Barcelona, Spain

Best of Barcelona & Our Lady of Montserrat

Dramatic Mountain Retreat and Gaudí’s Delightful Fantasy Park Enjoy a visit to Montserrat Abbey and the beloved Güell Park, one of Antoni Gaudí’s most whimsical creations. Departing the ship, enjoy a drive through the Catalan countryside through the mountains of Montserrat and its Benedictine abbey, perched 4,000 feet above the valley below. Your guide will explain the daily life of the monks and the story of “The Black Virgin,” the statue found in the abbey’s basilica. Afterward, drive back to Barcelona to Güell Park, designed by Gaudí between 1900 and 1914. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its fluid sculptural forms and bold colors blend harmoniously with the park’s lush setting. After, you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own in the historic center. En route back to your ship, you will take a relaxing drive around Montjüic mountain, site of several 1992 Summer Olympics events, and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.