Location: Cadaques, Costa Brava Area, Catalunya, Spain, Europe (Barcelona (80 miles) / Girona 55 miles/ 1.5 hrs Perpignan) View Map
Accommodations: Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: Stone traditional Catalan house
In town -- Wonderful location: 5 mins from sea, 5 mins from town centre, 15 mins to Dali house, 15 min drive to Cap de Creus/ or an hour on foot, 50 mins drive to golf in near by Perelada
Availability ; Now available Easter/May/June/September -- Special Offer -- 100E off any booking made before March 1st.
The house was originally an inn for shepherds. It has thick stone walls, the old chimney and bread oven and a beautiful stone arch opening up the ground floor to be a large ktichen/reception.
Back in the seventies, my parents restored it as a Catalan stone house; simply roofed, white-washed, the second floor made whole again using old tiles when possible etc. -- and the house is still simply restored and not a villa.
Friends tell me it has the charm of an old vicarage. Others have dubbed it Casa Secreta. Lots of space/ upstairs with crystal chandeliers which came from a maharajah's palace/ lots of privacy to all staying there. Big wide open reception rooms/ bedrooms with high ceilings.
The patio is entered from the second floor level and has a slate breakfast table on a wrought iron base with flagstone bench. From the patio ascend steps which take one up to the terrace. The wide terrace has a long bar/marble topped, a half roof traditionally thatched, a plain dinner table also marble which can seat ten, bar-b-q, sink, two deck chairs in which to sit sipping an evening drink looking out on a spectacular view of the church and the sea. House also is a treasure trove of artwork ( Rajestani and french hanging tapestries, oil paintings from many Cadaques artists as well as English, American and Indian painters. And books, books, books. (English I am afraid) And In September the fig tree in the patio yields delicious figs.
Wonderful person! Renee -- who looks after the house, is fluent in English, Spanish, French and Swedish. She is also knowledgeable about Cadaques; its mountains walks, its music ferstival, its local ecology and can even organise you time with a Czech homeopathic doctor in Cadaques!
In summer the house's thick stone walls mean it is cool. In winter there is the downstairs fireplace and central heaters which together serves also to keep upstairs warm enough as the upstairs floors stay warm. Its snug and comfotable.
Re location -- one is instantly in the centre of the town walking round by the sea wall. Or a five minute walk to a tiny sandy beach near where Salvador Dali swam as a child ( remember the painting of a child peeling back the sea and there, is a dog) beyond this -- about a ten minute walk is a place for swimming off rocks and where many people ( not all) enjoy swimming as nature made them. Beyond this is the longish walk, along a rocky path heartened by lavender and rosemary, to the cebolla beach and the lighthouse opposite Cap de Creus.
Re rental - can rent per night but prefer to rent by the week and will always give priority to a weekly rental.
Re cleaning: There is a non-negotiable fee of 150 euros for cleaning. Also, it is 10 euros per person to hire sheets and six euros for a towel set ( but you are free to bring your own)
Re wood for the fire; Wood is provided but depending on your use it will be from 50 -100 euros for winter and spring rentals.
Re parking -- there is off-street parking which you can count on in winter and spring and in the summer is there sometimes. Always in summer you can find parking above the house and from there it is a short walk down the stairs. You can always park briefly in front of the house to unload suitcases or shopping.
Renee can help advise you throughout your stay -- can ( for an added fee which you can arrange with her directly) pick you up at the airport in Girona or Perpignan or the train station in Figueras. Or even Barcelona.
Girona-Barcelona is 55 miles/ 75 min drive. Perpignan is nearly the same. Barcelona main airport is 80 miles / there is a direct bus from Barcelona airport to Figueras where its easy to get another direct bus to Cadaques. From Girona airport there is a shuttle to the Girona train station and from there one can get a direct bus to Cadaques. Sarfa is the company.
Ryanair looks to be flying from start April having come to an understanding with the Catalan government.
PLEASE NOTE : --academic monthly rentals considered -- Feb-March at 1500 euros per month exclusive of electricity and water. Re Winter: winter is cold in Cadaques! The house is an old house with a big fireplace but comfortable and warm because of central heaters downstairs. Spring can be cold but it is more variable and can be very sunny and mild. Summer, of course, is summer.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : downstairs in the blue tiled bathroom
- Dryer : next to the washer in the downstairs blue tiled bathroom
- Linens Provided : Renee handles all the linen -- there is a ten euro charge for a set of sheets and a 6 euro fee for a set of towels.
- Garage : none
- Covered Parking : none
- Off Street Parking : There is off street parking on solitario. And above the house there is parking which is usually available and can accomodate large cars.
- Wood Fireplace : wood can be ordered by Renee -- there will be a discretionary (50 -100) euro charge but unless all the wood is used some of that will be returned.
- Beds
- King Bed : Am not sure of its exact size but it is two single beds with one gigantic mattress which fits both and one head-board that spans both.
- Double Bed : downstairs -- can be a single bed as one bed can be pushed down and under the other one. usually used as a double bed.
- Twin/Single Bed : two single beds which can be pushed together to make a double bed if need be.
- Crib : there is one which folds up -- meant for travel. You must ask Renee for it.
