I really want to see some mountains while I'm in Barcelona. I was thinking about just going to Monseratt. But what about other places to see the Pyrenees?

Can anyone make any suggestions as to where to see some mountains and enjoy nature without going too far. And I won't have a car so I'm taking the bus or train. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Terrence

I have always really enjoyed Andorra, which is accessible from Barcelona, though it is for sure going to take about 5 hours to get there by bus.

Montserrat is not as much a nature mountain as a touristy spot that was, to me, completely uninteresting. If you want to go hiking and experience nature, you should head out a little ways. There are nice nature trails all around Barcelona. In fact, a few are accessible on the regional trains. You just get off, spend the day, then return to the city. Check out information on Vilanova i la Geltru and perhaps you will find something you like.

I'm with laclaire about Montserrat, although I've never been in the Pyrenees. Have you thought about a car rental? Maybe an overnight?

I'm on a tight budget and under 25 so no car rentals unfortunately. I do realize that if I had a car then I could just drive off to the mountains maybe even Andorra.

I've seen pictures of Andorra and it looks so pretty but that bus ride is just too long. I really dont' feel like huntin for another hotel I found one I like in Barcelona for only 35 euros (San Remo Hostal) So I dont' want to have to change hotels even for a night.

What about Olot or Vic? Anyone been there for a daytrip. Anyone done any whitewater rafting for a daytrip from Barcelona?

Thanks yall

Terrence

Oh and thanks for the tip about Montseratt. While I don't really want to go all the way to Andorra I think venturing further out wouldn't be a bad idea.

Terrence

Olot is one of my favorite places! The town itself is sort of pretty (it is no Valls, which I found to be overly aesthetic and nice), but I really enjoyed a visit there with friends. I am biased, though, as the friends were from there and I stayed with them.

Vic is the same deal. . . both are very pro-catalan nationalist places and you will hear a lot of catalan. . . the actual cities are nice but seriously, vilanova is close and Vilafranca (wine, wine and more wine) is gorgeous!

Andorra can pretty much be summed up as "please move along, there's nothing to see here" kind of place.

The small towns bordering Spain and France up in the Pyrenees are so serene and well worth the effort to go to (or to get away from a metropolitan city like) from Barcelona. Ripoll, Puigcerda, La Seu d'Urgell, Llivia are within 2-to-3 hours drive away. I realize that you won't be driving, but perhaps you can inquire about bus or public transporation availabilities.

Montserrat is within an hour away from Barcelona and, imho, can be covered in just a half-a-day.

Thanks yall!

Olot and Valls are towns to check out huh? Cool. Now I heard about a town that hangs on a cliff Castellfollit de la Roca. It's between Olot and Besalu but closer to Olot.

Here's the bus schedule in case in is intereted. Now the website is in Catalan but it's not too hard to figure out.

http://www.teisa-bus.com/WEB/horaris/hor17A.jpg

Here's a link from the town's website. It's in English.

http://www.castellfollitdelaroca.org/ang/elpoble.php

Here's a pretty pic.

http://www.toprural.com/images/sitio...la_roca8_M.jpg

Just thought I'd share with anyone else who's thinking about it. But it's going to be a hassle to get to. I'll probably make a day of it along with Olot and get up really early like 8 or 9 and take the bus up to Olot then go to Castellfollit.

So I might be doing Olot but what is there to do in Valls that makes it so much better than Olot? What was the highlight?

What had brought to Andorra bill boy? Where you on your way to somewhere else? Were you just curious to see Andorra?

Thanks yall!

Terrence

As far as things to do, Olot is probably better than Valls, but I thought Valls was just so pretty. . . it has a nice little town square, some realy nice turn of the century architecture, beautiful pastoral fields, and quaint little shops. I was there for the calcotada (roasted onion festival) so that is all we did while there. . . eat roasted onions and walk around. Olot has more on an everyday basis and is more accessible.

Enjoy!

I was searching for info here about the calcotada and about Valls when I came across this thread.

Question: What is the best way to reach Vals from Barcelona? Is it feasible to make a stop in Valls when traveling from Valencia to Barcelona by public transportation?

Is it necessary to time the visit for a weekend to partake of calcots, or can one have a calcot feast (in a restaurant?) during the week?

Thanks!

anyone??