Pearl of the Pyrenees

Pearl of the Pyrenees: Catalonia

It's fair to say that Spain isn't the first nation that comes to mind when you think of European skiing destinations, but you can find some excellent slopes across the country. Given that it's a slightly offbeat choice for winter sports, why not go the whole hog and stay in a home, like this one in Baquiera, that's similarly unconventional?

The interior of this apartment hasn't got much time for minimalism – instead, walls and surfaces are covered in a quirky collection of objets d'art, while the floor is home to hide rugs. Underneath all this characterful decoration, however, you'll find a really well-appointed interior. The contemporarily styled kitchen is plenty large enough for whipping up hearty apres-ski suppers, while there are two equally pleasant dining tables on which to enjoy the fruits of your labour, including one by the bay window.

There's even more good news – the lifts up to the Baqueira-Beret ski area are less than five minutes' walk from the home and guests are given a locker here to save you lugging equipment back and forth. You can also find a great choice of restaurants and bars in the local neighbourhood, too.



Home truths:
*The building has an elevator to reach this single-level apartment on the sixth floor
*There's car parking available in another nearby building
*Your host can provide a cot for free upon request, although this must be requested beforehand
*Guests get access to a twenty-four-hour telephone service in case of any issues
*The second bedroom has a pair of hydraulic bunk beds that can be arranged as single beds if preferred