“It is certain that other worlds exist; but as I have said many times before, these other worlds are within us, located on the surface of the earth.”

Salvador Dali

Like the artist himself, Costa Brava is a kind of surreal place. Sometimes wildly strange. Yet quite accessible. A place where you feel the presence of art in everything you see, touch, or feel. A perfect place for escape - a land created as a result of someone's wild imagination. A world that exists between great extremes: the rugged wild mountains of the Pyrenees and the small hidden coves surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. Costa Brava is not just a holiday destination with a single face and feature: fluid, variable, and always fun, just like the region's favorite football team, Barcelona FC. So, whether you love to transition between Greek and Roman ruins and long sandy beaches, want to experience the wilderness, or are simply in search of gastronomic excellence: a holiday in Costa Brava offers everything. Here are 7 great reasons and experiences to visit Costa Brava.

1. Walk the Camino do Ronda

One of the pleasures of holidaying in Costa Brava is walking the Camino do Ronda, a 220 km long hiking trail that stretches from Blanes to the French border. A few years ago, when I stayed in Llafranc, the hotel staff suggested I try a small section from Llafranc to the neighboring fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, and it was a discovery. I started from the edge of Llafranc Cove where the hiking trail begins, and I remember being breathless as I climbed a hill, suddenly surrounded by beautiful silence, intoxicated by the scent of Aleppo pines and salty sea air. A cool breeze came from the sea, and my pace slowed. A few tight knots in my stomach loosened, and soon I saw Calella de Palafrugell, an impossibly beautiful fishing village.

The view of the turquoise blue sea, the fishing boats waiting in the harbor, and the whitewashed houses looked like it had jumped out of a Thomas Cook brochure. I wished I had more time to explore the trail, but it was close to lunchtime, and it was time to return to the peaceful Llafranc.

2. Follow in Dali's Footsteps

Every time I come to Costa Brava, I feel like I leave the real world behind and step into a dream world. It is an inspiring place. It brings out the artist within you. It encourages you to be your own individual. The person who best reflects the spirit of magic and freedom that Costa Brava symbolizes is Salvador Dali. Start your journey into Dali's world with a visit to his magnificent museum.

Dali's mind was pure and uncorrupted. He saw the world with a playful eye. My guide at the Dali Museum, Marta, shared fun facts about Dali; for example, he would put honey around his lips to attract flies and wore flowers in his mustache. If you look at the ceiling of the museum, if you observe carefully, after a while you notice that the flies resemble two eyes. Dali's art reminds you that you can have fun with your imagination and, most importantly, that you need to nurture a sense of humor. Another work in the museum that represents this humor and imagination is a painting completed in 1976, showing his wife Gala looking out of a window. Upon closer inspection, you can see naked Gala looking out the window. However, from a distance, the painting looks like nothing more than the famous former American president Abraham Lincoln.

Another place where Dali's spirit is still very much alive is the picturesque coastal village of Port Lligat, which he hosted from 1930 until the death of his wife in 1982. His home has now been turned into a museum. The Portlligat Museum-House lovingly preserves Dali's spirit and has left the house as Dali lived in it. There is a wonderful sense of peace and disconnection about Port Lligat and the neighboring Cadaques. The narrow, whitewashed maze of Cadaques, filled with colorful geraniums and bougainvillea, invites you to get lost.

Dali Museum: Open every day except Monday from 10:30 AM to 5:45 PM – entrance fee 17 euros

Address: Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona, Spain

3. Visit Girona

Girona is a charming medieval city. If you love wandering aimlessly through cobbled streets and narrow alleys and enjoy discovering wonderful pieces of history around every corner - then Girona is your city. This is a place where you can relax and enjoy. You can sit in a café in the city square and watch the world go by, or take a stroll along Barri Vell (Old Quarter) and window shop among designer boutiques in the historic arches. Climb the steep stairs leading to the cathedral and be rewarded with stunning views of the Gothic and Romanesque towers, beyond which you will see the medieval walls.

Tip: Check out the only Gothic nave in the cathedral, which at 23 m is the widest in Europe.

A Great Place for Adventure Sports

Beyond the clean beaches and peaceful hidden coves, Costa Brava is quickly becoming an exciting hub for sports and outdoor activities. Rugged, wild mountain terrain and an excellent network of hiking trails are not what people imagine when they think of Costa Brava. Thanks to new initiatives like the Nordic Walking Center in Lloret de Mar, tourists can explore the region's beautiful coastal paths and nature trails. Nordic Walking is similar to regular walking but uses specially designed poles to enhance muscle strength, cardiovascular system, coordination, and mobility.

If you are looking for more excitement, there is an opportunity to skydive at 12,500 feet above sea level in Empuriabrava: Europe's largest skydiving center performs 1,000 jumps a day. A few years ago, I had the 'chance' to skydive with a few friends, and I must admit it was the craziest and most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. There are no words to describe the feeling I had when the door of the light aircraft opened. With the help of my tandem partner, I was launched into the strong wind. As the adrenaline surged, I felt a wave of exhilaration inside me, and as I looked through my goggles, I saw the fairytale views of Costa Brava: rugged mountains, the sea, and beaches, all beneath my feet. The free fall lasted for 60 seconds at a speed of 200 km/h! A true adrenaline rush, it felt like I was almost flying. Then at 4,000 feet, the parachute opened. For more than 5 minutes, I had the chance to glide gently and savor more moments. It feels amazing, especially on a beautiful day outdoors. You see the stunning view of Roses Bay shining in the sunlight. This is an experience you must have in your lifetime, and it is definitely worth it.