Treasure time with friends in one of Spain’s unspoiled hidden gems

ILOVE that old saying about friendship and separation: ‘Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side and our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.’ Friendship dynamics change so much throughout our lives. We leave the partyfuelled, wine-scented bubble of our 20s, and in our 30s and 40s, careers, relationships and kids take over and many of us up sticks.

I have a handful of friends from school, university and work and, much as I’d love to see them more often, I find the brief time we spend together feels all the more special and sincere.

A weekend in Barcelona via Costa Brava with a friend who climbed the PR ranks alongside my journalism career felt like serendipitous timing – and it reminded me why certain people in your life are destined to stay in it.

If you’re planning a reunion trip with friends, the Catalonian region is one of Spain’s unspoiled treasures and bursting with so much beauty.

Here’s are some places to shop, stop and try along the way...

1 STAY Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa

NOTHING could have prepared me for the quiet splendour of this 18th century farmhouse beautifully preserved by a local Catalan family and so tucked away in Empordà that it almost feels like a secret hideaway. Boutique luxury without the pretentiousness, it feels contemporary and elegant but still retains the rustic charm and features of the old house. Two days of solitude – we ate, slept, wandered, swam and watched the stars while curled up in plush armchairs. Book a garden for lazy afternoons with a book and a glass of rosé. It’s a weekend to remember for ever; some places stay with you long after you leave them. See hotelmastorrent.com

2 EVENTS The Brand Anatomy

IRISH stylist Roisin Moloney has just launched The Brand Anatomy, a creative event-planning service with a difference. Her eye for detail and love of local artisans and cuisine mean she creates of one-of-a-kind experiences. If you are planning a celebration, a luxury hen party, a wedding or any other event in the Balearics, Barcelona or Costa Brava, Roisin is your woman. For more information visit her website at thebrandanatomyagency.com.

3 SELF CARE Sunset yoga

IF A vigorous flow or a restorative stretch gets you fired up in the morning, there are sunset Hatha and Vinyasa yoga classes on site at Mas de Torrent for beginners and intermediate level. Classes combine gentle transitions with conscious breathing that gently wake you up and leave you feeling pretty blissful at the end in Shavasana (relaxation).

4 READ Nine Perfect Strangers

CRUMPLED with sand and dog-eared after a summer spent in Spain, Lianne Moriarty’s latest thriller was passed to me by my friend and turned out to be the perfect poolside read. Set in Australia in a boutique health hotel, it follows a group of professionals on a detox journey to find themselves. Witty and warm-hearted, it captures the madness and mayhem of nine perfect strangers all brought together by chance (or fate). See easons.com

5 SELF CARE Mas Spa

TO COMPLETE a truly extraordinary stay, discover Mas Spa – an impressive space designed for holistic care with a heated pool, treatment rooms, dry sauna and hammam, water circuit, and fitness area equipped for activities such as yoga, meditation or pilates. This luxurious spa, less than an hour from Barcelona, is the ideal place to disconnect and find balance in body and mind. It’s a popular escape for Barcelonans so book in advance. It’s up there among the most tranquil spas I have ever visited.

6 VISIT Pals

A SPONTANEOUS mid-afternoon bike ride through rural rice fields and dunes led us to picture-perfect Pals perched on a hilltop. Quaint with a mystical medieval town vibe, where cobbled streets loop into an ancient church, craft shops and cafes, it’s hard not to feel like you are wandering around the set of a movie. Savour some tapas at family run Es Portal and explore some local Catalan boutiques, where you’ll find one-off treasures for a steal. It’s a must-see if you’re visiting Catalonia.

7 EXPLORE Mas Geli wine tasting

AN afternoon jaunt through Mas Geli Vineyard is one of the most relaxing ways to explore the local wines of Catalonia. Starting in the cellars and continuing on an impressive tour around the rolling countryside, it’s a fascinating learning curve if you love viniculture. Nothing improves an appreciation of wine quite like visiting the place where it is made by people who are passionate about it. The tour takes an hour and a half and the hotel will organise it

for you. See masgelipals.cat to book.

8 DINE Restaurante de Torrent

THINK fine dining here, with a hint of authentic Catalan charm. Head chef Ramón Freixa, holder of two Michelin stars, serves up some very creative dishes, most of which were unfamiliar and somewhat novel to me. On the special taster menu (€70) there’s an Iberian pork suckling ingot with a creamy razor-clam gratin along with the most delicious roast meat croquettes I’ve ever had. Delivering a little of a lot, it leaves you nicely full but with enough room left to savour a digestif afterwards. Bonus points for the obliging sommelier on hand to help you whittle down a very impressive wine list.