Costa Brava has it all… fantastic weather, medieval history, wonderful beaches and the works of Salvador Dalí, here are some ideas for starters.
A food tour of Girona
Home to some of Catalonia’s most delicious food, Girona in Spain is a great option for groups who are interested in plenty of history, culture and of course culinary delights. North east of Barcelona, it is known as the ‘City of the Four Rivers’ and is dominated by medieval buildings along with Roman, Gothic and modernist architecture.
Groups can enjoy crossing some of its many bridges, including one built by Gustave Eiffel just before the construction of the Eiffel Tower, and taking in the colourful houses overlooking the river as well as a stroll through the old quarter.
Dali Theatre and Museum
Dedicated to the artist Salvador Dali, this museum in his home town of Figueres is well worth a visit. Described as the ‘world’s largest Surrealist object’, it showcases all of Dali’s art including some of his greatest masterpieces as well as his first artistic creations.
Its huge, transparent dome – designed by the architect Emilio Pérez – has become the museum’s most iconic feature. Look out for the black Cadillac parked in the central courtyard and the curious red façade crowned with a line of egg-shaped sculptures.
There are group rates available and GTOs can opt for a guided visit or an evening tour.
Perelada Winery
Smaller groups can uncover a winemaking tradition spanning over six decades at this winery. It is said that the variety of soils is unlike most other places in the world which lends itself to the grapes the team grow and then produce their wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, with.
And once you have had a tour of the vineyards, the Nou Celler Perelada restaurant is said to be a fine gastronomic experience with a cheese table, selection of sausages and much more.
Explore Cadaques
This beautiful town has quiet coves with clear waters and lovely beaches to enjoy. Continue your exploration of Dali with a visit to the Salvador Dalí House-Museum which is an intriguing labyrinth structure of fishermen’s cabins created by Dali and his wife Gala. Your group can visit the artist’s workshop, library, rooms and gardens.
Head to the historic centre and see the Church of Santa Maria, a carefully restored building with a white façade that houses a baroque altarpiece. There’s some great food to try too - such as fish suquet, rice casserole or cuttlefish with peas along with locally produced rose wine, delicious!
Walk the Costa Brava shoreline
The Camí de Ronda® walking trail runs all the way from the French border at Portbou to Tarifa, the end of the Mediterranean. It is said to be a paradise for hikers with great scenery, beautiful flora and the dramatic geography of the Costa Brava.
It has a fascinating history too, said to have been created to allow communication between the towns, beaches and coves while also guaranteeing fishermen and coastal sailors a return to the ports of origin in the event that their boat was shipwrecked against the rocks of the coast. But above all it was apparently used to control smuggling.
Groups can opt for various routes including a two-day 43 kilometre trail which stars in the town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols and ending in the town of Begur. Or there’s a longer eight-day 140km route which starts and ends in Girona.
