Eco mountain retreat with pool for family in the Spanish Pyrenees
An inspiring experience awaits active nature-lovers in the forested mountains of Catalonia. Sleeps 4 plus 3 children.
See all: Villas in Catalonia <Villas in Spain
Rustical´s review See prices
If you want to go on holidays with family or friends to a hide-away in the Pyrenees, this typical, stone-built cottage in the Catalonia province of Lleida could be the place for you. The setting and views are of a spectacular landscape that blends Mediterranean pine with beech and coniferous Alpine forest. The pictures tell the story.
It’s a popular weekend mountain retreat spot for Spanish city people, but two days gives precious little opportunity to explore and enjoy the Pyrenean mountain world, the perfectly preserved Romanic villages, good restaurants, hikes, river-rafting or wild swimming in the local river. From May to September, the swimming pool provides a more convenient and welcome chance to cool off and feel healthy.
The Catalan family owners occasionally come to stay in the larger house behind and adjoining the property and go riding on their horses, so we don’t offer it as a completely private place, but most people are pleased to make their acquaintance and children can meet and do things together. Otherwise, if you need anything, the friendly caretaker lives just a few km away.
The holiday home itself has been featured in Country Home magazines as a characteristic example of a Catalan Pyrenees dwelling which combines traditional materials with a modern sensibility towards the environment. The house suits the alpine atmosphere, comfortable but not luxurious – expect comfy sofas and beds but no fine silks or carpets – and is ideal for those who want to delve into the exciting nature all around.
It has solar power and a conscientious use of electricity is encouraged, although the system is powerful enough to run a washing machine. There’s an oven, fridge, 4-ring hob and all you need to cook meals for seven people, but no microwave or dishwasher. You’re off the beaten track here, a sideways shift on the map which shows the Boi Valley (a world heritage site with the Boi Taull ski resort) towards Andorra. Smugglers used to make their way past here from France.
The house is surrounded by exuberant nature, all very pretty, and the cottage entrance is via a walled, lawned garden with colourful plants (different ones blooming according to the season), a lovely outdoor spot for meals. A spacious dining room with large windows looks out on this garden – just right for keeping an eye on children, if need be – and tremendous views of the wooded mountains.
From the kitchen a hallway takes you to a twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) and a shower room, and then wooden stairs go up to the first floor.
Here, a living room with three sofas and a glass-fronted fireplace is a very agreeable place to sit around and read, chat and relax. This leads on to a wide hallway off which lead a second twin-bedded room and shower room and a wooden staircase up to an attic room with three single beds for children. Note that the stairs are quite steep and we don’t recommend them for children under the age of six. Older children will love it up in their play-and-bedroom under the roof, though.
Active families will be in their element here. Rafting and canoeing can be arranged locally and below a Roman bridge you can swim in the river. It really is very picturesque. An hour by car takes you to the National Park of Aigues Tortes, an area of outstanding natural beauty, or to Andorra, a shopper’s paradise.
The Roman heritage of the area is to be found in a surprisingly good state of preservation and there are excellent examples of popular architecture, churches and medieval bridges.
The nearest airport is Barcelona at 2½ hours. Ryan Air now operate flights to the regional capital of Lleida (Lerida) from Frankfurt and Milan, cutting the driving time to well under 2 hours, and say they are considering flights from the UK.
Facilities
Private parking; washing machine; open fireplace; shared swimming pool (5 m x 3 m; 2 m deep); all linen provided.
Distribution
On three floors
Ground floor: dining room; kitchen; hallway to twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) with woodburning stove; shower room.
First floor: living room with glass-fronted fireplace; twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) with woodburning stove; shower room.
Second floor: attic room sleeping three childen in single beds.
Exterior: lawned, walled garden with garden furniture, swimming pool.
Notes:
-We do not consider the attic room to be suitable for young children on account of the height of the steps going up to the attic room.
-Arrival at this property is from 6 pm and departure by 10 am to allow a throrough and complete preparation between bookings.
Location and Distances
In a forested mountain setting, accessed by a 700 metre track negotiable in a normal car.
Rustical´s review See prices
If you want to go on holidays with family or friends to a hide-away in the Pyrenees, this typical, stone-built cottage in the Catalonia province of Lleida could be the place for you. The setting and views are of a spectacular landscape that blends Mediterranean pine with beech and coniferous Alpine forest. The pictures tell the story.
It’s a popular weekend mountain retreat spot for Spanish city people, but two days gives precious little opportunity to explore and enjoy the Pyrenean mountain world, the perfectly preserved Romanic villages, good restaurants, hikes, river-rafting or wild swimming in the local river. From May to September, the swimming pool provides a more convenient and welcome chance to cool off and feel healthy.
