Catalonia – Tarragona, Girona & the Pyrenees

For many centuries Spain didn’t exist as a unified nation, being more a collection of distinct regions such as Aragon, Castile, Cantabria and, of course, Catalonia. Often separated by high mountain ranges, they evolved independently to become strikingly different, and some even had their own languages. These cultural variations were ruthlessly suppressed during the Franco years but have since blossomed, and today Catalonia has a regional identity that’s fiercely guarded by the locals.

Set on a plain rising from the clear blue Mediterranean through wooded foothills to the dramatic Pyrenees concealing lush flower-filled valleys, Catalonia has some truly magnificent and varied scenery. Home to tiny medieval villages as well as one of the world’s most vibrant cities, its terrain and settlements are wonderfully diverse, as are the region’s artistic gems, spanning classic Renaissance paintings and Salvador Dalí’s avant-garde works. On this tour we’ll see the best of this unique region of northeast Spain, including a surprising alpine paradise hidden away by majestic mountains and accessible only on foot or by rack railway.

What's Included:

• 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
• Bed & breakfast
• Programme of daily tours & visits
• Expert tour manager
• Return flights & transfers
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Barcelona. We transfer by coach to Tarragona, an ideal base for our visits during the next few days. Our hotel for two nights, with breakfast, is the four-star Ciutat de Tarragona.

Day 2: Poblet, Montblanc & Tarragona

Morning

Today we head into the beautiful rolling countryside and pretty vineyards around the town of Poblet. We tour its Cistercian monastery, one of the largest in the world and which, during the Middle Ages, was among Spain’s most powerful as a result of corrupt royal patronage. The final resting place of the kings and queens of Aragon and Catalonia, this UNESCO-listed abbey is one of Spain’s best-preserved medieval buildings, with impressive gates, a splendid bell tower, atmospheric cloisters and crenellated walls.

We then make the short drive to Montblanc, an ancient walled town that’s surprisingly little known outside the local area. Its stone fortifications – which surround much of the centre – are in an exceptional state of preservation and look as though they have come straight from the set of El Cid. Aside from being the site where Saint George reputedly killed the dragon, Montblanc’s main attractions are its imposing 13th- and 14th-century buildings, and we’ll have time to explore the centre and attractive Plaça Major (main square). This really is provincial old Spain at its unspoiled best.

Afternoon

Tarragona is majestically sited on a rocky hill above the sea. In Roman times it was known as Tarraco and was the base for the Roman conquest of Spain and wars against Hannibal. It then became an imperial resort and the most cultured city in Hispania. Today it’s a fascinating city, refreshingly untouched by the excesses of modern tourism, with over nine miles of golden beaches and an old town featuring a tangle of intricate streets and plazas. Our tour takes in Tarragona’s numerous impressive landmarks – its remarkable Roman amphitheatre, which could hold up to 14,000 spectators, and imposing 12th-century cathedral are particularly notable.

Day 3: Montserrat & Cava Tasting

Morning

This morning we visit Montserrat’s famous Benedictine monastery, breathtakingly situated in the rocky peaks northwest of Barcelona. Montserrat means ‘serrated mountain’ and describes the abbey’s location perfectly, perched high on a craggy ridge with sheer drops below. In the 9th century, shepherd children saw bright lights descending from the heavens and a statue of the Black Madonna was discovered in a mountain cave. Reputedly carved in Jerusalem shortly after the death of Jesus and brought to Spain by the Bishop of Barcelona, its presence has made Montserrat and its monastery an important pilgrimage site. The Renaissance basilica is outstanding, featuring beautifully intricate mosaics and gold and silver artefacts, while the exquisite sounds of a renowned 50-strong boys’ choir echo through the building each day. The museum’s art collection is also well worth a visit, with works by Picasso, Monet, Dalí, Degas and Caravaggio.

Afternoon

Spain is well noted for Cava, and this afternoon we have a guided tour of a cellar. We learn all about the process of producing this sparkling wine – made in the same way as champagne – and, of course, enjoy tasting the finished product.

We then drive to the enchanting town of Girona, where we stay for the next three nights at the four-star Carlemany Hotel, with breakfast.

Day 4: Girona

Morning

This morning, a local guide joins us on a walking tour of Girona. The pedestrian-friendly historic core is a charming maze of stunning churches, art galleries, fine squares and cobbled streets. Bisected by the River Onyar, the banks of the old town are lined with attractive biscuit- and ochre-coloured buildings, notably the grand Modernisme mansions. A wealthy city in medieval times, many superb Gothic and Romanesque buildings were constructed, and a Jewish community flourished here until 1492. Its splendid cathedral features the world’s widest Gothic nave and ornate stained-glass windows.

