If you're in Barcelona for a few days, please consider visiting Montserrat.
A multi-peaked mountain only an hour's train ride from Barcelona, Montserrat is the perfect day away. The bustle of the city is perfectly balanced by the rugged magnificence of these mountains; the height of these peaks dwarf the tallest human, and astonish even the most unfeeling person. We were only able to visit Monserrat for an afternoon and I so wished we had an extra day to trek further up the beautiful trails.
If the mountains of pink conglomerate and Spain's first national park don't leave you speechless, the beautiful Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, is sure to do so. Montserrat is 1236m above the valley floor. They built a resplendent abbey up there. Take a moment for that to sink in.
There is a reverent silence here. A chance to catch wandering thoughts and marvel in the small details. Standing in an empty courtyard and hearing the echo of your soft words, watching the sun set and colour the valley in glorious hues; breathing in fresh air as a cool breeze ruffles your hair, you can't help but feel that all is well.
