Holidays for the active silver generation

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10 reasons to visit Catalonia

1.- It has a wide and varied range of tourist attractions, health and wellness activities, gastronomy, sports, nature, etc.

2.- It has a mild climate throughout the year, typical of the Mediterranean.

3.- Its landscape is diverse: sea and mountains stretch along 580km of coastline.

4.- Its gastronomic scene, which features world-renowned chefs such as the Roca brothers, Carme Ruscalleda and Ferran Adrià includes a wide choice of restaurants, is internationally renowned and is based on a long culinary tradition.

5.- All of its seaside destinations, from the Costa Brava to the Costa Daurada, are well-connected by public transport.

6.- Not far inland, there are some great tourist destinations, such as the cities of Barcelona, Tarragona and Girona or the Montserrat mountain.

7.- Catalonia offers a broad range of accommodation adapted to all needs and tastes: hotels, campsites, holiday apartments and rural tourism.

8.- It boasts a significant architectural heritage, recognised by UNESCO.

9.- It has many quality options for health and wellness.

10.- Its destinations are perfectly adapted to the needs of senior visitors, ensuringe maximum comfort.

Grand Tour de Catalunya

The most important destinations

Passeig Miramar. Marina tower. (© Kris Ubach)

Spa Hotel Colón Thalasso Termal. (© Kris Ubach)

Golfers in the Llavaneras Golf Club (© Marc Ripol)

Barcelona

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The Catalan capital is home to an assortment of attractions that have turned Catalonia into a tourist destination of the first order. A average-sized city with a gentle climate, nestled between the sea and the mountains; witness to 2,000 years of history with Roman and medieval vestiges in the Gothic Quarter; home to the most important works by the modernist architect, Antoni Gaudi, with six buildings declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and La Pedrera; a cosmopolitan and commercial city capable of attracting the leading fairs in its sector and the best fashion and design labels... Barcelona is all of this and much more. It is known for its colourful Ramblas, the markets open to shoppers and the curious (such as La Boqueria and Santa Caterina), its other geniuses (Fundació Joan Miró, the Picasso Museum, Fundació Tàpies), FC Barcelona and much more to offer for culture, leisure and restoration. www.barcelonaturisme.com

Pavilion to the right of the main entrance to Park Güell (© Imagen M.A.S.)

El Park Güell y la montaña del Tibidabo como escenarios de cine

http://palaurobert.gencat.cat/ca/oficina_de_turisme/

Esta ruta cinematográfica invita a conocer el punto más alto de Barcelona y sus alrededores. Una excelente ocasión para conectar con la naturaleza y el patrimonio dentro de la ciudad.

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Aerial view of the central nave and towers of the basilica of the Sagrada Familia (© Imagen M.A.S.)

Sagrada Familia Basilica

http://www.sagradafamilia.org

Antoni Gaudí accepted the job of continuing a neogothic-style church and giving it a monumental character. When the temple is finished, it will have three façades: the first representing the Birth of Christ, the second the Passion and death and the third the Glory. The four towers on each façade represent the four apostles.

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Entrance to the Boqueria market (© Nano Cañas)

Mercat de la Boqueria

http://www.boqueria.info

The origins of the Boqueria date back to the 12th century, when travelling salesmen and peasants set up shop in front of one of the gates of the old city wall to sell their wares. In 1911 the fish market we see today was built and the market with its modernist iron roof was inaugurated in 1914.

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A Gourmet Weekend in Barcelona: A Culinary Experience

Learn everything you wanted to know about "jamón iberico" and spanish gastronomic traditions

Gardens of the Joan Miró Foundation (© Imagen M.A.S.)

Fundació Joan Miró

http://www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org

The Joan Miró foundation was opened in 1975 and was converted, at the artist's express wishes, into a centre for the promotion of contemporary art which organises temporary exhibitions, conferences, seminars, workshops and children's theatre.

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Camp Nou Experience

http://www.fcbevents.com/

Do you like football? Come and enjoy the magic atmosphere of the Camp Nou on a match night in the best of VIP comfort: private box, catering, hostesses

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Girona

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Crossed by the Onyar river and renowned for its colourful houses overlooking each bank, today the capital of Girona is a city more alive and close to the world than ever before. Even closer to Europe thanks to its recent high-speed rail link, Girona is the ideal city to pass from history to modernity, either strolling along the road that runs along its wall, walking through its historic centre, or the Jewish neighbourhood, known as "el Call". This city has an intense cultural life, with regular events and festivals related to theatre and music, a launching point for shows around the country. With its 40 hectares, Devesa is the largest urban park in Catalonia, offering visitors long walks in the shade of its hundred year old plane trees trees. www.girona.cat

Detail of a street in the El Call (Jewish Quarter). (© Nano Cañas)

Patronat Municipal Call de Girona

http://www.girona.cat/call

El Patronato Municipal Call de Girona es la institución que se encarga de la recuperación física y cultural de la herencia judía de Girona. Lo hace a partir de la rehabilitación urbanística, de la dinamización y de la promoción del barrio judío a través del desarrollo de actividades culturales y turísticas.

