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Activities, Places to visit and things to do ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Local
Restaurants
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1. Catalan
Cooking Class: Visit a local authentic rustic
Catalan restaurant where Carman an English speaking
cook will show you the delights and secrets of traditional
Catalan cooking with local organic vegetables of the
season. You get to eat what you cooked for lunch.
A truly memorable experience capturing the essence
of this wine area culture.
i€58 per person min of 8 in group to book please
mention in your booking .
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Hunting:
We can organise a local pheasant shooting hunt.
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2. A day out in Barcelona
City: What can you say that has not already
been said a thousand times about Europe's favorite
city. A great day is only 50mins away by car!
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3. Wine Tasting and
Tours: The house is in the heart of Wine
Country. Some of the worlds best white, Rose and Cava
is produced just metres from our house. Why not take
a day out visiting the some the worlds largest wine
makers in the world at Torres, Frexinet, Cordoniu,
Pares Balta they have visits most days of the year,
just pop in and find out when there next tasting is.
Its very cheap from only 2€ pp. A must day out
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4. Bike Tours:
Local Irish Paddy Manion gives excellent Bike Tours
discovering the majestic local countryside. Biking
and a stop by for lunch at one of the numerous local
villages and family run restaurants will make for
a wonderful family day out. visit www.Elmolitours.com
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5.
Paella Party cooked in the Garden!
Have your own chief turn up in the garden and cook
you a giant paella for all of your guests. In addition
we can arrange your own labeled Cava wine with any
picture or message you would like on your bottles!!
It will be a day you never forget!
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6. San Marti Sarocca!
(Local Restaurant): This is the town before you arrive
at Torrelles and is on the main road leading to the
main town of Vilafranca. Cal Lluis restaurant off
the main road to the right as you come from the house.
This is a fondue restaurant op evenings only 93 899
1001. These is another good restaurant up this road
called Cal Augusti 93 899 1203 and two further ones.
Along the main road is a café with called Punt
de Trobaola (Red Chairs Outside). This is a cheap
place for a good breakfast – but be aware they
only speak Catalan !!!!!
The road opposite the café with red chairs
(window shop on corner) leads to a little square where
you can stop for coffee or a beer and sit outside.
There is also a small grocery store here. On the road
from San Marti Sarocca to Vilafranca is a restaurant
called Sant Jordi Ca La Kitty they have a great lunch
time menu around €11pp which includes three courses
and wine/water. It is much more expensive in the evenings!
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7. Port Adventura:
Just a few kilometers from Reus is one of the largest
theme parks in Europe, rivaling Paris’ Disneyland.
Port Aventura is a massive park which takes visitors
on a journey through several exotic lands from around
the world such as Cataluña, Polynesia, China,
Mexico and America’s Wild West. Each region
features modern rides, restaurants, shops and live
entertainment representative of its culture. It’s
definitely one of the highlights in Catalonia, especially
for kids.
8. Monserrat Mountains
(40 mins)
Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona. It is the
site of a Benedictine abbey, Santa María de
Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary.
Visit this place nearby to Barcelona. You can see
beautiful architecture, take nice walks in the nature,
observe the strange shaped mountains and much more.
That will be an unforgettable visit for you.
The abbey can be reached by road, by the Aeri de Montserrat
cable car, or by the Montserrat Rack Railway. From
the abbey, the Funicular de Sant Joan funicular railway
goes up to the top of the mountain, where there are
various abandoned hovels in the cliff faces that were
previously the abodes of reclusive monks, whilst the
Funicular de Santa Cova descends to a shrine.
The summit of Montserrat is called Sant Jeroni (Saint
Jerome) and stands at 1,236 meters (4,055 feet) above
sea-level. It is accessible by hiking trails which
connect from the top entrance to the Sant Joan funicular,
the monastery, or the base of the mountain. From the
summit, one can see in all directions (360 degrees)
for many miles.
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9. Trip to Tarragona:
Location: Tarragona is located on the Mediterranean
coast, 60 miles southwest of Barcelona, Spain, in
the region of Catalonia. While earlier settlements
may have inhabited the area, the first occupation
of Tarragona is attributed to Gneus Scipio, who founded
a Roman military camp here in 218 B.C. It grew quickly
and was named a colony of Rome in 45 B.C. by Julius
Ceasar. Tarragona is considered the most important
Roman town in Spain.
Tarragona Cuisine: Think seafood, nuts, onions, tomatoes,
oil and garlic. Romesco sauce is a product of this
area. Tapas are plentiful in the Rambla Nova area,
as well as the interesting Placa de la Font, which
you'll find loaded with cafes and restaurants, the
place to head on your early evening stroll. Tarragona
is known for its fine wine as well.
Tarragona Closing Days: Unless
quiet is your ultimate goal, don't go for a day trip
to Tarragona on Monday--everything is closed.
