BOOKING IS NOW OPEN!
Wednesday 20th – Sunday 31st May 2026
This trip is now available to book via an email to the group leader, Angela Chantry:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
DAY 1 Wednesday 20th May: Jávea / Alboraya (120 km) / Reus (245 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. Comfort stop enroute.
11.30 hrs: Visit to the Alqueria El Magistre – Museu de l’Orxata i la Xufa.
El Machistre is one of the most emblematic architectural vestiges of the Valencian Huerta and today, it is one of the few stately farmhouses that remain and can be visited to learn about the history of Oro de la Huerta firsthand. Its main objective is to promote Valencian culture and preserve its historical, cultural, and culinary heritage.
Learn about the history of tiger nut cultivation, its growing methods, and the process of making artisanal horchata. The Alquería, converted into an ethnographic museum, will enable you to experience a walk through time, contemplating its rooms (halls, hermitage, tower, kitchens, corrals, and granaries) and the various historical influences (Roman, Islamic, etc.) that have defined the development of the Huerta and the life and customs of its inhabitants.
At the end of the visit, a tasting of artisanal horchata made with D.O. Chufa de Valencia will be offered. Horchata is a typical Valencian drink made from ground ‘chufas’ (tiger nuts), water and sugar. It is a predominantly plant-based drink, healthy and natural, and is generally served with a fartón – a light, spongy bun shaped to be dipped into a glass of horchata.
13.00 hrs: Reboard the coach for the short journey to Platja d’Alboraya, with free time for lunch in one of the many café bars/restaurants.
15.00 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Reus; comfort stop enroute.
18.00 hrs: Check in to the 4* Hotel NH Ciutat de Reus (or similar); 2 nights b&b accommodation.
During the 19th and 20th centuries Reus became known as one of the world’s major centres of liquor production and was home to over 30 producers of vermouth. Today Reus is home to major exporters of vermouth but it is also famous as the birthplace of Gaudí.
DAY 2 Thursday 21st May Reus (free day)
Breakfast.
If you are interested in Gaudí, you may wish to take a route around Reus to visit the house where he was born and the church where he was baptised, as well as the Gaudí Centre: 1,200 square metres of exhibition dedicated to his work. Two other interesting tours are the Modernist route – a stroll across Reus to see the nearly 80 modernist buildings, such as the emblematic Pere Mata Institute; or the Vermouth Route.
DAY 3 Friday 22nd May Reus to Byrhh (297 km) / Béziers (108 km)
Breakfast, check out and load luggage onto coach.
09.00 hrs: Travel to Byrrh; refreshment break enroute.
13.00 hrs: Arrival in Byrrh; free time for lunch.
The colourful Hotel Restaurant Cortie in the narrow streets in the centre of Thuir. The building belonged to theViolet brothers and started off as a wine cave in the 19th century. 40 places in the restaurant and 20 places on the terrace.
Le Bistro des Caves Restaurant Le Tefiti (Tahitian) Le Patio Catalan
15.00 hrs: Visit to the prestigious Caves Byrrh, one of the pillars of France’s industrial heritage. Byrrh is a kind of vermouth aperitif, created in 1866 in Thuir by the Violet brothers, Pallade and Simon. The recipe is based on the wines of Roussillon and Malaga, which are combined with cinchona, coffee, cocoa and spices. Although the museum tour naturally focuses on how Byrrh is produced, it also examines the beverage’s extraordinary journey across the 20th century, from a medicinal remedy to a brand of aperitif with a global reputation. A mix of new technology and impressive period pieces helps tell the story. You’ll see, among other things, the world’s largest oak casks (with a capacity of over one million litres) and a majestic kiosk dating from 1891.
16.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Béziers.
18.00 hrs: Check in to a central hotel for 2 nights b&b accommodation.
DAY 4 Saturday 23rd May: Béziers (free day)
Béziers is one of the oldest cities in France, where the Canal du Midi passes over the river Orb by means of the Pont-canal de l’Orb, an aqueduct claimed to be the first of its kind. Béziers is at the centre of the largest wine-producing region in France and is famous for both its wine and its bullfights. Stroll through its picturesque streets and the many squares with bars and restaurants.
DAY 5 Sunday 24th May: Béziers / Sète (63 km) / Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (91 km)
Breakfast, check out and load luggage onto coach.
09.30 hrs: Departure for Sète.
10.30 hrs: Arrival and free time to explore Sète, one of the most beautiful fishing and trade ports in the Mediterranean. Surrounded by the sea, canals and Thau Lake and nicknamed the “Venice of the Languedoc”.
