Barcelona, the Catalan capital, supposedly features extraordinary architecture, incredible food and delectable wine.
I say that because I’ve never been. As a golfer, the stronger pull has been the courses, culture and cuisine of the Costa Brava.
Costa Brava, a coastal region in northeastern Spain, and specifically the beach towns of Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar were once known for being destinations that Brits fled to on holidays. That calmed down decades ago, though, leaving the wider area to be discovered by more discerning visitors. Stunning coastal scenery, magnificent medieval villages and a mild Mediterranean climate make it the perfect golf getaway throughout the year.
EMPORDA RESORT
Two hours north of Barcelona, Emporda Golf Club is an ideal base with plenty of golf in the vicinity. With the addition of the exquisite Terraveda Hotel, Emporda Resort is a perfect portal for this idyllic corner of Iberia.
Emporda Links and Emporda Forest are a dynamic duo of courses. There’s not much between them in terms of challenge, but avenues of pine trees, gently rolling terrain and splashes of water are reminders that neither is a stroll in the park.
The recently refurbished 86-room Terraveda Hotel is what really pulls this resort together. It’s especially comfortable, spacious, modern and clean — with a great breakfast and a first-class practice range on its doorstep.
AIGUABLAVA
Minutes from Emporda is Aiguablava, one of Catalan’s best-kept secrets. Crystal-clear waters overlooked by pines make this the coasts most visually charming parts. Inland, timeless medieval villages are piqued with panoramas of the Alberes Mountains, the tail end of the Pyrenees that divide Spain from nearby France.
PALS GOLF CLUB
Close by is Pals Golf Club. The course is near the beach, but you can hardly tell, so thick are the pines that line each fairway. The relatively flat fairways and abundance of trees make this more of a parkland course, though the sandy subsoil is definitely linksy and a joy to play off.
Designed by Fred Hawtree and opened in 1966, this was the first golf course in Costa Brava. In 1972, it hosted the Spanish Open and has since hosted other top-notch events. The course’s opening holes are easy-going, but either the consistent canopy of umbrella pines or cleverly placed bunkers will wreak havoc.
THE CITY OF GIRONA
In Girona, a nice place to stay is Palau Fugit, a trendy, boutique hotel in the center of town. Once an 18th-century baroque palace, it has been sensitively restored and is comfortable, modern and perfectly placed to explore the amazing alleyways and edifices.
The medieval Old Town offers narrow cobblestone streets, an ancient cathedral and picturesque views of the Onyar River.
The Jewish Quarter El Call is one of the best-preserved in Europe. Colorful houses line the riverbank, best seen from the Pont de les Peixateries Velles (Eiffel Bridge), designed by Gustave Eiffel two years before his famed Parisian tower.
Girona is something of a foodie hotspot and this stems largely from the activities of three brothers. Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca have created a food dynasty. Their oldest establishment is El Celler de Can Roca, opened in Girona in 1986. It now has three Michelin stars and is regularly praised by fellow chefs, such as Michel Roux who describes it as “one of the top restaurants in Europe.”
As if to keep their feet on the ground and head out of the clouds, the Brothers Roca have opened another restaurant in Girona called Normal — modestly described by them as “a normal restaurant on a normal corner in a normal city.”
As a footnote, Barcelona is less than 40 minutes from Girona if taking Spain’s high-speed trains. So, visitors can enjoy the Catalan capital and return to the calm and ease of Girona, a much gentler option, rather quickly.
CAMIRAL
Also, make time for a round at Camiral Golf and Wellness, which offers two championship 18-hole courses and the five-star Hotel Camiral. The resort’s Stadium Course is touted as one of the best courses in Spain. Formerly PGA Catalunya, it has been voted No. 4 in continental Europe and No. 1 in Spain, and has been a venue for numerous European Tour events.