Montserrat

On Friday 5 October, we took a coach and headed out of Barcelona for a BCEA Day Trip to the mountain of Montserrat, about an hour North West of Barcelona. We were accompanied by two guides, giving us the chance to have a guided tour in english or spanish.

There was lots to take in as Montserrat is a place of great religious significance, and natural beauty. The great views and spectacular rock formations and sheer drops make it popular with climbers and walkers. We took a mini hike to Lovers´ Cross ( see photos).
As one of the guides explained to us `Montserrat´ literally means `jagged mountain´, this peculiar rock formation is visible from a great distance. Montserrat is the site of a Benedictine abbey, Santa María de Montserrat. Montserrat is also home to one of the oldest boys´ choirs (Escolania) in Europe. These World Famous Choir boys sing Gregorian chants and religious choral music. We were lucky enough to hear one of their recitals in the basilica.
After a busy morning we got tickets to up to the top of the mountain on the Funicular Sant Joan, and enjoyed the view while we ate a picnic lunch.
Some of us bought typical local products that locals were selling from market stalls, there was a selection of sheeps´and goats´cheese honey, fig and date cakes! All delicious.

Highly recommended.