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A balloon journey over the volcanic area of Osona is an unbeatable way to get a bird’s-eye view of Catalonia.

Take a picturesque cruise from Calella and Blanes to Tossa de Mar, stopping at the old town and the castle of Tossa de Mar.

As the Pyrenees tumble into the Mediterranean, they create a rocky headland, which juts out 10 km (6.25 miles). It forms Catalonia’s most easterly point and offers spectacular views of the craggy coastline.

This giant delta is a patchwork of paddy fields. The wide expanse of the River Ebre is a nature reserve for migratory birds and has scores of bird-watching stations.

From late September to late October, thousands of Catalans flock to the hills in search of the highly-prized rovelló . There are also poisonous varieties, so amateurs are best to get a guide through the Diputació de Barcelona.

The Costa Brava is one of Europe’s top golf destinations; the best courses are around Platja d’Aro.

Montseny national park National Parks & Nature Reserves is ideal for horse riding, with a number of centres.

A nature reserve surrounds this huge outcrop of mountains, a favourite of rock climbers with peaks rising to 2,500 m (8,200 ft).

The magnificent peaks of Catalonia’s only national park are accessible from the resort of Espot. You’ll find ponds and lakes 2,000 m (6,560 ft) up.

It is 10,000 years since La Garrotxa last erupted and the volcanoes are long since extinct. The largest crater is the Santa Margalida, at 500 m (1,640 ft) wide. It is magical here in spring when thousands of butterflies emerge.