A land of monks and dragons

 

Description
After a short journey south out of Barcelona we come to one of the best examples of Cistercian architecture in Catalonia. The Santes Creus Royal Monastery is the only monastery on the Cister route which is no longer inhabited by monks. After a short visit to this mysterious place, full of stories and legends, we will start our walking itinerary. We will stroll through rural countryside, a landscape dominated by vineyards, almond trees and cereal fields, discovering as we go the "barracas". These structures, made only of stone and without any type of mortar, were constructed centuries ago by local catalan "payeses" (country folk) and are some of most well preserved constructions in our country. They have managed to defy the passing of time and have been kept practically intact over the centuries. On finishing our walk, we will go to have lunch in Montblanc, an impressive medieval village, which only maintains its original surroundings walls, but is truly beautiful within. It is the perfect place to enjoy the local gastronomy and learn about our history, both real and imaginary. You will hear the most important legend in Catalonia: the story of Saint Jordi!. We will finish our trip with a guided tour of Poblet Monastery, the biggest Cistercian brotherhood in Europe and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. Here we wil also the opportunity to buy wine directly from the cellars of the monks who have been making it here for centuries.



Location
Country :
Spain.

Region :
South Catalonia, between Alt Camp and Conca de Barberà areas.

City :
Departures from Barcelona.

Address or meeting point :
Catalunya Square. At the stairs of the main information point, just in front of Banco de España.


Duration
Start or opening time :
Departures every Monday at 09:00 Hs. Meeting time at 08:50 Hs.

End or closing time :
Aproximate arrival time to Barcelona at 18:00 Hs.


Participants
Minimum number :



Location
Is there any parking? Is it on the street, private or public? :
There is a private parking at Catalunya Square.

How do you get there by car? :
Drive through Barcelona ring road, follow by Gran Vía until arriving to Catalunya Square.

Is it possible to get there by public transport? :
Yes

Distance from the venue to the stop :
Between 50 and 200 mtrs.


Guides & companions
Is it done with a guide, a driver and/or an instructor? :
Yes.

Which languages do guide/instructors speak? :
Spanish, Catalan an English.

Which is the guide/guest ratio? :
1 guide each 8 people.

Are they trained in CPR/First Aid? :
Yes.


Shopping information
Is there a shop? How much time is spent on shopping? :
There are shops in Montblanc where the customers can buy local handicrafts and gastronomy products.

Are credit/debit cards accepted? Which ones? :
Visa and Mastercard.

Are any commercial stops made during the tour? :
No.


Content & Specialized items
List all additional items clients need to bring (towels,...) :



Meals
Is lunch/dinner included on this tour? :
Yes, local and family restaurant specialised in typical gastronomy.

What is the category and speciality of the restaurant? :
Yes, typical local gastronomy.

May the client bring his/her own food? Is there a picnic area? :
No.

List the menu (include the cost of an alternative one) :
Yes.

Is bottled water and/or soft drinks included with the meals? :
Yes.

Is coffee / tea included at the end of each meal? :
No.

Can specials requests be accommodated? (vegetarian,...) :
Yes, we need to know in advance their characteristics.

Are there smoking / non smoking areas? :
Yes.

Are there restrooms available? :
Yes.


Snacks
Is there a snack included? :
No.

If not included, is there any place to get a snack? :
Yes, during the afternoon we will visit Montblanc, where there is a wide offer of local cafés.


Drinks
Are drinks included? :
Yes, a bottle of mineral water.

Is there any place to get a drink? :
Ues, there are some during the tour.


Restroom Information
Are there any restroom-only stops during the tour? :



Physical condition
What is the fitness level required? :
None.

Would people with limited mobility have accessibility problems? (to the vehicle, to the restaurant,...) :
Yes.

Is it feasible for wheelchair-confined persons? :
No.

What type of paving does it have? (flat, uneven...) :
Uneven.

How much walking is required? (km, meters) :
There is a walking route of about 2 hours.


Advisories
Is there any fee or limitation for photo/video camera usage? :
None.

Which currencies are accepted? :
Euro.

Is a waiver required for participation? :
We need customers fill in a form with information about their health, possible allergies and illness.


Other tours in Barcelona:
Tickets,Attraction,event A land of monks and dragons