VIC’S HISTORIC CENTRE

A walk around Vic’s historic centre is a journey into the past and the history of our country. The old quarter combines the Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical, from the Roman era to Modernism. The streets have a medieval layout, transporting the visitor to earlier times as they stroll past the ancient walls, the Roman temple or the majestic cathedral. Visiting Vic is always special, but the atmosphere is even more evocative on Tuesday and Saturday mornings when the traditional market is open in the Plaça Major, known for being the heart of this impressive city and the beginning of your journey.

SANT PERE DE CASSERRES MONASTERY

A unique Benedictine monastery in Osona, situated on a gorge of the River Ter and surrounded by Sau Reservoir. Founded by the viscounts of Osona-Cardona circa 1005, it shows visitors what it was like to live in a monastery in the 11th century. All the rooms in the monastery are open to visitors and they house a permanent exhibition interpreting the life of the monks through the recreation of the rooms, which have maintained the same layout over the centuries. The views of the Sau Reservoir from Casserres are impressive. You can make the most of your day by visiting the reservoir, where you can see the submerged belfry and try various water sports, weather permitting.

RUPIT AND TAVERTET, VILLAGES IN THE COLLSACABRA

Rupit is a medieval village with cobblestone streets and rustic houses, a Baroque church and a popular wooden hanging bridge. It is always a pleasure to lose yourself in its alleyways and to stroll along the forest path until you reach the majestic Sallent waterfall. Tavertet is a Romanesque village known for its tranquillity and its cliffs, which offer spectacular views. It is well worth taking a stroll around the streets before reaching the Pla del Castell viewpoint to enjoy the landscape. On the return trip, pass by the Roca Foradada, a natural space with special charm, where a waterfall combines with the light filtering through the rock, offering the visitor views of a magical and surprising landscape.

ESPINELVES AND VILADRAU, VILLAGES IN MONTSENY-GUILLERIES

Espinelves is a Romanesque village with charming narrow streets and one of the best conserved Romanesque churches. Make the most of your trip with a visit to the Masjoan Arboretum, which has the largest concentration of monumental trees in Catalonia, including sequoias and the tallest fir tree in the country. Viladrau is a stately village, the incubator for literary figures and poets, known for its stories and legends about witches, bandits and water-women. Be sure to visit the Espai Montseny, a spectacular visitor centre, which will immerse you in the stories of mystery and magic.

L’ESQUERDA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, THE MEDIEVAL IBERIAN VILLAGE

L’Esquerda is an important archaeological site containing remains from various historical periods. Strategically situated on one of the first meanders of the River Ter, where it enters the Guilleries, it affords an overview of the Vic Plain and the main route to the Girona coast. This location explains the long human occupation of the site. There are artefacts dating back over 2500 years, from the end of the Bronze Age, the Iberian world, the Visigoth Period, and the Early and High Middle Ages, until it was abandoned in 1314.

ROUTES AROUND TARADELL, THE LAND OF BANDITS

Did you know that Taradell has the remains of a castle? Or that it was a land inhabited by bandits? Do you want to know who Toca-Sons, Serrallonga and Rocaguinarda were? There are several walking routes near our cottages to enjoy at your leisure. At Mas Pratsevall we have a GPS showing all the routes. You can follow the same routes with a professional guide, who will use storytelling to explain the legends. This is a great option if you want to spend the day outdoors with your family, enjoying a healthy activity, and discovering our surroundings without having to travel too far.

WALKING IN MONTSENY NATIONAL PARK

A universal heritage. Montseny was declared a National Park in 1978 and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is a mosaic of Mediterranean and Central European landscapes, known for the beauty of its natural treasures. Its extraordinary biodiversity and the cultural traces left by humans over the passage of time have universal value, which has inspired artists, intellectuals and scientists, and which evokes emotional responses from visitors. The National Park offers a wide variety of itineraries to follow, revealing the magic of a landscape which changes with the seasons. We have a professional guide if you would like a guided walk.

THE VILATORTA AERODROME ROUTE

A 9 km circular route around the former aviation field, including a total of 13 shelters, a hangar and an arsenal. The Vilatorta Aerodrome was built in 1938 and is now historical testament to the efforts of the Republican government to create a network of defence structures to respond to enemy attacks. With the aim of assembling small fighter-bombers, the Aerodrome began operating to halt the last offensive of the troops on Catalonia. A route which blends history with nature, just a few kilometres from our cottages. When you have completed the route, visit the village of Sant Julià de Vilatorta, known for its manor houses and Modernist past.