Afternoon

After the walking tour, we visit a tapas – or tapes in Catalan – bar for a taste of the local specialities. Despite its size, Girona has a wealth of tapas bars, serving everything from the traditional to Basque-style pintxos and more modern choices. There are different theories about the origins of tapas, such as serving drinks with a small covering of meat to protect drinks from flies and dirt, or to mask the smell of cheap wine. Regardless of which you believe, it’s hard to resist joining in. Not only are tapes perfect for sampling Catalan cuisine, you’ll also be able to appreciate the diversity of the region – through the meat-based dishes inland, the wild mushrooms of the Catalan Pyrenees, and the fresh seafood and vegetables along the Mediterranean coast.

The rest of the day is free, so there’s plenty of time to get to know Girona.

Day 5: Nuria Valley

Today we are reminded of Catalonia’s astonishing diversity – a veritable showcase of contrasts within a small area. After breakfast, we leave the gentle subtropical landscape and drive towards the dramatic Pyrenees, whose mighty serrated peaks pierce the skyline along the French border for hundreds of miles. As we leave Girona, the snow-dusted range starts to come into view and before long we make our ascent up the mountains. At the Ribes de Freser station, we board the rack railway, a superb feat of engineering covering 7.8 miles over an incline of more than 3,280 feet. Every so often, nature presents us with the extraordinary, and your first view of our destination, the Núria Valley, promises to be one of those special moments. Nestled at about 6,600 feet above sea level in a natural amphitheatre, this hidden gem is completely surrounded by green pastures and forest-clad peaks, dotted with magnificent waterfalls. You may find yourself gasping as the views become more breathtaking at every turn – very different to the Catalonia we’ve experienced so far, but no less spectacular.

You have free time to soak up the marvellous alpine scenery and explore at your own pace. The Núria Valley is popular with pilgrims, as this was once the home of St Giles, who is said to have crafted an image of the Virgin Mary and left behind a cross, pot and bell for calling shepherds to meals. You can visit the sanctuary where these venerated objects are kept – legend has it that whoever follows a ritual at the shrine will be blessed with offspring. There is also a visitor centre as well as cafés where you may enjoy a cup of coffee. Perhaps take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque lake nearby or take a cable car further up the Pyrenees for panoramic vistas.

After our wonderful day out, we return to Girona in the late afternoon.

Day 6: Barcelona

Today we drive to Barcelona and enjoy a guided tour of the city. We’ll see the Gothic quarter – which contains the magnificent cathedral – the Ribera district with its imposing 14th-century mansions and the Picasso Museum, and much more. However, the Catalan capital is particularly famous for its 19th-century Catalan Modernisme architecture and design. There are over 50 examples of these buildings and we see several of them on our tour. The greatest exponent of this style was Antoni Gaudí, whose works have come to symbolise Barcelona, particularly La Sagrada Família.

For many, the highlight of the trip will be our timed guided tour to this most striking example of Gaudí’s genius. Construction of this monumental UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1883 and, though La Sagrada Família is not due to be completed until 2026 – the centenary of Gaudí’s death – or later, it’s still a unique expression of architectural beauty. There are eight huge bell towers – the tallest soars 367 feet upwards – while inside granite and marble blend harmoniously with intricate stained glass. The whole experience is guaranteed to leave you spellbound.

Cosmopolitan Barcelona is an excellent place to indulge in some shopping. As well as department stores, you’ll find numerous quirky outlets specialising in traditional arts and crafts. The old port area is also enticing – once deemed rather seedy, it was completely renovated for the 1992 Olympics and now brims with bars, interesting shops and tempting restaurants, all set against the backdrop of the yacht-filled harbour. In the evening head for Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s world-famous street. Exceptionally vibrant at all hours of the day and night, this pedestrianised tree-lined boulevard running from Plaça de Catalunya down to the waterfront is alive with tapas bars, flower stalls, tarot readers, musicians and mime artists.

Our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera, with breakfast.

Day 7: Free Day in Barcelona

Today is free to explore as you wish, and there are many attractions to choose from. Top of the list is Gaudí’s Park Güell, home to stunning mosaics, fantastical structures and wonderful views over the city to the sea. There are also countless museums, including several art galleries and ones dedicated to archaeology, maritime history and chocolate. You could head to the beaches of Barceloneta or to Ciutadella Park, or maybe take the cable car up to Montjuic, site of a castle, several museums and the Olympic Stadium. For food lovers, a trip to Barcelona’s fabled La Boqueria market is a must. Perhaps enjoy a leisurely final afternoon soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.

Day 8: Return Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.