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Family holidays in the country

Serra de Queralt (Berguedà)  © Oficina de Turisme de Berga

Walking through the Muntanyes de Prades mountains  © Rafael López-Moné

Les Valls d’Àneu

France

La Vall de Boí Port Ainé La Molina

Vall de Núria

Vallter 2000

Roses Berga

La Vall d’en Bas

Sant Pere Pescador Torroella de Girona Montgrí-l’Estartit Costa Brava

Girona

Paisatges Barcelona

Palamós Calonge-Sant Antoni Castell-Platja d’Aro Sant Feliu de Guíxols Lloret de Mar Blanes Malgrat de Mar Santa Susanna Pineda de Mar Calella

Lleida Alguaire

Lleida

Muntanyes de Prades

Barcelona Castelldefels

Camp de Tarragona Reus

Barcelona El Prat

Vilanova i la Geltrú El Vendrell

Calafell

Tarragona Cambrils Vila-seca, Pineda Platja Salou

Mediterranean Sea

Catalonia

Inland FHDs Upcoming FHDs Coastal FHDs

Airport Port High-speed train

Excursion to Valls d’Àneu  © Jordi Pou

Estany Llong, in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park 

© Patronat de la Vall de Boí

If you’re travelling with the family, come to the mountains Travelling with the family is great fun, especially if your destination has everything you need to feel right at home. That’s why the Catalan Tourist Board awards the FHD Family Holiday Destination seal (in Spanish, DTF - Destino de Turismo Familiar) to those destinations with tourist attractions and infrastructures that are ideal for families. Family Holiday Destinations

Inland FHDs

What special features do the towns with this seal have? They have accommodation, restaurants, facilities and tourist attractions that provide the services you need when travelling with children. There are certified municipalities, both on the coast and inland.

What we will find? As well as fabulous countryside, there are biking and hiking trails, sports equipment hire, information points, outdoor activities… And, of course, accommodation adapted especially for children, restaurants with highchairs and children’s menu, and many other services. Mountain regions are the ideal place for a holiday with children: fresh air, outdoor group activities, nature and wildlife to discover, culture, history, gastronomy and much more besides. Also, la Vall d’en Bas and the FGC Mountain Resorts will soon be awarded the Inland FHD status.

Published by: Sàpiens Publicacions (Sàpiens, s.c.c.l.) www.sapienspublicacions.cat Reproduction of this work is prohibited in whole or in part by any means, including reprography and computer processing, as well as distribution of copies by public rental or loan, without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. Front cover photo: Oriol Clavera. Illustrations: Estudi Xevidom.

Aerial view of Sierra de Queralt mountains  © Oficina de Turisme de Berga

Family holidays in Berga Standing at the foot of the Sierra de Queralt mountains, the town of Berga is a gateway to the Pyrenees, linking the mountains to the plains. It is a natural setting with beautiful landscapes and trails to explore, offering superb cuisine and popular festivities. This is a destination to discover with your family and it is very close to Barcelona. The day begins in the Sierra de Queralt mountains, a balcony over Catalonia. The views from Queralt sanctuary are spectacular: you can see Montseny, Sant Llorenç de Munt and the Sierra de l’Obac mountains, as well as the villages and valleys around Queralt. If your family enjoy outings, you can walk up into the mountains from Berga. If you prefer a more leisurely stroll, you can drive up to the sanctuary and then explore the nearby paths on foot. Queralt sanctuary marks the start and finish of some very long trails, such as the Los Buenos Hombres path, as well as shorter routes and local trails. The area is a veritable heaven for lovers of wild mushrooms. Berga is the capital of the rovelló (cap mushrooms). They grow in huge numbers and it’s a great way to spend a family weekend: hunting cap mushrooms, filling your basket while enjoying a stroll through the forests of El Berguedà. With your basket full or empty, you can explore the area around Queralt. It is full of restaurants serving the finest autumn mushroom recipes. The rest of year you can try the superb local cuisine. In the afternoon, the streets in the old quarter of Berga reveal an industrial past and the footprint of wars. At

Museu de les Mines de Cercs 

© Oficina de Turisme de Berga

the Berga Espai d’Interpretació you can learn about the history of the town and details of daily life in bygone times. At the Museu de les Mines de Cercs mining museum, you can discover the area’s mining history and venture into the very heart of the mine in a cart. If you like outdoor activities, La Baells reservoir is a great place for water sports, such as kayaking, or horse riding. The latter is guaranteed to thrill the kids. And be sure to visit the Patum, the local festival par excellence and intangible heritage of humanity, held on Corpus Christi. It’s an event for the whole family, especially the kids’ Patum held on Friday. It’s just like the adults’ festival, but designed for children. If you cannot be there for Corpus Christi, at Casa de la Patum you can discover what the festival is all about at any time of the year. The day comes to an end and it’s time to relax. And what better than a visit to the local swimming pools, spas and saunas or some of the region’s accommodation facilities.