Or perhaps visit the Musée International des Arts Modestes à Sète. Since 2000, the museum has presented the works of more than 1,000 artists of all generations, origins, and practices. MIAM’s exhibitions have often been at the forefront in revealing marginal or innovative artistic movements by which it has earned an international reputation, and it continues to question the boundaries of contemporary art.
15.00 hrs: Departure and travel to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
16.45 hrs: Check into a hotel at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer which is situated in the centre of the town (3 nights b&b accommodation).
Nestled between lagoons and the Mediterranean Sea, the port of Sainte Marie la Mer stands out from the neighbouring ports mainly because of its location in the heart of a preserved natural environment.
Please be aware, however, that our stay will coincide with the Gitan Pilgrimage 24th/25th May 2026, which turns this small sleepy seaside town into a noisy carnival with Gypsy music and dancing! Hundreds of Europe’s Gypsies gather on one special day, the 24th May, to celebrate and party. The legend has it that in the 16th century, Saint Sara, Saint Marie-Jacobé, and St Marie-Salomé arrived here from Palestine, giving the town its name—Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. There is a medieval church in the town that is home to the statue of Sara-la-Kali or the Black Sara—the patron saint of Gypsies, which is carried in a procession from the church to the sea during the festival. Her remains are said to be in the crypt under the church.
DAY 6 Monday 25th May: Saintes Maries de la Mer / Arles
Breakfast.
9.30 hrs: Travel by coach to Arles.
10.30 hrs: Arrival and free day in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its exceptional Roman heritage can be seen around every corner: amphitheatre, ancient theatre, Constantine’s baths, cryptoporticus and the famous Alyscamps.
Or follow in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh.
–Foundation Vincent van Gogh Arles: Dedicated to Van Gogh’s work and life in Arles.
–Espace Van Gogh: The former hospital where Van Gogh was treated after his breakdown, now a public space.
-The Yellow House Site: While the house itself is gone, the location is a place of interest for visitors.
–Place du Forum: Where the “Café Terrace at Night” was painted.
-The Langlois Bridge: The bridge he depicted in his paintings, also known as the Pont de Langlois.
16.00 hrs: Return to our hotel in Saintes Maries de la Mer. Evening free to enjoy the carnival atmosphere, or enjoy the facilities of the hotel.
DAY 7 Tuesday 26th May
Breakfast.
Excursion to the Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, including a boat trip and train ride with the Bateau de Promenade le Camargue.
During this 2½-hour cruise, you will sail along the Vidourle River, passing through the Vidourle gates, and continue on the Rhône Canal to Sète. There will be a stop at a manade (bull farm) to watch the bulls being sorted and learn all about the work of the gardians (bull herders). Throughout the excursion, you will be able to admire the riches of the Camargue Gardoise, its fauna and flora, with commentary from our guide. The visit will be completed aboard a little train, which will take you on a tour of the town.
Return to our hotel and evening free.
DAY 8 Wednesday 27th May: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer / Abbaye de Fontfroide / Castell d’Empordá
Breakfast.
09.00 hrs: board our coach and departure for the Abbaye de Fontfroide; refreshment break enroute.
12.00 hrs: Arrival and discover the Abbey at your own pace with a self-guided visit, which includes the rose garden and terraced gardens (leaflet in English, explanatory panels, or download the app onto your mobile from Google Play and Apple Store). At the end of a path lined with vines and umbrella pines, this historic 12th century site appears in an exceptional state of conservation. With its abbey church, its cloister and the 12th century chapter house, the lay buildings, the 18th century fittings, the rose garden and the Italian-style terraced gardens classified as a “Remarkable Garden”.
14.00 hrs: After your self-guided tour, free time for lunch, either in the restaurant or on the terrace where snacks are available (dinner is included in the hotel in the evening).
15.45 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Castell d’Emporda.
18.00 hrs: Check in to the 4* Hotel Castell d’Empordá, or similar (2 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast included).
DAY 9 Thursday 28th May: Castell d’Empordá / Pals (10.5 km) / Peratallada (6.5 km)
Breakfast.
09.30 hrs: Morning visit to the medieval village of Pals.
10.00 hrs: Free time in Pals.
Pals has an historical centre with a medieval Romanesque tower constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, known as the Torre de Les Hores (Tower of the Hours). The clock tower is fifteen meters high. Next to the castle tower, is house the house which belongs home to the Pi I Figueres family that led the renovation of the village. Below the Castle Tower lies the Placa Major, the picturesque square is home to the town hall of Pals. Besides the town hall, the square houses typical Catalan stores which sell pottery produced in the area.
13.00 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to nearby Peratallada, a medieval town with great charm which preserves harmony in its rural architecture. Wander among its alleys, towers and walls where you can find restaurants and craft shops.
