Dalí Trilogy – Tarragona, Figueres, Girona, Oropesa

Monday 11th September 2023 for 6 nights
620€ per person (double occupancy)

Leader: Coral Guise-Smith

Tarragona is a port city in north eastern Spain’s Catalonia region. Many ancient ruins remain from its time as the Roman colony of Tarraco. The Amfiteatre Romà is a 2nd-century arena facing the Mediterranean, the Necropolis contains Roman tombs, and traces of the Forum stand among the alleys of the walled, medieval Old Town. A walkway along the ramparts, the Passeig Arqueològic, has sweeping views of the city.
There are some lovely restaurants and bars in the city. We intend to do a guided tour of ruins during out stay. Tickets will be extra charge as some people have already visited this part of the city.

Places to visit: Tarragona Amphitheater. El Poblet Monastery. Cathedral of Tarragona. Circa Roma. National Archeological Museum of Tarragona. Playa del Milagro. El Serallo. Mercat Central de Tarragona.

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Figueres

The town of Figueres situated inland in the province of Girona in Catalonia, is best known for being the home of Salvador Dalí; yet visitors to this town with its deep Catalan roots, will find much more than Dali memories. Figueres is teeming with cultural attractions and has a full festival program throughout the year for visitors to enjoy.  
Figueres is the last town before the Spanish/French border in the county of Alt Empordà, set between the Pyrenees and the Costa Blanca.

About Figueres
 The name Figueres translates to Fig Tree; as one can imagine, the town was once abundant with the sweet fruit trees.  Like most traditional Spanish towns, Figueres is made up of a central Old Town, where the majority of the town’s cultural attractions can be found. There is a typical ‘La Rambla’ central avenue, which can be found at the heart of the shopping zone and links the old quarter with the newer parts of town, developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Here you will find a mix of architectural styles, from Baroque, to Neoclassical, to Modernist and Rationalist styles. 

Distributed across Figueres are numerous public squares (Plaza, or Plaça en Catalan), iconic of Spanish town construction and part of the Spanish way of life, where people, meet, greet, sit, gossip, play dominos, or just watch the world go by. The main squares of interest are Plaça de L’Ajuntament, where you find the present City Hall; Plaça de les Patates, Plaça del Gra, where there is a colourful food market held three days a week, and Plaça Doctor Ernes Vila and Plaça de Catalunya. Each square has its own story to tell, distinct architecture and activities. 

The old quarter provides an excellent stage for open-air shopping, with a variety of wares on display. There are various markets throughout the week including local produce, clothes and a flea market.

Places to Visit in Figueres

Figueres is home to a host of important historical monuments and cultural attractions. Amongst which is the Castle of Sant Ferran, an 18th century military fortress built on the top of a hill on the outskirts of town. Its vast form dominates the town; it has a perimeter of more than three kilometres making it the largest historical monument in Catalonia and one of the largest fortresses in Europe.

It was the birthplace of one of the greatest artists of all time, Salvador Dalí. Tourists come from all over the world to visit the famous Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum. The building was actually designed by the artist himself, inaugurated in 1974, it contains an extended collection of his works covering his entire career, from his early artistic experiences through to works created during the last year of his life.  Visitors will find some of his most outstanding creations here including: The Spectrum of Sex Appeal (1932), Galarina (1944-1945), The Bread Basket (1945) and Galatea of the Spheres (1952). 

Other notable attractions in Figueres include the Toy Museum of Catalonia; situated in the former Hotel Paris on the Rambla de Figueres; the museum exhibits over 4000 games and toys from different periods. The interesting collection ensures a nostalgic visit for both parents and children alike. The Empordà Museum is an ode to the historic routes of the local area, and takes you on a journey through the deep Catalan routes of Figueres and the province of Girona. 

Eating Out in Figueres
 The local cuisine, like much of this province, combines fish and shellfish from the local coast, served baked, grilled, barbecued, or you choose! Produce from the land and mountains: chicken, rabbit, wild mushrooms and local fruits also feature heavily on local menus. 
There is also a range of delicious local wines and cava, labelled from the Ampurdán-Costa Brava Denomination of Origin.

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La Devesa Park, Jewish History Museum,  City History Museum,Cinema Museum. Tomàs Mallol Collection, Art Museum, Sant Pere de Galligants Aechaeological Museum, Chapterhouse Museum, San Félix Basilica.

Girona is a city in Spain’s north eastern Catalonia region, beside the River Onyar. It’s known for its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter (Barri Vell) and the Roman remains of the Força Vella fortress. Landscaped gardens line the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway following the Old Quarter’s medieval walls, which include watchtowers with sweeping views. 

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Oropesa

Oropesa del Mar has been home to a diversity of cultures over the centuries. A stroll around the Old Town, with its medieval features and narrow streets, culminating in the ruins of the ancient walls and the Moorish Castle, will transport you back in time. Its sinuous streets offer a range of attractions for the visitor, with museums, theatre visits, street performers, poetry, music festivals, antique markets and exhibitions.  

Built to guard against pirate attacks, the Torre del Rey stands at the Oropesa del Mar cape, and is the most emblematic town monument. Nearby is the Lighthouse, an essential guide for maritime traffic. For sports lovers, you will find spectacular competitions and popular challenges with picturesque routes. Walking trips, mountain bikes, quads and cycling are just a few of the sporting activities you can enjoy.

One of the highlights of Oropesa del Mar is its 12 kilometres of coastline with seven choices of beach, each with a unique character and crystal-clear waters. Travelling from north to south, you find long stretches such as Les Amplàries and Morro de Gos, the natural bays and coves of La Concha, Cala del Retor and Orpesa La Vella, the wild unspoilt beach at la Renegà, and others a little more remote like Les Platgetes de Bellver.

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The itinerary will be:-
11th and 12th September 2 nights in a hotel SH Tarragona or similar B&B
13th and 14th September 2 nights in a hotel 4Pirineos Figueres or similar B&B 15th September 1 night in a hotel 4 Carlemany Girona or similar B&B
16th September 1 night in a hotel Maria D’or Orapesa HOTEL 4*or similar.B&B.

Taxes are included. 
Tickets to the Dali Museum in Figueres, Dali Summerhouse in Cadaqués and Dali Castle in Púbol are included. 
To enter Dalí Castle groups are limited to 25 persons per group.

To book email Coral Guise-Smith on travel-events@u3amoraira-teulada.org