Great Rail Journeys
Highlights of the Basque Country
8 daysfrom $1,601
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Walking Tour
Walk & Tour: Catalonia's Coast & Culture
Uncover the Catalan coast with a perfect blend of walks and excursions showcasing medieval towns, captivating culture, breathtaking views and hidden coves.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Roses
By First Class rail to the Catalan coast
Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras for a Eurostar journey to Paris in Plus class, enjoying a light meal en route. Transfer between Parisian stations and continue in First Class through France to Figueres in Catalonia. Transfer by coach to the hotel in Roses, arriving late evening. Three-course dinner on arrival.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Roses
Exploring a hilltop monastery and harbour town
After breakfast, transfer by coach to Sant Pere de Rodes monastery, a 10th-century Romanesque monastery on a ridge with great coastal views. Choose from Option A (2.6mi/4.2km circular hillside walk with panoramic views) or Option B (4.4mi/7.1km walk from the monastery to El Port de la Selva with panoramic views of the Bay of Roses). Both options feature time in El Port de la Selva. Return by coach to Roses for a three-course dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Roses
Salvador Dalí's Figueres and medieval Besalú
After breakfast, travel to Figueres for a guided tour of the flamboyant pink-and-gold Dalí Theatre-Museum, containing the largest collection of his works in the world, along with pieces by El Greco and Marcel Duchamp. This afternoon, visit the medieval town of Besalú at the foot of the Garrotxa Natural Park, accessed by a stunning 12th-century bridge. Free time to explore cobbled streets and ancient buildings before returning to Roses for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Roses
Cadaqués and Cap de Creus walks
Short transfer to the jetty for a boat trip around the coast, cruising past the Cap de Creus peninsula of towering cliffs and secluded coves to the whitewashed village of Cadaqués. Choose from Option A (3mi/4.8km flat path along the water's edge from Cadaqués harbour) or Option B (4.5mi/7km hike ascending through town to view Salvador Dalí's house at Port Lligat and continuing across the peninsula to the famous lighthouse at Spain's most easterly point). Return to Roses by coach for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Calella de Palafrugell
Exploring Girona en route to Calella
Leave Roses after breakfast and travel by coach to Girona for a guided tour of the Old Town, including the labyrinthine Jewish Quarter, the Cathedral of Saint Mary (with the second-widest nave in the world), and the colourful riverside buildings. Free time for lunch. Continue to Calella de Palafrugell, a traditional fishing village with whitewashed buildings. Check in to the hotel with sea views and superior rooms with terraces. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Calella de Palafrugell
Walking the Catalan coast on the Cami de Ronda
Transfer by coach to La Fosca after breakfast. Begin the final walk of the holiday with two options featuring sections of the Cami de Ronda coastal path. Option A (4.9mi/7.8km): follow the waterside trail to castle ruins above town and continue on the paved coastal path. Option B (4.9mi/7.8km): follow the waterside trail past the cove of s'Alguer to Platja de... Both walks conclude back in Calella. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the hotel or explore the town.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: Calella de Palafrugell
Medieval Pals and Catalan wine-tasting
Guided tour of Cap Roig Botanical Gardens after breakfast, featuring more than 8,000 varieties of plants surrounding a medieval-style castle built in 1931. Travel by coach to the medieval village of Pals for free time to explore its 9th-century church and the Hours Tower. Visit a traditional Catalan vineyard, a renovated 17th-century farmhouse family-run since the 1970s, for a guided tour and wine-tasting with a light lunch. Return to Calella for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, return by coach to Figueres and board a First Class train to Paris. Transfer stations and board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal en route back to London St Pancras, where the walking tour concludes.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Expert local walking guides with recognised walking, leading and first-aid qualifications
- Carefully planned walking routes with choice of two options each walking day
- 2.6–4.9 miles (4.2–7.8 km) walking per day
- Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch (wine-tasting with light lunch at Catalan vineyard)
- 6 dinners
- All walks with local guides, guided tours and excursions
- Guided tour of Dalí Theatre-Museum, Figueres
- Guided tour of Girona
- Guided tour of Cap Roig Botanical Gardens
- Boat trip from Roses to Cadaqués
- Transfers by coach throughout
Not included
- Cancellation and travel insurance
