Description
- Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your excursion meeting point!
- All fees and taxes included!
- English speaking, trained Barcelona excursion guides!
- Entrance to an audiovisual exhibition in the Basilica of Montserrat!
- Guided visit to Santa Cecilia Church!
- Opportunity to taste 4 handmade liquors of the Royal Basilica of Montserrat!
- Brunch composed of tapas and wine!
- Small groups with only 20 participants max!
Avoid the crowds! Enjoy a privileged visit to the magnificent Montserrat Mountain and Sanctuary with a small group accompanied by an experienced guide. Then continue on to enjoy an unforgettable experience that includes brunch, at the Santa Cecilia Church where you will discover one of the most outstanding examples in the world of a fusion of Christianity and avant-garde art.
Your small group will begin this day in Barcelona where you will board a luxury micro-bus that will climb the heights of the mountain of Montserrat that reaches 4,051 feet (1,236 meters). The many, stand-alone, rocks of Montserrat were formed over many centuries by sand, wind, and rain. The numerous strange forms you'll see are by Mother Nature herself. These peaks and formations, naturally, have led folks to wild imaginary guesses of what the forms represent including animals, people, many of whom are revered in local culture. This, in turn, has led to legends to explain the many fantastic formations and this excursion will give you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful and breathtaking views of the Montserrat Mountain, one of nature's special creations.
You will enjoy an early visit to the Royal Basilica of Montserrat before it gets crowded. This Sanctuary holds the famous 12th-century Romanesque carving of Verge Moreneta (the Black Madonna). Both size and formation allow you to be able to see this famous statue of the Black Madonna from a distance. The Benedict sanctuary of Montserrat was founded in 1025 and provides a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia who is enshrined in the monastery's Royal Basilica. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. Today, Montserrat has been modernized to continue attending to the needs to pilgrims, one thousand years after it was originally founded.
You will enjoy an audiovisual exhibit of the history and creation of Montserrat. You can also taste typical liquors of Montserrat made by the monks.
After this visit, we will take you to Montserrat's hidden treasure, the ancient monastery of Santa Cecilia de Montserrat, located in a privileged and peaceful place on a natural terrace that offers extraordinary views of the emblematic cliffs of Montserrat, the valleys, and the Pyrenees on clear days. Now the outside of Santa Cecilia isn't particularly impressive, although it is quite large, but the inside is sure to make quite the impression thanks to the work of Irish painter Sean Scully.
You will enjoy an audio-guided visit of the church. The church is one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in the region and the grace and nobility has been conserved over the centuries. But, when Sean Scully was granted permission to work inside the church it became known as an exceptional blending of both Christianity and avant-garde art. This is a unique experience that creates the need to appreciate both the old and the new. He has created glorious, colorful alcoves, as well as other spaces that are quieter in tone. His many works of art adorn the walls and encourage you to appreciate the unexpected. Somehow it blends respect for the faith and appreciation of the works of man.
After this visit, you will continue your unforgettable experience enjoying a delicious brunch of cold meats, cheese, and dessert paired with wines on the porch or in the beautiful courtyard inside the enclosure. Guests will receive one cup of white, one cup of red and one cup of cava.
After the brunch, your transportation will return you to the meeting point in Barcelona where you can take a taxi back to your cruise ship terminal at your leisure.
Where we meet
For the Barcelona Montserrat Sanctuary and Santa Cecilia Excursion with Brunch, you will meet your local shore excursion guide at Plaza de Catalunya, a 20-minute taxi ride from your cruise pier area. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket. Taxi fare is not included in your excursion.
Cancellation
For the Barcelona Montserrat Sanctuary and Santa Cecilia Small Group Excursion with Brunch,we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if:
- You want to cancel at any time, for any reason, before or after your arrival. Simply contact us via email reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com within 14 days of your missed excursion date for a deposit refund.
- Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location.
- Your ship misses/skips the port.
- Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator to run the excursion.
- A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the tour operator or guest may send doctor's note).
- Cancellations that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund. Guests must notify us within 14 days after their excursion date via email for requesting a refund of booking payment made to Shore Excursioneer.
- Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.
