Walking and Wine in the Heart of Catalonia
Walking and Wine in the Heart of Catalonia
Walking and Wine in the Heart of Catalonia
7 Days Starting and ending in BARCELONA
Visiting: Barcelona, Siurana, Serra de Montsant, Montseny, Matagalls, Les Agudes
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CAT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
High, Moderate / High
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Distinctly different from its Spanish neighbours, Catalonia is a land filled with cultural anomalies and natural bounty. With its own language and its own unique traditions, this staunchly independent corner of the Iberian Peninsula is home to some of the finest vineyards and hiking trails anywhere in the country. What better way then to start rediscovering some of Europe’s hidden cultural gems.Travelling into the heart of the Catalan countryside, we’ll enjoy a week of wine and walking amongst spectacular mountain landscapes. Basing ourselves in small, locally owned guesthouses and hotels, we begin amongst the wine rich countryside around Montsant, where we’ll discover the region's steep cliffs and wild ravines, visit the stunning Carthusian monastery of Escaladie as well as the historic hillside village of Siurana. We'll enjoy direct contact with local producers of wine, olive oil, almonds and hazelnuts and explore villages largely untouched by tourism.After a chance to enjoy the hospitality of some of the region’s famed wineries, we then move on to the mountain landscapes of the Montseny Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve with strikingly different scenery. Here we explore the slopes of Matagalls and Agudes, walk amongst beautiful forests of silver fir and beech and immerse ourselves in the breathtaking vistas of the Catalan Pyrenees. A wonderful mix of custom, cuisine and countryside, this is Catalonia at its most enticing.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Tour Starts In Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: El Balcó del Priorat or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,
Starting in Barcelona today our journey begins with a drive deep into the rural heartlands of Catalonia, to the pretty village of La Morera de Montsant, our base for the next three nights. After lunch in La Vilella Baixa we’ll drive the short distance to the extraordinary Carthusian monastery of Escaladei (Stairway to Heaven). This will be followed by a three-hour circular walk (including breaks) through the surrounding countryside, before returning to La Morera de Montsant to enjoy dinner and a glass of local wine. Approx. 3 hrs walking including stops, 7kms (starting altitude 465m, ascent 260m, descent 260m)
Day 2 : Siurana Walk And Wine Tasting
Location: Siurana
Accommodation: El Balcó del Priorat or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
A day filled with culture, walks and wine, this feast for the senses begins with a visit to the village of Siurana. Here we learn something of the history of its Romanesque church, its former resident SS escapee and its castle, the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia. A hike up to the impressive La Trona rock, to enjoy a picnic lunch and the stunning views, is then followed by a drive to the wine cellars near Cornudella del Montsant for an afternoon of wine tasting. Approx. 3 hrs walking including stops, 5kms (starting altitude 736m, ascent 200m, descent 200m)
Day 3 : The Forgotten Side Of Montsant
Location: Serra de Montsant
Accommodation: El Balcó del Priorat or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Driving to Cabacés this morning, we pay a visit to a family run olive oil mill, before enjoying a delightful circular walk around the village. The walk will take in two hermitages and some hidden caves. An afternoon drive to Sta. Lucia Cave then provides a chance to visit a former underground hospital used during the Spanish Civil war, where British nurses volunteered, before we end the day enjoying the vineyards and hospitality of another local winery. Approx. 4-5 hrs walking including stops, 10kms (starting altitude 350m, ascent 330m, descent 330m)
Day 4 : Priorat Wine And Olive Oil Tasting, Then On To Montseny Natural Park
Location: Montseny
Accommodation: Sant Marçal Del Montseny or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Our final day in the Priorat region begins with a drive to the Tarragona village of La Viella Baixa, the start and end point of today’s walk. Traversing local vineyards, we then climb a grau up to some wonderfully preserved ancient stone cottages, ascending some 390 metres before returning back to the village. Making the most of another visit to one of the areas famed wineries, we then enjoy some wine and olive oil tasting before continuing on to the Montseny UNESCO Natural Park. Approx. 3-4 hrs walking including stops, 8kms (starting altitude 190m, ascent 390m, descent 390m)
Day 5 : Matagalls Peak
Location: Matagalls
Accommodation: Sant Marçal Del Montseny or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Today affords an opportunity to hike through some of Catalonia’s most spectacular mountain scenery, as we head up the slopes of Matagalls Peak (1696m). Covering some 10.5 kilometres, our hike takes in the stunning vistas of the Pyrenees, the southernmost forests of beech trees in Europe and the beautiful meadows of the Pregon Pass (1532m). A picnic lunch will then be followed by an afternoon drive to the village of Sta. Maria de Palautordera, where we visit a local pottery workshop. Approx. 5 hrs walking including stops, 10.5kms (starting altitude 986m, ascent 710m, descent 710m)
Day 6 : Les Agudes Peak
Location: Les Agudes
Accommodation: Sant Marçal Del Montseny or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
This morning sees us hiking through the southernmost silver fir forests in Western Europe. Known as the Passavets, these forests are home to wild boar, genets and goshawks and the crest line which links Turo de L’Home (1706m) and Les Agudes (1703m) offers up some truly breathtaking views across the Pyrenees. After descending from the summit, this afternoon then sees us visiting the chestnut woods around Viladrau, to enjoy some of the creations of the Catalan Chestnut Processing Centre, whose products include pâté, chocolate and beer. Approx. 4 hrs walking including stops, 8kms (starting altitude 1200m, ascent 510m, descent 510m)
Day 7 : Tour Ends In Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we will return to Barcelona airport where the tour will finish.
What's Included
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MEALS
6 x Breakfasts, 6 x Lunches, 6 x Dinners
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use vans or minibuses depending on the final group size.
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings
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ACCOMMODATION
3 nights x Superior
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate / High
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Spain. Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a decent state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. However, please note there are planned walks every day, some of which are longish and which do take in some steep gradients. Therefore all participants should be sufficiently fit and both used to and comfortable with hill-walking.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
SUPERIOR
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Want a private tour?
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.