Costa Brava

By the time we had left the bars of Valencia and traipsed through the many streets of Barcelona we were ready for some relaxation, lucky then that beaches of the Costa Brava were calling!

Our guide book described the Costa Brava as once being the "package holiday, chips and sangria" destination of our worst nightmares, but went to pains to explain that it is also the most unfairly maligned and misrepresented stretch of coast in Europe. Satisfied that we could head north to avoid the worst of it, on we drove, armed with the list of towns and villages personally recommended by Iolanda.

Chilling out in the Costa Brava

"Costa Brava" means "rugged coast", and you can certainly see how it gets its name. It's here that the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean, resulting in wild sea cliffs and many small coves, rather than the long stretches of sandy beaches further south. It has also a very rich heritage of art and culture, being the home of Dali, Picasso and many others over the past century. Definitely worth some time exploring.

A day at the beach at Calella

Unfortunately though,the weather wasn't quite as optimistic as we were, and although we did manage a couple of great days on the beach, it really was just two. What followed was a series of really amazing thunder and lightning shows that really did inject some drama into the rugged landscape - with pelting rain and thrashing seas - some of those nights where you're really happy to be indoors and not in a tent!

We must have spent almost a week in this small corner of Spain - to keep it brief, here are a few of our selected highlights...

Exploring the well preserved beauty of Girona...

The medieval streets of Girona

The river Onya as it flows through Girona

Wandering around the perfectly restored medieval town of Pals, housing what would have to be my very favourite home and garden ever...

Picture perfect in Pals

Cava tasting (from the bottles bought at Cordoniu a few weeks earlier) underneath the pine trees at lovely quite camping in Calella...

Refreshing and delicious

Absorbing the absurdity that was Salvador Dali's life at his house in Cadaques...

Dali's house in Cadaques, built from a series of fisherman's huts

Yes, that's a stuffed polar bear folks!

The artist's studio

Strolling the shops of Platja d'Aro, where we managed to find several things for the wedding, including the very important bridal shoes. Who would have guessed in such a small resorty town?!

The perfect camping shoes!

But alas, after a good week of relaxation, rain and gazpacho, it was time to head north.