Spain: Barcelona and Pyrenees Gay Adventure Tour. Join us for 10 nights on a gay Barcelona and Pyrenees soft adventure tour. Enjoy local food and wine while enjoying the adventure that Spain has to offer. Biking, hiking, rafting and canyoning are some of the extraordinary activities we will enjoy on this tour. Enjoy the cultural along the way with village walks, a shepherd experience, and Eixample, the most centric quarter in Barcelona. This is a unique area of Spain that has a lot to offer the adventurous soul.
Welcome to our Spain: Barcelona and Pyrenees gay adventure tour. It is wonderful mix of the Pyrenees and Barcelona. We will spend some time in the city’s central location, offering distinctive city experiences, including a guided cycling tour and culinary delights. We will head North to the Pyrenees to experience the more adventurous side of things. Enjoy some thrilling rafting, a unique Shepherd experience, explore charming villages, mountain biking through the Pyrenees Valley, hike the Aigüestortes National Park, discover the Romanesque ensemble of churches in Vall de Boí and enjoy some canyoning before exploring the Andorra via the smugglers’ path.
Don’t forget about the food and wine. We will enjoy plenty of tasty food and wine on our adventure. We will even have a couple visits to local wineries and will end the tour right, with a tapas experience in the vibrant Gracia quarters.
• Taste the local wine and olive oil of Arties and Bouquet d’Alella Winery.
• Raft the thrilling Noguera Pallaresa River.
• Hike Aiguestortes National Park.
• Discover the Romanesque ensemble of churches in Vall de Boi.
• Mountain Bike the gorgeous Pyrenees Valley.
• Walk the charming villages of Salardu, Unha and Bagergue.
• Explore Espai Columba and Casa de la Vall.
• Descend the canyons, slide down waterfalls and leap into crystal clear pools.
Day 1 - Welcome to Barcelona! Upon arrival, we will transfer to our city center hotel to get checked in. Its central location makes it an ideal choice for a distinctive city experience.
Take the remainder of the day to unwind and rejuvenate in the hotel’s facilities. In the evening, meet up with our local guide in the hotel lobby to proceed to a nearby restaurant for a delightful welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Following breakfast at the hotel, let’s head out with our guide for our guided biking route in Eixample, Barcelona’s central district. This area is home to numerous modernist landmarks like Pedrera, Casa Batlló and Casa Ametller. As well as Sagrada Família, and iconic avenues and squares such as Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal Avenue, and Rambla Catalunya. The 3-hour biking excursion offers insights into Barcelona’s history, architecture, and traditions. The perfect way to be introduced to the city.
Lunch will be on your own, to allow you some leisure time to explore the city independently after the biking route.
In the evening, enjoy a culinary journey featuring Catalan cuisine paired with Spanish wines. Immerse yourself in the local gastronomy and gain insights into Spanish culinary traditions through activities like show cooking or a cooking class.
Day 3 - This morning we will depart Barcelona and head north to the Pyrenees.
During are drive, we will stop to indulge in an outdoor lunch at a local vineyard. Immerse yourself in the charm of the Corb Valley, surrounded by Macabeu estate vineyards cultivated with ecological criteria. Relax and savor local products, complemented by a tasting of wines and oil—an ideal activity to share with new friends. The visit includes a guided stroll through the vineyard, an outdoor lunch with local delights, and a tasting of 3 wines along with the house oil. Explore the Vinyes Trobades collection, a reserve dedicated to reviving old grape varieties.
Following the winery visit, we will continue our drive to our accommodation in Val d’Aran. Here we will stay at a cozy mountain retreat that prioritizes a welcoming atmosphere. Your evening is at leisure. Take advantage of free access to the swimming pool and spa throughout your stay.
Day 4 - After our morning meal, we will head to Llavorsi. Here we will embark on a thrilling rafting descent along the Noguera Pallaresa River. Our expert guides will provide us with wetsuits and gear as we prepare for the adventure. Following a safety briefing and basic practice, the descent, tailored to the group’s skill level, promises an exhilarating journey through the captivating landscapes along the Noguera Pallaresa River. The experience blends the excitement of navigating top-notch rapids with awe-inspiring scenery.
Post-rafting, savor a gourmet lunch featuring locally sourced tapas and small dishes at Café Pessets.
This afternoon, we will explore Seurí church and its contemporary paintings. Delight in an interpreted tour of the church, adorned with fresco paintings by Santi Moix. The artist skillfully captures the hues of the surroundings, transforming the space into a haven of admiration and contemplation, where material fades away, leaving only harmony, color, light, and mystery.
Next, we will immerse ourself in the Walk with a Shepherd experience. Join our shepherds and their flock on a 4×4 transfer to the mountain hut where the sheep graze. Take a leisurely stroll around the hut, witnessing the return of the herd from the mountains. Get hands-on with the sheep, learning about their habits and the environment, and conclude the experience with a tasting of local products offered by the shepherds before returning to the village.
Day 5 - After our morning meal, embark on a brief journey to Bagergue.
Explore the enchanting villages of Salardú, Unha, and Bagergue on a guided walk. We will immerse ourself in the heritage and traditions of these locales while relishing the alpine vistas of Val d’Aran along a serene riverside path. Traverse between villages on foot, fostering an active morning of exploration. Upon reaching Bagergue, the valley’s highest village, and recently acclaimed as one of Spain’s most beautiful, savor a homemade lunch at Casa Rosa, a family-owned restaurant.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Arties.
