Penedès is wine, cava, human towers, rink hockey and the liqueur ratafia

Photo: Fogons - Cuina i Fotografia

Only a few days ago it seemed as if the weekend would again come with rain – something we are not used to here in Penedès. Now the forecast for November 2-4 looks more promising, but be prepared for cloudy skies and bring an umbrella, just in case. Below are a few tips about things to do, while my full event calendars in English can be found here.

Cava and wine tourists will be happy to learn that there is a grape harvest festival in La Ràpita (Santa Margarida i Els Monjos, Alt Penedès) and a cava market in Les Roquetes (Sant Pere de Ribes, Garraf). For those of you who prefer stronger drinks, Igualada (Anoia) holds a fair where they present and sell a typical Mediterranean liqueur called ratafia.

If you want to experience Catalan culture, some of the last human tower exhibition (castells) this year can be found in Igualada and in El Vendrell (Baix Penedès). In El Vendrell there will also be a parade with folk dances and devils dancing under fire, related to an event called Correllengua – an initiative which moves from one town to another and aims at strengthening the position of the Catalan language. In Cunit (Baix Penedès) you will be able to see children performing the Catalan national dance, Sardana.

If you want to watch a sport with a local flavour, I would recommend rink hockey, since teams from Penedès and the rest of Catalonia totally dominate the Spanish premier leage (OK liga). In Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf) there is an international U15 rink hockey tournament with teams from seven countries and in Igualada there is a derby between local Igualada H.C. and C.P. Calafell Tot l’Any. If this sounds too calm for you, there is also a muay thai (Thai kick boxing) competition in Calafell (Baix Penedès).

If on the other hand, you are a calm person who prefers to learn more about our Penedès history, architecture and landscapes, there are several guided tours, for example in Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Olèrdola (all three in Alt Penedès) as well as in Sitges.

Welcome to Penedès!