01904 521 936
Tour Search



Spain
DiscoveriesDiscoveries

Catalonia & Little Trains of the Pyrenees

Save
You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
8 days From £1,349 £1,249 per person
4.3 stars(588 reviews)

Map

Experience the shining peaks of the Pyrenees on captivating train journeys and enjoy the sparkling coast of Catalonia from the charming seaside town of Roses

Save £100pp

Save £100pp on Europe & British Isles 2025 holidays, when you book by 2nd June 2025.

View terms and conditions

Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: 25FRS

About the tour

From the charming seaside town of Roses, discover the glistening Catalan coast and ride into the Pyrenees, taking in the stunning scenery of France and Spain on this relaxing holiday.

Experience the delightful Núria Valley Rack Railway on a journey through a peaceful valley and ride the Little Red Train from Rivesaltes to Axat in France's Pyrenean foothills.

Explore Catalonia's historic towns and cities, including picture-perfect Besalú and medieval Girona.

Uncover the surreal world of artist Salvador Dalí on a visit to his exuberant museum in the pretty town of Figueres.

View Dates & Pricing

Unforgettable Experiences

Ride the charming Little Red Train through the French Pyrenees
Ride the charming Little Red Train through the French Pyrenees
Passing châteaux, sloping vineyards and dense forests, this 100-year-old heritage railway takes you on an enjoyable journey to the gorgeous Pyrenean foothills with the option of viewing the landscapes from open-air carriages.
Journey to a pilgrimage site on the scenic Núria Valley Rack Railway
Journey to a pilgrimage site on the scenic Núria Valley Rack Railway
Taking a picturesque route high up into the Pyrenees, this enchanting railway passes beautiful gorges and valley scenery before arriving at the impressive Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria and a peaceful lake.
Experience pretty Figueres and the Salvador Dalí Museum
Experience pretty Figueres and the Salvador Dalí Museum
A classic Catalan town in its own right, Figueres contains the largest surrealist object in the world – the Dalí museum that contains the largest collection of works by the town’s most revered son.
Stay in relaxing Roses on the shimmering Catalan coast
Stay in relaxing Roses on the shimmering Catalan coast
Your base for the week is idyllic Roses on the northern edge of the Costa Brava, a historic fishing town that now exudes a laid-back charm with a promenade stretching along two miles of golden sandy beaches.
Explore the historic old town of beautiful Girona
Explore the historic old town of beautiful Girona
Home to the second-widest church nave in the world in its spectacular cathedral, Girona’s old town is a delight to discover with a labyrinthine Jewish Quarter and colourful buildings that cling to the banks of the river.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – From London, straight to Catalonia

Our holiday begins when we meet our Tour Manager and the rest of our group at London St Pancras International, 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 short transfer to our base for the next week - Roses. 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 dine with our group this evening.

Please Note

For departure 22nd April we will now be staying at the Hotel Univers, Roses

For departure 26th April we will now be staying at the Hotel Marian Platja, Roses.

For departure 10th May we will now be staying at the Hotel Prestige Sant Marc. Roses.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – A day to explore beautiful Roses

Your day is free to explore the coastal town of 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 freshly caught fish or some tasty tapas with a panoramic view.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Riding the Núria Valley Rack Railway up the Pyrenees

Today is a highlight of our 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 on to 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 delightful sanctuary before taking the Núria Valley Rack Railway back to Ribes de Freser and returning to Roses in time for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Discovering the impressive old town of historic Girona

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 north-east 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Roses and the calm costa

Today you have the opportunity to relax or explore further*. Your hotel is well equipped with everything you may need 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 a delightful view of Roses, backdropped by the wild Cap de Creus Natural Park.

Roses, an authentic Spanish fishing port, exudes laid-back charm. There is plenty of history in the hills surrounding Roses, but a gentle stroll to one of the town's squares is 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.

*Please Note: On select departures Day 5 and Day 7 have been swapped.

