I'm planning a visit to Spain in late September/early October and want to spend more or less two nights near the Spanish/French border in Catalonia. Looking for a centrally located town from which to take day trips and accomodations in a reasonably priced, small but charming hotel/parador/casa rural.

A great location is La Seo d' Urgel near the border
with Andorra. They have a small Parador.
A cool Parador/castle is near Cardona---not really
in the mountains but close enough and fairly close
to Montserrat---not to be missed.

I live in Barcelona, and go a lot of times to the pyrenees. La Seu dŽUrgell is a good value, like Puigcerda. But the most interesting site for the romanic art is La Vall de Boi,(town Caldes de Boi with termal bath resorts) and near the Aigues Tortes NP,Aneto peak(the highest pyrenees point), and the romanic sites of Taull, Barruera. Also Val DŽAran is worth visiting. <BR>

topping

topping for Clousie

callela any knowledge ?

Hi McCarrick: <BR>My husband and I have hiked in the Pyrenees from Boi (See albert's msg). The area is in the national park of Aigues Tortes (twisted waters) it was very nice and the walks would be perfect when you are travelling in the autumn. There are some mountain lakes within a few hours walk. When Albert says about "romanic art" he is really talking about Romanesque architecture. Beautiful 9 -11Century churches still in use with amazing art work in side. <BR>We have also done another spot also in the Pyrenees but further out to the Mediterranean. the spot is called vall de Nuria and is only accessible by cogwheel train from Ribes de Freser which is about 1 1/2 hrs from Barcelona by road or rail. The cogwheel train up into the mountains provides an amazing trip, and breathtaking scenery. Once there, there's a hotel, a campsite, a religious sanctuary , a few restaurants etc. It's a wonderful spot. The hotel is charming and has lots of history to it. Check out vall de nuria website. You can't beat this place for great walks all mapped out and named. A well stocked store for supplies of all kinds from walking sticks, to food, walking clothing and souvenirs. <BR>You could do this from Barcelona but plan on an overnight which just adds to the mystique of the place. <BR>email me if it sounds like your kind of place. I'd be glad to expand on this. <BR>regards, <BR>Lynn