Costa Brava

Beaches
SaTuna, Aigua Freda, Parafrugel

Historic route
Begur and Pals are extremely charming. Pertallada also a worth a stop over. Palamos, Mon-Ras are less impressive, but worth a drive-through.

Hotels
Hotel el Convent, Begur. Quiet, mountain-like setting, walking distance from the beach. Good-taste decoration give a modern twist to this 18th century building. Service is simply amazing, and the restaurant is excellent. Worth getting a superior suite.

Hotel del Teatre, Regencos. The town is not as nice as Begur - and not as close to the beach, but the building , the rooms and the excellent restaurant make it a great choice.

Other recommendations, still to be tested:
Hostal Sa Rascassa, Aiguafreda - five simple, inexpensive rooms 40 metres from the shore, no phone or TV.
Hotel Llevant, Llafranc. a member of Gourmet Hotel Group.
Hostal Empuries - offers "shabby chic" right on the beach, next to the superb Greek and Roman archeological excavations.
Hostal Blau (inland, in Peratallada) - six rooms in a 16th century golden stone house, with a restaurant serving local and Tuscan cuisine.
Hotel Restaurant El Fort, Ullastret - four suites adn a Slow Food - inspired restaurant.

Restaurants

Tragamar (Parafrugel). Again, Grupo Tragaluz ticks all the boxes. Great location, amazing - and creative - food, pleasant staff, funky venue.

Given the quality of the food at the Convent in Begur (see hotels), we are assuming that other restaurants participating in the Begur Gastronomic Rock Fish (?) Festival are also good. The restaurants selected for 2008 (all with very interesting menus) are:
Agora. C. Santa Teresa, 3 - 972 622 806.
Aigua Blava. Platja de Fornells - 972 622 058.
Can Climent I Sa Cuina. Av. Onze de Setembre, 21 baixos - 972 622 031.
Fonda Caner (more on the tapas side). C. Pi i Rallo, 10 - 972 622 391.
Galena - Mas Comangau. C. Ramom Llull, 1 (Urb. Residencial Begur) - 972 623 210.
Mas Ses Vinyes. Ctra Plafrugell a Begur, Km 5,7 - 972 301 570.
Parador D'Aiguablava. Platja d'Aiguablava - 972 622 162.
Sa Caleta. C. Pi i Rallo, 2 - 972 622 625.
Sa Punta. C. Forns, 12 (Urb. Sa Punta) - 972 667 376.
Sa Rascassa. Cala d'Aiguafreda - 972 622 845 (also recommended by the FT for seafood on shaded terrace)
Sa Tuna. Platja de Sa Tuna - 972 622 198.

Other recommendations to be tested:
Fancy:
El Celler de Can Roca, outside Girona
Les Cols, near Olot

Simpler stuff:
El Hostal, between L'Escala and Sant Marti d'Empuries (gorgeous dining room with views over a small bay, bu a restrictive menu formula and no a la carte options)
L'Aigua, L'Armentera (inland, close to Aiguamolls National Park) - does modern Catalan cooking in a beautiful old water mill.

Wines to look out for
Oliver Conti (Cantallops)
Marti Fabra (Sant Climent Sescebes)
Martin Faixo (Cadaques)

Diving
Sa Rascassa Diving Center (Aiguafreda). + 34 972 624 247. Good variety of courses (Scuba, diver master, marine biology) , rental of equipment and boat trips.