Timeless Costa Brava

Day 2 Montserrat

We'll explore the local culture today with an included visit to Montserrat, a sacred mountain and Catalonia's religious heart. Here we'll step inside the famous cliffside Monastery of Montserrat. The original building was destroyed during the War of Independence and the structure we see today dates back to 1844 and is inhabited by around 80 Benedictine monks. The monastery is home to the Montserrat Boys' Choir and a museum displaying works by El Greco and Picasso. At its heart is the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, which is shrouded in legend.

Day 3 Barcelona

Today, we head to Barcelona, just over an hour away from Lloret de Mar. During a full-day tour we'll discover so many of the highlights of this vibrant city, which displays the wonderful work of architect Antoni Gaudi. We'll see many fascinating and iconic places, inviting squares and maze-like lanes, with stunning examples of Gaudi's work all around, not least the magnificent Sagrada Familia. This grand basilica is one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona and to see it at close quarters is quite breathtaking.

Day 4 Lloret de Mar - at Leisure

Take some time to explore your more immediate surroundings today, or come with us on an optional trip to Figueres. This is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dali and home to his largest surrealist work, the Dali Theatre and Museum.

Day 5 Costa Brava coastline

We'll take a scenic drive to visit some of the most magical coastal towns of the beautiful Costa Brava. Including Palafrugell, a typical fisherman’s town full of white small houses. We will see the beaches of Llafranc and Tamariu and enjoy a wine tasting nearby before heading to Tossa de Mar, a medieval town with its walls and castle still well preserved, and full of artisan shops and restaurants.

Day 6 Lloret de Mar - at Leisure

You can spend a further day at leisure today, relaxing at your hotel or enjoying this part of the Costa Brava. You can also choose to join an optional trip to the vibrant port city of Tarragona on the neighbouring Costa Dorada. Roman history comes roaring to life amongst its ancient architecture, which includes a seaside amphitheatre. A highlight of our tour is the wonderfully preserved UNESCO-listed Poblet Monastery, founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century.

Day 7 Besalú & Girona

We'll head off on another day of exploring and sightseeing today, starting in the medieval town of Girona. Located on the banks of the River Onyar, here we'll see its wonderfully preserved medieval Jewish quarter, ancient houses and winding cobbled streets enclosed by defensive walls. Next we make our way to another quaint medieval town, Besalú, which we'll approach via a fortified bridge featuring a gateway at its mid-point. Amongst its maze of narrow streets we'll see the remains of a medieval synagogue and the town's restored Mikvah - a ritual Jewish bath dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries and it's one of just three surviving in the whole of Europe.

Day 8 Departure