Based in Spain since 2006

Camino de Ronda & The Costa Brava Tour

Just a few kilometers north of Barcelona following the coast towards France, the Mediterranean Sea washes a rough terrain with small bays and cliffs. Known as the Costa Brava, which literally means the rugged or wild coast, this area is a paradise for nature lovers. This is, indeed, the land that inspired the genius Salvador Dalí. The tranquil region is scattered with quaint medieval towns and hides wonderful gems waiting to be discovered.

Experience and Expertise

Your two bilingual guides that accompany the tour are either Spanish or live in Spain year-round. This is our home and we love to share it with you!

Fabulous Food

All your meals (B,L,D) are included, so you only need to worry about enjoying the trail! Weather permitting, our gourmet picnics showcase the freshest of local flavors.

Unique Accommodations

Charming restored manor homes and 3-4 star hotels that offer the best in hospitality, comfort, and location.

Van Supported

No need to carry a heavy pack – let us do the lifting while you do the walking.

Semi-Independent Tour

You choose! Walk alone with the assurance that we’ll take care of you, or enjoy the company of others and your knowledgeable guides.

Expect to have a wonderful time!

We’ve designed each trip to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Spanish landscape, while giving you a true sense of the soul and magic of these exciting people and their culture. We love to share this magnificent country and want you to feel a part of it – for us it is more than just a trip; it is our home.

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Painting by Dali in his museum in Figueres.

Day 1

Barcelona & Figueres

Accommodations: Vilamaniscle (L, D)

Meeting time: 11:00am

At 11:00AM your guides will meet you in Barcelona for a private transfer to Figueres, Salvador Dalí's hometown, where we marvel at the surrealist’s Theater Museum, considered Salvador Dalí’s last great work. Conceived and designed by the artist, it offers a unique experience for visitors, who will enjoy a special journey via Dalí's works. Afterwards, we head to our hotel in the tranquil countryside and enjoy our first night's feast, a dinner based on local seasonal products.
Garbet Costa Brava

Day 2

Garbet to Port de la Selva

Accommodations: Vilamaniscle (B, L, D)

Walking: 13 km / 8 mi

After breakfast, we lace up our boots and prepare ourselves for some kilometers! The bus will take us to the popular Garbet beach to begin our coastal walk along the Camino de Ronda. Here we get our first views of the Mediterranean Sea as we work our way to Llançà and eventually, to the white-washed village of Port de La Selva, one of the important fishing ports along the Costa Brava. Afterwards, we return to our lovely accommodation in the quiet countryside.
Camino de Santiago Fresco Tours

Day 3

Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery & Cadaqués

Accommodations: Cadaqués (B, L, D)

This morning, a scenic drive will take us to the 9th century Romanesque Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes located on top of Verdera Mountain. A very historical site and a center of pilgrimage, as legend has it, the relics belonging to Saint Peter were hidden here in the 7th century. After learning about the history of the monastery, our driver will take us to the magnificent fishing village of Cadaqués, one of today's iconic places on the Costa Brava. In the evening, after freshening up, we go out for dinner to enjoy the local gastronomy that has made Catalunya world famous.
Portlligat

Day 4

Cadaqués to Portlligat to Tudela

Accommodations: Cadaqués

Walking: 6 km / 4 mi

Today we delve into Dalí's territory. A beautiful road will take us to the lighthouse at Cap de Creus, the westernmost point on the Iberian Peninsula and the reason for the connection between Cadaqués and Finisterre. We will visit the Paratge de Tudela to admire the amazing rock formations shaped by the local wind (Tramuntana) and the Mediterranean, truly a source of inspiration for the genius Salvador Dalí. Look for the rocks depicted in Dalí's paintings! We finish with a visit to his house before we walk back to our hotel.
A classic Fresco Tours picnic salad.

