper, Nicolau Rubió, added a personal touch to his ornate gardens. The design is soft, austere and based on the Italian Renaissance. It is a pleasure to the senses and there are some great photo opportunities. Close by is the floral paradise of the Botanical gardens of Marimurtra in the small fishing town of Blanes. Host to 16 hectares of tropical and subtropical plants and trees from all over the world the bountiful gardens of colour cling to the hillside of this coastal landscape. So while you enjoy the floral finnese of Marimurtra, don’t forget to check out the several places in the garden that have some wonderful views over the port of Blanes and Mediterranean.
The blue paradise of Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar sits in a sandy bay protected to the north by a headland of medieval defensive walls. No longer the hidden gem it was when it became the first spot of the Catalan Costa Brava to attract foreign tourists. Here, an array of architectural gems can be found in the windy streets of the old town with little cafes and Cerveceria, enjoy a little piece of the Catalan coast before heading back towards Girona.
See wonderful city of Barcelona, where architecture and nature coincide
Barcelona is truly city of art, around every corner is a magnificent vista. Barcelona’s architecture is so iconic it doesn’t even need to be finished to be fawned over. From remnants of the Roman era Barcino’s ancient city walls through the medieval Cathedrals of the Gothic Quarter to the eclectic Modernisme of Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, Barcelona is a city of true architectural variety. The famous La Rambla street carves through the inner city, flanked by trees and seemingly endless shops, cafes and restaurants. Known to many as Las Ramblas due to its various sections, the expansive boulevard takes its name from a long-since dried up local stream. Barcelona is undoubtedly a city of food. The ever-evolving gastronomy movement keeps the tradition of Gourmet Catalan alive.
See the town of Girona, decorated in the an abundance of colour and some of the botanical beauties of the region. For an alternative tour to Catalonia encompassing all the great gastronomic highlights, check out our Gourmet Catalonia tour.
Dates
May 2024
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from the UK
Depart from your local area and travel to Dover for your ferry crossing to Calais. Continue to the Orleans area for your overnight stop.
Day 2
Arrive in Spain
Continue your journey southwards and arrive at your hotel, located between Barcelona and Girona. Alternatively, if you are flying to Spain, you will be met in Barcelona or Girona airport by an English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel.
Day 3
Day at leisure
Today, after a few days travelling relax and enjoy a day as you wish – enjoy your resort, hit the beach and take it easy, or continue to explore yourself.
Day 4
Blanes and its Botanical Gardens
Today, enjoy a half day excursion to the port town of Blanes, where fishing still is an important part of the town’s economy. We shall visit the interesting botanical gardens which are situated on a hill, high over the port of Blanes, where fishing boats and recreational yachts are side by side. In Marimurtra, which is the name of the botanical garden, there are 16 hectares of tropical and subtropical plants and trees from all over the world. On our tour through the garden, we’ll come across fountains with drinking water and benches to rest on. Several places have wonderful views over the port of Blanes and Mediterranean. Before we leave Blanes, there will be time for a walk in the port or on the promenade with many possibilities for lunch or just a snack before we head for the hotel.
Day 5
Barcelona, Capital of Catalonia
After breakfast, we will be using our coach to take us on a panoramic tour of this beautiful capital. In the morning we shall be seeing some of Gaudi’s masterpieces along the Paseo de Gracia boulevard and we will include a stop to view arguably the most famous building in Spain: the impressive and recently consecrated Sagrada Familia. Continuing with the Gaudi theme, we make our way to Park Güell, where the master perfectly combined his architecture and nature. Apart from exuberant bouganvillea and atmospheric palm trees, Park Güell offers stunning views over the city. Once we have finished our panoramic tour, we return to the centre, and after some free time for lunch, we will regather for a walk in the old town. Las Ramblas is possibly one of the most famous streets in the world, so we will be having a stroll and taking in the wonderful atmosphere of this most cosmopolitan of Spanish cities. Barcelona thrived in the 13th and 14th Century and we will have a good insight into the Gothic quarter. We will walk through its narrow streets and little squares, while your guide will be pointing out the main sites this charming area has to offer. We will then meet our driver at the designated point so we can return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 6
Lloret de Mar, Santa Clotilde Gardens and Tossa de Mar
Santa Clotilde Gardens are beautifully located on a cliff with great views over the Mediterranean. The main landscaper, Nicolau Rubió, followed his master Forestier, but adds his personal touch: the design is soft, austere and based on the Italian Renaissance. It is a pleasure to the senses and there are some great photo opportunities. After the gardens, we make our way north, up the Costa Brava to our next destination: Tossa de Mar. Once we reach this pretty village, we take a walk in the old quarter including its medieval castle. The narrow streets have great opportunities for lunch and once done, we make our way back to our hotel.
Day 7
Day at leisure
Today, enjoy a day at leisure – enjoy your resort, hit the beach and take it easy, or continue to explore yourself.
Day 8
Girona and lunch at a traditional Catalan Masia
Today we make an excursion to Girona. This is a beautiful and walkable city. The cathedral is impressive and the Jewish quarter with its rich historical heritage is one of the best preserved in Spain. It also has a nice relaxed feeling to it: nice squares with porticoes and houses overlooking the river add to its charm. But in our case, the highlight is the fact that we visit the city during “Temps de Flors”. For 11 days in May, the whole of Girona is decorated with flowers and floral motifs. Not only do the local authorities make a great display, but all local shops, bars, restaurants etc also reinvent themselves for this period. All in all it’s a great experience for everybody. Once finished in Girona, we take to the road, out into the countryside for a very special event: a meal at a traditional Catalan Masia (old farmhouse).
Day 9/10
Departure
The time has come to leave this beautiful area behind and return to the UK. Either transfer to the airport for your return flights or begin your return journey overland. Stop in the Orleans area overnight before continuing to the Channel ports the following day. ¡Hasta la vista!
Suggested Hotels
L’Azure Hotel****
Located in the heart of Lloret de Mar, a few minutes walk from the main points of interest of the city. L’Azure is a new hotel designed for couples and families who want an unforgettable vacation full of good sensations, trained with all kinds of comforts to rest, enjoy and relax. The newly opened hotel hotel, new opening, offers amazing Spa facilities with wellness and heated pools, saunas, jacuzzis and treatments, different themed bars and restaurants, gym and a rest area for adults only with infinity pool in the rooftop of the building.
Aquahotel Onabrava & Spa ****
This hotel is located in Santa Susanna, just a 4 minute walk from the beach. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and snack bar as well as a restaurant serving international cuisine and a health and fitness centre (extra charge). The air-conditioned rooms each feature a furnished balcony, TV, mini bar and hair dryer.
You may also be interested in:
The Italian Riviera of Flowers – Mediterranean Coast and Flower Gardens
| 10 days / 9 nights |
Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| May 2024 | Price on request | Price on request |
