I’d seen pictures of Besalú, Spain before I arrived, but I wasn’t prepared for just how stunning it would actually be. As we drove into the town our first glimpse was of the medieval Viejo Bridge, and I was blown away by how much it looked exactly like the pictures. You know sometimes when you go to a new place and you’re disappointed because what you really see isn’t as good as what the pictures portray? Well, if anything Besalú was already better.
Viejo Bridge (aka the fairy-tale bridge)
I was desperate to explore, and on my first walk around the village of just over a thousand people, I felt like I was walking in a fairy-tale setting. The cobbled streets, arches, and medieval architecture are so well-preserved that it is like delving head first into the past. Just walking through the streets felt like the perfect way to uncover the secrets and mysteries of one of the best preserved Romanesque towns in Catalonia. It seemed like at the end of every street I’d stumble upon something interesting – whether that be a breathtaking view across the village, a charming archway to walk under or a wide-open Plaça dotted with cafes and tapas bars.
There’s something so special about little arches
It’s even more magical at night
After a pretty late night (for night please read early morning), I woke up and was both surprised and pleased to find no-one else around. Walking outside the air was fresh and cool and all I could hear was the memorizing sound of silence. The lush green hills which surround the village were enshrouded in cloud, creating a wholly ethereal picture before my eyes. It was at that moment where I truly fell for Besalú.
Viejo Bridge from the other side, looking back over the village of Besalú
Every so often during my stay, cutting through the sleepy tranquility of Besalú, I could hear iPhone’s and other gadgets vibrating and panicked cries of ‘the wifi won’t work! HELP!’ That’s right, 15 travel bloggers including myself, had descended upon the village to well and truly disturb the peace. Thanks to the lovely people at Charming Villas we got to stay in the most ridiculously opulent house, Casa Marcial and learn lots from the awesome senior travel bloggers that had organised to share their knowledge and wisdom with us during our stay. As well as the spectacular setting, it was a fantastic experience and one which I’ll definitely never forget.
Our killer house had part of a monastery attached to it… (that’s not to mention the pool!)
Blog House attendees (good-looking bunch, right!)
Besalú, one day I’ll be back. I left a little piece of myself there.
you were so incredibly lucky to get this experience! As a new travel blogger, I would have enjoyed the one on one experience versus the #TBEX Girona seminar type setting. Any advice or things you learned would be helpful!
You’re so right- I was beyond lucky to have the experience. It was amazing! I’ll send you an email with a few of the things I found most helpful and maybe you’ll get to go to one of the future Blog House experiences that are being planned!
It was so great to have you at the blog house! Besalú was such a cute town. We couldn’t have had it any better. It was perfect.
I miss Besalu! Am just writing about our time there now. It was so much fun!
SO much fun! I wish we were still there chilling in our big villa. Miss you!
thanks that would be great! I went to TBEX 12 and also did a post TBEX trip, but probably nothing is like one on one. I look forward to the email.
I miss the Blog House! Let’s go back next year
Loving your photos here. Thanks so much for joining us — hoping the cruise connections are working out. We’ll talk soon on that small project I was emailing you about.
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