Calaf Ii

There are lots of amazing wineries around the world. These wineries make incredible wines, of course, but there are also plenty of them that are works of art in their own right. There are lots that are housed in old villas or fascinating new architectural gems, sprawling estates, or stunning natural surroundings.

Yet, among all of these, the most extraordinary of all has to be the incredible Bodegas Güell. Sadly, it is no longer actually a winery but it is still a restaurant that can be visited to this day and is a rarity: a winery designed by Antoni Gaudí.

If you like incredible museums and great views then you need to find a vacation rental in Barcelona and take a day trip to the seaside beautiful town of Sitges, where you will find the rather special Maricel Museum.

The Maricel Museum, or Museu de Maricel, is located in the Maricel Palace and traces its origins to 1969, when the Barcelona Provincial Corporation bought the building to house the collection of Doctor Jesús Pérez-Rosales, who had been a well known gynaecologist and an avid art collector. The museum was then opened to the public in 1970, with over 3,000 items on display, including Romanesque murals, Gothic paintings on wood, Renaissance carvings and altarpieces, sculptures, items of furniture, precious metals, ceramics, porcelain and many works that chart Spanish art from the 12th century to the 20th century. In 1995 the Maricel Museum was also made home to the "Vila de Sitges" collection of art, about fifty works by local Sitges in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Casa Castellarnau de Tarragona is one of the few noble homes in the city of Tarragona that has been fully preserved to this day. It is a grand Catalan stately home that dates back to the early 15th century and is a fascinating beauty, filled with incredible antique furniture, objects, and works of art. Once the home of the powerful Castellarnau family, it is now the Museu d'Història de Tarragona, or History Museum of Tarragona. Showcasing 1700s and 1800s furniture & decorative objects in the setting of a stunning restored aristocratic residence, this inexpensive museum is a great place to go and step back through time for an afternoon while exploring the city.

Carrer Cavallers was the street on which all of the city’s noble families lived during the Middle Ages and this home, number 14, was built in the 15th century for one of these families. It has, however, undergone many different periods of restoration and refurbishment throughout the centuries, largely reflecting 18th and 19th century alterations today. In the 18th century the building was purchased by Carles de Castellarnau and under his direction there were significant changes made to both the façade and to the interior and layout of the building.

Catalonia is a region of Spain with a rich, unique, and fascinating heritage and culture and there are endless museums, incredible architectural gems, churches, palaces, beaches, natural wonders, historic towns, specialised shops, astounding craftsmen, wonderful shows and theatres and performances, festivals, markets, foodie hotspots, and more to be discovered all across the region. In fact, with a vacation rental in Catalonia, there is a whole world of possibilities when it comes to types of holidays that you can plan, interests that you can indulge, and memories that can be made. However, those with a special interest in fast cars and the Ferrari brand in particular, might be interested to know that a rather unique theme park opened up in Catalonia a few years ago: Ferrari Land! A must for gear heads exploring this part of Spain, this is an unexpected but rather enjoyable day out...

This week, we were talking about the beautiful Catalonian city of Tarragona and one of her Medieval architectural gems. However, the city has much older roots than that and, therefore, there are some more ancient architectural gems that are also worth mentioning. One of these is the Amphitheatre. Located right by the coast and often home to recreation events of the gladiatorial games that once took place in the venue during Roman times, it is a fascinating monument to the city’s ancient past and a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Catalonia and is spending time exploring Tarragona.