Villa Mas Espada – A stunning Catalan Manor house rental
Villa Mas Espada – a 14th century manor house in Palafrugell, Catalonia…Wow! Every now and again a property becomes available for holiday rental which “transcends the norm.” A house so wonderful, so historic and so finely finished that you may well wonder if you are worthy of such unrivalled luxury.
Villa Mas Espada in Palafrugell on the Costa Brava in Catalonia is one such property that evokes “Am I worthy?” quips!
The first stones of the foundations for Mas Espada were laid in the 14th century, a whole century and more before Christopher Columbus set sail to discover the Americas and prove that the world was not flat. Or around 100 years before our own King Richard 111 lay famously dying on Bosworth Moor!
Vintage Travel is honoured to have such an historical building on its portfolio.
Catalan Manor house rental Villa Mas Espada is a huge house. There are 10 bedrooms, all en-suite, plus an adjacent ‘caseta’, a smaller house which sleeps four people. In total, Mas Espada can accommodate 24 guests!
A sizeable pool and a full-size tennis court bring a hive of activity to the villa’s extensive gardens, which are immaculately kept and include a huge and pristine lawn. Beyond these inspirational grounds, you are surrounded by gently undulating rolling hills, bedecked with Mediterranean pine and eucalyptus trees. The air smells of pine and lavender, creating an aura of opulence and optimism.
Asides the outdoor pool and tennis courts, there are other ways of keeping active and fit during your stay in Villa Mas Espada. There is a spectacular indoor spa with a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna and fitness area. Of course not everyone wants to train to get fit whilst on holiday, and there is a snooker table for those who desire a less strenuous activity.
A maid pops in every week day to Mas Espada to ensure that fresh bread and croissants are delivered and toiletries are changed daily, even slippers are provided – The kings and queens of the past didn’t have it this good!
The nearby Costa Brava – Brave Coast – is probably the loveliest and most picturesque coastline in the whole of Spain. One of the best ways to discover the area’s superlative shoreline is to walk along it. A particularly great walk close to Mas Espada is from El-Golfet beach all the way to the upmarket fishing village of La Franc, along a well-constructed cliff path, which meanders directly above the sea.
You begin the walk by climbing down hundreds of steps to the secluded cove of El Golfet and commence what is one of Spain’s most beautiful and dramatic sea cliff walks. The path is intermittently broken including when you arrive at the unspoilt fishing village of Calella. This gives you the opportunity stop take in the exquisiteness of the town and to sample the local cuisine at one of Calella’s many splendid sea front bars. After some light refreshments at this affluent coastal village, pick up the cliff path once more, which you take all the way to La Franc – a glamorous Catalonian resort where the likes of Eric Cantona is rumoured to have a holiday home!
All in all this entire region of Catalonia exudes wealth, taste and prosperity, but if you really want to feel like royalty then a stay at Villa Mas Espada is recommended, where seeing Elton John on the tennis court throwing a “wobbler” because David Beckham had just won a set, wouldn’t be surprising!