Camping La Masía

There’s more to Blanes than beaches and watersports, so be sure to make time to wander the old seafront, clamber up to the hilltop castle and stroll through the pretty Marimurtra botanic garden (all within 15 minutes’ drive of the site) before venturing further afield. Along the coast there’s plenty to explore, and visits to Lloret de Mar (20 minutes) and Tossa de Mar (35 minutes) come highly recommended – the former for its clifftop gardens and Gnomo Park theme park, and the latter for its lighthouse and traditional fisherman’s quarter. The big coastal draw hereabouts though is Barcelona, an hour and 15 minutes away. The Catalan capital is an absolute must for its spectacular architecture, its many Gaudí masterpieces (including the famed Sagrada Familia) and its exquisite food scene. Prefer to turn inland? Head away from salt-laden air with a trip to Girona, 45 minutes away – the city has a spectacular fortified Old Town, a Gustave Eiffel-designed bridge and plenty of museums – or opt for a more nature-filled day with a jaunt into Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park, 40 minutes from base.