Give Me 5 – days out over the border in Spain

Girona

I recently spent a girls’ weekend in Girona which was unashamedly based around shopping, eating and drinking! Girona is great for shopping with a plethora of chain stores and one-off boutiques to tempt. The shopping centre off junction 7 of the motorway is a great place to find the Zara’s and H&M’s of this world all under one roof, but it’s as soulless as you’d expect and those lights get to you after a while. For a more authentic Spanish experience, the city’s old town is a warren of cobbled streets lined with eateries and drinkeries serving whatever you fancy whether that be tapas or something more substantial.

If you feel the need for a bit of something to nourish the soul, Girona has a stunning cathedral and five major museums to visit -  The Cinema Museum, The Jewish History Museum, The Museum of Art and Archeaology and the History of the City Museum. You can buy a discount card if you’re planning on visiting more than one of these. Sad to say, I didn’t make it to any of the museums on this trip – although I did see the outside of the huge cathedral (it was right next to our hotel)! Which gives me the perfect excuse to book a return trip. What a shame!

Figueras

I’m not a total heathen and have at least made it to the Museu Dalí in Figueras. The building is a work of art in itself with its famous egg sculptures, it was previously a theatre and given to Dalí, who lived in an apartment here prior to his death, to house his art. Inside there are loads of surrealist pieces from the crazy genius on display, giving a great insight into the man and his fabulous sense of fun. Here’s his Mae West installation "The Face of Mae West Which May Be Used as an Apartment" – the work of a brilliant mind.

If you’re not all museum-ed out, Figueras also has a toy museum which I haven’t been to yet but is apparently a great place for kids with a whole range of toys on display, including some owned my Mr Dalí himself, and an interesting potted history of toys.  

The third must-do in Figueras is the food market which fills the whole of the Plaça del Gra every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday but is at its biggest and best on Thursdays. Look out for local produce such as goats’ cheese, chorizo, serrano ham and plentiful fruit and veg. The non-food part of the market spills into Passeig Nou where you can buy shoes, clothes, hardware, toys and linen.

Sant Martí d’Empuriès

This is my absolute favourite place for a day out in Spain. Sant Martí is on a beautiful stretch of coastline which I hope will remain protected from the high rise construction which blights some other parts of the Costa Brava. Perched on top of a small rise (or is it a hill?), this little medieval village has everything you need for an easy day out – a few laid-back restaurants to choose from, gorgeous beaches either side, a promenade for strolling, rollerblading, cycling, scooting or whatever else takes your fancy, a small playground for the kids and, if you’re feeling in need of some culture, the Greco-Roman ruins at Empuries, a short walk along the coast towards L’Escala.  Perfecto!

Begur and Aigua Blava

Begur is like a Spanish cousin of Collioure – touristy, pretty, with lots of bars and restaurants - and a lovely place to mooch around, to people-watch over an ice cold Cava and some tapas or to indulge in a bit of frippery shopping.

The town itself doesn’t have a beach but head to the pretty bay of Aigua Blava which is close by to sample some fresh seafood in one of the restaurants there. We had a selection of tapas which were delicious. Aigua Blava means “blue water” and it won’t disappoint on the blueness front. It has been voted the best beach in Catalonia in a Spanish poll.

Portaventure theme park

Ok - this one’s too far for a day out but I just had to include it as we’ve just spent a fabulous few days there. Around three hour’s drive from Perpignan near the town of Salou, the park is heaven for children of all ages from the under 5s, who will love the new Sesame Adventure world which has plenty of age-appropriate rides, to teenagers who can get their kicks on the bigger rides and rollercoasters such as the 100 meter freefall drop, Hurakan Condor, or the stomach-lurching Dragon Khan.

The park is split into five themed areas – Mediterranean, China, Mexico, Far West and Polynesia - with rides and live shows tying in to the theme. We caught a bird of paradise show in Polynesia and a man doing fun things with giant bubbles in China – not sure that particularly ties in with the country theme but I guess they had to put it somewhere.

We stayed at the Caraibe - one of the resort hotels who offer good deals at quieter times of the year. We paid under 300 euros for two night’s bed and breakfast for four with free entry to the park from check in until close of play on the day of departure. Considering adult entry to the park for the day is 69 euros, this seemed excellent value. With Woody Woodpecker, his lady friend and Sesame Street characters wandering around the park and hotel, a shuttle bus to the door of the park and a fabulous pool with lifeguard and man-made beach the set-up is brilliant for families. And from the end of May, the Caribbean-themed aquatic park opens for the summer season offering even more to do.

One gripe – the food in the park is truly revolting – plan ahead and take a picnic instead!