Your travels now take you down the Costa Brava to a tiny cove where the Mediterranean Sea laps at the sand. On the way there is much to see and do... 

Your first stop might be at Aiguamolls, Catalan for 'wetlands'. In spring and early autumn, this expansive nature reserve harbours a photogenic mosaic of habitats, attracting bountiful wildlife from flamingos and storks to turtles and deer.

One thing you can't miss is the Greco-Roman city of Empúries. This is the only place in Spain where you can wander between the Greek statues of Aesclepius, around the central agora square and past the ornately tiled banqueting hall, then walk directly towards the mosaiced floors of a Roman city. One foot in Athens, the other in Rome. The agora is now the forum, the Greek statues now Roman columns.

Push on south down to the cove of Aiguafreda, where you'll find your charming hotel a few metres from the water. It's no wonder they have an excellent fish restaurant. Despite having been a popular holiday destination for decades, the small coves and fishing villages still retain much of their traditional atmosphere.

Drive 1hr 45min, 75km