Best known because of its capital city (which is also the capital of Catalonia), Barcelona is a large province which reaches the pre-Pyrenean ridge, so there's lots to explore beyond the Ramblas and other busy Barcelona streets. It's the most populous part of Catalonia as it not only includes Barcelona but other commuter cities like Sabadell, Terrassa, Hospitalet de Llobregat and Mataró (along with plenty of other more rural areas as well). The Penedès area in the south is were Catalonia's amazing Cava DPO comes from.

With 272 different events happening across the province of Barcelona, there’s plenty to get involved with. Visit an artisan cheesemaker and meet the small herd of goats that provide the milk; join a breadmaking workshop to learn how to make artisanal, rustic loaves; try a variety of different honeys; learn how fishermen bring in the daily catch or get to know more about Catalonia’s ‘0km’ movement, where everything on a restaurant menu is sourced from the immediate area.

Girona is where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean and a region which boasts the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in Catalonia. It's full of pristine rugged beaches, like the ones at Costa Brava; protected natural areas like the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà and ski resorts up in the mountains. The capital of the province, Girona, is incomprehensibly overlooked by tourists, despite its beautiful 980-year-old cathedral, Jewish quarter and the colourful houses along the Onyar river.

An inland province within Catalonia, Lleida is the gateway to the Pyrenees and a paradise for nature lovers and those who love being outside. It includes a special county (or comarca) called Vall d'Aran (Aran Valley), which has its own language called Aranese, a dialect of Occitan. Specially known for its olive oil, it has a rich Romanesque heritage with the Vall de Boí declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Of the 231 events happening in Lleida for Benvinguts a Pagès, the casa-museu have to be the most interesting. These are traditional houses which are opened to the public by the families that live in them, to give visitors a taste of how the locals live. There’s also the opportunity to watch vultures and mountain goats in their natural habitats; make your own soap; walk with horses across beautiful landscapes and watch beer being made from start to finish.

As well as being the Roman capital of Catalonia (known as old Tarraco) Tarragona is also home to the better-known Costa Daurada. It's where you'll find some great PDO-protected wines, including Montsant, Terra Alta, Conca de Barberà, Priorat (DOQ) and Tarragona. Keep an eye out for the olive oils and rice from the Ebre Delta in the south, too.

For Benvinguts a Pagès, Tarragona will host thirty percent more events than last year, with 200 different activities to get involved with. Help harvest grapes for the region’s wine; visit the world’s oldest olive press still in use; walk through a zero-waste pomegranate orchard or make your own jam using the region’s incredible fruit.