Attractions:
Amfiteatre Romà - The Roman Amphitheatre is
located seaside, just off the Rambla Nova. Set in
a cliff over the beach, this ancient amphitheatre
was the site where gladiators and wild beasts fought
until death for the amusement of the crowds, as well
as being the site of the grisly death of three Christian
martyrs in AD 259. A basilica was erected to honour
them in the 6th century.
Cathedral - At Tarragona's apex sits the 12th century
cathedral. Inside is the Museu Diocesà, with
a collection of Catalán art. The cathedral
in the centre of the old city was completed in 1331
and captures the move away from Romanesque architecture
to Gothic styling, with arches designed in the latter
and doors and a main building that evoke the former.
The Archaeological Museum - At Plaça del Rei
5, overlooking the sea. Free on Tuesdays. The Necropolis
Museum outside town that's one of the most important
Christian burial sites in Spain, used in the 3-5th
centuries. The national archaeology museum contains
numerous Roman relics including sculptures, mosaics,
ceramics and precious metals and coins as well as
popular mosaics depicting the head of Medusa.
Passeig Arquelologic - In the old quarter known as
Part Alta, the Passeig Arqueologic is an eight kilometre
long promenade that weaves around the original Roman
walls of the city. The older ramparts were built in
the 2nd century BC and stand 12 metres tall, while
on the opposite side, the columns bear evidence of
reinforcing done by the British in the 18th century,
during the War of Spanish Succession. From the walking
path, you can take in sweeping views of the plains
and the sea.
Notes: You'll find some interesting bars and seafood
restaurants in the Port area near the marina. We also
recommend the Placa de la Font area for its lively
cafe and tapas scene. Remember that Spaniards eat
dinner very late in the evening. Often 9pm is a bit
early for eating.
Tarragona, besides being a fine city peppered with
Roman ruins and good restaurants, is a relatively
inexpensive place to stay while visiting Catalonia.
You can get to Barcelona in about an hour and a half,
although it's quite a walk from the Barcelona station
to the Gothic Quarter--you can take a bus or cab.
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10. Reus is the capital
of the Baix Camp in the province of Tarragona.
Reus is an important commercial city with a great
sense of civic pride. People from Reus have a reputation
for open-mindedness and are very proud to live in
their city. The area has always been an important
producer of wines and spirits, and has gained continental
importance. Best known as the home town of the legendary
architect, Gaudi, Reus offers some interesting sites.
If you are an architecture buff or enjoy modernist
buildings then this is a town for you, as many of
Spain’s most famous modernist architects lived
in the city at some point in their lives. The Reus
Modernist Trail
Some of Spain’s most famous modernist architects
stamped their mark on the buildings of Reus. Pere
Domenech I Roura, Pere Caselles and Joan Rubio I Bellver
all lived in Reus and designed many of its most beautiful
structures. There are two walking tours, organised
by the Tourism Office, which can help you explore
the 24 designated masterpieces. The tour ticket also
includes admission to the Salvador Vilaseca Museum
and the Art and History Museum. These guided tours
are the best way to learn about this unique architectural
legacy; however, you can also do a self-guided tour
if you wish.
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11. A Visit
to Sitges:
See how the landscape and cultural tradition have made
Sitges a cosmopolitan town. Between 1892 and 1899, Sitges
became a meeting place for modernist artists (writers,
musicians, critics, sculptors and painters) and was defined
as "The Mecca of Modernism". Sitges is located
30 km south of Barcelona at the end of a picturesque road
that passes through the mountains and cliffs. A favorite
holiday spot with the locals, take a day tip out to enjoy
the town's beach location, elegant nature and pleasing
nightlife. If you go in February or March you might even
have a chance to witness the city-wide party Carnival
Modern Sitges, preserving important references from the
Middle Ages and the old farmers’ and fishermen’s
town, offers visitors an impressive architectural and
cultural heritage, the result of initiatives by artists,
cultural energizers and patrons like Santiago Rusiñol,
Ramon Casas, Miquel Utrillo or Charles Deering. Thanks
to them, Sitges was a reference point for writers, musicians
and other intellectuals and became an important centre
for disseminating Modernism and the "Americanos",
who, after returning with their "fortune" from
their American adventure, commissioned large mansions
from Modernist and Noucentista (post Art Nouveau) architects.
Sanctuary de Maria de Foix (10 mins)
As you come down the hill from the house on the left
hand side is a dirt road leading up to the Sanctuary
(it is sign posted). This is a fabulous place for a
picnic with incredible views of Alt and Baix Penedès.
The monastery is open on the first Sunday of each month
for actually going inside and in summer months at night
it is illuminated every weekend. You can see the monastery
from the main house balcony off the lounge (to the left)
and our house is also visible from the sanctuary.
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12, Why not have a Massage and pedicure at
the house?
we have our own in house masseuse Please ask for rates
and an appointment
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Book
here
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