A territory to discover
Cal Masot del Gaià is a rural house in the municipality of Aiguamúrcia, in Alt Camp. We are in a privileged natural environment, surrounded by mountains, fields, paths and trails, with everything this to your quiet and peaceful stay. At the same time though, we are very well-connected with the main towns and cities in the nearby areas and also the main destinations in Costa Daurada, our beloved tourist brand. Next, we are happy to provide you with more details about the various activities you can enjoy near our house in order to discover the food and wines, history, cultural traditions and rich heritage of our territory. And this is just the start!
ROYAL MONASTERY OF SANTES CREUS
Around 3 kilometres away from Cal Masot del Gaià, find the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus, founded in 1160 and which became the centre of one of the most extensive and influential monastic lordships of the entire Crown of Aragon. With an austere architecture, the abbey reflects the canonical model of the Cistercian monasteries (along with Vallbona de les Monges and Poblet). When entering the Monastery of Santes Creus, you will relive a time when purity and detachment from the world were embodied in a point well anchored in the earth. We recommend the guided tours of the monument in order to get to know the most emblematic spaces of the abbey, such as the Gothic cloister or the royal mausoleums, and discover the history of the order and how the monks once lived there.
LA RUTA DEL CISTER
Cal Masot del Gaià is nestled within the Ruta del Cister. The three Cistercian monasteries, Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges, are the main attraction of La Ruta del Cister, but it goes way beyond the three monasteries and their monumentality and sobriety, as it also includes regions full with traditions full of heritage, culture and landscapes. There is an itinerary that follows the route known as GR 175, a circular route that connects the three Cistercian monasteries of Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. The landscapes of La Ruta del Cister are diverse, as you will find fields packed with vineyards, almond trees, olive trees and cereals; ancestral paths full of dry-stone banks and huts. Part of the route can also be done on mountain bikes. Before planning, check out the route information carefully.
WINE TOURISM: WINE CATHEDRALS
Wine tourism in Costa Daurada requires talking about the wines made by the different appellations of origin, but also about the Modernist architecture of most wineries. The Celler del Sindicat Agrícola d’Aiguamúrcia winery, by César Martinell, is the closest to the house. If you’re passionate about this type of architecture, we recommend visiting some of the most significant examples, such as Cooperativa de Vila-rodona or Vinícola de Nulles, with different experiences and wine tours you can enjoy. The region though is full of these Modernist wineries. Did you know that the Valls-born architect Cèsar Martinell, disciple of the great master Antoni Gaudí, built about forty of these cathedrals? Discover these and other secrets by traveling the Ruta de les Catedrals del Vi and joining tastings and tours.
HIKING: ROUTES OF LA CAPONA AND VALL DEL GAIÀ
If you’re keen on hiking on a relaxing way, Alt Camp offers a great variety of paths and tracks surround by dry-stone huts, constructions that were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Leaving Aiguamúrcia, towards El Pla de Santa Maria, we recommend that you walk and admire, on foot or by bike, what is known as La Ruta de la Capona, a large concentration of dry-stone buildings, which defy the passage of time and that are the witnesses of a bygone era. Another option to enjoy nature is to take the route through Vall del Gaià, which starts in Santa Coloma de Queralt, amidst cliffs and mountains, to its mouth at the sea near Altafulla. In its middle course, it irrigates the agroforestry mosaic of Alt Camp, as it is the case in Aiguamúrcia, where fields of vineyards, cherry almond trees and olive trees stretch over the undulating terrain. Don’t miss the part that goes from Querol to Aiguamúrcia and then Vila-rodona, as it is full of footbridges, Tibetan bridges and footpaths that cross Gaià river from one side to the other.
