Hi,
Still struggling about which towns to visit and if we should take scheduled tours or rent a car. We would like to visit the Penedes wine region, but am having triuoble getting good info. Any Advise? Diane

http://www.cellartours.com/spain/spa...s/penedes.html

I always favor renting a car. When we went to Barcelona, we went up into southern France for a couple of days and visited some great towns in the Languedoc Roussilon area. We also took an overnight ferry to Majorca and rented a car at the dock and toured the island for the day.

If you don't want to drive, you can take the boat over to Ibiza, or take the train down to Sitges.

Given that driving in Barcelona can be a real challenge, I'd go with a scheduled tour to the Penedès wine region. There are a number of reputable companies offering tours including Cellar Tours, Barcelona Tour Guides and Spanish Trails.

There is a train that runs from Barcelona to Perpignan that takes you through Girona (day trip) and Figueres (another day trip). There is also the line south to Sitges and beyond.

If you want to visit the area from Vic to Ripoll, La Molina and Puigcerdá, in the Pyrenees, then you will need to rent a car.

robert,
thanks will look into those. DJ

I know this post is from a few days ago, but I just uploaded some footage of Vic and Folgueroles and you might enjoy it. I do my traveling by bike and on foot, but these places are great to get to in car and the driving is very calm.

landofguirisvideos.ning.com/

buongiorno, can you give me some idea about renting a car in Barcelona and going to france? Is it mountainous? In your opinion, is it better than taking a train to provence? How hard was it to find your way out of Barcelona and into France? We aren't sure if we should drive or take the train, and we don't know the area at all. What are the pros and cons? Any little towns in Spain that you enjoyed on your way north?

There are several ways to drive from Barcelona to Languedoc-Roussillon :
the highway, with stops in Girona and/or Figueras. It is not mountainous (the pass in Le Pertus is less tnan 300m above sea level).
The coastline via Tossa de Mar, Port-Bou and Collioure. Very winding.
A mountain road via Camrodon, Col d'Ares, Arles sur Tech. Very winding too.
Another mountain road via Ripoll and Bourg-Madame.

Claire,
I LOVED the flamenco video! Where was it taken?

jckcpv:

There is an autoroute (motorway, freeway) from Barcelona to Provence. The drive from Barcelona to Avignon takes 4 hours. Quick and easy.

On the way, there are many places to see. On the Spanish side, the Costa Brava with scenery and nice little towns like Cadaques. Lots of Salvador Dali museums (Port Lligat, Figueres).

On the French side, you may drive up to Mont Canigou (if you like mountains) or make a side trip to Carcassonne (impressive medieval city). Or you visit the old harbour of Sète (many fish restaurants), Montpellier, Nimes (Roman ruins) etc.

So you want to drive to a wine tasting............

I suggest the following.

Take the train to Freixenet. The whole attached town is CAva heaven and F is on the platform. Which station (ggogle)

Alternatively, and in my greedy way, as well. Check the nearest station to Torres (google) take the train. You can then take a taxi but, for a Brit, its a 20 minute walk.

Now if you want to buy the wine you have small problem. However we asked at Torres and they delivered to the hotel