The Catalan Rural Escape
is a gorgeous restored farmhouse next to a volcanic natural park.
Total capacity:
- 10 rooms in the main house
- 2 separate cabins (no kitchen)
Useful things to know:
- Rental car is highly recommended
- Babysitting service is provided during dinner hours and can be booked during the day at extra cost
- Communal dinner at a shared table with other guests
- 45 minutes from Girona airport and an hour and a half away from Barcelona airport
- Dinner and breakfast are included
- Pool open during the warmer months
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meal options available on request
- Several easy family-friendly hikes nearby
- Largest room can fit up to two adults and four children
- There is no air conditioning in the house, but all rooms have fans and the old stone walls help keep the heat out
Located right on the edge of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, this charming rustic farmhouse is surrounded by cornfields and picturesque scenery. The farmhouse is entirely renovated and designed to create the most relaxing experience for families. The stunning hilly landscape of the Garrotxa park is perfect for hiking or biking, including several shorter walks near the farmhouse that younger children can handle. The nearby town of Olot is a lovely place to discover typical Catalan cuisine and explore a traditional, quieter Catalonian town. The farmhouse is family-run and Rosa, who has managed the place for the last twenty-five years, is a great resource for hikes, activities, and restaurants in the area. A buffet-style breakfast and communal dinner made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are included in your stay. During the dinner hours, Pau the babysitter keeps the little ones enchanted with stories, games and occasional nature walks, leaving the adults free to socialize with each other. Many guests return again and again, charmed by Rosa and the farm’s unique, laid-back atmosphere. During the day, younger children can build castles in the sandpit, while more adventurous children might attempt to climb the big tree that shades the front of the property or feed the chickens and other farm animals found on the property. In the warmer months (May till Oktober), the whole family can hop into the pool to cool down (the pool is not heated and it is treated with chlorine). Families can also book a tour to a nearby farm to see cows and learn how yogurt is made. The rooms all have an en-suite bathroom, seating area, and heating, and are all equipped to accommodate families. The largest room can sleep up to two adults and four children. In the smaller rooms, guests can also request extra cots for children.
Check-in time
16:00
Check-out time
12:00
Minimum Stay
Please note that there is a 2 night minimum stay. During peak season in July and August and during public holidays, the minimum stay is 3-4 nights.
Prices from
Fixed rates per night (valid all year): Adult: 68€/night including half board (dinner and breakfast) Child (4-9 years): 35€/night including half board (dinner and breakfast) and miniclub babysitting service during dinner Child (3 years and less): 18€/night Single usage of room: 68€ + 10€/day supplement payment
Deposits / Cancellations
A deposit of 40% is requested to confirm the booking. All deposits are non-refundable. In case of cancellations, the guest might be allowed to change the date of the stay upon availability and confirmation from the hotel.
The Area
The farmhouse is located near the town of Olot, in the province of Girona. The town has several museums for visitors to discover, including the Garrotxa Museum, which showcases work from various artists from the region who lived between the XVIIIth and XXth centuries. Olot is also known for its festivals, including the Spring Fair in May, the Sardana de Corpus in June, and the Festes de Tura in September. The nearby Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park covers over 12,000 hectares and has about forty inactive volcanoes. Nearly 1,000 hectares of the Park are fully-protected natural preserves. The volcanic landscape is hilly and lush, covered with green forests interspersed with smaller towns such as Olot and Santa Pau.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Bike rentals are available close by the masia for adults and families who would like to head out and explore the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. Rosa can give advice on the best routes to follow for the most scenic views, adapted for all ages and fitness levels. Explore Medieval Villages There are several medieval villages in the Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park area. Sant Joan les Fonts is the closest to the farmhouse and is only a short 15-minute drive away. Besalú, the best preserved of the medieval villages nearby, is 20-minutes from the farmhouse, and hosts a medieval festival every September. Visit Banyoles Banyoles is a beautiful town known for its lake, only 35 minutes away from the farmhouse. Explore the archeological museum or the Sant Esteve monastery, then head over to the lake for a forty-minute boat tour aboard the Tirona, an electric catamaran. Hikes for adults in the Garrotxa The Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park is full of hiking and biking trails. If you are up for something more challenging, one of Spain’s famous “vías verdes,” old railroads that have been converted into 2,700 kilometres of hiking trails across the country, goes from Olot to Girona. One popular section of the trail is 23 kilometres long.
This easy hike starts only ten minutes away the farmhouse, and is perfect for families with smaller children who get tired or cranky easily. Carriage rides in the Fageda d'en Jordà 
This 1-hour tour lets you explore the unique scenery of the Fageda d'en Jordà woods in horse-drawn carriages and see the beauty of this unique forest--the only one in Spain to grow on top of volcanic lava--at a slower pace. Mas Coromina This nearby farm offers an educational experience for the whole family: learn about the cycles of farm life, walk through the fields, find out how the cows are milked and taste the fresh milk products.
Arne stayed at The Catalan Rural Escape with his family in October 2019: "We spent a lovely weekend at the Catalan Rural Escape in October. The house is very charming and Rosa, the host, was very warm and welcoming. We especially enjoyed the way the meals were served in the common dining area (smaller plates and already cut-up food for the kids). Our kids loved the small zip line on site. We would totally recommend it to any family looking for a few days relaxing away from the city buzz. Thank you, The Little Voyager, for recommending this place to us." Nadine stayed at The Catalan Rural Escape with her family in June 2020: "Great weekend spent at the Catalan rural escape, thank you to llonka for recommending the perfect place for us. It was the first time we go away with our 4 months old and she made sure all our worries and requests were met. The masia is lovely, very charming and homey." Valentina stayed at The Catalan Rural Escape with her family in July 2020: "We (family of 4 with 2 children of 3 and 1 year old kids) stayed for 5 days at the Catalan Rural Escape and it was just perfect!!!! Booking through The Little Voyager was super easy; the host (Rosa) was super friendly and treated us like family. The breakfast and dinners were local, delicious and hassle free with an amazing view to the valley! We enjoyed the surroundings, did lots of walks and enjoyed the pool at the house. But what we liked best was the child-friendly atmosphere, child friendly meals, and the availability of games and books. We loved that it was very rural and picturesque! We will definitely come back!!!"