Boutique Spanish Ski & City Break

Baqueira & Barcelona, Spain: 7 Night – 8 Days

Hotel Options:
4 Nights Baqueira, Catalonia, Hotel Spain La Pleta
3 Nights Barcelona, Grand Hotel Central

Ski Spain’s most exclusive resort, Baqueira in the Pyrenees, then head for the vibrant city of Barcelona. An itinerary encompassing two fabulous parts of Catalonia, it’s ideal for couples as well as families looking for adventure and culture.

Description

Catalonia sees itself as separate to Spain, and when you visit, you can understand why. It has a unique culture, its own language, a vibrant heritage and culture and a rich cuisine. This boutique itinerary takes you from the uncrowded Pyrenees to the buzzing Catalan capital, Barcelona, where you’ll encounter some of the best this region has to offer. Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic break with a difference, or a family wanting to mix some skiing with a little bit of culture, this little corner of Spain fits the bill.

The small, exclusive ski resort of Baqueira is tucked away amongst dramatic scenery in the Val d’Aran in Catalonia. It’s a laid back resort, and one of Europe’s best kept secrets, retaining it old Occitanian culture, with an enchanting mix of French and Spanish influence. With a fast lift system, 100km of pisted runs and a varied ski terrain, the resort is ideal for all ski levels with immaculately groomed pistes, superb powder and boundless off-piste for the more advanced. There are three linked ski areas, making it Spain’s largest skiable domain, with the highest lift at 2,510m and two snowparks. International and English speaking ski instructors are also easily booked for beginners or those just seeking a day or two of improvement. The mountain restaurants are proud of their regional specialties, and are perfect for those who prefer tapas to fondue! Non skiers won’t be bored – there’s dog sledding, snowshoeing, walking trails and a lot of other activities in the village.

Après ski also comes with a difference – predominantly brought to you by tapas bars, and as you would expect in Spain, the night life kicks off very late indeed. The place to stay in Baqueira is La Pleta, a boutique and rustic mountain retreat with outstanding views across the valley. A warm Catalan welcome is guaranteed, as is exceptionally friendly and attentive service. Close to the ski lift, and with its own ski shop and a concierge to help you each morning and afternoon with your skis and boots, this hotel has everything you need. It’s beautifully and comfortably designed, with well-appointed rooms and a luxurious Spa, complete with pool and Turkish bath. Food is taken very seriously, with Del Gel al Foc serving fabulous dishes with a Catalan twist, whilst the Sushi restaurant brings some Asian chic to the mountains. The hotel will also be more than happy to rustle up a mountain picnic for you one day. Spend a few days in this little ski haven before taking a four hour transfer down to the vibrant Catalan capital on the coast,

Barcelona.
Barcelona is a city that can be visited at any time of the year, and we especially love it during the winter months, when it tends to be a lot quieter. One of Europe’s most diverse and exciting cities, it’s bursting with charm and character and comes with a long list of architecture, art, beaches, views, shopping and exquisite gastronomy. You could just spend your time wandering and discovering its many faces. Gothic architecture is interspersed with contemporary
sculptures;
masts of vast teak sail boats vie with ancient monuments and avant garde modern buildings down at the harbour; and tiny chocolate and churros cafés hold court next to Michelin starred tapas restaurants. For the art and architecture devotee, Gaudí, Picasso, Miro, Lichtenstein and many more have their stake in Barcelona. Barcelona for children is easy – a trip on the Montjuïc cable car, or a visit to the Olympic grounds are sure to enthrall. Barcelona’s aquarium boasts a dazzling display of sea creatures that will amaze young and old. And for an adrenaline rush, journey to Tibidabo Hill for magnificent views and the city’s oldest amusement park, built in 1899.

We recommend the Grand Hotel Central, which as its name suggests, is located right in the heart of Barcelona, in the trendy El Born district, making it perfect for exploring the entire city, even by foot. It’s a neo classical building, surrounded by impressive Gothic architecture, narrow cobbled streets, lively restaurants, bars and boutiques. It has a cool, urban vibe and is elegantly decorated, with its crowning glory, the rooftop bar and pool (not open for swimming during the winter months). From here, you have spectacular views of the cathedral, the Gothic district or the ancient city walls. And it doesn’t disappoint on the food front either. The chef, Ramon Freixa successfully experiments with traditional Catalan recipes and local produce to deliver innovative and exciting dishes, and we recommend dining in the hotel as well as trying the almost infinite choice of restaurants and tapas bars in the city.

This is a suggested itinerary, and we can tailor make your stay to suit your schedule and your preferences. We have a number of hotels in Barcelona, and could add further destinations. Please speak to one of our travel specialists for further information.

When to travel
The slopes tend to be open early December to early April, and have an Alpine climate. Baquiera’s Atlantic facing aspect often creates unique snow conditions and can have snowfalls when other resorts don’t. Barcelona is a year-round destination. If beach time is not a priority, you can easily find sunny (if chilly) weather and fewer crowds in January and February. Rainfall is highest in autumn and winter.