La font Negra recreation area 

© Oficina de Turisme de Berga

Cercs La Baells reservoir Castellar del Riu Queralt Sanctuary  © Oficina de Turisme de Berga

Berga Capolat

Avià

Berga FHD Girona

Lleida

Barcelona

Tarragona

Casa de la Patum  © Oficina de Turisme de Berga

Accommodation Hotels Berga Park ***  Berga www.hotelbergapark.com Estel **  Berga www.hotelestel.com HCC Ciutat de Berga *** Berga www.hcchotels.es Campsites Aigua d’Ora  Castellar del Riu www.aiguadora.com Berga Resort  Berga www.bergaresort.com Hostels Alberg de Berga  Berga www.albergdeberga.cat Rural tourism Caseta Badó Berga www.turismeberga.cat/ component/k2/item/276-lacaseta-de-bado Complex Rural Can Caubet Capolat www.cancaubet.com

El Cobert de Vilaformiu  Berga www.vilaformiu.com Masies Puigventós Castellar del Riu www.puigventos.com Masies Santmarcó Capolat www.ruralsantmarco.com

Restaurants

Bar La Creu  Castellar del Riu www.rasos.net Ca La Nuri  Berga www.calanuriberga.com Cal Travé Berga www.turismeberga.cat/onmenjar/item/295-cal-trave Celler La Tosca  Berga www.turismeberga.cat/onmenjar/item/542-celler-la-tosca Els Roures  Castellar del Riu www.rouresbergueda.com Font Negra Berga www.restaurant-font-negra.com La Cabana Berga www.lacabanaberga.com

La Fonda Berga www.bergaresort.com/ restauracio/restaurant-la-fonda La Teula Avià www.turismeberga.cat/onmenjar/item/407-la-teula Mikado Berga www.turismeberga.cat/onmenjar/item/311-mikado Punt de Llum Berga www.puntdellum.cat Sant Jordi Cercs www.turismeberga.cat/onmenjar/item/426-sant-jordi

Businesses offering activities

Berguedà Nàutic Cercs www.berguedanautic.com Estació d’Esquí i Muntanya Rasos de Peguera Castellar del Riu www.rasos.net Petrea Patrimoni  Berga www.petreapatrimoni.cat

Activities related to culture and nature

Museu de les Mines de Cercs Cercs www.mmcercs.cat Casa de la Patum Berga www.turismeberga.cat/que-fer/ turisme-cultural/museus-i-sales/ item/356-casa-de-la-patum Col·lecció del Circ Berga www.turismeberga.cat/que-fer/ turisme-cultural/museus-i-sales/ item/354-col-leccio-del-circ Centre d’Interpretació de la Natura del Berguedà Berga www.turismeberga.cat/que-fer/ turisme-cultural/museus-i-sales/ item/355-espai-d-interpretaciode-la-natura-del-bergueda Centre d’Interpretació de la ciutat Berga www.turismeberga.cat/que-fer/ turisme-cultural/museus-i-sales/ item/353-espai-d-interpretaciode-berga

Tourist offices

Berga www.turismeberga.cat Berguedà www.elbergueda.cat

Hermitage of La Virgen de Barrulles in Capafonts  © Rafael López-Moné

Family holidays at the Muntanyes de Prades The Muntanyes de Prades mountains, with their reddish colour and paths among wild pine, oak and holm-oak trees, are an ideal place to spend a few days with the family. Children can play and enjoy the outdoors in complete safety. This area of natural beauty known as El Baix Camp is the perfect setting to combine nature and adventure. The best way to enjoy the scenery is to choose one of the many hiking, mountain bike or horseback trails. The more active families can walk along long-distance trails, such as the GR 7, the GR 65 and alternative paths that link up various towns (Alcover, Arbolí, la Febró, Capafonts, Mont-ral, Prades and Vilanova de Prades) to the Costa Daurada and inland Catalonia. Many businesses, such as El Brogit Guiatges, Verd Natura and La Teva Ruta, offer trips and dramatised guided tours tailored to suit each family. The guides are experts in family outings and can take you to hidden corners and abandoned villages, such as la Mussara. There are several options for accommodation. If you are looking to get close to nature, there are many campsites in the area, such as Càmping Prades and Serra de Prades. They have all the facilities for a perfect family base camp. There are also plenty of cosy rural tourism establishments offering a full range of services, such as Cal Crispí, Cal Llarg, Casa del Mas d’en Toni or Mas de la Cadeneta. They will make you feel right at home. And if you’d rather stay at a hotel, Xalet de Prades is a good option.

