Simply Catalonia

Your holiday on the beautiful coast of Catalonia begins today at London St Pancras. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and the rest of your travel group, and together, board the Eurostar to Paris. Switching trains in the French capital, we continue our journey on the high-speed TGV train, travelling south toward the Spanish border.

After a day spent watching the changes in the landscape, our train arrives in the Catalan town of Figueres this evening. From here, a coach transfer takes us to our base for the next week, Roses. This beautiful coastal town lies at the head of the Costa Brava in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, nestled between the azure Mediterranean and sun-drenched hills. Our hotel provides a comfortable and relaxing base from which to discover this part of Spain, and upon checking in, we enjoy a light dinner buffet and included glass of wine with our group.

• Dinner
• Glass of wine with dinner

Enjoy a leisurely start to your holiday with a free day in Roses, whose idyllic location puts a range of experiences within reach. You could spend the day relaxing by the pool at our hotel, soaking up the Mediterranean sun, or looking upon the sea from the sun deck, where lounge chairs and parasols create an inviting environment. Our hotel offers direct access to the beach, and if you like, you can follow it to the white-washed town centre, which is easily accessible on foot.

Once a Greek colony, Roses has historic monuments from the Roman, medieval and Neolithic periods. In the hills above the town lies the remains of Puig Rom - a Visigoth fortress - and you could also seek out Ciutadella de Roses, the site of a fortress used by Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. At the other end of the town is Trinitat Castle, a hilltop fortress with excellent sunset views.

As a working fishing port, Roses has excellent restaurants along the coast serving fresh seafood and flavourful tapas, which you could enjoy for lunch or dinner.

• Breakfast
• (plus Dinner if you're staying at the Montecarlo)

After breakfast, we board a coach to the enchanting Cap Roig Botanical Garden. Created in 1927, the garden contains 8,000 plant species from across the world's regions with a Mediterranean climate. We can also see the iconic castle, built with local iron-rich rock. Here, we enjoy time at leisure, admiring breathtaking panoramic views of the sea views from the cliff-top garden.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Pals, a picturesque medieval town on a hill surrounded by plains. In the centre, we find a medieval Romanesque tower known as Torre de las Hores (Tower of the Hours), which was originally part of the long since destroyed old Castle of Pals. Here, we have the chance to wander the cobblestone streets and soak up views of the distant hills. You're welcome to find lunch independently.

In the late afternoon, we take a coach back to the hotel, where you have the rest of the afternoon to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• Glass of wine with dinner

Our day begins with breakfast before we transfer by coach to Rivesaltes, near Perpignan, France, to board the Little Red Train - Le Train Rouge. Officially called the Train du Pays Cathare et des Fenouillèdes (TPCF), the line was constructed more than 100 years ago to connect Rivesaltes and Carcassonne.

Today, tourists travel in red carriages which stand out against the dense greenery of the Pyrenees while venturing from Rivesaltes to Axat, high in the Aude valley. Our train passes vineyards, forests, rocky outcrops and mountaintop Cathar fortresses as the route climbs higher. During summer, between June and September, there is the option to travel in open-air carriages, fully immersing yourself in the passing scenery as this railway clings to the cliffs and winds over valleys.

On arrival in Axat, there is time to explore this rural valley village, perhaps pausing to enjoy lunch if you have brought one along. You could also wander past rustic houses nestled between imposing peaks before boarding a coach back to Roses, returning in time for dinner and a glass of wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• Glass of wine with dinner

Today is spent at leisure, giving you another chance to relax or explore at your own pace. Our hotel's setting offers the perfect retreat, with plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces, a spa and beachfront access. Should you wish to see some of Roses' other beaches and tucked-away coves, you could set out on foot, as several are accessible. Alternatively, walking along the palm-lined promenade beside the Bay of Roses, you are never far from a good spot to stop for refreshments or views of Roses, backed by the wild Cap de Creus Natural Park.

Strolling through the town centre is equally rewarding. The squares are surrounded by beautiful architecture, and there are plenty of treasures to uncover, such as the Santa Maria church, dating to the 18th century.

However you choose to spend your day, return to the hotel this evening for dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast
• (plus Dinner if you're staying at the Montecarlo)

After breakfast, we drive to Girona to enjoy some free time in this well-preserved medieval Spanish city. Its old town is a maze of winding alleys, colourful buildings, galleries and museums, located to the northeast of its modern centre.

Standing on a hill once occupied by Capuchin monks, historic Girona was attacked and conquered many times. The old Jewish Quarter, a labyrinth of cobbled streets, ancient synagogues and cafes, is close to the city's cathedral. The impressive Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona stands at the top of a grand Baroque staircase, with a Romanesque cloister and a nave that is the second widest in the world - only St Peter's Basilica in Rome is wider.

One of the defining images of Girona is the colourful buildings that cling to the riverbank, which can be viewed from several bridges, including the metallic Pont de les Peixateries Velles, designed by Gustave Eiffel. After sightseeing, you could relax at one of the many cafés or restaurants and try some classic Spanish dishes or authentic tapas. A Catalan speciality is 'pa amb tomàquet' - crispy bread topped with tomato and drizzled with olive oil and salt.

• Breakfast
• (plus Dinner if you're staying at the Montecarlo)

In the morning, we drive to the village of Ribes de Freser to board the Núria Valley Rack Railway.

This line transports tourists and pilgrims up to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria via a vast Pyrenean valley. Enroute, we may spot deer or marmot as we travel between the verdant mountains and rugged gorges. The railway is the only way to access Núria, a car-free status oasis of serenity. At the top, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria looks out onto a crystalline lake, with the Pyrenean peaks in the backdrop.

We disembark here with a chance to walk around the lake and explore the tranquillity of this sanctuary, whose grounds are a site of pilgrimage, thanks to their legendary ties to Saint Giles. We reboard the Núria Valley Rack Railway to travel back to Ribes de Freser, where a coach transfer returns us to Roses in time for dinner, complete with a complimentary glass of wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• Glass of wine with dinner

Catalonia's vibrant scenery set the backdrop for our explorations over the last week. From the colourful Cap Roig Botanical Garden to the verdant mountainsides of the Pyrenees and the preserved medieval centres of Pals and Girona, we uncovered this region's best scenery. Along the way, the Núria Valley Rack Railway and the Red Train provided a front-row seat to pristine Catalan views.

Enjoy another look at these views this morning as a coach transfer takes us to Figueres to catch our train connection to Paris. In the French capital, we change to the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where your holiday concludes on arrival.

• Breakfast