The visitor to Can Cruanyes will be spoilt for choice in places to see and landscapes to experience. There are numerous villages set in outstanding scenery with histories stretching back to the middle ages and earlier.
Tortella
This is the local village and is only a 15 minute walk from the accomodation. This quaint village is where you will find the time to have a drink or possibly dine out. There is also a swimming pool which you may avail of also at no cost as entry tickets are available free to customers of Can Cruanyes. Finally only basic grocery shopping can be done here. You will have to travel to Besalu described below to avail of a wider choice of foods for your holiday.
Girona
Girona is only 30 minutes drive from Can Cruanyes. The tourist office is situated on the Rambla (main street) known as the Rambla de la Llibertat1. Its open Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm, Sat 8am – 2pm & 4pm – 8pm. They can be contacted by phone on 0034 972 22 65 75. There is a satellite branch in the train station, Mon-Sat 9am – 2pm. Both have English speaking staff and stock the requisite maps, brochures etc.
Besalu
One of the first places you will encounter locally is the medieval village of Besalu.The imposing twelfth century fortified bridge is visible from the road and arches over the confluence of the Fluvia and Capellada rivers. Pass through the portcullis of the bridge and you are instantly transported back in time. You will encounter narrow, winding streets and open squares flanked with buildings that bear witness to Besalu’s distinguished past. There are a number of visitor attractions that we particularly recommend. The Miqve (ritual bath house) is testimony to the Jewish settlement in Besalu. The building consists of a high, single - vaulted room from which steps lead down to the former plunge pool. The Jewish community were driven from this area due to Christian not moorish intolerance. If you continue along this path you will enter the Placa Llibertat, where the weekly market takes place every Tuesday. Following on you encounter the vast Prat de Sant Pere dominated by the Benedictine monastery church of Sant Pere. Its most outstanding feature is the arched Gothic window protected by a pair of monstrous lions. There are many other buildings and interesting features to discover on a visit to Besalu.
Besalu is situated 14km from Banyoles and its tourist office is situated in the Central Placa de la Llibertat. It is open daily 10am – 2pm, 4-7pm, they can be contacted by phone on 0034 972 59 12 40. They can provide you with brochures, maps and a variety of information. They also hold the keys to locked monuments such as the Miqve.
Castellfollit de la Roca
Continuing west towards Tortella about fifteen minutes further is the village of Castellfollit de la Roca clinging dangerously to the side of the cliff, observing the Riu Fluvia. It is at its most impressive by night when spotlights heighten the dramatic setting of this otherwise unremarkable village. During the day you can visit the viewing platform found behind the village church where stomach-churning views down the cliff are best enjoyed.
Olot
Continuing west, 16 km, you may wish to avail of the facilities offered by the town of Olot. While the town may seem rather plain in comparison to Girona there are still some charming bits of architecture to be explored along with a large shoppng centre. The town also has a thriving student population that gives it a vibrant, friendly atmosphere. In fact Olot is known through some of the artists produced form the art school. Olot could also be described as the gateway to the volcanic zone just beyond. Many visitors make a day trip to the village of Santa Pau where a large number of the thirty cones can be viewed. Thankfully it has been twelve thousand years since any actually erupted and they are now populated by a luxuriant green spread of vegetation.
The tourist office is opposite the bus station on the c/Bisbe Lorenzana. It is open Mon-Fri 9am – 2pm & 3-7pm, Sat 10am – 1pm & 5-7pm, Sun 11am – 2pm. There is also a municipality funded information office at no: 33 of the streets westerly continuation, c/Mulleras in the central market square. It is open Mon-Fri 9am – 1pm, 4-7pm, Sat 10am -1pm, 5-7pm.
Figueres
The East coast has numerous places worth a visit in fact too many to mention but I will describe some of its more prominent attractions. The town of Figueres whose famous son Salvador Dali still appeals to thousands of visitors every year.You can visit the Dali museum where you’ll be offered a unique theatrical experience.
The tourist office is situated on the Placa del Sol and can be contacted by phone 0034 972 50 31 55. From June to September it is open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-2pm. You will find it by leaving the Rambla by its southwest corner along the c/Lasa
Down the coast, 1 1/2 hours drive is the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona offers all the delights of a large city. Renowned for its impressive architectural heritage and its vibrant population it is well worth a visit at any time of year.
All of these places are within a two-hour drive of Can Cruanyes and can be enjoyed in a day