In principle I don't think you are trying to do too much if you stayed at different places -- the parador in Begur is holding you back I think and forcing lots of daytrips (ie back tracking which I don't enjoy).

I am doing a similar trip next month; I haven't posted my itinerary yet but I will now.

We are also coming from Paris by the night train (trenhotel private cabin for 2 404€ R/T). How are you arriving in Catalonia?

Maribel,

Thanks again. I don't like a lot of one-night stands (LOL) either, but we'll be in one place an entire week after this (Mallorca, which I still need to research and will undoubtedly have questions to post) and possibly a week in one place outside of Paris.

Moxie,
I am aware that the Paradors are often on the outskirts of town, but I've had such great experiences with them on our last trip, that I really want to stay there again (plus I'm almost out of the great fragrance they comp with the ammenities). We'll be getting to Cardona by car. I'll be looking forward to your trip report!

Hi artlover,
I know the feeling of wanting to hit as many Paradors as possible, particularly with the 5 night card that makes them so incredibly affordable! The regular rates at Aiguablava are 130-140, which makes the 5 night card a tremendous value!

I thought you had a week at a timeshare afterwards, which will give you time to recover. I

f you do just a night in Vic, I would recommend you hit the Museo Episcopal first when it opens at 10, then drive up to Rupit and do lunch up there.
www.museuepiscopalvic.com

With only one night you won't have time for exploration of the Garrotxa, but you'll certainly need a reason to come back, right? I could spend a lifet ime exploring Catalunya! BTW, Vic's market days are Tues. and Sat. in the Placa Major.

It can be charming to hang out on balconies waterside at the Playa del Sol in Cadaques, but I would not call it spectacular. If I wanted one village/beach experience along the Costa Brava, I would choose Calella da Palafrugell.

Dear Artlover,

Wanted to reinforce your idea of spending one night at Parador Vic if you only have a 5 night window. We just returned from a stay there three weeks ago.

Parador Vic-Sau is a lovely place,Just completed an interior redecoration, the setting is spectacular and you will love the view from the balcony. It is very quiet and serene. It is definately worth staying there just to experience the view.

That said, as already stated, it's pretty remote for using as a base. We originally booked three days and cut it down to two, having our fill of the view and wanting to move on. I think you could be satisfied with one night and not be disappointed.

The dinner at the parador was acceptable, but not much more than that. If you don't want to drive back and forth for dinner, it's fine to eat there, but not with overly high expectations.

I second Maribel's suggestion to visit the Episcopal museum in Vic. The quality and quantity of regional Catalonian religious art is truly superlative. A slide show with English subtitles gives an excellent overview and helped us understand the unique nature of the collection.

If a quick lunch in Vic is desired, the restaurant El Jardinet was excellent - wonderful meal of gazpacho and chicken roasted in red wine, spices and pears with house wine for 11 euro. Also be sure to see the Roman temple, just around the corner from the tourist information office.

I also second Nessundorma's comment about Cadaques. If you have a strong reason to visit, go for it. But if you're on the fence, it's a long drive and I don't think you would miss too much if you skipped it. We enjoyed our day there, but other locations in Costa Brava could satisfy equally if it helps cut down on lengthy driving.

Now that I've read all the other suggestions, I am compiling a list for our return visit! (BTW, this was our 25th Anniv trip as well - Congratulations!)

Yes, Maribel I really do feel like I'm in a candy store (chocolate of course) when I go on the Parador website, which I just did to book this trip, and it was DOWN! Hopefully it will be up tomorrow.

Thanks, Susan Eva for the good wishes--congratulations to you two too (and you don't even complain about your DHs driving :D!) and for the restaurant suggestions as well. Good thing to be doing, compiling a list for your return visits, that's what I usually do when I get home (O.K., I'll admit it--on the plane on the way home! :D)

artlove,
You may have done this already on a previous trip, but in case you haven't....

I highly recommend becoming a member of the Parador's Frequent Guest Program, the Amigos. It's free, and members receive a complimentary drink (wine, beer, soft drink) upon arrival, children under 14 receive a little gift, and garage parking is free to Amigos. Plus one receives a quarterly four page bulletin filled with specials only available to Amigos, sometimes 2 for 1 stays, 25%-35% discounts, brk. thrown in with the room rate or a special tour, etc.

You can't sign up for Amigos on line. You simply fill out a form at your first Parador, and you'll receive a number to use for earning poiint then and for subsequent stays until you receive your card in the mail.

We have just now accumulated enough points for a free stay (redeeming them in Olite), and if you don't use your points you eventually lose them, but for us the redemption of points is secondary. We just enjoy the discounts, the free welcome drink and the underground parking.
The free garage parking comes in very handy on wkds. when there are events such as weddings at the Paradors or corporate seminars mid-week, and the small number of outside parking spots at particular Paradors gets filled up quickly. Some Paradors have ample outside parking; some don't (such as Avila, Trujillo, Mérida, where we really needed the garage space). Also when we arrived at the Limpias Parador quite late on a July Sat., and the lot at the entrance was filled, the overflow had to park far below, a steep walk, down by the tennis courts and pool. Not all Paradors have an underground garage, but it's nice to be able to have a free garage space when available.

I'm eagerly awaiting my Dec.-Jan.-Feb. bulletin so that I can check for specials for our winter trip!

SusanEva,
We'll have a few nights in Vic, so thank's very much for the recommendation of El Jardinet. We'll be sure to have lunch there.

artlover,
Speaking of Vic-Sauc, the Parador summer magazine did a spread on it. You can read it and see pics of the gorgeous views at www.parador.es At the very top click on Parador magazines, then choose n #17, summer, then the article "Behind the doors".
I love their magazines, and it's nice to be able to read them on line.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I just made the reservation and signed up for Amigos online. I'll be really impressed if they actually send me a card through the mail! Will let you know if they do!

Hurray, artlover,
I didn't realize one could sign up on line.

In 2007 we'll have three more brand new Paradors to choose from for our next trips, when La Granja (Segovia), Alcalá de Henares and Lorca (Murcia) Paradors open their doors, the first, sometime in the spring and the last two at the end of the year (if not plagued by construction delays).

Maribel,
We stayed at a Parador in Segovia, very modern and with Frank Llyod Wright type architecture--I loved it! Are they going to have another one in the same place?

No artlover,
The new one will be adjacent to the Palacio Real de la Granja at San Ildefonso, a 15 min. drive from the city of Segovia, the "Little Versailles" of the Bourbon dynasty, where the wonderful fountains are and the fantastic 17th c. Flemish tapestries (Tapestry Museum still closed).
You can see pics of this summer palace
at www.patrimonionacional.es

Thanks again, Maribel. I'll keep this on my future list (a long list indeed)!

Sorry Maribel. You did indeed mention Peratallada. We stayed there for 3 nights numerous years ago in a small hotel called La Riera. Really cool & spooky at night. The ruins at Empuries was our favorite day trip.

Ian

Hi Ian,
I've visited La Riera. I've never spent the night, but the family showed us around on our first visit to Peratallada. Like you, I loved exploring Empuries. I'm really not that well versed in Greoc-Roman ruins, but I found it really fascinating.