Combine mountains, history and wine on a visit to Montserrat and either the Freixenet or Codorniu winery on a full-day small group tour by minivan from Barcelona. You'll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and receive individual attention from your expert tour guide. On this small group tour, you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
Highlights
- Full-day small group tour by minivan to Montserrat and Freixenet winery
- Personalized small group and commentary
- Free time to explore Montserrat Monastery's basilica and scenic parklands
- Tour of Freixenet winery's vast cellars and wine tasting
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Illuminating commentary from your expert guide
- Transport by comfortable air-conditioned minivan
Recent Photos of this Tour
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Montserrat and Cava Trail Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona
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Cava and very long corridorSome vine bottlesPhoto by: Antero K10 2010 -
Monserrat ApproachView from mini van.Photo by: Joseph PUSA, 05 2008 -
Cordorniu WineryNew and old buildings are in harmony with one another and the landscape of the winery adds to the perfect fit.Photo by: Joseph PUSA, 05 2008 -
MontserratThe mountain backdrop.Photo by: Peter S01 2008 -
Cava tripHaving a glass of CAVAPhoto by: Kalaichelvan M04 2013 -
Cava TrailVERONICA, OUR WONDERFUL GUIDE IS AT THE EXTREME RIGHT, NEXT TO ME.Photo by: Kalaichelvan M04 2013 -
Montserrat MonasteryAbout 3-4km outside of Montserrat we made a brief stop at a very scenic little hermitage (this is looking back up ...Photo by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryYou sample both Rose and White Cava (with small Ritz-type crackers on each table to help clear the palate)Photo by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryFor many, this was the highlight of the tourPhoto by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryOn the way up to the Tasting RoomPhoto by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryOur tour was delayed somewhat because the previous group had an issue with one member suffering from claustrophobia - ...Photo by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryAt the bottom level you board a tram to tour the caves (which contain about 4 million bottles)Photo by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryFour floors-down you stop for a quick tour of this level's facilitiesPhoto by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryYou descend into the Cava Caves to see the various stages of production and storagePhoto by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
Codorníu WineryThe start of our tour of the world's largest producer of sparkling wine (locally known as "Cava")Photo by: David PUSA, 11 2012 -
225904_620948651886_1367170668 ...CodorniuPhoto by: Allison NUSA, 09 2012 -
271012_620948751686_1884915672 ...Codorniu cava cellarPhoto by: Allison NUSA, 09 2012 -
422716_620948582026_810096313_ ...Top of MontserratPhoto by: Allison NUSA, 09 2012 -
564050_620948297596_1697030236 ...Basilica at MontserratPhoto by: Allison NUSA, 09 2012 -
Monserrat, SpainWalking towards the cathdral from the visitor's centerPhoto by: Philip M08 2012 -
Special Offer
Book and travel before May 31, 2013, and save 10% on the recommended retail price.
Useful Information
Catalonia, Spain
Leaving Barcelona, you'll head straight to Montserrat to visit the Royal Basilica where the famous 12th-century statue of the Black Virgin is housed. At 1pm on weekdays there is the opportunity to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat. While you're here there's time to visit the fascinating Museum of Montserrat, go for a walk or ride the rack railway or cable car up the mountain.
In the afternoon, leave Montserrat to visit one of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region, either Freixenet or Codorniu. Visit their vast wine cellars, sample the product and see why this sparkling wine has acquired international fame.
In the afternoon, leave Montserrat to visit one of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region, either Freixenet or Codorniu. Visit their vast wine cellars, sample the product and see why this sparkling wine has acquired international fame.
Itinerary
Departure is from Barcelona at 9:00am, and from Barcelona we will head straight to Montserrat, just over an hour and a half away. On arrival, you have various options. A visit to the Sanctuary where the Moreneta is housed is a must. The sanctuary has been in use for almost 1000 years for those pilgrims and other visitors who have climbed this spectacular mountain. At 1pm on weekdays there is the opportunity to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat. There is also the opportunity to visit the fascinating Museum of Montserrat, with its five collections ranging from Archaeology from the Biblical East to Modern Painting and Sculpture.
Besides these cultural possibilities, the paths of the Montserrat parkland lead you around a number of different walks, each offering a different perspective on the stunning views over the surrounding landscape, and many of which are peppered with small chapels and hermitages. There are routes to suit all tastes and energy levels, from fairly strenuous treks to gentle strolls around the park area, all of which allow you to marvel at the views and to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this protected natural park. Another option is to take one of the two rack railways, or the cable car, offering different views of the area. Alternatively, the views can simply be savored from the cafe, which offers panoramic views of the valleys.
At 2.30pm, the tour will leave Montserrat, to drive down to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the Cava Capital, via Gelida, to visit some of the biggest underground wine cellars in Europe. Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is situated in the Penedes wine-growing region, which boasts one of the widest varieties of grape of any wine-growing region in the world. The region received a major boost in the late 19th-century when French vineyards succumbed to parasite, although Penedes itself was later struck by the same problem. Production has since recovered, and Cava is now a major rival to French champagne; in fact, the main difference between Cava and champagne is simply the region in which they are produced.
Two of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region are Freixenet and Codorniu, and the tour will continue with a visit to one of their wine cellars, where they will demonstrate exactly how the famous sparkling wine is produced, from the first pressing of the grapes to the second fermentation in the vast expanse of cellars. This will of course be accompanied by the chance to sample the product, to see exactly why it has acquired such international fame. From here, the tour returns to Barcelona, arriving at 7:00pm.
Besides these cultural possibilities, the paths of the Montserrat parkland lead you around a number of different walks, each offering a different perspective on the stunning views over the surrounding landscape, and many of which are peppered with small chapels and hermitages. There are routes to suit all tastes and energy levels, from fairly strenuous treks to gentle strolls around the park area, all of which allow you to marvel at the views and to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this protected natural park. Another option is to take one of the two rack railways, or the cable car, offering different views of the area. Alternatively, the views can simply be savored from the cafe, which offers panoramic views of the valleys.
At 2.30pm, the tour will leave Montserrat, to drive down to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the Cava Capital, via Gelida, to visit some of the biggest underground wine cellars in Europe. Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is situated in the Penedes wine-growing region, which boasts one of the widest varieties of grape of any wine-growing region in the world. The region received a major boost in the late 19th-century when French vineyards succumbed to parasite, although Penedes itself was later struck by the same problem. Production has since recovered, and Cava is now a major rival to French champagne; in fact, the main difference between Cava and champagne is simply the region in which they are produced.
Two of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region are Freixenet and Codorniu, and the tour will continue with a visit to one of their wine cellars, where they will demonstrate exactly how the famous sparkling wine is produced, from the first pressing of the grapes to the second fermentation in the vast expanse of cellars. This will of course be accompanied by the chance to sample the product, to see exactly why it has acquired such international fame. From here, the tour returns to Barcelona, arriving at 7:00pm.
Recent Reviews of this Tour
Reviewed by Jennifer S, May 2013
Excellent tour well worht the money!!!!
Reviewed by Jeff M, May 2013
It was very interesting both of our guilds were friendly and knowledgable. I would use your services again.
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