Montseny Natural Park is a UNESCO designated biosphere located in Catalonia, Spain, approximately 100km north of Barcelona.
Life in Montseny Natural Park has a different rhythm, one where it might take all morning to go the bank because you run into people you know who stop for a chat, or two years to artfully restore a centuries old Catalonian farmhouse, or where you toast bread over an open fire for breakfast, or step outside your front door and pick fruit right from the trees, or where you spend 7 hours a day eating delicious and local cuisine as I discovered during my five days in Montseny. OK, the locals don’t do that much eating EVERY day, but we did!
If that wasn’t enough to make me fall in love with Montseny the scenery would have done it:
View of Turó de l'Home, the highest mountain in Montseny Natural Park at 1706 m.
Locals are committed to finding a balance between sustainability and supporting the population that lives there. Much of the food served in restaurants in Montseny Natural Park is grown locally and served in a traditional Catalonian style.
View of Montsoriu Castle. Photo courtesy of Martín Gallego, used with permission of the Museu Etnològic del Montseny.
Monsoriu Castle is currently being restored to resemble its former glory days when it played an important role in medieval times.
I would love to hike up to the Turó de l'Home - next time!
Fresh fruit is found all over Montseny Natural Park with fruit trees growing side by side traditional Catalonian farm houses.
Wild flowers are abundant in Montseny Natural Park.
Yet another view of Turó de l'Home. I'm a little obsessed with this mountain!
I admire the people of Montseny and their way of life. It’s much different than my life in Munich, but I think I could learn a lot about slowing down. In fact, I was so inspired by the fragrant smells of herbs and plants and use of fresh produce that I decided to bring a little of Montseny to Munich by starting my own herb garden! It’s my little piece of Montseny on my balcony. It reminds me to slow down, rub the leaves of the peppermint or lavender plant and breathe! It’s not the same as being in Montseny, but it does make me feel instantly more relaxed. Stay tuned to find out more about the villages, unique cultural traditions, herbs and off course the cuisine awaiting you in Montseny Natural Park!
Note: I had not heard of a “natural park” before going to Montseny. According to Wikipedia a natural park “is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns.”
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Lovely pictures! Makes me miss it already!
I could use a bit of that slower pace of life – feeling a little out of control. Off to go houseboating for three days in the Okanagan tomorrow and they don’t have WiFi. It will be a relief.
Love the flower photos.
Leigh recently posted..Hiking the Panorama Ridge Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Sounds like a lovely place to be. The views are incredible.
InsideJourneys recently posted..5 Things to do in Montego Bay
Great place and inviting photos. Would love to go there.
Italian Notes recently posted..The origin of urban planning
@ Erin – Thanks and I know what you mean!
@Leigh – I hear ya, I’ve been running at full speed with no signs of stopping for at least a few weeks. Have fun houseboating, sounds relaxing, especially with no WIFI!
@Inside Journeys – Agreed, loved the views!
Laurel:
I had never heard of Monseny Natural Park. Good article and great photos! I would love to visit Sapin and check out this park one day.
Cynthia recently posted..Kitesurfing In Volusia County
This looks like quite a lovely spot! I know I could use a little slowing down. Loved the beautiful mountains and wild flowers!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Picturesque Costa Brava
The pictures are awesome! Wild yet welcoming and quiet. Quite a spot you found there!
Zhu recently posted..Three Faux Pas I (Must Have) Committed When I Came to Canada
Absolutely beautiful and my kind of National Park. Your pictures are stunning. I love how the locals are all about sustainability and the slower pace of life. Looking forward to the rest of your posts.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Photo Post: Where have you taken a nap while traveling?
You make Montseny Natural Park sound like a perfect retreat — one I could use right now! I wouldn’t mind indulging in local-grown, Catalonian-style food for several hours/day either. What a lovely place and people.
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