Women, Walking and Wine Adventure to Catalonia
or You’re everywhere!
By Nancy Dorrans
Recently I received this message from a friend on Facebook:
“I’m a bit jealous of your lifestyle, I get around a bit but you’re everywhere!”
Well I haven’t been everywhere, but earlier this fall I did head out again to Europe to escort a group of twelve women on an active adventure to the Catalonia region of Spain. Catalonia is part of Spain, but it is a distinct region that has its own customs and language that makes it one-of-a-kind.
This Women, Walking, and Wine Adventure to Catalonia was a long time coming. I first explored the region in September 2019 as a guest of the Catalan Tourist Board. I was eager to add this lesser-known part of Spain with its extensive hiking trails and incredible food and drink to my Women, Walking & Wine small group series. Unfortunately, the original adventure, organized for September 2020, was postponed due to the pandemic.
Meritxell from El Brogit (a local Catalan guiding company specializing in ecotourism & wine tours) was my contact, guide, and tour operator in the region. We met when I was there in 2019. She helped coordinate the entire itinerary including booking the transfers, accommodations, guides, excursions, and dining arrangements.
Our tour included a combination of hiking, wine, and food to create an unforgettable experience. Imagine trekking from village to village on guided hikes on local trails, sipping Priorat wines (primarily reds made from Garnacha and Cariñena grapes), enjoying an olive oil tasting, a historical train ride, picnic lunches and other delicious meals that fuse Mediterranean and Spanish flavors, incorporating fresh seafood, locally sourced meats, and seasonal produce. This is the Catalonia that I wanted to share.
Barcelona Street Festival
We began with a taste of Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia. Upon arrival our small group of women mixed and mingled with each other that first evening, enjoying the city’s energy, style, tapas and wine of course!
On day two, our only full day in Barcelona, we got to experience the La Mercè street festival with our local guide Oscar. The Mercè festival celebrates the patron saint of Barcelona, the Virgin of La Mercé.
The streets of this colorful city were abuzz with energy. Our group worked our way into a very crowded square to see the display of giant puppets that represent historical figures of past kings and queens, mythical characters, noblemen, and peasants. One local woman eagerly pointed to the giants and explained to me (in Catalan) who they all represented! Even though I couldn’t understand what she was saying, her passion was evident. I could feel how proud these people are of their culture and history!
We then witnessed a few Castells or human towers, a Catalan tradition that began in the 1700’s! The Pinya, or large group of the strongest people, set the foundation. Then the lighter ones climb to form the trunk, and the smallest climb up the trunk to the Pom de dalt or top of the tower. The highest Castells can reach up to ten floors high… Watching the littlest climb to the top literally took my breath away!
Miracles of the Virgin of Mercé
A series of miracles linked to the city of Barcelona are attributed to the Virgin of Mercé. As legend goes, on September 24, 1218, the Virgin appeared simultaneously to King Jaime I, Saint Pedro Nolasco, and Saint Raimundo de Peñafort. In this apparition, the Virgin asked that they create a religious order to free Christians in the Holy Lands.
The next miracle came in 1687 when Barcelona was attacked by a plague of locusts. The people of Barcelona begged the Virgin for her assistance. When the plague ended, it was believed that it was La Mercé that vanished the locusts. What else could the city do but name La Mercé the patron of the diocese.
Perhaps we should turn to the Virgin for guidance today to help resolve ongoing global conflicts and bring an end to the turbulent impacts of climate change. Why not? Just a thought… I’m with her.
Our next days were filled with walks through terraced vineyards and olive groves, delicious meals, jaw dropping views, winding trails, ripe figs, and spontaneous moments with the friendly people of Catalonia. As always there is more to this adventure… I will bring you along the rest of the way next month!
Till then take good care, be kind, listen (even if you don’t speak the language), and share your pride and passions!
