Recent updates to Spanish legislation, particularly Royal Decree 933/21 (Real Decret 933 del 2021), have sparked concerns among travellers about personal data collection requirements. At Les Voltes Barberà, we aim to provide clarity and reassurance regarding how these rules apply to our accommodation in Catalonia. What information is required? The new rules require us to […]
[Translation of the original article “Las 15 maravillas de la provincia de Tarragona” by Mari Carmen Duarte, National Geographic Travel, 29 January 2024] Tarragona province (southern Catalonia) holds many charms, some of which are yet to be discovered beyond its borders. Overshadowed somewhat by the attractions of Aragon and the Valencian Community, Tarragona will surprise […]
A guest post by Jenneke van der Wal “Have you felt bored yet?” asks Wilbert. He phones me from the Ebro delta, where he is spending the day birdwatching. A successful day so far, by the cheerful sound of his voice, as it is not even noon and he has already spotted two species he […]
A guest post by Ailish Maher Not too long ago I spent a week in Barberà de la Conca, daily walking out with the 2 dogs I was “sitting” for the owner. And so, each day I took the steps up under Les Voltes, paused to admire the view up the Promasó to the Templars’ […]
Fabric Squares (Furoshiki) or Scarves Embrace the traditional Japanese art of furoshiki with fabric squares! Not only do they add a touch of elegance to your gifts, but they also offer a reusable solution that your loved ones can pass on. Choose a festive design, or use a scarf for a double gift! Personalized Brown […]
Amid the COVID-19 upheaval, many people found themselves reevaluating their lives and their work. For those fortunate enough to retain their jobs during this time, the pandemic served as a wake-up call, prompting reevaluation of the traditional office-centric model. The daily grind of long commutes, endless office hours, and meetings that felt as if they […]
A guest blog post by John Dunphy Lynn and I recently indulged in a delightful 3-night escape at Les Voltes, nestled in the charming village of Barberà de la Conca, just south of Barcelona, Spain. This serene interlude preceded our embarkation on a cruise from Barcelona. As seasoned group tour operators accustomed to urban stays, […]
1. Visit Santes Creus Monastery Santes Creus is one of the three monasteries on the Cistercian Monastery Route in our area. The other two are Poblet (see blog post on things to do within 15 km of Les Voltes) and Vallbona de Les Monges (see below). Santes Creus, founded in 1160, is perhaps the […]
Many of our guests at Les Voltes who are staying for more than a couple of days ask where they should go for a great paella. They have often spent a few days in Barcelona before coming to us and have tried the typical “tourist-trap” restaurants, with generally disappointing results. We only like to recommend […]
1. Visit Montblanc Montblanc is a medieval town located just 8 km from Barberà de La Conca. You can get there by car or rent one of our e-mountain bikes to get there cross country. It’s also within reasonable hiking distance (we can always come pick you up if you don’t fancy the hike back). […]
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[caption id="attachment_195487" align="alignnone" width="512"] A section of Montblanc's fortified walls[/caption]
Montblanc is a medieval town located just 8 km from Barberà de La Conca. You can get there by car or rent one of our e-mountain bikes to get there cross country. It's also within reasonable hiking distance (we can always come pick you up if you don't fancy the hike back). Montblanc is a great size for just walking around and exploring. The main square is dotted with bars and outdoor terraces to stop off for refreshments or some tapas. There are two guided walking tours: one for families (with special activities for kids) and another for people of all ages. It has six visitable monuments: Museu del Pessebre de Catalunya (Catalan Crib Museum), Museu Comarcal (Regional Museum), CIAR and Museu d'Art Frederic Marès (Rupestrian Art Interpretation Centre and Frederic Marès Art Museum), Església de Santa Maria (church), Antic Hospital de Santa Magdalena (former hospital now a documentation centre), and Santuari de la Serra.
How to get to Montblanc by car
[caption id="attachment_195490" align="alignnone" width="507"] Click on the map for directions from Les Voltes to Montblanc. For cycling directions, use the Wikiloc app.[/caption]
2. Visit Conesa
[caption id="attachment_195488" align="alignnone" width="499"] Conesa is full of QR codes with lots of useful information.[/caption]
Conesa is a little medieval village located about 15 km from Barberà de la Conca. Again, it is in easy reach by e-bike. It's also included in our car routes (coming soon!). Conesa was included in Spain's list of National Cultural Assets of Interest in 2011.
How to get to Conesa by car
[caption id="attachment_195489" align="alignnone" width="502"] Click on the map for directions from Les Voltes to Conesa. For cycling directions, use the Wikiloc app.[/caption]
3. Visit the Rural Museum of L'Espluga de Francolí
[caption id="attachment_195493" align="alignnone" width="511"] Photo: Josep Renalias[/caption]
The Museu de la Vida Rural, located in L'espluga de Francolí, Catalonia, is a cultural institution offering a vivid journey into the rural history of the region and the traditional Catalan rural way of life. It has a rich collection of agricultural and rural artifacts and tools, exhibits, and interactive displays. It also has temporary exhibitions and organises a range of cultural activities for all ages.
How to get to the Museu de la Vida Rural by car
[caption id="attachment_195494" align="alignnone" width="520"] Click on the map for driving directions from Les Voltes to the Museu de la Vida Rural in L'Espluga de Francolí. There is a car park opposite the museum.[/caption]
4. Visit Forès
[caption id="attachment_195496" align="alignnone" width="523"] View from Forès' spectactular vantage point[/caption]
Forès offers spectacular views of the rolling countryside,vineyards, and distant mountains of La Conca de Barberà. On a clear day, you can also see our village, Barberà de la Conca. It has a well preserved medieval centre. At the time of writing, the bar, which has a terrace with the same breathtaking views, is currently closed, but we hope it will reopen soon.