In the Muntanyes de Prades mountains, you will have the chance to discover the area’s rich biodiversity, home to wild cats, squirrels, foxes, falcons, geckos and salamanders. A visit to the Centre d’Interpretació de les Muntanyes de Prades, with interactive and audiovisual displays, will help children to understand the area’s wealth of natural treasures. Right next door is the Prades tourist office and a shop selling local produce including potatoes, honey and wine. Many adventure sports companies run trips which end with a honey tasting session. For a good meal after all that exercise, we recommend trying the famous, top quality Prades potatoes. They are served at several restaurants, such as La Botiga (Prades), Brugent (Mont-ral), El Grèvol (Capafonts) or El Casal (Vilanova de Prades). Finally, you can visit the Festa del Cava de Prades (Prades Cava Festival) in July, or the Concurs Internacional de Gossos d’Atura (International Sheep Dog Contest) in August. And those who love country life have the chance to shepherd a herd of goats, milk them and find out how cheese is made. There are so many things to do with the family in the Muntanyes de Prades mountains.

Views over Arbolí  © Patronat Comarcal de Turisme Muntanyes de la Costa Daurada - Baix Camp

Vilanova de Prades Prades

Capafonts

Mont-ral

la Febró

Alcover Arbolí

Girona

Lleida

FHDs Muntanyes de Prades

Barcelona

Tarragona

Sierra de la Mussara  © Patronat Comarcal de Turisme Muntanyes de la Costa Daurada - Baix Camp

Accommodation Hotels El Xalet de Prades *** Prades www.xaletdeprades.com Campsites Serra de Prades Vilanova de Prades www.serradeprades.com Càmping Prades Prades www.campingprades.com Hostels Somianatura Capafonts www.somianatura.com Rural tourism Cal Crispí Prades www.calcrispi.com Cal Llarg Capafonts www.capafonts.cat/turisme/ hostaleria/dormir La Casa del Mas d’en Toni Mont-ral www.lacasadelmasdentoni.com

La Cadeneta Mont-ral www.masdelacadeneta.com Cal Serret La Febró www.calserret.com Property for tourism use Can Llorenç Prades www.pradescanllorens.com El Racó de les Heures Arbolí www.raco-de-les-heures.com Hort de la Cinteta Alcover www.hortdelacinteta.com

Restaurants

Menjador Rural Ca la Teresa Capafonts www.facebook.com/calateresa Restaurant El Grèvol Capafonts www.capafonts.cat/turisme/ hostaleria/menjar Restaurant La Botiga Prades http://hotelgourmetlabotiga. jimdo.com

Restaurant Brugent Mont-ral www.mont-ral.com/index.php Restaurant El Casal Vilanova de Prades www.facebook.com/casal. vilanovaprades Restaurant Racó de Mont-ral Mont-ral www.elracodemontral.com Restaurant Davall Plaça Capafonts www.davallplaca.com Restaurant L’Estanc Prades www.restaurantlestanc.cat Menjars Bonillo Alcover www.facebook.com/ cafeteriabonillo El Álamo Alcover www.restaurantelalamo.com K-L’Ermità Alcover www.k-lermita.es

Businesses offering activities

Verd Natura Prades www.facebook.com/verdnatura. prades www.verdnatura.host22.com La teva ruta Reus www.latevaruta.com La Pica Trips-Segre Mitjà Ponts www.lapicatrips.com El Brogit Guiatges Reus www.elbrogit.com

Activities related to culture and nature Museu d’Alcover Alcover www.museualcover.cat

Tourist offices

OT Capafonts www.capafonts.cat/turisme OT Prades www.prades.cat www.muntanyescostadaurada.cat

