A day offers numerous options to explore. Outside the city, the breathtaking landscapes of nature connect us with the most incredible sensations. The magical mountain of Montserrat, the Penedés wine region, an excursion to Girona and the land of Dalí or a visit to Roman Tarragona and fishing. There are endless options!

Montserrat sacred mountain excursion

Interested in a sacred mountain with a thousand-year-old monastery? Or spectacular rock formations and outstanding views? Montserrat is THE place.

The monastery of Montserrat, a central hub for any visit to this magical mountain, is the starting point for this unforgettable experience. Montserrat means “the serrated mountain”. This mountain range has attracted humans for as long as we know. The prehistoric remains found in caves by the 1000-year-old monastery vouch for it. The mountain is huge and you can even stay at the hotel by the monastery if you really want to feel its mystical touch for more than one day.

Another world-famous attraction is La Escolania which refers to both the white voices boy’s choir and the boarding school where the boys live from Sunday to Friday. They sing during the noon prayer every day except Saturday and holidays. Songs are dedicated to Mary and the Virgin Mary of Montserrat who is endearingly referred to as  “la Moreneta” which means the “little tanned one”, a reference to her dark coloured skin.

If you are an athletic kind of person you should also take the opportunity to hike a little, to breathe in the cleanest Catalonian air and enjoy the spectacular views!

Girona and Teatre-Museu Dalí: Full day excursion.

To explore a magnificent medieval city, on the banks of the river and be amazed by the magnificent surreal world of Salvador and Gala Dalí.

Girona is just over an hour’s drive from Barcelona. On this excursion, you will climb the ancient walls and walk through the narrow streets of the historic Jewish quarter. You will see its imposing cathedral and, weather permitting, visit the Basilica of San Felix and the Arab Baths. Around the river, you will see the colorful houses and the Eiffel Bridge. The second part of the day will take you to see the largest surrealist object in the world: the Dalí Theater-Museum in Figueres. There is the option to visit, instead, the Castle of Púbol. This medieval castle was the residence of Gala Dalí, and the space was created as a home, with a surrealist setting. Very close to Girona and a highly recommended visit for art lovers.

Tarraco visit, capital of the Roman Iberia

Astonishing Roman remains by the sea, mingled with medieval charms and sunbathed by Mediterranean light.

The Roman remains found throughout Spain are mostly unspoiled and breathtaking. Tarragona houses one of these places, the ancient Roman city of Tarraco. For example outside the city, you’ll find an incredibly well-preserved aqueduct or the ancient quarry from where the city was carved. Further in, Tarragona oozes Roman splendour with its magnificent walls and the remains of the circus scattered through the oldest part of town. An absolute must-visit of Tarragona is also the amphitheatre by the sea.

Furthermore, as Roman times were followed (after decadence and abandonment) by the long medieval period, you’ll find that Tarragona has a magnificent cathedral and cloister from the 12th to 14th century. The Serrallo area is the fisherman’s neighbourhood by the harbour where the best fish and seafood can be found, and great restaurants or tapas places so savour it!

Fall in love with Sitges excursion

Capital of the LGTB community in Catalonia, one of the charms of Sitges is its diversity and cohabitation of local and foreign dwellers. It is an easy place to fall in love with!

About halfway between Tarragona and Barcelona the charming village of Sitges stands out for its great beaches. But Sitges is not all beach and sun. The art museum composed by Cau Ferrat and Maricel offers a remarkable display of modernismo painting and sculpture as well as the private collection of the artist Santiago Rusiñol including works of Picasso and two magnificent paintings by El Greco (16th century). During the late 19th century, El Cau Ferrat (“cau” means “lair”) was where the “creme de la creme” of Catalan and Spanish artists celebrated parties and rendezvous. In fact, it was THE place to be if you were someone in the artistic world.

Another interesting fact is that many Catalonian coastal towns progressed economically in the XIXth century thanks to strong import/export links with Cuba and other Caribbean countries. For example, the famous Bacardí surname that we mostly associate with Cuba’s famous rum has its family roots in Sitges!