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THE MOST AMAZING PLACES TO VISIT THE MOST AMAZING PLACES TO VISIT

We would like to Because the city is not You'll also receive upon only renowned for its arrival at the hotel a offer you our most beaches and the Gaudí fantastic guide to beautiful outdoors , beyond the orientate around the of Catalonia while city center, there are region. staying at Hilton wonders you cannot miss. In each recommended Diagonal Mar village you will find a . With this exclusive offer, referred restaurant. make of the Hilton Please make your Pick up your Sixt car Diagonal Mar Barcelona booking in advance with rental directly from the the perfect base to them indicating that Barcelona Airport, check discover Catalonia with you’re a Hilton guest. in at Hilton Diagonal Mar room, breakfast and Show your room key card Barcelona and begin your parking included. You ‘ll when arriving to the trip in the Catalan have the opportunity to restaurant and you will homeland. return the car directly in enjoy a unique surprise! the Barcleona Airport Inside this guide you will before your departure!! So don't miss out - book find some of the most now! amazing places to visit Spend 2, 3 or 4 days around Barcelona. discovering the best of de Catalonia!! INDEX INDEX

INTRODUCTION

BARCELONA HAS MUCH TO OFFER

CADAQUÉS (GIRONA)

CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL (GIRONA)

BALLOON TRIP (BARCELONA)

MONTSERRAT (BARCELONA)

PERATALLADA (GIRONA)

SITGES (BARCELONA)

EL BORN (BARCELONA)

SUGGESTED ROUTES BARCELONA HAS MUCH TO OFFER

We want to show you the hippest area When you walk in the area, you are CLICK HERE TO GET MORE of Barcelona, el Born. El Born is one of surrounded by restaurants, designer ABOUT EL BORN the areas in ´´, the old town boutiques, trendy terraces and hidden of Barcelona. El Born is served by the squares. El Born is the Soho of metro stations Barceloneta and Jaume Barcelona! RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT 1, the yellow line. Take a walk or lay down in the urban The ´´ area of el Born is the or visit one of the original artisans home of Barcelona, museums, like the Picasso museum. where you will see that all the street We compelled for you a few of our names are derived from ancient favourite spots in el Born. craftsmanship’s.

RETURN TO INDEX A DAY WITH DALÍ IN CADAQUÉS

Among the towns and villages on the Dalí´s house is located in a bay CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER , Cadaqués stands out for called Portlligat, which is one of the MORE ABOUT THE VILLAGE its genuineness and singularity. Located most popular coves in Cadaqués. at the oriental part of the peninsula of Cap de Creus, the town, considered The house consists of a series of CLICK HERE TO SEE as the jewel of the Costa Brava, has a fishermen’s houses that Gala and Dalí HOW TO ARRIVE history of thousands of years, dating joined together in the form of a back to the Iberians’ period. labyrinth. This is where the artist found peace and inspiration to paint most of RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT The village became a favorite spot for his works of art. The emphasis is on large yet high quality local and foreign artists who were dishes that are meant for sharing ('compartir' in Catalan). attracted by the beauty of its rugged and rocky landscape. A lot of painters and writers before Dalí visited Cadaqués.

