Tarragona has been turning into an increasingly popular destination among international travelers for its captivating historical legacy, its mild Mediterranean climate, and its discretely developed coastline. All of these features are now further enhanced by its wineries, whose growth has brought about the development of a tempting assortment of small hotels and restaurants that appeal to those seeking to get away from the crowds and the same old flavors as always.

At La Boella hotel, a 13th-century country estate renovated with the utmost care, guests can visit the olive press where one of the finest oils in the area is processed: the Arbequina olive oil, with the Siurana Designation of Origin, known for its health benefits and its exceptional flavor. Whenever the weather permits, breakfast on the hotel terrace under the wisteria arbor offers the opportunity to sample a broad selection of local products and peruse the map in search of a good route for the day’s outing.

The coast of Tarragona is full of pleasant surprises. A stop at Cambrils is a must: this small fishing village with long, fine sand beaches stretching up and down the coast features several restaurants that truly stand out for the quality of their ingredients and the originality of their creations. One of these is Can Bosch, where Joan offers us everything from his cuisine d’auteur with contemporary accents to the best fish in the  llotja, the wholesale fish market that may well be worth a visit after lunch.

The mark of history is particularly striking in the city of Tarragona, the capital of the province whose ruins bear witness to what was once no less than the second-largest city in the Roman Empire. The fishermen’s neighborhood, known as El Serrallo, is another unusual place to visit–and to find little jewels such as Ca L’Eulàlia, where Oscar, a former fisherman, recites the menu out loud, saying: “I can’t have a printed menu because I don’t know what fish I’ll have tomorrow.” It may well be one of the venues with the freshest fish in all of Tarragona.

Just a few kilometers away from the capital of the province, you will come across its powerful rival: Reus, one of the most prominent cities in Catalonia in the 17th century due to its wine and spirits trade–hence the local saying, “Reus, Paris, and London.” Strolling through its streets today, you will have a chance to venture into its small shops, most of which are located on Monterols and Llovera streets, and admire its magnificent art noveau buildings: the birthplace of Gaudí, Reus also boasts remarkable works by Domènech i Montaner.

To enjoy a truly unique gastronomic experience, it is worth driving a few kilometers out of Reus to the village of Castellvell del Camp, where El Pà Torrat, a small restaurant owned by the Sanromà family, has been serving     its cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal products for the past 30 years.      The restaurant’s vegetable garden provides the ingredients that are used  daily, as well as its own exceptional olive oil.

After exploring the coast with all its fragrances and flavors, Roman ruins     and art nouveau highlights, take the time to head inland and discover the Priorat region, whose wine production has become increasingly renowned     in recent years. A good starting point would be Siurana, a small hamlet   placed in one of the most spectacular locations in all of Catalonia: carved away in the rock and perched above steep cliffs, it offers magnificent views     of the entire region. In the midst of so much history, it comes as a surprise     to find Pau’s original creations at the Els Tallers restaurant, which also happens to provide excellent pairings with local wines.

To round off the day, you may choose to take a walk among the evocative ruins of the remote Carthusian monastery of Escaladei, and then visit one of the cellers that will offer you a sample of the outstanding local wines.

bulthaup Reus

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