La Selva, the region of water
In the Marimurtra gardens, in Blanes, Alba enjoys the sun surrounded by exotic plants. Image by Diego Espada.
La Selva is divided between large expanses of inland forest and seafront, with accessible beaches. The Montseny Natural Park and the Guilleries share the limelight with towns of great tourist importance. Water plays an important role in the region as a driving force for industrialization and as a recreational and medicinal element, with a long tradition of mineral waters and spas.
Part of this offer can be discovered in Els sentits de la descoberta (The senses of discovery), the e-book of inclusive experiences in the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees, in which several hosts from the area with different abilities guide us through the experience. The publication includes audiovisual materials with the testimony of these hosts and also of tourism organisations and professionals from the sector who work for inclusive tourism. All audiovisual materials include English subtitles and SSI interpretation. Welcome to La Selva.
Nature in its purest state
Today we are joined by Alba Saskia, a writer from Blanes. She’s an independent and passionate woman, with a minority neurological disease that causes hearing loss and severe muscular atrophy. Today’s experience shows us that invisible disabilities can also enjoy La Selva.
Lloret de Mar is one of Catalonia’s major tourist resorts and offers a wide variety of activities. The Catalan Association of Emotional and Adapted Diving, ACBEA, is based in Lloret. ACBEA practises adapted diving for people with disabilities and focuses on managing the emotions generated by underwater activities so that divers can enjoy the experience to the full.
The Costa Brava is a paradise for scuba diving. The Association of Diving Centres of the Costa Brava has nearly 40 member centres and has a set of best practices to guarantee sustainable diving.
In Blanes, from the cliffs, the Marimurtra gardens offer an exceptional panoramic view of the coast. These gardens are the work of Carl Faust, a businessman with a passion for nature. There are more than four thousand plant species, most of them exotic. The garden route is adapted for people with reduced mobility and prams.
Industrial and cultural heritage
To discover a singular historical and industrial element, you have to visit Anglès. The Can Burés industrial complex is a little piece of our history. It is a weaving and spinning production centre that began operating in 1887. It did so for 121 years, until 2008. Its steam engine is one of the main attractions of the site.
It dates from 1900 and is considered a jewel of industrial architecture. It is still in operation today and remains in the same place where it was installed more than a century ago. The enclosure has remained faithful to the original, although it has been modified to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.
Another unique cultural space in La Selva is Tossa de Mar. The town has the first contemporary art museum in the region, the Tossa de Mar Municipal Museum. The intramural enclosure and the seaside atmosphere of the town made the actress Ava Gardner fall in love with it. In summer, you can enjoy its beaches and coves. The Mar Menuda beach and the Gran beach have several accessibility measures, such as a wooden walkway, adapted showers, accessible toilets or a lifeline in the Es Racó area.