Connections Luxury Europe lives the splendour of the Costa Brava

Just under a hundred international luxury tourism agencies and professionals came together at the Costa Brava to see first-hand the exceptional possibilities offered by the area for meeting and incentives tourism.

Connections Luxury is one of the luxury tourism segment’s international landmark events. In 2024, this major event was hosted at the Costa Brava, drawing leading European travel companies that target visitors attracted by luxury and also international companies looking to expand their product portfolio to offer their high purchase power clients the opportunity to discover new and exciting destinations beyond their respective countries’ borders. More than 200 professionals came from over 50 countries in Europe, America and Asia to see our region first-hand and discover its possibilities for their luxury stays.

Located just over 70 kilometres from Barcelona Airport and barely 30 kilometres from Girona Airport, the Hotel Camiral Golf & Wellness in Caldes de Malavella greeted the attendees at their first meeting with a magnificent welcome cocktail. Some of them stayed at the same hotel while the rest stayed at the event’s other two host hotels: the splendid Hostal de la Gavina, at Platja d’Aro, and the Alàbriga, at Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a balcony over the Mediterranean with a top-level gastronomic offering.

Meetings and experiences at the Castell de Perelada

During the first and second days, one-to-one meetings were combined with incredible experiences at the Castell de Perelada, a unique location in the Alt Empordà region that offers visitors a wide range of leisure, cultural and gastronomic proposals which were sampled by Connections Luxury’s attendees. From a walking tour to discover the castle’s history, its Casino or the mystery-filled library, to wine-tasting visits to its own wineries or Michelin Star gastronomic creations.

Followed by other experiences such as luxury workshops that fused wine and wine-making with elegant beauty products or music, pottery workshops at La Bisbal, healthy cooking to create customised smoothies or relaxing face masks or yoga, or visits to learn how the area’s craft cheeses are made, as well as discovering the essences of the Empordà region and its culture through the rhythms of its traditional stick dances.

An intense first day that ended with a networking dinner at Mas Marroch, the Celler de Can Roca’s banquet and celebrations venue situated in Vilablareix, just five minutes from the centre of Girona and a few minutes’ drive from the motorway’s Girona South exit. A 13th-century farmhouse surrounded by centuries-old gardens where attendees were able to savour the contrasting flavours of the most avant-garde creations alongside traditional Catalan recipes.

Closing dinner at the Hostal La Gavina

During the second day, the luxury tourism professionals were able to learn more about the region’s advantages, with one-to-one meetings and the experiences at the Castell de Perelada, and ended the day enjoying the closing cocktail at the Hostal La Gavina, a venue that subtly combines modernity and tradition with a uniquely timeless style.

Famtrips to discover traditions and the jewel of the Mediterranean

In addition, some 40 buyers had the opportunity to continue exploring the Costa Brava in the four famtrips organised to different parts of Catalonia over three days, two of which were focused on the province of Girona to discover “The secret jewel of the Mediterranean” and “A land of traditions”, with a complete programme of visits and experiences that showcased the Costa Brava in all its splendour.

Visits

ElBulli1846 (Roses). This is the first restaurant in the world to be converted into a museum. A unique place, created and conceived to share elBulli’s legacy and reflect on gastronomy, knowledge and innovation.
Dalí Museum (Figueres). Opened in 1974, it was built on the remains of the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres and is considered to be Salvador Dalí’s last great work.
Espai del Peix (Palamós). The Fishing Museum and its gastronomic classroom, L’Espai del Peix, propose a discovery of seafaring and fishing culture, with guided tours to the fish auction, or cooking workshops and tastings, among other proposals.
Girona Food Tours (Girona). The allure of Girona and the history of Catalan culinary tradition through its private tours of the territory.

