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The Catalan Coast

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4.6 stars(106 reviews)
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The stunning Catalan coast and enigma of Salvador Dalí

8 days From £1,149 £999 per person
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2023 Tour code: 23RFS

About the tour

Join us, as we venture into the heart of Barcelona, one of Spain's most beloved cities. A place where architectural marvels and cultural landmarks abound, and the streets teem with life and colour. As we set sail for Cadaqués, we'll drink in the crisp sea air and gaze upon the awe-inspiring coastal vistas that unfold before us.

Our journey continues to the vibrant hometown of Salvador Dalí, Figueres, where we'll marvel at his surreal masterpieces and those of his contemporaries at the renowned foundation. Lastly, we'll find ourselves wandering the cobblestone streets of the medieval town of Besalú, pausing to admire its iconic fortified bridge gracefully arching across the River Fluvia. So, come along, and let us embark on this Spanish adventure together.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London & Roses

Meet your group and Tour Manager at London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, change trains and continue through the countryside to Figueres in Spain. Continue by coach to your hotel in lovely Roses. The town is set within the beautiful bay of the same name on a rugged stretch of the Costa Brava.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Roses

You have a free day to relax and explore Roses. The authentic Spanish fishing port has retained its original charm and style. Maybe visit the sandy beach that sweeps around the Bay of Roses, set against a backdrop of the wild Cap de Creus National Park. Or head to one of the town's wonderful cafés or restaurants to sample some delicious Catalonian cuisine. Food here is typical of the Mediterranean, with freshly-caught fish and seafood, fresh and roasted vegetables, pasta and olive oil.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Cadaqués

Enjoy a cruise to Cadaqués, soaking up the scenic beauty of the area from the water. As a protected National Park, the headland remains a beautiful stretch of untouched, untamed coast between Roses and the pretty fishing village of Cadaqués. You have free time to explore its charming white-washed houses - the inspiration for much of the work of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. You could also visit the Church of St Maria, the town's main church. The 16th century church overlooks the village and was built in a late-Gothic style, with ornate interiors including an intricately sculpted 18th-century altar.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Barcelona

This morning, travel by coach to the magnificent city of Barcelona. The Catalan capital is a stylish city bursting with life and culture, filled with unique architecture. A guided tour shows you the main sights, including the unfinished Sagrada Familia. This stunning Antonio Gaudí masterpiece has a predicted completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death, but has already earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Its soaring, mosaic-tiled towers bring a modern feel, besides its significant religious symbolism. Inside, the light from its stained-glass windows floods the stonework with bright colours. After, you're free to explore. Maybe visit the Picasso Museum in the 'Barri Gotic' - the Gothic Quarter - or take a stroll along Las Ramblas, the beating heart of the city, where you'll find street performers, pavement cafés and market stalls.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Roses

Today is another free day in Roses. In the town itself, you could visit the mighty Castell de la Trinitat at the head of the bay. You could also ride the 'Roses Express' road train along the bay and up into the hills overlooking the Mediterranean. If you like, maybe visit the medieval city of Girona, an attractive town with a striking Gothic cathedral. Girona also has one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe, El Call, a fascinating maze of winding cobbled streets - with bars, restaurants and antique shops - that is easy to explore on foot.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Figueres & Besalú

This morning, you travel by coach to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Get an insight into the life and work of the artist as you visit the Salvador Dalí Foundation, a museum designed by Dalí himself that features much of his famous works. You have time to continue exploring Figueres, possibly discovering the pentagonal Sant Ferran Castle and the Gothic Church of St Peter. You could visit Salvador Dalí's birthplace on Monturiol Street, or head to Figueres' own Las Ramblas, filled with shops and restaurants. Afterwards, continue to the historic town of Besalú, dominated by a 11th-century fortified bridge built in Romanesque style across the River Fluvia. Here you could visit the remains of the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere. There are several other churches and synagogues to explore, or you could hop on the tourist train for a scenic tour of Besalú.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - At leisure in Roses

Make the most of your last day in Roses, maybe revisiting your favourite beach, café or restaurant. If you haven't explored the Citadel of Roses yet, this is a fascinating Renaissance fortress built in the mid-16th century. It is an unusual star-shaped walled enclosure with two main gateways, the Sea and Land gateways. Inside is an archaeological site where the remains of the Greek colony 'Rhode' was discovered; excavation also revealed signs of a paleo-Christian church relating to a Visigoth settlement and the 11th century church and monastery of Santa Maria de Roses. If you're feeling energetic, you might enjoy a walk in the nearby Aiguamolls de l'Empordá or Cap de Creus Natural Parks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - London

After breakfast, it is time to leave Roses, travelling by rail to Paris. Here, you connect with the Eurostar for London St Pancras.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that whilst every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order of the itinerary may differ from that given above.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Roses Platja, Roses

Hotel Roses Platja, Roses

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Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 106 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (68)
  2. 4 stars
    (33)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Byrne

2 stars

Submitted 17/May

Too long a wait between connecting services in france. Too many train stops in france. No swimming pool at hotel. Food very average. Tour guide excellent. Tour manager excellent.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs Pauline Hindhaugh

5 stars

Submitted 16/May

Well organised tour. Ideal beach holiday if that's what you are looking for, land train and boat trips are great excursions in the local area. Good excursions from rail discoveries also.

Collected by Trustpilot

S Stead

4 stars

Submitted 16/May

Enjoyable but very tiring. Very long days and dificult for us handling the luggage on so many transfers.

Collected by Trustpilot

BD

5 stars

Submitted 14/May

A well thought out tour with interesting excursions coupled with days in which to explore the lovely resort of Roses. The hotel was in a very good location on the beach in the centre of the resort.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs Sheena Bedford

5 stars

Submitted 10/May

Lovely resort, good hotel, food buffet adequate, room good size, lovely staff, weather was brilliant

Collected by Trustpilot

Ruth Yang

5 stars

Submitted 10/May

Smooth trandport Good hotel and food Helpful guider Good program Not sure about three of six days are free days for self arrangement, two days shoud be enough.

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