Costa Brava, Barcelona & Optional Montserrat

Following breakfast, we continue our journey south and crossing the Spanish Border before arriving at the Hotel Volga in time for dinner.

After a relaxed start, we visit the charming coastal town of Tossa de Mar, one of the Costa Brava's most picturesque resorts. Explore its cobbled streets, medieval walls and historic old town before continuing to Lloret de Mar, a lively resort offering great shopping, cafés and bars.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Calella, a popular resort with golden beaches, a bustling promenade, harbour and palm-lined seafront. Alternatively, venture to nearby Pineda de Mar, where whitewashed houses, tree-lined streets, historic landmarks and long sandy beaches create a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

A full-day excursion takes us to the enchanting town of Figueres, the birthplace and final resting place of the eccentric artist Salvador Dalí. Explore the charming maze of narrow streets, picturesque squares and historic buildings, learning about the town's rich cultural heritage. We then continue onto Calella de Palafrugell, an unspoilt fishing village with a well-deserved reputation as one of Spain's most beautiful coastal villages. With white houses, wooden boats, rocky inlets and hidden coves, there's a dream-like atmosphere here unlike anywhere else!

No holiday to Catalonia would be complete without a visit to Barcelona! Fabulously cosmopolitan and rich in history, you'll have plenty of free time to explore this stunning seaside city. Why not visit Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, or explore the lively Gothic streets found alongside the bustling shops of Las Ramblas? You could also indulge in some local cuisine at one of the city's many restaurants, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the beachfront promenade.

Enjoy your final full day at leisure in Calella, or you can join us for an optional excursion to Montserrat. This excursion includes a visit to the rocky mountain range and the Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery and pilgrimage site at the top of the mountain. Inside this fascinating monastery is a statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, one of the few black Madonnas in Europe and Catalonia's most important religious retreat (please note: this excursion does not include a journey on the funicular railway). Back at our hotel, we'll enjoy a farewell reception of sangria and tapas before tonight's meal.

We bid a fond 'hasta luego' to our hosts and travel to our overnight hotel. In the morning, we retrace our footsteps back to the East Midlands by ferry and road today.