LOCAL AREA:
The region Berguedá where the house is situated, where the Llobregat river makes its way from the Pyrenees down towards Barcelona. The landscape is hilly and the altitude is 500-600 metres above sea-level. Although very popular as weekend retreat for people from Barcelona, the region has not a lot of tourism. When you are on vacation here, you simply blend in and participate in the local life in the villages and towns in the area.
In the villages of Casserres and Montmajor, you vill find a bakery a small grocery shop a bar and a restaurant. The two small towns Gironella and Puig Reig are situated on the bank of the Llobregat river. Here, you find several restaurants, shops and smaller supermarkets. They are both very lively towns, but be aware of the siesta. The regional capitol is Berga, which is a big town with 20.000 inhabitants. Here, you find a charming town centre with walking street and rambla, shops, restaurants and cafés, and in the outskirts, there are some big supermarkets for large shopping. Also, Berga has a very good tourist office, which is a very good point of departure for the vacation in the area.
The region is great for outdoor activities, walks, cycling, canoeing and many other things, and the location centrally in Catalonia, gives you the perfect base for a varied vacation, from the nature in the Pyrenees to the cultural experiences in Barcelona and the big towns of the area
CENTRAL CATALONIA:
Central Catalonia is where our 'the fairytale' of our company CATALONIA HOLIDAY LETTINGS began. Being late with booking a house, the houses in our focus area close to beach and Barcelona, were already booked. We ended up in Central Catalonia, and in the following summers we did not even bother to search in other regions, Central Catalonia was the perfect base for vacation in Catalonia!
Central Catalonia is situated where the Llobregat-river winds it is way from the Pyrenees down towards Barcelona. It is not heavily populated, and in the small town and villages you blend in with local life. The region is ideal for families or groups, who want a diversified vacation.
Most of all however, the region has, we found out, vacation houses of very high standard, carefully nursed by the owners, as they have been in the family for centuries, previously used for labour, in the days where agriculture needed more man-power, with all facilities you could think of, inside as well as outside. So many of the days, the car stayed in the carport and the time went with playing, swimming, reading and some nice meals from the barbecue accompanied with a glass of wine.
The landscape at the entrance to the Pyrenees is dominated by small rivers, hills, fields and forest. From almost any point, you have view to the steep Pyrenees that raise in the distance, probably some of the most beautiful mountains of the world. The area provides excellent conditions for a variety of sports- and outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, angling, canoeing, river crafting or perhaps a visit to the owners farm.
Central Catalonia is situated in 400-800 metres altitude and has more than 300 sunny days on a year. If you visit the region in the spring or the autumn, most days will be pleasant, with temperatures from 18-25 degrees in the day time. In the summer it is warmer. The altitude makes the air dry, and the heath is very pleasant. It is good idea, however, to have the lunch-break in the shadow. The region's houses are constructed of limestone and with tiled floors to secure a pleasant indoor temperature.
Local life
Central Catalonia is an inland area and has a rich cultural and natural heritage, including market-towns and cities with a great historical tradition. It has many monuments (Vic, Manresa, Cardona, Igualada, Terrassa, Sabadell, granollers etc.). The appealing foothill country of the Pre-Pyrenees surprises and you won't be disappointed. In the cosy rural villages, which all have its own weekly market, with fresh vegetables, homemade sausages, bread, cheese, the best olives and splendid oils.
Towns and villages
Most of the towns are situated on the shore of the Llobregat river. Tucked into the edge of the Pyrenees, you find the main town Berga. The centre is easily walkable and is lined with pretty old houses, historic monuments and lively squares, especially along the busy Carrer Major.
From Berga towards Barcelona, the small lively towns are situated by the shores of Llobregat like pearls on a string. Gironella, Puig Reig and Navás are all towns with a lot of shops with fresh vegetables, meat, bread and fish, along with banks, bars and restaurants, great for doing your shopping while staying in one of the houses. Be aware of the siesta!
