RAIL-DRIVE
FRENCH CATALONIA BY TRAIN HOLIDAY
7 nights / 8 days From £ 1,760 per person
Villefranche de Conflent
PARIS • MOLITG-LES-BAINS • FRENCH CATALONIA
You travel first to Paris or Lyon for one night, then continue by train to Perpignan where you collect a hire-car. You then spend six nights amidst the pine and oleander-clad foothills of the Pyrenees, facing the revered Mount Canigou, with time to explore the region, coast and country, on foot and by car.
DAY ONE London to Paris or Lyon Begin with Eurostar from London to Paris or Lyon, depending on the season. There is one direct Eurostar service to Lyon three or four times a week during the summer. It usually departs just before 07:30 hrs arriving into Lyon at 13:00 hrs.
DAY TWO Travel to Perpignan and Molitg-les-Bains Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before boarding a train to Perpignan. If you are travelling from Paris, there is a direct service. If you are travelling from Lyon, you will need to change at Montpellier. You arrive at Perpignan at about 16:00 hrs. Collect your hire car and drive 40-minutes or so to Molitg-les-Bains.
What’ s included
• Second-class travel on all trains, with standard class on Eurostar
• 1 night’ s bed and breakfast in a Superior room at Hotel Bourgogne et Montana, Paris or 1 night’ s bed and breakfast in a Classic room at Hotel La Cour des Loges, Lyon
• 6 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior room in the castle at Chateau de
Riell, Molitg-les-Bains
• Hire of a group B car for 6 days in French Catalonia
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
DAYS THREE TO SEVEN In French Catalonia You have five whole days in French Catalonia to enjoy the natural surroundings of Molitg-les-Bains. Your hotel looks out onto snow topped Mount Canigou in this thermal spa town in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Enjoy exploring on foot with hikes through the nearby forest-clad hills and orchards with plenty of time to unwind by the pool. A short drive away is the town of Prades, situated at the foot of the Canigou, home to a weekly farmers’ market and the Pablo Casals museum, once home to the Spanish-born cellist, composer and conductor. Another nearby town is Villefranche de Conflent. This fortified town dates from the 11th century and has the 12th century Church of St Jacques. Spend a day on the Mediterranean coast in the town of Collioure, just over an hour’ s drive away. Situated in the Roussillon wine area, the town enjoys a pretty location on a bay. Continue south towards the Spanish border to Port Vendres where you find Vauban fortifications. Visit the historic city of Perpignan to discover the citadel and royal castle.
DAY EIGHT Molitg-les-Bains to London Drive to Perpignan for the train to Paris which leaves at 11:40 hrs. After a change of stations in Paris, travel by Eurostar back to London. You arrive in London just after 20:30 hrs.
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris or Lyon
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room From £ 2,360
Supplements
• Standard premier on Eurostar and first class on the TGV £ 455 per person
Holiday code FRBR17
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 23