Golfers travel in high-speed style to Costa Brava
Golfers travelling to play some of Spain’s top ranked golf courses on the Costa Brava, north of Barcelona, can now arrive by planes, trains and automobiles, thanks to the opening of a new high-speed rail link through the Pyrenees.
The new Perpignan-Figueres rail link, which opened in January 2011 and is being extended to Barcelona in 2012, connects the Costa Brava with Europe’s high-speed rail network offering a stylish and comfortable mode of transport to complement flights into the region’s two airports (Girona-Costa Brava or Barcelona International) and the cross-border motorway network into France.
The inauguration of the 44.4 km rail link has already reduced cross-border journey times from Perpignan to Figueres, Costa Brava’s second city and home of the world famous Salvador Dali Theatre Museum, to just 23 minutes. When the link to Barcelona is completed next year it will cut the journey times from Paris to Girona from just under seven hours to just over 5 hours 30 minutes, with the short hop onto Barcelona taking an additional 10 minutes from Girona.
Commenting on the new Perpignan-Figueres line, Jaume Marín, Director of Marketing at Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities the new high-speed train line offers to Franco-Spanish tourism, and to visitors from across Europe wishing to experience the Costa Brava, its famous gastronomy and cultural heritage, as well as its quality golf courses.
“The region is already easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport, an important Ryanair hub, which has led to an influx of visitors in recent years – an average of 5 million passengers every year,” continued Jaume Marín. “The new high-speed rail line opens up some great opportunities for tourists and a great attraction ‘pull’ for Costa Brava – and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors this year and in the years to come.”
Costa Brava is already recognised as one of the finest golf destinations in Europe, featuring the 36-hole Spanish Open venue PGA Catalunya Resort, ranked among the Top 10 Courses in Europe and a World Top 100 Golf Course, plus the acclaimed Empordà Golf (both the Links and Forest Courses are ranked in Spain’s Top 50 Courses by Golf World magazine) and Golf Platja de Pals, also a Top 50 courses.
“Costa Brava is much more than just a golfing destination, however,” added Jaume Marín. “As the birthplace of Salvador Dali, the region is steeped in culture and history, and offers beautiful and diverse landscapes, an abundance of activities, as well as a vast range of gastronomy delights. There is something for every visitor wishing to experience the Costa Brava.”
Costa Brava golf courses:
Just an hour north of Barcelona, Costa Brava offers outstanding golf courses that are all conveniently located less than 45 minutes’ drive from Girona’s international airport. These include: Club de Golf Costa Brava, Club de Golf Peralada, Golf d’Aro, Emporda Golf, Golf Girona, Golf Platja de Pals, Golf Serres de Pals, PGA Catalunya Resort, Torremirona Golf Club, Club de Golf Camprodon, plus the delightful par-3 Pitch & Putt Gualta.
For more information about the Costa Brava, visit:www.costabrava.org
