Famous for Cava and Rose, Castillo de Perelada on the Costa Brava produces wonderful, high quality wine. Even I liked it and I don't drink wine very often. The sweetness of some of the wine was like nectar.

While you're around that area, though, you really must go to the Butterfly Park near Empuriabrava, actually full of beautiful birds as well as butterflies. Perhaps if you're holidaying with kids, it'll make up for not being able to drink any wine:-) The park is like a miniature Eden Project so be prepared to be hot!

Vineyard www.castilloperelada.com/
and
Butterfly Park - Castelló d’Empúries www.butterflypark.es

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Near to Matlock is the National Stone Centre. It's open all year round and there is no parking charge and admission to most of it is free, which is very refreshing these days! There's a Discovery Centre with a quiz for the kds (or adults) and also onsite trails. It's all fairly simple and basic but a great day out for the kids to do something different and not cost the earth. Lots more info on the website, including details of dry stone wall courses, educational trips etc.

www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk
Porter Lane
Middleton by Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4LS
Tel/Fax: 01629 824833 (NSC offices)
Tel: 01629 825403 (Discovery Centre and Shop)
Email: nsc@nationalstonecentre.org.uk

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The area has some outstanding scenery, very well established mountain biking routes, then tucked away in a tiny churchyard in Keir, is the grave of the inventor of the bicycle.

While passing through Penpont on your way to visit it, stop at the tea room for a decent cup of tea and reasonably priced food, then pass by the old smithy, which was where Kirkpatrick MacMillan lived and worked, then on to the parish church to visit his grave (which you will eventually find has a plaque next to it).

There's lots more to see and do in the area. For example, Joseph Thomson a native of the village of Penpont was a world famous explorer of the African continent. There is a monument to him in the nearby town of Thornhill.

www.7stanes.gov.uk

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