i Discover the Perfect Blend of Vineyards and Seafood on the section 1 of the Grand Tour of Catalonia

Breakfast at your hotel in Barcelona.

Departure south towards the famous mountain of Montserrat, known among other things for its jagged appearance and its Benedictine monastery which can be accessed by car, rack railway or cable car. Hikers can also reach the sanctuary on foot from one of the neighboring villages. This place of pilgrimage is one of the essential points of this first section of the Grand Tour of Catalonia. The Sanctuary of Montserrat has two blocks of buildings: the Basilica and its monastic dependencies on the one hand and the area for pilgrims and visitors on the other hand. We highlight, among the many actions that are carried out in this place, the Choir of Montserrat. With origins dating back to the 14th century, it is one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe. Today it is possible to enjoy the beauty of its songs during a visit to the Montserrat Complex.

On the way to Manresa, it is possible to take a detour through Mura in the heart of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park. It is one of the few medieval villages in the province of Barcelona that still preserve the charm of yesteryear. In one of the most industrialized provinces in all of Spain, Mura has stayed away from the important urbanization that has inexorably gone hand in hand with the economic progress of the Barcelona region. With origins dating back to the 10th century, Mura is a beautiful medieval viallge with a group of houses and cobbled streets that invite you to disconnect. It will also be the perfect opportunity to try and buy the traditional Mató, this fresh Catalan cheese of medieval origin, which is usually made with sheep or goat milk.

The day ends in Manresa, the capital of Bages. This city, which became one of the largest textile industrial centers in all of Catalonia in contemporary times, marks the limit between the industrial Catalonia of Barcelona and the more rural Catalonia of the north and west. Manresa and its surroundings offer multiple attractions: you can discover the Basilica of Santa María de la Seu, follow the Modernist Route, visit the magnificent space of Món San Benet in Sant Fruitós de Bages or visit wineries of the DO Pla de Bages with wine tasting.

Free day to discover Montserrat, Mura and Manresa at your leisure. Possibility to  include optional activities and experiences throughout the day. Accommodation in Manresa at a 4* hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel in Solsona.

Today we are going to Penedès, not forgetting to first pass through the Miracle Sanctuary, where we can discover the largest baroque altarpiece in Catalonia, in the middle of nature. Built in 1458 as a result of the appearance of the Mother of God to two shepherds, the Miracle Sanctuary offers options for all travelers in a single place. Explore the surroundings by bicycle, visit the religious buildings of the Sanctuary or taste and acquire local flavors such as Ratafia or artisan cheeses made with raw sheep's milk.

It is time to go to the magnificent Penedès region. Located 30 minutes south of Barcelona, the Penedès has two appellations of origin in the world of wine: DO Penedès and DO Cava. A recent study of an archaeological site from the early 7th century B.C. C. has shown that it is in the Penedès where we find the oldest traces of viticulture in Catalonia. With a large extension of vineyards located between the sea and the mountains in the Catalan pre-coastal depression, the DO Penedès is marked by the joint influence of the sea and the sun. that we can notice in the variety of its sea-flavored wines from different areas of the DO, more or less far from the coast. The DO Cava offers quality sparkling wines, made with the traditional method or "méthode champenoise", that is to say that the second fermentation is carried out in the bottle, unlike most sparkling wines in the world that use other methods. Thus, the Penedès is a paradise for wine lovers, bringing together two denominations of origin in the same territory. It is possible to visit different wineries and taste wines and cavas, but there are also other options that allow you to combine active tourism and wine tourism through rides between vineyards by bike, on horseback or in an all-terrain vehicle. As the capital of Penedès, Vilafranca del Penedès is considered the capital of wine. It is also one of the emblematic places of the "Castellers", those human towers that we usually see in the Catalan tradition. Between March and October it is possible to attend the spectacular training sessions of the different "collas" (teams) of the city. Finally do not forget to try the famous "catànies", the local specialty that consists of a delicious combination of chocolate and nuts.

Free day to discover El Penedès at your leisure. Possibility to  include optional activities and experiences throughout the day. Accommodation in Penedès at a 4* hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel in Calafell.

On the way to Tarragona we can discover part of the Cistercian Route in the Santes Creus Monastery, visit a modernist-style sanctuary in Montferri, or stroll through beautiful towns on the Costa Dorada such as Altafulla.

In the first place, the Cistercian Route refers to the area made up of 65 municipalities belonging to the counties of Alt Campo, Conca de Barberá and Urgell. In 1989, the tourist brand was created under this name with the aim of boosting tourism in this region, bringing travelers closer to the local natural and cultural heritage. There is an itinerary that can be done on foot or by bicycle that follows the route of the GR175, linking the three most important Cistercian monasteries in Catalonia: Poblet, Vallbona and Santes Creus. Today we will be interested in the Monastery of Santes Creus, a Cistercian abbey that began to be erected in the 12th century. It is the only monastery on the Cistercian Route in which no monastic life remains today. Composed of several buildings, the Monastery of Santes Creus has various points of interest. Austere in style, the church, opened for worship in 1225, represents very well the evolution from the Romanesque to the Gothic style and contrasts sharply with the splendor of the 14th-century cloister, which was the first Gothic-style cloister of the Crown of Aragon.

On the way to the coast, we can stop at Montferri to discover the Mare de Deu de Montserrat Sanctuary. This building imagined by the architect collaborating with Antonio Gaudí, Josep Maria Jujol, and built selflessly by the neighbors, had the objective of bringing the "Mare de Deu de Montserrat" closer to the inhabitants of the area, who made a pilgrimage every year to Montserrat to thank the Virgin for the harvest. This building, in the shape of a ship facing Montserrat, does not have any structural walls, but  is made up of a structure made of parabolic arches that give it a very daring style.

Arriving at the coast, we will have the opportunity to visit Altafulla, a charming town of medieval origin located on the shores of the Mediterranean. Altafulla has a historic center called La Vila Closa, but also a maritime district, Les Botigues de Mar, which retains all the charm of the seafaring cities of yesteryear. We end the day in the city of Tarragona, a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Free day to discover the Cistercian Route and Tarragona at your leisure. Possibility to  include optional activities and experiences throughout the day. Accommodation in Tarragona at a 4* hotel.