Journey through Catalonia

Catalonia, situated in the Northeast of Spain and bordering France, is a Mediterranean region with its own unique culture and language, called Catalan. A land of great contrasts that boasts a wonderful coastline, lovely Pyrenean landscapes, marvellous cities such as Barcelona and Girona, and a whole host of famous natives including Antonio Gaudí and Salvador Dalí. This itinerary is an introduction to this fine Spanish province.

Day ONE

Arrive in Barcelona. Accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day TWO and THREE

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and home of the Olympic Games in 1992. Visit the city starting in the Old town, that is traversed by Barcelona’s most famous avenue, the Ramblas, where you can find many people and places of interest. From here stroll to the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), where the 13th century Gothic Cathedral is situated. The Parc de la Cuitadella is also located in the area. Next make your way to Montjuic which not only provides a great panoramic of the city and the harbour, but also mixes the modernity of the modern sports halls built nearby for the Olympic games, and a 17th Century Castle. Also in Monjuict you find the Palau Nacional, home of the Museu Nacional d’Art Catalan, hosting a great collection of medieval art (especially Romanesque frescoes).
If Gaudí is your thing then there are three constructions that should not be missed. The Guell Park, full of his work replete with brightly coloured tiles. Next visit Casa Milá or La Pedrera (the stone quarry), as it was nicknamed, on the Paseo de Gracia in the Eixample district. Afterwards see the Sagrada Familia, a Christian temple and the most famous and spectacular of Gaudí´s works. Unfortunately he died before finishing the work, which continues to this day, and he is buried in the crypt. Other marvellous visits in Barcelona include the Palau de la Musica, Museu Picasso and the Olympic Harbour. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day FOUR

Visit to the Monastery of Montserrat, the holiest site in Catalonia. Dating from the 9th century it became independent from Rome in 1409. Of particular interest is the Basilicas Neo-Renaissance Façade built in 1900 to replace the Plateresque one. The Virgin of Montserrat, called La Morenata (the Dark One), is the patroness of Catalonia.
Ripoll is the next stop, which is the best known for the Monasterio de Santa Maria, first built in AD 888 and last reconstruction in the 19th century. Great Romanesque works are kept here. Accommodation of your choice in Figueres.

Day FIVE

Visit to Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dali and home to the Teatro-Museo Dali which hosts most of the artisits unique works. This, after the Prado Museum in Madrid, is the most visited museum in Spain. Another remarkable museum in the city is the Museu de Joguets (Toy Museum). Accommodation of your choice in Figueres.

Day SIX

Day in Girona and the surrounds. A delightful town badly damaged by French troops in 1809 but which nowadays boasts many interesting sights including the Passeig Arqueologic (Archaeological Walk), a pleasant walkway along the old ramparts of the city. See the Esglesica de Saint Feliu, dating from the 14th century. Also the cathedral which has some Catalan Baroque style but is mainly gothic, built in 1416. Nearby towns of interest include Banyoles which has a fine 13th century porticoed square and Besalú were a 12th century fortified bridge still survives. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day SEVEN

Return to your point of departure.

Or

Day ONE

Arrive in Barcelona and accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day TWO, THREE and FOUR

Three full days to explore Barcelona. See summary of sights above. Accommodation in the city.

Day FIVE

Visit to Montserrat (See itinerary above for details). Also visiting Vic, where there is local market on Tuesdays and Saturdays around the large gothic Plaza Mayor. Conquered by Romans some vestiges of the Roman Temple still survives. The Cathedral, built in the 18th century, contains fine paintings representing scenes from the Bible. Nearby is the Museu Episcopal, which contains one of the best Romanesque artifacts collections in Catalonia. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day SIX and SEVEN

Travel north to visit Figueres, Ripoll and Girona. See itinerary one for details. Accommodation of your choice in Figueres both nights.

Day EIGHT

Next continue south to visit the towns of Santes Creus and Poblet both situated west of Barcelona. Santes Creus´s most important sight is it´s Monastery, founded in 1150. It forms a “Cistercian triangle” with other two monasteries situated nearby. The church in the monastery dates from the 12th century. Nearby Poblet is home to the magnificent Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, founded in 1151. This monastery has undergone major restoration work after being seriouly damaged in 1835 during the Carlist revolution. The most outstanding features are the cloisters, built during the 12th and 13th centuries and the High Altar Reredos. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day NINE

Today make your way south along the coast to visit Tarragona, one of Spain´s oldest cities and a bustling busy port where one can still see the remains of its Roman past. The finely preserved remnants of the Romano Amphitheatre are just one example. Not too far away lies the church of Santa Maria del Miracle, of the 12th century. The Praetorium, a roman tower now contains the Museu de la Romanitat, and adjoining this is the National Archaeological Museum, hosting a suberb collection of Roman artifacts. Also remarkable is the 12th century Cathedral built on the site of a roman temple. Accommodation of your choice in Barcelona.

Day TEN

Return to your point of departure.

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Accommodation

If you like the look of the above Suggested Tour we will gladly prepare a quote for you. The itinerary is not rigid and can be modified to suit your needs.

Below is a selection of the accommodation we would recommend for this tour. Click on the Hotel Code or symbol for photographs and detailed information about each property. If you have registered to use our Spain Travel & Holiday Planner, you need only click on to insert it into your itinerary.

Journey through Catalonia	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
4 nights in Barcelona	BAR01	Central Hotel
	BAR02	Central Hotel
	BAR03	Central Hotel
	BAR04	Central Hotel w/ pool
	BAR06	Central Hotel

Journey through Catalonia (10 days)	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
7 nights in Barcelona	BAR01	Central Hotel
	BAR02	Central Hotel
	BAR03	Central Hotel
	BAR04	Central Hotel w/ pool
	BAR06	Central Hotel

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