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Marble top counters, old nineteenth century tiles, gas stove and hob, dishwasher, refrigerator --
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Catering Available : This can be arranged as an extra with Renee but not included in rent
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : simple and serviceable
- Deck/Patio : described in description -- a place for breakfast
- Balcony : narrow
- Lanai : described in description and there are photos
- View/Location
- Beach View : over tiled roof-tops -- sea is not far and the view is from high and you can see both the fingers of els caiells and the cebolla lighthouse and the church
- Water View : as described
- Mountain View : mountain is behind and looms above the water --
- Monument View : chirch -- almost immediately behind -- at night it emerges from the black sharply carved out by its own spotlight -- lonely and spectral and somber and still.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : with agreement re what kind of animal
- Kid Friendly : but with the adults taking responsibility for supervision as the terrace is high and the steps are stone etc
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Museums
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- several art galleries and a music festival in august
Rate Details (In Pounds Stirling)
March - April 1 700pw Week ends 500
April 1 -- 21 750
June 800/wk
august 26th ( sunday) to Sept 2nd 1400/wk
September 800 /wk
Nov 3rd - Dec 18 600 - 800 /wk
Dec 18 - Jan 7 1000 /wk ( See profile description for update details)
Feb 700 /wk (Feb - March --- one month rental £1400)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1969
Why the Owner Chose Cadaques
Years ago -- in 1969 -- my parents decided they wanted to retire to Europe. We rented a car and drove from Madrid to Barcelona then along the med coast all the way to what was then Yugoslavia but failed to find anything which was either unspoiled or within my parents range of possibility to purchase. We came back to Spain along the coast road very late at night and in fog. My parents were unhappy driving as we could scarcely see and what we did see was the cliff way down to the SEA. A sign emerged stating Rosas 7, Cadaques 5. So we took the 5. And went to the most expensive hotel for one night. We awoke in paradise -- the unspoiled fishing village of my parent's dreams. It turns out to have been the childhood home of Salvador Dali and was famous then because of him and populated by a lot of both good and wannabe artists. We down-sized by the day in hotels till we came to rest with a lovely Cadaques family who adopted us. With equal luck we met a contractor who was tinged by madness and had once sailed round Cap de Creus in a super-sized paella pan and he took us round to a selection of ruins. My parents bought one. my mother was left to restore it. My father and I went back to East pakistan and not long after East pakistan became bangladesh and we were evacuated and a Spanish civil War -torn Cadaques family -- those who had adopted us -- greeted us with open arms and said " We thought you were dead'. We had come to Cadaques for good. And the connection between Bangladesh and Spain never really left my heart.
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage
The house has changed in that much has been renewed -- namely the plumbing and electrics but the charm of the way houses were in the 70's has stayed and I find i miss that elsewhere in Cadaques. It was loved by my parents. And it has been loved by many of my friends who have stayed there since and given me the pleasure of entertaining in a beautiful place where I know many lovely people and have seen the changes which occur in a still quiet corner of the world -- something my peripatetic childhood never gave me but which has returned via my childhood now -- late in life -- the pleasure of being anchored in a place that has always welcomed strangers and made them part of its soul.
Now an old people's home for Cadaquesencs only with a really pretty good restaurant not for tourists!!!!
Owner's Map of Cadaques
I am a playwright. The house is where i grew up from the age of 14 -- my father a retired diplomat and second world war correspondent for NBC. i go to Cadaques at least once every summer. But no house likes being empty so i try to rent the house through the rest of the summer and sometimes thru the winter.
Property Photos
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- terrace - Cadaques, Spain Vacation House
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- Terrace sea showing both views -- church and sea - Cadaques, Spain Vacation House
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- - Cadaques, Spain Vacation House
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- ours with one window -- seen from the town
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- Upstairs living reception
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- Looking out on patio garden
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- patio
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- fireplace
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- Kitchen
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- downstairs
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- View from upstairs bedroom
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- upstairs bedroom
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- Downstairs bath
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- House viewed from the street and looking toward town
Traveler Reviews (4)
Great place
Guest: Anya
(London)
Date of Stay: 02/21/10
Review Submitted: 04/06/11
We stayed at this place in February 2010 and had the best experience! The house is gorgeous, beautiful; it has a nice view over the sea and amazing white houses in distance. The terrace on the top was just so lovely - we had lunch there and enjoyed the sea view! The house is situated in a quiet area. It has everything: beautiful bedrooms, a balcony, amazing kitchen-living room. We would truly recommend this place in Cadaques - it's unforgettable. We did amazing walks all around Cadaques, visited the house of Dali (we liked it more than his museum in Figures). We had amazing experience!
Owner response:Its always heartening to hear visitors have had a good time. And good to know the house looks after its guests in winter as much as summer. i know many have also written reviews in the leather bound memory book the house has -- it is there so all who stay in house can share experience and comments and it gives me much pleasure to read when I get to Cadaques. Many thanks to all who stay there.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Guest: Lori91
(Bemus Point, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/21/07
Review Submitted: 07/21/07
Our family of 5 adults rented this home in January; it is our all time favorite rental and vacation spot.The spaciousness of the home allowed us to have private time from each other as well as room to invite newly met friends for dinner.Close to everything beach, shopping, restaurants,parks. All modern convenieces in a period home-you will love it winter or summer.
Recommended for:
Guest: Ash Kotak
(London)
Date of Stay: 07/20/07
Review Submitted: 07/20/07
I have stayed in this charming house a number of times. It has two beautiful terraces and wonderful views. Waking up tot he sea and gorgeous bay just near the old church is an invigorating start to the day. Would highly recommend it for all the family. The house is old and original and is quietly situated between the good beach to the right and the town centre with it's great restuarants, bars and shops to the left.
Recommended for:
Guest: Robin Cruz
(London,UK)
Date of Stay: 07/20/07
Review Submitted: 07/20/07
If you appreciate the charm of a cottage; exposed beams,large interior spaces - cool in summer, and cosy around a log-fire in winter - and views of the bay that would inspire a painter, writer, or poet, then look no further. Everything you need is here, there's nothing overdone or fussy.Quite rustic, full of character, and a sense of the past. A dreamer's paradise... be warned, you'll dream lots!
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #138257
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This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - Saturday, February 11, 2012
