Spain and Portugal for Visitors

Figueres is the capital of the Alt Empordà county of Girona, quite enough reason in itself to make it worth mentioning on these pages. In addition, it is the birthplace of one of Spain's greatest artists, Salvador Dalí, whose importance everyone recognises whether or not they actually like him. It holds the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself and an entertaining excursion for many visitors to the Costa Brava, as well as the dry-as-dust Museum of the Empordà, the livelier Toy Museum of Catalonia, and an unexpected Technology Museum formed from the collection of a private enthusiast who used to visit local flea markets to acquire things like old typewriters, sewing machines and gramophones. Plus, as a castle enthusiast, I personally would visit the place if only for San Ferran Castle, the largest monument in Catalonia and the largest fortification in Europe in the 18th century, with the kind of splendid fortifications, ditches and balwarts you usually only see in the sketches and designs of old military engineers.

Ancient wine-making area in the north-east of the province of Girona, with a small output of wine not unlike its neighbouring Penedés region. Its rosés are notable, but visitors will be most interested in its Vino de Garnacha del Ampurdán, made almost entirely from the grape variety of that name.