PALAFRUGELL

A growing community of British expatriates has been attracted to this busy market town on the edge of the Lower Emporda plain. They are drawn to its down-to-earth Catalan atmosphere and to the excellent nearby beaches. It was once an important centre of cork production, and the cork museum has some interesting displays on the history of the cork industry, as well as a selection of artifacts made from cork. The best time to visit Palafrugell is on Sunday, when the streets fill with stalls for one of the region's liveliest markets.