Lavender Fields of La Todolella and the Cinctorres Distillery

In June and July, the lavender fields of Els Ports turn purple, and the guides of Viu els Ports organise a whole morning around them: the field, lunch at a masía, a mill, a bridge and the distillery where the flower becomes essence. La Todolella is 17 km from Morella, about 22 minutes by car.

A morning in four stops

The visit lasts about four hours. It begins with a guided circular walk of about two kilometres among the fields of aromatic plants, with the flower open. Then there is a lunch of local produce at a masía. The third stop is at La Todolella: the Sant Onofre mill and the bridge that Viu els Ports calls Arab, over the river. The last is the Cinctorres distillery, where you see how the essential oil is extracted. Between stops you travel in your own car, following the guide.

Price, ages and minimum group

It costs €27 for adults, €12 for ages 6 to 18 and nothing for under-6s, and the company offers a discount to those who book directly with it. It is designed for all ages. It only goes ahead with a minimum number of people, so there are no fixed dates: write or call to find out which days have a group and you are added to one. You must book in advance, on 633 82 07 36 or by email. If the weather is not good, the outing is rescheduled.

Lavender on a trip to Morella

The season coincides with early summer, when Morella is cooler than the coast but not yet full. Do the lavender in the morning and go back to the town for lunch: Mesón del Pastor, next to the basilica, serves Els Ports cooking. In the afternoon, the castle is open until 19:00 from April to September. If you come in autumn rather than summer, the same company runs the saffron harvest at La Mata.