Andorra, Carcassonne & the Catalonian Coast

Day 1: UK/Barcelona
Depart on your scheduled flight to Barcelona today. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel on the outskirts of the city, where you’ll stay for one night.

Day 2: Barcelona
After breakfast this morning, join us on our included tour of Barcelona, a city greatly influenced by the work of the architect Antoni Gaudi. Admire his unique and distinctive style among the towering spires of the magnificent Sagrada Família before strolling through medieval alleyways and climbing the Montjuic hill for stunning views.

Be sure to take a stroll down Las Ramblas, a vibrant promenade which cuts through the heart of the city. You’ll then continue your journey through the heart of Catalonia and into the spectacular scenery of the Pyrenees Mountains to the mountain resort of Soldeu in the small principality of Andorra, your base for the next three nights.

Days 3 – 4: Soldeu
During your stay we include a half-day excursion to Andorra La Vella, the capital town of Andorra. Highlights include the Church of Santa Coloma, which was built in the 9th and 10th centuries, and the Casa de la Vall, the seat of Parliament which dates back to the 16th century. You might also enjoy a spot of duty-free shopping while you are here.

Enjoy the rest of your time in Soldeu at leisure. You may wish to join our optional half-day excursion to Andorra’s three valleys, which takes you off the beaten track through Andorra’s stunning mountain scenery where you can explore hidden villages which you’ll find dotted among the pine forests.

Day 5: Carcassonne
Enjoy breakfast before bidding Andorra farewell and journeying into France. You should arrive in the picturesque fortified medieval town of Carcassonne around lunchtime. In the company of your Tour Manager take a stroll around its narrow streets and admire the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the impressive fortress walls. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the impressive citadel, whose huge ramparts and towers stand watch over the city, and the beautiful Church of St Nazaire. You will stay in Carcassonne overnight.

Day 6: Collioure/Tossa de Mar
You’ll leave Carcassonne this morning and head south, calling at the delightful old French fishing port of Collioure. Stretch your legs with a walk among its medieval streets and visit the former lighthouse which has been converted into the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges. From here today’s journey continues to Spain’s Costa Brava, where you will stay in the charming seaside resort of Tossa de Mar for four nights. Your hotel is located close to the resort’s unspoilt old town, lovely sandy beaches and promenade lined with restaurants and bars – the perfect place for an evening stroll. Once you’ve settled in you might like to enjoy a drink on the roof terrace before dinner at your hotel.

Days 7 – 9: Tossa de Mar
Spend the rest of your holiday in Tossa de Mar at leisure. We have arranged a selection of optional excursions you may choose to join.

Montserrat (optional)
You’ll visit Catalonia’s holiest place, the famous cliff-side monastery of Montserrat which dates back to 1844, the original having been destroyed during the War of Independence. The monastery is inhabited by around 80 monks who live according to the rule of Saint Benedict. One of the attractions here is the statue of the Virgin Mary, the soul of Montserrat.

Coastline Tour (optional)
Join us as we journey along the spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava which boasts wooded coves, sheer cliffs, pretty beaches and deep-blue waters as well as attractive coastal towns and villages.

Heart of Catalonia (optional)
Visit the medieval town of Besalú which boasts a striking approach across a fortified bridge featuring a gateway at its mid-point. The town also features a restored Mikva – a ritual Jewish bath dating back to the 11th or 12th century, as well as the remains of a medieval synagogue.

Day 10: Barcelona/UK
Your holiday comes to an end today as you transfer to Barcelona for your flight back to the UK.

Please note
This holiday includes walking in areas of rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Catalonia Suite in Barcelona
Located within reach of the city centre, this hotel features a restaurant and bar and guest rooms have air-conditioning, satellite TV, wi-fi, telephone, mini-bar, hairdryer and en suite facilities.

4-star Hotel Nordic in Andorra
This hotel nestles at the foot of the El Tartar slopes in the beautiful scenic surroundings of Soldeu. The hotel is built in traditional Catalan style and has a bar, restaurant, games room, garden, lift, indoor pool and gym. A bowling alley, sauna and solarium are available at extra cost. All bedrooms have en suite facilities, TV, telephone, mini-bar, safe and hairdryer.

4-star Mercure Carcassonne Porte de la Cite in Caracassonne
Hotel amenities include a swimming pool and restaurant and rooms have air-conditioning, safe and wi-fi.

4-star Hotel Golden Bahia in Tossa de Mar
Hotel amenities include a selection of swimming pools (one indoor), bar, restaurant, roof terrace and lift. Bedrooms feature en suite facilities, satellite TV and telephone.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Barcelona tour (half day)
Andorra La Vella tour (half day)
Carcassonne visit
Collioure visit

Optional excursions

Andorra’s three valleys tour (half day)
Monastery at Montserrat (three-quarter day)
Costa Brava coastline tour (three-quarter day)
Catalonia tour (three-quarter day)

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
9 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 7 dinners
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”