Christmas market calm in Begur.

By now the stressy part of the holidays is setting into Barcelona.  Crowded streets, full parking lots and packed shops.  For a Christmas market that is so calm it almost doesn't have a pulse, a day trip to Begur.  Combined with a quick visit to empty beaches and a long lunch at Turandot (excellent food and generous menu of the day, for only 17 euros in a cute family run place), a gulp of calm before diving back into the city's lively celebrations.   www.restaurant-turandot.com