Property ID: 317
Type: Townhouse
Address: Rasquera, Tarragona

The White House, built in 1842, is in a narrow street in Rasquera, an authentic Catalan farming village, 150 kilometres south of Barcelona. The village is in the foothills of the Sierra Cardo, five kilometres from the Ebro, Spain's longest river and 30 kilometres from the unspoilt southern Costa Daurada and the birdwatcher's paradise of the Ebro Delta. In the main part of the house ( first and second storeys ) are two small single bedrooms and a double bedroom, a lounge, a kitchen/dining-room and a bathroom. There is a sun-terrace, which covers the whole house. Unfortunately, there are no views - except of the house opposite ! There is a separate ground-floor apartment with a double sofa-bed, basic kitchen and a bathroom, which is sometimes available. However, as this is a basement, there is limited natural light. Although the house has been fully restored and contains mosr modern amenities, it should be noted that it is not a modern hotel or beachside apartment. This is a genuine village house, furnished in a simple manner, situated in a working village. It is a place for those seeking the tranquility of an authentic Catalan village and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Reus Airport is 60 kilometres from the village, Barcelona Airport 150 kilometres away.

Hits: 319
Property added: 26 December 2008

Last Minute Deal: Yes
Car Needed: Car essential
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
No of Guests: 6
Kitchen: Open
Interior Facilities:

• Cooker
• Toaster
• Kettle
• Fridge
• Freezer
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer
• Iron
• Bedding provided
• Towels provided

Exterior Facilities:

• Terrace

Distance to beach: 30 km
Distance to golf: 30 km
Distance to airport: 50 km

Area Description:

Rasquera is an ancient village of about 1000 inhabitants, in the foothills of the Sierra Cardo, which reach a height of 100 metres.

The Old Quarter, where the house is situated, is a maze of narrow streets, alleys, stone steps and archways.
There are a few shops, the nearest just 50 metres from the house, a bank, a pharmacy, three basic local bars and a restaurant. There are also three bakeries, two with cafes, as ´pastissets de Rasquera´ ( a small pastry filled with fruit ) are the local speciality
There is a good fully-supervised public swimming pool ( open only in July & August.)

The surrounding countryside has many roads and tracks, which are ideal for walking. A nine-kilometre drive will take visitors to Cardo, an old monastery and spa, high above the village, very quiet and with superb views.

There are two major local festivities. The first, in early May, recalls the time when Rasquera was one of Catalunya´s most important goat markets. There is a livestock show and local artisans, producers and wine-makers exhibit their products.
´Festes Majors` in early August is a typical village weekend fiesta, with dancing displays, fireworks and a ball.

The River Ebro cuts through the nearby mountains, producing spectacular scenery, especially at Miravet, with its cliff-top Templar Castle ( open to the public.) Access from Rasquera is by an ancient ferry, worked entirely by ropes and the flow of the river.
The Ebro is also noted for fishing, especially for record-breaking catfish.

The Ebro Delta ( 35 kilometres ) is one of Europe´s leading bird-watching areas, with hides in many places.

The coastal towns of the southern Costa Daurada are relatively undeveloped, with fine beaches and good restaurants at l´Ametlla de Mar, l´Ampolla, Sant Carles de la Rapita and l´Hospitalet de l´Infant ( all about 30 kilometres.)
There are also many small coves which, except in August, are usually completely deserted.

Tortosa ( 30 kilometres ) boasts excellent shopping and a fine cathedral, while further afield, Tarragona ( 60 kms, ) a World Heritage Site, is noted for its historic buildings and Spain´s finest Roman remains.
Foe younger visitors, Tarragona´s seaside resort of Salou is the home of Port Aventura, Spain´s answer to Disneyland.

The area around Rasquera is now one of Spain´s most important wine-producing areas. Priorat ( based around Falset ) now outranks even Rioja, while Montsant ( also at Falset ) and Terra Alta ( Gandesa ) are regarded as the fastest-improving and best-value areas in the country. There are wine-cellars built in the ´Moderniste´ style at Falset, Gandesa and Pinell de Brai.
Near Gandesa is the town of Corbera d´Ebre, which was destroyed in the decisive Battle of the Ebro at the end of the Spanish Civil War, seventy years ago. It was left as a monument to those who died. A visit is a very moving experience.

Holiday Type:

• Beach
• Walking
• Countryside

Nearby Activities:

• Fishing