A jewel! (La Joia!) In all the Spanish Mediterranean there are few sections of coast as beautiful, intimate and unspoiled as this. We have a jewel of an apartment to match, one minute from the beach and with a view from the balcony across the bay. Refurbished at the start of 2021, La Joia has a bedroom with two single beds (which can be joined), while in the living area there is a double wall bed. Just pull the handle to lower the bed into position together with its bedding. In the daytime just push it back up, with its bedding, to give yourselves masses of space. Equipment includes wi-fi by fibre optic cable. In high summer only a garage is available in the price.

My wife and I divide our time between the sea and the mountains. We love summers on the wonderful Costa Brava and we equally love winters in Monetier-les-Bains in the Hautes Alpes (where we also have a studio for rent). We live not far away and are normally available to answer questions and deal with any problems.

Cap Ras is at the edge of a protected area. There are no hotels or high-rise blocks, just privately-owned houses and apartments, creating an ambience very different to most Spanish resorts. The residents care about the area and maintain the plants along the coastal footpath in front of their homes. If you like watersports you will love Cap Ras. Apart from swimming there is great snorkeling given the clear, shallow waters with their rocky outcrops. When conditions are right you can even surf (boards and kayaks available in Llança and Port de la Selva). On dry land there are plenty of hiking and cycling possibilities. A car is pretty much essential because your nearest shop, bar and restaurant are all a 15-minute stroll. Buses are scarce. But that isthe charm of the place. If you like hiking then you willl love it. The coastal footpath runs north to the frontier with France, and south to Port de la Selva, Cadaques and, eventually, Blanes (total length 200 kms). Note the word coastal - a refreshing swim is never far away and the scenery is spectacular. If you have bikes there are some great trails running inland, especially along the Colera canyons.