Picnic In The Sky

Sounds great doesn't it? A picnic in the sky and under the stars. You can, literally, well almost. Some of you probably know about this already or have tried it. The funicular service is now working overtime on Tuesdays, transporting diners up and down the mountain Montjuic in Barcelona at nine O'clock in the evening, the habitual time when they usually close, but not on Tuesdays. They would take you up the top and bring you down, and you will be served a 3 course picnic meal on the way! In your own compartment/carriage (not sure what the official name is when referring to just one of the many on the same rail, the Spanish use the word cabin).

This is a combined project by Moritz the beer company, and the Time Out Magazine. To the delight of many romantics who wish a meal way up in the sky with great birds' eyeview of the city, and the spirit of adventure or simply being playful. The route is very short, normally takes only 8 minutes to cover the 752 metres height and the inclination of 85 metres. Naturally that's hardly enough time for taking even a hurried meal let alone a romantic one.

The organizers reduced the speed of the run to the minimum, 15 minutes to go up and same again to come down. And this is done twice, so the diners have a little over an hour to enjoy the meal and the view. The experience starts off exactly punctual. The door of each cabin opens automatically, inside there's a table firmly anchored to the floor, covered with a pretty cloth, a candle, and all the things one sees in a normal restaurant. And, 3 mini blankets, in case the air at that altitude becomes too cold for comfort even in summer.

On the way up to the castle one is served with aperitifs: The service is correct and attentive, the meal good, even with attention to artistic presentation. It consists of stuffed olives and potato crisp and mini croquettes, with beer - with or without alcohol -, and water for those who prefer it. When it reaches the top, The door opens and a tray with a small tureen of Gazpacho, a salad with goat cheese. At this point, a musician sitting on a high stool plays romantic songs with his guitar! On the way down, there is a little intermission on the Viewpoint, and you are provided with more beers and water. The main course is smoked duck breast with pear, which is served in the interior of the station. There's only 15 minutes to eat the duck as you need the little time left to have your fruit cake on your final stretch down.

By reservation only. The price for this unique experience is 40€ + IVA (Tax 7,5% ) per person in the cabin for 6 people. Lovers who wish to have the cabin for themselves have to pay 160€ extra, + IVA. One can book by phone: 93 414 6788 or online. This fiesta is simply called 'Picnic In The Sky'

I am a very slow eater, physically not possible for me to eat fast. Nor do I like a hurried meal. I enjoy lingering at the meal table with leisure. For this picnic, I need to eat something first before I go, so that most of the meal could be left on the plate without me feeling hungry. But then, without the meal, I might as well just go up by day, any day of the week.

See you there next Tuesday?

Tags:SkyPicnic,Funicular

Current Mood: Content