Highlights of Catalonia & the Pyrenees by Rail

Your holiday on the beautiful coast of Catalonia begins today at London St Pancras. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and the rest of your travel group, and together, board the Eurostar to Paris. Switching trains in the French capital, we continue our journey on the high-speed TGV train, travelling south toward the Spanish border.

After a day spent watching the changes in the landscape, our train arrives in the Catalan town of Figueres this evening. From here, a coach transfer takes us 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 the azure Mediterranean and sun-drenched hills. Our hotel provides a comfortable and relaxing base from which to discover this part of Spain, and upon checking in, we enjoy a light dinner buffet and included glass of wine with our group.

• Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely start to your holiday with a free day in Roses, whose idyllic location puts a range of experiences within reach.

You could spend the day relaxing by the pool at our hotel, soaking up the Mediterranean sun, or looking upon the sea from the sun deck, where lounge chairs and parasols create an inviting environment. Our hotel offers direct access to the beach, and if you like, you can follow it to the white-washed town centre, which is easily accessible on foot.

Once a Greek colony, Roses has historic monuments from the Roman, medieval and Neolithic periods. In the hills above the town lies the remains of Puig Rom - a Visigoth fortress - and you could also seek out Ciutadella de Roses, the site of a fortress used by Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. At the other end of the town is Trinitat Castle, a hilltop fortress with excellent sunset views.

As a working fishing port, Roses has excellent restaurants along the coast serving fresh seafood and flavourful tapas, which you could enjoy for lunch or dinner.

• Breakfast

The first rail excursion of our holiday lies ahead this morning as we drive to the village of Ribes de Freser to board the Núria Valley Rack Railway.

This line transports tourists and pilgrims up to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria via a vast Pyrenean valley. Enroute, 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, a car-free status oasis of serenity. At the top, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria looks out onto a crystalline lake, with the Pyrenean peaks in the backdrop.

We disembark here with a chance to walk around the lake and explore the tranquillity of this sanctuary, whose grounds are a site of pilgrimage, thanks to their legendary ties to Saint Giles. We reboard the Núria Valley Rack Railway to travel back to Ribes de Freser, where a coach transfer returns us to Roses in time for dinner, complete with a complimentary glass of wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with breakfast before we transfer by coach to Rivesaltes, near Perpignan, France, to board the Little Red Train - Le Train Rouge. Officially called the Train du Pays Cathare et des Fenouillèdes (TPCF), the line was constructed more than 100 years ago to connect Rivesaltes and Carcassonne.

Today, tourists travel in red carriages which stand out against the dense greenery of the Pyrenees while venturing from Rivesaltes to Axat, high in the Aude valley. Our train passes vineyards, forests, rocky outcrops and mountaintop Cathar fortresses as the route climbs higher. During summer, between June and September, there is the option to travel in open-air carriages, fully immersing yourself in the passing scenery as this railway clings to the cliffs and winds over valleys.

On arrival in Axat, there is time to explore this rural valley village, perhaps pausing to enjoy lunch if you have brought one along. You could also wander past rustic houses nestled between imposing peaks before boarding a coach back to Roses, returning in time for dinner and a glass of wine.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Some of the most impressive views in Roses are on the itinerary today, as after breakfast, we head to the town centre to board the Roses Express. This land train has been transporting travellers through the Cap de Creus Nature Park for more than 30 years, and we join its Puig Alt route, weaving through the landscape to the highest peak on the Cap de Creus peninsula.

The two-hour round trip takes us past lush vineyards and unveils views of the French and Spanish coastlines. Arriving at the summit of the Puig Alt, savour 360-degree views of mountains, plains, sea and islands.

We return to the town centre with the remainder of the day at leisure to continue exploring Roses. Your free time presents a fantastic opportunity to wander along the promenade to see the lighthouse or to peruse the local shops. A traditional Mediterranean dinner can be found locally as you explore.

• Breakfast

Setting out after breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to the charming town of Villefranche-de-Conflent, often called one of France's most beautiful towns. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination in the Pyrenees features ancient fortified walls and structures dating to the 11th century, with surprisingly flat streets that make it a dream to explore.

We arrive with free time through lunch to see the sights or find a meal locally, and then we board the Yellow Train of Cerdagne - also called the 'Canary' and the TER Train Jaune - for a final rail journey. The bright yellow train moves through the lush landscape at a slow and steady pace of 18mph, offering plenty of time to soak up the sights. From manmade structures like bridges and viaducts to sprawling views of the Pyrenean mountains, each vista is one to treasure.

Upon arriving at the station in Font-Romeu, we rejoin our coach for the trip back to Roses, where the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

• Breakfast

Our final day on the coast is spent at leisure, giving you another chance to relax or explore at your own pace. Our hotel's setting offers the perfect retreat, with plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces, a spa and beachfront access. Should you wish to see some of Roses' other beaches and tucked-away coves, you could set out on foot, as several are accessible. Alternatively, 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, backed by the wild Cap de Creus Natural Park.

Strolling through the town centre is equally rewarding. The squares are surrounded by beautiful architecture, and there are plenty of treasures to uncover, such as the Santa Maria church, dating to the 18th century.

However you choose to spend your day, return to the hotel this evening for a final group dinner in Catalonia.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Catalonia's vibrant scenery set the backdrop for our explorations over the last week. From its crystalline water and sandy beaches to the verdant mountainsides of the Pyrenees and colourful old towns, we uncovered this region's best scenery by train. Each of our four rail journeys - the Núria Valley Rack Railway, the Red Train, the Roses Express and the Yellow Train - was distinct in its setting and history and provided a front-row seat to pristine Catalan views.

Enjoy another look at these views this morning as a coach transfer takes us to Perpignan to catch our train connection to Paris. We travel through the Occitan region of France and continue through the country's heart to the capital. In Paris, we change to the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International, where your holiday concludes on arrival.

• Breakfast