You can visit Girona and Figueres without an organized tour; you can travel by train. This will allow you to stay as much or less you want visiting the museums, walking, etc.

Lots of great tapas bars and restaurants in the El Born district.

The tapas at Cal Pep are sensational, especially the seafood tapas but also the local butifarra sausage, the excellent tortilla with alioli etc. etc. Quite expensive, but you'll get at least some three/four tapas each and a great experience for some 30€/person excl. drinks. Get in line some 15 minutes before opening to find a place at the bar where all the action is. People stand in line for ages to wait for a free seat. Going again mysef in May: http://www.calpep.com/

I also very much like Euskal Etxea. Great pintxos (Basque tapas) in this restaurant/bar at the Basque Cultural Center in Barcelona. http://www.euskaletxeataberna.com/eng/

Bar Restaurante Navia just across the Estació de França is a typical and friendly place serving perfectly fine food at low prices, open almost 24/7. Groups of friends drop by even after midnight for having a huge meal as do many police officers and other night owls. Can especially recommend Today's soup or stew. http://www.buscorestaurantes.com/restaurante/Navia-106390-0

Fabulous pintxos/tapas at Txakolín 50 meters down the street from Navia in Avenida Marquès de l'Argentera, 19.
http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/food-and-drink/txakolin

I've been, with my partner, last spring to Girona and Figueres and we rented a car at the nearest place at our hotel online at Topautovehuur.com. We didn't regretted it. Its not so cheap as the public transportation but it was worth it. The roads up to the north are very beautiful. My advise is go without an organized tour so you can fill in you're one time. There is a car park next to the Dali Museum. Arrive early so you can park your car and you don't have to wait in a long cue for the museum. If you have the time go to Portlligat (you need a car ) and see the former home of Salvador Dali and wife Gala. Its worth the visit to see how the eccentric couple lived. You have to book a visit. Do this early online at www.dali-estate.org. You can pick you're date and time.

HI all thanks for all your advice. Think we will stick to the train. But Kimhe will check out some of your suggestions. Thanks again

Another vote for Cal Pep. We saw Bobby Flay eating there last summer.