Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jaume Subirós, the chef and owner of this hotel-restaurant on a busy road 1km north of the
centre, is a seminal figure of the transition from traditional Catalan home cooking to the pol-
ished, innovative affair it is today. Highlights are such dishes as sea urchins from Cadaqués,
cod with truffle and calf's cheek in red wine. There are also appealing rooms at your dispos-
al (singles/doubles €94/109).
SLEEPING
Most people treat Figueres as a day trip from Barcelona or the coast, but it's worth staying
overnight if you want to beat the coachloads of tourists to the Dalí museum.
HOTEL
HOTEL DURÁN
Staying at this mid-19th-century hotel is very much in keeping with the Dalí theme as he
and his wife used to frequent the place themselves. Successfully blending old-style elegance
with contemporary design, the hotel offers modern, good-value rooms and a restaurant like a
royal banquet hall, with smooth service and a fantastic €24 lunch menu which features such
expertly prepared delights as seared tuna steak and rabbit loin. Breakfast is cheaper if you
book online.
Montserrat
Explore
Though the monastery complex itself of this major pilgrimage centre is compact, allow a
whole day for the visit if you want to take advantage of the many splendid mountain walks.
Take the earliest
cremallera
(rack-and-pinion train) or cable car up the mountain to beat the
crowds and begin with the exploration of the monastery complex, paying a visit to the Vir-
gin and then the worthwhile Museu de Montserrat before grabbing an early lunch or, better,
a picnic. Season permitting, you might be able to catch a choir performance inside the ba-
silica.
Afterwards, ride the funiculars, or else take a walk down to the Santa Cova - the spot
where the Virgin was originally found - or up to the Sant Jeroni peak for a splendid view of
the valley below.
