by Ida Bini (ANSA) – BARCELONA, 16 DEC – Five thematic routes spread over 2,119 kilometers and many activities to do according to the season: the region of Catalonia has devised a sustainable and environmentally friendly tourist proposal that combines history, gastronomy and culture, sporting activities and a total immersion in nature. It is the Grand Tour of Catalonia, a circular itinerary that winds its way from Barcelona throughout the region to discover every artistic, historical, natural and gastronomic facet. Inspired by the iconic exploratory journeys that writers and artists made in the mid-nineteenth century, the 5 itineraries can be customized according to the different needs and interests of travelers – from art to architecture, from food to large green spaces and popular festivals – and the season of travel. You can opt for the Grand Tour, which takes place over 13 days, or for the individual routes, which are shorter and divided into 5 or 7 stages each. The project, made possible thanks to the collaboration between local public bodies and private companies, is supported by a new site – grandtour.catalunya.com – and by an app available for Android and iOs that guide tourists in the choice of itineraries and , once in place, they indicate the way to go, the activities in each area, the main attraction centers, the restaurants and all that is needed during the trip. Two Spotify playlists are also available for an immersive experience in Catalan wonders.
Here are the 5 thematic routes to customize. The first starts from Barcelona and arrives in the Roman city of Tarragona through vineyards and splendid gardens overlooking the sea: it is a precious agricultural heritage, where you can taste wines and delicacies.
The itinerary is accompanied by the soundtrack of the cellist Pau Casals, born in the seaside town of El Vendrell, where it is possible to retrace the stages of his life and his music.
The second route is historical: it starts from the monuments of Tarragona, a Roman open-air museum, and arrives in Lleida, traveling along the Ebro River to the delta, one of the richest sites in biodiversity in the country. It is also possible to do the itinerary by bike, pedaling along a railway converted into a green path, in the footsteps of the artists Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudí, or following the legends of Montsant and the other excellent wines of the Priorat of the Cistercian road, which passes next to some of the most beautiful monasteries in Spain.
From Lleida we leave for the third route, not before having visited its magnificent cathedral. This stretch is 350 kilometers long and reaches La Seu d’Urgell through exciting landscapes, which offer the best starry skies in Catalonia. You find yourself walking in the heart of the Pyrenees among glacial lakes, spectacular waterfalls and mountain villages, discovering Romanesque architecture, a Unesco heritage. It is also the path of artisan cheeses and cured meats and mountain recipes such as the traditional Ohla della Val d’Aran, a meat soup served with pasta, legumes and vegetables.
The fourth route is a hymn to nature: it starts from La Seu d’Urgell and one of the first stops is Gósol, the village that inspired over one hundred works of Pablo Picasso and started the Cubist period of the great Andalusian painter. From here you travel along the path of the Cathar exile to discover a magical mountain and pass by Ripoll, where you can admire the medieval portico of the monastery of Santa María, nicknamed the “Bible of stone”. During the itinerary you will pass through volcanic landscapes and enchanted forests which served as a refuge for poets; we visit medieval villas where we discover culinary stories and recipes. The route ends in Figueres, the village of Salvador Dalí.
The landscapes and works of the great Catalan surrealist artist are the beginning of the last journey, from Figueres to Barcelona, during which you can learn the secrets of some of the most iconic dishes of the regional cuisine, such as the ancient methods of food seasoning . You cross an area rich in legends, romantic forests and the “Camins de Ronda” of the Costa Brava, roads once traveled by pirates and outlaws. Modernist architecture is the common thread for visits from the cities of the Maresme coast to Barcelona, the great capital of modernism, the starting and ending point of the Grand Tour.
For more information: grandtour.catalunya.com and catalunyaexperience.it (ANSA).
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Source From: Ansa
I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years now and I have worked for some of the biggest news websites in the world. My focus has always been on entertainment news, but I also cover a range of other topics. I am currently an author at Global happenings and I love writing about all things pop-culture related.
