Why wouldn’t you? This is an unspoiled and secret Paradise – although the Costa Brava was briefly subject to mass tourism in the early 70’s, the big Developers and Hotel chains suddenly realised that people from Northern climes wanted the searing sun of the very south of Spain, and took all of their overdevelopment and mass tourism to Andalucia, leaving this are of Spain completely unspoilt.

The mountains of the Pyrenees tumble into the Mediterranean here, producing rocky coves and large sandy beaches, and spectacular scenery, and Darnius is happily situated just between the mountains and the sea. 20 minutes to the south east and you can enjoy the lively resorts of Roses, Cadaques, Besalu and Palafrugell, and 20 minutes to the north, and you are into either France, or the foothills of the Pyrenees and on the slopes of Mont Canigou, the sacred mountain of the Catalan. Either way the scenery is spectacular, the climate less trying than the severe heat of the South, and everything has the traces of the very distinct culture of Catalunya.

This is also very much “Artist” country, with most of the great artists of the 19th and 20th century flocking here for the particular qualities of the crystalline light created by the sea and the mountains. In particular, this area is noted for Dali, whose museum and foundation is situated in Figueres, 20 minutes from the Masia Mimosa – and also his beachside house which can be visited in the delightful and unspoilt Port Lligat.

The South of France is 15 minutes away, and in 40 minutes you can be in Collioure, the gem of the Cote Vermeille, and sampling all its jolly beachfront restaurants, or tasting the famous sweet red wine of Banyuls.

For the gastronomically inclined, there are a plethora of places to eat, from the simple to Grand Luxe, and I have noted some of the more interesting one below.

Visit this little known area, and you will NOT be disappointed!