Stunning mountain landscapes, sacred pilgrimage sights, and sips of bubbly cava await you on this excursion from Barcelona to Montserrat. Explore the hilltop monastery's museum and basilica, and then visit a Penedès-region winery to sample sparkling wine.
Hop aboard a comfortable vehicle in Barcelona and set a course away from the city, winding through the Catalan countryside towards the wind-carved rocky turrets crowning Montserrat. Arrive at the Benedictine monastery perched in this craggy setting and roam the grounds on foot, listening as your guide shares the storied history of this sacred site, admiring the famed 12th-century black Madonna, and catching a performance of the celebrated La Escolania boys' choir if you're lucky.
After some free time to walk around on your own or grab a bite to eat, leave the monastery and wind down into the Penedès winemaking region. Stop at Cavas Codorniu, Spain's second-largest cava producer, founded back in 1551. Sample a festive flute of delicate sparkling wine and spend some time learning about the traditional methods for creating this bubbly drink before your return ride to Barcelona.