Today we say goodbye to the beautiful Rigat Parkhotel and Spa where we have been staying the last few days in Lloret de Mar.

We left our car there and took a taxi into the center of town.

There was hustle and bustle as a myriad of tour groups seem to be meeting in the main street.  We search for our group. Several minibusses are heading out as part of the TBEX Travel Bloggers who have signed up to go and explore the area.

This is just the beginning of Day 1 of Exploring and Family Fun in Costa Brava

We had selected a family trip, so Explorason would have some company as well.  We were quite excited as there was a boy his age, and another girl slightly younger there too. Sadly one of the other families had an emergency and couldn’t come at the last minute.

We piled our bags into the back, and took our seats and met our Tour Leader for the next few days – Anna.  She seemed so happy and permanently positive and smiling.  We liked her immediately!

We headed off for Blanes, a beach area at the southern tip of Costa Brava; the coastal area of Catalunya.

First off was “GINKANA” family play – an activity game discovering the fisherman village. A little like a scavenger hunt where they had to find things, and answer questions.

We then wandered into the town center (as part of this ginkana) along the small Rambla. It is not such a touristic town and has a local feel to it. Like the old water tap the kids loved.

We found and walked into a center fruit and vegetable market with locally grown produce. One of the ladies who had a stall market gave each of us a bunch of daisies.

Each Monday there is also a local market along the foreshore. Had we not been in a group I would have stopped as the prices and style of summer clothes was sensational.

There were lots of art and sculptures along the foreshore too.

I love how the waiters have their own sign.  They get priority when they cross the road from the cafes and restaurants to serve food at the tables on the beach side.

Next, there was a picnic at the beach where we met a champion world runner. He also owned a bakery, and the snacks were more like a lunch that he had brought along. Yummy freshly baked and filled rolls and treats for all of us.  He really was a lovely and inspiring guy who runs in many places around the world.

We continued our ginkana activity to the harbor.

There we took the Touristic Train (which is not a train but a truck) from the center to the Botanical Garden Marimurtra.

At the Botanical Garden Marimurtra, the kids really enjoyed themselves and visited the special garden areas of the world.  I was surprised how many plants and places Explorason knew.  We were given a cactus and some organic honey which was so nice. (The kids also had a photo of themselves with a Lorikeet but we forgot to get it when we left).

The kids loved testing their strength on the bamboo that was growing.

It is a really lovely garden and so pretty.

The coastline is just stunning, and it is a privately owned garden with only a small entrance fee.

Next was lunch at the beautiful Ventall Restaurant.

This is a sister restaurant to El Trull that we visited in Lloret de Mar.

The food was just incredible, and the decor is traditional and has a seaside feel to it with old world charm, and we highly recommend it as a great place to dine.

We then all jumped back in the minibus for a ride to Lloret de Mar.  It was right outside where we had stayed at the Rigat Parkhotel and Spa and I tried figuring out how we could have left our bags there. Too funny.

The kids enjoyed the stroll along the beach front and ran and hid along the way. It was great to see them all getting along so well.

We then met up with the “La Casa del Mar” where the kids were given a lesson in sea life.

They had a tray and magnifying glass and went out collecting sea life from the rocks.

It is great to be able to incorporate education and fun at the same time.

 

They then all got to look under the microscope at what they had collected. They loved this and didn’t want the time to end.

They had also collected shells on the beach, and they made necklaces. All the kids wore them (and still do I believe) with pride. They were simple yet really cool.

Sadly we left and walked back to the minibus and then it was a departure to Platja d’Aro further down the coast.

We were booked for two nights at Camping VALLDARO.

These are self-contained 2 bedroom cabins set around a little garden. The complex has wifi, a pool, playground, mini golf, trampolines, kids club, restaurants, cafe and more.

I managed to lock myself out on the first night, so it was nice the management came on over with a spare key.  Another person in our party did it also, so I didn’t feel so bad!

The kids enjoyed playing ball outside, and I wish we had more time to relax.

Before we knew it, it was time to head out to dinner in a restaurant in Platja d’Aro called Restaurant Aradi.

The food here was again a focus on seafood.  I just felt like a big salad, and started with the salad of colors – Ensalada de colores con alcachofas a la vinagreta de crudités, or artichoke salad – it felt so great to eat healthy food – loved it!

You can also read more about it in another family blog – The Talking Suitcase.

I have been busting to try Paella and am so glad I did.  This traditional local dish was fantastic. It is a Spanish dish with rice and seafood all cooked in the pan. You must try it!

We were all feeling a bit sun-kissed and tired from such a hectic day.

To think there are four days in total – three more fantastic days ahead – we can’t wait!

Stay tuned for my other posts on our great time in Costa Brava.

Click here for Day 2.