2. The county of La Garrotxa is in the extreme east of the Pyrenees and covers an area of 735 km2, split into 21 municipalities. It is the most easterly mountain county and the one with the lowest average altitude: most of its surface is less than 600m above sea level and the highest parts are not above 1,600m, differentiating it from the rest of the mountain counties. The relief is characterised by its transition from the mountain to the plain and by the existence of a volcanic zone, something that makes it especially distinct. The river Fluvià divides the county into two parts: the Alta Garrotxa and the Olot plain. The former presents an abrupt relief and a landscape that has been relatively unaltered by human activity. The latter, situated to the south of the Fluvià, comprises a softer landscape, characterised by the presence of volcanoes in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and by being the most populated zone. The county is formed around four large valleys: La Vall d'en Bas to the southeast, La vall d'Hostoles to the south and La Vall de Bianya to the west. In the east La Vall del Fluvià opens out towards the Empordà. Besalú, with an important medieval quarter, is found here, as is Beuda, with its important Romanesque churches. Nature

3. There are many examples of artistic expression that can be visited in La Garrotxa and they relate to various moments in history. If you are lovers of art, you will be absorbed by the finest of these works: the Roman road of Capsacosta, the Medieval - Romanesque, the Jewish legacy, the Renaissance, the Modernism and "Noucentisme" the Olot School, the Contemporary Art... Throughout La Garrotxa there is a long tradition of making nativity scenes. Several municipalities organise live nativity scenes in which the local residents take part and which are the most popular of all the Christmas festivals. This whole tradition of religious imagery is laid out in Museu dels Sants, unique in its genre. The visit to the three public museums (Museu Comarcal, Museu dels Volcans and Museu dels Sants) and to the two collections, one public - Casa-Museu Can Trincheria - and two private - Museu de la Fauna Salvatge del Pirineu Oriental and Museu de Miniatures i Microminiatures de Besalú- enables you to discover in great detail the natural and cultural heritage and history of La Garrotxa. Culture

4. In the Garrotxa there are restaurants for all palates, for the lovers of the good table and of the products local, autochthonous and traditional. For all tastes Some of the restaurants spread the history of Besalú through its gastronomy (collective Besalú Gastronòmica); other make on the day with innovative ideas the most traditional cooking of the region (group Cuina Volcànica); other are rewarded with Michelin Stars. The possibility to enjoy a good meal is guaranteed. Gastronomic archeology While the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park preserves tens of old varieties of fruit trees, the SIGMA Consortium sustains a bank of seeds of every type of plants in a historical way cultivated in the Garrotxa, and the collectives of restaurateurs retrieve traditional ingredients and prepare historical recipes, is being worked to join all these efforts to be able to favor, in a more generalized way, the crops of the autochthonous and traditional varieties and their posterior use in the restaurants. Gastronomy

5. The moderate slopes of La Garrotxa and their diversity and natural beauty make it an ideal place for lovers of hiking. Scores of historic paths make up the network of walking paths known as Itinerànnia, through which even those unaccustomed to walking can discover the farthest corners of La Garrotxa. Through Itinerànnia you will also be able to join up with paths in Ripollès and the Alt Empordà once the task of signposting the routes has been completed. This network of paths at times links up with some specific routes, both in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and the Alta Garrotxa, and allows you to discover some of the region's most interesting corners. The Roman road of Capsacosta, Camí Ral from Vic to Olot and several Senders de Gran Recorregut (long distance routes) are other possibilities in La Garrotxa for visiting on foot. All through the year there is the possibility of doing routes accompanied by a guide, either through Itinerànnia or outside of this network of walking paths. This can be arranged in several ways: hiring the guide directly or taking part in a tour as part of the "Descobreix la Garrotxa!" programme. Enterprises: A Peu: less than 15 p. . ½ day 1 day . from de 9 € from de 12 € 15 p. or more . ½ day 1 day visit museums/villages 124 € 165 € 66 € ½ day 1 day Verd Volcànic: 135 € 195 € Activities - hiking

6. La Garrotxa is one of the best places for bike touring in Catalonia. Olot is a key location, since it is necessary to pass through it to connect the Via Verda del Ferro with the Via Verda del Carrilet. In fact, it is the recommended starting point for the Via Verda del Carrilet, since a good section of the route to Girona is downhill. Olot also has several bike touring routes - not signposted - around the city, and Besalú has the Anella Verda (Green Ring), a wide pathway on the banks of the river Fluvià that is suitable for cycling along. Enterprises: bicycle renting Centre Logístic del Bicicarril 15 € pax - Service of bicycles collection and transfer luggage. Activities – bike tours

7. The horse world takes all its forms in La Garrotxa. Besides traditional routes on horseback it is possible to enjoy many more horse-related activities: educational activities on horseback for school groups, equi-therapy, walks, parties with ponies for small children guided by parents... and, for those new to the art of horseback riding, routes on horseback for beginners. Enterprises: 4h tour + 30 min instruction Servei d’Equitació Garrotxa 40,00 € p/p - Every day at 11:00h Activities – horse riding

8. A flight in a hot air balloon over La Garrotxa is a unique experience suitable for all ages. Balloon flights take off early in the morning. The flight lasts between 1 h and 1 h 30 min, and includes cava and coca (typical sponge cake) served during the flight, and a farmers' breakfast after landing. The whole experience lasts from 8 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon approximately. The departure point is right in the middle of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, between Croscat volcano, Santa Margarida volcano and La Fageda d'en Jordà (beech forest). Enterprises: adults Vol de Coloms 170 € p/p Activities - h ot air balloon flights

9. Nature tourism in La Garrotxa is able to offer a wide variety of different accommodation options, situated in an exceptional natural environment: country houses, hotels, campsites, apartments, hostels and summer camps. Apart from accommodation situated in a rural setting, most villages also offer accommodation. Accommodation: beds prices since . Hotels and pensions 978 26,50 € p/p (double room B&B) Rural tourism 855 31,50 € p/p (double room B&B) “ “ 16 € day (entire house 8 pax) Apartments 544 29,50 € p/p(HP) Hostels and summer camps 1.672 17,10 € p/p (B&B) Campsites 4.984 9,95 € p/p (forfait “2 adults, tent and car”) Accomodation

10. Volcanic cuisine, food from the land of volcanos, this rich, fertile soil that produces moorish wheat, kidney beans, potatoes, turnips, onions, truffles, endives and chestnuts to accompany our pork, escargot, and wild boar. Local products from the orchard to the table, harvested and cooked. This turnip that has just arrived in the kitchen still has bits of moist soil on its wrinkled skin... precise seasoning and the wise combination of produce. A cuisine that is strong and convincing, born and raised here, it will make you want to lick your fingers. Restaurants: set menu from menu from Standard 10,00 € 15,00 € Medium-high - 30,00 € Michelin Stars - 45,00 € Restaurants

11. Montse Padrosa Gelabert www.turismegarrotxa.com [email_address] Tel. 00 34 972 27 16 00 Av. Onze de Setembre 22, 2a planta 17800 Olot More information