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Home , Calella, Calella de Palafrugell, Costa Brava, Llafranc, Montserrat (mountain), Palafrugell

DISCOVER

Calella de DISCOVER CATALONIA

We would like to offer you our most beautiful outdoors of Catalonia while staying at Hilton Diagonal Mar .

Pick up your Sixt car rental directly from the Barcelona Airport, check in at Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona and begin your trip in the Catalan homeland.

Inside this guide you will find some of the most amazing places to visit around Barcelona. Because the city is not only renowned for its beaches and the Gaudí architecture, beyond the city center, there are wonders you cannot miss.

With this exclusive offer, make of the Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona the perfect base to discover Catalonia with room, breakfast and parking included. You ‘ll have the opportunity to return the car directly in the Barcleona Airport before your departure.!!

Spend 2, 3 or 4 days discovering the best of Catalonia!!

You'll also receive upon arrival at the hotel a fantastic guide to orientate around the region.

In each recommended village you will find a referred restaurant. Please make your booking in advance with them indicating that you’re a Hilton guest. Show your room key card when arriving to the restaurant and you will enjoy a unique surprise!

So don't miss out - book now! INDEX

Introduction Barcelona has much to offer Cadaqués () (Girona) Balloon Trip (Barcelona) (Barcelona) Peratallada (Girona) (Barcelona) El Born (Barcelona)

Suggested routes

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Take a walk or lay down in the urban Parc de la BARCELONA HAS Ciutadella or visit one of the museums, like the Picasso museum. We compelled for you a few of our favourite spots in el Born. MUCH TO OFFER

We want to show you the hippest area of Barcelona, Click here to get more about El Born! Recommended restaurant el Born. El Born is one of the areas in ´Ciutat Vella´, the old town of Barcelona. El Born is served by the metro stations Barceloneta and Jaume 1, the yellow line.

The ´la Ribera´ area of el Born is the original artisans home of Barcelona, where you will see that all the street names are derived from ancient craftsmanship’s.

When you walk in the area, you are surrounded by restaurants, designer boutiques, trendy terraces and hidden squares. El Born is the Soho of Barcelona!

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The house consists of a series of fishermen’s A DAY WITH houses that Gala and Dalí joined together in the form of a labyrinth. This is where the artist found peace and inspiration to paint most of IN CADAQUES his works of art.

Click here to discover more about the village! Among the towns and villages on the Costa Click here to see how to arrive! Brava, Cadaqués stands out for its genuineness and Recommended restaurant. The emphasis is on large yet high quality dishes that are meant for sharing singularity. Located at the oriental part of the ('compartir' in Catalan). peninsula of , the town, considered as the jewel of the , has a history of thousands of years, dating back to the Iberians’ period.

The village became a favorite spot for local and foreign artists who were attracted by the beauty of its rugged and rocky landscape. A lot of painters and writers before Dalí visited Cadaqués.

Dalí´s house is located in a bay called , which is one of the most popular coves in Cadaqués. Old Town

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Moreover, it is a cosmopolitan town which has SITGES FISHING attracted residents from more than 90 nations.

Yet now it is time to look forward and Sitges in VILLAGE the 21st century, whilst mindful of its roots, is focused on innovation and creativity. Our wish is

Sitges has always been a place which has enchanted for Sitges to remain an attractive and seductive artists, tourists and visitors from all over the world. town. For many, the secret lies within its light which attracted the painters, writers and sculptors who Click here to see more about Sitges! Click here to see how to arrive! settled here at the end of the 19th century.

Nature has indeed been generous to Sitges with its setting in an outstanding location on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of the Garraf Massif. Its cultural heritage is extraordinary, with a lively art scene and its traditions are respected with a modern perspective.

Sitges has preserved important features both from mediaeval times and from its history as an old fishing town, enabling visitors to enjoy a notable architectural heritage. RETURN TO INDEX

There is a path marked with an itinerary of a total of 22 points to admire different types of CALELLA DE plants, a collection of sculptures along the way, a castle and, of course, the views. Discover the story and the hidden spots of this unique place! PALAFRUGELL

At a walkable distance, in , there is Sant Calella de Palafrugell is one of the few places on the Sebastià Cape, where you will find several spots Costa Brava which still preserves the charm of the of interest: a 19th-century lighthouse, a 15th- villages of the area before the arrival of mass tourism, century watchtower (Cultural Asset of National with narrow streets, steep tiled roofs and some Interest) which protected the coastal area and traditional two-floor fishermen’s dwellings. protect it from possible invasions by corsairs and pirates, a recently consolidated and signposted Only 120km away from Barcelona, this ancient fishing Iberian settlement (6th to 1st centuries BC), an village is on a rocky coastline sprinkled with small 18th-century hermitage and the most beautiful coves, a natural area ideal for walking or cycling, with views of the Costa Brava. the coastal and tourist village of Llafranc next to it. Besides strolling around the little streets of the town, Click here to discover more about Calella and the beaches and the coastal path, there are two spots surroundings! Click here to see how to arrive! that you can’t miss: Recommended restaurant. Don’t forget to sample the “Suquet de Calella” Visit the astonishing Cap Roig Botanical Gardens in Calella, a singular space on the Mediterranean.

