Alt Camp: Come and enjoy a region where history, nature, gastronomy and traditions unite to offer a territory full of incentives that will make our stay an unforgettable experience.
Alt Camp is a region located in the interior of the province of Tarragona. It consists of a landscape formed by mountains, with small villages, and valleys that belong to the Prelittoral mountain range and that surround the central plain. It is a region where history, traditions and gastronomy are its main values.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the Cistercian monastery of Santes Creus was built (with monastic life until the year 1835). The three monasteries of the order of the Cistercian, of the regions of the south of Catalonia,: Santes Creus (Alt Camp), Poblet (Conca de Barberà) and Vallbona de les Monges (Urgell) are currently of La Ruta del Cister (Cistercian route).
La Ruta del Cister is integrated into the network of signposted Trails in Europe and follows the path of the GR175, are some (+/-) 100 km perfectly signposted that transit through 69 municipalities and 3 districts. Throughout the trip there is a wide range of activities of cultural, gastronomic or adventure sports such as guided tours to monasteries, castles, museums, wineries.
A part of the route runs through the Muntanyes de Prades (Prades Mountains). It is one of the most important natural spaces of the interior of Tarragona and they are included within the Plan of spaces of natural interest (PEIN). The Muntanyes de Prades keep many natural treasures such as the only colony in Catalonia of Pyrenean Oak (Quercus pyrenaica), the centenary Forest of Poblet and it is also the habitat of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata).
The Alt Camp has traditionally been land of wines, today the vineyard shares landscape with almond, olive and hazel. A sample of this important wine past is the existence of a rich architectural heritage of Art Nouveau-style wineries, from the early twentieth century. We can contemplate these wine cathedrals in towns such as Aiguamúrcia, Santes Ceus, Nulles, Vila-Rodona or El Pla de Santa Maria.
The wine produced in the territory belongs to the denomination of origin (DON) Tarragona. Under this nomenclature there is a great diversity of wines, we emphasize the white wines elaborated with the traditional varieties of grape and the red wines that begin to have a well deserved international recognition. Ideal wines to accompany our meals.
The Alt Camp is also famous to be the land from which emerged the famous calçotades. Community meals to eat calçots (is a type of scallion or green onion. The calçot from Valls (Tarragona, Catalonia) is a registered EU Protected Geographical Indication) accompanied by the typical romesco sauce and a good grilled meat. The Calçots season runs from November to April.
We're also in Castells land (is a human tower built traditionally). Alt Camp welcomes some of Catalonia's most important colles castelleres (groups who construct towers), such as Colla Jove and Vella de Valls or the Xiquets of Alcover. If you do not want to miss a good castle party, note the following dates to go to Valls: 23/06, 24/06, 10/09 and 21/10.
* On November 16, 2010, castells were declared by UNESCO to be amongst the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Come and discover the region with many charms. To enjoy it to the maximum Ruralverd offers you the following holiday cottages.