The Catalan family owners occasionally come to stay in the larger house behind and adjoining the property and go riding on their horses, so we don’t offer it as a completely private place, but most people are pleased to make their acquaintance and children can meet and do things together. Otherwise, if you need anything, the friendly caretaker lives just a few km away.
The holiday home itself has been featured in Country Home magazines as a characteristic example of a Catalan Pyrenees dwelling which combines traditional materials with a modern sensibility towards the environment. The house suits the alpine atmosphere, comfortable but not luxurious – expect comfy sofas and beds but no fine silks or carpets – and is ideal for those who want to delve into the exciting nature all around.
It has solar power and a conscientious use of electricity is encouraged, although the system is powerful enough to run a washing machine. There’s an oven, fridge, 4-ring hob and all you need to cook meals for seven people, but no microwave or dishwasher. You’re off the beaten track here, a sideways shift on the map which shows the Boi Valley (a world heritage site with the Boi Taull ski resort) towards Andorra. Smugglers used to make their way past here from France.
The house is surrounded by exuberant nature, all very pretty, and the cottage entrance is via a walled, lawned garden with colourful plants (different ones blooming according to the season), a lovely outdoor spot for meals. A spacious dining room with large windows looks out on this garden – just right for keeping an eye on children, if need be – and tremendous views of the wooded mountains.
From the kitchen a hallway takes you to a twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) and a shower room, and then wooden stairs go up to the first floor.
Here, a living room with three sofas and a glass-fronted fireplace is a very agreeable place to sit around and read, chat and relax. This leads on to a wide hallway off which lead a second twin-bedded room and shower room and a wooden staircase up to an attic room with three single beds for children. Note that the stairs are quite steep and we don’t recommend them for children under the age of six. Older children will love it up in their play-and-bedroom under the roof, though.
Active families will be in their element here. Rafting and canoeing can be arranged locally and below a Roman bridge you can swim in the river. It really is very picturesque. An hour by car takes you to the National Park of Aigues Tortes, an area of outstanding natural beauty, or to Andorra, a shopper’s paradise.
The Roman heritage of the area is to be found in a surprisingly good state of preservation and there are excellent examples of popular architecture, churches and medieval bridges.
The nearest airport is Barcelona at 2½ hours. Ryan Air now operate flights to the regional capital of Lleida (Lerida) from Frankfurt and Milan, cutting the driving time to well under 2 hours, and say they are considering flights from the UK.
Facilities
Private parking; washing machine; open fireplace; shared swimming pool (5 m x 3 m; 2 m deep); all linen provided.
Distribution
On three floors
Ground floor: dining room; kitchen; hallway to twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) with woodburning stove; shower room.
First floor: living room with glass-fronted fireplace; twin-bedded room (beds can be pushed together) with woodburning stove; shower room.
Second floor: attic room sleeping three childen in single beds.
Exterior: lawned, walled garden with garden furniture, swimming pool.
Notes:
-We do not consider the attic room to be suitable for young children on account of the height of the steps going up to the attic room.
-Arrival at this property is from 6 pm and departure by 10 am to allow a throrough and complete preparation between bookings.
Location and Distances
In a forested mountain setting, accessed by a 700 metre track negotiable in a normal car.
| Coll de Nargó (simple shopping, restaurants, bars, pharmacy) | 25 mins |
| Montanisell ("Cal Bordá": recommended restaurant) | 25 min |
| Vall Fosca (extraordinary mountain area) | 45 mins |
| Andorra (excellent shopping, ski resorts) | 1 hr |
| Aigues Tortes National Park (superb nature) | 1 hr |
| Lleida (Lerida) Airport | 1 hr 45 mins |
| Barcelona Airport | 2 hrs 30 mins |
| Girona Airport | 3 hrs |
| Zaragoza Airport | 3 hrs |
NOTES ON AVAILABILITY FOR THIS PROPERTY:
The house sleeps a maximum of 4 adults plus 3 children.Property Ref: CA10
Price Range:
1,130 € / week
1,130 € / week
Click image for ALL photos
Region: Catalonia
Property Ref: CA10
Price Range: 1,130 € / week
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4 adults & 3 children
Type: Mountain cottage
Setting: Forested mountain
Pool: Shared
Interest:
Nearest City: Andorra
Property Ref: CA10
Price Range: 1,130 € / week
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4 adults & 3 children
Type: Mountain cottage
Setting: Forested mountain
Pool: Shared
Interest:
- Pool holidays
- Garden
Nearest City: Andorra
