'I drove the spectacular 150 mile Spanish road trip to eat at the world's best restaurant'

Imagine a road trip that takes in all the best of Spanish scenery, history, art and food. You'll see the Costa Brava at its very best as you head along its shores by car. A travel writer has described her incredible Spanish road trip, which involves a stop at a spectacular restaurant widely considered to be the 'best in the world.'

Natalia Diaz, writing for the Lonely Planet, said: "Spain is blessed with over 3000 miles of coastline, and one of its most spectacular stretches is the Costa Brava, along the Mediterranean on the northeastern coast of Catalonia. Wherever you head, you can count on passing medieval castles and ancient cities, charming seaside towns, towering mountain ranges and coastlines that stretch for miles. In between the memorable monuments, Spain's pueblos (villages) offer the chance to recharge with traditional tapas (small plates) among warm locals.

"A Costa Brava road trip from Barcelona to Cadaqués, incorporating the "Dali triangle" including a stop at El Celler de Can Roca (a restaurant known for being named the best in the world multiple times), is a fantastic itinerary."

"This is the best road trip for Catalonian history and cuisine and all things Dalí" she wrote for Lonely Planet.

The Barcelona to Cadaques road trip is approximately 264km (153 miles) and takes 3-4 days to see everything along the way. This drive will reward you with long, sunlit beaches, historic cities and picturesque fishing villages that inspired the region's most famous artist, Salvador Dalí.

The route begins in Barcelona. From there you take the GI-682 road from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols. According to Lonely Planet "there are designated viewpoints to stop and gawk at the spectacular scenery." They suggest a detour from the coastline for a stop at the ancient city of Girona. There you will discover its incredible cathedral which has one of the widest Gothic naves in the world. There are also the Banys Arabs (Arab baths). The first records of these public baths, which followed both the Roman and Islamic tradition, date from 1194. It costs just two euros to visit (£1.70).

And then there is the best bit of the trip for foodies - Girona's El Celler de Can Roca has been named the world's best restaurant numerous times over the years, and it takes bookings up to a year ahead. So if you are thinking of going you had better book now.

This restaurant, located in Girona, is a must-visit for food enthusiasts. It has been recognised as the best restaurant in the world by "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" list on several occasions, according to multiple travel blogs.

There are two options when dining at El Cellar de Can Roca, which has three Michelin stars. You can do the Classic tasting menu for €195/person (£166) or you can do the feast tasting menu for €215/person (3183). There is also an optional wine pairing for €110/person (393).

El Celler de Can Roca was ranked the best restaurant in the world by the magazine Restaurant in 2013 and 2015, and was ranked second in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2018.

The cuisine served by the restaurant is traditional Catalan but with twists, which the Michelin Guide describes as "creative". The restaurant has a wine cellar of 60,000 bottles. Dishes served include those based on perfumes, and with unusual presentations such as caramelised olives served on a bonsai tree.

When diners first arrive, they are given a selection of small bites from a section of the kitchen called "El Món", who only produce small snack portions for the guests. They typically demonstrate flavours from around the world and come in sets of five.

El Celler de Can Roca appeared on the UK television series Masterchef:The Professionals in 2011.

But back in the car and on with the final leg of the Costa Brava road trip. Natalia Diaz writes in Lonley Planet: "Art lovers will not want to miss the famous Dalian Triangle (formed by the municipalities of Figueres, Portlligat and Púbol), where you can immerse yourself in Salvador Dalí's outlandish world by visiting his former residences, now open to the public."

These locations are Figueres, where the Dalí Theatre-Museum is located, Portlligat (near Cadaqués), home to the Salvador Dalí House-Museum and Púbol, where Dalí purchased the Gala Dalí Castle for his wife, Gala.

The road trip ends at the quaint seaside town of Cadaques on the bay of the Cap de Creus peninsula. This was a favourite summer playground of iconic artists and writers, including Dalí, Pablo Picasso,Daphne Guinness, Man Ray, Frederico Garcia Lorca, Melina Mercouri and Marcel Duchamp, among many others.

The closest airport to Cadaqués is Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) which is approximately 60-70 kilometers away should you wish to do the drive backwards and end up in Barcelona.