Group Tour Operator for Holidays to Barcelona, Catalonia

Depart the UK

Take a short sea crossing from Dover to Calais or Dunkerque and travel through France for an overnight stop.  Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Spain

Continue the journey to Spain, departing after breakfast and driving south and over the border and to Calella or your chosen resort for the next 7 nights.  After check-in there may be some time to relax before enjoying dinner together.  The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Day at leisure

There’s free time today to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel and getting to know the local surroundings. Calella is the tourist capital of the Costa del Maresme. While its gorgeous golden sand beaches are a big hit, the old town offers pleasant walks through paved and cobbled alleyways under historical buildings and towering landmarks.  See Day 7 for further information about Calella.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Girona and the Salvador Dali Museum

Girona is a walled medieval town with narrow streets, cobbled lanes and some remarkable architecture. Of particular note are the brightly painted façades of the houses overlooking the River Onyar, as well as the Cathedral of St. Mary, which has the widest Gothic nave in the world.  Guided walking tours available (please ask for details).

After some free time, drive to the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres before heading back to the hotel.  The museum is built on the site of the former Municipal Theatre (entrance included).

Dinner is at the hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.

Barcelona, the Cosmopolitan Capital

Meet up with a local guide, starting with a stroll along the tree-lined Ramblas carving its way through the inner city, flanked by trees and seemingly endless shops, cafes and restaurants.  The expansive boulevard takes its name from a long-since dried up local stream.   Admire the unique, distinctive and often whimsical architecture of Antoni Gaudí, and explore the historic Gothic Quarter. Its most famous building, and Spain’s most visited attraction, is La Sagrada Familia. Started in 1882, work promises to wrap up on the monument in 2026, a hundred years after the death of its architect.

Other attractions include Park Guell, the famous Nou Camp football stadium and Montjuic Fountain.  Maybe hop on board the Montjuïc cable car for breathtaking views of the city  and the option to get lost amongst the botanic gardens, castles and museums.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Montserrat and the Cava Houses

A drive up the winding mountain roads to the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat, home to about 80 monks. The Basilica and Monastery is Catalonia’s most important religious retreat and is home to La Moreneta (The Little Brown One or Black Virgin), one of only around 500 in Europe.  The basilica also holds one of the monastery’s most noted attractions, the 50-member Escolanía, one of the oldest and most renowned boys’ choirs in Europe.

Return via the Freixenet Cava House for a tour and tasting experience and discover the history, production and bottling process. Produced and bottled only in the Catalonian hills, Freixenet is one of the best well known cava brands.

Dinner at the hotel and an evening at leisure.

Calella at leisure

A further free day to spend at the hotel or for more exploration of Calella.  The old part of this town is clustered around the church of Santa María, a neoclassical construction with a Baroque façade. Other buildings that are part of its architectural and artistic heritage include the Casa de los Salvador (14th century), Casa Sivilla (16th century) and the chapel of San Quirze and Santa Julita. The old Llobet-Guri factory and the Municipal Market are another two important monuments that are well worth a visit. The Dalmau Park is a pleasant place to relax and enjoy another view of the city. Its numerous pedestrian streets are ideal for strolling around the town centre, and the seafront promenade leads you to the lighthouse area. This maritime construction has become the symbol of the city, and stands on a promontory overlooking the whole coastline. Also worth seeing near here are the ancient towers which were previously dotted all the way up and down the coast.

Blanes and Tossa De Mar

Drive to Blanes and embark on a leisurely one way boat trip to Tossa de Mar.  Considered a medieval masterpiece, Tossa de Mar sits majestically on Catalonia’s Girona coast. Dubbed the ‘Blue Paradise’ by painter Marc Chagall, Tossa De Mar was one of the first places on the Costa Brava to attract foreign visitors. The once ancient fishing village still retains its medieval beauty. Vila Vella, a well-preserved citadel overlooking the ocean is definitely the main attraction.

Back in Calella the rest of the day is at leisure before taking a final dinner at the hotel.

Depart Spain

It’s time to leave Spain, making an overnight stop in France enroute. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and drive north towards Calais or Dunkerque for the ferry back to Dover, and home.