Pyrenees by Train - 8 days

You will most likely arrive at Barcelona's Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. From here, make your own way to the start hotel in Roses, on northern Spain's Costa Brava. The rest of the day is at your leisure. In the evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Tour Style: On this tour you will stay in the same hotel throughout, with included excursions and free time to spend at leisure. On the excursions the maximum group size is 45. A tour leader is on hand at the hotel to provide information and assistance throughout your stay.

Roses - Cap de Creus Nature Park - Roses. The morning is free to relax and enjoy the lovely surroundings of Roses, or perhaps head to the beach for a swim. Later, we’ll set off on the Roses Express train for a half-day excursion to Cap de Creus Nature Park, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Here, we will take in the panoramic views of the Bay of Roses and the nearby coves. We will spend approximately 2 hours on the train, and will return to Roses for the night.

Roses - Villefranche-de-Conflent (France) - Mont Louis - Roses (Spain). This morning, we’ll cross the border into France to spend the day exploring the French side of the Pyrenees. Our first stop is the fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will have some free time here to explore the fortresses, built during the reign of Louis XIV and designed by the French engineer Vauban.

In the afternoon, we’ll admire the stunning scenery from the comfort of the Little Yellow Train as it winds through the Tet Valley, passing forests, tunnels, ravines, and viaducts, including the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge and the Sejourne viaduct with its striking double-decker arches. Our 1 hour train journey will end in the small village of Mont Louis before we return to our hotel by coach.

Roses - Nuria Valley - Roses. Today, we’ll uncover more of the beauty of the Pyrenees. We will depart the hotel for a full-day guided excursion exploring the Spanish side of the Pyrenees and the magnificent Nuria Valley, including a trip on the Nuria rack railway.

The train will climb nearly 1,000 metres before reaching the remote town of Nuria, which is only accessible by rail and is home to a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We will conclude our day with a visit to the Sanctuary before returning down the valley on the train. In total, we will spend 1 hour aboard the train.

Today you have the day to relax and enjoy the scenic seaside town of Roses. Our local guide will be happy to suggest activities and highlight must-see attractions. You can unwind on the beach, enjoy some souvenir shopping or enjoy lunch in the Spanish sunshine.

Roses - Rivesaltes (France) - Axat - Roses (Spain). This morning, we will have an early start, and a packed breakfast will be arranged for us. We’ll embark on our adventure as we cross back into France, board the Red Train in Rivesaltes and travelling to Axat along the century-old line, passing castles, vineyards, viaducts, and tunnels along the way.

Upon arrival in Axat, you have some free time to explore this charming town before our coach transfer back to the hotel. The evening is at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Roses. Total time aboard the train today is approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.

Roses - Figueres - Roses. Today, we travel to the town of Figueres to visit the Dali Museum. Salvador Dali was born in Figueres and is considered the father of surrealism. His artistic repertoire includes a wide variety of paintings, films, sculptures, and photographs.

The heart of the museum is the building that once housed the Figueres town theatre when Dali was a child, where his first exhibitions were showcased. The museum now displays the largest and most diverse collection of his works. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel in Roses, where we’ll have the rest of your final day at leisure.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before check out. We wish you a safe onwards journey!