Most travelers flying into the airport at Girona (Gerona) head straight for either Barcelona or the resorts of the Costa Brava, and then miss this attractive Catalan city. Girona has much to offer the visitor, including museums, historic monuments, art galleries and medieval architecture. Flowing through the city is the River Onyar spanned by the Pont de les Peixateries bridge which was designed by Gustav Eiffel. Picturesque old houses painted in green, orange, red and ochre line the river.
Girona's long history dates back to the Celtaiberian tribes, and it later became an important Roman town known as Gerunda. There was a large Jewish population up until their expulsion in 1492, and the well-preserved labyrinth of streets which make up the old Jewish Quarter is one of Girona's top sights. The story of the medieval Jewish community is documented at a fascinating museum situated on calle Forca.
North of the Jewish Quarter are the Arab Baths, which date back to the late 12th century. Despite their name, they were actually built by the Christians many years after the Moors had left the city. The baths consist of a corridor and four rooms; the apoditerium, the frigidarium cold pools, a warm tepidarium and the hot caldarium. Nearby is the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants which is an excellent example of medieval Romanesque architecture. The building now houses the Archaeology Museum which contains a collection of items that have been excavated from around the city. Highlights include Roman mosaics and some medieval tombstones.
A major landmark in the city is the striking cathedral which dates back to the 11th century, although there have been several major alterations and additions right up to the 18th century. The cathedral is notable for its wide Gothic nave and 17th century Baroque-style facade. Inside is a small cathedral museum boasting an array of items, including a set of 10th century manuscripts known as the 'Beatus', and the 'Tapestry of Creation' dating from the 12th century.
Just to the north of the cathedral is a former 18th century monastery housing the City History Museum, an interesting feature of the building are the alcoves where the deceased monks' bodies were left for several years to decompose. The museum houses artifacts which covers the history of Girona from prehistoric times to the present day. It pays particular attention to the Spanish Civil War and the Catalan struggle against Franco's fascist government.
Girona's Museum of Art is housed within a former Episcopal Palace close to the cathedral. The museum has an extensive collection of art, including 11th century carvings of monks, and paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Girona Tourist Office is situated on the Rambla de la Llibertat by the riverside. Here you can buy the Tiquet M5 which offers discounts at many of the city's museums. Girona is situated about 4 miles (7km) from the airport. The Sagales bus company operates a regular service from the airport to Girona Bus Station in the city centre.
Ilfracombe lies on the north coast of Devon, England just south of the Exmoor National Park and is the main tourist resort for the area and has been for over a century. This can be seen by the quaint cottages, magnificent old homes and the Victorian hotels that are still much evident today, indeed the town is unspoiled from the modern architecture that has ruined many places.
There is no better place to use as a base to explore this part of Devon and Ilfracombe has many merits of its own. The local countryside is truly magnificent and can be explored by foot, cycle or car. You should try getting off the beaten track a little by using the local "B" roads or unclassified roads (some so narrow that the hedges either side will clatter your wing mirrors), where impressive viewpoints are round every corner as the road hugs the hillside with very steep, unguarded drops to the opposite side.
The main attraction that is actually in Ilfracombe is the old, natural harbour which is now home to just a few fishing boats, yachts, cruisers, pleasure boats offering trips and the small ferries to the National Trust's Lundy Island. All through the season it is packed with visitors perusing the small shops and dining or drinking at the restaurants and bars scattered along the quayside. Keep hold of your ice cream or chips though, the local seagulls love them!
Local accommodation of every type is plentiful, from backpackers hostels through to top quality hotels and guest houses, many of which are family owned and run ensuring first class service and hospitality. At peak times they do get fully booked so booking well ahead is advisable. Short and weekend breaks are a specialty of many of the Ilfracombe hotels, with some offering deals and discounts so don't forget to ask before you book. Self catering apartments and cottages can be found in Ilfracombe and all along the north Devon coast, again, book early to get the best ones.
The beaches in Ilfracombe are small, but the kids will love exploring the rock pools that are exposed at low tide, one even has to be reached through a long tunnel carved through the slate hillside, an adventure in itself. Cafes, fish 'n chip shops and ice cream parlors abound along the promenade, alongside a couple of small amusement arcades. If the children have too much energy, take them for a walk up to the top of the hilltops to great an exhilarating view of the coastline and perhaps Wales in the distance on a clear day.
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