La Isla Verde – the innovative Eco Finca near Barcelona

Description

5 MAJOR PLUS POINTS

1. Underfloor heating, big common rooms, Chillout zones and terrasses, a little pool with water from a fountain – all of these instalations show that you don’t have to miss comfort while managing a house in an ecological way –quite the opposite case is true!
2. There’s no connection to public energy supply, instead all the energy is 100% renewable
3. Montserrat, the “cut mountain” is visible from almost every point of view. The emblematic sight of Catalonia is only about 10 kilometres away.
4. Are you familiar with Permaculture? You’ll find it here!
5. The owners of the Eco Finca near Barcelona, Bea, Felix and Pau, take care that your holiday is much more than you expected. Their smile will seduce you as well – That’s for sure! 🙂

THE SETTING

Els Hostalets de Pierola is a small village in the bigger area around Barcelona with less than three thousand inhabitants. As in many other villages, most local companies are dedicated to dry farming, i.e. cereals, almonds, olives or viticulture. In addition to his castle and a Romanesque church, Pierola is particularly interesting because of one of its famous former “inhabitants”, an ancestor who today would be about 12.5 or 13 million years old!

Pau, the guy appearing from earth

The bony figure, which was found by a team of paleoanthropologists in 2002, overwhelmed not only the catalan experts but also renowned paleontologists of other countries. A center for restoration and paleontology (CRIP) has arrised, and procures a study center for fossils gaining international reputation. The village gave his famous ancestor the name Pierolapithecus, or affectionately just called in a short way Pau, which means “peace” in Catalán.

Montserrat – Monastery and departure point for excursions

For those who enjoy walking, countless hiking trails with spectacular views are provided. And of course you shoud visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat with its “la Moreneta”, the patron saint of Catalonia, is worth a visit.

Wine tasting of the denomination Gran Penedès

The holiday home LA ISLA VERDE is located just next to the wine region, which is mainly responsible for the production of Spanish sparkling wine. Many wineries invite you to try their homemade wine or cava, most of the time combined with a tour through their bodega. There are also entire wine tours under the heading Wine tourism devoted entirely to the discovery of the exquisite Mediterranean delicacies.

THE ECO FINCA NEAR BARCELONA

Have you ever heard of permaculture or know some of its essential principles? The name comes from the United States, making reference at permanent agriculture. In Europe the terms of organic agriculture or organic farming are more popular.

Permaculture is much more than an agricultural concept, it is more like a way of thinking and acting!

Some cornerstones are …

• … the food production requires minimal human intervention and is based on the optimization of processes instead of maximizing revenue.
• … the power supply from renewable energy sources.
• … the harmonious integration of the buildings in the surrounding landscape and economic use of materials and the least possible waste production, while natural resources.

When the owners of this IX. Century country house began with the renovations, they strictly followed the principles of permaculture. And the result is impressive! Already when you get your way through a dry river bed that you have to go along to get to the eco finca near Barcelona, is a special experience already (better not coming with a sports car because you’ll have to pass some bumps and mud holes 😉

The so called Casa Pagès has 400 square meters with:

• 6 double rooms, corresponding with double beds, where a total of 11 people can sleep
• 4 of the rooms have their own private bathroom; the other two rooms share a bathroom.
• A Large kitchen next door to a spacious dining room where 16 people can easily have lunch together.
• Right at the entrance there is a 50sqm room with an open fireplace, comfortable sofas, a TV and a computer with internet access.
• All rooms are provided with underfloor heating, which in winter is important to feel cozy and warm.

On the site you’ll find:

• Some picnic tables and benches under a pergola next to the kitchen
• A chill-out area with bamboo sofas, also protected from the sun
• A multi-purpose room, suitable for workshops and crafts
• A spring water pool, ideal to cool off with a dip in the water in summer
• An outdoor shower and toilet, integrated in a little house surrounded by nature (useful for additional camping on the spot)
• A tipi tent with the possibility to prepare fire (only under supervision and in season)
• A greenhouse of 40 square meters
• A white water pond where the frogs croak you a welcome message (from the house inaudible)

The entire area also includes 100 acres of mixed forest of oaks and pines with a corresponding number of hiking trails.

SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND

Both building and landscapes are designed according to sustainability criteria:

• Bea and Felix live the idea of permaculture also in terms of the interior of the house. During the renovations, they took care whenever possible to recycle old materials.
• Photovoltaic systems, solar thermal panels and biofuels provide enough electricity, hot water and heat for the underfloor heating that has been installed in all floors of the building.
• The most innovative of the house affects just the quietest place: A composting toilet according to the latest generation, which separates human excreta from urine. After a decomposition process, it is used as a fertilizer for trees.
• Instead of a default pool, which is usually cleaned with no environmentally friendly chlorine, there is a spring water basin, which is kept clean by a steady stream of water and natural filter processes. This comes from a natural source about 1 km away from the pool.
• The owners also live on the place in their own house next to the Holiday home. They offer workshops or craft courses as needed for both adults and children. So visitors can learn many things from nature and the use of their materials.

PLACES OF INTEREST

• A visit to Montserrat is a “Must”. The Virgin of Montserrat and the stories accompany has made the monastery of Santa María de Montserrat an emblematic place. Also you’ll enjoy great views just walking around in the Parc Natural Muntanya de Montserrat. On a clear day you can even see Barcelona from there.
• For the fans of fossils: There is an exhibition scheduled soon to open in Pierola, at which the visitor turns into a paleontologist.
• El Bruc is a quaint town only a 11km walk away, ideal for an excursion or destination to visit.
• The large, world-famous wine cellars are situated in the village of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in only 15km awayfrom the Holiday Home. There are also other las Bodegas as Cavas Masia Bach and many other, less famous. We provide you with all the necessary information to discover them.
• A special Catalan experience you’ll have visiting Els Castel de Vilafranca, in the same called city of Vilafranca del Penedès 25km away. The people there build human towers and have won worldwide fame with towers up to 9 floors.
• The castle of Papiol in 35km distance from Pierola.
• And do not forget: This eco finca near Barcelona is just 50km away and is easily reached via a free highway in just 45 minutes.

SLOW ACTIVITIES

The only “neighbors” are the owner of the place, which are at your side with many tips and services and, of course, well versed in the region. Bea and Feliz speak German, English, French, Spanish and Catalan and like to make customized offers if you’d like them to.

Already in place of LA ISLA VERDE there is a lot to do:

• Once sitting like the Indians in a real tepee next to an open fire
  (only under supervision and in season)
• Ecological cooking – with a parabolic solar cooker
• A free real Spanish Paella or enjoy a brunch breakfast
• An Eco-basket with local organic farm food
• A body treatment with delicious flavor
• Massage expert hand who come specifically to the house
• A practical introduction to the world of permaculture
• Many workshops are possible: production of organic soaps, manufacture of wooden signs with personal writings and designs, painting stones etc …

In addition, in the same area

• Visit of authentic restaurants (we’ll tell you which one)
• Riding in local horse studs
• Visit a chocolate factory with handmade chocolate and the traditional Christmas Torron consumed, a nougat dessert
• Drive along the Ruta del Vino, the wine route around San Sadurní d’Anoia
• Ballooning
• Guided excursions – on foot or by bicycle

HOW TO GET THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Train Station of FERROCARRILES (a kind metro for longer distances): PIERA

Linea R6, Linea R60

Tarif Zone: 4C

HOLIDAY RENTAL LICENCE

The official Tourism Licence No is: PCC884

Thanks so much Tom for your English translation which shows your great level of German, bravo! 🙂

Prices to rent Eco Finca near Barcelona LA ISLA VERDE

Capacity: max. 11 persons

Price includes:
– towels (only to use in the house)
– bed sheets
– cot and high chair for a baby
– WiFi
– water, electricity, underfloor heating
– VAT of 10%

Price DOESN’T include:
– final cleaning of 90€
– towels for the pool and the beach
– 20€/ night per extra person from 9th person on

– tourist tax of 0,50€/night for each person older than 16 years (max. of 7 nights)

Supplements:
– For well educated dogs 10 € per night (please advise in advance!)

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