Sometimes, to rediscover the miracle of existence, all you have to do is look up at the sky: far from the light pollution of big cities, you can see the grandeur of the cosmos quite clearly. However, if you want to do it properly, you will need to visit an astronomical observatory. These stargazing centres are located in privileged locations, with stable atmospheric conditions and unpolluted skies, and have such powerful telescopes that, when opened, a superb show unfolds before our eyes. In the regions around Barcelona, there are several of these perfect places for stargazing. Do you know where they are? 

Per què hi ha 7.000 hectàrees plantades de xarel·lo a la DO Penedès? Sens dubte, aquesta és una de les varietats autòctones amb més personalitat del panorama vitivinícola català. Coneguda com pansa blanca a la DO Alella, on també és una de les grans protagonistes, el xarel·lo és conegut principalment per ser un raïm excel·lent per la producció de vi blanc i de cava. Aquesta última és la principal raó d’aquestes 7.000 hectàrees de vinya xarel·lo al Penedès.

What a pleasure it is to immerse ourselves in the vastness of the mountain and stroll through the quietness of the forests. What a joy it is to share the experience with family members and friends or enjoy it on one’s own. However, we must be aware of the fragility of nature and, therefore, how important it is for us to be informed and get to know our environment well in order to have the least possible impact on it.

Thus, today we want to celebrate European Day of Parks and Nature Week with the Kilian Jornet Foundation and its ten-point guide to good practices it has developed for Barcelona és molt més (Barcelona is much more). So that we can continue to enjoy nature with those we love most and take care of it so that future generations can do so too.

Would you like to travel in time? In the region of Vallès Occidental you can teleport yourself to the past and relive the Belle Époque through its architecture, art and cuisine! We’ve prepared a route through various cities on which you’ll discover constructions and designs that combine the elegance and creativity typical of Catalan modernism, embodied even in old factories. Fasten your seat belts and let’s get started!

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.

Casa Batlló, the Sagrada Família, the Pedrera and, beyond Gaudí, the Catalan modernist site of the old Hospital of La Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Casa Amatller and the Palau de la Música Catalana... Catalan modernism will be your faithful companion throughout your trip to Barcelona. But you should bear in mind that it this movement is not confined to the capital city. Do you need proof? Here are three little-known buildings in the province of Barcelona where you can discover other variants of Catalan modernism: a refurbished mediaeval castle, the house of an upper-class family and even an industrial building. As an extra, enjoy a garden designed by Gaudí himself that predates his world-famous Park Güell.