Little Trains of the Pyrenees

September 2022

8 days from £1,195pp

Experience four different trains, from the Roses Express road train to the Núria Valley Rack Railway, as you explore the French Pyrenees and Spain’s stunning Costa Brava. You’ll visit the famous Dalí Theatre-Museum in the popular town of Figueres too.

Journey on the incredible Roses Express
Step aboard the Yellow Train in the Pyrenees
Travel in style on the Núria Valley Railway
Relax onboard the Red Train in the Pyrenees
Visit the capital of Comarca; Figueres
Included entrance to the historic Dalí Museum

Forming the natural border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees mountain range is a special location you’re guaranteed to remember. It remains largely unexplored compared to its alpine counterpart, so you’ll discover sights few have had the opportunity to see. The little trains that traverse these jagged peaks with their colourful carriages and panoramic windows are a fantastic way to travel. We include journeys on four of the best, encompassing rolling meadows, wooded valleys, remote villages, spectacular viaducts and much more. Based in the pretty town of Roses on the Spanish coast, we spend our days experiencing diverse culture and mesmerising landscapes. If you’re a rail fanatic, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Day 1: London – Roses
We journey aboard Eurostar from London to Paris and continue by rail to Perpignan where we are transferred to the unspoilt town of Roses on the Costa Brava; our base for the next seven nights.
Day 2: Roses Express
Enjoy a morning at leisure, relax in our hotel, take a stroll around the old town of Roses, or head to the wide, sandy beach. In the afternoon we head towards the citadel on the seafront where we join the Roses Express. This delightful little road train is pulled by an ornate tractor and climbs into the hills of the Cap de Creus national park to give you spectacular views across Roses.
Day 3: The Yellow Train of the Pyrenees
Today we spend the day in France and the French Pyrenees on our included excursion. We travel to Villefranche for free time before joining the Yellow Train for an unforgettable journey through the Pyrenees. Sit back and relax as the line winds its way up the Tet valley, through forests and tunnels and across ravines and viaducts, including the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge and the Séjourné viaduct with its dramatic double-decker arches. We alight from the train at the small village of Mont Louis and return to our hotel by coach.
Day 4: Roses
Enjoy a day at leisure and relax in our hotel, take a stroll around the old town of Roses, or head to the wide, sandy beach.
Day 5: Núria Valley Railway of the Pyrenees
Today’s journey is in Spain on the Núria Valley Rack Railway, which is twinned with the Jungfrau Rack Railway in Switzerland. It’s the only means of transport that accesses the valley, so you are guaranteed breathtaking views of mountains and meadows as we climb more than 1,000 metres, and with the help of a local guide we can learn more about this remote region and have a tasting of local products.
Day 6: The Red Train of the Pyrenees
Enjoy another day in the French Pyrenees in the company of a local guide. This time we join the Train du pays Cathere et du Fenouillèdes (affectionately called the Red Train), which passes through a land of vineyards and castles as it slowly climbs over an impressive 60 kilometres from Rivesalets to Axat. We enjoy some free time in the pretty town of Axat, high in the Aude valley, before returning to our hotel by coach.
Day 7: Figueres & Dalí Museum
This morning our excursion is to the Catalan town of Figueres, named after the sweet fig trees that once thrived here. A mix of architectural styles can be found in the old town along with various cultural attractions, the most popular being the Dalí Museum which we include entry to. This amazing building is dedicated to the town’s most famous son, Salvador Dalí, and is highly recommended for anyone visiting northern Spain.
Day 8: Roses – London
We leave the Spanish coast behind and retrace our route to Paris, where we join Eurostar for the return to London.

Travel by Eurostar

Step aboard Eurostar at London St Pancras for a fast and comfortable journey to mainland Europe. You can even upgrade your reserved seat to Standard Premier – speak to our Holiday Advisors for more information. On arrival in Paris, Lille or Brussels, you will then join connecting services for your onward journey.

For those travelling from further afield, you can also book overnight accommodation in London, before and after your holiday. Speak to our Holiday Advisors for more information.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. Please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help, assist with travel information and advise you of our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Overview

The 3-star Hotel Prestige Victoria Elit overlooks Santa Margarita Beach and is two kilometres from the centre of Roses.
The buffet restaurant offers a variety of Mediterranean and international dishes. There's also a bar and terrace too where guests can relax and unwind.
The hotel has an outdoor pool and a spa area which features saunas, an indoor pool, a hydromassage bath and experience showers. There's also a relaxation area and gym, and massage is available on request at extra cost.