24 HOURS IN GIRONA
David Miró, Pacific regional director of Catalan Tourist Board, Government of Catalonia
» 8AM Boldúa (dating to 1939) serves a brilliant croissant and coffee combo. Its prime location along Barcelona’s shopping belt, Passeig de Gràcia, offers a picture-perfect shot of the tree-lined boulevard and Antoni Gaudi’s modernist architecture. Carrer de Balmes, 149, 08006 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 932 18 04 17
» 9AM Hop on board a high-speed train towards Girona from Barcelona Sants. The short ride of 37 minutes can be booked through raileurope.com. Plaça dels Països Catalans, 1-7, 08014 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 93 285 3834 » 10AM Stroll through the storied Jewish quarter of El Call (Hebrew for community) starting from Plaça Sant Jaume. Within is one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Sinogoga Major de Barcelona, as well as female Jewish baths, a kosher store and the quaint Café Caelum. At the latter, order the tallat (espresso shot with a splash of steamed milk). Calle de la Forca, Girona, Spain.
» 12PM Tuck into progressive Catalan fare at the three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca. The Roca brothers – Joan, Josep and Jordi – present the region’s bounteous offerings using cuttingedge culinary techniques. Carrer de
Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona, Spain.
Tel: +34 972 22 21 57
» 2PM Cross the Eiffel Bridge for Rocambolesc, the ice cream parlour by Jordi Roca. Have a shot of ratafia (sweet alcoholic beverage) as a digestif before indulging in the Valencoco, a coconut ice cream modelled after Spanish model, Andrés Velencoso. Carrer de Santa Clara, 50, 17001 Girona, Spain. Tel: +34 972 41 66 67
» 3PM AVIS offers quick car rentals for a road trip (one hour) to Olot where Fageda d’en Jordà resides. The forest is teeming with towering beech trees which flourished on soil nourished by the lava flow of Croscat volcano. Opt for a horse carriage ride for an unforgettable, fairy tale-esque experience. Carrer Fageda, s/n, 17810 Can Blanc, Girona, Spain. Tel: +34 972 26 81 12
» 6PM Catch the sunset at the picturesque medieval town, Besalú (20 minutes away). A great vantage point would be the ancient bridge, Pont Vell. Remember to grab an
orxata (sweet milk drink made from ground tiger nuts) from the local joints nearby. 08241 Manresa, Barcelona.
» 8PM Make your way back to Barcelona for traditional Spanish fare at Restaurant Sense Pressa. The unpretentious family restaurant is home to a mouth-watering plate of beef carpaccio as well as grilled sardines dressed simply with lemon and garlic. Carrer d’enric Granados, 96, 08008 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 932 18 15 44
» 11PM Cap off the adventure with a carajillo (coffee drink with brandy, whisky or anisette) over at Mirablau. A tram ride away (stop at Tibidabo Mountain), the bar comes with a stunning panorama of Barcelona’s skyline. Plaça del Doctor Andreu, s/n, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 934 18 58 79