The next holiday all food and wine lovers should be booking
Escaping the well-trodden tourist trails of Barcelona's coastline, a winding mountain road leads to a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Catalonia.
Vineyards cling to steep slopes, and vibrant wildflowers dot the landscape, hinting at the unique destination ahead. Just an hour's drive southwest from Barcelona Airport, the Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno emerges from behind a final bend, its distinctive red façade a welcome sight.
This boutique hotel, opened just two years ago by the Stein Group, is a sensitive adaptation of an 18th-century estate. Guests can relax on private terraces adorned with climbing vines, a tranquil extension of the surrounding landscape. Inside, the spa pays homage to the estate's history, designed around the original olive press, a relic of a bygone era that still stands today.
Even a widespread freak power cut across the Iberian Peninsula and large swathes of France does little to dampen spirits. Sitting in the sunshine, admiring the views with my wine cocktail, I can think of worse places to be stuck.
While I'm sure the hotel staff don't share my relaxed reaction, there's very little disruption, and a barbecue is produced to support the efforts of the kitchen.
'Everything is down but our attitudes,' I'm told, as undaunted chefs prepare a meal of multiple courses.
The power cut also does not impact me being able to enjoy a relaxing massage in the hotel spa, and a dip in the indoor pool, blissfully bathing in both the warm water and the rays of sun coming through the windows.
Dinner is even more impressive at the Vinum restaurant, with a stunning meal of grilled tuna cheek and a crispy lamb terrine produced by chefs wearing head torches.
A taste of the fruits of the land
A hot and challenging landscape means that not every variety of grape can thrive in this region. But in 2000, the nearby Priorat Winery was granted the top wine region grade, matching Rioja.
Chief executive, Sheri, takes us to survey the vines dotted up and down the hill. Next we see where the new crops will be harvested in the autumn, how they are crushed to extract the juice and processed along the way until they reach the barrel room.
Wines from 2018 and 2019 are currently being sold, but we get the chance to sample some of the younger wines at various stages still waiting to mature and finally be bottled.
Dining with 180 degree views
While the Priorat isn't the best-known area of Spain for most holidaymakers coming from the UK, it is well-loved by wine connoisseurs and adventurers. Cyclists and climbers come for the quiet roads and many rockfaces.
There is also plenty to fascinate history lovers, including the ruins of the Carthusian Monastery of Escaladei. Abandoned in the 18th century, in recent years it has been opened to the public to visit. Courtesy of virtual reality headsets, it is possible to slip back in time to when the monastery was bustling with monks offering prayers and growing crops.
However my favourite visit is to the village of Siurana, dramatically perched on top of a hill.
We spot plenty of climbers across the cliff faces as we approach the village that earned its place in history as the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia before it fell in 1153, leaving behind the remains of the castle as well as dramatic legends.
At the extreme of the village is Refugi restaurant, which offers tapas and wine to diners while they enjoy a remarkable panoramic view of the dramatic mountains around it.
How to plan your trip
Doubles at Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno cost from £360 per night including breakfast. Visit masdenbruno.com or call +34 877 676 070.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Thousands of sun loungers removed in Majorca after anti-tourism protests
British holidaymakers heading to Majorca next summer will face increased competition to secure a sunbed, after the Spanish island announced that it would remove 1,700 from beaches around Palma. It comes after pressure from locals, who say there is hardly any space left to lay out their towels. Similar rules were put in place in Costa Blanca last year, where police began confiscating sunbeds placed on the beach before 9.30am and charging offenders £214 to get them back. Palma's council said it planned to reduce the number of sunbeds across the city's beaches by about 20 per cent. Playa de Palma, the largest, will have its 6,000 loungers reduced to 4,436. In Cala Major, the number of sunbeds will decrease from 300 to 250. In Cala Estància, in Can Pastilla, 132 will remain from an original 150. In the suburb of Ciutat Jardi, 300 will be cut to 288. Residents say they struggle to find space because of the large number of pay-per-use sun loungers and parasols, a problem made worse by the fact the island's beaches are receding due to years of sand erosion and rising sea levels. Anti-tourist sentiment has soared in Spain in recent years, with regular protests taking place across the country. Last summer, activists armed with water pistols soaked holidaymakers as they dined outside cafes in Barcelona. In March, anti-tourism campaigners in Majorca published an open letter telling visitors 