Please Note: For departures 25/04/25, 09/05/25, 25/05/25 and 06/06/25 Day 5 and 6 have been swapped.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – A journey on the Little Red Train into the French Pyrenees

It's a customers' favourite for a reason, and today 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 majestic 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. Maybe 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 delightful rural valley village - a huddle of rustic houses nestled between imposing peaks - before boarding a coach back to Roses, returning in time for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Ancient Besalú, artistic Figueres and the Salvador Dalí Museum

This morning, we visit 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 visit the largest surrealistic object in the world - the Dalí Theatre-Museum. 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 round 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.

We return to our hotel by coach with time to relax before the final dinner of our holiday.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

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, where it's time to say our goodbyes and head homewards.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Discoveries collection

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Mediterraneo Park

Hotel Mediterraneo Park, Roses

View hotel

Hotel Roses Platja, Roses

Hotel Roses Platja, Roses

View hotel

Trains

Eurostar
Nuria Valley Rack Railway
The Red Train

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Upgrade to Plus Class on Eurostar
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 588 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (282)
  2. 4 stars
    (206)
  3. 3 stars
    (74)
  4. 2 stars
    (18)
  5. 1 star
    (8)

HEATHER SQUIBB

5 stars

Submitted 1/Jun

Only our second trip with Great Rail , the first to Yorkshire was very good. This trip was extremely good but did involve some long journeys, the first from London to Roses via Paris starting in London Eurostar at 7.30 and arriving at our destination at around 20.30 local time. Well organised and not too tiring.Arrived at the hotel mid evening and we were able to join the evening meal, buffet style which was very very good all week. We generally eat vegetarian and found plenty of choice, the only thing we would say is that some of the food labelling could have been a little clearer ie chefs choice did not say what was in it so if you did have an allergy you might have to leave it to be on the safe side. The hotel was excellent , very clean everywhere and comfortable bed , nice bathroom with bidet which they seem to do well on the continent, water in the room on the first day but unfortunately this was not replaced . The beach was only a 5 minute walk and again everywhere very clean, nice shops and tapas bars. The trips out were well organised and our guide Janice was always on the ball if anything needed sorting out and even managed to arrange with the hotel to show the Europa league final, also the entertainment was very good , first class musicians. Although the little red train journey was quite interesting it felt a bit long as the destination was a very small village with not a lot to see. Some people opted not to do that trip and instead took the seafront Roses express which we were told was a really scenic trip of 1 to 2 hours . The trips to Girona , Besalu and Figueres were really good. The overall trip was really good and we wished we had a couple more days.

Collected by Trustpilot

Cynthia

5 stars

Submitted 1/Jun

The trip was very well-organised, the tour manager Paul was amazing. There was a. good variety and balance of trips and free time. Great

Collected by Trustpilot

Anon

5 stars

Submitted 1/Jun

A wonderful programme covering much of the surrounding area. Very efficiently managed by a highly competent and friendly tour manager.

Collected by Trustpilot

Rob Jones

5 stars

Submitted 31/May

Great value for money, well organised, great hotel

Collected by Trustpilot

Keith Davies

5 stars

Submitted 31/May

The journeys by the Eurostar and TGV were brilliant and everything about the hotel was first-rate. The room, the food, the facilities were all excellent. The coach travel got a bit wearing at times but the trip on the rack railway was worth the long journey. I enjoyed the little red train rather less and wondered why we didn't do let petit train jaune instead since the hotel manager told me the travelling time to get to the station would have been about the same. Our guide did a brilliant job getting us on the Eurostar at Gard du Nord so we got back at the expected time. It may have been helpful if she could have spoken Spanish but she was very organised and efficient.

Collected by Trustpilot

MRS R MUGE

5 stars

Submitted 31/May

This holiday was all that could be expected. Yes the train journeys were long and on the return subject to some disruption, but the first was expected and the second no fault of GRJ. The hotel was very luxurious and the food wonderful. The trips were all good, though we did not go on the one to the train into the Pyrenees as it entailed to long on coaches getting there and back. Roses is an interesting and pleasant place to stay, with great tapas. Overall good value for money.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
Related inspiration from our journey blog