The territory of the Empordà has been carved and shaped for centuries by the force of the north wind, one of the most turbulent winds on the peninsula; The result is a jungle and rugged land that houses one of the purest regions of Catalonia. Here the blue of the sea competes with the abruptness of the relief.
Although it is a relatively small place, to explore the pretty fishing villages like Cadaqués or Palamós, medieval towns like Monells or Madramanya, or the impressive natural spaces, you have to take your time, and discovering their secrets requires a few days.
There are many ways to experience the territory, one of them is Viu Empordà, a different model of renting -for days or weeks- carefully selected homes that their owners have taken pains to make unique, homes of architects, designers, entrepreneurs, winemakers and families. Empordà It is a way of doing quality tourism, a non-invasive tourism, which knows and respects the territory, its people and its customs, and whose purpose is to know it as it is in the Empordà, without decorations.
Guests will enjoy the privacy of being in a private house without giving up the comforts of a boutique hotel, for which there is a concierge service, ecological amenities, local products, as well as a small personalized guide with the essentials of the region.
Among the ten exclusive properties there are town houses, old farmhouses or designer homes facing the sea that stand out for their architecture, history, decoration, views or an incomparable environment that try to bring the territory closer to its inhabitants. For this, in addition to the stay, a series of plans prepared by local experts are offered: artisans, historians, winemakers, chefs, adventurers or botanists to experience the region in a genuine and original way.
Up to 13 experiences are suggested, starting with smelling the territory accompanied by the perfumer Ernesto Collado, creating original ceramic pieces with Caterina Roma, and then contemplating the landscape from the air on a balloon or plane trip. It is possible to observe the horizon from the sea on a ride in a llaut, the typical traditional wooden boat, or discover the most beautiful coves on the Costa Brava on a 26-meter sailboat. And a 7.5-meter-long boat brings guests closer to the Montgrí and Illes Medes natural park.
Try a wine from the dozens of local wineries that are part of the DO. Empordà, or oil for breakfast directly among the olive trees or making a vermouth with Iolanda Bustos, known as the chef of flowers to discover the edible flora are the gastronomic proposals.
Walking routes to get to know the medieval towns, walks through the Montgrí, bicycle routes to cross paths between fields, forests and rivers and hills, complete the proposals of this new way of doing tourism.
But it is not all they can do, since they organize in a personalized way what the guest of their houses can think of.
