World Heritage Gaudí site opens to public for first time

With temperatures reaching a pleasant 25C in September and October, Catalonia is the perfect late summer destination. Explore the landscapes that inspired Catalonia’s geniuses and uncover its unique cultural traditions such as Catalonia’s National Day, celebrated on 11 September. The region’s millenary history has left a legacy of cultural attractions ranging from thousand-year-old cave paintings and Greek and Roman artefacts, to Medieval and Romanesque monasteries and iconic pieces of modernist architecture. Catalonia boasts six UNESCO World Heritage designated sites. Its cultural festivals and traditions are world-renowned. 
For further information, visit www.experience.catalunya.com/en.

Experience the genius of Gaudí at his first construction in late October

Renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s first major construction, Casa Vicens, will open to the public as a museum for the first time in late October. Located in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Casa Vicens is the final Gaudí World Heritage site building to admit public visitors. The building was the artist’s first residential construction, built as a summer home between 1883 and 1885 for wealthy industrialist Manel Vicens. Not only was Casa Vicens the starting point of Gaudí’s career, the property is different to anything that had been built in the region previously. The construction is graphic, geometric and unique, and has undergone three years of extensive renovations in preparation for its opening as a museum. www.casavicens.org

The Almanac Barcelona – opening 15^th September 

The new Almanac luxury hotel is set just steps away from Passeig de Gràcia in the stylish Eixample district of Barcelona. Offering 61 rooms and 30 suites, the hotel is the first of the luxe Almanac collection of hotels and has been designed by Jaime Beriestan. Interiors of gold tones, a rooftop wading pool, spa and fitness room with personal training programmes, combined with a level of service using the latest technology aim to place the hotel firmly at the heart of Barcelona’s luxury offerings. Doubles from €365.www.almanachotels.com/barcelona/

Explore Catalonia’s history on the Way of Saint James

The history of the Saint James (or Sant Jaume) trail dates to the early 9^th century, when a hermit discovered the tomb of Saint James the Great. The site became the city of Santiago de Compostela, a point of religious pilgrimage for the whole European continent. Visitors can discover the Catalan Way, a historic route lined with vestiges of the region’s medieval past and the diverse wonders of its rich natural heritage which sets out from the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in Cap de Creus Natural Park. Catalonia’s iconic Montserrat is another important stage of the route – its 14^th century Libre Vermeil brings together the songs of the pilgrims who travelled these routes over hundreds of years. The route comes to an end in Alcarràs, where it joins the Aragonese route which continues to Logroño.

Explore the heritage of the Dalí triangle with the Figueres Wine Festival

Taking place in the home of Dalí from 8-11 September, the Figueres Wine Festival gives visitors to the region the chance to sample the very best of the Designation of Origin Empordà Catalan wines. Not-to-be-missed tours include ‘Figueres, Art & Wine’, which explores the town’s local artistic heritage, including the burial place, museum and theatre of Salvador Dalí. Figureres is one site of the Dalí Triangle, made up of three towns of the Costa Brava whose wind-tossed coast and ever-shifting light inspired the works of the famous surrealist. The other two iconic locations where Dalí lived and worked are Portlligat, home to the artist’s private residence and workshop, and Púbol, home to the Dalí Castle House-Museum, which Dalí constructed for his muse, Gala, who is buried onsite. www.mostradelviemporda.cat/en/

Celebrate Catalonia’s National Day

On 11^th September, Catalonia celebrated its National Day, known as the Diada. The day commemorates when Catalan troops were forced to surrender to the Castilian forces of France and Philip V of Spain after the 14 month Siege of Barcelona in 1714. It has become a celebration of Catalan identity and culture, observed with parades and events across the region. Numerous events and Catalan traditions take place during Diada, including concerts, poetry readings and the building of human towers, known as castellers.

Live like a local at neighbourhood festivals

Several of Catalonia’s biggest festivals take place across summer. The Festes Majors are celebrations in honour of the local patron saint of all the towns, villages and cities in Catalonia. Among the most anticipated is the Festival La Mercè, the annual festival of the city of Barcelona, which has been held every year since 1871. The festival takes place from 22 – 25 September and sees Barcelona’s streets transformed as revellers parade down the streets and buildings are festooned with elaborate light installations. The brave can participate in a correfoc, or fire run, in which Catalans dressed as devils play with live fireworks. Celebrations also include human tower competitions.

Build a human tower with the castellers 

The longstanding Catalan tradition of building human towers, or castells, originated near the city of Tarragona. Traditionally, the castellers take place as part of traditional festivals, as well as in performances throughout the castellers season (June – November). In the past 50 years, clubs (colles) have been established throughout Catalonia, with the tradition classified as a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2010. Several of the colles have open practice sessions where visitors can watch or try their hand at building these acrobatic marvels.