Discover Europe

Cities that date back to Roman times – and earlier; traditions rooted in the very far past, and world-renowned monuments. Also a fascinating, vibrant cultural landscape: art, architecture and heritage sites, excellent gastronomy … you name it. If you’re considering discovering Europe, eager to delve into an ocean of cultures, you’re definitely right here. We look forward to showing you around! 😊

Let us introduce ourselves

This is Nate and Ferran, a Southern Californian and a Catalan from Barcelona. Together with June, our Utah-born corgi, we live between Barcelona and the enchanting Costa Brava. Both are located in the Spanish region Catalonia.

We have professional backround in tourism, either in California or offering tailor-made tours in Berlin for 10 years. Clients back then loved to stroll the city with a “local”, experiencing first hand life in Europe, and not fearing the language barrier. These remain our motivations!

Our values
Diversity, equity and inclusion matter. And respect, kindness, empathy! If you share these values, we will love to hear from you at contact@ferranporta.eu. Maybe you need a break from these challenging times in the US? We feel you, and we look forward to welcoming you here!

By the way: as a person diagnosed with Level 1 autism, Nate knows – we both do – that traveling can be challenging but definitely also enjoyable. Let us know, if you or someone in your group is also Level 1 autistic. 💚

See and do in Catalonia. Barcelona and beyond

Our region in northeast Spain offers a combination of natural spaces, world-renowned gastronomy and breathtaking monuments, all wrapped in a centuries-long history. Traditions like the breathtaking human towers leave both locals and visitors speechless. Also Sant Jordi, a massive celebration that every year on April 23 literally covers Catalonia with books and roses. ❤️

Festivals and Typical Traditions of Catalonia That Will Surprise You

The stunning architecture of Antoni Gaudí, the exceptional cuisine, the pretty Gothic Quarter or the beaches, among many others, make of Barcelona a first-class destination. We love to stroll in the old city, feel the history in every building while perceiving Barcelona’s modernity and cosmopolitanism.

Read about Catalonia before your trip starts

There’s much more to see, though. Like Girona, a stunning town (pop. 100,000) only 35 minutes from Barcelona with the high-speed train. Not far from there, amazing medieval towns and landscapes leave one speechless! You can try and discover it all by yourself, or you can upgrade your trip with us!

Without a doubt, our bet is Catalonia to start your discovery of Europe. Where else, being Spain among the three most visited countries worldwide and Catalonia its undisputed top destination! Nonetheless, we will love to give you advice on other destinations across the EU and help you design a travel itinerary tailored for you. We can’t wait to hear from you, at contact@ferranporta.eu!

10 Reasons to Make of Catalonia Your Next Travel Destination

Let us unveil amazing places in our region and across the continent for you, because experiencing Europe is way more interesting than just seeing it! 🇪🇺 E-mail us at contact@ferranporta.eu for details!

See and do across Catalonia

We are based in the popular Costa Brava, the ‘wild coast’ that streches between Blanes, north of Barcelona, and the French border, and eager to help you discover Catalonia and beyond. Let us welcome you in La Bisbal d’Empordà, the heart of Baix Empordà, a region spotted with amazing medieval towns, excellent food and stunning landscapes. We’re happy and ready to give you all the possible information for your trip, and to show you around as well.

Costa Brava and the Pyrenees

This amazing region bordering France comprehends both the northern portion of the Mediterranean coast in Catalonia and the easternmost part of the Pyrenees mountain range. The 140 miles of the so-called “Catalan Pyrenees” stretch between the sea and the Aran-Valley. Here you can hike in extinct volcanoes, visit stunning medieval and fishing towns, enjoy coves and beaches, and unrivalled natural areas. On top of that, the Costa Brava is one of the finest cultural and gastronomic destinations in all of Europe!

Hiking Along the Volcanoes of Catalonia

You will also love the region’s capital, Girona, with one of the best well-preserved jewish quarters in Europe. Literally! Also the iconic colorful houses on the river Onyar, the romanesque in the church Sant Pere de Galligants and the gothic in Sant Feliu. The wall of Roman origins, that borders the old town, offers unique views. So many fascinating places to see in the Costa Brava and the whole Girona region!

Priorat

This is a must-destination for wine lovers, a region where two designations of origin (abbr. D.O.) coexist. While the wines of D.O. Montsant are in general somewhat fresher and have a more marked fruit backround, those of D.O. Priorat are more mineral and concentrated.

The 12 Catalan Designations of Origin

The history of the wine making in Priorat looks back to the 12th century, with its origins in the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei. You will love to visit this ancient priory, and to see the picturesque towns across this wonderful region.

Priorat is indeed a wonderful place to discover. The fact that one’s great grandparents were from and lived here, and that one finds genealogy fascinating, only makes this passion bigger. Talking about bigger, the family town is popularly known as “The New York of Priorat”. . Here is why. 🙂

Also olive oil of the best quality is produced in Priorat, so wine and olive oil tastings belong to a visit there. The region is also very popular for hiking and trekking.

Where else in Catalonia?

You will find the most exciting places to visit and the funniest activities to do all across Catalonia. A valley full of stunning romanesque churches literally 1,000 years old; over 350 miles of coast with wonderful towns and beaches; stunning architecture, museums and cultural centers; one of the largest amusement parks in Europe … (almost) anything you want is here, and we serve it to you on a silver platter!

The church Sant Climent de Taüll is one of the most important jewels of the Catalan Romanesque

Andorra

The barely 180 sq mi country in the Pyrenees is definitely worth a visit. Surrounded by peaks of up to 10,000 ft, Andorra is home to an astonishing landscape – and 40 riveting Romanesque churches. An amazing outdoor museum that also offers excellent gastronomy, art or shopping possibilities for all tastes and lifestyles.

The rest of Spain and the European Union

Major cities like Paris, Berlin or Rome and smaller towns like Porto or Salzburg; islands like Majorca, Mikonos or Madeira; regions like Andalusia or Tirol; … we are your gate to Europe also if you’re willing to discover the EU beyond Catalonia. We help you enjoy a taylor-made sightseeing program – and every minute of your stay in Europe. We are your advisors in and about Europe, and will love that you not only see but also learn as much about day-to-day life in the EU as possible. E-mail us for information: contact@ferranporta.eu, we look very much forward to hearing from you! And by the way, our clients find in-depth information and useful links in the section For Your Eyes Only.

What we can do for you

There are several ways we can not only be of help, but to make the most of your trip in Europe. In case you’d like to explore by yourself, we will prepare a program for you that will include everything you cannot miss and should take into consideration. Based on your interests and your preferences, we can recommend you where to go, what to see and what to do – on a day by day basis.

The Roman aqueduct of Tarragona (left) and the amazing town of Siurana

Or we can accompany you to places that will fascinate you, anywhere in Catalonia. A wonderful wine region spotted with old, genuine tiny towns in the south; a valley in the Pyrenees with stunning romanesque churches; Tarragona, back in the day one of the biggest metropolis of the Roman Empire; … you name it. Also we’re willing to do that beyond our region: the European Union is our home and French, German or Italian pose no problem to us.

Indeed, Europe!

As you probably already know, the Schengen area has no borders for visitors from the US – and we live 60 miles south of Perpinyà. The history of this worth visiting southern city in France, the capital of the département Pyrénées-Orientales, is strongly linked to that of Catalonia. Still today Catalan is spoken and official there. Perpignan, the name of the city in French, is connected with Catalonia with high speed train – which makes a visit even easier. Same thing with many others cities throughout the European Union, where the high speed rail network is good and growing.

Paris and Berlin, two magnificent capitals in the European Union