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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

The Costa Brava and the Catalan Coast by First Class rail on daytime trains

London to Barcelona coast via Eurostar and TGV in first-class comfort

Illustration of The Costa Brava and the Catalan Coast by First Class rail on daytime trains

Planet Rail's 8-day Costa Brava holiday pairs first-class rail travel from London with a week-long base in a 5-star beachside hotel on Spain's Catalan coast. You board Eurostar Standard Premier (first-class service) at London St. Pancras and cross to Paris, then connect by high-speed TGV through France and into Spain, arriving in the Girona region. The journey itself is the opening act: meals and drinks are served at your seat as you travel at up to 186 mph. On arrival, seven nights at the Salles Hotel and Spa in Platja d'Aro anchor your stay. This 5-star property sits on a Mediterranean cove with pools, spa facilities, and a long sandy beach. Five days are entirely free: you can spend them swimming and relaxing, or venture to nearby medieval Girona, explore the surrealist art and castles of Figueres, day-trip to Barcelona to see Gaudi and the Ramblas, or sail to the whitewashed fishing village of Cadaques. The pace is unhurried, suited to couples and repeat rail travellers who prize both the journey and the destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most excursions to Figueres, Girona, Barcelona, and Cadaques are payable locally and arranged independently, not as part of the package.
  • Taxi transfers between Girona station and the hotel are payable locally, though Planet Rail arranges them in advance.
  • Entry fees to museums and attractions are not included and must be paid separately.

Day by day

  1. 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)

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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)

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Cross the Channel on Eurostar Standard Premier from London St. Pancras to Paris at up to 186 mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks at your seat, then continue by high-speed TGV through France and into Spain.
  • Day 3Day trip to Figueres to visit the Salvador Dali Theatre Museum with sculptures, paintings, photography and jewellery, plus the nearby Dali Jewels Museum featuring the celebrated beating heart brooch.
  • Day 4Explore Girona's medieval walled quarter on a hilltop, with narrow cobbled alleyways, balconied houses, and one of Spain's best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters.
  • Day 5Visit Barcelona to see the Ramblas, Passeig de Gracia, Parc Guell, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail on Eurostar (Standard Premier, which is first-class service for leisure travellers) from London to Paris and the high-speed TGV from Paris to Girona and return, with light meals and drinks on both trains.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. This is a tailor-made holiday. Private taxi transfers are arranged in Paris and between Girona station and the hotel, but days are free to explore independently. Excursions to Figueres, Girona, Barcelona, and Cadaques are optional and organised by you.
Where do I stay?
The Salles Hotel and Spa Cala del Pi, a 5-star property in Platja d'Aro on the Costa Brava, for all seven nights. The hotel has a spa, heated indoor pool, three outdoor pools, and direct access to Cala del Pi cove and Platja Gran beach.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day at the hotel, plus a light meal and drinks on each Eurostar journey. Other meals are at your own expense.
How much walking is involved?
Days include walking through medieval towns and city exploration, but there are no strenuous hikes. Most time is free for beach relaxation or self-guided exploration.
When does it run?
Planet Rail offers 18 departures year-round, with low-season departures November through March, mid-season in April and October, high-season in May, June and September, and peak-season in July and August. Prices range from £1,195 to £2,460 per person.

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