Tarragona has the usual Spanish assortment of plazas sprinkled with cafes and tapas bars and churches from several different periods. What sets it apart from the other seaside villages is its collection of Roman remains that are of exceptional importance in the understanding of Roman urban planning and design. Although most of the remains are fragmentary or preserved beneath more recent buildings, they present a vivid insight to the scale and grandeur of this once provincial capital.

Tarraco was established in 218 B.C. following the arrival of the Roman armies during the struggle between the Romans and the Carthaginians for control of the Mediterranean. The troops were under the command of Cnaeus Scipio and his brother, Publius Cornelius. The city was possibly divided into two main parts - the military encampment in the upper part, and the residential area of traders and Roman citizens who saw opportunities from the military. Tarraco became one of the most important cities in Hispania Citerior. It is here that Caesar gathered his troops during the civil war against Pompey. As a reward for their loyalty, Caesar gave the city the title of Colony. During 26 and 25 B.C., the city underwent a major building program while the emperor Augustus took up residence making the city the unofficial capital of the Roman Empire. This laid the groundwork for Tarraco becoming an important administrative capital around 75 A.D. when the inhabitants were given the rights of Roman citizens. The Roman period in Tarraco, as well as most of the cities of the Iberia, came to an end with the Frankish incursions during the middle of the 3rd century.

After making the 60 mile drive to Tarragona, you will first visit the Roman aqueduct. In Roman times Tarraco had two aqueducts bringing it water, one from the River Gaia and the other from the River Francolí. They took advantage of the natural slope of the land when possible building aqueducts when it was necessary, The Aqueduct of Les Ferreres is a good example of this. Built in the 1st century A.D. it carried water over a natural valley. It consists of two rows of arches built with stone blocks and reaches a height of more than 85 feet.

Then drive into the town to the Fishermen's Quarter, (el Serrallo,) where you will begin your walking tour of the Old Town within the City Walls. The current walls are built upon sections of wall that date back to the Romans defenses from 218 B.C. The Forum was the nerve center. The city's main streets led to it and it was the meeting place for social, commercial, worship and political activities. The circus, used for racing chariots, was the most popular spectator activity in the Roman world. The building dates from the 1st century A.D. and served as a stadium until sometime in the 5th century. Today, its walls and tunnels are incorporated in several structures in the old town. During your tour, you will visit a section of the circus tunnels.

The ruins of the amphitheatre are perhaps the most interesting remains. It was built just outside the walled city very close to the main road before it enters the city, and near the beach, where the animals used in the spectacles were disembarked. In 259 A.D., bishop, Fructuosus, and his two deacons, were burned alive in the arena. This act inspired the construction of a basilica dedicated to the martyrs in the 6th century. In the 12th century the Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Miracle was built on the remains of the early-Christian basilica.

The Cathedral, mainly built in the 12th and 13th centuries is an excellent example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic design. It is built over a previous Roman temple of Jupiter. A stop will be made at the Balcony over the Mediterranean for a view over the beach and sea.

You will then drive up into the wine region known as the Penedes. The Codorníu family is one of the oldest winemaking families in Spain dating back to the 1500's. The first Cava wine was made in 1872. Tragically, 14 years later the Phylloxera plague infested the vineyards. The family fought back trying the most innovative viticulture techniques of the time, and survived the dilemma. By the end of the 19th century, Codorníu was producing over 100,000 bottles of cava per annum. In 1976, the cellars were declared a Monument of National Historical Artistic Merit by King Juan Carlos I of Spain. The ambience of the place paired with superb Cava wines, make a visit to Codorníu's cellars unforgettable. After your tasting, you will drive back to Barcelon