Three Day Adventure in the South of Catalonia
The Tierras del Ebro and its mountains, situated in the south of Catalonia, offer anything an adventure lover could wish for – pleasant boat rides, walking or horse-riding expeditions, paragliding flights for the most daring, kitesurfing for the more sports inclined or potholing for inquisitive minds, among many other activities. Here, then, is a selection of activities you can embark on to make the most out of your visit to these splendid climes during a three-day getaway.
First Day
Safari in the Ebro Delta
A good way of making your first contact with the Ebro Delta is by venturing across it. The crew at Natura & Aventura offer an interesting outing along its beaches, lagoons and rice paddies. An expert ornithologist will point out the most interesting species on the way, prominent among them being flamingos, which are sure to be the subject of some of your souvenir photos.
A Bird’s-Eye View of the Priorat
Imagine being able to see the vineyards of the Priorat from the air! With Parapente Montsant, you can do just that. Located in Cornudella de Montsant, they offer flights in a two-seater which will take you above the Serra de Montsant Nature Reserve, an experience you are not likely to forget ever.
Discovering Els Guiamets
After flying over the Priorat, we return to earth and head for the Guiamets reservoir, located in the heart of the Priorat, where the Centro Natura ServiKaYaK offers pleasant rides by kayak, pedal boat or fishing vessel. The idyllic scenery which accompanies the ride is the final flourish to your thrilling first day.
Second Day
The Seductive Sebes Nature Reserve
The second day also starts out in the Ebro Delta, but this time you embark on a guided tour of the Sebes Nature Reserve and the Flix meander. This area is known for its wetlands where you will again be treated to sightings of local fauna, particularly storks, and to exciting panoramic views from a number of observation platforms.
Underground Beauty Too
One of the more unusual attractions in the Tierras del Ebro is provided by the Benifallet Caves, commonly known as the “Cuevas de las Maravillas” (Caves of Marvels), where water has eroded the rock into a unique landscape. Make a point of including it on your wish list.
Third Day
Galloping Across the Montsià
A great way of exploring the Montsià mountain range is on horseback. The Carlos Cid Riding School offers outings through the mountains, following a route studded with olive groves, orange and carob groves, bulls, watering holes with bird-life and dry-farming land. A unique and entertaining way of touring the area. Be sure to sign up for it!
Kitesurfing in the Ebro Delta
Sports enthusiasts should take the opportunity to delight in the playful side of the Ebro Delta’s waters. One option is to try your hand at kitesurfing. The folks at DeltaKiteSup will guide you through your first few paces or bring out your more advanced kitesurfing streak. Take note!
Text and photos by Turisme Catalunya
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more infoNine Watersports in Tenerife
In addition to a long list of land-based leisure activities, the island offers another extensive gamut of sports and activities in the ocean. Tenerife is practically one huge outdoor gym, open 365 days a year. Its climate, landscapes and natural setting make it eminently appealing for doing sport, attracting professional and amateur sportspeople alike. Here are a number of sea-based sports and activities. They cater to all tastes, from those done solo to others involving pairs or the whole family.
Entertainment? The Sea is the Medium
The Atlantic Ocean’s waters are one of Tenerife’s great treasures, thanks to their perpetually crystal-clear condition and pleasant, stable temperature all year around. Here are nine sports that will make you want to never go back to the humdrum of the rat race.
Diving
Let’s start by putting our head under water. What can you see down there? The island boasts 60 diving spots fringing the whole coastline, with sandy or rocky sea floors or volcanic reefs. The seabeds are varied and teeming with life. Vision is incredibly clear on account of the crystal-clear waters that enable the sun’s rays to penetrate to a depth of practically 40 metres.
Free Diving
Let’s continue with sports involving immersion. Apart from the sea, the island has centres for learning or perfecting free diving. The sea temperature, the scant variation in temperature between depths of 0 and 50 metres (hardly 1 degree centigrade) and the acute visibility up to about 20–25 metres, are some of the striking diving conditions here. There are diving spots all around the island, but the best area is the west, on account of the unusual relief features, which make the temperature, currents and weather ideal for doing all forms of snorkelling and free diving. All the necessary equipment is available for starting out in this watersport or perfecting your technique.
Windsurfing
Here, the watersport par excellence is windsurfing. Some beaches are perfect for amateur windsurfers, notably El Médano, whose success lies in having more than 300 windy days a year. The town has stores that sell or rent out equipment, as well as repair shops and companies offering courses. Top-level competitions are held in Tenerife, including the World Championships.
Kitesurfing
As with windsurfing, El Médano (Granadilla de Abona) is one of the best spots for kitesurfing; indeed, it is actually one of the best in Europe. The winds are strong virtually year around and the water temperature ranges from 16 to 26 degrees centigrade between winter and summer.
Surfing and Bodyboarding
The island’s coastline is packed with places for surfing and bodyboarding – you can find the ideal spot for them virtually anywhere along its perimeter. The most powerful waves are on the north and northwest coastline, while in the south and southwest the breakers are less intense. The sea can, however, be rougher or calmer depending on the time of year.
Stand Up Paddle
This watersport is becoming increasingly more popular around the world. Ideal spots for SUP can be found along various stretches of the eastern and southeastern coastline. This activity can be done on one’s own, in pairs or with the whole family.
Kayaking
Kayaking has become very fashionable as it provides access to spectacular land formations along the coastline, notably the 600-metre-high cliffs known as Los Gigantes which include grottoes and coves. Kayaking is easy to learn – just try it and you’ll see!
Sailing and Dinghy Sailing
The island’s calm waters and pleasant climate make it ideal for sailing. It boasts a total of nine marinas (see here) for mooring vessels scattered especially across the south, but also the north, which makes taking up this sport a hassle-free affair.
Deep-Sea Fishing
This is a sport that is acquiring increasingly more enthusiasts. In addition to the island’s ideal climatic and sea conditions, Tenerife also sits along the migratory route of a large variety of species, including the blue marlin and tuna.
If you’d like to find out more about these sports and activities, as well as accommodation, specialist schools or companies, check out the offers at Tenerife No Limits.
Come and experience these sports for yourself. Check out our flights here.
Text and images by Turismo de Tenerife
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