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Spain - Catalunya and East Coast

Code: LE04SP
Cost: 1980.- EUR

DAY 1:

LONDON - GIRONA

We pick you up at your selected hotel in London and drive you to the airport from where we take the morning flight to Girona. You meet your DG at the airport, board your maxi-van and start this expedition. The first stop is the ancient city of Girona which was a very important stronghold on the river Riu Onyar until it fell under the sway of Barcelona. But its medieval center amd narrow streets climbing uphill are still very good reasons to make a stop. Dinner and overnight in Girona.

DAY 2:

CADAQUES - ROSAS

Breakfast. We drive to the coast and to the Rosas resort. But our most important sight of the day is the beautiful white port of Cadaques and the northernmost Spanish peninsula Cap de Creus. Overnight in the Rosas area.

DAY 3:

FIGUERES - OLOT - RIPOLL

Breakfast. We visit the little town of Figueres, which you would probably never heard of, if it wasn't for Salvador Dali. The master of surrealism was born here and he converted an old municipial theatre into his museumtheatre. Whatever your feelings about him, you should see this extravaganza. Later we explore the true Catalunya - we drive to the volcanic country around Olot, and even though these volcanoes are now green and timid, it wasn't that far back in "earth years" that they were active. The last stop is in Ripoll, where the kingdom of Catalunya was born. Overnight in the Ripoll area.

DAY 4:

NURIA - ANDORRA

Breakfast. More exploring in the Pyrenees is waiting for us today. If the weather permits we take a narrow train to the Vall de Nuria for the splendid views. The next stop is Andorra but before we arrive we have to go over a pass that is more than 2400 meters high. Andorra is an independent country in the heart of the mountains whose people speak Catalan. We stop in Old Andorra and check out the most important sights such as the parliament Casa dela Vall and Barri Antic - the old part. Overnight in the Andorra area.

DAY 5:

SEU - BARCELONA

Breakfast.There is a full day of back road exploring before we arrive in Barcelona. First, there is the lively valley town of Seu d'Urgell just outside of Andorra. For the next few hours we drive down the valley, passing lakes and villages, to the capital of Catalunya - Barcelona. Overnight in Barcelona.

DAY 6 & DAY 7 & DAY 8:

BARCELONA

Breakfast. Full day exploring this magnificent city. Gaudi is the principal artist who shaped the distinctive architecture of Barca but there were others, like Miro, as well. We see the principal sights - Sagrada, Montjuic and Parc Guell. We stroll through the new complex around the Olympic village, the Barcelonetta and the old gothic quarter with the main avenue Ramblas, where most things in Barcelona happen. On the selected day we visit the Monserrat Mountains and see the Black Madonna, the most important Catalonian symbol of faith, and check the Cavas - the wine cellars of the famous sparkling wine. Overnight in Barcelona.

DAY 9:

TARRAGONA

Breakfast. Morning departure to the old Roman town of Tarragona, where we see the main Roman sights such as the amphitheatre and the ruins of the forum, but also the interesting statues on the Rambla Nova, one of which is dedicated to a Castell - a human tower with a child on the top. Overnight in the Tarragona area.

DAY 10:

MORELLA - PENISCOLA

Breakfast. Today we leave Catalunya behind and we drive into the county of Valencia. A short trip inland lies the fairy-tale town of Morella, which is perched on the top of a hill, crowned by a castle and enclosed by a wall. It is an outstanding example of Medieval architecture. In the afternoon we arrive at the seaside resort of Peniscola which, unlike the majority of concrete resorts that are all over Spain, has cobbled streets, a Templar's castle and white-washed houses. Overnight in the Peniscola area.

DAY 11 & 12:

VALENCIA

Breakfast. During the next two days, we have enough time to explore Valencia - a vibrant city with an interesting mix of old and new, best seen in the market place, where the modernist Mercado Central and the Gothic Lonja stand side by side. Not far away are the modern Palace of Music, the Oceanarium and the Science Museum. The Cathedral claims to keep the original Holy Grail. We also visit the Museum of Fine Arts. We take a half day tour to the La Albuferra Lagoon, which is the birthplace of Paella, and take a boat trip. On the second evening we enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnights in Valencia.

DAY 13:

VALENCIA - LONDON

Breakfast. Drive to the airport from where we fly to London. End of our expedition.