Robbos World

My Catalonia experience was a great journey through the vinyards and tasting wines, learning so much about the culture, history & the Mediterranean, if you travel Catalonia, you do need to look beyond the beaches and discover the best of the region, there are some destinations you visit and enjoy… and then there are destinations that stay with you.

My recent journey through Catalonia was definitely one of those trips.

Travelling through this beautiful region with the Catalan Tourist Board, I discovered a side of Spain that I think many British travellers simply don’t see, Yes, Catalonia has beautiful beaches, sunshine and fabulous resorts, but if you travel with your eyes open – and perhaps your blinkers firmly off – you discover so much more.

From vineyards and incredible food to stunning hotels, ancient monasteries, Roman history, fascinating cities, breathtaking countryside and traditions that have been passed down through generations, Catalonia is a destination that rewards any curious traveller with love for the outdoors, and believe me, I’ve only scratched the surface, but get some great wines and Vermouth tasting to last a lifetime.

One of the first things that struck me about Catalonia was just how important the food and wine are to everyday life, and the Spanish ecomony, with Vineyards stretching across the countryside, often surrounded by dramatic mountains, historic villages and beautiful rural landscapes.

So how big is wine in the region? the (DCO) Designations of Origin has 11 regional DOs plus the DO Cava, supported by over 750 bottling wineries and roughly 8,500 individual winemakers growers in Catalonia region, with only the best wines staying within Spain I reckon, as until this adventure Spanish wines didnt tick my box, bt know very different thoughts.

And this isn’t simply somewhere you visit a winery, taste three wines and leave, wine is part of the culture.

Reus – A City Full of Character & Gaudi

One of the places that really caught my attention was the beautiful city of Reus, such a small stunning place, often overshadowed by Barcelona, Reus deserves to be discovered in its own right, as its a city of elegant architecture, atmospheric streets, wonderful cafés and a fascinating connection with Catalonia’s artistic heritage.

Walking through Reus, you begin to understand how important the region’s culture and creativity have been throughout history with all the stories of Gaudi, especially visiting the Gaudi Centre and the historic Casa Navas in the heart of Reus, which has overgone reconstruction work on the tower which was destroyed in 1938 by a bomb during the Spanish Civil War.

What is amazing as you walk around the Casa Navis in your shoe covers, its a big must by the current owners to protect the carpets and flooring is the famous Art Nouveau design and architecture within the building, it was built between 1901 and 1908 by the master architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it is unique in Europe because more than 95 percent of its original interior, furniture, and stained glass remain completely untouched

Montserrat – Nature on a Different Scale

The landscape here is simply spectacular, the dramatic roads as the mountains rise above the surrounding countryside, creating one of those moments when you stop, look around and think!

“How on earth did I not know about this place before?”

Montserrat isn’t simply beautiful. It is deeply important to Catalan culture and spirituality, with the the monastery sits dramatically within the mountains, surrounded by walking trails, spectacular viewpoints and an incredible sense of peace, whether you’re interested in history, religion, photography, walking or simply beautiful places, Montserrat certainly deserves a place on your Catalonia itinerary.

Siurana Is Like Stepping Back in Time

Another unforgettable experience was visiting Siurana, a beautiful tiny, dramatic cliffside village, famous for being the last Muslim stronghold to fall to the Christian Reconquista in 1153, the town is perched on a massive limestone rock in the Prades Mountains overlooking a stunning reservoir, and is such a great stop for history lovers, hikers and also known for its world-class rock climbing

Tarragona (Tarraco) – Where Roman History Comes Alive

As we arrived in Tarragona, also know as Tarraco founded by our romans friends in the 3rd century BC, Tarraco served as a major capital for the Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsuladating back to and this was another real highlight for me, if you love history, put Tarragona on your list.

The city has some amazing roman heritage, and exploring its historic remains gives you a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world, we discovered Roman walls, underground areas and caves, archaeological remains and fascinating remnants of the city’s past, and what makes Tarragona even more special is its location overlooking the Mediterranean.

Where else can you explore Roman history and then be enjoying the coastline moments later, I grew up near Chester, so only had the River Dee, such a magical part of Catalonia, history and the Mediterranean sitting side by side.

And Finally… Sitges only 35km from Barcelona, a Million Mile From Care….and relax

Thank god for Sitges, after all the history, culture, vineyards, mountains and cities, our journey eventually brought us back towards the Mediterranean and some time to say goodbye and relax on the beach for a few hours, and some Pool time..

What can you say, Beautiful beaches, elegant streets, restaurants, bars, a lively atmosphere and that unmistakable Mediterranean feeling, fresh sea air, and yes baech bars, it was the perfect place to slow down after a busy journey through the Catalonia region

Sitges has a personality of its own – stylish, welcoming and full of life – while still retaining its beautiful historic character, and yes… after all those miles travelled, there was definitely time for me to find somewhere overlooking the sea and enjoy the view, and some long beach walks!

It was the perfect place to slow down after a busy journey through the beautiful historic Catalonia, Sitges certainly has a personality of its own – stylish, welcoming and full of life – while still retaining its beautiful historic character.

And What A Farewell – Thank You Familia Torres Vinyard & Estate

We was welcomed by the owner Mr Miguel A Torres a respected winemaker author and business, owner, president and managing director of Bodegas Torres, he also manages vineyards in Chile and collaborates with his sister Marimar Torres in California, so certainly a global wine maker and legend within the wine industry, and the fourth generation family members

The Familia Torres wine producer was founded back in 1870 in Vilafranca del Penedès (near Barcelona) by brothers Jaime and Miguel Torres Vendrell, and family roots date back to the 16th century, the brand is globally renowned for pioneering modern winemaking in Spain, championing sustainability, and there vinyard, tasting rooms and conference are just amazing