RETURN TO INDEX SITGES – FISHING VILLAGE

Sitges has always been a place which Sitges has preserved important CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE has enchanted artists, tourists and features both from mediaeval times ABOUT SITGES visitors from all over the world. For and from its history as an old fishing many, the secret lies within its light town, enabling visitors to enjoy a which attracted the painters, writers notable architectural heritage. CLICK HERE TO SEE and sculptors who settled here at the HOW TO ARRIVE end of the 19th century. Moreover, it is a cosmopolitan town which has attracted residents from Nature has indeed been generous to more than 90 nations. Sitges with its setting in an outstanding location on the Mediterranean coast at Yet now it is time to look forward and the foot of the Massif. Its Sitges in the 21st century, whilst cultural heritage is extraordinary, with mindful of its roots, is focused on a lively art scene and its traditions are innovation and creativity. Our wish is respected with a modern perspective. for Sitges to remain an attractive and seductive town. RETURN TO INDEX a 19th-century lighthouse, a 15th- century watchtower (Cultural Asset of CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL National Interest) which protected the coastal area and protect it from possible invasions by corsairs and pirates, a recently consolidated and Calella de Palafrugell is one of the few town, the beaches and the coastal signposted Iberian settlement (6th to places on the Costa Brava which still path, there are two spots that you 1st centuries BC), an 18th-century preserves the charm of the villages of can’t miss: hermitage and the most beautiful the area before the arrival of mass views of the Costa Brava. tourism, with narrow streets, steep Visit the astonishing Cap Roig Botanical tiled roofs and some traditional two- Gardens in Calella, a singular space on floor fishermen’s dwellings. the Mediterranean. There is a path CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER marked with an itinerary of a total of MORE ABOUT CALELLA AND Only 120km away from Barcelona, this 22 points to admire different types of SURROUNDINGS ancient fishing village is on a rocky plants, a collection of along coastline sprinkled with small coves, a the way, a castle and, of course, the CLICK HERE TO SEE natural area ideal for walking or views. Discover the story and the HOW TO ARRIVE cycling, with the coastal and tourist hidden spots of this unique place! village of next to it. Besides RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT strolling around the little streets of the At a walkable distance, in Llafranc, Don’t forget to sample the “Suquet de Calella” there is Sant Sebastià Cape, where you will find several spots of interest: RETURN TO INDEX MEDIAEVAL TOWN OF PERATALLADA

You certainly won't regret deciding to They'll lead you to the main square CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER visit Peratallada in Baix Empordà. without any need for a map. There you MORE ABOUT PERATALLADA can rest in the shade of the arcades It boasts one of the most important before visiting the church of Sant mediaeval quarters in Catalonia. This Esteve, on the other side of the walls. CLICK HERE TO SEE fortified town in the municipality of HOW TO ARRIVE Forallac is protected by three walls and a moat, watched over by the castle and its keep. The best way to explore this RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT feudal town is to wander its narrow, You will taste the most exquisite typical winding streets; Tapas from the region!

RETURN TO INDEX BAPTISM OF THE HOT AIR

A good place to enjoy the rich Hot air ballooning is always quite an We will be pleased to prepare a landscape of the regions of Barcelona is experience, but to do so over delicious Breakfast to take away. Just from the basket of a hot air balloon. Montserrat is an added attraction that let us know! From the air, the beauty of the fields is difficult to beat. Situated in the and mountains seems to be magnified, region of Bages, where hot air and the freedom of flying like a bird will ballooning is one of the most popular Book this fantastic experience with provoke very intense emotions that will active tourism attractions. CAMINS DE VENT be imprinted in your memory forever. The adventure includes participating in Make the dream of Leonardo da Vinci the preparation, inflating and folding CLICK HERE TO GET MORE come true and dare to travel the roads up of the balloon. Dreams and ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE of the sky! atmosphere of calm, peace are some of the many sensations that you will find CLICK HERE TO SEE flying by balloon. It begins at 8am and finishes around 10.30 – 11 am. HOW TO ARRIVE

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MONTSERRAT

Montserrat is a spectacularly beautiful the mountain and right up to We will be pleased to prepare a Benedictine monk mountain retreat Montserrat Monastery. delicious Lunch picnic to take away. about 45 minutes driving from Just let us know! Barcelona. The about 1,200-meter-high There, you can also visit “La Moreneta” mountain is a grand sight from far away (the Black Madona) and listening from already. From the top, you can Monday to Friday the “Escolania de CLICK HERE TO GET MORE experience a view far into the Montserrat” at 1pm or at noon all bank ABOUT MONTSERRAT landscape of Catalonia. holidays and Sundays (Gregorian chants sung by 50 children). You can park directly in the Monastery CLICK HERE TO SEE parking or at the bottom of Montserrat The Monastery's unique location at the HOW TO ARRIVE Mountain. There you can get to the very heart of Montserrat Mountain also “Aeri de Montserrat” cable car. It will ensures an ideal location for nature take you on a breath taking journey lovers - the geology, flora and fauna of over the Llobregat River and Valley, up the natural park mean that you can spend hours on the many walks that begin at the Monastery. RETURN TO INDEX

RETURN TO INDEX BASILIC OF SANTA MARIA DEL MAR

Santa Maria del Mar’s is the icon of Catalan . It is one of the most perfect examples of Gothic style due to its harmonious proportions and the serenity of the ensemble.

In the Middle Ages, the long periods of time it took to build a church – often more than a century – usually involved changes in architectural style. Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona is an exception. It was built in just 55 years, from 1329 to 1384, and is the only surviving church in the pure Catalan Gothic style.