Day 5

Aiguamolls de l'Empordà to Sant Martí d'Empúries

Accommodations: L'Escala (B, L, D)

Walking: 16 km / 10 mi

This morning we enjoy a pleasant walk across the wetlands of the Aiguamolls Natural Park, home to several migrating birds and a great place for a relaxed walk and a chance to enjoy good views of the plains of the Empordà region, situated between mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. After the park visit, the trail leads us through rural country finishing by the beach in Sant Martí d'Empúries.
Camino de Santiago Fresco Tours

Day 6

Sant Martí d'Empúries to L'Escala / Pals to Sa Tuna

Accommodations: Peratallada (B, L, D)

Walking: 6 km / 4 mi

Today we have a meeting with history. We go back to Sant Martí d'Empúries to visit the amazing and well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins in Empúries. The Greeks came in the 3rd century BC and settled here, and the Romans took over the site three centuries later. After the visit, we visit L'Escala, the fishing village famous for its local anchovies. They taste excellent on top of a slice of bread with tomato! After lunch, our scenic walk along the sea takes us from Pals to Sa Tuna Beach to admire one of the most beautiful stretches of the Costa Brava.
Canapost

Day 7

Canapost to Peratallada to Palau Sator to Pals

Accommodations: Peratallada

Walking: 12 km / 7 mi

Taking advantage of our hotel's location, we set off today to explore the area, and find beautiful and wonderfully preserved medieval villages. The pre-Romanesque church in Canapost, the ancient streets, gates and moats of Peratallada, the medieval tower of Palau Sator and the well-preserved village of Pal will surely amaze us along this trail which is known as the Tuscany of L'Empordà.
Llafranc

Day 8

Llafranc to Palamós to Girona

Accommodations: Girona (B, L, D)

Walking: 9 km / 6 mi

This morning, we drive down to Llafranc to start our hike towards La Fosca, a large beach known for the enormous rock in its center, and where we will have lunch before heading towards Girona. In the afternoon, we enjoy this lovely town and a wonderful farewell dinner.
Costa Brava Fresco Tours

Day 9

Girona

Accommodations: Itinerary ends (B)

After breakfast, our local historian meets us at our hotel for a tour of medieval Girona and its Jewish Quarter of cobblestone alleyways, filled with old mansions and beautiful gardens which have been used as one of Game of Thrones settings! We will cross the famous bridges over the Onyar River, see the 14th century Gothic style St. Felix Church, the 12th century Romanesque Monastery of St. Pere de Galligants and the old city walls, among other things. After the tour, we sadly say “Adéu!” (Goodbye!). We hope you had a great time discovering this unique part of Spain.

 

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals, and other occurences.

2 Guides

Our greatest resource! We know Spain, because it is our home. Both of your guides are experienced professionals that are either Spanish or live in Spain year round – no hired out summer help! When specified, local art historians will join us to provide further insights of the specific monument / museum that we visit.

* Groups of 3 – 6 pax are accompanied by only 1 guide.

Limited Group Sizes

Fresco Tours are in small groups to ensure that you receive the individual attention that you deserve. In order to treat each of our clients with a personal touch, we limit our group size to a maximum of 16 participants.

Local Guided Visits

In Girona, we will be joined by local art historians, who will bring the monuments and city to life! A minimum of 5 people is necessary for this service to be provided.

Accommodations

Fresco Tours selects a combination of 3-4 star hotels, restored country manors and B&B’s that offer the best in hospitality, comfort and location. All rooms have their own bathrooms. Tour prices are based on double occupancy.

All Meals

Food speaks volumes about a culture and we love to eat! During our walk days, when possible, we prepare gourmet picnics, using the freshest of local ingredients and selecting the tastiest recipes of the region. Dinners are celebrated in restaurants chosen not only for their menu, but also their atmosphere and service. All breakfast, lunches and dinners are included. We are proud to cater to vegetarians and those with food allergies as well.

Support Vehicle

Your walks will be accompanied by a support vehicle that will be there to provide you assistance when the route permits. The possibility of shorter routes and pick-up options will be explained on a daily basis.

Luggage Transfer

Your luggage will be transported between hotels. You do the walking, we’ll do the lifting!

Special Event Tickets

Wine tastings, garden tours, concerts, etc. as outlined in the itinerary.

Additional Assistance

We are here to help! Need assistance with hotels prior to or after your trip? Train or bus tickets to and from our tour? Questions about what to wear? Based in Spain, we are here to make sure that your trip runs smooth as can be – we are available!

Ground Transportation

All ground transportation between the designated starting and finishing point of your Fresco Tour is provided. We will help facilitate information for your travel arrangements prior to and after the tour start and finish.

Not Included

Airfare to and from Spain, airport taxes / departure fees, visas, gratuities or tips, items of personal nature – laundry, phone, luggage surplus charges, medical expenses, bar, etc.

