Tarragona, living roman history
Tarragona has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for being the origin of Romanization in the Iberian Peninsula. In this small city you can find dozens of Roman and medieval monuments as part of the remains of the wall that surrounded the city, the Gothic Cathedral of Tarragona (“basilica de Santa Tecla”), the aqueduct of the “Pont del Diable” or the amphitheatre and the forum.
You cannot pass through the city without walking along its central promenade, visiting the “Balcó del Mediterrani” and checking the incredible corners of Tarragona. Terraces full of magic, local shops and friendly staff wherever you look.
Reus, modernism and vermouth
Very close to Salou is Reus, a city with a marked commercial character. The history of Reus has its greatest splendour during modernism – in fact, it is the second population with more modernist buildings after Barcelona. During the second half of the nineteenth century, with Antoni Gaudi at the helm, it was considered the second most important city in Catalonia for being a commercial nexus and home to the aristocracy. Hence, there is now a Modernist Route that runs through the most emblematic buildings.
On the other hand, Reus has different factories that produce vermouth. Vermouth, a wine macerated with alcohol, botanicals and wormwood, is being reborn as a social drink and its consumption is expanding. It is a drink closely related to the social factor and relationship between people and is usually enjoyed in bars and terraces (such as the “Mercadal Square” in Reus).
Priorat, wine and relax indoor
About 30-40 km from Cambrils you can find hundreds of hectares of traditional vineyard crops, where the well-known wines with Priorat Denomination of Origin are made. A land where you can visit dozens of wineries to discover how the wines of the area are made.
And if you still want more, you can visit Siurana town and Siurana lake, the mines of Bellmunt del Priorat or the Montsant mountain range. Take the car and prepare a quiet trip to discover the area.
Ebro Delta, an amazing natural park
The Ebro Land, less than an hour from Cambrils, were declared by UNESCO as a Natural Reserve of the Biosphere, a unique natural and human space in the world. With about 320 km2 it is the largest wetland in Catalonia and one of the most important aquatic habitats in the western Mediterranean.
The Ebro Delta is a very striking space for its flat lands and the great variety of native flora and fauna. The rice crops provide a picture that you can’t miss, as well as the visit to Buda Island.
La Conca de Barbera, Monasteries and lost villages
La Conca de Barbera is one of those places where one can get lost in the middle of nature and the forgotten villages of the tourist guides. But it is also an incredible place for hiking with countless routes and paths.
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet – one of the most important temples on the Cistercian Route and declared a World Heritage Site – is the jewel in the crown, next to the Templar Castle of Barbera de la Conca.
Without forgetting the medieval town of Montblanc, where you can breathe history through its streets and squares. An almost mandatory visit and more during the Medieval Week in which a local historical recreation is made. The rocks and underground rooms of the caves of L'Espluga de Francolí are also highly recommended, which will delight the little ones.
Alt Camp, a lot more than Castellers and calçots
Castells (multi-levels human towers made by castellers) and the calçots (a type of onion) impregnated with Romesco sauce are 2 of the best known Catalan symbols. But there's so much more in Alt Camp area; a space that preserves the charm of rural Catalonia and modernist architecture. The perfect place to enter wineries and cathedrals of wine as well as Valls, its capital.
Nature is also rich in the area with the mountains of Prades and Gaia with corners full of mysticism and fascinating legends. The Monastery of Santes Creus, one of the three that form the Cistercian Route (next to Poblet), in which the remains of kings of the Crown of Aragon are found. A perfect plan to breathe the roots of Catalonian culture.
Baix Penedes, music, wine and xato
Vineyard and beach, curious mixture of colours ranging from gold and electric blue to green and ochre. Routes of different levels to do walking and / or cycling and thus enjoy all the beauty. This is how Pau Casals, famous composer and cellist of the area, must have felt it.
The Baix Penedes area stands out for its commitment to agro tourism and wine tourism. Dozens of proposals from young people who want to recover the commitment of their ancestors without giving up technology or current decoration. And finally, a good meal: tuna salad, anchovies and cod with xato sauce and a good D.O. Penedes wine.
