Tim_and_Liz

I just cannot decide what to do. Can you help me?!?

We were going to stay three nights at Cardona parador in central Cataluyna.

Changed my mind to one night in Cardona and two nights in Girona.

Originally wanted to see Figueres, Cadaques, and castle Requesens. Changed minds because we aren't huge art fans, hardly know anything about Dali, and Requesens and Cadaques are inconvenient to get to.

Enough background.

This is what I am thinking:

First, we're spending 9 nights in Barcelona (apt is rented with extended family). THEN:

<b>Monday 1/1:</b> pick up rental car, drive to Cardona. Explore Cardona and towns near there (can't find much, any suggestions? salt mine tour is closed.)

<b>Tuesday 1/2:</b> Drive from Cardona through Solsona, Berga, Ripoli, Olot, Besalu, Banyoles to Girona. (3.5 hours driving, without stops). Stop in (at minimum) Besalu and at the prehistoric caves between Besalu and Banyoles. Overnight in Girona.

<b>Wednesday 1/3:</b> Spend day and night in Girona

<b> Thursday 1/4:</b> Drive Girona- Torroella de Montgri (hike to castle) - Pals (stop) - Begur (stop) - Barcelona. Need to have rental car back to Sants railway station by 9pm. Overnight in Barcelona.

<b> Friday 1/5:</b> Flight departs at 11:35am.

<b>Questions:</b>
1. Any stops that we should definitely include, or places not worth the stop?
2. How are the roads outlined for the drive on 1/2?
3. Should we skip Cardona? We really wanted to stay in the parador because it looks amazing, but it's far removed from everything. On the other hand, looking forward to the drive on 1/2...
4. Is it super risky skip the last night in BCN and spend it somewhere in Costa Brava?

I can't make any more decisions--please help
Thanks in Advance

Liz

blackduff

Liz
Missing Figueres is a bad choice. The Dali museuum is an important visit in this region. Plus, Figueres is a good place for a &quot;Stop&quot;.

On the other hand, you can give a miss to the Requesens castle. Though it's worthwhile visiting, it's tough to find and it's seen quickly.

Whether you're art fans or not, give another thought about Figueres.

Blackduff

Tim_and_Liz

Thanks blackduff. We decided to spend our last night in Girona and will have more time now in the Costa Brava. We will definitely stop at the Dali Museum in Figueres.

I also appreciate your insight on the Requesens castle. The photos are gorgeous, but it seems more trouble to get there than it's worth.

Liz

Ian

Some interesting sights:

Empuries - Greek &amp; Roman ruins
Iberian ruins near Ullastret
Peratallada - medieval stone town

Driving is very easy. And yes, skip last night in Barcelona. We drove from Peratallada to BCN early in the morning for a noon flight. About 3 hours or so. Girona south is all fast multilane.

Ian

tower

Tim....I would skip Cardona...we once stopped there for lunch en route to Andorra, and while the Parador is lovely..it's in the middle of nowhere..even as a base.
Stu T.

tower

sorry..should have addressed to Liz!

Stu T.

Tim_and_Liz

Well, we're back and had a great time in the Costa Brava. We picked up our car on Monday 1/1 at the Sants train station and drove to Montserrat. Visited the monastery and continued our drive to Cardona.

We checked into the Cardona parador and were given a very nice room with a four-poster canopy bed and with views of the cloister and chapel. Since I am under 30, we were able to book a &quot;Young Persons Getaway&quot; rate of only 90 Euro for the room and two breakfasts. An incredible deal.

We had lunch in the restaurant and then walked all around the castle. I was very surprised at how much of the castle and ruins are accessible to visitors, and exploring these areas during a spectacular sunset is one of my favorite memories. There were NO other people around, just the two of us with incredible views. We had dinner at the parador.

The next morning we had breakfast in the dining room, visited the chapel (I had already stopped to see the frescoes at the Catalan art museum in Barcelona), and departed for Girona. We drove a long route on twisty roads through Ripoll and Besalu towards Girona. Loved the pedestrian toll bridge in Besalu.

We stayed at the Hotel Historic for three nights in Girona. Very lovely hotel, but nearly impossible to find. For anyone driving to this hotel, definitely email the owners ahead of time to get driving directions (and avoid driving through the old town).

We very much enjoyed our stay in Girona, and were glad we stayed in the old town area. Wandering the streets at night was magical.

We did take one day trip to Figueres and Cadaques. We didn't really enjoy the Dali museum in Figueres. It was a little too &quot;out there&quot; for us, and we didn't really get it. We wandered around though and tried to soak it all in. We LOVED lunch at Cadaques. The road was twisty and long to get there, but our lobster paella and the neat town made it worth the effort.

Our last morning we were up at 6am and departed Girona at 7am. We made it to the BCN airport by 8:45am for our 11:30 flight.

Thanks again to all who helped with the Costa Brava planning. To anyone headed there, feel free to ask me any questions on this post.

Liz

artlover

Hi Liz,

We're leaving in a few days and will be in Costa Brava and I ran across your post and report while doing last minute research. I have a few questions:

What was the restaurant likeat the Parador at Cardona?

Could you give me some information on the prehistoric cavees between Besalu and Banydes?

Thanks for your report and any information you can supply.

Tim_and_Liz

Hi artlover--

The restaurant was beautiful, and the waitstaff was lovely. The food was hit or miss. Like some items we thought would be hot were served chilled and vice versa. The limited menu was OK for one night but I wouldn't want to eat there for a week straight.

We didn't end up visiting the caves because they closed before we got there...

http://www.pyreneesguide.com/article...7&amp;aID=1032