Pyrenees & Medieval Towns Small Group Tour from Barcelona

8.15am - You will start your day at our main office, which is right next to the famous Palau de la Musica. You will meet your guide, have time to use the restrooms, and perhaps even grab a quick coffee before the tour begin. Your guide will explain all about the day ahead and what to expect as you wait for you tour to leave.

8.30am - You will leave Barcelona though the Eixample district of town. As you head out of the city, your guide will give you a brief history of Barcelona, before letting you sit back and relax on the 60 minute drive to Vic.

9.00am - From Barcelona you will head north, quickly leaving the hustle and bustle of a busy Mediterranean city behind. As we climb up the Pyrenees, you will drive past Montseny, a 30,000 hectare natural park that was designated a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and is still a haven for wild boars, badgers, hares, foxes, red squirrels, eagles, and red partridges among others, living in beech, pine and oak forests.

9.30am - Your first stop on this small group tour is the old market town of Vic. You will be guided through this old medieval town, visiting the cathedral - with its mix of styles ranging from Romanesque to neoclassical, the town's magnificent renaissance and baroque buildings, and the ancient Roman Temple, which lies hidden between the buildings of the old quarter. Afterwards, you will have plenty of free time to grab a coffee or some breakfast in the heart of the town by the beautiful arched square where the market and other major events are still held.

12.30pm - After Vic, your next stop is the stone-built mountain village of Queralbs; the last point on your route accessible by road. Leave the minivan, and accompanied by your guide, ride the rack railway up to the Nuria Valley. Home to a lake and bright green pastures ringed by high peaks, this picturebook valley is one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenees. Admire the scenery from the train, and on arrival, enjoy several hours to explore as you wish. Perhaps follow your choice of the hiking trails suitable for different fitness levels. Although a good physical fitness is not a prerequisite of this tour, a reasonable level is required. Alternatively, take your pick from the local activities (own expense) such as horse riding or boating, or enjoy a meal (own expense) at one of the traditional Catalan restaurants. See the Itinerary for details of the activities available. When the time comes, return to Barcelona where your trip ends at the start point.

12.50pm - The Nuria Valley (Vale de Nuria) boasts a beautiful lake and bright green pastures ringed by high peaks. This picturebook valley is one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenees. Admire the scenery from the train, and on arrival, enjoy several hours to explore as you wish. Perhaps follow your choice of the hiking trails suitable for different fitness levels, such as the paths up to the Valley Coma de Vaca. Although a good physical fitness is not a prerequisite of this tour, a reasonable level is required if you wish to take the Coma de Vaca trails. Alternatively, take your pick from the local activities (own expense) such as horse riding or boating, or enjoy a meal (own expense) at one of the traditional Catalan restaurants.

4.00pm - This tiny mountain village has a population of only 200 permanent residents living in a rambling collection of traditionally built stone houses. Perched on the side of the mountain, this impossibly quaint, picture postcard beautiful hamlet is one of the most memorable parts of the day. Here, you will also be able to see the Church of Sant Sadurní de Fustanyá, built from stones so perfectly-hewn that legend says it was built by the fairies and witches said to inhabit the surrounding caves. After an hour or so, we will head back to the bus and begin our journey back to Barcelona.

7.00pm - You will arrive back in Barcelona well time for dinner. Your guide will be happy to show you to the nearest metro or how to get a taxi. If you are staying in town, he will give you some restaurant recommendations.