Montsonís, meeting place of the ARA Premium Club

They are two quite different castles, and yet they are very close together: the castle of Les Sitges, essentially a warrior castle (protected by large buttresses), and the castle of Florejacs, stately, full of rooms and rooms for the lords, guests and servants. Many members of the ARA Premium Club They took guided tours in May, including a lunch in the small town of Montsonís, next to the castle of the same name. During the meal, they engaged in conversations about the experience and also about what connects them, whose journal they not only subscribe to but also loyal readers of. This lunch in Montsonís has become a classic among the Premium Club's offerings, as it is held every year.

The last few weeks have been particularly busy with ARA Premium Club activities, some of which were proposed by club members themselves. Furthermore, more subscribers to this newspaper are joining the club, which celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year. Some of them have been subscribers since the beginning. In May alone, Premium Club members visited the Besòs water tower, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Belloch Forestal tree nursery, and the exhibition. Zurbarán (super)natural at the MNAC... And they have made a tour of the Sinful Gerona, led by ARA journalist Gerard Bagué, author of a book on the subject. "Activities are held throughout Catalonia, both during the week and on weekends, so that those who work can also enjoy the club's activities," explains Daniel Romaní, coordinator of the Premium Club.

There has been no shortage of strictly journalistic activity. Antoni Bassas has conducted thousands upon thousands of interviews throughout his long professional career. "We proposed that he be interviewed by Premium Club subscribers. And he agreed," says Romaní. He had no shortage of questions. And from very diverse areas: Barça, politics—Catalan, Spanish, and American.- either of the conflict in Gaza. Antoni Bassas, at this exclusive event for the Premium Club held at the Byron bookstore, reflected on what we can do for Gaza. "Even though it seems far away, it must challenge us, and we need to take a stand where we have a voice," he said. And he reminded us that we have also experienced it: some of his relatives could have died during the Civil War, when the Gràcia neighborhood was bombed. "If they hadn't left home when the bombs were falling... I wouldn't be here," he emphasized.

The Premium Club's activities continue throughout the summer months. Visits are already planned to the ARA editorial office, with deputy director Enric Borràs (June 19); to the magnificent Romanesque cloister of the Sant Cugat Monastery (June 20); to Púbol Castle, which Dalí gave to Gala and enjoyed leaving his artistic mark (July 6); to the Vilabertran Schubertiad, with a piano concert (August 28); and to the Empordà marshes, with a special focus on birds, guided by ornithologist Francesc Kirchner (September 27). A maritime route has also been planned, with a century-old boat, around Cap de Creus (September 28). And, of course, there will be visits to major art exhibitions, among many other initiatives.

If you want to enjoy these experiences, all free (including meals), We encourage you to sign up for the Premium Club.

Plus, you'll get all these perks: ad-free browsing throughout Ara.cat, a free digital subscription worth €95.99 to anyone you want, discounts on special events at the newspaper, and the private Telegram chat where Premium Club subscribers chat and discuss current affairs from time to time.

By joining the Premium Club, you contribute to and protect (even more) the future of ARA's journalism, which is free and committed.