Running an event in Girona: A Local Insider’s View
With our upcoming event in Girona just around the corner, we catch up with destination specialists Déborah from Catalunya CVB and Toby from Factor 3 to tap into their local expertise and insights.
Read on and find out all the tips and tricks of planning an event in Girona – from the best local tapas, to finding the perfect venue…
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inVOYAGE: Girona is renowned for its culinary scene. Déborah & Toby, from your local perspective, what are the must-try tapas and dishes that best showcase the flavours of the region?
Toby, Factor 3: Where do we begin! Girona enjoys the fruits of the land and the sea. Its beef is among Spain’s best and the red prawns from Palamós are prized throughout the country and beyond, not to mention local artisan cheeses, tasty butifarra sausages and amazing cold cuts. Thankfully, all of the above can happily be washed down with fabulous local wines from the boutique bodegas of the Emporda region. Let’s not forget also, the modest xuixo, a cream-filled pastry, probably Girona’s most famed sweet, created in the 1920s at a small pastry shop in the city.
Girona’s fine produce can be enjoyed in its simplest form at many family-run restaurants in country houses or dressed up in gala style at some of the best restaurants in the world.
Déborah, Catalunya CVB: I couldn’t agree more, Catalonia possesses all the essential elements for culinary excellence and boasts some of the world's most renowned chefs. Here are some must-try tapas and dishes that best showcase the flavours of Catalonia and the region of Girona:
Pa amb tomàquet: This simple yet addictive dish consists of toasted bread rubbed with fresh tomato, garlic, and olive oil. It's a staple in Catalan cuisine and is often served as a starter or snack.
Patates braves: These potatoes are typically served with a spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli. They're a popular tapas dish that's perfect for sharing.
Esqueixada de bacallà: This salad is made with salted cod that has been rehydrated and flaked, and then mixed with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and olives. It's a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for a summer meal.
Escalivada: This dish is made with roasted vegetables, such as eggplant, peppers, and onions. The vegetables are then mashed together and served with olive oil and garlic. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for a winter meal.
Empedrat: This salad is made with white beans, green beans, potatoes, and tuna. It's a simple yet satisfying dish.
inVOYAGE: Sounds incredible! Now, thinking about venues, in your opinion, what's a venue or location that might not be on everyone's radar but adds an extraordinary touch to any event?
Toby, Factor 3: Once again, where do I start! Girona has so many wonderful venues, from castles and monasteries perching on cliffs to avant-garde offerings and world-famous Michelin chefs. But if I had to select just one, it would have to be La Vaqueria.
What was once a Friesian cattle farm until 2005, the farm and its outhouses have been given a new life as a small hotel and event venue. The owners have been careful to maintain its original charm and the main space, a large concrete cowshed where activities, lunches and dinners are now held, is magical for me.
It may sound a bit strange to select a cowshed as my favourite place but, the combination of beautiful countryside, sweeping views, birdsong, simple design with thoughtful design touches and such a lovely backstory, all work for me. The owners are absolutely charming and provide great support for bringing ideas to reality in their space. We recommend an area of food trucks with local delicacies upon arrival followed by mouth-watering local, organic dishes and local wines at large rustic tables and dancing. No-nonsense, honest dining in a breath-taking location; what more could you ask for?
inVOYAGE: Wow, what an incredible recommendation! And what about timings? Are there any annual festivals, cultural events, or local traditions that event planners should align their schedules with for a truly authentic Girona experience?
Déborah, Catalunya CVB: Definitely! There are many annual festivals, cultural events, and local traditions that event planners can incorporate into their schedules. Are personal favourites include:
Sant Jordi's Day: Celebrated on April 23rd, it’s a day to celebrate Catalan culture and tradition, and it is marked by the exchange of roses and books.
Els Castellers: This is a traditional Catalan human tower competition. It is a fascinating and unique spectacle that is sure to impress your guests.
Temps de Flors (Girona Flower Festival): Held in May, Girona transforms into a breath-taking spectacle of vibrant floral displays adorning the city's streets, balconies, and courtyards.