Its structure comprises three naves of the same height, underpinned by very tall columns set 13 metres apart, a distance unsurpassed by any other existing medieval building. This gives the impression of sublime width, height and airiness, as if gravity had been reversed and pulled the immense blocks of stone upwards. The many stained-glass windows of the church of Santa Maria del Mar play an important role in giving this impression.

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In 1888 Barcelona hosted the Universal Exhibition. The Arc de Triomf was built as the gateway to the fair which was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The monument is classical in shape and proportions and features ground-breaking sculptural and decorative finishes replete with symbolism. It has become one of the city's iconic landmarks.

The Arc de Triomf rises up majestically at the top of the Passeig Lluís Companys. The gateway to the 1888 Universal Exhibition, the stood at the end of the Saló de Sant Joan, the boulevard that led to the exhibition grounds in the Parc de la Ciutadella.

The architect Josep Vilaseca designed a monument of classical style and proportions as an allegory of Barcelona's respect for the nations and provinces taking part in the exhibition. As a counterpoint, Vilaseca chose to build the arch from brick and decorate it with sculptural motifs evocative of the neo-Mudejar style that was very much popular in at the time. The combination of red brick with the series of friezes around the arch, make it a singularly beautiful landmark.

RETURN TO INDEX TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS

The Temple of Augustus in Barcelona was a Roman temple built during the Imperial period in the colony of Barcino (modern day Barcelona) as a place of worship for Emperor Augustus. It was the central building on Tàber Hill, currently in Carrer del Paradís number 10, in the city's so-called Gothic Quarter.

At one point in history the temple was demolished, and its ruins were not discovered until the late 19th century, when three of its columns appeared on the construction site of Centre Excursionista de Catalunya.

A fourth column was then exhibited at the Plaça del Rei and was later added to the structure, as it can be seen nowadays. The temple is likely to have been built under Tiberius, who instituted a cult of Augustus.

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We invite you discover the Palau de la Catalana, which combines , To end your tour, you'll visit the Sala Música Catalana, the only concert hall mosaic, and wrought iron Lluís Millet, which is named after the in the world to be declared a UNESCO on its magnificent façade. founder of the Orfeó Català. Its huge World Heritage Site. It was designed by stained glass window reveals the row the architect Domènech i Montaner as The entrance lobby is flanked by two of columns on the balcony of the the home of the Orfeó Català choir. lamps characteristic of the Barcelona of façade. Funded by public donations, the Palau the period, and is the former main is one of the most iconic examples of entrance. Catalonia's architectural and musical heritage. The main part of the building is the concert hall, with its harmonious Tucked away among the narrow streets proportions, sumptuous décor and vast in the northern end of the Ribera central skylight which fills the space district, you'll find a unique modernista with light. You'll have the unique building, the Palau de la Música opportunity to walk on the stage and see the auditorium through the eyes of the performers. RETURN TO INDEX

PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA

The Parc de la Ciutadella is very idyllic and probably the greenest oasis in the megacity of Barcelona. It invites you to relax, to rebound and to go for long walks, as well as for a picnic.

You can also use a rowing boat on the lake. In weekends it can be quite busy, but during the week it´s the perfect spot to chill out with some friends. On the grounds of the Parc de la Ciutadella, there are several attractions: the zoo, the Catalan Parliament. The Museu d'Art Modern is situated in the building of the parliament. The Zoological museum and the Geology museum are placed in the area of the park.

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We hope you have been amazed by the Catalan Homeland. These are only some nice villages to visit but of course you have more to discover!

With this exclusive offer, you can stay at the Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona 2, 3 or 4 days discovering the best of Catalonia with your car rental!!

If you are with us 2 days we recommend El Born and Sitges, and if you can stay longer do not miss Peratallada and Calella which you can combine as a 1 day trip.

You can spend the entire day in Montserrat but you can also combine it with the Balloon ride activity. You should begin by the balloon trip, you will get enough time to arrive to Montserrat and listening the Gregorian chants at 1 pm (Monday to Friday) and have a nice afternoon walk.

Cadaqués will take a little longer to get but you enjoy the perfect and dreamy town and Dalí.

… And if want to find more about Catalonia, we will be pleased to help you during your stay. Just request us in reception.

Catalonia is a region that you cannot miss!! We wait for you!

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