Sant Quirc de Durro  © Patronat de Turisme Diputació de Lleida

Family holidays in La Vall de Boí La Vall de Boí valley offers all the family the chance to enjoy both nature and culture. The star attractions are the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the only national park in Catalonia, and the fabulous Romanesque churches spread throughout the valley, which are a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is made up of granite rocks dating back 300 million years and is a spectacular beauty spot within the Catalan Pyrenees. Water is the star attraction, with almost 200 lakes and streams, including Aigüestortes, Sant Maurici and Gento lake. There are signposted routes suitable for all the family and, if you like, a guide/interpreter can accompany you on the walk. You can explore the park wearing snowshoes in winter and, the rest of the year, there are other activities that kids will love: search for the lair of the marmots and see how they live, see butterflies of a thousand colours, listen to and to identify the sounds of birds and to help shepherds feed their sheep. There are lots more things to do and new attractions are offered every season. A great way to discover this region is to follow one of over 60 kilometres of trails and country paths that connect the towns of the valley, such as Barruera and Erill la Vall. On foot and keeping your eyes peeled is the best way to explore the Romanesque attractions of la Vall de Boí, formed by eight churches and a hermitage. They represent an exceptional heritage for three reasons: they are all of a very similar style, they are located within a very small area and they have remained almost intact for many years. Children will love seeing the pantocrator of Sant Climent de Taüll blessing the faithful from the apse,

reenacted through video mapping. At la Vall de Boí Centre del Romànic they will help you organise your visit. In winter, sport in the valley is centred around the ski resort known as Boí Taüll Resort, one of the highest in the Catalan Pyrenees, at 2,750 m above sea level. The resort’s ski slopes are arranged in a single direction on the north face to ensure snow of excellent quality. In the Boí snow garden, your children can have their first contact with snow. Then it’s all about honing their technique at the ski school, or mum and dad can be their personal instructors. Just imagine the whole family skiing down the slopes together! In spring, after a walk in the mountains, it’s the time to immerse yourself in the medicinal mineral waters at Caldes de Boí Spa Centre. It has 37 springs with water temperatures ranging from 4ºC to 56ºC, all unique and all therapeutic. Families are very welcome and you can enjoy a spa circuit, massages and other treatments suitable for children. La Vall de Boí has managed to keep its rural essence, and the gastronomy perfectly reflects this origin. The region’s top quality produce includes grey knight mushrooms (tricholoma terreum), boletus mushrooms (boletus edulis), los blueberries and artisan sausage (girella, xolís, etc.) which you can find in shops selling local produce from la Vall de Boí. If you want to enjoy them in situ, we recommend the lamb, civet of wild boar and chamois, or cabbage and potato with bacon juices.

Erill la Vall

Boí

Caldes de Boí

Taüll Barruera

Alta Ribagorça

Pla de l’Ermita

Centre del Romànic  © Patronat de la Vall de Boí

La Vall de Boí

La Vall de Boí FHDs

Girona

Lleida

Barcelona

Tarragona

Children’s area at the Boí Taüll ski resort  © Nano Cañas

Accommodation Hotels Augusta **** (hotel apartament) Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com Boí Taüll Resort *** Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com Caldas *** Caldes de Boí www.caldesdeboi.com El Rantiner ** Taüll www.hotelelrantiner.com Farré d’Avall * Barruera www.farredavall.com Manantial **** Caldes de Boí www.caldesdeboi.com Romànic *** Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com Santa Maria Taüll *** Taüll www.taull.com Taüll ** Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com

Apartments La Solana Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com Guesthouses Casa Pernalle Erill la vall www.pernalle.com El Bouquet Pla de l’Ermita www.elbouquet.com Hostal La Plaça Erill la vall www.hostal-laplaza.com Hostal Pey Boí www.hotelpey.com Rural tourism Casa Coll Barruera www.casacoll.info Casa Hortal Barruera www.casahortal.com Property for tourism use Arenys de Boí Boí www.arenysboi.com

Era de Baix Barruera www.apartamentserabaix.com

Restaurants

Consorcia Caldes de Boí www.caldesdeboi.com Manantial Caldes de Boí www.caldesdeboi.com Carlina Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com Casa Hinginio Boí www.arenysboi.com Cau Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com El Caliu Taüll www.elcaliutaull.com El Faí Taüll www.restaurantelfai.com Guineu Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com Isard self Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com

Isard Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com Sant Quirze Pla de l’Ermita www.boitaullresort.com

Businesses offering activities

Estació d’esquí Boí Taüll www.boitaullresort.com Escola d’esquí Vall de Boí www.escolaboitaull.com

Activities related to culture and nature Centre d’Interpretació del Parc Nacional Boí www.gencat.cat/parcs/ aiguestortes Centre d’Interpretació del Romànic Erill la Vall www.centreromanic.com

Tourist office OIT Vall de Boí www.vallboi.com

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park with the Encantats in the background  © Archive of the Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Family holidays in Les Valls d’Àneu A magnificent landscape with attractions for all the family in both winter and summer. In winter, snow is the star attraction in the highest areas, ideal for skiing and having fun on snowshoeing routes. In summer, the mountains recover their greenery and you can enjoy lots more activities amid the idyllic setting of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