In the evening, we will venture to Vielha, the Valley’s principal town, and partake in the Pintxo Pote experience. Join the locals as groups of friends gather at select bars, offering a pintxo with a beverage at a special rate, making Tuesday evenings a customary rendezvous for Vielha’s residents and those from the surrounding areas.
Upon returning to our accommodation, indulge in a dinner served at the on-site restaurant.
Day 6 - After our morning meal, we will make our way to Beret for a guided mountain biking adventure through the bear’s domain. The route spans a leisurely 32km descent, meandering through the breathtaking Pyrenees valley, home to bears and other wildlife. Along the way, you’ll pass by the charming Sanctuary of Montgarri, navigating continuous flat paths amidst stunning and remote alpine landscapes.
A pitstop for lunch at a local restaurant awaits us midway, followed by a renewed journey to pedal the final 9km downhill to Esterri d’Àneu.
Upon completing the cycling expedition, we will head back to our accommodation. Consider indulging in a relaxing SPA circuit upon your return to unwind after a day of cycling.
Day 7 - Following breakfast, we will make our way to Boí Valley for a half-day guided hike in Aigüestortes National Park. We will take a 4×4 transfer to reach the heart of the park. The route will be chosen and adapted based on our physical condition, ensuring an enjoyable experience amidst nature. Explore streams, lakes, and waterfalls along the path around Planell d’Aigüestortes, culminating at Lake Llong. After the hike, a 4×4 vehicle will take us back to Boí in time for lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Later, reconvene with our local guide to discover the Romanesque ensemble of churches and hermitages in Vall de Boí. Visit the renowned Sant Climent of Taüll church, where a video mapping presentation reveals the medieval fresco decorations. Explore the church and gain insight into why this ensemble earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
Day 8 - After enjoying breakfast, we will head out for a canyoning descent. The guide will provide wet suits and technical equipment, so make sure to bring your swimsuits, a towel, sneakers or mountain boots (which will get wet), and a spare pair of shoes for the end of the activity.
The canyoning descent is an introductory level experience. A 30-minute walk will take us to the canyon entrance. Following basic practice instructions, the descent begins at a relaxed pace. It’s a great activity, offering a chance to explore the thrilling world of canyoning and acquire essential skills for future challenges. Slide down waterfalls, leap into crystal clear pools, and navigate through rocks and canyons, immersing yourself in a natural water park carved into the stone of the wilderness.
After the canyoning adventure, we will head to lunch. Take advantage of their changing rooms before indulging in a delightful lunch at their P7S restaurant, renowned as one of the best in the area.
Next on the agenda is a 4×4 route to Andorra, following the smugglers’ path. From Alins, a waiting 4×4 will transport us to Andorra, the Pyrenean country, tracing the tracks once used by smugglers for illegal border crossings. A stop in the village of Tor provides insights into its intriguing history. Continuing through the Tor valley tracks, the journey concludes in Andorra, where we will stay for the night.
Day 9 - After your morning meal, you’ll be transported to embark on a guided tour starting at Espai Columba - a museum dedicated to Romanesque Art in Andorra. This cultural institution’s mission is to safeguard, preserve, and exhibit the mural paintings of the church of Santa Coloma’s apse, alongside various liturgical artifacts from Andorran churches. It aims to disseminate knowledge about Romanesque paintings in Andorra, encompassing their architectural context and other artistic expressions within the divine universe they once adorned.
Following this, your second destination is Casa de la Vall, the former parliament of Andorra, providing insights into the country’s history. Subsequently, a brief stroll will lead you to the town center of Andorra la Vella, where you’ll have leisure time to explore its renowned shopping district (lunch not included).
Later, we will head back to Barcelona. You will have time to relax and freshen up before meeting up for dinner this evening. Savor traditional Mediterranean cuisine infused with contemporary ideas and techniques, enhancing timeless recipes.
Day 10 - Following breakfast, we will transfer to Alella, a town just 30 minutes from Barcelona, renowned for its Denomination of Origin wines. Alella is the smallest wine region in Catalonia and is particularly close to Barcelona. The distinctive sauló soil imparts unique qualities to the wines, with its excellent drainage allowing vine roots to grow deep, resulting in a high mineral content. Notably, the region is known for its white wines made from the local Pansa Blanca variety, a variant of Xarel·lo.
Our journey continues with a visit to Bouquet d’Alella, a winery nestled in a 15th-century farmhouse surrounded by vineyards, offering picturesque views of Alella and the Mediterranean Sea. This idyllic setting provides an opportunity to connect with nature and partake in an unforgettable experience. The tour includes exploring the vineyards and winery to gain insights into the wine-making process, culminating in a delightful wine-tasting featuring some of their finest ecological wines.
Following the winery visit, a delightful lunch awaits us at a local restaurant in Alella.
Next, we will enjoy a visit to the Sagrada Família once returning to Barcelona. This iconic monument captivates visitors with its harmonious blend of light, relief, color, and spirituality. Antoni Gaudí’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from sculptures to the cathedral’s shape and height, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Our Farewell Dinner is this evening. Experience a delightful tapas adventure as our guide leads us through the vibrant Gràcia quarter, one of Barcelona’s most beloved neighborhoods. Gràcia, known for its artistic community and bohemian atmosphere, boasts a diverse population and a plethora of international dining options. Explore the renowned Plaça de Sol, a bustling square filled with charming café terraces that transform into a popular nightlife destination. Despite its modern vibe, Gràcia maintains a touch of tradition, hosting a sizable elderly population. This unique blend creates a captivating and entertaining ambiance, making it the perfect spot to relax and indulge in some people-watching.
Day 11 - Transfers will be arranged as necessary, based on your departure times.
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