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Devesa park, Girona (© Servicios Editorials Georama)

La Devesa Park. Historic gardens

http://www2.girona.cat

The first references are from the 15th century, when King Alfonso V of Aragon handed this land over to the city. It was in the mid-19th century when a decision was made to plant London planes and give it the appearance we see today. In 1943 it was declared an Artistic National Park.

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Girona Walks, a walk through history

Panoramic guided visit of Girona city.

Cathedral of Santa Maria

http://www.catedraldegirona.org

Here we can see a blend of different styles as, although building was completed in the 18th century, it was started in the 11th century. The central staircase, dating from the 17th century and leading to the door is highly characteristic, and is one of the most singular Baroque works in Europe.

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Cinema before cinema

http://www.museudelcinema.cat

Discover the origins of cinema at the Museum of Cinema collection Tomàs Mallol

Montserrat

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This is the magical mountain of Catalonia, home of the Benedictine Sanctuary of the patron saint of the country, the Virgin of Montserrat, called "La Moreneta" ('The Brunette') for its dark colour. The magic of Montserrat comes not only from its spirituality, but also from the whimsical shapes of the mountain, with valleys, grottos and caves, resulting from water erosion over millions of years, providing hiking routes of great natural interest. Back on the grounds of the sanctuary, home to a culturally important community of Benedictine monks, the Montserrat experience isn't complete without a visit to its art museum, attending a concert of its children's choir or maybe shopping for some traditional goods, such as sweets and liqueurs made from mountain herbs, and handcrafted foods such as honey, cottage cheese or fig bread. www.montserratvisita.com

A family at the Fra Gari viewpoint (Via Crucis road), from which you can see the Monastery and the mountain of Montserrat (© Gemma Miralda Escudé)

Monastery of Montserrat

http://www.montserratvisita.com

This monastery in the famous Catalan mountains unites a community of around eighty Benedictine monks who dedicate their lives to work, prayer and providing shelter.

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Claustro, Catedral de Lleida, El Segrià, Catalunya

Magic Montserrat & Gaudi's Colònia Güell Tour

http://www.catalunyabusturistic.cat

You will discover Montserrat Monastery and Gaudí's Crypt in Colònia Güell

Barcelona, Sant Benet, Montserrat and Codorniu cellar

Discover Barcelona, Sant Benet, Montserrat and Codorniu cellar with an architect!

Easy Montserrat: up with the cremallera

Contemplate the majestic mountains of Montserrat and discovers his Monastery

Montserrat funicular (© Juan José Pascual)

Funiculares Santa Cova y Sant Joan de Montserrat

http://www.cremallerademontserrat.com

El funicular que permite llegar hasta uno de los puntos más altos del macizo de Montserrat, un parque natural donde se pueden realizar multitud de excursiones y visitar el patrimonio natural y artísitco.

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Magic Montserrat & Gaudi's Colònia Güell Tour

http://www.catalunyabusturistic.cat

You will discover Montserrat Monastery and Gaudí's Crypt in Colònia Güell

Tarragona

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What was once the capital of the Roman region of Tarracona is now home to an archaeological complex declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The city of Tarragona, very Roman as can be seen by the amphitheatre, the defensive walls, or the aqueduct on the outskirts, is ideal for immersing yourself in classical history, whether by dining under the arches of the Roman circus or strolling through streets that preserve the essence of a great medieval past. If your schedule permits, you really shouldn't miss out on the extraordinary "castells", constructions of human towers which originated in the Tarragona region and are, at the same time, a symbol of Catalonia. This is a city open to the sea, an added value which can be enjoyed by walking along the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a splendid viewpoint above the beach, or by enjoying the best fish and shellfish in the restaurants in the picturesque fishing quarter. www.tarragonaturisme.cat

Roman amphitheatre of Tarragona

http://museuhistoria.tarragona.cat

Bloodthirsty shows, gladiator fights and animal hunts used to be held here. Built at the beginning of the 2nd century, it measures 130 x 102 metres.

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Roman aqueduct of Les Ferreres or Pont del Diable (Devil's Bridge). (© Lluís Carro)

Les Ferreres aqueduct - Pont del Diable

http://www.pontdeldiabletarragona.com

The Les Ferreres aqueduct is the main attraction of this park. Also known as Pont del Diable, it is over two hundred metres long and can be found on the left banks of the Francolí river.