PERALADA COSTA BRAVA

The moated Renaissance castle that dominates this village is better known these days as Catalonia's most stylish casino entrance to the castle museum, with its collections of glass and ceramics and the largest private library in Spain, also gives access to the 14th century Carmelite convent within the castle walls. An added bonus, included in the ticket price, is a tasting of cava from the castle cellars. Peralada lies at the centre of the Costa Brava wine demarcation and the current owners of the castle, the Mateu family, produce some excellent wines.