Valencia and Mallorca
- 10
- £1,499
- Spain
- Catch a train down to the south of France for a night in Montpellier
- Continue across the Spanish border to Valencia on the Mediterranean
- Cross the sea on an overnight ferry to Palma
- Enjoy a 3-night stay on Mallorca at the end of your holiday
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, where required
- 8 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Overnight ferry from Valencia to Palma in a twin cabin
- Mallorca in One Day Tour with boat cruise and vintage train ride
- Day ferry from Palma to Barcelona
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Catch a Eurostar to Lille or Paris and connect onto the high-speed TGV service down through France to Montpellier. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the Grand Hotel du Midi (or similar).
Just a few miles inland from the Mediterranean, Montpellier has a history going back to the 10th century. If you have time, it’s worth popping into the stately Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Pierre on your way out to dinner.
Today, return to the station and board a train bound for Barcelona. A quick change in Sants station will bring you into Valencia in the early evening. Or, if you have the time, why not stay a night or two in the Catalan capital en route?
When you arrive into Valencia, you’ll be staying 3 nights at the Vincci Mercat Hotel (or similar). Welcome to Spain’s third largest city, founded as a Roman colony in 138BC. Settle in at your hotel before heading out for dinner.
Enjoy three days at leisure in Valencia. This is one of Europe’s culture capitals, famous for it’s contemporary and Modernist architecture along with a vibrant nightlife and a strong culinary tradition, starting with homegrown favourite paella. The most famous attraction here has to be the iconic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) with its collection of ultra-modern buildings designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava. Here, you’ll find a science museum, a 3D cinema, an aquarium and the city’s opera house. Also not to be missed is the imposing Cathedral, built over a Mosque after the Reconquista of 1238.
Spend another day enjoying the sights of Valencia. Perhaps visit one of the city’s many fascinating museums or, if the sun is shining, head for the beach. Valencia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with temperatures reaching above 30 degrees celsius in August and up to 21 degrees in January, making it a great winter getaway destination.
This evening, collect your bags from the hotel and make your way to the port to catch an overnight ferry across to the island of Mallorca. You have a private cabin on the ship.
Dock in Palma and meet your private transfer which will take you to your hotel, HM Jaime III (or similar). You will have a 3-night stay here. Palma is the cultural centre of Mallorca, with an impressive history dating back to the second millennium BC. A wealth of remains from this period, through Roman, Byzantine, Moorish and finally Spanish occupation makes this city a treasure trove for history buffs. Pay a visit to the impressive La Seu Cathedral, again built on the remains of a Mosque (which itself was built on the site of a Christian church) or get lost in the maze of winding cobbled streets that make up the Old Town.
On one of your free days, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken on an exciting day trip around the island, including travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a boat cruise from La Calobra to coastal village of Port Soller and a ride through Soller Valley aboard a vintage train! Please note, this tour does not run in December and January.
You have another free morning in Palma before your midday sailing back across to the European mainland and the port city of Barcelona. The crossing takes around 7 hours and you’ll arrive into Barcelona in time for dinner near your hotel, which will be the Hotel Colon (or similar). You have an overnight stay here.
After breakfast this morning, leave your hotel and make your way to Barcelona Sants station. Here, you’ll catch the morning TGV which will whisk you across the French border and then north to Paris. Once here, an easy change of stations takes you to the Gare du Nord and your connecting Eurostar back to the UK.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
The Grand Hotel du Midi occupies a historic building in the centre of Montpellier, opposite the opera house on Place de la Comédie. All the bedrooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi internet access along with the usual amenities that you would expect from a 4* hotel. There is also a bar with outdoor seating, where you can relax with a drink.
The modern Vincci Mercat Hotel is located in the heart of Valencia, bear to the city’s colourful Mercat Central or Central Market. All bedrooms are air-conditioned with flatscreen TVs, parquet flooring, a safe and a minibar. You can also enjoy a drink or a swim in the pool on the rooftop terrace which offers panoramic city views. The reception is open 24 hours a day and are happy to offer advice for your sightseeing.
Located within easy reach of the marina and landmark Cathedral, the HM Jaime III Hotel is the perfect base to explore the city. Bedrooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, parquet flooring and satellite TV. There’s also an à la carte restaurant, a wellness area with hot tub, sauna and hammam and a library where you can browse coffee table books about art.
Situated across the road from Barcelona Cathedral, in the Gothic Quarter of the city, the Colon Hotel offers easy access to all Barcelona’s attractions. The classically designed bedrooms come with all the facilities you would expect from a 4* hotel, and some have a view over the cathedral façade. There is also a rooftop pool and lounge as well as a Catalonian restaurant.