Laura and Jansen

Friday: Welcome Drinks

Time: 7pm - 11pm

Location: Hotel Ultonia Terrace

Attire: Smart Casual

Saturday: The Ceremony

Time: Buses leave Girona @1pm, Ceremony to start @2pm

   Return bus times TBD

Location: El Moli de la Torre

Attire: Cocktail 
(more information on the events section)

Train tickets can be purchased here.

Train: This is the cheapest and fastest way to make your way to Girona. The train leaves from Sants Estacio and will take about 45min to arrive in Girona Station which is conveniently located next to the Old Town where we recommend everyone stay. There are 20 direct trains per day and average $10 one way. Sample train route

Car: There are many car rental options throughout Barcelona including at the Airport and Sants Estacio. One can expect to pay around $30/day. The drive to Girona is about 1hr 45min via the highway and takes you through the beautiful countryside towards the Pyrenees. Sample driving route

Bus: There are also bus options from Barcelona to Girona which average about 2hrs at a cost of approx $20 one way. Bus route options

We will be celebrating our wedding in Girona region (not city) but we highly recommend sleeping in the old town of Girona Friday and Saturday night since busses to the wedding will depart from Girona old town.

Please find our recommended hotels the we have visited in the area. Also feel free to book any other you are able to find in the city, but keep in mind activities will be centered on the old town. It is also truly a beautiful place to spend time.

Please see the "Things to do" section for more recommendations for Girona as well as other cities we enjoy.

Larger 4 star hotel on the opposite bank of the river from Girona old town.

Another large 4 star hotel on the opposite bank of the river from the old town. Did have diminishing availability when we spoke with them.

Quirky 4 star hotel located in the center of the old town of Girona.

Hotel with 3 and 4 star options about a 10 minute walk from Girona's old town.

Boutique 4 star hotel extremely close to Girona Cathedral.

For our international guests, fly into Barcelona El Prat airport (BCN) and stay in the city. If you will be traveling beforehand and prefer to take a train in, Barcelona Sants train station has the most international connections.

A taxi to the city will cost you about 30EUR one-way. Use the taxi line, it's not cheaper or faster with ride-hailing apps like Uber or Cabify.

For more guidance on where to stay and activities for Barcelona, please see the "Things to do" section.

Cars: public parking is scarce and pricey in the city center except Sundays and Public Holidays, when it's free.

Taxis: Hail a cab in the streets or via an app called "FREE NOW". You can also use "CABIFY" (copy of Uber). Taxi rides are very affordable and you shouldn't spend more than 15EUR getting to the touristy spots, unless you're heading to Tibidabo (up the mountain). In both apps, there are options for car seats.

Public Transport: is cheap and safe (about 1EUR a ride). Buy a T-10 ticket that's good for 10 rides on the metros, trams, buses, etc. Just keep an eye out for pickpockets especially near touristy areas.

Barcelona is a city located in northeastern Spain, 90 miles (150 km) south of the French border. It is Spain’s major Mediterranean port and commercial center and is famed for its individuality, cultural interest, and physical beauty.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region of Northern Spain that has its own unique culture, traditions and personality. The city offers a wide diversity of cultural experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

Barcelona is famous for Gaudí and other Art Nouveau architecture. It’s a hub of new trends in the world of culture, fashion and cuisine.

1. Discover the streets of El Gotico, stopping at the Cathedral of Barcelona with its gothic cloisters. Continue walking to Plaça Sant Jaume where Barcelona's town hall and Catalonia’s Government are located.

2. Walk around Passeig de Gracia and admire the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, both created by Antonio Gaudí. This is the perfect neigborhood for well deserved shopping. Rambla Catalunya one street over has plenty of nice terraces for small coffee or cocktail breaks.

3. Stroll down Plaça Catalunya and Las Ramblas (where the famous Liceu theatre and the Boqueria Market are located)

4. El Born is a charming neighborhood where you'll find plenty of quaint stores and the stunning basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The Picasso Museum and Moco Musem are also located in this quarter.

5. Sagrada Familia. The most famous Barcelona landmark. This massive basilica was the work that Gaudí was laboring over when he tragically died. Construction started in 1882, although by the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926 it was still less than a quarter finished. At time of writing, it’s still not complete.

6. Recinte de Sant Pau. Originally built as a hospital, this series of buildings is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe, and has been awarded UNESCO world heritage status alongside the Palau de la Música Catalana in the Gothic Quarter.

7. Situated on the hills towards the north of the city, Park Güell is another of Gaudí’s works. This is a little bit different though, being as it is a large, beautiful park area with a number of nooks and crannies to explore and visit. It has magnificent, iconic views of Barcelona.

8. Tibidabo is Spain’s oldest amusement park, the second oldest in Europe and one of the first ever built in the world.

9. If you are a football fan you cannot miss the FC Barcelona stadium Camp Nou. It is the second largest stadium in the world.