To feel right at home, stay at one of the accredited establishments. We recommend visiting the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. You can take photos of the lake and the magnificent Encantats or go on trips to the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, to the area known as Mollera d’Escalarre, where there are various birdwatching lookouts, or Bonabé forest, home to brown bears. You have various options: horse riding, cycling , or canoeing on La Torrassa reservoir. A perfect way to complement the more active options is to explore the area’s rich cultural heritage: Romanesque churches and bridges; Casa Gassia, home to the Valls d’Àneu Ecomuseum, in Esterri d’Àneu, where you can travel back in time and see how people lived in the early 20th century; Casa de l’Ós Bru (House of the Brown Bear) in Isil, where interactive panels teach you

Snowshoeing excursion 

© Obaga Activitats

all about how brown bears behave in the wild, and the Centre d’Interpretació de les Viles Closes in Escaló, where you can have a guided tour of this medieval town. In winter, you’ll discover a spectacular landscape when the highlands have a blanket of snow. The ski resort known as Espot Esquí, on the edge of the National Park, offers slopes and facilities for all levels and ages. You can also explore every hidden corner of Valls d’Àneu on a snowshoeing trip accompanied by a professional guide, or just have fun sledging or building a snowman. To recharge your batteries, you can sample the delicious local gastronomy and choose from a variety of accredited restaurants. Don’t miss the Esbaiola’t Festival in Esterri d’Àneu, a theatre festival for all the family that is held every year on the last weekend in July.

Isil

Alt Àneu Isavarre

la Guingueta d’Àneu

València d’Àneu Son

La Torrassa reservoir 

© Consorci de Turisme Valls d’Àneu

Esterri d’Àneu

Esterri d’Àneu la Guingueta d’Àneu

Espot

Espot Escaló

Les Valls d’Àneu FHD

Girona

Lleida

Barcelona

Tarragona

Esterri d’Àneu 

© Consorci de Turisme Valls d’Àneu

Accommodation Hoteles Castellarnau *** Escaló (la Guingueta) www.hotelcastellarnau.com La Morera *** València d’Àneu www.hotel-lamorera.com Lo Paller ** València d’Àneu www.lopaller.com Poldo *** la Guingueta d’Àneu www.hotelpoldo.com Roca Blanca *** Espot www.rocablanca.net Roya ** Espot www.hotelroya.net Trainera *** (hotel apartament) Esterri d’Àneu www.hoteltrainera.com Apartments Les Picardes Espot www.lespicardes.com Guesthouses Posada d’Àneu Esterri d’Àneu www.posadadaneu.com

Vall d’Àneu Esterri d’Àneu www.hostalvalldaneu.com Campsites La Mola Espot www.campinglamola.com La Presalla Esterri d’Àneu www.campinglapresalla.com Nou Càmping la Guingueta d’Àneu www.noucamping.com Hostels Les Daines Espot www.lesdaines.com MónNatura Pirineus Son (Alt Àneu) www.monnaturapirineus.com Rural tourism Alba d’Esteve Espot www.albadesteve.com

Restaurants

Castellarnau Escaló (La Guingueta) www.hotelcastellarnau.com Juquim Espot www.lespicardes.com

La Presalla Esterri d’Àneu www.campinglapresalla.com La Morera València d’Àneu www.hotel-lamorera.com Lo Paller València d’Àneu www.lopaller.com Nabiu Isavarre (Alt Àneu) www.nabiu.cat Poldo la Guingueta d’Àneu www.hotelpoldo.com Roya Espot www.hotelroya.net Trainera Esterri d’Àneu www.hoteltrainera.com Vall d’Àneu Esterri d’Àneu www.hostalvalldaneu.com

Businesses offering activities

Alta Ruta Esterri d’Àneu www.altaruta.com Àneu Aventura-Roc Roi Llavorsí www.rocroi.com Aràneu Esterri d’Àneu

www.araneu.com Cavalls Xic Esterri d’Àneu www.cavallsxic.com EsierriBikes Esterri d’Àneu www.esierribikes.com Espot Esquí Espot www.skipallars.cat

Activities related to culture and nature

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park www.gencat.cat/parcs/ aiguestortes Parc Natural del Alt Pirineu www.gencat.cat/parcs/alt_pirineu Ecomuseu Esterri d’Àneu www.ecomuseu.com Casa de l’Ós Bru Isil (Alt Àneu) www.fundacionosopardo.org Centre d’Interpretació de les Viles Closes Escaló (La Guingueta) http://guingueta.ddl.net/ secciodinamica.php

Tourist office

Esterri d’Àneu www.vallsdaneu.org

Official Asia & Middle East airline partner

www.catalunya.com