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The Catalan Coast

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4.6 stars(114 reviews)
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The stunning Catalan coast and enigma of Salvador Dalí

Mobility Rating 2

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 · 114 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (72)
  2. 4 stars
    (34)
  3. 3 stars
    (7)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Carole

3 stars

Submitted 2/Jul

Hotel dreadful as was food and service seemed not welcome ..rail discoveries were v.good tho as was your manager Alister .and party we were with friendly people ....loved roses stayed before in hotel Mediterano .which was great 4* Hotel coral playa dreadfull .we stayed in Wud use rail discoveries again if not hotel coral playa if stayed in roses....

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Ian

3 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

Well organised trip, great tour manager but let down by poor hotel with below standard food and staff. Bar closed at 10pm!! Attitude of most staff very poor. Air conditioning in bedrooms totally ineffective.Trip to Girona would be good activity for one of free days.

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thomas baxter

5 stars

Submitted 27/Jun

well balanced timetable of visits

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V Vernon

4 stars

Submitted 27/Jun

Good beaches. Lots to explore includung The Roses road train...cruise to Cadaques....Barcelona..and Salvador Dali Musee.

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C Roberts

3 stars

Submitted 27/Jun

The trip was agreeable and well organised, but the very poor meat and fish, served at the hotel every night in the buffet dinners, means that I can only give the holiday three stars. Also, the swimming pool being alongside a very noisy road meant that it was more stressful than relaxing being there. I would have liked an excursion to Girona to be included in the holiday. Tour Manager was very professional.

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VINCENT MONK

5 stars

Submitted 20/Jun

Holiday gave right amount of trips out plus leisure time. Hotel super location right on beach.

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