| Unique Points | | | | for two weeks so that the magic and power of |
| | | | the sun and the moon can contribute to its |
| Besalu is a lovely medieval town. The 12th | | | | special flavour. |
| century Roman bridge over to the town is a | | | | |
| real landmark(photo). The town sits where | | | | There is an outdoor market on Tuesdays. |
| the Rivers Fluvia and Capadella meet. If you | | | | |
| are looking for a picturesque inland setting | | | | Restaurants |
| for a few days, Besalu is an ideal choice. It | | | | |
| would take under an hour to drive from Girona | | | | Many of the restaurants in the area are |
| airport,, well served by Ryanair flights from | | | | members of the Volcanic Cuisine |
| all over Europe. There is a lot to do and | | | | organisation. The aim is to promote and |
| see in the area, the Garrotxa Volcanic Park, | | | | encourage the traditional gastronomic style |
| the Dali Museum in Figueres, the coast, and | | | | using local produce. There is a list or |
| the city of Girona. | | | | restaurants on their site. |
| | | | |
| History of Besalu | | | | The Oliveras restaurant in Besalu has various |
| | | | set and a la carte menus which start at |
| Wilfred the Hairy, credited with the | | | | 7.60 euros per person. |
| unification of Catalonia, was born in Besalu | | | | |
| in 878. He was so named as he was as hairy | | | | Day Trips |
| as a mountain troll, even having hair of on | | | | |
| the souls of his feet. | | | | Girona You can easily spend a whole day in |
| | | | Girona, there area several museums, you can |
| In the Middle Ages Besalu was the capital of | | | | walk the city walls, visit the cathedral, |
| a country which reached up to Corbieres, now | | | | do some shopping. |
| in France. Besalu was the birthplace of Ramon | | | | |
| Vidal. a troubadour, a type of lyric poet who | | | | Banyoles. The main attraction here is the |
| composed music and poetry usually on the | | | | lake, which you can walk around. |
| topic of courtly love. | | | | |
| | | | The Dali Museum in Figueres, around 20kms |
| The Church of Sant Pere, in the main square | | | | east of Besalu, is well worth a visit. |
| was originally part of a monastery built in | | | | |
| 1003. | | | | The Garrotxa Volcanic Park The park has |
| | | | around thirty volcanic cones. The last |
| The Milova is a ritual Jewish bath dating | | | | eruption was around 11,500 years ago, |
| from the 11th or 12th century. It is located | | | | meaning that the volcanoes are inactive but |
| near the River Fluvia in the lower town. It | | | | not extinct. There are several walks through |
| was recently discovered and restored. You | | | | the park. |
| need to visit the Tourist Office in the main | | | | |
| square to obtain the key. | | | | Walking trails There are many marked trails |
| | | | in the area |
| In December there is the Fiera de Ratafia. | | | | |
| This is the local "firewater"; a grappa based | | | | Museums There are two museums in the town of |
| sweet liquor flavoured with herbs, spices, | | | | Olot. The Volcanic Musuem and the |
| coffee and nuts. Legend tells that witches | | | | ethnological Comarcal de la Garrotxa. |
| supervise its production; it is left outside | | | | |