Explore the nearby hidden coves of Aigua Xelida
famous for their crystal clear waters and wonderful opportunities for snorkelling. Take a picnic and make a day of it, perhaps trying your hand at fishing for your supper!
Ca La Francesca
Aigua Xelida, Tamariu, Catalunya
- 6
- 3
- 2
FROM
£ 2,150
PER WEEK
Accommodation
At a glance
- Sleeps 6
- 1 Double Bedroom
- 2 Twin Bedrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Air Conditioning
- WiFi
- Beach 700m
- Restaurant 700m
- Table Tennis
- Ground Floor: Entrance hall. Cloakroom. Kitchen (dishwasher, oven, microwave) with doors to covered dining terrace. Living/dining room (TV, WiFi) with doors to sun terrace. Shower room. Bathroom. Utility room (washing machine). Two twin bedrooms. Double bedroom. Air conditioning in the three bedrooms.
- Outside: Enclosed mature garden of lawns and woodland. Covered and open terraces. In-built barbecue. Table tennis. Private parking.
- Private swimming pool (9m x 5m) with corner steps.
Ca La Francesca is a delightful property that enjoys a particularly privileged location just 700m from Tamariu, one of the coastline’s prettiest fishing villages with its sandy curved beach, seafront fish restaurants, local bakers and grocery store.
Comfortably furnished and flowing easily across one level, all rooms enjoy a bright and attractive Mediterranean colour scheme. To one side the well equipped country-style kitchen conveniently opens to a covered outdoor dining terrace while patio doors from the tastefully decorated beamed living room invite you into the delightful southwest facing garden comprising lawn, mature shrubs and natural woodland.
Appealing and eye-catching, the outdoor areas of this lovely house are sure to be the focal point of your holiday. Encompassed by tall cypress trees the garden enjoys excellent privacy with cork oaks, soaring pine trees and lush foliage creating hidden corners of cooling shade. Within 900m lie the little known coves of Cala Aigua Xelida where, according to local maritime folklore, 18th Century smugglers used to land their contraband under cover of darkness. Today their translucent waters, submerged caves and abundance of marine life are a snorkeller’s paradise.
Wednesday is market day in the medieval centre of nearby Begur (6.5km), a vibrant and fascinating town of interlaced cobbled alleyways nestling below the ramparts of an 11th Century hilltop castle. With numerous chic boutiques and fine restaurants it is a wonderful spot for dinner and a gentle evening ‘paseo’ (stroll) with the locals.
- Air conditioning usage (12 hours per day) is included in the rental rate.
- We mention for information only that the caretakers live in a self-contained apartment to the side of the guest accommodation. This is accessed via a separate entrance, the caretakers do not use any of the property facilities and your privacy is completely assured at all times.
- Property Licence Number HUTG 012349-68.
Pricing & Availability
Additional Pricing Information
All Prices are per property, not per person.
Please note that all visitors to Catalunya, aged 17 and over, are required to pay a Tourist Tax of £7.00. We will add this amount to your booking.
Location of Ca La Francesca
Locality
Great Things to Do Near Ca La Francesca
Walk amongst all the different exotic Mediterranean flora and fauna
at the Botanical Gardens of Cap Roig where you get magnificent panoramic views of the coastline that stretches from Calella to the cliffs of Cap Roig.
Stroll down and spend the evening in Tamariu, a favourite with local fishermen
whose colourful artisan boats provide the perfect backdrop for the handful of excellent restaurants that adorn the picturesque seafront promenade. Evening is a truly Mediterranean experience! As dusk falls local artisans set up stalls. Jugglers, a violinist and perhaps a local artist set their pitch. Waiters start serving platters of grilled fish. All this adds to a sparkling yet relaxing evening as the mediterraneus (so named by the Romans) laps gently on the shoreline.
Drive to Begur
and climb up to the castle from where there are far reaching views. The most noteworthy are those towards the Medes Islands, long ago a refuge for pirates and smugglers, although today they are famous as a marine nature reserve.
Explore the nearby Cala del Ruso, close to Calella de Palafrugell,
named after the Russian Colonel Woevowsky, who lived there with his aristocratic English wife, Dorothy Webster. Together they built the Botanical Gardens and small castle at Cap Roig and used to swim daily at the cala.
As you wander around Begur
take special note of the houses of the 'Indianos', the design of which has been influenced by the young people of Begur who emigrated to the Americas, mainly in search of riches. Those who returned left their stamp on the architecture of the town - one such example overlooks the small car park area near the church.
