bkmk

Stu, thanks so much. Just booked and our hotel tells us that their restaurant is closed during our stay, so I'm especially appreciative of your dining info. Now I'm really getting excited. we're staying in Argeles Sur Mer at Auberge du Roua. Hope it turns out to be ok. Whatever, I know from all the posts here that we'll not be wanting for things to do or places to see. Thanks all.

Stu :

Just a few notes re your route nb 2 suggestions (BTW I am your "internet friend" with another screen name who lives in Roussillon). It is really too much for a day especially in February when it get dark pretty early. There is no point in driving to Ceret from Collioure to get to Thuir. Just take the main road to Perpignan then drive on to Thuir if you want to visit Castelnou.

If you want to visit the so-called Cathar castles (which are definitely not Cathars !!!) drive from Collioure to Perpignan, take the road to Estagel (near the airport) and drive to St Paul de Fenouillet and Maury. You'll save a lot of time and daylight.

Unfortunately the landscape just isn't as attractive in Feb. We drove way up to the top of the hills in the vineyward areas near Banyuls. Vineyards at this time of year are just dead-looking stumps. Views over the water were nice though. "Cathar" castle areas were very isolated and took a long time to drive to. A time of year with more daylight would be better.

Thanks again, to all who replied to this request for info. We did indeed go to Collioure in February and got exceedingly lucky with a warm, sunny day. The place was stunning and furnished fodder for an infinite number of pictures for my husband the photographer. We were able to sit outside in the sunshine and have drinks on the harbor and soak up the ambiance. Later this week I expect to finally post my trip report of our second February trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava, but I thought I'd let you Collioure fans know that we did it, it worked out and we loved it. Thanks so much for helping us decide.

Julie
I'm glad that you tried this area. Collioure is a jewel in this department. Even now we have a Tramontane wind today, Collioure is protected behind the higher hills to the North.

Blackduff