How to get to Forès by car
[caption id="attachment_195497" align="alignnone" width="529"] Click on the map for driving directions from Les Voltes to Forès. There is a large car park once you enter the village.[/caption]
5. Visit the caves in L'Espluga de Francolí
L'Espluga de Francolí, located about 15 km from Les Voltes, has a rich geological history that has led to the formation of several caves. One of the caves, La Cova de la Font Major, hosts prehistoric cave paintings, but access is restricted to scientists and reseachers. The other caves are visitable with a guided tour that takes you underground to learn about geology, history, archaeology, and prehistoric life. The guided tour is perfect for kids and adults.
How to get to the caves by car
[caption id="attachment_195508" align="alignnone" width="540"] Click on the map for driving directions from Les Voltes to the caves. There is plenty of parking space on site.[/caption]
6. Sample some wines on top of a medieval tower
[caption id="attachment_195510" align="alignnone" width="498"] Photo: Vins de Pedra[/caption]
Every Saturday, Marta, the architect behind the winery Vins de Pedra, organises a wine tasting morning atop a medieval tower with impressive views of the medieval town of Montblanc. To taste some delicious wines and learn more about the history of Montblanc's towers, click here for more information.
7. Visit Poblet Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Poblet Monastery is one three Cistercian Monasteries within easy reach of Les Voltes. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. It is nestled among rolling hills and vineyards. You can walk around the grounds and visit the church for free. There are also guided tours. If you are planning on visiting the three monasteries, you can buy a pack of tickets for a reduced fee. There is a large tourist office within the grounds and also a great restaurant. For a full day, combine a visit to the monastery with a walk through the adjacent natural park. You can also rent one of our e-mountain bikes to get there. We have an additional service where we can drop you off and you cycle back or pick you up after your visit. You can also combine a visit to Poblet monastery with any activity in nearby L'Espluga de Francolí (caves, rural life museum...).
How to get to Poblet by car
[caption id="attachment_195514" align="alignnone" width="511"] Click on the map for driving directions from Les Voltes to Poblet[/caption]
8. Visit Fassina Balanyà, an old distillery in L'Espluga de Francolí
[caption id="attachment_195516" align="alignnone" width="520"] https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19586756[/caption]
We love this little museum. Fassina Balanyà is an old distillery where they used to make spirits. They have guided visits that show you the science behind distillation and also explain how the whole process was a perfect example of a circular economy, starting with the mush that is left after pressing the grapes right through to the end, where the women would come to pick up the left over ash to use as a natural clothes whitener.
How to get to the distillery by car
[caption id="attachment_195518" align="alignnone" width="527"] Click on map for driving directions to Museu Fassina Balanyà[/caption]
9. Visit the Glass Blowing Museum in Vimbodí
[caption id="attachment_195528" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Museum's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/CylXPFetpeV/?hl=en[/caption]
The Museu de Vidre in Vimbodí has a permanent blown glass collection and a shop and also organises live demonstrations. According to the website at the time of writing, the demonstrations are held from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30-13:00 and Saturdays from 17:00-19:00. The museum is open Wednesday to Sundays from 9:00-13:30 and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00-14:00.
How to get to the glass blowing museum by car
[caption id="attachment_195527" align="alignnone" width="501"] Click on the map for driving directions from Les Voltes to the Museu de Vidre[/caption]
10. Hike or cycle cross-country to Ollers
Ollers is a very cute little village attached administratively to Barberà de la Conca. It's an hour's walk or a 10-minute ride by e-bike each way. The photo shows Barberà as seen from Ollers. Pack some snacks as there are no bars in Ollers (there are fewer than 20 people who live there all year round). Stop off on the way to snap some photos ofEl Pont d'Ollers, an old stone bridge that is a listed heritage asset.
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
by 
A section of Montblanc's fortified walls[/caption]
Click on the map for directions from Les Voltes to Montblanc. For cycling directions, use the Wikiloc app.[/caption]
Conesa is full of QR codes with lots of useful information.[/caption]
Conesa is a little medieval village located about 15 km from Barberà de la Conca. Again, it is in easy reach by e-bike. It's also included in our car routes (coming soon!). Conesa was included in Spain's list of National Cultural Assets of Interest in 2011.
Photo: Josep Renalias[/caption]
The 
View from Forès' spectactular vantage point[/caption]
Forès offers spectacular views of the rolling countryside,vineyards, and distant mountains of La Conca de Barberà. On a clear day, you can also see our village, Barberà de la Conca. It has a well preserved medieval centre. At the time of writing, the bar, which has a terrace with the same breathtaking views, is currently closed, but we hope it will reopen soon.
L'Espluga de Francolí, located about 15 km from Les Voltes, has a rich geological history that has led to the formation of several 
Photo: Vins de Pedra[/caption]
Every Saturday, Marta, the architect behind the winery 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19586756[/caption]
We love this little museum. 
Photo: Museum's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/CylXPFetpeV/?hl=en[/caption]
The 
Ollers is a very cute little village attached administratively to Barberà de la Conca. It's an hour's walk or a 10-minute ride by e-bike each way. The photo shows Barberà as seen from Ollers. Pack some snacks as there are no bars in Ollers (there are fewer than 20 people who live there all year round). Stop off on the way to snap some photos of
