Barcelona Shore Private Excursion: Montserrat and Cava Tasting

Depart the Barcelona port and head straight to Montserrat, just over 1.5 hours away. On arrival, you have various options. A visit to the sanctuary in the Benedictine abbey where the Moreneta (a black Virgin Mary statue) is housed is a must. The sanctuary has been in use for almost 1,000 years by pilgrims and other visitors who have climbed this spectacular mountain. At 1pm on weekdays you may have the chance to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat. You can also visit the fascinating Museum of Montserrat, with its five collections including Archaeology, the Biblical East and Modern Painting and Sculpture.

In addition to these cultural possibilities, you can enjoy some gorgeous scenery on the mountain. The paths of the Montserrat parkland lead you around a number of walks, each offering a different perspective on the stunning views over the surrounding landscape and many 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 enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this protected natural park. Another option is to take one of the two rack railways, or the cable car, which all offer different views of the area. Alternatively, simply savor the views from the café, which offers panoramic vistas of the valley.

In the afternoon, the tour will leave Montserrat to drive down to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the “Cava Capital,” via Gelida. Here, you’ll 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 grapes of any wine-growing region in the world. The region received a major boost in the late 19th -century when French vineyards succumbed to parasites although Penedes itself was later struck by the same problem. Production has since recovered, and cava is now a major rival to Champagne; in fact, the main difference between cava and Champagne is simply the region in which they are produced.

One of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region is Freixenet, and your tour includes a visit to their vast 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 a tasting of the product so you can find out exactly why it has acquired such international fame. From here, the tour returns to Barcelona, arriving back at the port at 4:30pm.