PHOTO: The countryside around Barcelona, part of the ancient region of Catalonia. (photo by David Cogswell)

On Foot Holidays, a specialist in walking and hiking tours, introduced a new tour of the Catalonia region in Spain.

The ancient region of Catalonia includes the modern-day provinces of Girona, Tarragona, Lleida and Barcelona in the northeast of Spain and continues to represent the culture of the historical Catalonians, who remain conscious today that the region was never conquered but joined Spain voluntarily by mutual agreement.

With its fiercely independent spirit, Catalonia was the first place that resisted the dictator Franco and his Hitler-backed takeover of Spain in the Spanish Civil War.

The seven-night tour surveys the volcanic zone of La Garrotxa and the cliffs of the Cabrerès with stays in the medieval towns of Besalu, Santa Pau, Rupit, Joanetes and Olot.

The tour starts in the medieval town of Besalú, proceeds through La Garrotxa Natural Park exploring some of the regions extinct volcanoes, through the woods and pastures of the plateau of El Cabrerès and concludes with a stay in a converted farmhouse in La Vall d'en Bas.

The itinerary puts a spotlight on the culinary properties of the region as well as the wildlife.

The package is priced from $1,316 per person. It can be purchased with an extension in Barcelona.