Euroventure
France and Spain Wine Tour
8 daysfrom $2,264
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
The Costa Brava and the Catalan Coast by First Class rail on daytime trains
Experience the beauty of Spain's coastline in first-class comfort, from vibrant Barcelona to the tranquil coves of the Costa Brava.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Platja d'Aro
London to Platja d'Aro
Start at St. Pancras International and join the Eurostar to Paris in Standard Premier Class (1st class for leisure travellers), enjoying a light meal and drinks at your seat at speeds up to 186 mph. On arrival at Paris Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across the city to the Gare de Lyon, where you connect with the high-speed TGV service into Spain. Continue through France and across the Spanish border to Girona, where a pre-arranged taxi transfer (payable locally) takes you to Platja d'Aro and the Salles Hotel & Spa Cala del Pi (5 star).
Meals: Breakfast (on train)
- Day 2overnight: Platja d'Aro
At leisure in Platja d'Aro
Settle in to this authentic Spanish fishing port. The hotel's facilities include a spa with heated indoor pool and three outdoor pools with Mediterranean views. Relax on the broad Platja Gran beach (around 2 km of golden sands) or enjoy the exclusive Cala del Pi cove directly outside the hotel. Estanys Park nearby is home to around 250 species of birds.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Platja d'Aro
Figueres and the Dali Foundation (payable locally)
Travel to nearby Figueres, home of surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Visit the Salvador Dali Foundation, including the distinctive Salvador Dali Theatre Museum with sculptures, paintings, photography and jewellery, and the nearby Dali Jewels Museum featuring the celebrated beating heart brooch. Also explore Sant Ferran Castle, one of Europe's largest castles, and the attractive old town centre.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Platja d'Aro
Girona (payable locally)
Travel to Girona, northern Catalonia's largest city, a jewellery box of museums, galleries and Gothic churches. Explore the walled medieval quarter (Barri Vell) perched on a hill, with narrow cobbled alleyways, balconied houses and shady plaças. See the picturesque pastel-hued Cases de l'Onyar houses clinging to the banks of the Ríu Onyar, and visit one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Spain.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Platja d'Aro
Barcelona (payable locally)
Visit Barcelona, the Catalan capital. Explore the lively Ramblas, the smart shops of Passeig de Gracia, Gaudi architecture in Parc Guell, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum. Head to Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol for street musicians, fortune tellers and painters, designer boutiques and handicraft shops.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6overnight: Platja d'Aro
Discovering the Catalan Coast
Relax or explore at your own pace. Enjoy pavement cafés, venture inland to the ancient village of Castell d'Aro (dating to the first century BC, with the Benedormiens Castle and Church of Santa Maria), walk the stunning coastline, or head to Cadaques, a pretty fishing port of whitewashed houses that was a favourite retreat for Salvador Dali.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: Platja d'Aro
Discovering the Catalan Coast
A further free day to relax or explore the Catalan Coast at your own pace. Unwind on the beach, make use of the hotel's facilities, or venture further afield to discover more of the region.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8rail
Platja d'Aro to London – Homeward bound
After breakfast, a pre-arranged taxi transfer (payable locally) returns you to Girona. Join the superfast TGV service back into France and northwards to Paris. A private transfer takes you across the city to the Gare du Nord, where you join the Eurostar service home to London St. Pancras, enjoying a light meal and drinks on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Light meal and drinks (on Eurostar)
Included
- First Class rail travel from London to Girona and return on daytime trains via Paris
- Standard Premier service on Eurostar with a light meal and drinks
- 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast each day at the Salles Hotel and Spa Cala del Pi (5 star) in Platja d'Aro
- Private taxi transfers in Paris
- Pre-arranged private taxi transfers between Girona station and hotel in Platja d'Aro (payable locally)
Not included
- Taxi transfer from Girona to Platja d'Aro (payable locally)
- Return taxi transfer from Platja d'Aro to Girona (payable locally)
- Entry to Salvador Dali Foundation / Theatre Museum (payable locally)
- Entry to Dali Jewels Museum (payable locally)
- Excursions to Figueres, Girona, Barcelona, Cadaques (payable locally)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