Restaurants
As there is a limited number of tourists in central Catalonia, you will get a true Catalan experience in the restaurants in the area. Most restaurants are average levelled with solid Catalan food. We will be happy to help with advice.
If you want to try a gourmet dinner in beautiful surroundings in the countryside, Els Casals, just awarded a Michelin star, is really worth a visit. You can visit the restaurant on you own, or join our 'evening in Els Casals', an evening where you visit the farm and then enjoy a gourmet dinner, designed especially to allow families with children to enjoy a gourmet meal as well.
Activities
Those who are looking for an active vacation won't be disappointed. There are brilliant activities for all age groups. Explore natural surroundings and cultural sites on many different cycling adventures or break your routine by going hiking, mountain biking, kayaking or river rafting on one of the many great places in the Pre-Pyrenees. If you (or your kids) prefer horseback riding there will be a huge variety of possibilities: horse riding routes, riding classes, pony trekking etc.
Please do not hesitate to take contact regarding more information´s regarding activities in Catalonia as we have a wide network, and will do our very best to help you getting the most out of your holiday.
Canoeing
Just before Berga, the Llobregat river is dammed in order to be able to control the water, which from time to time can be a scarce resource in Catalonia and secondly produce electricity. This has created a big lake in front of the village of Cercs. Her you can rent canoes and either just paddle around in child-friendly conditions or take a longer trip upstream and back again.
Golf
The region has several golf courses and especially the ones situated in the Pyrenees should be amazing, with the mountainous surroundings.
Excursions
Besides enjoying your house and the region, the advantage of staying central in Catalonia is that you have easy access to most of Catalonia's sights in one-day trips.
Vic
Distance: 45 minutes - by car
Vic is one of the regional capitols in Catalonia and has a beautiful historical town centre with a lot of shops. Visit the city Tuesdays or Saturdays, where it is market day. First Saturday in every month it is also antique market and second Saturday in every month it is also paintings market. Browse around and enjoy the roman architecture the city is known for.
Penedés Wine district
Distance: 45 minutes -1 hour by car
One of the finest wine district in Spain is situated between Urgell and Barcelona. You can easily spend a day visiting wine yards, tasting the excellent products. For the children the tour at the Codórniu ranch is recommendable, as it includes in a train in the 40 km. underground wine cellars, where the wine matures before being bottled.
Distance: 1 -1½ hours by car
Barcelona is of course really worth a visit on a day trip. What ever your interest is art, sports, culture, architecture or simply enjoying a day in a big city, Barcelona is really worth a visit. And after a day in the hectic city, you enjoy even more the following day by you pool in your house in the country side.
Costa Brava, Girona and Museo Teatro Dalí
Distance: 2 - 2½ hours by car
If you want a day in the Costa Brava area, there are several very nice stops you could make. If you are a fan of Salvador Dalí, you could start by heading all the way down to Figueres, where you find Museo Teatro Dalí.
Alternatively, you could visit his castle closer to Girona. The city Girona itself is also worth a visit and of course the beaches of Costa Brava are beautiful although a bit crowded. Read more about Costa Brava and Girona
Tarragona/Port Aventura
Distance: 2 - 2½ hours by car
If you are interested in roman history, the Tarragona area is really worth a visit, as it has very well-preserved roman amphi theatre, aquaducts and much more. If you want keep the kids happy, a day on one of the great beaches of Costa Daurada or even better a day in Universal Studios Port Aventura can be recommended.
Skiing
Distance: 45 min - 1 hour hours by car
Staying in central Catalonia in the wintertime allows you to have some days on skies and visit Barcelona in the same vacation. The big ski station La Molina is less than one hours drive away and in the other direction, Barcelona is less than 1½ hours drive away.
Getting there
By car, it is very easy to get to Central Catalonia, as the C-16/E9 (Barcelona-Andorra) goes right through the area and has been extended to being a motorway. With public transport, there are direct fast buses from Barcelona with stop in all the above-mentioned towns. However, as the houses mostly are situated in the country side, it recommendable to rent or bring a car.