It seems incredible that although Spain is one of the most visited countries on earth, vast swathes of it are hardly known at all. But during the past few years its more historic and scenic aspects have been brought to the attention of the discerning traveller.
For many centuries Spain did not really exist as a nation state, being more a collection of countries such as Aragon, Castille, Cantabria and of course, Catalonia. Often separated by high mountain ranges, they evolved separately becoming strikingly different with even their own languages. These differences were ruthlessly suppressed during the Franco years but since this time, have been allowed to blossom and today Catalonia retains a distinct regional identity which borrows little from the rest of Spain.
Set on a plain rising from the clear blue Mediterranean through a range of wooded hills then to a superb backdrop of high mountains, the scenery is lovely. It is as diverse as any area can be, from tiny medieval villages to one of the world’s most vibrant cities – Barcelona: classical Renaissance art to Salvador Dali’s avant garde. The list is endless and on this tour we see some of the best it has to offer.
In Roman times Tarragona was one of the largest cities in the Empire, and had a population of 250,000 with a wealth of buildings to match, many of which are still in evidence today. The delightful city of Girona has been fought over by not only the Romans, but Charlemagne, the Moors and the French all having left their mark, but is now famous as having the most outstanding Jewish Quarter in Europe and surrounded by stunning countryside. Ancient monasteries abound and include some of the most sophisticated ever constructed with many still in use. Lush vineyards sweep off to the horizon and produce that most superb of drinks, the sparkling wine – Cava.
Barcelona, the self confident and progressive capital is a tremendous place to visit. Probably the most prosperous city in the country, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of Spain which is so strong you can feel it just walking around. There is a wealth of things to do and see boasting the superb contrast between its lovely Gothic centre with its maze-like tiny streets and its modernista (art nouveau) buildings of which there are more here than anywhere else in the world. There are some superb museums, most notably those dedicated to Picasso who spent his formative years here, Miró and the striking new contemporary art museum. Barcelona has also evolved a highly individual cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed by the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. But it’s more than that, it’s the confidence of the street theatre and mime artists of the Ramblas – the most famous thoroughfare in the city where the game is to see and be seen, the sheer class of the shops and the obvious sophistication of the Barcelonians themselves.
Catalonia also boasts the best food in Spain, but that is what the Catalans themselves tell you and to be fair they perhaps have a point, but the only real test is to come with us and see for yourself.