VILLA FRANCASTELLA, SA PUNTA, PALS

Villa Francastella is available in the Spring and Summer for private rental.

This enchanting, well-equipped & spacious four-bedroom detached house, with its own garden, is quietly situated yet only a short walk from sandy beach, shops, restaurants and bars of the small resort of Playa de Pals in the most beautiful part of the Costa Brava. With several beaches, pool, fantastic snorkelling, golf and local medieval towns nearby, there is something for everyone.

The villa is built in the Catalan style with white plaster walls, and doors and window frames/shutters of varnished pine, and is equipped throughout to a high standard. It sleeps 8 comfortably and has space to relax, within the house, on the large covered terrace, or on the lawn in its garden. It has a pleasant view and overlooks the gardens and pool of the Sa Punta restaurant, rated one of the finest in the region. The house is surrounded by scented pines and the immediate vicinity comprises an abundance of green in which there are other detached houses set off quiet roads with little traffic.

Playa de Pals is a small resort set in the most beautiful part of the Costa Brava between Barcelona and the French border. It is mainly composed of villas set around a village centre, in which can be found the typical facilities of a beach resort. The beach is sandy and extends for a considerable distance, while there are a number of additional smaller beaches in sandy coves within a short walk or drive. There are two magnificent golf courses nearby, and all sorts of water sports are available. Pals itself is an unspoilt medieval walled town, a must for any visitor. Inland, the countryside consists mostly of wooded hills, with a view to the distant Pyrenees. Local vineyards produce both wine and cava; it’s great fun to taste before buying!

The accommodation:-

· entrance hallway;

· large sitting room and dining area with an open fireplace, with French windows leading to the garden. The sofa in this room converts to a double bed if needed;

· kitchen with electric oven, fridge and double sink, well stocked with crockery, cutlery and condiments for cooking;

· large double-bedroom with en-suite bathroom, shower and lavatory. This bathroom also contains a washing machine;

· second double bedroom,

· twin bedded room;

· fourth bedroom with a divan that can be used as a double bed or two singles;

· second bathroom with bath, basin and lavatory; and

· third separate lavatory with basin.

Outside, there is a large covered terrace which extends from the sitting room and has a built-in open barbecue. Most meals are taken on the terrace and there are tables and chairs for this. The garden has a lawn, partly shaded by pine trees, which provides a play/sunbathing area. A gardener comes once a week.

The villa is well equipped with indoor and outdoor furniture and fittings.

DRAWING ROOM MAIN EN-SUITE BEDROOM

TERRACE INTERIOR

HOUSE FROM THE SA PUNTA POOL VIEW FROM THE GARDEN
THE AREA

Playa de Pals is a small resort with a long sandy beach, surrounded by low hills covered in pine trees. The area consists mostly of houses built on their own land, around the village centre. It has only three hotels but has a wide range of supermarkets, shops, restaurants and bars, with sports and leisure facilities for all ages, including windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkelling, tennis (10 courts), clock golf, disco, hang-gliding and horse-riding. For golfers, there is a superb 18-hole course within walking distance of the villa, and a second course a few minutes’ drive away.

Within easy reach of the house, there are several small fishing villages with sheltered coves and, in a week, one can easily swim at a different beach every day. Three beaches are within comfortable walking distance and there is a scenic coastal path along the rocks. Others are a short drive. Beaches are sandy and the water usually exceptionally clear (and full of fish which makes snorkelling round the rocks a delight). 3km offshore are the Islas Medas where there is an underwater nature reserve, well worth a visit (there are organised trips in glass-bottomed boats, scuba-diving expeditions, or you can hire your own craft and go snorkelling).

The Sa Punta restaurant opposite the villa has a full-sized pool as well as a kiddies pool. If seen appropriately to patronise the restaurant (eg a meal or pool-side drinks), guests can normally use the pool at leisure. Lunch can be taken beside the pool, so adults can enjoy this in the style to which the Spanish have grown accustomed (ie, as long as you like) while keeping a benevolent eye on the children swimming.

Playa de Pals and the surrounding area have a great variety of restaurants offering Catalan, Spanish and French cooking. These range from cheap family restaurants to the exquisite Sa Punta, and are mostly really worth a visit (or two). We leave our own guide to these in the house, the result of many years of serious scientific research!

Pals itself, 6 km inland, is an enchanting and well-preserved medieval walled town built on a small conical hill. Close by there are several other medieval villages as well as the ruins of the Graeco/Roman town of Ampurias, and pleasant countryside to explore. We think the whole area is stunning.

There is plenty of local culture to experience. Once a week one can watch the local folk-dance the Sardana, typical of Catalunia, and join in if you can work out the fiendish steps! A number of local towns have music festivals during the summer, and the festival at nearby Perelada has outdoor concerts and opera that attract internationally known performers.

There is a market in a different local town each day of the week, a must for serious shoppers. Local products include wonderful pottery, regional wines, cheeses, salamis, fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and of course the sparkling wine Cava.

Pals is situated some two hours’ drive North from Barcelona, and one hour’s from France and the Pyrenees. We advise you to hire a car if flying, to be able to explore the area fully. Flights go to Gerona (45 minutes’ drive), Barcelona (2 hours) or Perpignan (an hour and a half). Another alternative is to take the car on the overnight sleeper train from Calais to Narbonne, which arrives some 2 hours’ drive from the villa.

The walled medieval town of Pals is a few minutes’ drive inland.

The Playa de Pals golf course, The local beach is 10 minutes’

half a mile away, is considered walk. It is sandy and has sailing,

one of the finest in Catalunia. pedalos, kayaks and water-skiing.

HOW TO GET THERE

Playa de Pals is on Spain’s Costa Brava, between Barcelona and the French border, and due East of Gerona.

By car: By motorway, Pals is some 12 hours’ driving time from Calais.

From France once in Spain take the A7 motorway and leave at exit 5. Head for l’Escala, turning off beforehand to Torroella de Montgri, then follow signs to Pals. Alternately, the drive along the coast via Cap de Creus is slow but has stunning views.

From Barcelona, take the A7 motorway and leave at exit 9. Take route Playa d’Aro/Palamos/Palafrugell to Pals.

By train:

An alternative is the Calais/Narbonne Motorail overnight car train, also taking 12 hours: it leaves around 8PM and arrives the next morning at around 8AM. Narbonne is 2 hours from Pals.

By air:

Gerona airport is 40 minutes from Pals, charter flights only. Alternatives are Barcelona or Perpignan, each some 2 hours from Pals.

Car hire is cheapest when arranged in advance from UK.