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You are here: Home / Travel / Europe / Spain / Costa Barcelona – Food, Nature and Activities by the Sea

Costa Barcelona – Food, Nature and Activities by the Sea

May 11, 2014 by Fiona Maclean 18 Comments

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Last Updated on December 12, 2016 by Fiona Maclean

Barcelona – There’s Much More:

What springs to mind for you when someone mentions Barcelona? Food from the Boqueria, the wonderful Gaudi architecture that is everywhere in the city, the beach, the galleries and museums, the tapas bars…

Barcelona Molt Mes - Lunch 2

Or donkey riding?

Barcelona Molt Mes - donkeys 2

Sometimes I DO think I’m turning into Bridget Jones. First a boot camp in Sitges and then a trip to Costa Barcelona which, we all know is Molt Mes (much more), not this time ostensibly for food and wine but to explore the region.

The programme was a selection of activities enough to strike fear into the most valiant of soft city girls. Apart from donkey riding we were hiking, cycling and using a Segway. At least there wasn’t a zip-wire involved. Nevertheless I was cautious!

Barcelona Molt Mes - Prawns

Our first stop was Vilanova. Lunch overlooking the harbour – we could almost have been in Antigua. We were treated to a fabulous selection of seafood before visiting the Fish Market. Then, a trip out to watch the sun setting. Whilst we didn’t have an invite to the Armani Yacht, we did enjoy a glass or two of cava.

Barcelona Molt Mes - Armani Yachht

So far so good. Even I can manage a gentle trip out to sea on a boat and a lot of food.

Barcelona Molt Mes - Cava at Sea
Hiking in vineyards works for me too. It generally inevitably ends with wine tasting (or Cava, in the case of this trip to Penedes). En route we passed through vineyards and villages, stopping occasionally to chat to other walkers and local farmers growing peaches and almonds, enjoying the flower-lined fields of vines.

Barcelona Molt Mes - wild Asparagus
I was a little less convinced that Segway would be my thing. Especially as by now we’d moved to Els Monts – the hiking and trekking trail that connects El Montseny, Sant Llorenc del Munt and Montserrat. Having already been to Montserrat, I had some idea of the terrain – and by choice I’d have picked a nice, flat, straight path rather than something called ‘three mountains’.

Segway training - barcelona molt mes

Success though, after some initial hesitation, it did all seem to come quite naturally. And there was absolutely no effort to going uphill, other than keeping my balance.

Barcelona Molt Mes - Segway
Dinner and a night at a local hostal set us up for the next morning’s activity. Donkey riding has never been on my bucket list but, the Rucs del Dorredor initiative might just have convinced me it should have been. More later, but this particular activity was very low effort, very safe and really good fun. While we were there the centre was full of children on a school excursion, in principle there to learn about the donkeys and build their confidence by riding on them – but seemingly managing to have a lot of fun in the process.

Barcelona Molt Mes - Baby Donkey
The afternoon, Nordic walking, was something I believed I’d already tried. But actually the technique is quite different to the hill walking with poles I’ve tried. The initiative is part of a larger programme by the Alta Aiella vineyards to offer visitors different experiences within the overall umbrella of wine tourism.

Barcelona Molt Mes Nordic Walking
Next morning, the event I was dreading. It turned out to be just fine. I’m not very tall and I am not big enough for a Boris Bike.

Barcelona Molt Mes Bicycle

But, with the saddle at its lowest possible level I could touch the ground with both feet. And, so I wobbled my way through the Delta of Llobregat.

Barcelona Molt Mes - Deserted Lookout
Was it worth it? Most definitely. The bike ride took us to a protected beach, home to a host of birds and marine life (but no humans). And, to a striking, deserted lookout.
I’m planning to post in more detail about these activities, but wanted to thank the organisers and partners who made this trip so special.

Check out the Costa Barcelona website for more information.

We travelled with Vueling

Filed Under: Spain, Travel Tagged With: Barcelona, Hiking, Sailing, Segway

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  1. George Worboys Wright says

    May 27, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    I’ve always fancied Barcelona and it’s nice to see a different side of it 🙂

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 27, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      It suprised me, I’m used to the City – which is fabulous, but the countryside has a lot to offer!

      Reply
  2. Mary @ Green Global Travel says

    May 13, 2014 at 3:39 am

    I’m glad you were able to enjoy the bike ride. What fun and interesting activities. I would love to do the donkey ride! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 25, 2014 at 10:15 am

      I think you’d really appreciate the donkey sanctuary Mary – they have breeds from all around the world and are very carefully promoting and explaining how donkeys have been a part of different cultures for centuries

      Reply
  3. Stevie Wilson says

    May 12, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    Fab photos. What a great time you must have had. It’s so great.

    Reply
  4. Louisa Foti says

    May 12, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Wow, that sounds like a totally awesome few days! I’d happily LOVE to do each and every activity you’ve done, what a fabulous few days for you 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sylvia says

    May 12, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    I’m so jelaous of all those places you’ve visited Fiona! But at least I can admire photos of every beautiful place 🙂 Those prawns looks so tempting.

    Reply
  6. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    May 12, 2014 at 10:14 am

    Fiona, your trips are way more exciting than mine. I have been to Barcelona twice and not done any of these (well apart from all you mentioned in the first paragraph. I always wanted to go on a Segway too.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 12, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      well they do segway tours around the city too. But this is a lot nicer! I’ll post up links in my next feature

      Reply
  7. Janie says

    May 12, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Wow, what a great adventure! And whilst you clearly weren’t looking forward to all aspects of it, well done for not sitting parts of it out!
    Janie x

    Reply
  8. Pamela Morse says

    May 12, 2014 at 3:38 am

    Hysterical Fiona…I think Bridget Jones became liberated…did she not??? donkeys are fun!!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 12, 2014 at 8:37 am

      See above Pam. I was never very outdoorsy as a kid (though I liked swimming), so it always surprises me when I enjoy this kind of thing

      Reply
  9. Jess @UsedYorkCity says

    May 12, 2014 at 2:16 am

    Oh, now you made me want to add donkey riding to my bucket list! What a fantastic trip!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 12, 2014 at 8:36 am

      The donkey riding was great fun – they are very peaceful animals and just stroll along calmly so you can enjoy the countryside. Segway was my biggest win though, I really enjoyed that one!

      Reply
  10. Michelle Willis says

    May 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Looks like you had a fun holiday. I’m looking forward to your more detailed posts.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      I went with a lot of trepidation, but can genuinely say I loved every minute

      Reply
  11. Laura Huggins says

    May 11, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    As a person who has never been on an aeroplane and has only been to France, Germany & Belguim. Posts which explore other countries really interest me! Looks like you had an amazing time and the photos you have taken are breathtaking.

    Laura x

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      Thanks, I love this kind of travel, where you see things you might never otherwise encounter

      Reply

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