Photo (top, from left to right): Photographer: Momenticos by Rocio Vega / Reception hall: Masia Cabellut - Photographer: Peter Leschly / Canva - Location: Barcelona
Getting married in Catalonia
Whoever says Catalonia, thinks first of all of the dazzling Barcelona, a metropolis that never sleeps. Located on a coastline of 580 kilometres, Spain's second largest city will not allow you to be bored even for a moment. Museums everywhere, impressive architecture, that delicious Catalan cuisine, a dazzling nightlife, ... And Catalonia has many other tourist hotspots, such as the world-famous Arab baths in Gerona and the historic Vila Vella in Tossa de Mar. Imagine you are a classical Roman in the amphitheatre of Tarragona and stroll through small villages with medieval streets, such as Besalú, Pals and Peratallada. There are beautiful bays and golden beaches everywhere, and in every little harbour you will find a colourful selection of grilled fish dishes and steaming stews, all tasty & spicy!
How do you get there?
By car from Belgium, you can cover the 1400 km without traffic in 15 hours. If you take the time to explore the impressive landscapes, you will enjoy spending the night in the microstate of Andorra, a place of heavenly tranquillity high in the mountains. By plane, it takes two hours from Brussels to Barcelona El Prat International Airport. If you want to book cheap tickets, it is best to do so during the month of May. Smaller airports are Aeroport de Girona-Costa Brava and Aeroport de Reus. If you continue your honeymoon by plane, it is best to depart from Barcelona El Prat, where scheduled flights depart to almost all other Spanish airports, as well as many large European cities, and some even to South America. The cruises from the port of Barcelona to the French Riviera, the Italian coast, Ibiza and the Greek islands are utterly romantic.
In which banquet hall will you get married in Catalonia?
Beautiful gems are hidden along the picturesque beaches, in forests and in the countryside. Don't forget the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees either, with castles from a bygone era. Plan your wedding in Catalonia in a Finca Rustica, a Mas or Masia. An absolute beauty is Masia Cabellut, a historic Catalan wine finca located in a private valley barely 25 km from the Costa Dorada and Barcelona. This sublime Masia, an old manor house reborn on the historic remains of a 12th-century settlement, lies on the border between two of the most important wine regions and is truly the place to be for those who want to taste Spanish wine at its best, as well as locally produced cava and very special olive oil. This romantic setting can accommodate around 200 guests and you are sure to find the perfect spot for your ceremony, in the middle of the immense vineyard, in the almond tree garden, in the ‘Enchanted Forest’ or the little church on the cliff, Ermita de Santa Cristina.
What do you eat and drink at your wedding in Catalonia?
Typical Catalan gastronomy has gained great fame due to its traditional and new food culture. Recently, a wave of experimental gastronomic chefs has put the region on the international map and drawn attention to typical fish and meat dishes, which are nowhere else as flavourful as here. Think of oysters from the Ebro delta, an autumnal veal fricandó by the fireplace, followed by a delicious crema catalana or a spicy bomba: a breaded potato ball filled with seasoned minced meat and served with spicy sauce and aioli.
Delicious wines and cava won't be missing from your wedding party in Catalonia either... An original idea: hold your wedding reception in a wine cathedral, a unique Catalan building in the style of Gaudí, a modernist temple full of vaults and arches, with a touch of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil. Architect Cèsar Martinell i Brunet built some 40 of them in less than 10 years. Choose a wine cathedral in the Penedés, the most famous and most visited wine region in Catalonia, nestled between the plains of the Mediterranean coast and the mountains. You will inevitably end up in the small town of Vilafranca del Penedés, with its rich heritage and a wealth of gastronomy and good wines. Cava is, of course, a must for the toast to the bride and groom! Note that real Catalan cava is protected with a ‘Denominación de Orígen’ (DO) designation. The most famous producers are Codorníu and Freixenet.
Who will photograph your wedding in Catalonia?
If you want to capture the heart and soul of your most beautiful day in beautiful images, you should definitely choose a seasoned photographer here, one who is extremely fond of the Catalan light. Spanish wedding photographer Rocio Vega has some 25 years of experience and draws her inspiration from various visual arts, such as documentary photography, classical painting, films, literature and television series. Under her lens, you will immediately feel like a hero and heroine in a passionate love story, told in her very own iconic visual language. With Momenticos by Rocio Vega, her mission is to capture your most beautiful moments, sincere emotions and atmosphere down to the smallest detail as an active witness.
What activities can you do in Catalonia besides getting married?
If you want to combine an active holiday with your wedding, you will find Catalonia to be a hiker's paradise. There are almost 9,000 km of hiking trails, especially along the Costa Brava, the ‘Camí de Ronda’, the ‘Coastal Path’, which follows old smugglers' routes.
If you want to discover everything by bike, almost 6,000 km of beautifully constructed paths await you. Look for the green paths, or ‘vías verdes’, former railway lines that now guarantee safe cycling tourism.
If you want to soak up more art and culture, the golden Dalí Triangle will steal your heart, as this master of surrealism expressed the beauty of Catalonia in a haunting way. The three iconic places in his life are the former theatre in Figueres, which Dalí himself transformed into a surrealist museum, his house in Portlligat where he lived until the death of his wife Gala, and Púbol Castle where he lived for the next two years.
Along the GR92 you will go from one surprise to another, such as the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà nature park, the ancient ruins of Empúries, Roman Tarragona (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the botanical gardens of Cap Roig and Pinya de Rosa in Blanes, the mussel beds in the bay of Alfacs and the breathtaking castles of Montgrí and Begur.
Are you a fan of water sports?
Do you like diving in the sea in search of an underwater wreck? Then Palamós is the ideal place for you with the Boreas, a former ship from the Second World War that was sunk by Spanish customs in the 80s. This bay is known as one of the best diving and snorkelling destinations in Spain because of the wide variety of underwater fauna and flora. Don't forget to dive at the Medes Islands, once a refuge for pirates, now a small paradise for sea animals and a place to discover the dolphin statue in the Cova del Dofí.
If you are a sailing enthusiast, then Sant Pere Pescador is a destination not to be missed. Many different Mediterranean winds make Sant Pere Pescador one of the best places for kite surfing and windsurfing.
If kayaking is your thing, you will gladly get wet to descend one of the best white water kayaking spots on the European mainland. You can descend the 154 km long Noguera Pallaresa by kayak or raft and experience the adventure of a lifetime in the middle of the wild splendour of the Spanish Pyrenees.
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