This excursion can be run easily in one full day departing and ending in Barcelona, yet taking several days truly enrichens this experience and allows exploration ( either on foot, bike or whatever activity in nature you are looking for) of some truly deserving sites not mentioned here . The valley of Nuria has been an important pilgrimage site since a greek christian hermit saint inhabited the valley in 700 a.d. Several hundred years later a chapel was built and a hospital for shepherds and pilgrims. The drive to reach the area takes us through the heartland of Catalonia where the first distinctively Catalan villages, monasteries and Bishophoric were created in the early 900's. We continue following the Ribes de Freser river up towards the south facing valley of Nuria that comes down from the crest of the Pyrenees that forms the Spanish/French border. Our visit to reach the pilgrimage site involves either hiking or a train ride. The hike is a moderate to light 1.5 hours + return, with optional ascents (more strenuous) of the numerous 3,000 meter peaks that surround it. If your looking for good hiking routes than this is your entry point in Catalonia. If your group is not keen on hiking there are many other great options in this area. There is a train that arrives to the sanctuary of Nuria should you not want to hike, or we can easily visit several other traditional picturesque Catalan mountain villages to sample local foodstuffs and learn about Catalan Romanesque architecture. Nuria is also a very kid friendly place with lots of activities for children such as the mountain toboggan slide or pony rides. Our return trip includes a stop to one of the oldest medieval villages to exist in the territory of Catalonia at the time of the countries foundation, a beautiful charming town full of history and legends. Lunch here features the gastronomic traditions of highland Catalonia in a locale that will not disappoint.