What to do in the area - 1: All along the coast there are resorts with promenades and long sandy beaches, or with coves and small harbours. Our favourite beach is Le Racou (Just south of Argelès). It also has an excellent tapas bar - Menj'Aqui - open during the season for lunch and dinner. The old coast road to Spain is quite exciting and provides really spectacular views. Dali's house at Port Lligat and the nearby fishing town of Cadaques are excellent destinations. There are many fascinating old towns and villages nearby including Ceret, Elne, Perpignan and Collioure, all of which have their historic buildings, traditional narrow streets, ancient monuments, quiet squares, local shops, weekly markets, restaurants and art galleries. Walking opportunities range from a relaxing evening stroll through Laroque to strenuous hikes in the mountains above the village. Guided walks are readily available. There are also Aquaparks, adventure parks, wild animal sanctuaries and many other outdoor activities for the family.
What to do in the area - 2: There are many riding stables in the area running hacks in the mountains, along the coast or on the plain. If you feel like a change from French life, Spain is only a twenty minute drive along the motorway. The historic centres of Figueres and Girona are well worth a visit, as is the Dali Museum at Figueres. We have also really enjoyed the Costa Brava coastline and the idyllic coves and fishing villages, such as Sa Riu, Tamariu and Palafrugell. And if you tire of the coast, you stiil have the mountains to visit. A lovely trip is west along the Tech valley (south of Canigou) and over the Pyrénées to St Laurent de Cerdagne, with lunch at the Can Mach in Tapis or La Quadra in Massenet. The journey home can be via Espolla and the Col de Banyuls or via Llanca and the old coast road. You can also go up the Tet valley (north of Canigou) via Villefranche to the beautiful Capcir and Cerdagne regions. You can return via the N152 & La Molina, Ripoll, Camprodon, Prats de Mollo and the Tech Valley.
Ski-ing in the Pyrennees: Our apartment makes a good low-cost base for a great choice of skiing and boarding in this area. There are 11 resorts on the French side of the Pyrenees. The nearest (Les Angles and Font Romeu) are only two hours drive away but all are within 3 hours. Les Angles, for example, is well run, with a fast cable car from 1600m up to 2400m. There is a chair lift to the mountain top at 2800m. The resort is great for beginners and intermediates and features 29 runs (many red and blue runs go from top to bottom); several green runs go from 2400 to 1600m. There are also 10 ski stations on the Spanish side of the mountains. The nearest again are about 2 hours drive, but all are within approximately 3 hours. If you want even more choice, then Andorra is about three hours drive from us.
Golf:
Golf in the Catalunya region:- The apartment is a 10 mile drive to the St.Cyprien golf course between Argeles and Canet Plage, which has both 18 and 9 hole courses. (18 hole course - par 73 at 6480m). There is also the beautiful 18-hole Domain de Falgos course (par 70 at 5047m) with views of snow-capped Pyreneean Mountains at the same time as the Bay of Roses. There are 9-hole courses at Amelie Les Bains (along the Tech valley, after Ceret) and Camprodon (along the Tech valley again, but on the other side of the Pyrenees, after Prats de Mollo). It is also an easy drive from Laroque to Figueres in Spain, where you can sample the Costa Brava courses at Torremirona Golf Club - 18 holes, par 72 and 6245m) and Peralada Golf Club which has both an 18- and a 9-hole course. Please contact us for more details.
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