The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees are synonymous with cultural heritage, history and deep-rooted traditions. This heritage makes it a perfect destination for all kinds of meetings, incentives, congresses and corporate events.
The MICE sector in the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees offers much more than just meetings and conferences. The events and incentives held here encourage a cultural immersion full of traditions, history and gastronomy. These cultural activities for groups not only enrich any event, but also leave a lasting impression on the participants, connecting them with the authentic essence of the landscapes, cuisine and people of the territory.
Escala, Ruïnes Empúries. Rafa Pérez. Arxiu Imatges PTCBG
Guided and personalised visits to emblematic locations
One of the best ways to get to know the soul of a destination is undoubtedly through its cultural and historical icons. The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees offer a wide variety of guided tours to renowned places of cultural interest. Companies specializing in these types of visits, such as GIGS, organise and customise them throughout the territory. From the Dalí Museum in Figueres, to the Jewish quarter of Girona, or medieval villages like Pals, Peratallada, Besalú and Santa Pau. These locations, steeped in history, offer groups the opportunity to experience a journey through time, exploring everything from the archaeological remains of the ruins of Empúries to the imposing citadel of Roses.
And to add a distinctive touch to any meeting, theatrical visits or thematic tours, such as the popular route of the famous “Game of Thrones” show through Girona, are experiences that make the participants vibrate. Also for those who like to dab in intrigue, Humanside organises gamified activities such as the “Dalí Code“, a treasure hunt inspired by the life and work of the genius Salvador Dalí, which allows you to discover Figueres in a fun and culturally enriching way.
Cornellà de Terri. Laura Moreno. Arxiu Imatges PTCBG
Local tradition and folklore
Tradition and folklore are also part of the cultural pulse of the region, and become an attractive proposition for groups that want to experience the most authentic roots of the territory. Among the available activities, the castellers workshop stands out, offered by some local castellers’ groups, such as the Marrecs de Salt, where participants can discover first-hand this iconic Catalan tradition while learning to build human castles; or do a tasting of habaneras and cremat, an activity organised by Humanside, which allows you to enjoy seafaring music while learning how to prepare authentic rum cremat by the sea.
Other traditional experiences include, for example, a “ball de bastons” folkloric dance workshop, where you can learn this traditional Catalan dance, organised by the foundation El Foment de Girona. Or, while on the topic of dance, organise a sardanes workshop, the typical Catalan dance of the “colles”, where everyone holds hands and dances to the rhythm of the cobla and which makes it possible to work on many aspects of the group’s physical, mental and emotional nature. These activities not only offer an interactive experience, but also encourage group cohesion and connection with the identity of the territory.
In addition, the La Bisbal pottery is another cultural gem that can be discovered by Gla Empordà. This workshop allows participants to learn the artisanal techniques of this ancient tradition, while creating their own piece to take home.
Sant Pere de Rodes. Jordi Renart. Arxiu Imatges PTCBG
The culture of wine and Catalan cuisine
Gastronomy and wine are also fundamental pillars of Catalan culture and both the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees offer a range of experiences that combine history, cuisine and wine culture, making them ideal activities for MICE groups.
One of these is the visit to the Palamós Fishing Museum, which allows visitors to learn about the craft of fishing and understand the importance of fishing in the territory. This experience can be completed with a Seafood Cookery Workshop at Espai del Peix, where participants learn to cook traditional dishes based on fishing resources from the port of Palamós and local products.
Another example is a proposal called “The Stoppers of the Tapers“, created by the Sala de l’Isaac restaurant. This activity combines gastronomy with the history of the cork industry, deeply rooted in the region. But the chances to enjoy gastronomic experiences related to culture do not end there. The same restaurant also offers a gastroliterary pairing dedicated to the famous Catalan writer Josep Pla, which includes a personalised visit to Calella de Palafrugell, a visit to the permanent exhibition about the writer and a literary meal inspired by his work.
Finally, “A Sea of Wines” is another fascinating proposal for groups that combines history, archaeology and wine tasting. Accompanied by a historian, archaeologist and sommelier, the participants enjoy, on board a boat, a personalised tasting linked to the history of the vineyards and the sea in the territory, from Roman times to the present day.
For all these reasons, whether visiting the vestiges of the past, savouring the local gastronomy or participating in the most ancestral traditions, local culture becomes a great opportunity to work on emotions, unite teams and strengthen leadership.
