My mom and I will be traveling in Spain in late April. I think I know the day trips I want to take from Madrid (to Toledo and Segovia) but also want to take side trips while we are in Barcelona. Ideally, I'd like to see Montserrat and some of the wine country. How much time should I reserve for Montserrat? Does anyone know of good wine tour companies? The ones I have seen seem outrageously expensive.

Montserrat would be my choice if i could do only one day excursion - you take a suburban train to a station in the valley and then hop a funicular or aerial cable way (new device since i was there years ago) from the station up to the mountain-top shrine.

How long -variables as to whether or not you want to glimpse the Black Virgin statue (think i have it right) that is the holy relic that draws pilgrims here -it is cached deep inside the basilica or church or whatever they call the actual shrine building and there can be long long lines to get to the viewing part - esp on weekends

but if not wishing to ogle the old relic then you could take in the nice views and do a bit of a walk on the holy path that winds the way of the Cross (i think - again hazy after these years) and have lunch perhaps in the cafeteria.

And these monks or nuns or whoever runs the show here also made and hawk a very very potent alcoholic concoction as well.

I would say an hour each way getting there and a few hours up top at the least.

Sitges, a seaside resort near Barcelona and reachable by train is another nice day out - but don't be bashful if you see gays openly expressing their love - one of europe's premier gay resorts but one that appeals to everyone as well

Barcelona Montserrat Spain
Review, pictures and descriptions of Barcelona Montserrat Spain - Monastery, Montserrat music, choir boys and mountain views.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...rat-spain.html -

Montserrat Shrine, Spain
Montserrat Shrine: History, description, photos and visitor information for Montserrat ShrineCatalonia, Spain.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/s...tserrat-shrine

I think you can combine Montserrat and a visit to at least one winery--Freixenet is right at a train stop a short distance from Barcelona. It's a very nice cava house with a fun movie with their ads over the years (in English and featuring, among others, Paul Newman) and wine tasting, including the wine they make for the Royal Family. Check the Maribel guides to Spain/Barcelona for more specifics.

We also enjoyed our day trip to Sitges--nice old town flavor and beach promenade.

thanks! Any suggestions on wine tours?

Take a look at the Montserrat segment of my trip report (from Nov 09). It has more details than you ever want to know. For us, it was definitely a FULL DAY event, with a bit of hiking, seeing all the sights, taking both funiculars, plus attending the 1pm service with the famous Boys choir:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-6076860

thanks YK!

Girona is also a good day trip - an hour from Barcelona by train (about 15-20 min walk from the train station to the Old town).

It is really easy to reach Freixenet and cava country by train. Tarragona is also interesting.

Freixenet charges a nominal fee or is free, by the way.

I'd also consider some of the gems of Costa Brava that most that visit Barcelona miss!

http://soultravelers3.com/2009/07/to...ems-spain.html

I'd skip Montserrat unless it's a really nice, clear day. Also, if either of you is afraid of heights, skip the long cable car ride there.

You know, there are some tremendous wines produced in the region, and if it were me, I wouldn't care about cava. I'd try to head to Tarragona, but I think what I'd really do is go into a good wine shop or wine bar in Barcelona and get some advice.

http://catavino.net/food/visiting-ba...new-wine-shop/

Girona, just about 45 mins or less by train from Barcelona is a really really neat old-world city- few folks think about day trips to Girona and that is too bad IMO

First visit to Girona just last week. Stayed 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Express. City is a "10". Loved it!!

Okay, my planning is taking shape and I am excited for my trip! On one day, I am going to try to combine Montserrat with a quick visit Freixenet. If I want to go to other wineries for a 1/2 day tour on another day, which ones can I combine and visit via the train plus cab?

Apparently you will need to take a taxi from Sant Sadurni to the Cordornui winery but it looks to me like the architecture is well worth it. Other cava houses are in Vilafranca. Check out the info about all of this in the Maribel's Guides site and access the guide to Barcelona. She has specific info on cava touring. We leave on Tuesday March 2 for 6 nights in BCN. We may try to go to Sant Sadurni and Vilafranca if we have time. Intend definitely to go to Vic for a day trip.

How frequent are the trains to Girona? On line I can only find a couple a day but I think that must be high speed or something since everything I read says "frequent" or "many". But it would be nice to be sure. I'm doing a driving side trip up to France and might have time for Girona but probably not, so was thinking it would be an easy day trip from Barcelona. About how long do you figure for walking around the old town?

we stayed in Girona a day and found it enough time . Be aware that the Old town is good walk from the train station ( 20-25 minutes).

http://www.renfe.es/horarios/english/index.html

will give you the times.