A Day in Tarragona & Priorat

This morning, Joanne and I were picked up from our hotel by Francisca, our friendly and professional driver. She whisked us away from the hustle of Barcelona and into the calm, coastal charm of Tarragona.

Tarragona was our first stop—a stunning city perched on the Mediterranean, steeped in history and character. As we wandered through its ancient Roman ruins, we were awestruck by the scale and preservation of the amphitheatre, aqueducts, and timeworn walls. You could almost hear the echoes of history. It’s no surprise that these treasures are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After soaking in the sights, we joined locals in a picturesque square for a glass of Vermouth—a sweet Catalan tradition we quickly embraced. It was one of those slow, golden moments: the gentle sun, cool drink in hand, and the hum of conversation around us.

From there, Francisca drove us inland toward the renowned Priorat wine region. The scenery shifted dramatically—rolling vineyards, steep terraces, and sweeping views of the Montsant mountains greeted us around every bend. We stopped for lunch at an elegant winery of Moutrubi , where the wines were certainly fine... though maybe not quite to my palate. That said, I drank every drop offered—so make of that what you will!

By late afternoon, we returned to Barcelona with hearts full and bellies content. Still energized, we headed out again in search of dinner, strolling through the evening streets and reflecting on a day that gave us a taste of history, tradition, and the finer things in life.Read more