International Lodging Corporation

Where Amazing Travel Experiences Begin

Next Stop…The Region of Cataluña, Spain

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The region of Cataluña is located in Spain’s northeast corner, extending along the Mediterranean up to the French border, and has the second highest population in the country. With its amazing history, cities, world renowned restaurants, charming villages, and its beautiful beaches, Cataluña offers visitors an unlimited number of things to see and do.

A great place to start your visit of this beautiful region is in Barcelona, Cataluña’s capital. Once done there you have over 12,000 square miles to explore. Here’s a summary of a few places to visit, along with Michelin’s Guide of restaurants for this region.

Note: The times listed in the parentheses are the drive times from Barcelona.

Capital of Cataluña:

  • Barcelona – is one of those cities that you can visit over and over again, and discover something new every time. Whether you are interested in art, architecture, music or food, this captivating city on the Mediterranean offers something for every visitor. For more information, click here

North of Barcelona:

  • Besalú – enchanting medieval village with an often-photographed 12th C. Roman bridge, 11th C.  Sant Pere Church, and a Jewish Quarter with a restored 12th C. mikveh bathhouse (1 hour 30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Cadaqués – picturesque whitewashed village on the rocky Costa Brava near the French border that has inspired painters, with a historic quarter, art galleries and Dalí House Museum (2 hours 15 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Costa Brava – explore the charming towns of Tossa de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guixols, S’Agaró and Empúries (1-2 hours). For more information, click here.
  • Figueres – birthplace of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, with a museum displaying the largest and most diverse collection of his works, and his crypt (1 hour 30 min. drive / 55 min. by high-speed train). For more information, click here.
  • Girona – historic town founded by Romans with a charming old quarter, 12th C. cathedral and one of Europe’s best preserved Jewish Quarter (1 hour 15 min. drive / 38 min. by high-speed train). For more information, click here.

South of Barcelona:

  • Priorat Wine Region – wine producing region south of Barcelona known for its award-winning wines; read our 6-part series on the history of this region and info on vineyards to visit (1 hour 30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Sitges – lively seaside town south of Barcelona with sandy beaches, a wide promenade with shops, restaurants and bars, and a charming old quarter (40 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Tarragona – historic city with some of the best-preserved Roman ruins, including a 2nd C. amphitheater by the sea and the Tarragona National Archaeological Museum (1 hour 15 min.). For more information, click here.

West of Barcelona:

  • Cardona – picturesque medieval town with a hilltop castle with a tower dating from the 12th C. and Church of Sant Vicenç dating from the 11th C. (1 hour). For more information, click here.
  • Montserrat – mountain top Benedictine monastery famous for the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat (the Black Virgin) (1 hour). For more information, click here.
  • Parc de Collserola – escape the city, go hiking and get closer to nature in the largest metropolitan park in the world (15 min.). For more information, click here.

Restaurants:

The region is well known for being home to many outstanding restaurants. For Michelin’s Guide to over 200 restaurants in the region, click here.

Photo credit: HansenBCN (CC BY-SA 2.0)

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Next Stop…Besalú (Spain)

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Besalú is a historic and picturesque village that is one of Catalonia’s best preserved villages. Located about an hour and a half north of Barcelona (half hour north of Girona), it is a perfect day trip for visitors who want to explore the historic region of Cataluña. Besalú is a quintessential Medieval village with a Romanesque arched bridge at the entrance to the Old Town, narrow cobblestone streets and charming houses built from brick and stone. The oldest remains found in town date back to 650-600 BC, and in Roman times it became a prosperous urban center in the region. Over a thousand years ago it was the capital of an important independent county.

Besalú was also an important Jewish settlement and is known for having a well preserved Jewish Quarter with a restored 12th C. mikveh (ritual purification bathhouse). In the 13th C. the Jewish community in Besalú accounted for a quarter of the population, and they lived in a relatively peaceful coexistence with the Christians until 1415. The baths were discovered in 1964 by chance and have been dated back to the 12th C. It is believed that the mikveh probably belonged to the synagogue located near the Plaça dels Jueus (Jew’s Square). Most of the synagogue is now gone, but the mikveh is surprisingly well preserved. It is one of only three Jewish bathhouses left in Europe.

Photo credit: Mikipons

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Checking In…Hotel-Hostal Sport, Falset (Spain)

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This traditional 4-star hotel is located in the heart of the Priorat wine region, in the picturesque town of Falset. Located about an hour and a half south of Barcelona, the family-owned hotel was established in 1923 and is run by a 4th generation family member.

  • Address: C/ Miquel Barceló 4-6
  • Located about 35 minutes west of Tarragona (46 km), Falset is the capital of the Priorat wine region
  • In town visit the Plaza de la Quartera (main square), 18th C. palace of the Counts of Azara (also known as the Casa Gran), 18th C. Church of Santa Maria
  • Visit the Priorat wineries in the surrounding towns, including Gratallops, Poboleda, Escaladei, Siurana
  • Visit the Cartoixa d’Escaladei (Carthusian Monastery of Santa Maria d’Escaladei), where monks planted vineyards and began making wine in the 12th C.
  • Visit the Montsant Natural Park
  • Bus Station: Marça-Falset (2 km)
  • Train Station: Marça-Falset (2 km)
  • Airport: 123 km (Barcelona)

All rooms with private bath, air conditioning, individual temperature control, telephone, Wi-Fi (complimentary), hair dryer, flat panel TV, coffee maker

  • 1 Elevator
  • Wheelchair access to hotel
  • Room service (24 hours)
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Lounge with fireplace
  • Terrace
  • Meeting Facilities to 120
  • Access to village pool (seasonal ~ summer)
  • Reception (24 hours)
  • Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service
  • Parking at hotel (extra charge)
  • 28 guest rooms (3 floors)
  • Double Individual Use: Room with Twin beds (2 guest maximum)
  • Superior: Room with Twin beds, some with balcony (3 guest maximum)
  • Junior Suite: Spacious suite with Twin beds, balcony and views of the village and garden (3 guest maximum)
  • Suite Priorat: Large, bright suite with Twin beds and terrace; approx. 60 m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Suite Montsant: Large suite with Twin beds, separate sitting area and terrace with views of the village; approx. 60 m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Suite Mansarda: Large suite on top floor with Twin beds, wood-beamed ceiling, and 2 terraces; approx. 70 m2 (3 guest maximum) – only 1 of this type
  • Hotel offers some Connecting rooms (Superior category), 1 Handicap room (Superior category)

For more information, pricing and reservations, contact us – click here.