OVERVIEW: Designed for guests who want to make the most of their last day in Spain before their flight back home, this tour combines a visit to Montserrat with a panoramic drive through Barcelona.
HIGHLIGHTS: Visit the mountaintop monastery where pilgrims come to worship "La Moreneta", the black Madonna. Admire the Patron of Catalonia, Saint Mary of Montserrat, and discover the Benedictine community of monks.
NOTES: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over even cobblestone surfaces with numerous inclines and 45 to 50 steps. Montserrat is approximately one hour from Barcelona. This tour is available to guests with flights departing from Barcelona after 3:00 pm.
Overview:
Designed for guests who want to make the most of their last day in Spain before their flight back home, this tour combines a visit to Montserrat with a panoramic drive through Barcelona.
Highlights:
-Views from the coach include Columbus Monument, Catalunya Square, Passeig de Gràcia Boulevard, Casa Milà, and Casa Batlló
-Montserrat: Visit the mountaintop monastery and enjoy the spectacular views. View the black Madonna, Saint Mary of Montserrat, and the Benedictine monks.
-Drop off at Barcelona airport.
Full Description:
Begin your tour on a scenic ride from the port past the Columbus Monument en route to Catalunya Square, the heart of the city. Continue on to Passeig de Gràcia Boulevard and witness Gaudi's architectural masterpieces Casa Milà, known by Barcelonans as "La Pedrera House", and Casa Batlló while your guide provides commentary. Upon arrival on Diagonal Avenue, the coach will begin the ascent from the city to Montserrat.
The fascinating history of Montserrat began in 880 AD when a small group of shepherd children saw a bright light descending from the sky in the Montserrat Mountains. In the same moment, the children heard music and angels singing, filling their hearts with a radiant joy. The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat was founded there in the 11th century and is located in a natural park 60 km to the west of Barcelona, offering spectacular views of Catalunya. Visit the monastery's shrine where pilgrims come to worship "La Moreneta", the black Madonna who is the patron-virgin of Catalonia. Admire the Patron of Catalonia, Saint Mary of Montserrat who is also worshipped at the shrine in the monastery. Discover the Benedictine community, now numbering some eighty monks, who have served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, and to welcoming pilgrims, making the site a place for dialogue, prayer and culture. Besides the monks, the escolans also live in Montserrat. They form the oldest boys’ choir in Europe. Attend a choral concert given by the escolans, if available.
At the end of your tour, you will rejoin the coach for the drive to the airport.
What to Bring:
-You should always take your photo identification when in port.
-Camera and cash for shopping.
-Sun protection and sunglasses
What to Wear:
-Light clothing and comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
-Respectful attire that covers shoulders and knees should be worn in order to enter the church.
Important Notes:
-Guests must be able to walk approximately 2 miles over even cobblestone surfaces with numerous inclines and 45 to 50 steps.
-The attendance to the boys’ choir performance will depend on the scheduled performances. The boys’ choir is not in attendance during the last week of June through August due to annual holidays. The 15 minutes scheduled for the performance will be replaced with free time at the Montserrat premises.
-Time permitting; guests will have approximately 35 minutes for shopping and browsing.
- The tour must depart no later than 8:15 am as the basilica of Montserrat closes from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm every day.
-Montserrat is approximately one hour from Barcelona.
-This tour is available to guests with flights departing from Barcelona after 3:00 pm.
-Guests’ luggage will be carried in the trunk of the bus during the tour.
