Catalonia & Little Trains of the Pyrenees

Your holiday begins when we meet our Tour Manager and the rest of our group at London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. In the French capital, we transfer to the high-speed TGV for a scenic journey through France to the Catalan town of Figueres.

From here, we have a transfer to our base for the next week - Roses, where we arrive late evening. This beautiful coastal town lies at the head of the Costa Brava in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, nestled between glistening sea and sun-baked hills. Our hotel provides a comfortable and relaxing base from which to discover this wonderful part of Spain, and, after checking in, we enjoy a light meal with our group following our later arrival.

• Dinner

Your day is free to explore Roses, set between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. With a laid-back atmosphere and white-washed buildings, the town centre contains the church of Santa María and an ornate Modernist house, Casa Mallol, while the Bay of Roses has several blue flag beaches, just a short walk from our hotel.

Once a Greek colony, the town has a fascinating history, with monuments from the Roman, medieval and even neolithic periods. In the hills above the town lies the remains of Puig Rom - a Visigoth fortress. Near our hotel is the Ciutadella de Roses, the site of a fortress used by Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. At the other end of the town is the Trinitat Castle, an old hilltop fortress which has great sunset views.

As a working fishing port, the town has many excellent restaurants and bars, the best of which are to be found along the coast, some having terraces so you could enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood or some tasty tapas with a panoramic view.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a highlight of the holiday as we drive to the village of Ribes de Freser to board the Núria Valley Rack Railway, which transports tourists and pilgrims up to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria.

On our way up this vast Pyrenean valley, 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, and its car-free status makes it an oasis of serenity. At the top, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria looks out onto a crystalline blue lake, with the Pyrenean peaks behind.

Legend has it that Saint Giles arrived here around 700AD and crafted an image of the Virgin Mary, which he hid in a cave when forced to flee persecution. A pilgrim found the image 300 years later, after a prophetic dream, and Núria has remained a place of pilgrimage since.

There is time to explore the tranquility of this sanctuary before taking the Núria Valley Rack Railway back to Ribes de Freser and returning to Roses in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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, Dinner

Today you can relax or explore further at your own pace. Your hotel is well equipped for a laid-back day of lounging in the sun, taking an occasional dip in one of the pools and enjoying a refreshing drink from the pool bar.

If you feel like a change of scenery, there are two miles of golden sandy beaches almost on your doorstep. 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, backdropped by the wild Cap de Creus Natural Park.

There is plenty of history in the hills surrounding Roses, and for those keen to explore a little further, the Roses Express train (payable locally) offers a scenic ride from the beachfront up to Puig Alt, in the higher reaches of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Alternatively, a gentle stroll to one of the town's squares is equally rewarding. Whatever you choose to do, it is worth finding a quiet café to soak up the atmosphere with a coffee or a cool glass of wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we transfer by coach to Rivesaltes near Perpignan, France, to board the fantastic Little Red Train. Known officially as the Train du Pays Cathare et des Fenouillèdes (TPCF), the line was constructed more than 100 years ago to connect Rivesaltes and Carcassonne.

Nowadays, tourists travel in red carriages which stand out against the dense green of the Pyrenees on the journey from Rivesaltes to the small town of Axat, high in the Aude Valley. Our train chugs past vineyards, verdant forests and rocky outcrops as the route climbs higher. Look out for historic Cathar fortresses perched in the mountaintops. During summer, between June and September there is the option to head to the open-air carriages to fully immerse yourself in the passing scenery; breathe in the fresh mountain air and soak up the views on this charming railway as it clings to the cliffs and winds its way over valleys.

On arrival in Axat, there is time to explore this rural valley village - a huddle of rustic houses nestled between imposing peaks - before boarding a coach back to Roses, returning in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we journey to Besalú, a well-preserved medieval town at the foot of the volcanic Garrotxa Natural Park. Accessed by a 12th-century Romanesque bridge, the town has many ancient buildings, pretty squares and cobblestone alleys. There is a free morning to explore before we continue by coach to Figueres.

In Figueres we enjoy an included visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum - described by Dalí himself as the world's largest surrealist object. This joyous pink building contains the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's works in the world. Born in Figueres in 1904, Dalí became one of the best-known figures of the Surrealism movement in the late 1920s. His most famous work, the 'Persistence of Memory', depicts melting clocks with a background inspired by the nearby coastline.

After visiting the museum, there is time to wander around this classic Catalan town with an impressive 11th-century church at its heart, as well as several cafés, tapas bars and gelaterias. The nearby Sant Ferran Castle is the largest 18th-century bastioned fortress in Europe, providing excellent views of the area. Later, we return to our hotel by coach with time to relax before the final dinner of the holiday.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A coach transfer takes us to Perpignan to catch our train connection to Paris. As we travel through the Occitan region of France, there is time to recall the incredible contrasts of Catalonia. From its pristine Pyrenean wilderness and charming towns to the glistening coast around Roses and the playful art of Salvador Dalí, Catalonia is an incredible feast for the senses.

As the rail route reaches the Rhône, we are transported through the heart of France to its capital. In Paris, we change to the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International. Arriving in the evening, we say our goodbyes and head homewards.

• Breakfast