Excursions near Can Solaric

It is possible to do various interesting itineraries; one of the most popular ones is the excursion to Mare de Deu del Mont.

This mountain, accessible by foot or by car through a winding narrow road, is surmounted by a shrine to the Madonna, commanding splendid views over the Pyrenees. This place inspired the famous Catalan poet Jacint Verdaguer to write Canigo, a well known poem about the mountain of the same name. Along with the shrine there is also a small hotel and restaurant where one can dine while enjoying the stunning panoramas.

A bit further away, in the direccion towards Olot, there is the valley of St. Aniol d'Aguja. This small valley, separated by the cliffs of Talaixà and Martanyà, has spectacular gorges and waterfalls. Alongside one of these, the Salt del Brull, stands the small Romanesque church of St. Aniol d'Aguja. Once part of a monastery, it is now a centre of religious devotion among the local people and the old rectory has been converted into a shelter for hikers. This valley is only accessible by foot, mountain bike or 4x4.

Another nice route is to the Garrotxa Volcanic Park. From Besalú head towards Banyoles lakeside, and from there go west and take the small country road GE-524. Follow signs to Mieres, Sant Miquel de Campmajor and Santa Pau. You will then enter the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa, a volcanic park of some 12,000 hectares, the most important such area in Europe. The road passes through a beautiful wooded landscape, climbing and dipping around craters, offering some lovely valley views. The 30 volcanoes have been dormant for 11,500 years, during which time the ash and lava have weathered into fertile soil whose luxuriant vegetation masks the contours of the cones.

Santa Pau is the central village of the volcanic zone, and presents a beautifully preserved fortified medieval precinct. Inside, the old town surrounds a large and very attractive double plaza, popularly known as the Firal dels Bous, or cattle market. Primitive wooden balconies drip with flowers and huge potted plants line the pavement arcades. Cobbled alleys converge on the thirteenth-century, arcaded Plaça Major, with its dark Romanesque church of Santa María.

Santa Pau is a good base for various interesting walks. With well signposted footpaths that thread through the volcanic zone, this area is a hiker's paradise. There is a great variety of flora and fauna, and numerous cascades and natural swimming pools for a quick and cold summer dip. One of the most popular walks is to the crater of Santa Margarida, famous for the 13th C chapel built in its center. Another popular walk is to La Fageda d´en Jorda, a beautiful beech forest that boasts a remarkable range of flora and fauna.

Recommended Restaurants

Here are some special starred restaurants within an hour of Girona, maybe best incorporated in a day of exploring. Your Local Host will help you do the map work.

****El Bulli, Cala Montjoi, 17480 Roses. tel: (972) 150457 fax 150717
Closed Monday and Tuesday, and from mid October to mid March. Carte €100.00
Considered by many to be one of Spain's best restaurants and perhaps one of Europe's most beautiful.

***La Cuina de Can Pipes, barri Canyelles, 17253 Mont-ras. tel: (972) 306677, fax: (972) 306999
Open dinner only except weekends. Menu €72,12, carte €53,19- €63,11.
A varied menu with seafood specialties in unusual combinations. A restaurant in refined rustic style, in a converted 18th century farm with a spacious dining hall and a beautiful tree shaded terrace.

***El Celler de Can Roca, carretera Taialà 40 17007 Taialà (Girona) tel&fax: (972) 222157
Closed Sunday and Monday. Menu €48 to €60, carte €40 to 60
Well-known, classical-modern restaurant with stucco walls, large tables and a good lay out. Professionally run by three brothers.

***Empordà, Hotel Empordà, Carretera NII 17600 Figueres. tel: (972) 500562 fax 509358
Menu €45-€60
Gourmets congegrate here to enjoy the legacy of chef Jaume Subirós'cuisine. Delightful terrace for dining in summer.

***Mas Pau, 17742 Avinyonet de Puigventós. tel: (972) 546154, fax: (972) 546.326
Closed Monday. Menu 39,07, carte €30,65- €45,37.
Unusual dishes in Catalan style using the freshest ingredients from land and sea. What about mango ravioli stuffed with tomato and basil, with a little yoghurt sorbet on the side?
Even more delicious when sampled in a 16th century farm with its stone walls and beamed ceilings, furnished with antiques. Magnificent rooms and a special sitting room in the tower! Lovely garden and pool.

