Wines, Wheels, and Wonder: An Accessible Retreat Beyond Barcelona

Planning Around the Cruise

Several years ago, my parents booked a Mediterranean cruise, leaving from Barcelona. At the time, my dad used a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair, depending on need. With no direct flights to Barcelona, my cousin Cathy and I escorted my parents to the cruise ship—then stayed on to explore Spain ourselves. Dad wanted to book business class flights for them, and I found that extending their time from Sunday to Tuesday would decrease the cost of the flights by thousands of dollars! So, what to do with a few extra days around Barcelona?

A Taste for Wine and a Search for Accessibility.

Given the excellent wines in the region, it seemed like a local winery visit would be perfect (the apple does NOT fall far from the tree in terms of wine appreciation). I had booked us to stay at the Hilton Diagonal Mar pre-cruise;

its accessibility features are great, its pool is lovely, and its executive lounge is a nice plus. So, I began researching winery tours from Barcelona with the Hilton as a starting point. As always, there are great options like this Small Group Wines of Catalunya tour available with companies like Project Expedition. But because of my dad’s mobility limitations, I wasn’t sure that a several hour tour, even on a small shuttle, would work for him.

Discovering a Countryside Gem

Based on some of the wine tour locations, I began searching for hotels outside of Barcelona. I found an incredible hotel through its partnership with my preferred airline. The pictures of its lavender and rosemary fields and modern architecture, along with a roll-in shower and zero step entry, had me sold. Cathy and I had already planned to have a car to explore during our trip, and Hotel Mon Sant Benet was a short 45-minute drive from Barcelona.

Hotel Mon Sant Benet: Where History Meets Accessibility

Hotel Mon Sant Benet in Sant Fruitos de Bages is a modern, accessible hotel on the grounds of a 10th century monastery. It also has an organic cooking school on the grounds, and a Michelin starred restaurant. The property, from parking to room to bathroom to balcony were all fully accessible for my dad. It is a true retreat, with lovely views of the countryside and nearby mountains. My mom especially liked visiting the local grocery store in the nearby town to purchase items for a picnic.

A Memorable Visit to Abadal Winery

I asked at the front desk about local wineries, and they helped us arrange a tour of the amazing Abadal Winery, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. The farmhouse and vineyards have been in existence since 1199. Mom, Cathy, and I toured the property and vineyards, but because there were steps involved, Abadal set dad up with a nice chair and a glass of wine under the shade of a tree. The vineyards are unique, with different influences on the grapes from surrounding forests. The family has also collected wine tools and implements over the centuries and have them displayed on the property, which was something my dad really enjoyed seeing.

Tasting the Terroir of Bages

Because Abadal is committed to sustainability, including in its forest management, its wines have unique flavors. The Picapoll is an indigenous grape, brought back to the market first by Abadal. Their red wines are truly outstanding, we enjoyed each of them. They are a true reflection of the microclimate, forest around Abadal, and the soil of Bages. As with so many places in Europe, we found incredibly unique and outstanding wines that are not readily available in the United States.

Final Reflections: Expanding Adventure Through Accessibility

If you are visiting Barcelona and have a day or two, I highly recommend getting out into the countryside and enjoying an authentic retreat at Hotel Mon Sant Benet. This trip reminded me that accessibility doesn’t mean sacrificing adventure—it means expanding it. With a little planning, we found joy, wine, and connection in places we never expected.

Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality—without barriers? Whether you're seeking accessible wine tours in Europe or curated adventures for every mobility level, I’m here to help you explore with confidence.

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