Itinerary - 8 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

London to Barcelona

Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, then transfer onto the overnight Elipsos sleeper train to Barcelona (in Club Class) leaving from the Gare d'Austerlitz. Relax onboard with dinner in the elegant restaurant car or tapas in the café bar and a glass of wine. Wake in the morning and enjoy breakfast as you travel through the stunning mountains and valleys of northern Spain.

Day 2

Arrive in Barcelona

After breakfast in the restaurant car, pull into Barcelona Sants station and check in at the Catalonia Ramblas for your 2 night stay.

For the perfect introduction to this vibrant city, take a walk down La Rambla, the most famous tree-lined pedestrian boulevard in the world packed with buskers, living statues, mime artists and the odd street performance. Stop in Mercat de la Boqueria for a fresh coconut juice and explore some of the masterpieces of Barcelona's most celebrated architect - Antoni Gaudi.

Day 3

Barcelona

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before discovering more of Barcelona's highlights.

Day 4

Barcelona to Sitges

From Barcelona travel to Sitges via regional train (payable locally - 3EUR per journey per person). Trains run every 20 minutes and journey time is approximately 35 minutes from Barcelona Sants station.

On arrival, check in at the Estela Sitges for your 2 night stay. The Estela Sitges pays homage to the artistic talent of Catalonia and offers spacious rooms, a relaxing pool area and a great location for discovering this vibrant city.

Sitges is a beautiful portside town with a penchant for art which is perfect for sightseeing, sunbathing and exploring Catalonian culture. Its fabulous location between the Mediterranean Sea and the Coastal Mountain Range gives the town a stunning backdrop. Visit the impressive Cistercian Monastery of Santes Creus, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Day 5

Sitges

Spend your afternoon on one of the 17 beautiful beaches in Sitges, some of which have been awarded the blue flag eco-label. Golden sand and shallow waters create the perfect environment for relaxation along with plenty of watersport opportunities close to the marina.

In the evening, head to one of the fine restaurants in the old town or along the marina to sample traditional Catalonian cuisine. The lively "Carrer del Pecat" or "Sin Street", comes alive at night and restaurants offer fresh seafood and of course, plenty of tasty tapas.

Day 6

Sitges to Tarragona

Travel from Sitges to Tarragona by local train. Trains run via St Vincent De Calderc and cost approximately 5EUR.

Check in at the Ciutat de Tarragona Hotel for your 2 night stay. Step back in time with a visit to the Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco. Imagine Roman gladiators racing their chariots within the Roman Amphitheatre, dating back to the 2nd Century and explore the Old Quarter, where the magnificent Cathedral dominates the skyline.

Day 7

Tarragona

Experience the true Catalonian sunshine on the beaches of the Costa Dorada, also known as the "golden coast". The Platja Llarga (Long Beach) and Platja de la Rabassada are two of the best. However there are plenty of other tranquil beaches in the surrounding villages such as Torredembarra.

During the evening, take a walk to the idyllic Serrano harbour to watch the fishing boats at work and sample the "catch of the day" in one of the harbour restaurants - possibly the best in the whole of Catalonia!

Day 8

Tarragona to Montpellier

After breakfast, board the AVE train from Tarragona to Barcelona before transferring onto the new high speed train to Montpellier (via Figueres). Travel across the Spanish border and through the newly opened Perthus Tunnel to the picturesque city of Montpellier. Journey time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Check into the New Hotel Du Midi Montpellier for your overnight stay..

Spend your afternoon in this elegant city in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, only a stone’s throw from the sun-kissed Mediterranean Sea. Its sunny climate provides a vibrant social scene full of artists and writers.

Day 9

Montpellier to London

Travel through France on the high speed TGV to Paris before hopping aboard the Eurostar home.