Catalonia villa in impressive natural setting for superb walking and family fun

The house and gardens are not fenced as the owners have preferred to keep an open feel to it, and no property in the nearby vicinity means privacy is practically guaranteed. Except for the odd walker coming into the area who may catch a glimpse of the house and gardens from a distance, otherwise, the spot is wonderfully tranquil, private and a great enclave for nature lovers.

Kids are very much in their element here with over 2,000 m2 of lawned gardens, a play area with swings, a small football field, a basketball hoop and a lovely inviting pool. Just to add to the excitement: take a walk into the surrounding forests and pick some delicious wild strawberries during summer for a great bonding activity. Indoors also offers plenty of fun for the whole family: challenge yourselves to a table tennis competition in the basement or indulge in some board games.

The house itself enjoys good features like an ample living space with large windows that allow a generous amount of light through whilst blending the outdoor and indoor living areas together. There are several rooms to suit everyone in the family including two single bedded rooms and one kid´s room with 4 single beds in a fun bunk-bed arrangement.

Although this may not be a super luxurious villa nor one of the more rustic homes from our portfolio, it is nevertheless inviting and it manages to find a perfect balance between these two different characters without waiving comfort in the least. Unpretentious, yet satisfyingly pleasant.

The area is very serious in nature with farming fields throughout, forests, mountains... and it makes for the perfect holiday spot as it offers both close contact with the surroundings and the feel of being far from it all, while actually being only 5 minutes away from a picturesque village. Good facilities (such as a large supermarket) are only a 10 minute drive away.

Exploring by foot is a delight. The fertile volcanic soil has grown a healthy forest over the extinct outcrops which ring the zone and you can walk down into the cones. There are plenty of signposted walks. Also nearby is the unique fairy tale beech forest of Fageda d’en Jorda and there are a number of wild swimming areas, some with relatively easy access.

This is also a region for people who like trying the traditional Catalan cuisine. You will find some excellent restaurants as well as other more standard, albeit very good, establishments.

La Garrotxa is an area which has achieved a successful, prosperous balance of cattle rearing, tourism and complementary services. It’s one of those places where people look especially healthy and the local gastronomy and environment may have a lot to do with that.

Other attractions round here include Sant Joan de les Abadesses; medieval Besalu (one of the most beautiful villages in all of Catalonia); Olot town (for museums and bicycle hire and more good food); the lake at Banyoles for picnics, waterfalls and river swimming opportunities.

Excursions further afield will take you to Salvador Dali’s home town of Figueres and the castle museum dedicated to him, or to the splendid beaches of Emporda.