Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th May 2027
Our Catalan adventure begins with a visit to the Cripta de la Colònia Güel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Barcelona. The Gaudi Crypt is an unfinished masterpiece and architectural laboratory designed by Antoni Gaudí, which features groundbreaking catenary arches and pioneering structural models that later inspired the Sagrada Família. We will then travel to Girona, with plenty of free time to explore the city and the magical Girona Temps de Flors festival, where flowers become architecture and the historic centre becomes a living canvas. Courtyards, staircases, cloisters and balconies erupt in colour and scent, and it is the only time of year when private courtyards open to the public. After our 2 nights in Girona, we will travel to Barcelona where we can admire Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces – the famous Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, amongst others – and take a stroll along Las Ramblas; in the evening, perhaps have dinner in one of the restaurants in the Spanish Village, Poble Espanyol. On our return journey to Jávea we will stop midway to enjoy a scenic river boat excursion through the Ebro Delta Biosphere Reserve.
Tuesday 11th May: Jávea / Santa Coloma de Cervelló (462 km) / Girona (117 km)
08.30 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, Calle Bruselas, Jávea Arenal.
08.45 hrs: Departure from Interiors (opposite side of the road), Jávea port.
09.05 hrs: Pickup at Mas y Mas on the N332 if required.
Travel to Santa Coloma de Cervelló, with a comfort stop en route.
13.00 hrs: Approximate time of arrival at Santa Coloma de Cervelló, and free time for refreshments at one of the café bars/restaurants located within the historic village, close to Colònia Güell.
14.30 hrs: Self-guided visit to the Cripta de la Colònia Güel, starting from the Visitor Centre. The admission covers entry to the permanent historical museum exhibition, an informative audio guide (via your mobile) mapped to a walking route of the village’s architecture, and entry into Gaudí’s Crypt.
16.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to our hotel in Girona.
18.15 hrs: Check into the 3* Hotel Ultonia Girona, just a short walk to the main sites of interest in the city. 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation.
Evening free.
Wednesday 12th May: Free day in Girona
Breakfast.
The day is free to enjoy the flower festival – the programme and map showing the locations of the floral displays will not be available until much nearer the date.
Thursday 13th May: Girona / Barcelona (102 km)
Breakfast.
Free morning in Girona.
12.00 hrs: Check out and load luggage onto the coach and travel to Barcelona.
14.00 hrs: Check into the 3* Hotel Oriente Atiram, 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation.
Afternoon and evening free for own sightseeing and choice of venue for dinner.
The hotel is situated on Las Ramblas, a famous 1.2 km pedestrian boulevard connecting Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. It separates the Barri Gòtic and El Raval neighbourhoods, featuring lively street life, flower stalls, and cafes.
Friday 14th May: Barcelona
Breakfast.
Free day for own sightseeing e.g.
Casa Batlló, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (book tickets online to avoid queuing)
Park Güell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between 1900 and 1914, which is celebrated globally as one of Gaudí’s ultimate architectural masterpieces (book tickets online to avoid queuing).
Casa Milà – La Pedrera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (book tickets online, either for a daytime tour or evening visit).
Visit the Poble Espanyol, a famous open-air architectural museum in Barcelona, featuring 117 full-scale replica buildings, craft workshops, and contemporary art. You can book visits through the official website.
There are restaurants at the Spanish Village where you may wish to return to have dinner, but to avoid paying the entrance fee in the evening, you must have a restaurant reservation (not the cafes) and the staff at the entrance gate to the Village will check your reservation – but bear in mind that by then, most of the artisanal shops will probably have closed.
16.00 hrs: Included guided visit to the Sagrada Familia
Please be at the entrance at least 10 minutes prior to the allocated time.
Evening free for your own choice of dining venue.
Saturday 15th May: Barcelona / Deltebre (170 km) / Jávea (316 km)
Breakfast
09.00 hrs: Check out and load luggage onto the coach and travel to the Deltebre.
11.15 hrs: Short refreshment break by the boarding point.
12.00 hrs: Boat ride on the Ebro River – a panoramic 90-minute journey covering the final 16 kms of the Ebro River as it flows directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Departing from the town of Deltebre, the boat tour highlights the unique intersections of untouched nature, local wildlife, and agricultural traditions.
What will you see during the journey?
- The last two towns that the Ebro River crosses
- The Migjorn River
- Buda Island, the largest island in Catalonia and the most pristine, wild heart of the Delta. Because access onto the island requires a strict environmental permit, the cruise offers a rare close-up look from the water; and San Antonio Island.
- The three ancient river mouths.
- The Ebro Delta Natural Park.
- And the spectacular current mouth of the Ebro River, where Spain’s most voluminous river meets the open Mediterranean Sea.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
Possibly flamingos and diverse species such as herons, storks, cormorants, and ospreys nesting along the riverbanks.
13.30 hrs: Lunch in the Olmos Restaurant adjacent to the Ebro River.
15.30 hrs: Departure for Jávea. Comfort stop enroute.
19.30 hrs: Approximate time of arrival in Jávea.
What is included
Coach transport and driver’s costs (accommodation and meals).
Self-guided visit to the Cripta de la Colònia Güel.
Guided visit to the Sagrada Familia
2 nights b&b accommodation in the 3* Hotel Ultonia Girona.
2 nights b&b accommodation at the 3* Hotel Oriente Atiram situated on Las Ramblas.
90 minutes boat ride on the Delta Ebro River with Olmos Creuers.
Lunch in the Olmos Restaurant.
Gratuities.
Cost
€947 per person sharing a twin/double room
€610 supplement for sole occupancy (expensive because of the flower festival + sole occupancy in Barcelona is only a little less than a shared room – if you are interested in sharing please let me know)
Deposit: €250 per person on confirmation of booking.
Additional Cost
City taxes not included and charged to each room:
Barcelona: 7.70€ pp and night
Girona: 1.75€ pp and night
Cancellation
Please note that should you subsequently cancel your booking, refunds can only be made if your reservation is taken over by another member. Members are required to have travel insurance appropriate to their own personal needs.
Group Leader: Angela Chantry
spanish.culture.cuisine@gmail.com