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’ […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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 […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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 […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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, […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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 […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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 […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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). […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
1. Visit the Knights Templar castle The castle is thought to date back to the 10th century but it was given to the Knights Templar order in the 12th It houses the village school from the end of the 19th century to the mid 1980s Several old houses in the village have tunnels that connect […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
In a nutshell, very! Catalonia has a population of about 7.5 million people, of whom about 1.5 million live in Barcelona. The next largest cities are all peripheral cities with populations around the 250,000 mark. As house prices continue to rise, more and more people are moving out out into these cities. Catalonia is divided […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
Catalonia is one of Spain’s 17 administrative regions, known here as “autonomous communities”. It is nestled in northeastern Spain, bordering France, and like much of Spain offers a variety of landscapes and climates. Many of Les Voltes’ guests from abroad combine these landscapes, spending a few days in Barcelona, a few days in the countryside […]
by info@lesvoltesbarbera.com
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Barberà de la Conca with snow.[/caption]
Winter (December - February)
Winters in Catalonia are relatively mild, especially along the coast. In cities like Barcelona, the temperature typically ranges from 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F). Snow is common in mountainous areas, such as the Pyrenees, attracting skiers and snowboarders. Our region, La Conca de Barberà, is located inland, about an hour south of Barcelona and 40 minutes from the coast (Costa Daurada). We get snow for a day or two about every two years. Mornings can be frosty and some days, spectacular fog rolls in and lies low, before lifting around 9:00/10:00 am. Temperatures can be as low as 0º on cold winter mornings, but the sun soon warms up the air, giving way to a beautiful fresh day where you can easily sit in the sun.
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Almond tree with village of Barberà de la Conca in the background[/caption]
Spring (March - May)
Spring is in a nutshell beautiful in Catalonia, with gradual hikes in the thermometer and flora bursting into life. In our region, La Conca de Barberà, the star of the show in February and March are the almond trees, filling the landscape with beautiful bursts of pink and white. It’s also when the vines start to bud. Temperatures range from about 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F), making it perfect for outdoor activities and exploring the region's natural beauty. It’s the idea time to explore the surrounding countryside on one of our e-mountain bikes, and it’s also when the army of swallows and swifts arrive from southern climes.
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Swimming pool in Barberà de la Conca[/caption]
Summer (June - August)
Summers in Catalonia are hot and seem to be getting hotter, but it’s when Barcelona and beach resorts are at their busiestTemperatures range from in the low 20s (high 60s low 70s Farenheit) to the high 30s (mid 80s Farenheit). If you book in a city or beach resort, make sure it is climate friendly, fitted with fans, blinds (to block out the hot sun), and air-conditioning if possible. We have all of these at Les Voltes (plus thick stone walls), but temperatures are generally more pleasant in our village. The climate is dry and we are blessed with a sea breeze that starts early afternoon. We even advise guests to take a jacket. Depending on where you go, the landscape can be quite dry, but where we are, the vineyards are at their height, meaning that everything is green.
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Vineyards with hills in the background[/caption]
Autumn (September - November)
Autumn is a favourite season for many visitors to Catalonia due to the mild weather and beautiful colours. In 2022, we had more international visitors in October than at any other time of the year. Temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F). In our area, it’s grape harvest time. Shortly after harvest (September), the vine leaves turn a wonderful array of yellows, golds, and reds, which dotted against the again-green fields, make a wonderful tapestry. 
