The Review section
is where you can send us your own story of places that you
have been to and visited.
This Review of Vall De
Nuria was
sent in by Debra Foremski...
The most perfect day trip for the middle of the Summer.
We drove from Girona towards Olot and on to Ripolles. You
go through the short tunnels that cut right through the
mountain, which are a unique feature of Europe. When
you come to Ripolles you take the right hand lane for the
most direct route to the lovely town of Ripoles.
However, if you have some time, take the slightly longer
route and go left for Ripolles. This takes you on a
spectacular windy drive on a very well
built road up and down the mountains with the
most stunning views (well, for the passengers that is
- highly recommend that the driver remains concentrated and
not be too distracted!). The whole route is very
green with cascading pine forests and occasional mountain
houses nestled above pretty valleys. One of the kids
swore she saw an eagle on the way.
From Ripolles, head for Nuria. Signs at this stage
are lacking but drive through Ripolles and look for Ribes
de Freser which is a place with a small
community. A few bars, restaurants (none of which
were particularly notable). There are a few pretty
houses but very much a typical mountain town. When we
got there, the signs for the
station Ribes-Vila were a little confusing.
We parked nearby and followed signs on foot the short way
to the station.
The little train stations on route are truly
exquisite. Very old fashioned and quaint. The
ticket office staff speak (if you need to) English and are
very helpful. Considering the price of a return
ticket from Girona to Barcelona, the ticket price for two
adults and two kids was quite steep (60€) but
you are given information on walks, hotel facilities
and activities in the resort. Plus, the mountain
train is very modern and efficient. There are also
special offers to stay in the resort which include the
price of the train fare.
Up we went on a magical journey of fantastic vistas.
As you climbed higher in the air conditioned carriages,
Ribes de Freser became a tiny toy town below.
Wonderful mountains, beautiful natural waterfalls, rock
pools, flora and fauna opens up for you on your journey
upwards.
Vall de Nuria is heralded by a whistle blow as the train
arrives with a perfect view of the hotel, church and
facilities in a little enclosed valley. This is
primarily a winter resort but is also a welcoming alpine
summer retreat. The beautiful lake is in front
of the holiday complex built around an old but well
preserved church. On a Summer visit you could do
everything there is to offer within a day. As
one of the kids observed, it was like Disney land but
real.
As you hop off the train you easily find yourself in the
hotel complex with displays and three, tiny
museums dedicated to skiing, the natural environment and
the mechanics of the lifts and cable cars. There is also
the typical souvenir shop and a another selling artisan
produce. There are a number of different restaurants
dotted around, a dispensary, cash-point and information
desk. There are hotel rooms and apartments but it
would hardly be self-catering as the facilities available
are very limited (unless you came up on the train carrying
your supplies) so you would be looking at eating in one of
the on-sight venues.
From the information desk you can book mini-golf,
horse-riding, kayaking, rowing boats and archery.
There is one cable car service running in Summer.
Everything is so clean, tidy and well ordered. The
staff (including the train drivers and conductors) wear the
same distinctive maroon polo shirts.
You can visit a little reformed chapel and fill up your
water bottle from the mountain water font.
We had a picnic on tables and benches by some swings and
slides. It was next to a babbling brook where the
children kicked off their shoes, rolled up their trousers
and paddled on the rocks. They chased butterflies,
looked for shiny stones and tried to catch tiddlers.
There is a childrens' play area where they can slide down a
dry slope in rubber rings. A tip is to go at 6pm
where you pay a reduced cost for 45 minutes which is more
than enough time as the facilities are rather limited.
If you are lucky you may see birds of prey or a mountain
goat. Cows with bells graze on the hillside under
towering rock faces.
The chair lifts (not operating in Summer) and gentle slopes
wait silently in anticipation of the winter season.
There is a really tiny farm area where we saw farm birds,
donkeys and a mountain dog tethered.
A special, delightful feature was the donkey and pony rides
for small children. You book at the information desk at the
hotel and take your ticket to get your pony.
It was just so lovely for the kids as our youngest
(she was fitted with a riding hat) was given her own
pony and led off by our nine year old. Although it is
meant to be under adult supervision (i.e., a parent) our
nine year old is familiar with horses so they gave her
the rope and let her lead the way. So, our two
kids disappeared off together in charge
of the little pony between them and we sat
on a bench by the lake having a
beer! Amazing! This was OK until the
pony decided to stop and have a munch on the grass,
dug his heels and not move any further.
Despite my kids cajoling they couldn't shift him until one
of the stable girls came to their rescue! The
stable girl kindly changed the first pony for a more
amenable one who was much more responsive. So, when
our children were finished with the ride they took it back
to the stable, in their own time and only when they had had
enough!
We wanted to take the half-hour mountain ride on
horses with a guide but it was booked up for the day, so do
this when you first arrive. If we go again we will
try and pre-book it. The horse/pony rides are not
available in the winter. The animals all looked well
treated and the staff were very caring and
respectful.
In the winter it is also great for kids, so we are
told. There is igloo building, nursery slopes with
instructors (in Catalan, Spanish and English), toboggans
and much more.
The last train down the mountain leaves at
19.20. It had been so nice to escape the hot
weather in Girona. We all wished
we had booked up for a couple days of respite
from the heat. By the evening it was noticeably cooler
but all day had been the most desirable and perfect
climate. Sunny, warm with a gentle, cooling
breeze. The kids loved it and were not ready
to go home. We didn't do everything because it's
always nice to leave something else to do if you want
come back. Perhaps next summer it would be
so good to stay up in the gorgeous fresh air for
a couple of days.
A superb, uplifting and memorable day was had by us all.
It is such a perfect little resort for young families that
we hope to return both in the Winter and in the
Summer. Highly recommended and well worth going.