Hello, I'm Charly!

Maybe we'll meet soon at Hotel Barcarola. Most likely, if you see me, I'll be wearing my hiking boots, drinking coffee somewhere, or just returned from some path without being quite sure where I was going to end up.

I'm Charly, I'm 45 years old, I'm sporty, curious, and quite in love with this little corner of the Costa Brava.

I love walking, being outdoors, and, above all, discovering places that don't appear at the top of all the tourist lists. A hidden cove that requires a bit more effort to reach. A small restaurant frequented mainly by locals. That trail that, rounding a bend, suddenly offers breathtaking views.

You know, those places you later tell someone:

“You have to go. But don't tell anyone…”

Well… I will tell you about them. To you. 😉

Will you join me?

From now on, every week I will take you with me on my adventures around Hotel Barcarola and its surroundings.

I will walk, try, explore, and discover. Sometimes I will stay close to home, and other times I will venture a bit further. And, of course, I will share my favorite places with you.

But I will also tell you everything you need to know in advance.

Because a “beautiful hidden beach ten minutes on foot” sounds wonderful. But if someone forgets to mention that to get there first you have to go down 300 steps —and then go back up the same 300— we might have a slightly different idea of what good advice is. 😉

So you can consider me your local friend, the one who goes ahead to investigate a little for you.

And I soon discovered something that made me VERY happy…

The Costa Brava is usually considered a summer destination.

And, of course, I understand perfectly. Sun, sea, beach, a cold drink, and feet in the sand… I have no intention of arguing with that at all.

But do you want to know a secret?

I like it just as much or even more outside of summer.

It is precisely then that I most feel like putting on my hiking boots. It's a fantastic time to stay active, there is much more tranquility in many of the more well-known places, and suddenly, the Costa Brava shows a completely different side.

That's why I was so excited to discover that Girona Airport maintains direct connections with the Netherlands and Germany even outside the summer season.

And of course, that immediately gives me ideas.

A few days of hiking in autumn? Escaping a gray winter week? Walking along the coast in the morning, enjoying a good lunch afterward, and maybe sitting in the sun for a bit?

Doesn't sound bad at all, right?

And best of all: from Girona, in very little time, you’re here with us by the sea.

I already have my list prepared…

Of course, I'm not going to reveal all my secrets in my first blog.

But the list is already prepared.

There are hiking routes. Small coves. Restaurants. Charming villages. Terraces where you only planned to have a coffee, and two hours later, you’re still sitting there…

And above all, places that make me think:

Barcarola guests need to know this.

Next week I'll put on my hiking boots to set off in search of my first great discovery.

Will you join me?

See you soon!

Charly

P.S. Do you know any hidden corners of the area that I absolutely should discover? Or is there something you'd like me to investigate for you? Write to me at info@barcarola.com and put “For Charly” in the subject. Who knows, maybe your idea will become the adventure of one of my next blogs!