News: The colourful peach blossoms of Aitona herald the arrival of spring in Catalonia

Spring has sprung in rural Catalonia with the spectacular peach blossom of Aitona.

Every year between late February and March the small agricultural town in the north-west of Catalonia announces the coming of spring with a breath-taking natural spectacle, as the local peach orchards burst into bloom, infusing the air with a sweet fragrance and creating a vast blanket of deep pink over the surrounding landscape. As you can see, the resulting effect is otherworldly in its beauty.

It is little wonder, therefore, that in recent years an increasing number of tourists have begun to visit the region, to experience the spectacle first-hand and to live their own magical moment in the Catalan countryside.

Ten years ago, the local Fruiturisme initiative was established in the area to invite visitors to explore the region through guided walking and cycling tours and tastings of the delicious local produce. There is even the option to fly a hot-air balloon over Aitona’s fields of pink to capture the full wonder of this fleeting experience.

For those who prefer to be closer to the magic, there are three bike rides, ranging from 5-10 kilometres, which allow you to see and smell the splendour of springtime in Catalonia.

Besides the vast 8,500 hectares of surrounding peach trees, the region is also home to almond, apricots nectarine and cherry orchards, all of which produce their own distinctive blooms.

However, it is the brilliant pink of the peach blossoms that steals the show.

The exact week in which the trees blossom varies, with climate unpredictability a contributing factor, but they tend to flower for no more than one or two weeks. This year the blossoming peaked around the 20^th of March. Although some may choose to visit rural Catalonia for the peach blossoms, there is plenty beyond this transient event to keep you coming back.

The unsung beauty of rural Catalonia

Sandwiched, in the collective imagination, between the pastoral splendour of the South of France and Spain’s attention-grabbing holiday destinations of Barcelona, Andalucia, the Balearics and even its own Costa Brava, the understated charms of rural Catalonia often slip under the radar.

However, for those who take the time to explore this fabulous region, they are greeted with a treasure trove of natural and historical wonders. The old towns of Girona, Empordá and Vic and their charming architecture, the spectacular hiking trails of La Garrotxa, els Set Gorgs and Montseny, the surreal emergence of Vilanova de Sau, its church spire poking out from beneath the reservoir, the beautiful rocky towns of Rupit, Mura and others, as well as the easy access to the ski slopes of the Pyrenees. All of this, of course, surrounded by swathes of farmland all the way to the gorgeous coves of the Costa Brava, where the natural beauty, history and culture only continue, stretching from Dalí’s house in Cadaqués right the way down to Barcelona, Sitges and Tarragona.

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Spain, the perfect destination for overcoming the winter blues

Spain sees the coming of the spring a little earlier than northern Europe, with pleasant warm days common in March, and even occasionally in late February. It’s a great option for those looking to beat the winter blues and make the most of a popular holiday destination before the hordes arrive. What’s more, with its festive carnival season, year-round friendly locals and celebrated cuisine, this time of year offers plenty to match the idyllic pleasures of a beach holiday in the summer, while offering a closer look at the true face of this most fascinating of countries.

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