NEWSLETTER

In 2018, Catalonia celebrates the Year of Cultural Tourism. The region’s millenary history has left a legacy of cultural attractions ranging from thousand-year-old cave paintings and Greek and Roman remains to iconic pieces of modernist architecture.

Catalunya counts with nine UNESCO World Heritage sites and its cultural festivals and traditions are renowned worldwide. Apart from its history and heritage, its own culture and language, the wealth of natural heritage and its rich gastronomy and wine production make it a prime destination for culture lovers.

To provide an overview of the cultural offer, the Catalan Tourist Board has issued a new publication that features dozens of proposals to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Catalonia, some of which are suitable for all publics, including options for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Some of the main cultural events you should not miss this year:

> Medieval Week and Saint George’s legend. April 20-28. Montblanc (Costa Daurada)

> Girona Temps de Flors. May 10-20. Girona (Costa Brava)

> Tarraco Viva Roman Festival. May 12-27. Tarragona (Costa Daurada)

> Falles del Pirineu. June 15-30. Boí Valley (Pyrenees)

> Habanera Singing Festival. July, dates TBC. Calella de Palafrugell (Costa Brava)

> Human Tower competition. October 1-2. Tarragona (Costa Daurada)

> Sitges Film Festival. October 5-14. Sitges (Costa Barcelona)

At the end of April the Barcelona Tourism Board will launch the new Barcelona Pass, which will provide admission to different Catalan Art Nouveau or Modernisme sites in Barcelona and other locations in Catalonia.

In the city of Barcelona visits include: Casa Vicens (A. Gaudí); Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site and Palau de la Música Catalana (LL. Domènech i Muntaner); Casa Amatller, Casa de les Punxes and Palau Baró de Quadras (J. Puig i Cadafalch); Palauet Casades, Arús Masonic Library, Casa Rocamora and Casa Felip (various architects). Near Barcelona, the pass provides access to: the Cau Ferrat and Maricel Museums in Sitges, the Lluís Domènech i Montaner House-Museum in Canet de Mar, the Coll i Regàs House in Mataró, and the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia in Terrassa.

The Barcelona Pass, which will soon be available on the Barcelona Tourism website, includes a guide with information on the towns and cities facilities for disabled people.

From May 11 to 13 you will be able to travel back in time to enjoy the Art Nouveau splendour of Terrassa of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unique personalities, historical recreations, traditional crafts, visits to the principal modernist buildings, exhibitions, gastronomy, shows and, above all, the warmth of the local residents who play a prominent role in this open air fair dressing up for the occasion, turn this fair into a unique experience for the visitors.

This year’s edition will be dedicated to modernist cuisine, with local restaurants offering themed menus. More info can be found on Terrassa’s website.

To mark the celebration of the Year of Cultural Tourism Lloret de Mar also presents a wide range of cultural initiatives.

From June 15 to 17 the Indianos Fair will take the visitor on a journey back in time to the 19th Century, when townsfolk who had left for the American colonies and returned with great wealth building large houses and gardens in the town. The fair will recreate this period of history through theatrical performances, exhibitions of overseas products and concerts. During the fair Lloret de Mar will also host the 1st International Forum of Towns influenced by the Indiano legacy.

During the summer months, Lloret de Mar will also host the Lloret Summer Theater, a packed programme of magic, music and theatrical shows in the open-air. Throughout the year workshops and guided tours to cultural facilities will take place in different languages.

The Cistercian Route has launched the new Cultural Checkbook. This product allows tourists to enjoy discount vouchers offering 2x1 entry tickets to the Cisterian monasteries: Poblet, Santes Creus and Vallbona de les Monges. The checkbook is free and can be found at various establishments and tourist information offices in the area. It also includes 37 suggestions to enjoy cultural sites, guided tours and other activities in the area. More info can be found at: www.larutadelcister.info

Girona will once again cover itself with flowers from May 12 to 20. A major part of the town will be transformed into an incredible magical garden full of flowers, as if some invisible hand had silently painted everything with all the colours in the world. What started as a small show for a competition has become an enormous exhibition which has helped rediscover forgotten parts of the Barri Vell, the old town. National Geographic Magazine has recently identified Girona's Temps de flors as one of the best destinations in the world to visit in Spring. Do not miss it! www.gironatempsdeflors.cat

The new Priorat 240 Route offers cycling lovers the option to explore 26 unique and charming towns and villages in the Priorat Region (Costa Daurada) by bicycle. Discover the landscape, gastronomy, wines, oils, historical and cultural heritage and the people while pedalling through the Priorat region.

Cycling enthusiasts can also follow two new routes inspired by the MTB training of motorcycle world champions Marc and Àlex Márquez, passing through interesting historical and natural locations around Cervera (Terres de Lleida). This experience enables visitors to discover the region, engage in sports activities and enjoy contact with nature in a sustainable and fun way.

Terres de l’Ebre also offers a broad range of cycling options for all publics. This brand new map offers complete information on its network of more than 1000km of paths and roads with little traffic, as well as the Via Verda or Green Way, a converted railway route that is totally traffic free and is accessible for people with disabilities and reduced mobility

When the snow disappears from the Val d’Aran landscape, the paths and routes in the region become the perfect setting for a number of mountain competitions. With the Molières 3010 Marathon (July 7), Val d’Aran is now well-established as the perfect mountain destination for cycle racing and trail running. This marathon covers five peaks of over 2.000 metres, amongst which is Molières, which, at 3.010 metres, is considered the roof of the Val d’Aran.

Another sporting highlight is the Pedals de Foc Non Stop MTB Ultramarathon (June 30), which was the first ever MTB Ultra-Marathon European Championship in 2017, with over 800 cyclists participating. Other competitions held in the Val d'Aran region include: the Trail Carlac (June 17-18), Ultra Trail Naut Aran (August 4-5), Corsa e Caminada des 15 Pòbles (August 26), Night Running Vielha (August 4) and La Vertical d’Aran (October 7).

Terres de l’Ebre offers you the chance to enjoy forest bathing, a type of ecotourism experience in thr mature forests of Els Ports Natural Park. Forest bathing is a technique practised by ancient cultures with two clear objectives: protect mature forests and pay them a respectful visit to benefit from their therapeutic effects. The Ports Experience Company presents different programs for a deep and renewing connection with nature, whilst also seeking to raise awareness of the need to protect forests and their ecosystems.

Last month Catalonia’s new cultural promotional video campaign received the Diamond Award at the Golden City Gate Festival in Berlin. Watch it here and celebrate with us!

> Costa Brava Workshops
   Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam (April 17-19)

> Press Trip Sant Jordi: Books and Roses
   Catalonia (April 22-26)

> Press Trip Sea Otter Europe
   Costa Brava (June 8-10)

> Press Trip Tarragona Mediterranean Games
   Tarragona (June 22-July 1) 

> Press Trip Ultratrail
   Pyrenees (September 24-30)

> BUY Catalunya 2018
   Barcelona (September 26 - October 1)

> Press Trip Pirineus
   Pyrenees (October, dates TBC)