Returning to Costa Brava – visiting Cadaques
When I was invited to visit Costa Brava for a week again in March 2013, I didn’t need much time to say yes. To be honest, I said yes to the offer straight away even without thinking. No matter how many times I have been to Catalonia already (in case you didn’t know, Barcelona IS the city deepest down there in my heart), I just feel the urge to return to Catalonia at least once a year since my first visit back in summer 2005.
I can say Catalonia made it to one of my favorite places in the world. It’s not only its multicultural capital that captured my soul, but little towns scattered around Costa Brava proudly claim their spot on the map.
I have visited Costa Brava area for a few times, last time exploring its Southern part in September 2012 for TBEX in Girona but it seems as if new and new charming towns emerged in the province after my each visit.
Yes, new interesting places are always waiting for me in Costa Brava. And now, during a week there, Cadaques was the first of them.
walking to Cadaques centre
Santa Maria church and the white town
loving these trees in Cadaques
Cadaques – Artists’ town
I’d only heard of its beauty from the others until I woke up there my first morning staying in one of the best luxury villas in Costa Brava. I opened my eyes in Sa Costa villa where we were staying for 3 nights and saw the ”Pearl of Costa Brava”, as they call the white town of Cadaques.
view of the white architecture of Cadaques
boats in Cadaques
the reddish roofs of white Cadaques buildings
Once artists’ capital visited by famous Marcel Duchamp, Mick Jagger, Richard Hamilton or Picasso, and home of Salvador Dali, Cadaques can go from its usual 3,000 inhabitants to around 30,000 in summer. The first night we got to Cadaques, there was also Ron Wood, the guitarist of Rolling Stones visiting with his 40 years younger girlfriend. Well, #itmustbelove :D
Anyway, as you can see, the charms of fishing village Cadaques still attracts famous people – that’s why together with 7 other bloggers we also paid a visit to the town protected by mountains :)
Santa Maria church in Cadaques
In March Cadaques was pretty empty, with no mass tourism, offering quiet streets to wander to solitary souls looking for relaxation like me.
Its white architecture was NOT the only thing that amazed me.
Nor it was Rafel, a guy with sweet face and spark in his eyes I met briefly at lunch in the vineyards and I wanted to eat instead of the lunch. Dark sand and pebble beaches definitely played their role too, and so did the beautiful Santa Maria church we explored with Joan, the Mayor of Cadaques himself, together with Stefano who is in charge of the church.
Stefano with the Mayor explaining us the history of Santa Maria church
Jesus in Santa Maria church
Listening to some stories of the church history together with those funny ones with children (including the Mayor when he used to be a kid) playing with the adults, their fingers and drawers made our church visit one of the most remarkable churches I have ever been to.
years ago kids used to play with these drawers
Santa Maria church, situated on the highest point of the historic centre, was built in the 17th century (the one we see now). Its Gothic style mixed with sea ornaments show it was originally built for sailors to pray for their return from bad days on the sea. Fish and ship decorations are incorporated into the abundant gilded wood iconography of the baroque retable made by Joan Tarro. Famous International Music Festival takes place in the church.
a sailor’s face in Santa Maria church
Prayer room
One of the many interesting facts about Iglesia de Santa Maria en Cadaques is also the prayer room with seats on a carpet where people of all the religions can pray barefoot in silence.
I am not a religious person at all, but when traveling I do visit a church from time to time. The silence always calms me down and fills me with great mood. Feeling blessed does feel good!
hello from Santa Maria church
loving the reflection of the roofs seen from the church
view of Cadaques Bay
finally sunny in Cadaques
Visiting Cadaques was a press trip organized by Charming Villas. All the opinions are my own. Many thanks to Richard, his wife, the Mayor of Cadaques and everyone else who made this trip possible for me.
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Chill Educational Travel:
Thanks Erin. It was super cool in Cadaques :)
Chill Educational Travel
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Wow this town really does have a charm to it, I can see it just through the pictures. You captured it so beautifully!
Cheers~Erin
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ The Cultureur:
I tried to choose the best ones :)
The Cultureur
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Great photos, lady! :-)
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ lola:
So nice of you, sweetie! I really enjoyed my time with you and the other funny guys :)
lola
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LOVE the photos. great coverage of Cadaques. one of the best things about the trip was getting some time to spend with you. you are such a dear friend to me!! xoxo
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Raymond @ Man On The Lam:
Happy to share all the laughs when visiting interesting places with you too, Raymond!
Raymond @ Man On The Lam
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Stefano at that church was an awesome guide! So great to have had the experience with you Alex!!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Matthew Hirtes:
Oh yes, for sure! There will be a few more posts from the area coming soon as I really loved it there :)
Matthew Hirtes
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Looks like you had a great time. And sounds like your return is going to be sooner rather than later. I’m sure it will make for another great post.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Nomadic Texan:
As you can see, I love all the little towns in Costa Brava! Cannot get enough of them :)
Nomadic Texan
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So #jealous young lady! I have never been, but it is very high on my #bucketlist!!! Thank you for sharing! Great photos!!!
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Ash Clark:
Of course it was a fun place cos we were there :)
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ The Guy:
All the photos were taken a few days ago, so yes, it was in March :) The weather was not the best though, it was super windy and with a bit of rain and clouds, but still could have been worse! I fell in love with the place anyway :)
Ash Clark
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Such a fun place, even when the weather isn’t best! Great set of photos too!
The Guy
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It looks like such a beautiful place. I love all the white houses; makes it look so warm and sunny even though it probably wasn’t in March.
That church is interesting too with that prayer room to accommodate all faiths.