I am driving from Barcelona up the coast to Calella de Palafrugell in early April. I have never been in this part of Spain. Any sights to see or places to experience?
Also driving to Manresa, Spain because of the contemplative prayer Ignatius Loyola undertook in the cave there . Any suggestions of special things to see?
Can't speak to Manresa, but there are several Dali sights in the Costa Brava: Dali's house and studio at Cadaques/Port Lligat. Cadaques is a gorgeous stay in it's own right. There's the Dali Museum in Figueres and Gala's house/castle in Pubol.
We rented a car in Barcelona, drove to Girona and stayed overnight (well worth a look-see). Then we drove east to Pubol, continued toward the coast and pulled into Peratallada for lunch. It was the find of our trip - one of the most photogenic places I've ever seen. Google the images. Then we continued up the coast, stopping in Empuries: Greek and Roman ruins, and ended in Cadaques.
A second for Cadaques and Port Illgat. One note, you must make reservations in advance to visit the Dali House in Port Illgat. Girona isn't on the coast but is well worth a visit.
Just a bit of extra info:
MANRESA http://infocatalonia.eu/w/EHTLk
CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL http://infocatalonia.eu/w/jSkT0
Calella de Palafrugell (not to be confused with Calella, which is another town) is located in La Costa Brava, an area of Catalonia with rough cliffs and beautiful coves. The area is full of picturesque towns (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/AioW1) and plenty of sites worth seeing (Museu Dalí, Ruins of Empúries, Girona, Natural Park of Cap de Creus, Illes Medes, etc.).
These sites will provide you with more ideas on things to do/visit in La Costa Brava:
http://en.costabrava.org/ -Costa Brava Tourism Agency
http://www.girona.cat/turisme/eng/index.php -Girona City Council. Girona is the capital city of that area.
http://www.baixemporda-costabrava.org/en/
and some brochures (in PDF) that might help as well:
http://www.act.cat/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Rutes-per-Catalunya-cataleg-EN-br.pdf
http://www.act.cat/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Mapa_guia-vins-ENG_GER_DEF.pdf
http://www.act.cat/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Actiunatura_cataleg_ENG.pdf
Also, since the reason for visiting Manresa seems to be religious, you might want to include a visit to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, not so far from Calella de Palafrugell: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/YC6J8 as well as perhaps some other sites of the Way of Saint James in Catalonia: http://www.act.cat/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TheWayofSaintJamesMap.pdf