Drive across to the majestic bay of Llafranc
and then spend the day relaxing on this gorgeous beach. Perhaps rent a kayak or try snorkelling off the rocks at the side of the bay. Before returning home enjoy a cooling drink on the promenade and do some 'people watching'.
Go Dolphin spotting!
Pods of bottle nosed dolphins have been spotted feeding in the bays around Cala Estreta. You might be lucky enough to witness this amazing spectacle.
Dalí by night - an evening with a difference
Only possible during the month of August, the Teatre-Museu Dalí opens between 10pm and 1am. The entrance fee includes a glass of cava and, weather permitting, an audiovisual show in one of the inner terraces. After your visit enjoy a nightcap at one of the many outdoor bars and soak up the atmosphere of Figueres, which comes alive at night as the locals congregate to exchange news with each other in the warm summer air.
Visit the pre Roman Iberian settlement
on the headland to the left of the El Castell beach. Walk among ancient stone walls and enjoy the spectacular views out to the Isles Formigues, where bottle nosed dolphins have often been spotted feeding.
Catch the train and visit Barcelona for the day.
There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city. Take the open topped tour bus and hop on and off at the different sights. After a lunch of delicious tapas save some energy for shopping in the elegant shops.
Horse riding is available at Canapost
Cavalls de Forallac (tel: 649 43 14 80). Hipica Begur (tel 619 23 60 73) also offer night excursions, carriage rides and for those who do not wish to take to horseback, Kart Cross excursions can be taken from here.
Take a boat trip with 'Paco Boats' in Tamariu
(tel: 607 29 25 78) and visit the famous cave ' Cova d'en Gispert'. Afterwards go snorkelling off the rocks along the side of the beach.
Visit the fabulous city of Girona for the day
taking in the beautifully restored Jewish Quarter, the Arab Baths, the cathedral, its museums and the many shops. Why not pay a visit to Cacao Sampaka, C/Santa Clara, 45 to indulge in the finest products using chocolate - cakes, drinks, spreads, ice creams to name a few!
Visit the museum dedicated to fishing at Palamós
(Museu de la Pesca. Tel: 972 60 12 44) then watch the fishing fleet come in at 5pm when the fish auction commences. Why not round off the evening with a night cruise under the stars on a traditional Latin rigged Catalan fishing boat?
The golden sandy beach of Aigua Blava
is a very short drive away. Justifiably awarded a coveted Blue Flag, this beach boasts the finest and softest sand in the immediate area. Relax in the restaurant overlooking the bay and enjoy the freshest of grilled fish, accompanied by a glass of chilled white wine.
Pack a picnic and your swimming things
and take the coastal path that starts from Tamariu beach. Stop at the tiny Cala Pedrosa to swim and snorkel en route. Then follow the path upwards, cross the road and return to Tamariu via the pine woods.
Take your budding Lewis Hamiltons go karting
in Vall Llobrega. Tel: 696 58 91 01.The adults might also enjoy Quad bikes on the Quad Track in Calonge. (Tel: 626 20 27 28)
Play a round of golf!
There are many excellent and renowned golf courses in the area, including Golf Playa de Pals (Tel: 972 66 77 39), Golf Serres de Pals, (972 63 73 75) or Gualta (972 76 04 50), www.empordagolf.es
Shop at the Sunday morning market in Palafrugell
and return to the house and prepare some of the delicious tapas, whose recipes are in the house book. Spend a lazy afternoon relaxing in the garden, enjoying a good book and cooling off now and again with a dip in the pool.
Nearby
Towns/Villages
| Palafrugell | 15 mins | |
| Tamariu | 15 mins | |
| Girona | 1 Hr | |
| Barcelona | 1 Hr 45 mins |
Beaches
| Aiguablava | 10 mins | |
| Platja Llafranc | 15 mins | |
| Platja de Tamariu | 15 mins | |
| Calella de Palafrugell | 17 mins | |
| Sa Riera | 20 mins | |
| La Fosca | 25 mins | |
| Platja de Pals | 30 mins | |
| El Castell | 30 mins |
Airports
| Girona | 1 Hr | |
| Barcelona | 1 Hr 50 mins |
Train Stations
| Flaça | 45 mins | |
| Figueres Vilafant | 1 Hr | |
| Girona | 1 Hr |