Prior to / After your Fresco Tour: Should your vacation to Spain be for more than a few days prior to or after your Fresco Tour, perhaps you would be interested in a Spain-taineous Custom Tour and personalized private itinerary. Let us know and we’ll create an itinerary especially in tune with your needs and desires.

Table of Contents

Getting There & Back 

How do I get to the Costa Brava Tour starting point? 

Barcelona is the official starting point of the Costa Brava Tour and has an international airport. If travelling from Madrid, you can always take a high-speed train (RENFE) which takes about 3 hours. For a sample of prices and timetables, please see: 

Renfe (Train) – Madrid to Barcelona. 

How can I purchase my bus or train tickets beforehand?

We recommend the Omio website for purchasing tickets. Omio is a travel booking platform with more than 1,000 trusted partners across trains, buses and airport transfers. Search, compare and book all in one place so you can focus on the journey.

Keep in mind that train tickets cannot be purchased until 60 days prior to departure. Schedules and availability are subject to change based on train maintenance needs.

How do I get from Girona to Barcelona, Madrid, and other cities? 

There are now RENFE trains that will get you from Girona to Barcelona in 45 minutes and to Madrid in less than 4 hours. While routes and availability may vary upon time of booking, click here for sample timetables: 

RENFE (Train) – Girona to Barcelona 

RENFE (Train) – Girona to Madrid 

How do I get from Barcelona Airport to the city center? 

If your flight arrives at Barcelona’s Terminal 2, you have a local Rodalies train that will get you from the airport to the Barcelona Sants train station in 20 minutes. These trains depart from the T2 station more or less every 30 minutes. For more information, please see: Commuter Train – Airport to Barcelona Sants Station 

Additionally, there are various transportation service options from all the terminals at the airport with Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça Catalunya. 

On the Road 

What is the weather like on the Costa Brava Tour? 

The weather in Costa Brava is typically Mediterranean: from mild sunny winters to hot and dry summers. In general, average temperatures are pleasant throughout the year and mostly sunny which makes it great for outdoor activities especially in spring (April to June) and fall (September to November). 

Visit this link for current and monthly average temperatures of Girona. 

What is a typical day like on the Costa Brava Tour? 

After breakfast, we lace up and get the blood going with a walk for a couple hours, where we will do a check point to make sure that everything is OK. You then continue along the Camino for another 1-2 hours where you will come across a complete gourmet picnic prepared with the freshest local ingredients. On some days, we continue for 1-2 hours more after lunch to burn off dessert. 

In the afternoon, we go to our hotels, where we take a shower, siesta and just relax! We finish our day with a glass of tinto and a feast of the local gastronomy. We then retire for the night and get ready to do it again!  

Does the group stop for breaks on the Costa Brava Tour? 

The scenic trail along the Mediterranean Sea will offer several resting spots to admire the blue water just off the coast. There will also be checkpoints to fill up our water bottles and get some snacks to fuel us up on our way. 

At some points we will also be able to have a break and enjoy a drink in cafes with our toes literally sunk into the beach sand. 

What is the terrain like on the Costa Brava Tour? 

The trail follows the coast profile with its short climbs and descents as well as flat sections along the beaches. The terrain itself is a combination of dirt trails, a bit rocky at times, and some compact dirt footpaths. 

What is the change in elevation on the Costa Brava Tour? 

We will be walking along the Mediterranean coast, climbing up short cliffs and down to secluded beaches. The elevation varies between sea level and a maximum of 230 meters. 

How many kilometers are walked each day on the Costa Brava Tour? 

The number of kilometers scheduled for each day varies from 7 km to 18 km. There will always be the chance to shorten the walk using our support vehicle which will be available at every checkpoint. 

Will I be able to do laundry on the Costa Brava Tour?  

Some hotels will have the capability to do laundry on the premises or you can use local laundromats. Our Fresco Tours guides will be happy to assist you in finding laundromats along the trail if you need. We also recommend that you bring quick-drying clothes that you can handwash and dry overnight at the hotel if all else fails! 

Before You Go / Preparing 

What type of shoes do I need to walk the Costa Brava Tour? 

