Villa for 10 people with private swimming pool

The accommodation

The villa is modern, spacious and well equiped.
There are 5 good sized bedrooms 2 bathrooms and a downstairs toilet.
The kitchen is large with oven, hob, microwave,dishwasher and fridge freezer.
There is english satelite TV plus a DVD player.
There are games and puzzles for the children as well as a selection of books.
Outside is a private pool, private garden plus a good sized covered terrace with garden furniture and charcoal bar-b-que.
Free WiFi.
There is plenty of space for parking outside the villa.

Setting

In the district of the ‘Alt Empordà’, St Llorenç de la Muga is situated in the upper valley of the river Muga, a district also known as the ‘Empordà’ of mountains or the ‘Garrotxa d’Empordà because of its situation in the mountains.
The village is sited in a pronounced meander of the river, which runs through the municipality for 11km.
The walled medieval centre of the village is outstanding because of the careful conservation of most of the houses.
Walking through the centre of the village you will discover delightful little corners which are part of the village history; the walls, the three gateways, various circular and square towers which are built into the walls (as are some of the houses) the parish Church and the canal which passes to the north of the walls, all built of the same stone. Beside the canal you will find the old washing places, both public and private.
Outside the walls the 13th century castle of St. Llorenç de la Muga, now owned privately, and the Guaita (lookout or Moorish) tower complete a strong defensive system, sophisticated for that era.
With a population of just over 230, St Llorenç offers a peaceful and welcoming rural atmosphere,

The mountains of St Llorenç de la Muga, with a huge range of rural roads, footpaths and forest trails allow you to enjoy this unspoiled region throughout the year. There are many different, well signed routes to follow on foot,horseback or on mountain bike, suitable for all levels of experience; the GR II, the mountain bike Trans Pyrenean route, the nature route of the Muga, the local trails, or the Salines Bassegoda trail for mountain biking. Motor cycling, Quad Biking and 4x4 off roading are also very popular.

Other seasonal activities are; hunting (shooting wild boar) in the winter, fishing and fungi collecting in the autumn and as always in the spring and summer swimming in the river, or just enjoying the area.
Spread through this landscape of mountains and river you will find little treasures such as the chapel of St. Jordi, the shrine of St. Ponç, the chapel and natural spring of Palau, and beside the river the chapel and bridge of St. Antoni, the Old Bridge and the lion spring.
St Llorenç offers a peaceful place in which to enjoy nature all year round, with the family, as a couple or with friends.
After your first visit we are sure you will want to return again and again.
In the village there is a small shop, plus several bars and restaurants.
The villa is surrounded by stunning scenery and is off the beaten track offering a peaceful and relaxing holiday and the chance to experience the "real" Catalonia away from the busier tourist resorts.

The climate is fantastic, hot and sunny in the summer, warm and sunny in spring and autumn. Winter is often cold and frosty over night but the days normally bring blue skies and winter sun with the snow capped mountains making fabulous views.
Ryan Air fly into Girona, Barcelona,Perpingnan and Beziers. Easy Jet flies into Barcelona and Flybe into Perpingnan and Beziers. Vuelling, Air Lingus, Monarch and Jet 2 all fly into Barcelona.

Activities and attractions

The wooded hills offer 100's of miles of tracks, ideal for walking, horse riding, mountain biking, motor cycling and off road driving, There are many Fiesta's throughout the year. St Llorenç has a Fiesta the first Sunday of March celebrating the Mongetta (white bean) when you can buy a plate of beans and a sausage cooked in the square. Look round the many stalls and watch or take part in the bean eating and bean spitting competitions! There is also a longer Fiesta, the Fiesta Major at the begining of August which involves a weekend of celebrations with orchestras, live bands and traditional dances in the village square.
There are cherry fiestas the first 2 Sundays of June in the villages of Terrades and Llers and the Fiesta Major in Albanya is the last weekend of June.
The 23rd of June is the fiesta of St Juan, a very important fiesta celebrated the night before in all the towns and villages with fireworks, traditional cake and cava.
Christmas Eve there is a huge bonfire in the square in which sausages are cooked to be eaten in bread with garlic mayonnaise.
New Year's Eve is celebrated by the eating of 1 grape on each strike of midnight.
January 6th is The Day of The Kings marked by spectacular processions throughout Catalonia.
Carnival (Mardi Gra) is at the end of February again marked by processions with everyone in fancy dress.
The villa is in an ideal position to explore the beautiful towns and villages of Catalonia as well as the pretty costal villages.
The beaches of the Costa Brava are only a 30 or 40 minute drive away.
There is a riding stables close by so you can also explore on horseback.
France is 30 minutes away, we are an hour from Girona and 20 minutes from Figueres where you can visit the famous Dali museum.
Barcelona is just an hour away by train and well worth a day out.
In the winter you can reach the ski resorts in about 90 minutes, well worth a visit even if you don't ski.