Your trip

Women have been overlooked by chroniclers for decades. For centuries, their role has been relegated to that of wives and mothers, and any noteworthy achievements have often been attributed to the men in their lives or have fallen into oblivion. Thus, with 8 March just around the corner, we would like to tell you six stories featuring female protagonists who have lived throughout the ages. Their biographies show that they were trailblazing women in several areas of social, political and cultural life in the regions around Barcelona.

Climbing the stairs of the Sagrada Familia towers or exploring all the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter can be considered exercising. However, if you are looking for more than just a good sweat, you will have to leave Barcelona, albeit not the province. How about an adrenaline rush and beautiful natural scenery to embed your exercise in? If active holidays are your thing, you will not get bored with any of these four options in the province of Barcelona: water sports in Santa Susanna, tours and Takeshi's Castle very close to the Montseny Nature Park, rock walls and breathtaking views in Vallcebre and a personal challenge in Castelldefels.

The Gallecs Rural Area, in the municipality of Mollet del Vallès, is a break in the middle of a completely urban area; an oasis of peace for the modern and active Vallès region. Here, the preservation of nature and traditional agriculture are combined with leisure activities and environmental education.

In the regions around Barcelona, Christmas is a celebration that is enjoyed with family members around a table laden with traditional dishes. In a region with such a wide range of quality products, it is surprising that there is such a consensus about the menu for the holiday season. Hearty soups, free-range chicken, salads with seasonal vegetables and nougat are must-haves. Would you like to know what people usually eat at this special time of year? 

The city of Manresa, which is located in the centre of Catalonia, is a destination for people who are passionate about art, culture and history, but also for nature lovers. Both in the city and on its outskirts, there are countless natural areas of great beauty, where water takes centre stage.

Shopping in the regions around Barcelona is a great pleasure that you should treat yourself to once in a while. Inland or by the sea, there are many towns and cities with centuries-old shops, where elegance reigns supreme, food shops run by master craftsmen who are true gourmets, pharmacies decorated with Art Nouveau furniture, and fashion and accessories shops, where the creations of local designers sit alongside the most exclusive international brands. Here are five essential shopping destinations.