Bages getaway: All the secrets of a Designation of Origin

The first part of the visit is located in Artés, to the far east of the Pla de Bages (Bages plain), and more specifically to the Municipal Wine Cooperative. The first cava cooperative in Spain began here 108 years ago. In those days, cava producers probably called it 'champagne'. Today, this sparkling wine still makes up the largest part of the winery's business, producing 100,000 bottles of the brands Artium and Lluís Guitart every year.

To get yourself on a guided tour of the winery it's probably best if you reserve in advance. You'll be taken on a journey through the place's century-old history, during which you'll learn about how they make wine and cava, and complete your tour with a tasting of the co-op's most representative wines.

As you visit various wineries on this visit, you'll soon realise that each has its own peculiarities and charms. Yesterday you learned about a historic one, and today you'll discover another, which, among many of its fascinating features, includes well-preserved vineyard 'huts', stone constructions that bear witness to the passion for the vine in this region goes much further back than you could imagine. In fact, you may not know this, but the name 'Bages' comes from the word 'Baco', the Roman god of wine. So, in the morning, we recommend you visit the winery Abadal in Santa Maria d'Horta d'Avinyó, which is immersed in a captivating landscape. As well as delving into the winery, you'll also visit the Museum of Wine, a farmhouse from the 12th century and the famous vineyard huts. At the end, you'll get to go on another tasting.

In the afternoon, head to the Mas de Sant Iscle, within the municipality of Sant Fruitós de Bages. Here, in the heart of the Pla de Bages, they've been making wine since the beginning of the 19th century, focusing mainly on the Picapoll grape, an autochthonous variety, as well as on the recovery of the Picapoll Negre (black Picapoll). The proximity between the farmhouse and the vineyards – documented since the year 950 – means that the visit always starts on the land, and, depending on the time of year, you'll learn about different wine growing and farming tasks. After that, enter the winery, and, once again, it's time to taste some wines. Also note that during the year they hold jazz and classical music concerts and also serve meals.

You can visit Manresa from many different angles: from the point of view of the modernista buildings, or by following Saint Ignatius of Loyola's footsteps, or even discovering its parks. It's all worth doing! Today, however, we recommend you take a trip around the historic city centre held within its old medieval walls, and since you have all day, perhaps explore a bit further.

We suggest you pay special attention to places such as the Plaça Major, the Plana d'Olm, Carrer Sant Miquel and Carrer Botí. Carrer del Balç also deserves a special mention, as it conserves the same structure as 700 years ago, when the city was one of the most prominent in the Crown of Aragon and received with full honours all the monarchs who passed through it. Pay a visit to the Study Centre on the same street, which, using the most advanced technology, will tell you all about medieval Manresa, retold by Peter the Great (Peter III of Aragon) himself!

Finally, you'll come across the Basilica of Saint Mary (or La Seu), a spectacular Gothic building at the top of Puigcardener hill, the perfect end to your stay in Bages.