It’s not often you get the chance to drop everything and go somewhere on the spur of the moment but that is exactly what we did. We saddled up a Ryanair flight and headed for the Pyrenees mountains and within a little under 2 hours we were over the border into north east Spain.

A twenty minute taxi ride from the airport  brought us to our destination at ‘AS Palau dels Alemanys’ the former Bishops Palace and a medieval gem built into the original Roman city wall of old Gerunda and in the old town of the city of Girona. We were warmly welcomed by the charming Eric who with his father transformed the XIIIth century establishment that now offers three tastefully and luxuriously decorated suites each with its own small kitchen area, dining and sitting area, shower room, large double bed plus the usual equipment, flat screen tv and wifi etc.

The ‘AS Palau dels Alemanys’ could not be better situated for exploring the narrow cobbled streets and alleys of this Catalonian city. Within a few minutes you can be at the centre and hub of the city with it’s many designer shops, cafes and wonderful restaurants including ‘El Celler de Can Roca’ voted one of the world’s best restaurants.

If you are looking to get your taste of history and culture a visit to the Cathedral with its beautiful architecture is a must, plus a walk along the high medieval wall overlooking Girona is a great way to see the city and the snow capped mountains of the Pyrenees beyond.

Smaller than its near neighbour Barcelona, Girona is the perfect destination for a romantic short break and we would definitely recommend ‘AS Palau dels Alemanys’ as the place to stay  while in the city and perhaps book a special meal at ‘El Celler de Can Roca’  ?  with it’s three Michelin stars and voted the best restaurant in the World in 2012, it can only impress the one your with.

VIVA flew Ryanair to Girona and stayed at ‘AS Palau dels Alemanys’