We love to get lost in the small, rustic villages of the Catalan Pyrenees! We recently spent 3 nights in a Casa Rural (country home) outside of the quaint village of Ripoll located only 1 1/2 hours from Barcelona. Mas el Mir (www.maselmir.com) was built in 1366 and is well worth the charming, winding roads to get there. It has been renovated and is filled with tasteful country decor, plush pillows and organic linens. Breakfast is a feast of locally produced jams, embutidos, farm raised eggs & more to be enjoyed at your leisure. The owner herself is an amazing chef and will cook you dinner with advance notice! (Believe me, you’ll never want to leave!)
During the summer months you can relax by the pool and enjoy your meals outdoors.
We spent our days going on excursions to the nearby towns. Of course, don’t miss Ripoll itself and the famous Romanesque style monastery founded in 879 (no, that is not a typo) by Wilfred the Harry. Also nearby is St. Joan de les Abadesses with its charming plaza and labyrinth of stone buildings with cute boutiques. Spend another day going to Camprodon which has a gorgeous arched stone bridge and an abundance of shops to get locally made cheese and embutidos (charcuterie).
If you’re lucky you will catch a glimpse of the “Gegants” (Giants) which come out on town festivals. Each town in Catalunya have their own set of “Gegants” that represent historical figures or traditional peasants. When they aren’t on parade, you can usually find them in the town hall taking a break!
Another town worth exploring is the hidden village of Beget. The drive alone is amazing! Once you get there, you will be delighted with the small streets and stone buildings. It’s crucial to time your excursion correctly so you can enjoy an amazing, leisurely late afternoon at Can Jeroni! (Reservations recommended). We can’t wait to have another excuse to go back!
Try a “Vi Ranci” with your tapas! It’s one of Markus’s favorite wines to sip on. Made in a sherry like style, this wine is nutty and oxidized and perfect for sipping.
When you need to take a break, just lean against the wall and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