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MEDIAEVAL TOWN OF PERATALLADA

Click here to discover more about Peratallada!

Click here to see how to arrive! You certainly won't regret deciding to visit Peratallada Recommended restaurant you will taste the most in Baix Empordà. exquisite typical Tapas from the region!

It boasts one of the most important mediaeval quarters in Catalonia. This fortified town in the municipality of is protected by three walls and a moat, watched over by the castle and its keep. The best way to explore this feudal town is to wander its narrow, winding streets;

They'll lead you to the main square without any need for a map. There you can rest in the shade of the arcades before visiting the church of Sant Esteve, on the other side of the walls.

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The adventure includes participating in the BAPTISM OF preparation, inflating and folding up of the balloon. Dreams and atmosphere of calm, peace are some of the many sensations that you will THE HOT AIR find flying by balloon. It begins at 8am and finishes around 10.30 – 11 am.

A good place to enjoy the rich landscape of the regions of Barcelona is from the basket of a hot air We will be pleased to prepare a delicious balloon. From the air, the beauty of the fields and Breakfast to take away. Just let us know! mountains seems to be magnified, and the freedom Book with this fantastic experience with Camins de Vent! of flying like a bird will provoke very intense emotions Click here to get more about this experience! that will be imprinted in your memory forever. Click here to see how to arrive!

Make the dream of Leonardo da Vinci come true and dare to travel the roads of the sky!

Hot air ballooning is always quite an experience, but to do so over Montserrat is an added attraction that is difficult to beat. Situated in the region of , where hot air ballooning is one of the most popular active tourism attractions.

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The Monastery's unique location at the very MONTSERRAT heart of Montserrat Mountain also ensures an

ideal location for nature lovers - the geology, flora and fauna of the natural park mean that Montserrat is a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine you can spend hours on the many walks that monk mountain retreat about 45 minutes driving begin at the Monastery. from Barcelona. The about 1,200-meter-high mountain is a grand sight from far away already. From We will be pleased to prepare a delicious Lunch the top, you can experience a view far into the picnic to take away. Just let us know! landscape of Catalonia. Click here to get more about Montserrat! You can park directly in the Monastery parking or at Click here to see how to arrive! the bottom of Montserrat Mountain. There you can get to the “” cable car. It will take you on a breath taking journey over the Llobregat River and Valley, up the mountain and right up to Montserrat Monastery.

There, you can also visit “La Moreneta” (the Black Madona) and listening from Monday to Friday the “Escolania de Montserrat” at 1pm or at noon all bank holidays and Sundays (Gregorian chants sung by 50 children).

BASILIC OF SANTA MARIA DEL MAR

Santa Maria del Mar’s is the icon of Catalan Gothic architecture. 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.

Click here to get more about this Basilic

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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 arch 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 DISCOVER CATALONIA 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.

RETURN TO DISCOVER CATALONIA The entrance lobby is flanked by two lamps characteristic of the Barcelona of the period, PALAU DE LA and is the former main entrance.

MUSICA The main part of the building is the concert hall, with its harmonious proportions, sumptuous décor and vast central skylight which fills the We invite you discover the Palau de la Música space with light. You'll have the unique Catalana, the only concert hall in the world to be opportunity to walk on the stage and see the declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was auditorium through the eyes of the performers. designed by the architect Domènech i Montaner as the home of the Orfeó Català choir. Funded by To end your tour, you'll visit the Sala Lluís Millet, public donations, the Palau is one of the most which is named after the founder of the Orfeó iconic examples of Catalonia's architectural and Català. Its huge stained glass window reveals the musical heritage. row of columns on the balcony of the façade.

Tucked away among the narrow streets in the northern end of the Ribera district, you'll find a unique modernista building, the Palau de la Música Catalana, which combines sculpture, mosaic, stained glass and wrought iron on its magnificent façade. RETURN TO DISCOVER CATALONIA

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 can not miss!! We wait for you! THANK YOU