Montserrat & Artistic Barcelona: the Best of Gaudí

During the first part of this tour, you'll see the rocks of Montserrat. Made of sand and shaped by the wind and the rain over centuries, these strangely-formed peaks are often ascribed human or animal shapes, and have been assigned popular local legends. You'll also visit the Royal Basilica of Montserrat, home to the famous 12th-century Romanesque carving of the Virgen Moreneta (the Black Virgin). You'll also see the Benedict sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat. Founded in 1025, it provides a mystical backdrop to the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia, who is enshrined in the monastery's Royal Basilica. Long ago, this little monastery received pilgrims and visitors who spread stories of the miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. Today, Montserrat has been modernized to accommodate the needs of modern-day pilgrims, who still visit the site some thousand years after its foundation.

The second part of the tour covers the best of Modernist Barcelona as well as Antoni Gaudi's famous architectural creations. Gaudi, one of the greatest innovators of his time, has left behind numerous treasures for the discerning tourist to discover. You'll admire the exterior of his richly and symbolically decorated La Sagrada Familia Basilica, whose vaults reach up to 70 meters. Then, you'll enjoy a 30-minute visit to Gaudi's bizarre Parc Guell, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The tour continues to Paseo de Gracia, where you'll see Gaudi's famous apartment buildings, such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. The tour concludes by the Casa Batlló, at 43 Paseo de Gracia.