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Catalyuna Montserat And Barcelona
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A The magnificent monastery and landscapes of Montserrat and highlights of Barcelona |
Ref: EX-DSB
8 days
from £609 (minimum 6 passengers)
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Destination:
Spain
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The magnificent monastery and landscapes of Montserrat and highlights of Barcelona
“Montserrat is the Catalan miracle”, wrote the local poet Joan Maragall. It is a comparatively small mountain range only 10km by 5km, situated 50km inland from Barcelona. This is one of the most peculiar landscapes to be found in Spain, the name translating as ‘serrated or jagged’ mountain. A monastery was founded in the early 11th century, which soon turned into one of the leading pilgrimage destinations and remains the religious centre of Catalunya. Impressively built into the rocks high up in the mountain at an altitude of 720m, the monastery is a busy place during the day but few people wander into the different world that begins just 10 minutes away. A serene silence can be found amongst the scenery of magical rock formations with far-reaching views towards the Mediterranean and the high peaks of the Pyrenees.
For a complete contrast three nights are spent in the city of Barcelona. It has an atmosphere like no other and a wide variety of things to see and do. Highlights include the unique architectural style of Antonio Gaudi’s buildings, the Ramblas, the Boceria market, the Barrio Gotico and the Picasso Museum.
Extend your stay:
extra nights accommodation can be booked at the Hotel San Pau in Barcelona. Twin room £84, single room £54. A £5 booking fee will be charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required:
walking boots or strong walking shoes are essential, small daypack, waterproofs.
Extra Expenses:
€ 30 should be sufficient for all the main sights in Barcelona. Meals not included: allow about € 90 for two dinners a la carte and lunches (picnic and restaurants). You may need extra if you intend to buy wine each evening. Tips in restaurants are usually 10%.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts and 5 dinners.
Transport:
we use a minibus or MPVs for airport transfers and most organised excursions.
Children:
this trip is not available to children under 16.
Joining locally:
The local joining point is the Hotel Abat Cisneros in Montserrat. This takes about 1 hour by car or train from Barcelona. Trains leave every hour from the railway station Plaza España in Barcelona (always 36 minutes past the hour) and cost, including the cable car up to Montserrat, approx. € 8. Alternatively a taxi can be used for approx. € 55 from Barcelona.
Group & Staff:
Min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation:
Hotel Abat Cisneros is the best accommodation at the monastery. Situated at 720 m altitude, the hotel is literally opposite the entrance to the basilica. Rated 3 star, it has twin rooms and a few singles, all with en-suite facilities, television and telephone. The hotel is quiet during the night and pleasantly secluded from the monastery’s visitors during the day. The 2-star Hotel San Pau in Barcelona is situated in the central Eixample district, within walking distance of the Sagrada Familia and right opposite the modernist Hospital Sant Pau. The hotel has twin rooms and a few, smaller singles, all with en-suite facilities. On a few departures we might use an alternative hotel in Barcelona hotel, but it will be of at least the same standard and centrally located.
Food:
The Hotel Abat Cisneros serves a range of local specialities in the restaurant. Evening meals are traditional Catalan and Spanish food, served as three-course meals. Catalan cuisine is traditionally rich in meat dishes, but strong on fish and seafood as well. Vegetarian choices are always available. Typical main courses are cooked with plenty of the local herbs and are perhaps Entrecote, Rabbit with Aioli (garlic cream) or Lamb cutlets with large, white beans from Santa Pau. Among desserts the Crema Catalana (Creme Broulee) is a classic in Catalunya. Breakfast is a buffet of typical local style with a lot of pastries and croissants and fresh fruits. In Barcelona we take 1 dinner at the hotel (included) and other meals at local restaurants (not inlcuded) to experience the atmoshphere in the city during the evening.
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Day 1 | We depart London Heathrow on the flight to Barcelona. Travel to Montserrat (apporx. 1 hr). Those booking land –only arrangements should join in the evening at the hotel Abat Cisneros. | Day 2 | One day is a sightseeing trip to the wine region of Penedes, where we visit the oldest Champagne producer in Spain, Codorniu. The fabulous Art Nouveau bodega has a full 30km of wine cellars. After some tasting we take a little walk in the hills around San Sadurni d’Anoia, offering great views across the vineyards to Montserrat. On the other two days we explore on foot. The two walks are not too demanding and are selected from a number of possibilities. We may explore the region of the “agulles”, stone teeth or needles. Another possibility passes abandoned hermitages and follows a narrow trail around the steepest section of the mountain to the 12th century monastery Santa Cecilia. In clear weather a rack railway to the ridge of the mountain is a popular start to see some of the most distinctive rocks such as “The Elephant”, “The Bishop” or “The Mumia” before ascending to the highest Peak Sant Jeroni (1,236m). All the walks are between 3 and 4 hours and taken at a steady pace with additional time for stops. Ascent varies from 200 to 350 metres per day. There are some steep sections and in a few parts the going can be rough underfoot. In places the paths are not suitable for severe vertigo sufferers. Back at the hotel there is plenty of time to relax or just contemplate the serene voices of the boys' choir at the early evening mass in the basilica. | Day 3 | As above | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | Leaving Montserrat we travel to Barcelona via the seaside resort of Sitges. We will spend half a day here to relax by the sea, swim and perhaps enjoy some of the fabulous seafood served in the restaurants. | Day 6 | Two full days in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Barcelona: included is a morning of guided sightseeing each day. This will be on foot and include many of the city’s highlights. The buildings of Antonio Gaudi cannot be missed, nor the Ramblas, the busy main boulevard. The Boceria market, Barrio Gotico (including the Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter) and the Picasso Museum offer alternate aspects of the city and historical sites. The afternoons will be left free for your own individual exploration. | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | We transfer back to Barcelona airport for our flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip at the Hotel San Pau. |
Departures Between | Price from | 17 Oct 04 | *£609 | 21 Dec 04
28 Dec 04 | *£649 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €130 (approx. £95)
Single room supplement £100
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Catalyuna Montserat And Barcelona
A The magnificent monastery and landscapes of Montserrat and highlights of Barcelona
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