Day 1: Travel to Spain. Transfer to Roses
Today depart for Barcelona, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Roses, a seaside town on the Spanish coast close to the French-Spanish border. Upon arrival at the hotel, meet your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and meeting where your guide will provide lots of tips and information to help get a great holiday under way. This evening enjoy your first meal at your hotel.
Day 2: Take the Roses Express. Morning at Leisure
Morning: Enjoy this morning at leisure in Roses. Relax and enjoy your surroundings, we recommend to take a walk by the beach, or just relax by the pool with a coffee. The choice is yours!
Afternoon: Today all board the Roses Express! Take a ride on this tractor pulled tourist train around the marvellous scenery of the Cap de Creus Nature Park where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Enjoy the panoramic views of the bay of Roses with its white beaches and blue sparkling water. You will also pass by its beautiful coves with contrasting colours, such as Murtra, Rustella, and Jòncols, where you will stop to see the Jòncols cove from the top of the cliff and admire the views. Don't forget your camera! Train duration: 2 hours (approx. 30km).
Day 3: Villefranche, Mt Louis & The Little Yellow Train. Explore Villefranche-de-Conflent
Morning: This morning cross the border into France where you will spend the day exploring the French side of the Pyrenees. First visit the fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent, a UNESCO world heritage site. Here you will have some free time to explore the fortifications built during the time of Louis XIV and designed by the French engineer Vauban and wander the medieval streets lines by pink coloured stone houses.
Afternoon: Afterwards ride the Yellow Train, its colours reflecting the colours of the Catalan flag, for an unforgettable journey through the French Pyrenees. Admire the scenery from the comfort of your carriage as the train winds its way up into the Tet valley, passing through forests and tunnels and across ravines and viaducts, including the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge and the Séjourné viaduct with its dramatic double-decker arches. Finish this scenic journey at the small village of Mont Louis before returning to your hotel by coach. Train duration: 1.15 hrs (approx. 29km)
Please note: that the Yellow Train Line schedule is subject to alteration by the operator. In the unlikely event that the train will not operate, this excursion day will be replaced with a cruise on Banyoles Lake and a visit to the medieval town of Besalu.
Day 4: At Leisure. Free Time in Roses
Full Day: Have the day at leisure in the seaside town of Roses. Relax by the beach, do some souvenir shopping and perhaps enjoy an al fresco drink or lunch in the Spanish sunshine. The choice is yours!
Day 5: Nuria Valley & the Nuria Rack Railway. Experience the Spanish Pyrenees
Full Day: Today spend the day exploring the Spanish side of the Pyrenees and the magnificent Nuria Valley with a trip on the Nuria rack railway. Sit back and relax as you pass through this mountain resort, climbing almost 1000m before arriving at the remote town of Nuria. Railway is the only form of access to this small town and pilgrimage centre, home to an image of the Virgin Mary. Visit the Sanctuary and taste some of the local produce of the Valley, before returning down the valley on the train once more. Train duration: 1 hr (approx. 25km)
Day 6: Rivesalets & The Red Train. Take the Red Train
Full Day: Today board the Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes, or the Red Train. Travel from Rivesalets to Axat along the 100-year-old line, passing castles, vineyards, viaducts and tunnels on the way. Don’t forget your camera as the train will stop for photos and give you a chance to admire the views. On arrival in the pretty town of Axat, which is surrounded by mountains and gorges, you’ll have some time at leisure before heading back to your hotel by coach. Train duration: 2:45 hrs (approx. 60km)
Day 7: Figueres. Travel to Figueres
Morning: Today you will travel to the town of Figueres to visit the Dalí Museum, widely regarded as the home of surrealism. Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres and has an eccentric artistic repertoire including film, sculpture and photography. The heart of the museum is the building that housed the Figueres town theatre when Dalí was a child and is where the young Dalí’s first exhibitions were showcased. The museum now displays the largest and most diverse collection of his works.
Afternoon: Your last afternoon in Roses will be at leisure. Why not take a stroll on the beach, enjoy a cool drink and a few tapas, and perhaps do some last-minute souvenir shopping?
Day 8: Return Home. Depart Spain
Time to head for home, with some wonderful holiday memories. Transfer from your hotel to Barcelona or Girona airport for your flight home.
