Whether it's escaping the day-to-day hubbub of city life, or just escaping the desk, many holidaymakers simply want to embrace the natural side of life on their next break. The Costa Daurada is the perfect location to escape modern technology's grip and experience the best of nature, from the sea to the mountains.

Guests could base themselves in any of the trio of towns alongside Costa Daurada's golden coast (Cambrils, Salou and Vila-seca, la Pineda) which provide the opportunity to enjoy the best of the coastline and watersports, as well as providing easy access to various hiking and cycling routes further inland.

Salou's Coastal Path

The 2km coastal path in Salou, the Camí de Ronda, is an ideal place to get a feel for the destination. Running alongside the coastline, the path heads from the district of Pilons to Replanells on Cape Salou, following historic fishermen paths that have been used for centuries. The path winds through beautiful landscapes, stopping by beaches and coves along the way. Highlights include Capellans Beach, where walkers can see the former quarantine station built in 1829, and Llenguadets Cove, where there are still bunkers built during the Spanish Civil War.

After passing the picturesque Llarga beach it reaches Cape Salou, renowned for its bird watching. With a pair of binoculars, there's the chance to spot several different species of gull, as well as shearwaters, jaegers, gannets, puffins, razorbills, loons, different migrating birds and sea ducks, such as common and velvet scoters.

Nearby Vila-Seca, la Pineda is also home to the Sèquia Major Natural Area, a wetland area spanning 17.3 hectares, which is home a diverse range of ecosystems. Two endangered species that can be found in the area are the Iberian tooth carp and the European pond turtle, while it is also a calling point for birds on their migratory path between the Llobregat and the Ebro Deltas. Free guided visits to the park are available in August and September.

Parc Samà

Reopened in May 2017, Parc Samà is a romantic garden located between Cambrils and Montbrió. Originally built in 1881, Parc Samà was the summer residence of Salvador Samà, the Marquis of Marianao, and the garden was designed a tribute to traditional gardens from Spain, France and England and includes a grand palace, a forest and a lake with a wonderful viewing platform. Entrance to the grounds costs €7 for adults and €5.50 for children.

Beaches and Watersports

The sea is central to life in Costa Daurada and the coastline stretches over 81km, offering sixty different beaches of all shapes and sizes. The towns of Salou, Cambrils and Vila-seca, la Pineda have all made a commitment to offering high quality beach services, working to fit the parameters of a 'Family Tourist Destination', including kid's clubs, permanent lifeguards and respect for the natural environment.

Vila-seca's, la Pineda beach has been awarded Blue Flag status and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Visitors to the beach can stroll along the 3km promenade that's runs parallel with it. Outside of the main towns, naturist beaches can also be found, such as Torn Beach in Hospitalet de l'Infant.

The Nautical Station in Costa Daurada is the biggest in Catalonia and activities include kayak tours, jet-skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle surfing, parasailing and flyboarding, where participants are propelled into the air with a 'jet-pack' style board.

Visitors to the region should not miss the unique 'Tuna Tour' experience, where guests can swim and snorkel in the sea with giant tunas - the world's only commercial swimming with tuna experience. The swimming with the tuna 'Tuna Tour' is available from €35 for adults and €15 for children (6-11). Children under five go free.

Salou hosts the Raceboard World Championships in 2017 (1-7 July), which is a major windsurfing event in the watersports calendar. Club Nautical Salou will be the base for the competition.

Cycling and Hiking

Cambrils makes a great base for a cycling holiday and the town itself has 27km of bike lanes, with 9km of these running alongside the coast. Cambrils is a 'Sports Tourism Destination' specialising in cycling and has been officially certified by the Catalan Tourist Board. With a temperate climate all year round it's a great location for a cycling escape. Further inland, Mont-roig del Camp is the region's first mountain-biking centre and offers circuits spanning a total of 143 kilometres.

Active travellers could also visit the Serra de Montsant mountain range, a diverse Natural Park with wild forests, ravines and valleys to explore. Further north is the Prades Mountains, home to multiple hiking and mountain bike routes, as well as Poblet Forest, one of the best-preserved forests in the region. A popular walking route in the Costa Daurada is the Cistercian Route, which links monasteries and architectural gems such as the cooperative cellars.

The Montsant mountain range and nearby Siurana are incredible areas for keen climbers, offering routes for the most experienced to beginners, surrounded with impressive landscapes.

One of the biggest cycling races in the Costa Daurada is the Gran Fondo Cambrils Park Cyclosportive, which will take place for the fifth year in April 2018. The non-competitive race has grown year-on-year with 3,500 riders taking part in this year's event, across two routes; The Escaladei (77 miles) and The Montsant (115 miles).  Mollydoo offer 3-night packages with accommodation and event entry from £270pp.

Birdwatching

Approximately 80km south of Cambrils is the Delta de l'Ebre, the largest wetland in Catalonia and one of the most important aquatic habitats in the western Mediterranean. Ideal for a day trip from the Costa Daurada, the Delta is perfect for birdwatchers with 95 species of breeding birds available to spot.

For more information on what to see and do in the Costa Daurada, please visit www.costadaurada.info.

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For more information or further enquiries, please contact tim@wearelotus.co.uk or rebecca@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470.

About The Federation of Hostelry and Tourism in Tarragona (FEHT)

The FEHT is a federation that represents the whole tourism sector in the province of Tarragona. It is the umbrella organisation for: the Association of Campsites in Costa Daurada and Terres de l'Ebre, the Association of Tourist Apartments in Costa Daurada, the Hotel Business Association of Tarragona, the Association of Hotels in Tarragona, the Association of Hotels in Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda, the Association of Incoming Agencies of Costa Daurada, and PortAventura.

The FEHT, the Tourist Board of Tarragona, Costa Daurada, and Tourism Board of Salou, Cambrils and Vila-seca La Pineda work together to promote tourism in the region as well as its accommodation offers.