MMM – September 2019

September 2019outandaboutlive.co.uk 117

Sites TRAVEL

CampingEl Garrofer,Catalonia

SPAIN

We chose Ca mping El Garrofer, i n
spite of mixed reviews, because of its
proximity to Sitges – acosmopolitan
town famed forits beautiful
Mediterranean beaches and diverse
nightlife sc ene, sit uated only 22 miles
southwest of Barcelona.
We needn’t haveworried. No, El
Garrofer isn’t manicured to within
an inchof its life, butit is efficiently
run andhas a laid -back, welcoming
char m. And the added bonus of
strong, fr ee WiFi! Pitches se em huge
in comparison tomost Spanish
campsites. Someare laid out under
tall pine trees, which providetotal
shade, whilst another large areahas
an open andsunny aspect.
The on-site shop sells all basic
essentials, in cluding fresh bread
and croissants, but opening times
are limited. Next door is LaSinia
restaurant, which we didn’t use, but
which wasalways well freq uented.
The sanitation block wasclean and
spacious, with pip ing hot wa ter
delivered to the excellent showers an d
other wa shing facilities. There is an
attractive saltwate r swimmingpool
area,which op ens fr om 1 May, and
which we took advantage of several
times during ourstay.

Located immediately outside the

campsite entrance is a busstop and

fromhere the bustakes just over an

hour to arrive in the very heart of

beautifulBarcelon a. Although the bu s

into Sitges takes only five minutes

fromthis stop, we chose to walk

down into town. Exiting El Garrofer

via a gate at the back of the site, we

passed the localgolf course, strolled

through the delightful Jardins des

Terramar, andsoon reached the palm

tree-lin ed Passeig Marítim. This grand

promenade, overlooked by many fine

and ela borate vill as, follows a broad

sweep of golden sandall the way into

the compact old town. The skyline

is dominated by the picturesque

seventeenth century church of San

Bartolomé y Santa Tecla, with the

surrounding streets full of loca l shops,

restaurants andtapa s bars.

Sitges is an upbeat,sophisticated

resort, with eleg ant,

historic buildingsand

museums showcasing

Catalan and Spanish

art. And the beaches,

all 17 of them,

just go on a nd

on. Sitges is an

absolute gem.

FIND THE PERFECTTOURINGPARKwith over3,500 campsites in the

UK and Europe. Visit outandaboutlive.co.uk/campsites

Historic buildingsinSitges Siteswimmingpool

Campingunderthepines

PLANYOUR STAY

©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 002/19

+C-246a, Km39, 08870 Sitges

(Barcelona)

)0034 938 94178^0

[email protected]

campingelgarrofer.com

23 February– 14 December

£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From

€29 (£26.61)

Nearest public transport:On site

Nearestpub/restaurant:Campsite

entrance

Directions:From AP7 exit Sitges-Vilanova

i la Geltrú, from C-32 Exit26 (SantPere

de Ribes/Vilanova i la Geltru). Easy

access off C-246a into campsite

Lat/long:N41° 14’ 2” E1° 46’ 52”

Sue Hutchings