I live in Girona, a Ryanair hub (with flights to and from Bristol) which many people use to get down to Barcelona. However it is a great town with plenty going on, top class restaurants, easy access to Barcelona by train (€12 return) or if you hire a car, to the foothills of the Pyrenees and the nicer bits of the Costa Brava. Not necessarily a huge amount warmer than the UK, but generally a lot brighter! The only downside is that it is a bit short on hotels, so you need to book early.

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This is a stunning area with a beautiful landscape of valleys, farmland and forests set against a backdrop of the snowcapped mountains of the Pyrenees. The area is perfect for cycling with a wonderful sunny climate, plenty of off-road tracks, excellent roads that take you through medieval villages, and drivers who respect cyclists.

Cycle the 7k route round beautiful Lake Banyoles, where Olympic triathletes train, and have a four-course lunch overlooking the lake, or ride across country over the Cap de Creus to see Dali's coastal home near Cadaquez (about 3 and a half hours from Banyoles) and enjoy tapas on the beach before returning.

Hardy cyclists can take the challenging route to Mare de Del Mont - a 19k ride with a 1,000metre climb. Contact Fiona and Gareth at their triathlon centre near Banyoles, in the heart of Catalonia, for cycle hire, coaching, accompanied rides, accommodation and to arrange collection from Girona airport.

www.gironacycling.com

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Though it's been extensively restored, pieces of the original Roman Wall survive, and it's possible to walk almost the entire way around the city's old town on it, providing fantastic views of both the town and the wooded hills of Catalunya's mostly ignored interior. Also, it's free to get up there but some of the entry points aren't always easy to find. The best place to start your tour of the walls is in front of the Eglisa de San. Felix (St. Felix Church), walking to it's left (as you look at it) and following the street uphill until you reach some gardens. Through these gardens are stairways leading up several levels and finally to the walls themselves. It really is glorious from the top and even in the height of summer, you'll be one of the few people up there.

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I know that most people get off the plane at Girona and head straight for Barcelona. However, if you are looking for somewhere that's not so busy for a couple of days, consider Girona. I really like it along the riverside with the painted houses. There are several museums, the medieval part of the city and a great choice of restaurants where you can have a set 3 course meal for around 12 euros.

I have some accommodation suggestions at:
www.europealacarte.co.uk/Spain/girona/index.html

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