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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Calella de Palafrugell or Collioure 1st week July

26 replies

Curlingstone · 09/04/2023 19:39

I've spent way too much time trying to find a post GCSE location for me & DD16. 1st week of July, so hopefully cheaper & quieter.
DD bookish and shy. Loves history (modern rather than ancient). I love food & people watching. We both love swimming - sea, rivers, lakes.
I want to be able to go and get a morning coffee while she sleeps in, go to markets, enjoy the local atmosphere.
I THINK I've narrowed choices down to the 2 above. Any thoughts? Are costs comparable?
I really don't want to drive, so will happily use trains, buses and taxis.
Any other gems I've missed? Thanks

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Original poster
Curlingstone · 09/04/2023 19:44

Sorry, to add some background.
We/I have loved Bologna, Syracuse, Berlin, San Sebastian, Rome, Antibes.
She won't entertain the Atlantic coast, water too cold!

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jotunn · 09/04/2023 19:49

Collioure is lovely. Very arty as it was popular with the Fauve painters so some
Really good art galleries and museums including a Picasso museum. Easy to get to Carcassonne which is incredible and into Spain. There is some good walking, great wine and a napoleonic fort above the town.

There is also very good snorkelling and beaches around.

backinthebox · 09/04/2023 19:52

Both are really lovely places. Happy memories of childhood holidays in both of them.

Original poster
Curlingstone · 09/04/2023 20:00

Thanks, sounds like I'm on the right track
@jotunn I've always fancied Carcassonne & cheap flights, so could add a couple of nights there. And there's trains to Collioure. I love traveling by train ( happy memories of Student Interail)

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Whywere · 09/04/2023 20:04

Calella is a real little gem. The market in Palafrugell is fabulous but the beaches are the real draw. It feels very relaxed and classy there. Walks along the seashore are wonderful as neighbouring towns are also worth a visit.

Stripycatz · 09/04/2023 20:08

Collioure is lovely. It would be my first choice.

maddy68 · 09/04/2023 20:12

Callela p is lovely. Haven't been to the other so can't comment

Bangkokbaby · 09/04/2023 20:15

Calella d p is beautiful, I got married there and we are going back this year with our kids for our 10th anniversary.
I've been 3 times before, we mostly just spent time at the beaches or walking. You can get busses to loads of places from Palafrugell bus station.

BrieMine · 09/04/2023 20:17

Collioure is very quirky. I went to a party there once and enjoyed a lovely morning walk the day after. I think it’s famous for anchovies.

Original poster
Curlingstone · 09/04/2023 20:23

Both sound like amazing choices ... cost of flights and accommodation may be the deciding factor. I'm assuming eating out costs will be similar?

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notasgreenasiamcabbagelooking · 09/04/2023 20:39

I've had day trips to both places, but not stayed in either. Both are lovely. I found Collioure busier and the beach was smaller, but probably more to do than in Calella. If I were to choose I'd go for Calella just because I love the Costa Brava and think you get better value for money than in France, and it's closer to loads of other great places. I wasn't that impressed by the rest of the coast near Collioure, although loved Ceret. Not sure how easy either place is without a car though, we've always driven.

notasgreenasiamcabbagelooking · 09/04/2023 20:46

Eating out much cheaper in the Costa Brava than in France, as are the supermarkets (which are full of French people who drive over the border to stock up on booze). I was also surprised how 'fast foody' the offerings were in France (we stayed in Argeles sur Mer) compared to the quality in Spain, although it's a while since we were there.

Icannever · 09/04/2023 20:56

We stayed in both places on one trip a few years back. Both are great but callela de Palafrugell would be my choice to revisit. It’s just got a nicer vibe, less busy and better beaches by miles.

So many great places to eat there as well. Im

mirmc · 09/04/2023 21:09

Both are gorgeous, but from C de P you can walk to another lovely resort called Llafranc. Both really pretty, excellent for snorkelling with great restaurants. Not cheap, as they are classy resorts, but much cheaper than France. We always hired a car, so I'm not sure about bus connections, there's no train. The towns all the way up the coast to the French border are fab, as are the inland medieval villages like Pals and Peratellada. The Dali triangle is amazing.

WhoHidTheCoffee · 09/04/2023 21:14

Both sound lovely but just to throw a third option into the equation - Villefranche-sur-mer near Nice would tick all your boxes. Wonderful, clear water for swimming in, and when we went in 2018, there were great public transport links to Nice, Italy, Monaco and a whole host of places in the hills. The kind of place where you could mooch and flop, but equally sightsee every day. But it is super easy to do on public transport.

piedbeauty · 09/04/2023 21:26

Both are gorgeous! I'd go with Callela de Parafrugell without a car though, as you have more options and public transport is better. Collioure, remember, is easier to get to by car.

I'd love to go out of season and do the Costa Brava coastal path - the scenery is fab, and there are so many gorgeous coves, villages and beaches in that part of the world.

Reddress2023 · 09/04/2023 21:34

Spain for sure. I've been to both. It's easy to do trips to Figueres for Dali museum and also Empurias which is amazing if you're into history. It's beautiful and tiny unspoilt villages... I think more to do than Collioure... you could also do a night in Barcelona and see all the incredible architecture

Original poster
Curlingstone · 09/04/2023 21:59

I'm so glad I posted. You've all been so helpful 😊 What a knowledgeable bunch. Mumsnet triumphs again x

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Pusspot · 11/04/2023 12:31

I've been to both of these - Palafrugell once and Collioure four times. You can probably tell which one I prefer!
Collioure has a fabulous market and lots of little streets and passages to wander around. Loads of restaurants, bars and small shops. The beaches are quite small and gritty, but sheltered. Port Vendres is a nice fishing port just down the road (30 minute walk).
The beaches at Argeles are huge and sandy, although I'm not sure about public transport from Collioure, as we had our car.

Pusspot · 11/04/2023 12:34

Also, it's possible to get the train from Collioure to nearby Spanish towns. We have done day trips to Barcelona and also Figures.

Original poster
Curlingstone · 12/04/2023 09:32

@WhoHidTheCoffee thanks. I follow Ian Rankin on twitter and he's there now! Pics look lovely, but we've been to that part of France before & fancy a change.
@Pusspot

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Original poster
Curlingstone · 12/04/2023 09:38

Sorry, pusspot for random tagging. Also posted too soon! I'm still torn. Accommodation is pricey and sparse ( because I'm being so indecisive). Thinking of a few days in Collioure then down to Girona for a weekend. Can fly into Beziers and out of Girona.

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Pusspot · 12/04/2023 11:03

Good idea - maybe do it the other way round? Collioure has a big market on Saturday morning (also Wednesday?) and they have lots of outdoor entertainment in the summer time, which might be more focused on weekends early in the season.

Stripycatz · 12/04/2023 23:10

I'm pretty sure you can get the night train from Paris to Collioure, which is a bit of an adventure.

Original poster
Curlingstone · 13/04/2023 21:22

@Stripycatz I love an overnight train trip! Unfortunately accommodation proving a problem, so may need to rethink plans 🙄

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