– Sitges
– Girona
– Tarragona
– Besalu & Pyrenees
OUT OF TOWN
Private tour OUT of Barcelona
Of course, you may combine some different sites in one full-day tour out of town, with the other tours or with different kind of activities.
Sitges- The village has a warm “micro-climate”, sheltered by the Garraf mountains, that makes it possible to enjoy outdoor activities almost every day of the year. A charming coastal village 20 miles south away from the city, has a delightful sea-front promenade featuring many turn of the 20th century colonial “Indiano” mansions. During that period, the American collector Charles Deering helped to preserve the old fortress up in the narrow hill, now site of the museum to the most popular local painter, S. Rusinyol. In his “Cau Ferrat” workshop, Rusinyol had organized reputed bohemian parties attracting artist from allover Spain. Nowadays still throughout the year numerous events take place in this beautiful town, as the best Carnival festival in Catalonia where all locals get involved. It is also home of the most reputed Muscat Spanish wines and birthplace of the family-owners of Bacardi rhum company.
Girona– Located at the confluence of 4 rivers, Girona was founded 2000 years ago by soldiers of the Roman Empire and has undergone twenty-five sieges. It is the capital of the mostnorthern region, where you’ll find impeccably preserved medieval sites including, of course, most of the ancient thick city walls and particularly the Jewish neighborhood that hosted an important Cabbalistic school in Europe at the 12th century (Rabbi Moses ben Naḥman Girondi was born and lived there). Today, Girona has a population of around 100,000 citizens, is home to the best cooking schools and restaurants in Spain, and since 1997 some famous members of Olympic teams have been training and living here. We’ll take a leisurely stroll through the city, with its cosmopolitan, trendy and bohemian atmosphere. This lively city will always hold something in store to delight you.
Tarragona- Capital of the coastal provinces during the times of the Roman Empire and home of emperor Augustus during the campaigns in Hispania is nowadays at UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Plenty of remains, more than 15 centuries old, are still standing as the large amphitheatre for the gladiator’s shows, the circus for the chariotee’s races, the defence walls with its watchtowers… The old district developed in Middle Ages is also well preserved, and we will visit the Cathedral of Saint Tecla, patron of the city. In the close area, we may find some other archaeological Roman sites as the aqueduct, the stone quarries, abandon farmhouses, watchtowers and an original Arc de Triomf. Among children though, the most successful is the Universal’s amusement aquatic park, Port Aventura. Particularly I prefer the town and the beaches of Altafulla city.
Besalu & Pyrenees– We’ll discover there a medieval village preserving the mikve and few more sites from the medieval Jewish community. In XII-XIII centuries had been a multicultural village, a main trading centre in the area and house of the most reputed medicine school, perfectly protected by walls and surrounded by Fluvia river. The looking of the bridge is one of the most amazing of old cities allover Spain. It is located as a gateway into the impressive range of Pyrenees mountains, with some inactive volcanos at the sector offering some beautiful sceneries that combine cultivated fields and rich natural woodland, and amazing pointviews on the region’s landscape.
– Costa Brava hiking
– Castles line
– Biking green paths
– Sailing the Mediterranean
Costa Brava hiking– In summer when temperatures rise quickly, visiting the beaches of Costa Brava is a must as the intricate coastline is a natural environment to keep waters always cool and clear. It is home to the nicest beaches in Spain and was a pioneering region in developing tourism. Along the trials following the coastline we’ll find prehistoric remains overlap with Roman, medieval and today’s areas of great natural beauty, a succession of lookout points surrounded by greens and blues, the fragrance of pine trees, rosemary and thyme and the charm of its ancient villages. We suggest stopping at Tossa de Mar, an ancient fishermen’s village with an important historical background, also bohemian as a one-time retreat for artists and intellectuals.
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/travellers-guide-coastal-catalonia-8589543.html
Castles line– In a frontier land disputed for centuries between the Arab empire (Al-andalus) and the Christians in the X , XI and XII centuries, 40 miles from Barcelona, we’ll find still plenty of the ancient fortress and castles. Among other peculiar places, we will visit Montfalcó Murallat, a tiny self-enclosed village on top of a hill with just one entrance. Also we will go inside one of the castles where the owner will give us an insight into its history and the way of living there in times gone by.
Biking green paths– Unpaved roads over the coastline, along a river or around lakes; on the farm’s countryside or in natural parks. We arrange everything for you and make sure you enjoy a beautiful day with the best. Close to Barcelona there’s green routes, at Collserola, at Montserrat (combining nature and spirituality) or at the Montseny Natural Park (one of the richest and richest vegetation park). Also, along some abandoned rail roads there are now pathways for ciclist, offering a different approach to this sport.
Sailing the Mediterranean– One of the best ways for discovering our fascinating coast with crystal clear waters, even sometimes the only way to approach the cliffs with natural caverns and small rocky beaches. In the past most of the fishing boats used sails, nowadays sailing is more of a sport acivity, with a big number of categories and a lot of practitioners. There are many regattas organized along the year, and easily we’ll arrange a sailing trip for you with an expert captain.
