Little Boats of Catalonia

Little Boats of Catalonia

A regional capital packed with architectural treasures. Pretty, white-washed towns nestled between bright blue sea and lush green mountains. There’s a lot to draw you to Catalonia, and lots to draw you back. On our Catalonia tours we'll base ourselves in the relaxed beach town of Roses. Enjoying several boat rides, we explore this fiercely proud region of Spain, including peaceful Lake Banyoles and beautiful Besalú. And since it’s so close, we hop over the border to France to cruise the impressively engineered Canal du Midi.

What's Included

• 7 nights in hotels
• 15 meals
• VIP door-to-door travel service
• Flights from London
• Titan tour manager
• Travel in destination by coach
• Portable audio

• Porterage

  Excursions:

  5 excursions & visits
• Boat cruise to Cadaqués for guided tour
• Guided excursion to Béziers and cruise on the Canal du Midi
• Guided excursion to Banyoles and cruise on Lake Banyoles
• Guided tour of Besalú
• Medes Islands glass-bottomed boat cruise and guided tour of Pals

Day 1: UK - Barcelona - Roses

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Barcelona. On arrival we transfer to Roses on the Costa Brava.

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)

Days 2: Cadaqués

We start the day with a relaxing cruise along the coast to Cadaqués. Our journey takes us alongside spectacular cliffs speckled with caves and vegetation. We enjoy a tour of this small, white-chalked fishing town, flanked by mountains, the birthplace of the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, who has been remembered around the city with reproductions of his paintings and a bronze statue of him on the seashore. Many other artists have been drawn here by its bohemian chic and wonderful landscape, including Picasso and Henri Matisse. The town is now an art lover’s paradise, with streets filled by art galleries and workshops. Spend some time at leisure in the town browsing the beautiful galleries or wander through the cobbled streets. Maybe walk up to the 16th-century Church of Santa María, with an impressive baroque altar and wonderful views over the rooftops of the town towards the sea. We return to Roses for an afternoon at leisure.

Excursions & visits: Boat cruise to Cadaqués for guided tour (morning)

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)

Day 3: Béziers

France is little more than 30 miles from our base in Roses, so today we take this opportunity to cross the border and continue to Béziers, one of Europe’s oldest towns. Our guide will offer an insight into this quiet, mostly undiscovered gem as we explore. We’ll also take a boat along the popular Canal du Midi - a major engineering achievement at the time of its creation during the French Revolution. As you enjoy lunch on board, sit back with a glass of local wine and take in the views of medieval bridges, delightful villages and lovely countryside.

Excursions & visits: Guided excursion to Béziers and cruise on the Canal du Midi

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)

Day 4: Roses

Enjoy a day at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Figueres with entrance to Dali’s museum (may operate on day 7).

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)

Day 5: Banyoles - Besalú

Twelve Apostles Justifiably known as one of Victoria’s most scenic roads, the Great Ocean Road snakes all the way along the southwest coast of the state, starting in Torquay and finishing up just before Warrnambool. Get your camera at the ready because this will be one of the most dramatic and photogenic drives you’ve ever seen. Its wild grandeur encompasses rainforests, gorges, gullies, arches and blowholes. The section to Warrnambool, beyond the Bay of Isles and Bay of Martyrs, is particularly special.

You’ll really feel connected with the ocean as we pass by grand sweeping bays and exciting seaward vistas. The road climbs the cliffside as we skirt Cape Otway National Park and pass into Port Campbell National Park, where we pause to admire the Twelve Apostles.

Great Ocean Road drive (all day)

Day 7: Coonawarra - Murray River - Adelaide

We spend today exploring historic Catalonia with a guide. Our first stop is Banyoles, a town full of history and culture, but best known for its lakeside location. Here, we take a gentle boat trip to appreciate this beautiful spot then explore its famed historic centre. In the afternoon we have a guided visit of exceptionally beautiful Besalú, a town with a fascinating Jewish heritage. Immerse yourself in the character of this medieval gem as we explore the narrow cobbled streets, old stone façades and the impressive fortified bridge.

Excursions & visits: Guided excursion to Banyoles and cruise on Lake Banyoles (morning) Guided tour of Besalú (afternoon)

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)

Day 6: Medes Islands and Roca Foradada - Pals

We’ll head by coach to L’Estartit, to board an underwater Nautilus boat this morning and sail through the Medes Islands Nature Reserve and along the Montgri Massif Coast to Roca Foradada. Be amazed as you view the seabed from the ship’s large submerged windows. In the afternoon we’ll visit the quaint medieval town of Pals for a guided tour and free time.

Excursions & visits: Medes Islands glass-bottomed boat cruise (morning) Guided tour of Pals (afternoon)

Hotel Monterrey, Roses (4-star)