Footwear is a very personal question – depending on how active you are and how much support you will need. Since we will be walking on a daily basis on the Camino de Santiago, I believe that comfort is key – you do not want to get blisters. You probably won’t need a full high boot that covers your ankle (unless you need this support), but rather light trail walkers or even running shoes if you are used to walking. In the spring, there may be mud and water along the trail, so keep that in mind. Most important: Make sure that they are well broken in! 

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake before the Costa Brava Tour? 

We encourage you to walk before and be prepared for your own enjoyment. However, this is your vacation and not boot camp! During your walk, one of the two guides will be on the trail with the group to keep an eye that all is well. Also, we have planned check points along the way with our support van to make sure you have plenty of water, if you need a change of shoes, or just feel like taking a break. In most cases, you will see the van at a minimum every couple of hours. 

Booking a Tour

Thank you for choosing to travel with Fresco Tours! We are very excited for you to join the ranks of our Happy Customers. If at any moment you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again and we look forward to sharing memories of a lifetime with you.

Reservations and Payments

To join us on a Fresco Tour, please visit our Secure Online Reservation Form or download and print a PDF version of the Reservation Form, one for each participant. To reserve your space on a tour, a 15% deposit per person is required and payment should be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), bank transfer or via Wise transfer.

Confirmation

Once Fresco Tours has received your registration form and tour deposit, we will send you an email with an invoice of payments received and your remaining balance, a copy of our Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and a link to your Guest Questionnaire. These last 2 items must be returned 60 days prior to the start of tour. In addition, we will send you a Confirmation Packet with information regarding suggestions on preparation, a packing and reading list and other tips to get you excited and prepared for your Fresco Tour.

Final Registration

Once we have received final payment, the signed Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and Guest Questionnaire, you will be sent a receipt and final details regarding your tour, including a detailed itinerary and the hotel contact list.

Single Supplement Fee

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, there are a limited number of single rooms available. Requests for these rooms are based on availability. Please see the tour itinerary for the cost of this fee. In some cases, it may imply a room smaller in size than a standard double room. If you are traveling alone, and would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a same-gender roommate.

Cancellation / Refund Policies

All cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be issued due to late arrival, early departure, or any unused portion of a tour. The Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver form must be signed and received 60 days prior to tour departure or the reservation will also be treated as a cancellation. Cancellation fees are outlined below:

Time Price
Cancellations received 121 or more days prior to trip start
10% of trip price
Cancellations received 120 - 61 days prior to trip start
15% of trip price
Cancellations received 60 - 31 days prior to trip start
50% of trip price
Cancellations received 30 days or less prior to trip start
100% of trip price

Fresco Tours reserves the right to change, modify, or cancel a tour prior to departure for any reason, including lack of participants (tour minimum: 3-6 passengers with 1 guide, 7 passengers or more with 2 guides) or acts of nature and/or circumstances beyond our control. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. Fresco Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses due to a canceled tour, such as the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets.

Fresco Tours reserves the right to accept, refuse, or decline any tour member’s participation at any time for any reason. In such a case, Fresco Tour’s liability is limited to the actual cost of the unused services.

Changing Tour Dates

If we are notified of a change to your scheduled tour date 6 months prior, you can apply your tour deposit to another departure date without penalty. This change can be up to 1 calendar year in advance and is subject to availability. Otherwise, the above Cancellation Fees will be applied.

As Spain-taneous Private Tours are custom built and created with specific dates in mind, any modifications will incur a 15% surcharge.

Insurance

In accordance with Spanish law and for the duration of your tour with Fresco Tours, you are covered by a basic insurance provided by Intermundial.  We  strongly advise the purchase of a more comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation / interruption. We suggest using TravelInsurance.com, which allows you to compare and assess top insurance provider policies and their different coverage plans.

Traveling Safely and Responsibly

Traveling during these complex times requires a bit more planning and a lot more reassurance. We believe that the Fresco Tours style of travel is particularly well-suited to safe activities: walking in the outdoors, small group sizes, strong reliable relationships with our local partners and, most importantly, we have the local knowledge of our home – the Camino de Santiago and the Spanish culture.

Guided

9 days / 8 nights

70 km / 43 mi

Mediterranean Coast

May 8 - 16, 2024

Price per person

3995 €

4,319.90 $

* USD$ price based on current exchange rate

Single Supplement Fee

495 €

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