Montserrat Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine
Once you meet your English speaking guide and get introduced to the rest of your group upon arriving at the meeting point, you will depart for Montserrat, the culmination of natural and man-made beauty. The history and spirituality of the region is very deeply tied to this place and many believe that Catalonia's identity is rooted in Montserrat, possibly due to the fact that the Virgin of Montserrat residing in the Basilica is the patron saint of the region. Your guide will walk you through the atrium, as well as the Basilica which houses the famous 12th-century Romanesque carving of the Verge Moreneta, better known as the Black Madonna. You will also get a chance to marvel at the architecture of the external facade, the cloisters, and Santa Maria square before being given a half hour to explore the farmers market or grab a bite to eat.
You will then travel to the foot of the mountain to the grounds of the Oller del Mas winery, one of the most important wineries in the region for having achieved the "vi di finca", the highest level of distinction for a Spanish wine, as well as having won the "Best Wine Experience" award a couple of years ago. The cellars of this winery are located in a castle that was built in the 10th century, which your guide will help you both navigate and explore as a part of this tour. Walk through the vineyards, the wine production areas and the barrel rooms as well, so you can truly understand and appreciate the art that is winemaking before sitting down to enjoy a scrumptious cold tapas lunch with dessert, paired with three homegrown, ecological wines. If you're vegetarian or allergic to gluten, don't worry! Your guide will take a note of dietary restrictions at the start of the tour.
Having had your fill of good food, wine and having taken in the beauty of the Catalonian region, you will make your way back to Barcelona.