Discover the flavors of Catalan food and wine on this small-group day trip from Barcelona. Taste cheese and wine in a beautiful medieval farmhouse overlooking the mountain of Montserrat; visit a former Benedictine monastery to sample local specialties, such as homemade charcuterie; and sample different types of olive oil at another medieval farmhouse. Savor a traditional Catalan lunch at the farm's restaurant, and end your day with a guided tour of a winery, where you'll enjoy cava and wine tastings. On this small-group tour, your guide will give you personalized attention.
Meet your guide in central Barcelona and relax in a comfortable minivan and enjoy views of the Catalan countryside as you travel to Montserrat, the mountain that rises above the area. Stop in a charming village, famous for cattle ranching and cheese production, and visit a restored medieval farmhouse to sample local cheese and wine. While you savor these delicacies, admire the view: the north face of Montserrat.
Continue to Santa Cecília, a former Benedictine monastery now a mountain shelter and an excellent example of ancient Romanesque architecture in Catalonia. Enjoy a short stop here to learn interesting facts about the region's history, such as how the monks influenced animal husbandry and food traditions. As you listen to your guide, sample local produce like almonds, peaches, honey, or homemade charcuterie, depending on the season.
Then, relax on the drive to Montserrat and experience the south face of the mountain, which enjoys a different climate and landscape than the north side, making it ideal for olive groves and vineyards. Get closer to nature as you leave your minivan and follow your guide through a path between olive groves.
You will arrive at a XNUMXth century farmhouse, which was originally owned by the monastery of Montserrat. Visit the farm's old oil mill and medieval water reservoirs, and learn about olive oil pressing and the different types of olive oil. Sample one of these oils, then savor a traditional lunch of farm-grown produce (upgrade your experience by traveling on a Sunday, when the menu includes typical Catalan dishes)
After lunch, head to Penedés, a wine region known for its production of cava (Catalan sparkling wine). Stop at a local winery, where you'll learn how cava is made on a guided tour of the underground cellars and barreling room, and finish with a tasting of four different types of cava and wine.
Then, sit comfortably in your minivan, and take in the scenery on your way back to Barcelona.
