Discover the Abbey of Montserrat, the millenary Monastery of Sant Benet as well as the medieval charms of Cardona, a town founded in the 10th century.
Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker, or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps, and cobbled surfaces.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will meet our local English-speaking driver outside the luggage pick-up area and will then accompany you to the NH Gran Collection Calderón Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
At Hotel NH Calderon there will be a representative of your local operator, you will be informed about the opening hours of the hospitality desk in the Welcome Letter that will be handed in to you upon arrival. Meals are on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carryon size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2 -3 carry-on sized bags. Should you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required with additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast, meet your guide to reach the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat, located about one hour and a half from the city. It is an unusual multi-peak mountain topped by pinnacles that look like fingers reaching for the sky offering stunning views of Catalunya. According to the legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto a millennium ago and as a result, it became a pilgrimage site, and still draws many of the faithful to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica. Over the centuries the image has darkened by the smoke of millions of candles, and she has come to be known as the Black Virgin. The Benedictine community, now numbering some 80 monks, has served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work, and welcoming pilgrims. From the bottom of the mountain, you will reach the peak of Montserrat by rack rail allowing stunning views on the way up. At your arrival, follow your guide for a visit of the sanctuary and the local museum. Lunch is also included at local restaurant. There will be also some little time for independent exploration.
NOTE: There is substantial walking on this tour, approximately 1.5 hours, and sloped terrain.
Your journey continues with a 40-minute drive to The Món Sant Benet Hotel, a 4-star superior hotel surrounded by nature.
This hotel has transferred to its rooms the essence of its surroundings with a strong influence of the medieval monastery of Sant Benet, which it embraces and observes from all its 80 spacious rooms, without exception. The comfort and convenience of the hotel does not detract, but adds up, with the charm and exceptionality of a luxurious location. Your stay will be whatever you want it to be. But it will surely become an experience, or many, that is palpated, smelled, felt, and seen in a conscious awakening of all the senses. Hotel Món has an outdoor swimming pool, an aromatic garden, state-of-the-art technologies and many alternatives for leisure, free time and discovery of the surroundings. A range of possibilities to adjust your stay to your size and enjoy a first-class getaway.
The Hotel has an excellent gastronomic offer and as well a Michelin star restaurant.
Before your group dinner, your guide will walk you through the most emblematic rooms of the monastery of Sant Benet in a hypnotic and sensory journey through its thousand years of history. What was the life of the Benedictine monks in the monastery of Sant Benet like? What was the silence and reflection like in the small cloister presided over by cypress trees? And in the cellar, was wine made? Why did the monks leave, abandoning their quiet life?
Món Sant Benet solves all these questions in its visit Medieval Experience, an immersion in the silent voices and memories that whisper the walls of our ancient monastery. One of the most daring and specular interventions on the historical heritage of Catalonia that turns the monumental visit into an emotional journey. A group dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Also Note: The local representative that accompanies you on the transfer from Barcelona / Montserrat does not remain at the hotel with you.
DAY 3
After breakfast, you will meet your English-speaking guide and drive to Cardona an amazing travel to the Middle Ages. A number of wealthy salt barons lived here between the 11th and 15th centuries. Amazingly, the fortress was never conquered and survived intact through the Spanish Succession of 1711, the Spanish Civil War, and other conflicts.
Because of its age and excellent condition, the castle reflects the evolution of military arts from the Middle Ages to modern times. It is now a state national monument, as is the adjoining Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç.
Leaving Pardaor De Cardona behind, you will continue to the Old Historic Quarter where you will walk through the narrow medieval streets in Cardona. The Old Town is typically quiet and immensely charming, and if time permits you will visit the massive Church of St. Miquel. The Catalan Gothic-style building dominates the main square.
Next proceed by shuttle bus to the salt mines for a visit. The Vall Salina of Cardona is a depression of the land in the form of an elongated ellipse, having a surface area of 100 ha. The outcrops of salt are located within the depression and were thus formerly known as the Salí (salt warehouse) and are today known as the Vall Salina (salt valley).
Enjoy a walk through the old mining facility, Mina Nieves. See the imposing tower of the old mine shaft ‘Maria Teresa’ and the museum, which explains the history of the industrial exploitation of the valley. The shaft’s mining machinery can also be seen just as it was when fully operational.
NOTE: The visit of the mine is not exclusive – there will be other people visiting as well. Personal audio guides are used inside the mine. The salt mines are closed on Mondays. Should this occur during your stay, guests will visit the mines on day 2 or day 4. Guides will provide an updated itinerary.
Before, you go back to Mon San Benet, you will stop for a deserving lunch and wine tasting at Abadal winery, where you will be immersed in the essence of their soul. Take a leisurely stroll through the vineyards, explore the winemaking cellar, and deepen your knowledge of winemaking and viticulture in an engaging and pleasant manner. The journey concludes with a tour of the cellar and a guided tasting of their most exceptional wines, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Later in the day a group dinner will be arranged at the hotel.
Note: If you visit Old Town on a Sunday, expect crowds from the local market. Respectful attire is required to enter all churches. If you arrive at a church during mass, you may only visit the outside, where the guide will elaborate on the history and construction of the church.
Reminder: This tour not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or those who utilize a walker, wheelchair, or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps, and cobbled surfaces. There are over 100 steps from the castle between the Old Town and the hotel.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your driver in the lobby for the transfer back to the pier in Barcelona, where you will embark the ship. This transfer is not guided or escorted.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
• Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Checkout, meet your guide at the hotel. Load luggage on bus
9.30am Drive to Montserrat
11:00am Arrival, visit of Montserrat and free time
1:00pm Lunch in a restaurant in Montserrat
2:30pm Meet with guide and coach, drive to San Benet Hotel with the guide
3:30pm Arrival and check in
8:00pm Dinner at San Benet Restaurant
Overnight in San Benet or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Meet your guide and drive to Cardona
9:15am Meet your guide and start you guided tour through the Castle of Cardona
Walk the town of Cardona and visit the Caves
1:15pm Transfer to Abadal winery
2:00pm Visit winery, lunch, and wine tasting
5:00pm Transfer to your hotel
Afternoon at leisure
Group dinner
Overnight in San Benet or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
10:45am Check out, meet your driver and drive from Cardona to Barcelona
12:30pm Approximate arrival at the pier and embark the ship
Expected Weather:
April: average temperature 12º C
May: average temperature 15º C
June: average temperature 20º C
August: average temperature 28º C
September: average temperature 22º C
October: average temperature 15º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency:
Euro
Electricity:
220 Volt. Bring a travel converter, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required.
Luggage:
Luggage will travel with guests at all times.
Hotel addresses:
NH Gran Calderon in Barcelona
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Món Sant Benet Hotel
Camí de Sant Benet, S/N, Local 1, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Barcelona
Phone: +34 938 75 94 04
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used
Program Includes:
• 1 night at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel in Barcelona (Premium room) – subject to change
• 2 nights at the Mon San Benet Hotel - subject to change
• 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches including 1 water, glass of wine or beer and coffee
• 2 group dinners at the Mon San Benet Hotel including one glass of wine, water, and coffee
• Transfers
• All touring and entrances per the itinerary
• City tax
• Luggage porterage in Cardona
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
• Meals and beverages not listed above
• Any touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
