Hi! We are leaving for Catalunya 2nd december and plan to drive (we have a car waiting at the airport) around för a couple of days before we hit Barcelona. We haven't <BR>made up a route or booked any hotels, we want to look for the small, romantic, pittoresque and intimate pearls. If you know any please write. We are interested in everything from nice bars, cheap hotels to beautiful spots for picnics. Anything goes!!! Seppo and Titte

Try Santa Pau, it's a medieval town <BR>to the north

I really think it's hard to pass by Montserrat, although it is on the tourist trail. Ging further up into the mountains is also very worthwhile. Anywhere along the Pyrenees is beautiful. I went to Bensaque which is quite a long drive, but you could try places east of Andorra for similar effect <BR>

Definately go to Monserrat---a jewel. <BR>Also, you may want to drive to Cardona <BR>and stay in the Parador there--it is <BR>a bit further on the same route.

another voice for montserrat, we stayed at Torre del Remei, about 2hrs north of Barcelona. From there we went caving in France. Ask the locals, they started us where the guide books ended!

THANK YOU for the replies! We had not counted on the four day holidays in Spain exactly during this time which meant that all hotels were full... <BR>Anyway, we managed to get two days in the lovely Tortosa Parador before being forced to stick to less recommenadble lodgings... Anyway, we had a great time and if anybody wants to get romantic recommendations from us, just send a mail! We found some really special places and also a wonderful Barcelonian hotel! Our next trip is to Dubai in march so if you have anything special about that place, please keep in touch! <BR>And if you ever come to Finland we'll be glad to give you all the information we can! Happy new year! Seppo and Titte