Salvador Dalí travel tips

Dec 3, 2024 • 6 min read

Before Carmel-by-the-Sea became known for its wealthy retirees, tony golf courses, and upscale resorts, it was a bohemian hot spot. More than a century ago, poets, artists, and writers—including Jack London, Salvador Dalí, and Mary Hunter Austin—decamped to the charming hamlet, today beloved for its cottage-lined cobblestone streets and picturesque stretch of coastline. Some were fleeing San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake, while others just wanted to commune with like-minded freethinkers. A bit of that creative spirit has blown back into the one-square-mile town these past few years, driven by an influx of 30-and 40-somethings who have arrived to start businesses—drawn, like their predecessors, by the beauty of nature and the quality of life here. The result: a host of fresh restaurants and boutique hotels that are making Carmel more dynamic than it's been in years.

Pint-sized Carmel-by-the-Sea is packed with fairy-tale-like cottages, gorgeous Pacific Ocean scenery, delightfully dog-friendly dining, and oversized charm. Trees and flowers abound in this one-square-mile town in Central California whose quirks include no street addresses.

While the Belle Epoque facade and beautiful bones of the iconic 1913 Le Negresco hotel are well preserved, inside, its vast art collection, Michelin-starred dining, and ultra-luxe guest rooms and suites marry classic with contemporary.

I jump at any chance to visit Barcelona, whether it's for a music festival like Primavera, catching up with friends, or enjoying a solo trip. I love relaxing on the sunny terrace of a tiny bar, people-watching over an ice-cold glass of vermouth and a plate of salty little snacks. That's one of my favorite activities anywhere, but it holds a special charm in Barcelona, where life is lived on the plazas, side streets and terraces.

Be inspired to explore Europe by car this summer on one, or more, of these themed driving routes.

I have travelled all over Spain for both work and fun in the past two decades, but the Catalan seaside town of Cadaqués had somehow failed to register on my radar. Last year, my husband was working in Catalonia and when he had a few days off between jobs, I proposed an impromptu tryst. The brief: somewhere by the sea.

Explore Spain’s world-famous natural scenery and cultural heritage – and savor its acclaimed cuisine at every pit stop – with a road trip across this beautiful country.

Whether it’s through storytelling, technology advances, architecture, or artwork, we can see a reflection of human creativity and imagination, connecting us to our past while shaping our present and future experiences.

Last week, we revealed our 2024 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. Click here to see the list of winners.

The Spanish capital is a cultural and social behemoth that attracts visitors from around the world and they keep coming back for more. Madrid has something to tempt every traveler and will have many of them dancing until sunrise thanks to its thriving nightlife.

Add a new must-see to Florence’s staggeringly rich cultural offerings—the refurbished Fashion and Costume Museum in the Pitti Palace, part of the Uffizi Galleries complex. Closed for three years for restoration and from the effects of the pandemic, the Museo della Moda e del Costumemakes news by highlighting the recent past, debuting 12 rooms focused on 20th-century fashion, while remaining an important repository for historic pieces dating from the time when the Medicis ruled the town.

If anyone knows how to have a good time, it’s Drake. The actor-slash-rapper — he’ll always be a Degrassi kid to us first — is proving his fun and artistic prowess all in one go with his investment and revival of a long-forgotten amusement park.

Renowned Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota has shared her unique vision with Château Mouton Rothschild's 2021 label, creating a captivating artwork titled "Universe of Mouton." In this piece, Shiota masterfully captures the delicate relationship between humanity and nature, emphasizing the winery's commitment to embracing the natural conditions that influence grape growth.

I have been made in these rocks. Here have I shaped my personality,” Salvador Dalí said of the landscape around his home of Portlligat, plus neighbouring Cadaqués and Cap de Creus. Dalí lived in this village for most of his life, setting up home in a fishing hut from 1930. It was, for him, a place of “geological peacefulness”.

Shrewsbury, a gorgeous medieval market town, was put on the art map in 2021 with the launch of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail. The event goes from strength to strength: this year it boasts three sculptures by Salvador Dalí. Two are outdoors: the 5-metre-tall Surrealist Piano startles visitors to the castle grounds and Homage to Terpsichore dominates the courtyard of the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. Inside the gallery, the Dalínian Dancer is part of the Inspirational Exhibition, which also includes work by LS Lowry, Man Ray, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst and Banksy.

This year our national neighbors to the north celebrate their 150th anniversary and we’ll be celebrating with them as they do. Each month we’ll focus on one part of their magnificent country and share it with you. From the sky-high trees and brown bears in British Columbia to the kitchen parties and codfish-kissing in the Maritimes, our toast to Canada will give you well over 150 reasons to make this the year you take the trip. This month we’re exploring ocean floors and maritime friendships in New Brunswick.

Anthony Bourdain controversially characterised Glasgow as somewhere to go ‘’for a beer and a beating” in his TV show Parts Unknown. Bourdain poked good-natured fun at the city’s notoriety, where the drinking culture looms large and the language is colourful; it’s a rep that Glasgow has battled with for decades. However, Bourdain also represented its lesser-known highlights: its charms and culinary delights. This is the side of the city you need to discover – Claire Boyle shares her insider's guide.

Sophisticated, globally minded and perfect for late-night parties – Madrid can be an expensive place to enjoy. So if you want to see the sights on a budget, timing is crucial. Many of the city’s best museums, galleries and historic buildings are free to visit but only for a few hours at a time, so it always pays to check before turning up. Here are ten things to do in Madrid for free.

The first of the trail’s five sections begins in Barcelona. Once you’ve explored the city, wriggle inland and head up Mt Monserrat in time for sunrise and views that sweep across the surrounding reserve.