**La Cuina de Can Simon, 24 Portal, Tossa de Mar. tel: (972) 341.269, fax: (972) 341.582
Menu €58, carte €38,75-€52,50
This is a family run restaurant with an elegantly rustic décor near the old fortified town. It offers a varied menu with plenty of fresh seafood dishes. And nobody would want to finish a meal with a two-chocolate tart with caramel cream and coconut ice, now would they . . .

**Albereda, C/Albereda 7, 17004 Girona. tel&fax: (972) 226002
Closed 15 days in August, Sunday and Monday evening. menu 25.24 to 34.26
Elegant restaurant decorated in a classical style, with arched, stone ceilings and an impeccable table service. Other standard menus complement the a la carte menu

**Castell de Peralada, Castell de Peralada, C/ St. Joan, Peralada. Tel: (972) 538125
Dine in the incomparable medieval setting of this castle and try any of the dishes of The Empordà region and the castle's own house wine.

**Les Cols, Ctra. de la Canya s/n. Tel& fax: (972) 269209
Closed Sunday. Carte €30.
Catalan Nouveau cuisine. Old country house with extensive gardens. Terrace service during the summer. Full wine list and cellar open to visitors.

New Additions

Els Fogons de Can Llaudes, Prat de Sant Pere 6, Besalú. Tel: (972) 590858
Closed Tuesdays
Enjoying at atmospheric setting in an eleventh century chapel, this place serves up traditional and local dishes with a contemporary spin. You’ll need to reserve 24 hours in advance and have a bit of room in your credit card.

Pont Vell, C/ Pont Vell 28, Besalú. Tel: (972) 591027
Closed Tuesdays
Offering great views of the river, this small restaurant will serve you some extremely good Catalan Cuisine with a modern slant.

El Rebost d’en Pere, Ángel Guimerà, 14, Banyoles. Tel: (972) 572353
Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays
Central location and limited facilities. The attractive menu includes traditional recipes with a creative twist. Extensive and exclusive wine cellar. Has just been awarded 1 michelin star.

Can Xapes, Mossén Jacinto Verdaguer, 2 ,Cornellá de Terri. Tel: (972) 594022
Closed Sunday and Monday
Central, family-run organisation with a support bar in the entrance and various well-furnished dining rooms. Very good fish dishes.

La Curia Reial, Pl de la Llibertat 8 Besalú. Tel: (972) 590263
Closed Monday evening and Tuesday
Its rooms recall the building's convent past. Has a bar at the entrance, and several appropriately arranged rooms, one of them glazed with views onto the river.

La Pizzeria, Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer 4, Banyoles. Tel: (972) 570092

Barcelona

Here are a few suggestions to get you started on exploring the culinary delights of this great and varied city. Let the taxi drivers find them for you.

Bars/Tapas

Café Salambo, de Torrijos 51.
El Xampanyet, Montcada 22, Ribera.
Granja de Gava, Joachim Costa 37, El Raval.
Idea Café, Plaça Comercial 2, Ribera.
Sagardi, Argenteria 62, Ribera.
Xaloc, de la Palla 17, Barri Gothic.

Restaurants

Casa Leopoldo, Sant Rafael 24. (93) 441.3014. Excellent fish restaurant; €24-36.
El Convent, Jerusalem 3. (93) 317.1052. Catalan cuisine; lunch €7.50.
Els Pescadons, Plaça Prim. (93) 225.2016. Former fishermen's hangout, frequented by artists; €31-38.
Salero, Rec 60. (93) 319.8022. International cuisine; €15-24.
Tragaluz, Passatge de la Concepcio 5. (93) 487.0621. Menu €17-34.

For an Evening Out

Café del Sol, Plaça del Sol 16.
La Boite, Diagonal 447, Example.
La Palamo, Tigre 27, El Raval.
Luz de Gaz, Muntaner 246, Example.
Plastic Cafe, Passeig Born 19

For other restaurant options please consult your Local Host - and make your own discoveries!