16.00 hrs: Return to our hotel.
Dinner included.
DAY 10 Friday 29th May: Castell d’Empordá / Sant Sadurní (162 km) / Vandellós (111 km)
Breakfast.
09.00 hrs: Check out, load luggage onto coach and travel to Sant Sadurni.
11.30 hrs: Cava and chocolate – the perfect pairing! Visit to the Simón Coll chocolate factory.
Audio visual with big screens where the chocolate making process is explained as well as its history and evolution. Explanations about the production line they use for making chocolates such as truffles and different products; tasting of different chocolates (50 mins).
12.45 hrs: Next a visit to Canals i Munné, one of the most traditional wineries in the Penedès region. They have been producing mid-range and high-end wines and cavas since 1915. Learn about the history of this family business, get to know their products and go down to the cellars to see how their cavas rest and their wines age; tasting followed by lunch in the restaurant made with local products.
14.30 hrs: Lunch.
16.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Vandellós.
18.00 hrs: Check in to the 4* Hotel La Figuerola & Restaurant or similar; 2 nights b&b accommodation.
DAY 11 Saturday 30th May: Free day or visit to Miravet (27.4 km)
Breakfast.
10.00 hrs: Visit to nearby Miravet. The striking Castle of Miravet, which overlooks the River Ebro, is of Andaluz origin but was later converted by the Templar Knights into a Castle Convent, around the middle of the 12th century. Wander around the old quarter of Miravet, with its narrow streets which are full of character, the Jewish area, the old Renaissance Baroque church, the medieval river mill and old shipyard pier. Famous also for its pottery, Miravet is a place where it’s hard not to be moved by the wonderful views, culture and history.
14.30 hrs: Return to our hotel in Vandellós. Rest of the afternoon and evening free.
DAY 12 Sunday 31st May: Vandellós / Onda (182 km) / Jávea (190 km)
Breakfast.
09.00 hrs: Check out, load luggage onto coach and departure for Onda; refreshment break enroute.
12.00 hrs: Guided visit to the Manolo Safont Tile Museum, Onda (1.5 hrs).
Pottery pieces on display range from original Roman floor tiles and numerous pieces of Gothic tiles to almost contemporary productions. The foremost collections comprise ceramic outputs made in the furnaces of Onda’s workshops alongside 200 years of history. Onda was one of the most representative institutions of the Valencian ceramic architectural implementation during the 19th and 20th centuries.
13.30 hrs: Travel to nearby Onda.
14.00 hrs: Lunch.
16.15 hrs: Reboard our coach for the return journey to Jávea; comfort stop enroute.
19.00 hrs: Approximate time of arrival in Jávea.
What is included
Coach transport
Guided tour in Alqueria El Magistre
4* Hotel NH Ciutat de Reus (2 nights b&b accommodation)
Visit to Caves Byrrh
3* Hôtel Impérator (2 nights b&b accommodation).
4* Vila de la Mar Hôtel & Spa (3 nights b&b accommodation)
Boat trip (2H 30 MINS) Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue + Train (1H)
4* Hotel Castell d’Empordá (2 nights dinner & breakfast accommodation)
Visit to the Simón Coll chocolate factory & cava
Visit and lunch in Canals i Munné Winery
4* Hotel La Figuerola & Restaurant (2 nights b&b accommodation).
Manolo SafontTile Museum
Lunch at the Restaurante 4 Cantons
Accommodation & meals for the driver
Gratuities
Basic health insurance is included for Spanish residents but this does not include cover for cancellation and as the tour goes into France, appropriate personal travel insurance is required.
€2 per person contribution to the Jávea U3A Travel Fund.
Not included and at individual expense
Hotel taxes (approx. €20 per person) to be paid direct at the hotels.
Contribution towards gratuities: €20 per person.
Personal items and meals/drinks not included in the itinerary.
COST
€1,918 per person sharing a twin/double room (includes €20 towards gratuity)
€875 single supplement (limited number of rooms for sole occupancy)
Note: This is a personalised group tour and the package has been priced by Deni Sun Travel, Denia.
If you would like to join this tour, please send an email to the group leader, Angela Chantry:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
You will receive details for paying the deposit, by card or by bank transfer to the Jávea U3A CAIXA bank account, on confirmation of your reservation.
Payment schedule
€418 per person deposit on booking
€750 per person due by the 1st February 2026
€750 per person remaining balance due by the 1st April 2026 (plus the supplement for solo travellers)
Should it become necessary to make any changes to the programme, before or during the tour, such amendments are at the tour operator’s discretion after discussion with the group leader.
