We have wrestled jet lag to the ground and it is time to go touring. The Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres and the medieval city of Girona, both within an hour or so of Begur, call to us.

The Dali Museum is built on the site of the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres which was destroyed towards the end of the Spanish Civil War.  Dali “designed the building to house his works and to draw people into his unique and captivating world.” (Dali Theatre-Museum History.)  The tower topped with egg shapes had been a medieval structure that was subsequently covered in plaster. The eggs represent new life and the bread-like shapes on the walls represent nutrition.

The Museum was packed even on a Tuesday in September, not surprising since it is the third most visited in Spain after the Prada in Madrid and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The works range from large sculptures to small paintings, and include a small number of works by other painters whom Dali collected. At the risk of alienating my art historian niece, I am posting two photos of Dali works that particularly caught my eye. (I assure you, dear niece, that I also studied the works for some time!)

Young Alistair enjoyed looking at Dali’s work, especially when interesting features were pointed out to him, but the installation he liked best was the water feature outside the gift shop!

Before entering the medieval city of Girona we stopped for lunch at Can Roca, a restaurant run by the parents of the owners of El Celler de Can Roca, arguably the best restaurant in the world. (See The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.)  Rumour has it that on their days off the sons eat lunch at Can Roca, a block from their own restaurant.

Our prix fixe lunch of salad, first main, second main, dessert and a bottle of house red wine cost €11 per person.  The food was delicious and as we all could choose one dish from the list of the two mains and the desserts, Gillian, Derek and I were able to trade dishes and sample almost the entire menu. (Unfortunately we were unable to dine at El Celler since you must reserve eleven months in advance. We did, however, manage to sample the sign.)

The medieval centre of Girona sits on the edge of the Onyar River.  Iberians were the first inhabitants until they were conquered by the Romans.  The Moors later took Girona and finally the Franks ruled supreme.  Eventually Wilfred the Hairy, a Catalonian, gained control of Girona and brought it under control of Barcelona.

Within short walking distance sit the Basílica de Sant Feliu and the larger Girona Cathedral.

Alistair was most impressed by this gentleman who had gone “night night.” I was most impressed by the seeming never ending view on approach to the Cathedral.

The return stroll to the car took us through the Aljama, the old Jewish quarter widely believed to be one of the finest preserved in Europe.

After a long day of touring and doing adult things, we stopped for a little Alistair time.

Today we took the train to Valencia and are now settled in a beautiful three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat with an outdoor patio in old Valencia. We’re looking forward to exploring this interesting city.