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allys organizer, the P.A.C. Events association launches, in 2004, Maestro Rally. Forty pre-war cars or produced before 1970, selected by a jury are pushed to their limits during 775 miles. The passion of old cars is certainly a precondition to take part. It is rather necessary to have a sporting car, meeting the standards of the discipline. However the organizers chose above all to stress the extraordinary beauty of the crossed regions, a special mention being reserved to gastronomy and lodging throughout the tour, and Dali always in the horizon...
In the heart of the dalinien country:
the castle, the house and the museum
On the third day, the posse plunges through Catalonia, makes a stopover in the Paradores of Vic, then joins Pubol (12 miles North-East of Gerone) for a visit of the famous medieval castle of the XIVth century witch Dali restored in 1971, as a gift to Gala. Today, the castle is known as the House-museum Château Gala Dali. It is the occasion to discover canvas that the painter offered to his egery as well as a haute couture clothing collection that belonged to her. Lastly, to finish the day, the guests go up north to reach the Golf Peralada 5 * Hotel (5 miles North-East of Figueres).
The guests are placed in this Californian-like luxurious resort, surrounded by a golf course and 5000 sq. yards of gardens, with a fitness center and a casino.
Starting in Carcassonne, the course is spread out over three countries, from Midi-Pyrenees to Catalonia, with a halt in Andorra.
On departure day, all the crews meet in Carcassonne, the largest fortified city in Europe, which stands on a hill overhanging the Aude river, Lauragais and the vineyards of Minervois. The first night in the Hotel of the City gives the right first impression : this 4* hotel, that belongs to the Orient-Express group, is wedged between two historic buildings, the romanesque style comtal Castle and the gothic style Saint-Nazaire Basilica. |
Built instead of the old bishop's place, standing in the middle of green gardens, the hotel receives its hosts within a historical setting, with its walls of stones, its woodworks, its stained glasses and the unique viewpoints which the rooms offer on the medieval city and its ramparts. On the second day, the ride continues towards the Pyrenees to join Andorra while passing by the collars of Puymorens and Port of Envalira. In the Principality, one afternoon of relaxation awaits the participants, with of course, the possibility to make some tax free purchases, before dinner. For the night, they get back to the Rock of Caldes Hotel, a kind of steamer, suspended to the mountainside. Of modern architecture, this 5* establishment, which seems to be cut in the rocks, has a spectacular sight on the valley.
Hôtel de la Cité
From now on right in the native land of the surrealist painter, the fourth day of the tour is entirely devoted to the visit of the two other emblematic places of Dali's life: to start with the House museum El Salvador Dali of Portlligat, not far away from the famous balneal city of Cadaques. This unit is composed by several fishmen maisonnettes, bought at various times, to which Gala and Dali printed little by little a labyrinthian structure, and which they did not cease transforming and decorating from 1930 to 1970. The visitor can visit the painter's workshop, the library, as well as the garden and their genuine swimming pool. Then, highlight of the day : the visit of the Dali Theatre-museum, located at the center of Figueres and which contains the broadest range of the painter's works. Its roof is covered with giant eggs and its ochre frontage with farmhouse breads. All the dalinien universe is found there with enthusiasm since he closely took part himself in its creation ! From the famous rainy Cadillac in the interior court to the Mae West room upstairs, sheltering the iconoclaste portrait of the actress and the famous red couch in the shape of lips...
D.S.
© 2004
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