We had a slightly late start and a little less than enthusiastic guide to begin with. But we soon got into it and being a small group (just one other couple) made all the difference.

I loved the little villages and markets we visited along the way but by far the cake (with the cherry on top) goes to the most fabulous landscape, secluded walking trails and mountain springs and waterfalls that make up the Pyrenees.

I would highly recommend doing this on the second day of your Barcelona visit - do a bike/city-bus tour on day one and finish on the beach with a jar of sangria. Doing this wonderful mountain trek the next day really takes the edge off the noise and hubbub of the city from the day before and you certainly wouldn't want to follow it with anything too busy after.

The markets we visited along the way had the most wonderful fresh produce and deli (we washed the fruit under a mountain waterfall in freezing cold yet the freshest and cleanest water I've ever seen).

On the way back we stopped off at an 1100 year old church at the heart of a beautifully quaint little mountain village.

The whole thing for me was probably one of the best excursions I've ever had, and really well worth the money.