I was recently lucky enough to become Great Rail Journeys' Product Manager for Spain and Portugal. Now, after many years of speaking to our customers about this wonderful trip to Roses, I was finally able to experience it for myself.
The journey from London to Roses
Our journey began in St Pancras at our Departure Office, being introduced to the Tour Manager and meeting the rest of the group. We all ventured together to check in for the Eurostar which was the first leg of our journey travelling from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.
Once in Paris, we headed straight to our coach which transferred us smoothly through Paris traffic to Gare de Lyon. The next part was our roughly six-hour journey travelling to Figueres-Vilafant. It was great to see the scenery change as we travelled through France into Spain going from lush rolling hills dotted with vineyards to the occasional olive grove as the silhouette of the Pyrenees appeared in the distance.
On arrival, we joined our coach at Figueres station and made the transfer to our base for the next seven nights, the Hotel Mediterráneo Park. After a small bite to eat on arrival, we headed to bed excited to see the scenery in the morning.
Checking into the Hotel Mediterráneo Park
Hotel Mediterráneo Park, to me, is a perfect base to explore from. For our customers, it's a relaxing spot to recharge after longer travelling days. They can use one of the outdoor pools for a swim before lounging in the sun or taking a gentle stroll through the gardens. On a free day, you could make use of the spa facilities (payable locally) with an indoor heated swimming pool and large jacuzzi.
Another highlight of this accommodation is the extensive buffet restaurant available for breakfast and dinner. I truly appreciated the wide selection of food on offer and how this varied each day. The cherry on top of this was the complimentary glass of wine the hotel offers for all hotel guests to enjoy with their dinner.
To end the evening, many members of our group decided to spend time in the bar and socialise whilst enjoying the occasional live music on offer.
Discovering things to do in Roses, Catalonia
Having two free days, including the first full day in Roses, meant that we could relax into our new environment for the next week. Some of the group decided to make the most of the beautiful weather and great facilities at the hotel to soak up some of the October sunshine.
Others decided to wander into town and stop by one of the many bars and restaurants dotted along the promenade - stopping for a touch of tapas whilst watching the world go by and the sun glittering off the sea.
On the second free day, most of the group decided to discover a bit more. Our Tour Manager arranged for most of the group to take a boat trip to Cadaqués in the heart of the Cap de Creus Peninsula. As the group arrived back into Roses at around 1pm, some decided to time this perfectly with a trip on the Roses Express which departed at 3pm. This land train has been running since 1993 and has taken thousands of passengers into the varied scenery that surrounds Roses.
I decided to join several customers on the Puig Alt route which takes two hours and travels about 18 miles in a circular route to the highest mountain of the Cap de Creus Peninsula (1633ft) which gives you extraordinary 360º views of the Catalan and French coasts. We climbed amongst vineyards and along rocky coastlines which gave our customers a perfect opportunity to discover more of the region.
Exploring the Pyrenees
Two major highlights on this trip are the journeys we take into the Pyrenees. The first being the Núria Valley Railway, a rack railway covering nearly eight miles as it climbs more than 3,200 feetthrough the Pyrenees.
We start our journey from Ribes de Freser with time to grab a coffee before joining the train. You feel extremely lucky to be on this journey as it is the only way to access the mountain resort of Vall de Núria. The goosebump moment for me was emerging from the tunnel and Vall de Núria's lake greeting you when you get to the top. It makes for a perfect lunch stop, where you can enjoy a circular walk around the lake or learn more about the legendary origin of Núria by visiting the Sanctuary and Hermitage of St Gil.
Being based in Roses means that we are in a perfect location to venture north into France, specifically to Rivesaltes to join the Little Red Train (TPCF). This railway line is more than100 years old and was originally built to connect Rivesaltes to Carcassonne.
The scenery was breathtaking as we ventured past vineyards, châteaux and over viaducts providing plenty of photo opportunities to capture the red train carriages amongst the changing scenery. Our journey ended in Axat, a rural valley village of quaint houses perfect for a leisurely stroll to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy your lunch.
Catalonia's historic towns and cities
Visiting Girona
The excursions on this tour are balanced very well with breathtaking rail journeys and visits to picture-perfect places where customers are able to enjoy a leisurely stroll at their own pace.
We visited Girona first. It's a great city as it has something for everyone. You could explore the ancient ruins and venture inside the grand cathedral - if you are feeling adventurous you could walk along the medieval walls to soak up the landscape. Or, capture the beautiful colourful buildings in the Old Town and sample some local delights including the Xuixo pastries (a deep fried, sugar-coated cylindrical pastry with a custard filling).
Beautiful Besalú and artistic Figueres
Besalú to me was a stand-out. You truly feel that you are stepping back in time as you cross the 12th-century Romanesque bridge into the well-preserved medieval town. You can just take your time and wander through the cobblestone alleys or stop for a coffee in one of the squares to watch the world go by. The sun hitting the stone gave it a golden tinge and it truly felt like a treasure to visit.
We then ended our trip with a visit to the iconic Salvador Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres. It is built on the former Figueres Theatre and I think even for those who are not massively into art, the variety of eccentric pieces that you can discover make it absolutely worth a visit with many pieces that capture your attention from the moment you spot the pink building on arrival.
Final thoughts on Catalonia and the Little Trains of the Pyrenees
For me, I found that this tour has something for everyone. Whether you want to relax and take things at your own pace whilst discovering the different towns and cities of this region. Or, you want to venture further with us into the Pyrenees whilst even adding in your own journey on the Roses Express. Even in October, we were lucky to be able to appreciate the Catalan Coast in all its glory whilst making memories together.
Join us and experience Catalonia & Little Trains of the Pyrenees for yourself.
