I am beginning to put together a return trip to Spain and France in April. We are planning to fly in to Barcelona (which we have visited many times ), and rent a house somewhere within 2 -3 hours of the city. we will have a car.
We are looking for a small picturesque town to spend the week and do day trips around the area. We like food and wine and beautiful scenery . From this location we will drive on to Provence for a second week--any suggestions?

Thanks

Two to three hours from Barcelona is actually quite a distance. Do you prefer the sea or the mountains-- although neither is optimal in April -- ? Want to branch out away from the French border or be closer to it?

Are wineries a big deal to you, or just access to good wine in bottles on tables?

I dont want to be in a resort type town and want the drive from Barcelona to not be too strenuos after an international flight--prefer to go directly to our destination rather than spending a nite in Barc.
We like to cook at home most nites so having access to good wine for the table is important.
I believe the drive to Provence is about 5 hours from Barcelona so anything in that range would be OK.
We will be there late April so hopefully the weather will be a bit better than early in the month--thanks for helping me get focused.

firstlake,
For a week's rental 2-3 hours north of Barcelona (on the way to Provence), I would look for properties in and around Girona (do a search on Girona province)

in either the Pla de l'Estany, slightly to the west

(A Fodorite friend found just what she wanted for her family in the Pla de l'Estany area, just northwest of Girona on www.toprural.com)

or the Baix Empordà to the east,

in a small inland town near the market town of La Bisbal
(like Monells, Ullastret or Cruïlles- but these are *very* small medieval towns),

or around the larger town of Torroella de Montgrí


Or go further north, to the northeast of Figueres, to the Alt Empordá

Here,
Castelló d'Empúries would be a non-touristy, picturesque town-
the treasure of Castelló is the 13th century Goth church of Santa María, known as the "Empordà cathedral"


For rentals in the above areas, I'd look at www.toprural.com
but also
www.gironarural.org


As to wines, the local Empordà D.O. wines are just fine and not expensive.
A couple of cellars can be visited-

Oliveda at Campany
Castillo de Perelada in Perelada

Hope this helps get you started.

firstlake,
Here's another web site that may help you with a rental in the Baix Empordà

www.baixemporda-costabrava.org

such as the apartments of the farmhouse Mas Petit outside of La Bisbal.

www.maspetit.net (also listed on Top Rural)

During our last stay in the Empordà-Costa Brava D.O., here are some wine labels that we enjoyed at area restaurants.

Sinols
Clos Floresta
Castell Peralada
Oliver Conti
Moll de Alba
(can buy most, if not all, in any good wine shop or market)

As for dining,
La Plaça in Madremanya is truly exceptional. Chef also gives cooking classes. Also terrific is El Fort in Ullastret, both charming medieval villages.

Maribel
Thanks for your suggestions I am looking at houses on the websites you recommended-may have more questions later.