Enter a half-abandoned hill-top village in this remote, mountain-fringed landscape, and step into a fairy tale. Tucked in the Pyrenees foothills, between three national parks, this is wild Spain; wonderful walking, bird-watching and peace. Mireia and Ferran gave up city jobs to restore the 17th-century farm building – one of four in the one-street village – with traditional materials and a low-impact design (biomass boiler and recycled rainwater). Ferran cooks knock-out Catalan-style meals with regional fare and produce from their organic garden, eaten at a convivial table with mountain vistas. Their garden, with fig and fruit trees, sits below the walled patio; the latter a lovely spot to rest with a book or soak in the hot tub. On cooler days you can get snug in the barrel-vaulted sitting room, the original cattle stabling. There’s a separate games room for children, too. Furnishing throughout is spare yet stylishly under-stated with tiled floors, open rafters and rough white walls keeping bedrooms cool. Bathrooms are crisply modern. Young and passionate, your hosts are a joy. You will unwind, breathe deeply and smile at the views.
Our second visit to Mireia and Ferran’s home. This time with our two grandchildren. And we weren’t disappointed. They are super hosts; nothing is too much trouble. Their interest in wildlife and love of the area rubbed off on the children who were completely at home. And they arranged an excellent 4WD excursion with their friend Alberto to a high viewing point to watch Lammergeiers. Superb!