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Review 3557: Doorways, Mas Talaia

www.villavacations.com

Recommended. Review by Linsey W from PA

6bed/6bath house near Banyoles, Catalonia

When

end of May 08, one week

Location

The location is delightful private agricultural countryside, with active farms in walking distance, wheat fields dotted with red poppies. The house is situated on a rise, so there are long views of gentle mountains in every direction. One drive home was interrupted by a herd of sheep overrunning the road. A cuckoo lives outside of one of the bedrooms, and sounds just like the clock. A hour stroll takes you to a medieval village. Breakfast on the patio includes a view of the Pyrenees.

Nearby Amenities

Shopping for groceries required a hop in the car. The host showed us a delightful vegetable stand and small supermarket 10 minutes away. Very large supermarkets require a half hour drive, but we never made a special trip; we just stopped off on the way home from our days activities.

The nearest restaurant is ten minutes away, in the nearest tiny town. Other restaurants are half an hour away.

The House/Apartment

The building is an 1806 stone farmhouse, with contemporary renovations that preserve the historical feel. Thick stone walls, stone stairways and floors, large bedrooms and large common rooms absorbed five couples easily. We had plenty of room for big dinners together, and for after dinner gathering around a guitar, but we never felt crowded on top on one another, there was plenty of privacy and space to spread out. Outdoor space was roomy too: at one point two were reading by the pool, two were playing pool inside, two were playing badminton, and two were playing ping pong.

One third of the first floor is open sitting, dining, and kitchen. Companionable, not crowded. Middle third is enormous stone hallway, plus a TV and pool room. Other third is a bed/bath, and computer room.

Second floor has four bed/baths, around a large stone common room. Lots of privacy.

You can view the property directly: Mas Talaia.

Garden

Private, spacious outdoor area includes pool, bocce, lots of lawn. Two tables under the trees for breakfast and lunch. A large table for dinner under a porch roof, with outdoor grill. An herb garden with sage, thyme, oregano and basil.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

Everything was clean, and comfortable, especially the beds. Lots of old wooden furniture, no glitz. More than enough seating, everywhere. Plenty of pool towels, and plastic cups the pool area.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

The bedrooms were spacious, with very comfortable beds, lots of storage, and wooden shutters, which could block ALL light.

Kitchen

We cooked dinner for 10 of us most nights, and found all the equipment we needed. Because of the open floor plan, the cooks were not isolated in the kitchen. We loved the fresh herbs from the garden.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

The agency we booked with sent excellent materials ahead of time. We were familiar with the area, but still found their advice helpful. The on site host lived in the house for ten years, and recently moved nearby. She was born in the US, so communication was no problem. She also knows the area intimately, and was willing to call for us to make restaurant reservations.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

I would go back in a flash, especially if I could try another season.

Things to do in this area

We made day trips, all of them fun: Girona (urban, medieval town, Jewish museum), Empuries (Greek and Roman ruins, beautiful beach), Cadaques (beach and whitewashed town, I'd like to go back for a week), Cap de Creus (rock scrambling like the coast of Maine on steroids), Barcelona, and assorted little 13th c. towns like Besalu, and Pals, all delightful. A wonderful ceramics shop in Cadaques.

Having someone come in to cook for us one night was expensive, but worth it.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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