'not to come' and that they were 'the source of our problem'. A demonstration organised by Southern Europe Network Against Touristification is set to take place on June 15 across several Spanish cities and islands – including Majorca – as well as in Venice and Lisbon. The campaigners say too much tourism prices out locals and causes environmental issues. A study by Fotocasa, the housing platform, last year showed that the average monthly rent in the Balearic Islands had risen from €562 to €1,451 in a decade, with prices considerably higher in hotspots such as Palma. Authorities have in response announced plans to limit the number of tourists arriving and invest in local infrastructure projects. In March, the Balearic Islands government, which administers Majorca, announced a slew of ' tourism containment measures ', which included increasing a tax on visitors and putting a levy on hire cars. Barcelona has announced a €30 million scheme to revitalise the tourist hotspot of Ciutat Vella after public services reportedly suffered because of the area's popularity with visitors. The plan involves redesigning public spaces and converting old buildings into arts centres, as well as investing in housing and schools.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Holiday hotspot loved by Brits introduces new ban with £630 fines for rule-breakers
BRIT holidaymakers could face eyewatering fines for seemingly innocent purchases under new rules in a popular tourist spot. New fines brought in at a sunny destination have prompted warnings to tourists to be careful when buying souvenirs. 3 3 3 With the summer holidays fast approaching, many families will be dreaming of setting off for a well earned break in the sun. But one ever-popular location has brought in new rules against unauthorised street vendors. Unsuspecting tourists are warned not to buy things from street vendors in Palma, the capital of the Spanish island Majorca. It may be tempting to pick up a quick snack or refreshment from conveniently placed street vendors. But tourists who break the new rules risk being hit with a mammoth fine. Under the regulations, people who are caught buying from rogue street salespeople could face penalties of up to €750 (£630). The ban applies to the purchase of anything from food and drinks to souvenirs and watches. Danny Toffel, CEO and founder of online retailer Watches2U, told Euro Weekly News: "When travelling abroad, it's always worth reading up on local rules. "These measures have been implemented to safeguard Palma's culture and economy and, in some instances, for public safety. "Purchasing from unauthorised street vendors might appear a harmless way to snag a bargain, but they can undermine local, legitimate businesses." Tourists in the popular holiday spot are instead advised to buy from reputable, legitimate businesses instead of street vendors. Toffel added: "Illegal street vendors may also peddle counterfeit goods, which again may not seem like a significant issue to many, but violate intellectual property rules and divert money away from legitimate businesses." These new laws are understood to be related to concerns from residents about overtourism. Holidaymakers in Majorca should also be aware of new regulations around electric scooters. Riders now have to prove they have civil liability insurance and have to wear a helmet. Fresh penalties on graffiti have also been unveiled, with rule-breakers to get handed a €3,000 fine. There are also penalties against nudism - whether it be total or partial - of up to €750. Tourists are ultimately advised to make sure they read up on the local rules and customs of wherever they travel to. A document explaining the new regulations says the rules are in place to "prevent inappropriate everyday actions" and "address incivility in general."
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius
DILETTA LEOTTA stripped down to a bikini while on holiday with her husband and former Liverpool star Loris Karius. Diletta, 33, works as a football presenter for DAZN in her native Italy. 9 9 9 9 While Karius, 31, is currently between the sticks for German club Schalke. The couple jetted off to Mallorca for a much-needed break following the end of the season. Diletta soaked up the Spanish sun in an array of incredible outfits. She was pictured hopping out the sea in figure-hugging black swimwear. And after drying off, she looked incredible in a pink bikini as she posed with a friend joining them abroad. Diletta also dazzled while stood next to a massive paella on the beach and when at a restaurant in a stylish black dress. Her stunning looks left her nine million Instagram followers in awe, with one saying: "The most beautiful, there is no better." Another added: "Gorgeous girl." A third commented: "You are radiant." Italian beauty Diletta tied the knot with Karius last summer in a luxurious ceremony after two years of dating. They have a daughter Aria, 2, who was seen in the post. Karius was on daddy duties, holding her in a swimming pool that overlooked the picturesque ocean. The German goalkeeper played 49 times for Liverpool between 2016 and 2018. Dilleta returned from her holiday in time to attend yesterday's French Open men's final, stunning in a bold white dress. 9 9 9
