Group Tour Operator for Holidays to Girona, Catalonia
Girona Flower Festival, Barcelona and Costa Brava
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Temps de Flors, Girona ©Girona City Council - AJ
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Temps de Flors, Girona ©Girona City Council - AJ
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Barcelona, Spain - Cathedral. Gothic Quarter ©Turisme de Barcelona
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Calella seafront and beach ©Courtesy of www.oktoberfestcalella.com
The Costa Brava is a 200 km picture-postcard coastline dotted with fishing villages, resorts, beaches and coves nestled among the cliffs. There are at least four major botanical gardens in the region and many towns and villages pay homage to the artist, Salvador Dali. It also offers a wealth of history and culture of which there is an abundance in the city of Girona. Known as the ‘City of the Four Rivers’, Girona’s historic quarter is dominated by medieval buildings including the cathedral and the Benedictine monastery.
Every year in May the ‘Temps de Flors’ (Girona Flower Festival) engulfs the whole of Girona. The city is abundant with flowers and floral displays. Not only do the local authorities make a great display, but everyone gets involved. All the local shops, bars and restaurants also reinvent themselves for the festival.
Dates
06 May 2025 (2026 dates subject to confirmation)
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart from the UK
Travel to Dover for the short sea ferry crossing to Calais. Upon disembarkation, continue south through France, stopping overnight in the Orleans/Bourges area. Evening dinner will be at the hotel.
Day 2
Travel to Spain
Depart after breakfast for the onward journey south through France and over the border near Perpignan into Spain and to your resort for the next 6 nights. Evening dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Day 3
Day at leisure (driver’s rest day)
After the long journey of the previous two days, this is a day to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel and surroundings. Maybe take a walk around the old town of Calella through cobbled alleyways with historial buildings or spend some time on the golden sandy beach.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 4
Girona Flower Festival and Dali Museum
Travel to Girona and meet up with a local guide for walking tour of this walled medieval city with narrow streets, cobbled lanes and remarkable architecture before we visit the flower festival which we can explore at leisure. It is held in Barri Vell (old town) where buildings, monuments and courtyards are turned into unique ornamental gardens. Displays, which are made by the locals, can also be found in the cathedral and churches.
Before returning to the hotel, we will stop at Figueres, Dali’s birthplace, to visit the Dali Theatre and Museum which is full of surrealist masterpieces. This was the first place where Dali’s work was displayed and he is buried in a crypt in the museum basement.
Return to the hotel for evening dinner.
(Note: 2025 Flower Festival dates to be confirmed)
Day 5
Barcelona, Capital of Catalonia
Meet up with a local guide for a panoramic tour of this beautiful capital. See some of Gaudi’s masterpieces along the Paseo de Gracia boulevard before stopping to view arguably the most famous building in Spain – the impressive and recently consecrated Sagrada Familia. Continuing with the Gaudi theme, continue to Park Güell, where the master perfectly combined his architecture and nature. Apart from exuberant bougainvillea and atmospheric palm trees, Park Güell offers stunning views over the city. Other famous sights include the Nou Camp Stadium, Montjuic Fountains and the port.
Enjoy some free time to explore especially along Las Ramblas in the old town, possibly one of the most famous streets in Barcelona, if not the world!
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 6
Blanes and Marimurtra Botanical Gardens
Visit these interesting botanical gardens which are situated on a hill overlooking the port of Blanes and the Mediterranean, where fishing boats and recreational yachts are side by side. In Marimurtra Gardens there are 16 hectares of tropical and subtropical plants and trees from all over the world. On your exploration through the gardens, you will come across fountains with drinking water and benches to rest on or just to take in the views. (Optional guided tours available)
Spend some time in Blanes before heading back to the hotel for dinner. Wander around the port or along the promenade with many possibilities to sit and take a drink or something to eat. (Optional guided tours available)
Day 7
Santa Clotilde Gardens and Tossa de Mar
Santa Clotilde Gardens, near Lloret-de-Mar, are beautifully located on a cliff with great views over the Costa Brava and home to typically Mediterranean plants including pines, lime trees and cypresses. Explore the gardens at leisure before heading to Tossa de Mar, one of the most emblematic and photographed towns on the Costa Brava and whose main point of interest is its spectacular fortified mediaeval centre, declared as National Historic-Artistic Monument. There will be some free time to explore the old town, see the medieval castle, enjoy some lunch or have a drink.
Return to the hotel for your final evening and dinner.
Day 8
Depart Spain
Depart after breakfast for the return journey to the UK. Drive over the border into France and continue north for an overnight stop. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 9
Return to the UK
The journey continues north to the port of Calais and the short sea crossing over to Dover and home.
Featured hotel
Hotel Amaika, Calella****
Adult only hotel with comfortable bedrooms, outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace, wellness facilities, restaurant and bar. On-site coach parking.
The itinerary can be switched around depending upon which day you visit Girona for the Flower Festival which takes place between 10 – 18 May 2025 (subject to confirmation).
Hotel Amaika, Calella****
| Departure date | 9 days / 8 nights |
| 06 May 2025 | From £915.00 per person |
Single supplement price on request.
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