Private Day Trips.

Gerona is located about 100 km north of Barcelona. The historic center of the town is enclosed by medieval walls, with its highest point marked by the Tower of Sant Domènec. Within the walls, you can explore a variety of medieval sites and monuments, including the Arab Baths, the Church of Sant Feliu, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, and, of course, the Cathedral—home to one of the widest naves in Europe. Today, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants houses the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia. You can also step inside the University of Girona to admire its beautiful cloister.

Several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in different parts of the historic center. At the heart of the old town lies the Jewish Quarter, also known as El Call, along with the Museum of the History of the Jewish Community of Girona—one of the most important Jewish communities in Spain until the end of the 15th century.

Outside the city walls, you can admire the picturesque old houses lining the Onyar River. Crossing the river via one of its bridges will lead you to Constitution Square (Plaça de la Constitució), surrounded by graceful arches.

Access to the Old Town is restricted to certain vehicles, such as delivery vans or street-cleaning trucks. Unauthorized vehicles are subject to fines. For this reason, your driver will drop you off at one of the entrances to the historic quarter and pick you up either there or at another gate if you prefer. In any case, Girona's old town is compact and easily explored on foot.

The Montserrat Mountain is located about 45 kilometers west of Barcelona. Its highest point is the peak of Sant Jeroni, which rises to 1,220 meters above sea level. At an elevation of around 725 meters stands the Monastery of Montserrat, home to about 80 Benedictine monks. The only surviving element of the original monastery is a 12th-century gateway.

The sanctuary houses the famous statue of the Black Virgin, La Moreneta. Montserrat also has one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe, whose choristers perform daily except during holidays.

The monastery is home to a museum that features masterpieces by great painters such as Caravaggio and El Greco, as well as works by Catalan artists like Nonell, Rusiñol, and Dalí. 

 Visitors can also admire paintings by French Impressionists, including Degas and Sisley, among others.

In addition, the museum holds a remarkable collection of liturgical objects and a section dedicated to the archaeology of the biblical East.

The road between Monistrol de Montserrat and the Monastery of Montserrat offers stunning views. However, it is quite winding. If you'd rather avoid this route, you can take the road from El Bruc to the monastery instead. You can also combine your trip with a ride on the cable car or the cogwheel train. 

The History of the Monastery of Montserrat dates back to the year 888. The territories surrounding the mountain had previously been occupied by the Arabs, but after their reconquest, Count Wifredo el Velloso (Wilfred the Hairy), ruler of Urgell and Barcelona, granted the lands to the Monastery of Ripoll. At that time, several chapels already stood on the mountain, including those of Santa Maria, Sant Iscle, Sant Martí, Sant Pere, and Santa Cecília.

Initially, the authorities of Ripoll paid little attention to these territories. However, in the 10th century, when the abbot of Santa Cecília sought to claim them, Ripoll decided to reassert its rights. In the early 11th century, the monastery of Ripoll was led by Abbot Oliba—bishop of Vic and great-grandson of Wifredo el Velloso.

According to legend, during the 10th century some young shepherds witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary at the summit of the mountain. The chapel of Santa Maria was then transformed into a place of devotion to the Virgin, and in 1025 Abbot Oliba founded the first monastic community there. In 1070, this community became a dependent priory of Ripoll.

In the 12th century, a statue of the Virgin and Child was discovered nearby. Tradition holds that it had been hidden during the Muslim occupation to prevent its desecration. Devotion to Our Lady of Montserrat grew rapidly, attracting increasing numbers of pilgrims. The small chapel was soon replaced by a larger church, and veneration of Santa Maria spread widely.

In 1409, Montserrat was elevated to the status of an independent abbey, no longer dependent on Ripoll. However, in 1493, the monastery joined the Congregation of St. Benedict of Valladolid, losing its autonomy. Construction of the present sanctuary began in 1560, and it was consecrated in 1592.

The monastery suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleonic troops in 1811. Later, in 1836, the Mendizábal Confiscation forced the monks to leave once again, and the monastery lost many of its possessions. Catalan monks returned in 1844, rebuilt the monastery, and restored its independence.

Finally, in 1881, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed Our Lady of Montserrat the patroness of the Catalan dioceses.