The Wine and Cava of Penedès

You'll start your second day in the Penedès wine region with a quick break in nature, stopping at this picturesque waterfall just down the road from Pontons. Soak up the peace and quiet and enjoy a stroll along the river, perhaps even jumping in for a swim if the weather is warm.

After your break by the river, you'll swing north for a scenic drive through the countryside. Just outside the small village of Font-rubí you'll find this beautiful lookout, known as the "Balcony of the Penedès". From here, you'll be treated to spectacular views south across the emerald-green hills of the region, rolling all the way down to meet the Mediterranean in the distance.

Winding down southeast through the countryside, you'll eventually start reaching the larger towns and villages. Outside the town of Puigdàlber you'll find this family-run Bodega, Capital Vidal, specializing in the production of Cava. This sparkling wine is to Spain what champagne is to France, and you'll learn the art behind its production with a guided tour and tasting here.
Open Hours: 10:00 – 14:00 Monday – Sunday
For guided tours of the winery, travelers are asked to contact the winery ahead of time via the contact form on their official website.

After stocking up on a few bottles of Cava, it's on to another winery a short drive away: Albet i Noya. One of the most beautiful in the area, you'll be amazed at their rows of vines and the gorgeous countryside views. Another tour is on offer here, with your guide leading you through the vineyard and offering a tasting paired with gourmet Catalan snacks like cheeses and coldcuts. For something different, you can also choose to wander freely through the vineyard, and the staff will pack a picnic basket for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Open Hours: The last guided visits are scheduled at 13:00 every day. Both the guided tour and picnic experience need to be reserved ahead of time on the Albet i Noya website.

A late lunch at this restaurant in Ordal will fill you up after grazing on the snacks at the winery. Expect a wide range of delicious, homemade regional specialties.
Open Hours: 08:30 – 17:00 Tuesday – Sunday

Although you're close to Barcelona, you certainly won't feel like it thanks to this detour north to this beautiful 11th-century Benedectine Monastery. Perfectly preserved on the outside, it's set among a landscape of true beauty, from the ancient olive trees to the quiet forest. The inside of the monastery is only open on the first Sunday of every month, so instead treat this stop as a scenic little break to get out and stretch your legs while admiring a gorgeous relic of the past.

Before making your way back to Barcelona, you'll swing down to the beach town of Castelldefels for dinner. Restaurant Casanova Beach Club is one of the best in town, with fantastic Mediterranean dishes and an open-air terrace for those special sunset views, where you can toast to a successful weekend of good food, beautiful countryside, and even better wine.
Open Hours: 11:00 – 12:30 Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 03:00 Friday – Saturday 11:00 – 21:00 Sundays

Your itinerary ends in Barcelona, where there's a wide range of hotels offering soft beds to rest after your trip into the Penedès wine region - although you'd be forgiven for already planning a return to one of Catalonia's most alluring regions for gourmet travelers.