Montserrat mountain is one of the cultural, spiritual and religious symbols of Catalonia – a place where people go to see the shrine of the Black Madonna and the children of the choir singing the Virolai hymn. But Montserrat is also a natural park with its own personality: provided by the dozens of rounded needles that characterise its line of summits.

Very close to Barcelona, there are hidden villages, towns, routes and landscapes which, once you visit them, you cannot help but think about going back to or recommending them to anyone you know for them to enjoy a great one- or two-day getaway. Which one do you choose?

For over five hundred years, a walled keep protected the riches of Cardona. But nowadays, this beautiful town throws the doors to its old town wide open and unveils all the secrets of its impregnable castle.  Do you fancy a visit to the last Catalan stronghold to fall in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714?