Empordà is a region of vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages and hidden Mediterranean coves. On this journey, you'll spend time with local people who have mastered the art of living well in this region of plenty. Through memorable encounters with foragers, artisans, winemakers and growers in beautiful settings, you'll discover a way of life shaped by simple pleasures. Before long, it becomes clear that some of life's richest moments are often the ones that ask the least of us.
The Simple
Pleasures of Empordà
A journey through vineyards, villages and hidden coves, reminding us simple moments ca make life feel so rich
Empordà, Catalonia, Spain
Map View
Overview
Wild foraging
Hidden cove s
Botanical making
Countryside life
Long table
Nature walks
A Signature Journey
From £0
Tailored to you
No two journeys are exactly the same. Every experience is adapted around your interests, preferred pace, group size and travel dates.
BackWhat we love
Simple pleasures
There is an unhurried quality to life in Empordà. The sea, the vineyards and the changing seasons quietly shape each day, and the people who live here seem instinctively to follow their lead. Meals linger, conversations wander, and beautiful things are made with care rather than haste. Spend time here and it's remarkable how quickly life's simplest moments begin to feel like the richest ones of all.
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Gather
The hidden ingredients
Follow a local forager through coastal paths and countryside, gathering wild herbs, edible flowers and botanicals. Along the way, you'll discover how these overlooked ingredients find their way into oils, balms, meals and drinks throughout the region. Soon you're spotting wild fennel, rosemary and edible flowers everywhere you look.
Swim
The secret cove
Set out with a local sea guide to discover hidden corners of the coastline known only to a handful of people. Swim in clear Mediterranean waters, float beneath the cliffs and emerge to fresh coffee and pastries waiting nearby. It's a simple morning, yet hard to imagine a better way to begin the day.
Make
Beauty in simple things
Join a botanical maker whose workshop is filled with the scents of lavender, rosemary and citrus. Using plants from the surrounding landscape, you'll blend simple oils, balms and natural skincare inspired by generations of local knowledge and craftsmanship. Fragrant oils are poured, herbs are crushed between your fingers and beautiful blends begin to take shape, all from the simplest of ingredients gathered by hand
Share
The orchard table
Somewhere between vineyards, olive groves and sea views, a beautifully laid table awaits. Linen, wildflowers, seasonal produce, local wine and unhurried conversation. The ingredients are simple. The setting is extraordinary. Plates are passed, glasses are refilled and conversation drifts long into the afternoon.
Savour
Life well lived
By the end of the journey, nothing about life has changed. Yet somehow everything feels a little different. You linger longer over meals and conversations, notice the small details more often and find yourself taking greater pleasure in life's simplest rituals. Perhaps that's because the richest moments rarely ask for very much.
On the journey
Signature moments, curated around you
Every experience is thoughtfully shaped around your interests, pace and the season, while staying true to the spirit of the journey.
- Gather wild herbs with local foragers
- Swim in hidden Mediterranean coves
- Create natural oils and balms
- Meet local growers and artisans
- Share memorable outdoor meals
- Explore vineyards and villages
- Stay in a boutique rural retreat
- Enjoy private hosted experiences
- Seamless transfers throughout
Where you'll stay
Among the vineyards
For this journey, we typically recommend heritage estates, vineyard retreats and intimate rural hideaways surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the peaceful countryside of Empordà. Each is chosen for its character, warm hospitality and deep connection to the surrounding landscape, creating the perfect setting for lingering breakfasts, afternoon swims and long evenings around the table.
Additional Information & Cancellation
Good To Know
Local insights, insider tips and practical information to help you plan your journey.
Where is Empordà in Spain, and how do you get there?
Empordà lies in northeastern Catalonia, between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, encompassing beautiful stretches of the Costa Brava. It's a landscape of contrasts, from vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages to pine-covered cliffs and secluded coves. Girona and Barcelona are convenient arrival points, and we can arrange private transfers to your countryside accommodation and between experiences throughout your journey.
