FOR MANY, Girona’s charm is best enjoyed by lingering in one of the outdoor cafes along the tree-lined Rambla, or from elegant squares such as Plaza de Independencia, where the most energetic occupation is watching the world pass by.
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS with a keen sense of direction (or a long ball of string) exploring the maze of jumbled alleys and passageways of the old town is highly recommended. (Search and rescue parties can be arranged for those not home by midnight - seven days notice required). For the lucky few who successfully recover their bearings, strolling up the Carrer de la Forca leads to the city’s dramatic cathedral, which dominates the skyline for miles around.
BEYOND THE CATHEDRAL, the walk along the old town wall provides wonderful views of the low-lying countryside surrounding Girona. The crescent of hills which forms the backdrop to this vista melts into the Pyrenees to the north. Twenty miles to the south-east, the hills suddenly plunge into the sea on the coast.
VENTURING BEYOND the town wall, within a few minutes you find yourself wandering through the valley of Sant Daniel, heading into wooded countryside. For the energetic, the three-hour climb up to the ruins of the monastery of Sant Miguel is well worth the effort, producing breathtaking views over the Bay of Roses hundreds of feet below.
