Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain

Planet

Aims: Our aim is to provide quality self guided tours enabling our guests to experience the natural beauty of the Emporda region of Catalunya without damaging the environment. The main economy in the area is based around agriculture and tourism. Through our walking and cycling tours we support the local economy by booking directly with local owed and run hotels and restaurants, including the ‘Turisme Rural’ initiative. We support local markets and producers by including visits and tastings on foot on our travels.

Environmental responsibility - Each village has at least one recycling point and a general bin area. Unlike the UK we can empty our refuse on a daily basis to a local point. Our office is home based and we endeavour to run a ‘minimum paper’ administration and use recycled paper and recycled cartridges. Small rucksacks are provided for walkers and guests are asked to put all rubbish into them for disposal at the end of each day. Packed lunches when provided are in reusable containers and refillable bottles. Guidelines are given to all guests on how to use the walking paths in a responsible manner.

People

Social responsibility - Preserving local culture is of paramount importance to our walking tours. Although Catalunya is part of Spain and everyone speaks Spanish the first language, particularly in rural areas is Catalan. Walking through the many small villages in this area allows contact with the local people, be it asking directions, buying from the local shops, having lunch in the numerous restaurants and cafes or taking part in the festivals and fairs throughout the year. We believe that experiencing local culture makes a vacation memorable and worthwhile and the best way to do this is by foot. Unlike some other areas of Spain, the Biax Emporda is largely unspoilt and has managed to preserve its language and traditions giving it its own identity. This area is covered in pathways and old roads used for hundreds of years by travelers, pilgrims, shepherds and even the odd smuggler! It is important that care and attention are given to these routes to enable their history to live on

Our tour always include several visits to local producers. In many ways this strong sense of tradition is what makes this area unique and worthy of a visit. The opportunity to experience other peoples varied culture is an integral part of this vacation. We feel very privileged to live in such a beautiful place and would like the opportunity to share the experience with like minded travelers through walking our tours.