When is the best time to visit Empordà and the Costa Brava?
Empordà's changing seasons offer different pleasures. Spring is particularly lovely for exploring the countryside with local foragers, when wild herbs, flowers and Mediterranean plants bring the landscape to life. Summer is wonderful for swimming in hidden coves and enjoying long lunches outdoors. September brings the grape harvest, while autumn offers local food celebrations, the traditional rice harvest around Pals and the olive harvest later in the season. We'll shape your journey around the ingredients, traditions and experiences available during your visit.
What makes Empordà's food culture so special?
Empordà's cuisine is shaped by the meeting of sea and mountains, a tradition known as mar i muntanya. Fishing boats bring fresh seafood to the coast, while inland farms, orchards, vineyards and woodlands provide vegetables, olive oil, herbs and wine. The region's food culture celebrates these local ingredients, often prepared simply and enjoyed around a shared table. This journey introduces you to the growers, foragers and makers who keep that close relationship with the land alive.
Can I forage for wild herbs and make my own natural skincare products?
Yes. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local forager, you'll explore the countryside and discover how to recognise seasonal herbs, edible plants and botanicals. You'll also spend time with a local maker, learning how plants such as rosemary, lavender and citrus can be used to create natural oils, balms and skincare blends. These privately arranged experiences offer a hands-on introduction to the region's botanical traditions, with activities adapted to the season and local conditions.
Can we discover hidden beaches and coves away from the crowds?
Absolutely. Empordà's Costa Brava coastline is dotted with rocky inlets, pine-fringed coves and clear Mediterranean waters. Some beaches are reached along the historic camins de ronda coastal paths, while others are more easily approached from the sea. With a trusted local guide, you'll discover quieter places to swim, relax and enjoy the coastline. Conditions can change with the Tramuntana wind, so we'll select the most suitable locations for your visit.
Are the experiences private, and is everything arranged for us?
Yes. This is a privately hosted Signature Journey, not a group tour. Your foraging walks, botanical workshops, coastal experiences and encounters with local growers and artisans are arranged around you and your travelling companions. We'll organise your accommodation, local hosts and transfers between experiences, with our trusted destination team coordinating everything on the ground. If you'd prefer a dedicated guide throughout, we can arrange that too. Your personalised proposal will confirm exactly what's included.
Can I extend my Empordà journey or combine it with other parts of Catalonia?
Absolutely. We recommend three days or more to enjoy this journey, but the duration and itinerary can be tailored to your interests, dates and preferred pace. You might choose to spend longer exploring Empordà's vineyards and medieval villages, enjoy additional time along the Costa Brava or combine your stay with Girona, Barcelona or nearby Cadaqués. We'll create a personalised itinerary with beautiful accommodation, private experiences and seamless transfers throughout.
Cancellation
Wellness Traveller Tailor-Made Travel Booking Conditions
This Signature Journey is designed by Wellness Traveller Ltd and delivered in partnership with our trusted local destination team.
Payment Terms
A 30% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remaining 70% balance is due 60 days before your journey begins. For bookings made within 60 days of the journey start date, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellation Terms
We understand that plans sometimes change. If you need to cancel your journey: 61 days or more before your journey begins: Your 30% deposit is non-refundable. Any payments made above the deposit will be refunded. 60 days or less before your journey begins: 100% of the total booking value is non-refundable. Some elements of your journey may require advance payment to local partners and may become non-refundable earlier. Where different cancellation terms apply, we will make these clear before you confirm your booking. A £25 administration fee applies to customer-requested cancellations, except where you are exercising a statutory right to cancel without charge.
Your Financial Protection
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Wellness Traveller, Member 5735, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
• Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Wellness Traveller. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/
Travel Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is a condition of booking for our Signature Journeys.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, including appropriate cancellation cover, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and any activities included in your journey. Contact Wellness Traveller If you need to cancel your booking, please contact us in writing at hello@wellnesstraveller.co and include your booking reference number.
For full details, please see our Booking Conditions
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