Wednesday 20th – Sunday 31st May 2026
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST being sought for this new Spanish Culture & Cuisine 12-day tour – no commitment at this stage – but if the tour appeals to you (subject, of course, to the price), please send an email to the group leader, Angela Chantry:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
DAY 1 Wednesday 20th May: Jávea / Borriana (186 km) / Reus (194 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: Arrival in Borriana. Free time for refreshments.
12.30 hrs: Visit to the Orange Museum, Borriana.
The only one of its kind in Europe, the Orange Museum is dedicated to preserve and publicize the history of the Valencian and Spanish citrus economy. Its rooms cover the historical evolution of orange agriculture, its trade, transport and advertising of the industry of citrus products, in an entertaining way on a journey that will take you from the end of the 18th century to the present day. The building is an example of Valencian Art Nouveau style.
15.00 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Reus.
17.30 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)
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 / Châteauneuf-du-Pape (171 km) / Arles (53 km)
Breakfast, check out and load luggage onto coach.
09.30 hrs: Departure for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
11.30 hrs: Arrival and free time.
The famous village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the remains of the Papal Castle (14th century). It was only in 1893, at the request of the mayor Joseph Ducos and his elected representatives, that the village was renamed “Châteauneuf-du-Pape” (New castle of the Pope), thus referring to the country retreat of the popes.
13.30 hrs: OPTIONAL VISIT to the Maison Brotte Wine Museum.
Discover a family estate in the heart of the famous wine appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. After an audio-guided tour of the unique Brotte Wine Museum, created in 1972 by Jeanne Brotte, grandmother of the current owner,you will learn more about the vine, the wine and the history of the Brotte family. One of their sommelierswill then welcome you for a tasting of five wines, including two Prestige vintages from their best plots, revealing the richness and complexity of the terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. €12 pp visit + tasting (2025 price).
15.00 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Arles.
16.30 hrs: Check in to a 4* hotel in Arles for 3 nights b&b accommodation.
DAY 6 Monday 25th May
Breakfast. Free day in Arles.
DAY 7 Tuesday 26th May
Full day excursion to the Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, including a boat trip with the Bateau de Promenade le Camargue.
DAY 8 Wednesday 27th May: Arles / Abbaye de Fontfroide (183 km) / Castell d’Empordá (171 km)
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: Lunch for the group included.
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 b&b accommodation).
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.
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.
Please note that the proposed itinerary is provisional until all elements of the tour have been confirmed.
What is included
Coach transport.
Guided tours and entry fees as described in the itinerary.
Bed & breakfast accommodation in 4* hotels:
2 nights Reus
2 nights Béziers
3 nights Arles
2 nights Castell d’Empordá
2 nights Vandellós
Lunch in Onda
Gratuities
€2 per person contribution to the Javea U3A Travel Fund.
If you would like to express an interest in this tour, please send an email to the group leader, Angela Chantry:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
