Visit the Montserrat Monastery and experience the culture of cava.
Summary
Escape the crowds of the city and take a break to the Catalonian countryside. Take a full-day tour to the must visit spots of the surroundings of Barcelona, the splendid natural park of the Montserrat Mountain and its 12th century Benedictine Monastery, home to the revered Black Madonna. Continue your day out driving to the verdant vineyards of Penedés to visit a family run cellar that has been cultivating grapes since 1385. Enjoy stunning view of the vineyards and the Montserrat Mountain while tasting 3 different Cavas accompanied by local cured meats and cheese.
Tour highlights
Full-day tour from Barcelona to Montserrat Mountain and Penedès wine region.
Visit the breathtaking Montserrat Mountain and its sacred Benedictine Abbey.
Delight in the verdant beauty of Penedès and descend into the authentic wine cellars of the region.
Visit a local Cava and taste different varieties of this sparkling wine
Learn about the rich cultural heritage of Catalonia from your expert guide.
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Points of interest
- Montserrat Mountain Natural Park
Declared a Natural Park in 1987, this rocky massif is characterized by the rounded shape of its peaks. The natural surroundings and rare beauty of the mountain offer the most spectacular beauty.
- Monastery and the 'Black Madonna'
This Benedictine monastery has existed for nearly one thousand years. The place still serves as an authentic spiritual retreat center and place of pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s patron saint. The monastery houses the 'Black Madonna', a wooden carving from the 12th century, and a true symbol of the Catalan culture.
- Penedés
Wineries with more history and tradition. Its wine-growing past goes back almost five centuries of antiquity, right in this territory that we will visit, in 1872 it was elaborated for the first time digs in Spain following the Traditional Method, and with own grapes of the Penedès.
Tour Description
Getpicked upby your guide at your accommodation inBarcelonaand enjoy the comfort of a minivan. Head 60 km northeast of Barcelona, to theMagical Mountain of Montserrat. On the road, your guide will share fascinating stories about Catalonia’s history and culture, introducing the sites you will visit on this tour. The Mountain of Montserrat hovers 4,000 feet high over the spectacular landscape ofMontserrat National Park. The massif itself is easily recognized by the “serrated” appearance of its skyline and the whimsical rounded shape of its peaks. The latter is the result of millions of years of erosion. Ascend to the top to discover the mostmythical viewsof Catalonia’s landscape. On Montserrat Mountain, 2,380 feet above sea level, sits theBenedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat. This beautiful structure, surrounded by nature, has served many as an authentic spiritual retreat for almost one thousand years. Visit theBasilica, home to theVirgin of Montserrat(the “Black Madonna”), also the patron saint of Catalonia. According to legend, the Virgin physically appeared here in the IX century, giving rise to the hermitage of Santa Maria. The Roman carving of theBlack Madonnacan be traced back to the XII century. The wooden statue is easily recognizable by her dark skin and the golden altar surrounding her. After visiting the monastery, tour its surroundings, taking a moment toenjoy the unparalleled viewsof this spectacular environment, which was declared a Natural Park in 1987.
Continue your journey to the discovery of Catalonia’s fertile soils and warm climate, the perfect combination forrich wine production. Head to thePenedés region, located at the foot of the Montserrat Mountain, cradling verdant vineyards. Enjoy the beautiful green and mountainous scenery, while driving through. Your guide will take you to a family-run cellar of 1485, celebrated for its organic andecological cultivationof grapes. The cellar is well known for its premium production of a superior Cava, a distinguished great sparkling wine, made in the heart of the Penedès from100% organicgrapes harvested by hand and entirely vinified on the premises of the winery. Visit the cellar and descent to the dungeons where the wine is secretly kept for several years. Learn by the hand of an expert viticultor on wine production and grapes growing.Taste 3 varietiesof localwines and Cavas, paired with traditionalcold bitswhile enjoying great views of the Catalan countryside with the Montserrat mountain at the background.
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