VALLS: BIRTHPLACE OF “CASTELLS” AND ORIGIN OF “CALÇOTADA”
Valls, capital city of Alt Camp, is the birthplace and “kilometre zero” of “castells” (human towers) and the place where calçotada comes from, that is two traditions that have been brought to the rest of our own country, and other countries as well. We recommend that you visit Museu Casteller de Catalunya, in Plaça del Blat square itself, home of epic performances by the two Xiquets de Valls teams, known as Vella and Joves. In Valls, however, we also recommend anti-aircraft shelter, Capella del Roser, Espai Gerhard ─built after Robert Gerhard, a local composer considered to be the father of electronic music─. Oh, and the Museu de Valls museum, which hosts an important collection of Catalan art from the last 120 years, considered one of the best ones in Catalonia. We’re pretty sure you’re going to be very hungry after enjoying so many exciting activities! Make sure you try the authentic “calçotada de Valls”. “Calçots” from our area are part of the so-called IGP Calçot de Valls designation, a qualification that certifies their excellence.
TARRAGONA, ROMAN CAPITAL CITY
Tarragona, just 30 minutes away from Aiguamúrcia by car, is the Roman capital of Catalunya. Visit the main monuments and, if you’re lucky to visit us in May, make sure you don’t miss Tarraco Viva, the main Roman festival… in the world!
PORTAVENTURA PARK, FERRARI LAND AND CARIBE AQUATIC PARK
PortAventura World, with the spectacular PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park, are by-words for fun and just around 36 minutes away from Aiguamúrcia! Visit different continents, feel the speed of Formula 1 or enjoy a refreshing experience at a waterpark.
MONTBLANC AND THE LEGEND OF SANT JORDI
Legend says Sant Jordi killed the dragon to then save the princess in Montblanc. The capital city of Conca de Barberà, 25 minutes away from Aiguamúrcia, is a beautiful Medieval town with spectacular walls, defence towers and manor houses.
REUS, MODERNIST AND VERMOUTH CAPITAL CITY!
Reus, just 38 minutes away from Aiguamúrcia, is a unique city home to the Antoni Gaudí centre, built after its most prominent citizen. Don’t miss this jewel and enjoy Ruta del Modernisme, with over 80 amazing buildings. Oh, and check out the Ruta del Vermouth!
COSTA DAURADA, FAMILY DESTINATION
Costa Daurada was named this way (Golden Coast) due to the golden sand as it reflects the sun. Check out the 71 beaches and coves, the history and heritage, natural areas and sport activities you can enjoy, together with the existing tradition and gastronomic richness.
DISCOVER DO TARRAGONA’S WINE ROUTE
DO Tarragona’s wine route offers you the opportunity to get deeper into a privileged area for winegrowing thanks to great experiences that combine wine with good, sport or culture. Activities, wines and attractions worth falling in love with!
PRIORAT: WINES, WINERIES AND LANDSCAPES
In Priorat, wine lovers find way more than superb wines and wineries. It is about a great diversity in landscapes, which invite you to drive for miles in order to get to know the area thanks to the wine routes by DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant, and the incredible route of oil mills.
L’ESPLUGA DE FRANCOLÍ: THE CAVES AND MUSEU TERRA
L’Espluga de Francolí, just 30 minutes from Aiguamúrcia, becomes a great option for families: visit Coves de l’Espluga to know more about the prehistorical past of humanity and enjoy Museu Terra, a cultural centre that reflects on sustainable transformations.
THE MONTSERRAT SANCTUARY AND THE TRACES OF JUJOL
Art by architect Josep Maria Jujol, friend and collaborator of Antoni Gaudí, was inspired by the colours and rural landscapes of Camp de Tarragona. In Costa Daurada, he left examples in the shape of churches, chapels and manor houses. Don’t miss the Ruta Jujol.
BARCELONA, MEDITERRANEAN CAPITAL
Barcelona, besides being the capital of Catalunya, is also the capital of the Mediterranean par excellence. Just 1 hour away by car and 35 minutes by high-speed train from Estació Camp de Tarragona, you’ll get to discover its essence: life, architecture, cuisine… and much more!
