Uncover the hidden gems, coastal charm and appetising flavours of one of Spain’s most beautiful regions from the bay of Roses

We meet at London St Pancras International and board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class with a light meal at our seats. In the French capital, we take our seats in First Class for a journey through the heart of France to the Spanish town of Figueres. Here, we transfer by coach to our hotel which overlooks Canyelles Petites beach in the town of Roses.

Located in the north-eastern area of the Costa Brava, a wild and rocky stretch of the Spanish coastline, we are not far from the centre of Roses, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds - the peace and quiet of our secluded location and the town's attractions when you choose. On arrival this evening, we sit down to a three-course dinner.

Enjoy a free day to relax by the pool or bask in the laid-back atmosphere of the white-sand Canyelles Petites beach opposite our hotel. Alternatively, you could visit the centre of Roses.

Set within the beautiful Bay of Roses, the town is an authentic fishing port with typical Catalan charm and style - white-washed buildings contrasting with azure blue sea and sky. In the centre of Roses is the church of Santa María and an ornate Modernist house, Casa Mallol, while the bay has several blue flag beaches with a backdrop of distant Pyrenean peaks.

You may prefer to take a walk out of the bay to discover rocky coves and shingle beaches only accessible on foot or by boat. There is a good choice of restaurants where you could have lunch, the best of which are found along the coast. Some have terraces so you could sample freshly caught fish or tapas with a view.

This evening, dinner is served at our hotel.

*Please note: on certain departures, the itinerary order may be swapped.

This morning, we visit the medieval town of Besalú, at the foot of the volcanic Garrotxa Natural Park. Once the capital of an independent state, its cobbled streets and sand-coloured buildings still burst with history. Accessed by a 12th-century bridge, we enter a labyrinth of ancient buildings, pretty squares and cobblestone alleys. We have a morning to explore independently before boarding a coach to Figueres.

In Figueres, we discover the largest surrealistic object in the world - the Dalí Theatre-Museum. This joyous pink and gold building contains the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's works in the world, along with pieces by El Greco and Marcel Duchamp. Dalí was born in Figueres in 1904 and by the late 1920s was one of the best-known figures of the Surrealism movement.

After visiting the museum, there is time to wander around Figueres, a classic Catalan town with an impressive 11th-century church. The sheltered lanes of the town centre offer cafés, tapas bars and gelaterias, which open onto picturesque squares. We return to Roses in the early evening, in time for tonight's dinner.

This morning, we board a boat for a cruise along a beautiful stretch of the Cap de Creus National Park. This arid peninsula of towering cliffs has attractive bays accessible only by boat.

We disembark in Cadaqués, set in a cobalt blue bay, where you have time to look around. A fishing village of white-washed houses that inspired much of Salvador Dalí's work, you could visit the famous painter's former house and studio, once a bohemian retreat for other artists. Picasso was inspired by the incredible light and colour on display in Cadaqués. This picture-perfect town has drawn visitors to its narrow streets and shining seafront for decades.

Afterwards, we sail back to Roses where your afternoon is free to relax or head out for lunch. You may like to take a walk along the coastal path to Platja de l'Almadrava in the neighbouring bay, before dinner this evening.

Today, we travel by coach to Barcelona for a guided tour of the Catalan capital. We view the exterior of the spectacular Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. Gaudí's work is synonymous with Barcelona, and this cathedral combines his signature style with Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. You could return to see the inside on your free time later in the afternoon (advance booking recommended).

On the Passeig de Gràcia, we see the colourful Casa Milà and the fantastical Casa Batlló. We continue to bustling Las Ramblas, a tree-lined boulevard that runs from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. Here, on the city's most famous street, we can look out for a colourful mosaic by local artist Joan Miró and the vibrant La Boqueria market.

The afternoon is free to explore independently, and you may wish to indulge in some local cuisine. You could walk through the Gothic quarter to the paved Plaça Reial with its towering palm trees, or visit the Picasso Museum which houses some of the artist's finest work. You may like to take a stroll on the Rambla de Mar walkway beside the beach. In the early evening, we return to Roses for dinner.

Today is free for you to look around at your own pace. You could ride the 'Roses Express' road train along the seafront, up into the hills overlooking the Mediterranean, or visit the mighty Castell de la Trinitat at the head of the bay.

History abounds in Roses and at the other end of the town is the Ciutadella de Roses, the site of a fortress used by Greeks, Romans and Visigoths.

If you'd like to explore further, the medieval city of Girona is just a short journey away by local bus. Girona's well-preserved medieval streets are a treasure trove of winding alleys, colourful buildings and diverse galleries and museums. The Gothic cathedral is well worth seeing and boasts the second-widest nave in the world - only St Peter's Basilica in Rome is larger. Tonight, dinner is served at our hotel.

Today we transfer by coach to Rivesaltes near Perpignan, France, where we 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 into the dense green of the majestic Pyrenees on the remaining section of the railway, between Rivesaltes to the small town of Axat. This scenic trip takes us past vineyards, while verdant forests and rocky outcrops become more prevalent as the route climbs higher. Look out for historic Cathar fortresses, built into the mountaintops.

Between June and September, there is the option to sit in 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 winds its way over hills and valleys.

You are free to look around and find lunch in the rural valley town of Axat before we begin our return journey by coach. Back at our hotel, there is time to unwind before dinner.

We embrace Catalan flavours today as we travel into the countryside by coach for a visit to a vineyard in the Empordà wine region. Our hosts are highly regarded for their produce which, in addition to wine, also includes olives. We enjoy a brunch of cold meats and local cheese served with wine produced on the estate. We then learn more about the wine-making process during a walk through the vineyards and olive trees, before visiting the winery.

On returning to Roses, the afternoon is free to spend some time in the charming town or relaxing by the pool. This evening, we enjoy an olive-oil tasting at our hotel, before taking a short walk to the hotel's restaurant. Located right on the beach, we enjoy a selection of local specialities while looking out to the sea as the sun sets on the white-washed buildings that cluster beside the bay.

This morning, we say 'adíos' to Roses as a coach takes us across the French border to Perpignan where we connect to Paris. Our route takes us through the Occitan region of France.

Our Catalonian holiday has taken us from the glistening coast around Roses to the foothills of the Pyrenees; we've also seen the playful and thought-provoking art of Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí - a real feast for the senses.

As our train reaches the Rhône, we dash through the heart of France to its capital. In Paris, we board the Eurostar in Plus class with a light meal at our seats on the way back to London St Pancras International, where we can say our goodbyes before heading home.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Just over the road from Canyelles Petites Beach on the Bay of Roses, this laid-back, 4-Star hotel is well-known locally for making its own olive oil and for the restaurant's delicious cuisine. On site you'll also find a seasonal al fresco eatery, an outdoor pool, a gym and an outdoor terrace - perfect for long summer nights. Each modern guest room has a private balcony and is equipped with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television with satellite channels, a safe and mini bar.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.