Wine and food tourism

Duran Restaurant (Figueres). A renowned establishment that blends tradition and modernity, using local products of the highest quality.
Mas Llunes (Garriguella). An organic winery that stands out for its sensorial tastings and which uses native varieties such as Grenache and Carignan, grown on its own vineyards planted over a century ago.
Dinner with Iolanda Bustos (Mas Generós, Fonteta). The famous flower chef has a sustainable gastronomic offering cooked at your home or wherever you choose. Fresh food from the farm and the sea, adapted to your tastes, but always with the presence of nature.
Oil tasting at Finca Fontclara (Fontclara). Fontclara’s extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is organically grown and harvested on its own property. Its oils have won prizes in competitions around the world.
Wine tasting at Martín Faixó (Cadaqués). Within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, they make the Cadac and Perafita wines and prepare different wine and fine eating experiences for all types of visitors.
Els Pescadors (Llançà). An iconic restaurant with the lobster as the jewel in the crown of its seafood cuisine, with a terrace facing the marina and offering views of fishing boats.

Unique accommodation options and spaces

Mas Lazuli (Pau). A former 11th-century convent fully restored as a boutique hotel, with 17 rooms among olive groves and vineyards. With a prime location just 10 minutes from the beaches of Roses, the house has a wellness space, a chillout area, swimming pool and gardens. And with a restaurant that offers a selection of tapas that stand out for the quality of their locally produced ingredients.
Mas Generós (Fonteta). A small country hotel that is ideal for a weekend getaway, to enjoy nature and the fresh air, and a gastronomic offering that draws inspiration from the Costa Brava’s sea, country and mountain landscapes. Its recipes express the essence of the Mediterranean, simple but full of flavour, with fresh, natural ingredients of the highest quality, most of them harvested directly from its own vegetable garden.
Hotel Villa Salvador (Cadaqués). A premier 4-star boutique hotel that stands out for its elegance and design, situated in an exclusive protected area between two captivating coves with fine sand beaches and crystal-clear water.
Hostal Spa Empúries (L’Escala). Europe’s first hotel awarded the LEED Gold certificate. Committed to a sustainable accommodation and tourism model based on social and environmental responsibility. With its location just behind the beach and beside the Graeco-Roman ruins of Empúries, it has become an iconic establishment.
Palau Fugit (Girona). More than a hotel, it is a premium space open to art, nature, traditions, gastronomy, Girona and the world. A value-driven project guided by a team of expert professionals who offer a quality, locally-sourced service to visitors who are looking for a different, tranquil location where they can rest and have new experiences.
Mas de Torrent Hotel&Spa (Torrent). Member of the renowned Relais & Châteaux association and Unico Hotels, this former 18th-century Catalan farmhouse, today converted into a hotel, stands out not only for its spectacular views and extraordinary gardens but also for its elegance, service excellence and attention to detail. Its 39 suites, 7 of which have a private swimming pool, are designed to experience the essence and unique character of the Empordà region.

Activities

E-bike tour to the Mooma restaurant (Palau-sator). This farmhouse, surrounded by apple orchards, offers both indoor and outdoor spaces and a menu with an extensive variety of options for all tastes. More than just a restaurant, it is also a place where you can enjoy a quiet cider or, during the summer season, a cocktail in its gardens.
Pottery workshop at Gla Empordà (La Bisbal). A space for creation and design using locally-sourced country materials.
Olfactory and gastrobotanic experience with Ernesto Collado from Bravanariz (Pontós). A theatre creator and contemporary artist, the founder of Bravanariz is the grandson of one of Spain’s most popular perfume chemists and essential oil producers of the early 20th century, and has inherited an exceptional olfactory sensitivity and an unconditional love for plants.
Boat trip with lunch on board with La Gastronòmica. A marvellous day spent sailing on the Mediterranean and enjoying locally-sourced products cooked on board by a professional chef.
Aqvua Banys Romans (Girona). The old thermal baths, brought up to modern standards. An enclave with 2000 years of history where the visitor can discover and enjoy an ancestral tradition following the ritual and liturgy of mens sana in corpore sano (healthy mind in healthy body).