10. Montjuïc and its Olympic Ring hosted the 1992 Olympic Games. This hill also hosts the Fundació Miró and Poble Espanyol.

TAPAS
Bar Cañete, La Pepita, Mont Bar, Paco Meralgo, Cerveceria Catalana/Vinitus/Ciudad Condal, Tapas 24, Soma

PAELLA

Pez Vela, Terraza Martinez, Restaurante Barceloneta, 7 Portes, Xiringuito Escribá, Mana 75

BRUNCH

Cecconi's, Honest Greens, Faire, Picnic Restaurant, Oma Bistro, Granja Petit Bo

FOR THE VIEWS

La Venta, Terraza Martinez, Restaurante Mirabé, El Xalet de Montjuïc, 1881 per Sagardi

MICHELIN

ABaC, Disfrutar, Lasarte, Can Roca, Tickets

OTHERS

Estimar, Dos Pebrots, Boca Grande, Alba Granados, Feroz, El Nacional, Rodizio, The Green Spot, Margarita, Da Michele, Asador de Aranda, Yakumanka, Rasoi

Boca Chica, Pastrami Bar / El Paradiso, Dry Martini, Old Fashioned, Guzzo Gastropub, Terraza Alaire, Casa Fuster rooftop, Cotton House hotel terrace

We understand that many of our guests are planning to arrive Barcelona early or stay a few days after the wedding. While these are not partner hotels, they are among our favorites in the city.

ME Barcelona (5*) - www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/me-barcelona

Sir Victor Hotel (5*) - www.sirhotels.com/es/victor/

Monument Hotel (5*) - www.monumenthotel.com

H10 Metropolitan (4*) - www.h10hotels.com/es/hoteles-barcelona/h10-metropolitan

Hotel Condes de Barcelona (4*) - www.condesdebarcelona.com

Hotel Praktik Vinoteca (3*) - www.hotelpraktikvinoteca.com

Hotel Praktik Bakery (3*) - www.hotelpraktikbakery.com

1 day trip suggestions

El Penedès: The famous wine and cava region located only 30 minutes away from Barcelona and accessible by train. It is home to over 300 wine producers, offering a large variety of wines to be discovered.

Sitges: If you’d like to discover another side of Catalonia while enjoying a change of scenery, Sitges is a great option, just 30 min from Barcelona. It boasts a beautiful coastline, charming little streets and spectacular mediterranean light! **This is actually just 15 min from Gran Villa Rosa.

Montserrat: Home to a Benedictine monastery and a basilica famous for the Virgin of Montserrat aka the Black Madonna. The Montserrat Monastery dates back to the 10th century and is still home to some 150 monks. It’s also one best places for hiking in the region due to the sheer variety of trails.

Let us know if you need more recommendations, we'd be happy to help!

"Cheat Sheet" for First Time Visitors

Taxis and Transport: Taxis are abundant and inexpensive all around the city. Uber does not operate in Barcelona, but Cabify and FREE NOW offer similar services. Public transport is also ubiquitous, inexpensive, and reliable.

Tipping: There is no obligation to tip in Spain. Of course, you are free to leave a tip if you are satisfied with the service but there is no expectation to do so. Some establishments may charge a service fee for large groups.

Credit Cards and Cash: Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted, with American Express only accepted in some hotels and establishments. Cash isn't necessary, but may be useful to keep small change for incidentals.

Safety & Security: Spain (and Barcelona) is generally very safe, but petty theft is common in tourist areas. Please be vigilant with your belongings and try not to be the easiest target for pick pockets by looking distracted and unaware.

Emergencies: Dial "112" for emergencies. For urgent medical concerns, Spain boasts one of the best healthcare systems in the world and multiple clinics and hospitals are easily accessible should you require it.

Speaking Spanish (or lack thereof): Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Unless you've decided to go off the beaten path, basic English is widely spoken in the metro area, enough to get around and order food and drinks. If you're lucky, you may even catch a bit of Catalan!

Shopping: When going shopping in the city center, remember to ask for tax free document and submit it at the airport to get 10%-15% refund in your purchases. The process is easy!

Girona is a charming city, with a rich history, culture, and cuisine. It boasts a beautifully preserved medieval old town, lined with narrow streets, ancient walls, and historic buildings that offer visitors a glimpse into the city's past.

The city's vibrant food scene is another reason to visit, with a range of traditional and modern restaurants serving delicious Catalan cuisine.

Overall, Girona offers a unique and authentic Spanish experience that is well worth exploring.

1. Girona Cathedral (where game of thrones was filmed)

2. Get lost walking the streets of the old Jewish quarter

3. Visit the roman remains of the Força Vella fortress. A medieval wall

4. Visit arab baths dating 1194

5. Relax in the gardens of Alemanys

Best for brunch

Emporda and Girona are beautiful and we highly recommend to rent a car and spend 3/4 days enjoying the medieval towns, exquisite food, wineries, and national parks the region has to offer.