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Excursions For a Half Day Mount Tibidabo: On a clear day, Mount Tibidabo on the northwestern edge of Barcelona offers unsurpassed views of the city and the Mediterranean in one direction and Montserrat and the Pyrenees in the other. The slopes of the mountain are criss-crossed with appealing wooded walks and the summit is crowned with an old-style amusement park. After dark a bar and club offer the same fantastic views. Transport to the mountain is by FCC metro to Avinguda Tibidabo, then Tramvia Blau tram to Peu de Funicular and funicular railway to the summit. For a Whole Day Montserrat: The spectacular peaks of Montserrat, 40km (25 miles) to the northwest of Barcelona have been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Today hordes of tourists flock to ride the cable car to this atmospheric monastery that lurks deep up amongst the rugged mountainside. Numerous miracles have supposedly happened at Montserrat, centred on the icon of La Moreneta (Black Virgin), said to have been hidden here by St Peter. In addition to the monastery and accompanying museum, which features paintings by masters such as El Greco, Caravaggio and Picasso, the mountain hides numerous hermitages and caves, which can be reached on foot via a network of mountain paths. FCC trains to Montserrat depart hourly from Espanya station in Barcelona to the cable-car terminus at Aeri de Montserrat. Teatre-Museu Dalí: The museum (tel: (97) 267 7500; website: www.dali-estate.org), in Figueres is a surrealist showcase of the artist's eccentric imagination, created by Dalí himself out of the former town theatre where he held his first exhibition, and it also holds his surprisingly austere tomb. Figueres is about 145km (90 miles) northeast of Barcelona and can be reached by motorway or rail from Passeig de Grŕcia station. In summer the museum is open daily 0900-1945 and charges Pta1000; in winter the opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday 1030-1745. Beaches: Sitges (website: www.sitges.com) is a lively Balearic-style resort, very popular with the Spanish, British and German gay community, accessible in 40 minutes by train south from Barcelona-Sants. Alternatively, Tossa de Mar, 40km (25miles) north, boasts several fine beaches and small bays, an attractive old town and a good museum. Buses from Barcelona are frequent during the summer but private transport may be required at other times. |