BIRDWATCHING AND NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY

We suggest you follow our itinerary to discover and identify many of the birds which share our habitat. Stroll through the forest to observe and listen for their calls. If you are regular birdwatchers, the activity can be adapted to your technical level and the specific species you wish to spot. At nightfall, the action begins for our friends the owls. Did you know there are 8 different owl species in Catalonia? Do you know what sounds they make? Join us as we explore the forest at night to find these birds of prey. Activity guided by professionals.

FLOWERS IN THE SPRING, MUSHROOMS IN THE AUTUMN

Our region has a wide diversity of plants and flowers. This activity will help you recognise the most typical flora in our surroundings and to discover how to spot the traits which differentiate them from one another. Our forest is full of different mushroom species. There are many which are edible, but many are poisonous. We will explain which are which and how to identify them. We will also teach you how to conserve them. Activity guided by professionals.

PERSONAL TRAINING IN NATURE

Do you want to do sport to have a healthy stay? Or trying personal training in the great outdoors? Are you preparing for a competition or specific physical tests? We have a personal trainer at your disposal so that, during your stay, you can tailor an effective and safe sporting activity according to your needs. You can combine running, mountain biking or road cycling with specific exercises. Suitable for all levels. All the sessions are outdoors, enabling you to discover the hidden treasures of our region in the healthiest way. Activity guided by a qualified sports professional.

EL BOSC DE LES FADES I ELS FOLLETS · THE FAIRY AND IMP FOREST

Would you like to enjoy a pleasant stroll amongst the trees? Sharpen your senses, because as well as being relaxing, the forest is magical! Watch out for imps and fairies, the little creatures who live there. When you leave, you can complete your adventure with a visit to the farm animals. How many different animals can you count?

Suitable for families with children of all ages. We recommend booking a guided visit to enjoy the explanations about the energy and magic of the forest, guaranteed to delight adults and children alike, as well as providing the chance to pet the farm animals.

THE CHOCOLATIER WORKSHOP

Would you like to be a chocolatier for a day? With our master chocolatier, not only will you learn the origins, types and secrets of chocolate, but you will also make a surprise figure to take home with you. This is our sweetest activity and one that is suitable for even the coldest days of the year. We invite you to discover the chocolate made by our chocolatier in his workshop and we challenge you to guess the meaning of its unique name!

Suitable for families with children aged 5 and up. If you love chocolate, you are sure to love this activity. You will experience first hand the trade of the chocolatier with a prestigious maestro, who will show you the best-kept secrets to make, identify and enjoy good chocolate.

CAMINA DESCALÇ · THE BAREFOOT WALK

When was the last time you walked barefoot to enjoy the earth beneath your feet? Discover a path which combines the pleasure of feeling nature between your toes, with a wide variety of textures, including clay, grass, wood, leaves and sand. Awaken your senses, discovering a world of sensations with each step. Those of you aged 5 and up can explore the Jungle of Adventure, the acrobatic forest circuit high up in the trees, with rope bridges, balancing games, tunnels and zip lines!

The Barefoot Walk is a route of 1.5 km and is suitable for families with children of all ages, even little ones. The Jungle of Adventure has two circuits: one for children over 5 years old and 1.10 m tall and the other for children over 9 years old and 1.40 m tall. Two great activities to spend a morning or afternoon in the woods. Open from March to November.

EL TRESOR DE LA QUIMETA · QUIMETA’S TREASURE

Quimeta, a ghost girl who lives in an old cotton factory, has a game for you. She has hidden clues around the factory for you to find her secret hiding place. This hiding place holds a treasure: the books she read in secret where her boss couldn’t see her. She kept them there so they wouldn’t be discovered. Can you find them?

Suitable for families with children aged 5 to 12. This treasure hunt is very educational and lots of fun, immersing the children in the world of work inside an early 20th-century factory. The game is, for the time being, in Catalan.

PONY RIDES

Would you like to meet Asterix, Bambi, Minnie and friends? These are the ponies at Ponicat and they are waiting to take you for a ride. Each one is different and has its own saddle and reins. Can you guess which colour belongs to which pony? You can see where they live and help to get them ready for your ride. For children with special needs, there is a horse therapy activity, both for motor and communication skills.

Suitable for families with children aged 2 and up. Children are provided with suitable safety equipment and the ponies are of different heights, making it an ideal activity for children of different ages. If you are staying in our cottages and there are enough children, there is the option of bringing the ponies to Mas Pratsevall and riding them through our woods.