A Relaxing Rail Holiday to Spain

You have a free morning today in Montpellier. Perhaps take a stroll around the Neo-Classical buildings of the Antigone District or visit one of France’s oldest botanic gardens at the Jardin des Plantes. There may be time for an early lunch along the Esplanade with a glass something from the local Languedoc-Roussillon region before you collect your bags and catch a direct train across the Spanish border to Barcelona.

Arrive into Barcelona Sants station and check in for a 3-night stay at the Catalonia Born Hotel (or similar).

Barcelona is an exuberant city with a lively calendar of events and plenty to see and do. Among the most popular attractions is the Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter) home to the world-famous Picasso Museum and the city’s historic cathedral. We would also recommend a stroll down la Rambla, the pedestrianised boulevard leading down to the sea. Drop in at the colourful Mercado de la La Boqueria boasting the best of local fresh produce.

Elsewhere, the iconic Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi remains unfinished after 100 years of building work. We would recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance if you want to pay a visit here. Please ask for details.

It’s time to leave Barcelona today and take a sleek high-speed AVE train service, covering the 390-mile journey to Madrid in under 3 hours. There are various departures during the day so let us know if you’d prefer to be on your way early or spend another morning in the Catalan capital before leaving for your next stop.

Once you arrive into Madrid, your accommodation for the next 3 nights is the Vincci Centrum Hotel (or similar).

It will be easy to fill two free days in Spanish capital Madrid. Most visitors start in the district of La Latina, one of Madrid’s oldest, where you will find the stunning Plaza Mayor and the imposing Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Spain. You can also discover some of the Western world’s best art at the ‘Golden Triangle’ of art galleries including the Prado and the Reina Sofia.

Madrid’s botanical gardens are among Spain’s most beautiful and were designed by Ferdinand VI in the 18th century and are a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. In the evening, the bars and restaurants of the Puerta del Sol area are a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel with time to have another stroll or pick up some souvenirs before your first northbound journey today to Girona. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the Cuitat de Girona (or similar).

Dating back thousands of years, Girona is a charming Catalan city with a lovely old town area boasting atmospheric narrow streets, a castle and a still existing stretch of medieval city walls which you can walk along for panoramic views. The Catedral de Girona also boasts the widest Gothic nave in the world.

Leave Girona this morning and return to the station for a direct train service back into France and north to Paris. You’ll arrive in the early evening and check in for an overnight stay at the 25hrs Terminus Nord Hotel (or similar), within walking distance of the Gare du Nord.

Spend the last night of your holiday at a typical Parisian bistro or taking a walk along the banks of the Seine. We can also add another night or two in Paris to your package if you would like to extend your holiday.

Depending on how far you have to travel once you get back to the UK, we can look at morning or afternoon options for your return journey to London. You can leave your luggage at your Paris hotel if you would like to spend the day here. Alternatively, you can catch a morning Eurostar and be back to London in time for lunch.