With a little planning, you can create an event that your guests will never forget, especially by incorporating local culture into your plans. Why not consider hosting a human tower team-building activity! It’s such a unique and exciting way to experience Catalan tradition.
inVOYAGE: Toby, as a DMC how do you collaborate with local businesses or artisans to infuse a genuine Girona touch into events?
Toby, Factor 3: As a boutique DMC, it’s in our DNA to work with small, local enterprises and fortunately Girona is full of them. The city only has 100,000 inhabitants and is surrounded by expansive countryside and small coastal towns and villages so most of the economic fabric is made up of small and family-run companies. To give just a few examples, we work with local caterers and producers to create unique, organic menus focusing on fantastic local produce, local fishermen for unique cookery classes at a local fishing port, local boutique wineries for tours and experiences and also offer a gastronomic tour of Girona which takes guests to some of the most traditional, family-run bars and tavernas in the city.
inVOYAGE: And what about those unfamiliar with Girona, what insider tips or local insights would you provide to ensure they make the most of their time and resources?
Toby, Factor 3: There is so much to see in Girona and La Costa Brava. Seeing the historic centre of Girona is an absolute must. It’s a charming river town absolutely steeped in history, a stunning cathedral and old quarter. In fact, it’s even been selected to film some of The Game of Thrones. There are some fantastic restaurants in the old town too, so an evening meal in the centre is a must. I recommend Normal, an affordable restaurant belonging to the Roca Brothers. If you want to splash out, you can venture out of town to their world-topping, three-Michelin starred Celler de Can Roca.
The coastline of Girona is studded with stunning towns and villages overlooking charming bays and coves. La Costa Brava, named after its craggy coast boasts some spectacular seascapes, vistas from clifftops and crystal clear waters. For those who love to walk, I would recommend El Cami de Ronda, the costal path that covers some 217 kilometres. From short strolls to longer treks, this route offers astonishing views over the sea and the countryside, crosses miniscule coves and sandy beaches and through some picturesque beachside villages as you work your way along the coast.
If going into the countryside is your bag, I would recommend a cycle ride visiting some of the area’s charming medieval villages such as Peratallada and Pals, which are both gorgeous places to visit and stop for lunch.
Art lovers cannot miss a trip to the Salvador Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres or Pubol Castle where his wife Gala lived, having to grant him permission to visit. The king of surrealism has a continued presence in the region.
inVOYAGE: Now Déborah, I know our buyers are incredibly excited to be taking part in the fam trips you’ve organised. Can you share a bit more with us? What was the thinking behind it and are there any sneak peeks you can share with us for our buyers to look forward to?
Déborah, Catalunya CVB: We believe that the best way to sell Catalonia as a meetings and events destination is to show it first-hand. Fam trips give buyers the opportunity to see what makes Catalonia a truly special destination for meetings and events. So, during the fam trip we will be visiting some of Catalonia's most iconic venues – from the Greek ruins of Empúries to the Surrealism world of Salvador Dalí and experiencing some of Catalonia's most unique cultural and MICE offerings. For a more detailed breakdown of the itineraries we have planned, click here.
inVOYAGE: Looks like our buyers are in for a real treat! Now, Toby, I know you and your team have been working hard behind the scenes in the run up to the event. Are there any hints or sneak peeks you can reveal about some of the activities you’re putting together?
Toby, Factor 3: Without giving too much away, our aim is to showcase as much of the destination as we can in the time we have. In conjunction with the Convention Bureau, we are working on a number of bespoke experiences that help the visitors get under the skin of the destination. At Factor3, we like to think of ourselves as a CDM, providing Creative Destination Management rather than a standard DMC. So, guests should expect some memorable little touches and experiences on each of the activities we are preparing, whether that is a guided walk through the old town of Girona, a surreal Dali tour with an artistic workshop, a unique organic cookery workshop at a beautiful local farmhouse, or a cycle ride through the beautiful countryside. All the experiences we are offering invite guests to get actively involved and creative in some way. We do not offer your standard guided tours.
For the evening events, we really want to wow our guests by showcasing fabulous design from our local events decorators and talent from some amazing performers.
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