FAM REPORT COSTA BRAVA
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Think of the Costa Brava and many Brits think instantly of teenage travellers and the mass market but as 10 agents on a recent fam trip to the region discovered, it is time to think again...
he Costa Brava led the way in tourism when package holidays to Spain fi rst began and now it’s reasserting its position by turning the focus away from its most commercialised resorts to raise awareness of the wide range of quality destinations and activities available across the wider Costa Brava Girona region. Our agents joined a four-day fam which fl ew into Barcelona and then toured the key highlights. In the group were Mark Duddy and Elinor Steiner of Travel Republic; Polly Joan Briscoe Gayle of New Look Travel; Gillian Davis, Chrissy Mackenzie-Cooper and Cathie O’Dea of Travel Counsellors; Peter Foster of Those Travel Guys; Alfredo Benedicto of Global Travel a la Carte; Lam Sim of Vacation Europa; Lician Beaupierre- Allen, of Stressless Travel; and Jo Preocanin of Travel Uni. They found the destination full of pleasant surprises and left full of inspiring new ideas of how to sell it…
T
GIRONA CITY The facts: Rated among the top 10 destinations to visit in 2012 by National Geographic, Girona is an historic city crammed with medieval wonders including a cathedral, Arabian baths and an iron bridge created by Gustave Eiffel, and with an historically interesting Jewish Quarter. The experience: “The region was far older and more historic than I had realised. Girona is similar to Barcelona but nowhere near as commercial, so great for a city break,” Chrissy
This page: Dali Museum & the group in Besalu. Opposite clockwise: Besalu, La Garrotxa, cava- tasting, coastal Calella de Palafrugell & Girona
BLANES The facts: Just under an hour from Girona or Barcelona, Blanes is a modern dynamic seaside town with a fi shing harbour and 4kms of beaches and coves edged by a promenade. The agents checked it out in combination with Mont Ferrant the longest- established of the region's cava-makers. The experience: “The cava-tasting experience was really unexpected and it was excellent,” Polly Joan
LA GARROTXA The facts: Inland, the province of Girona includes the 15,300 hectares of
the Natural Park Volcanic Area. Made up of 28 nature reserves, it includes 40 dormant volcanoes in one of the best-preserved volcanic regions on the Iberian Peninsula. The experience: “Costa Brava really surpassed expectations. It has a lot to offer and is well geared up to provide a warm welcome and an enjoyable holiday. The volcanoes were among the most unexpected things I saw!” Alfredo
BESALU The facts: This quaint and historic town provides a lovely opportunity to wander in an atmospheric setting. The town's most signifi cant feature is its 12th-century Romanesque bridge stretching over the Fluvià river. Visitors pass through a traditional gateway at its mid-point. The experience: “I knew the coast was very pretty but the cities and towns were a real surprise. Besalu was really lovely and among my personal highlights,” Cathie
HOW TO SELL COSTA BRAVA
“It’s just a short fl ight to a really diverse and beautiful area, with amazing food. I will defi nitely recommend this region to families and couples” Gillian
“I'll be recommending this to city break clients, perhaps combined with a visit to Barcelona” Alfredo
“This is an interesting multi-centre destination; or sell its gastronomy and wine. It also has a lot to offer hikers and cyclists” Cathie
26 May/June 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
©FUNDACIO GALA SALVADOR DALI 2012
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