The Complete Four Seasons Collection 2023-24

G rand T ours by R ail – T he T ranspyrenean

The Red Train, the Yellow Train and the Blue Train can be found in many itineraries, but only Railtrail takes you through the heart of the Pyrenees, staying in local hotels and getting to know the region with visits into Spain and France. Our grand tour stays in the foothills and valley stations, primed for spectacular excursions. Add in the Tren del Ciment, a stay on the Catalan coast and the ‘Truffle Train’ through the Dordogne for a fortnight’s adventure not found anywhere else.

14 DAYS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Steam through the Dordogne on the ‘Truffadou’Truffle Train ★ Explore the delightful medieval core of Mirepoix ★ Taste Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine ★ Visit the charming towns of Foix and Ax-lesThermes ★ Trundle past mysterious Cathare Castles on the ‘Train Rouge’ ★ Visit the perfect medieval walled city of Carcassonne ★ Experience a cross border rail adventure to Spanish Catalonia ★ Soar up from the valley on the Vall de Nuria rack railway (Blue Train) ★ Visit exciting Barcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia ★ Explore the whole of the ‘Petit Train Jaune’ line ★ Relax in the Mediterranean resort of Argelessur-Mer ★ Visit enchanting Collioure ★ Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Dinner every evening ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager DAY 1 Leaving London St Pancras by Eurostar, we race through Kent and northern France. Changing stations in Paris, we head southwards to Brive for two nights at the Grand Hotel Terminus. (D) DAY 2 By staying in Brive we are well located for today’s excursion. Heading south towards the Dordogne , we enjoy a brief visit to the Chemin de Fer du Haut Quercy’s railway museum, before joining the ‘Truffadou’ train itself for a one hour steam round-trip. Carved into the cliffs above the River Dordogne, trains were

DEPARTS Saturday 16 September 2023

FARE From London St Pancras International: Standard Class rail travel including Standard Eurostar Supplement for Standard Premier Eurostar upgrade return First Class rail travel including Standard Premier Eurostar Join at Brive & Leave at Argelès-sur-Mer Single Traveller Supplement

Fares From £2895

£2895 £199 £3195 £2595 £275

terrain of rugged beauty, we reach Latour de Carol-Enveitg , one of the great border stations and the terminus of three lines. We continue into Spain by local train to Ribes de Freser, where we spend three nights at the Catalunya Park Hotel. (B,D) DAY 8 Our direct regional train takes us from Ribes to the regional capital of Barcelona . We enjoy free time to explore the city on the hop-on hop-off bus and visit the many attractions including Las Ramblas, Gaudi’s masterpiece - the extraordinary Sagrada Familia and the viewpoint at Mont Juïc before we return by rail to Ribes. (B,D) DAY 9 Two fascinating rail experiences await today. The ‘Tren del Ciment’* begins in the charming Catalan village of La Pobla de Lillet, which boasts the oldest bridge spanning the River Llobregat. The diesel powered former industrial railway covers a distance of 3.5km on its way to the former Asland Cement Factory, which now houses a museum. Back in Ribes, we board the Vall de Nuria Rack Railway, which climbs a height difference of more than 1,000 metres on a journey over 12 km in length. (B,D) DAY 10 Today we leave Ribes and transfer to Font Romeu via Latour de Carol and include a journey by rail on the scenic ‘Train Jaune’ . When we arrive in Font Romeu , we spend the night at the convenient, family-run 2-star L’Oustalet

Hotel located just a short distance from the train station. (B,D) DAY 11 Our ‘Train Jaune’ experience continues today, climbing to Bolquère-Eyne, the highest station in France and crossing the Pont Gisclard suspension bridge on our descent to Villefranche-Vernet-les Bains. Our coach awaits here to transfer to the Hotel du Lido in Argelès-sur-Mer on the French Mediterranean. (B,D) DAY 12 A day at leisure to relax in Argelès-sur Mer. Relax on the hotel’s private beach or maybe explore the region further. (B,D) HOTEL All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager GUARANTEED FARE 13 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal Standard Class rail travel throughout

DAY 13 Today we join the local coastal railway, heading south towards the Spanish border along the stunning ‘Vermillion Coast’ , where the region’s expansive beaches develop into a series of charming coves, backed by vineyards and the Albères mountains. We stop at the simply stunning coastal village of Collioure . It is not difficult to see why the Fauvist art movement was drawn to Collioure, with its special light, beautiful bay, lighthouse and fort. (B,D) DAY 14 After breakfast we transfer to Perpignan, joining the TGV to Paris, where we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras. (B)

used to transport truffles, hence the name ‘Truffadou’. Closed in 1980, the railway has been preserved since the 1990s by enthusiasts. (B,D) DAY 3 Our rail adventure heads south to Toulouse, changing for the ‘Transpyrenean Line’ . We leave the train at Foix , a charming town overlooked by a majestic château. After a little free time, we transfer by coach to the Cartier Hotel Quillan for four nights, beginning with a wine tasting of the local Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine . (B,D) DAY 4 Today we enjoy a half-day excursion by coach to the captivating town of Mirepoix which can only be described as a ‘best kept secret’. Explore ‘Les Couverts’, one of the finest medieval arcaded market squares , flanked by half-timbered medieval houses and the stunning cathedral. Back at Quillan we enjoy free time to explore the local area. (B,D)

DAY 5 A short transfer to Axat brings us to the Train Rouge* , which operates its ‘Viaducts’ route to St Paul de Fenouillet.A particular highlight of this scenic journey is the sight of the Château de Puilaurens, perched on a cliff high above the valley, like many of the other Cathar castles. (B,D) DAY 6 Our destination today is Carcassonne , where we enjoy free time to experience one of the world’s most incredible medieval fortified towns . Carcassonne’s citadel is entirely encircled by an impenetrable city wall, all turrets, towers and battlements. Explore the quaint alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage protected site before we return to Quillan. (B,D) DAY 7 We transfer back to the ‘Transpyrenean Line’ by a different route, with a short break at the spa town of Ax-les Thermes , Winding through remote

• Grand Hotel Terminus, Brive • Cartier Hotel, Quillan • Hotel Catalunya Park, Ribes de Freser • L’Oustalet, Font Romeu • Hotel du Lido, Argelès-sur-Mer For further details of our The Transpyrenean hotels, please visit our website www.railtrail.co.uk

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Visit: www.railtrail.co.uk – for full tour details and fares, and to book online or call 01538 382323 – to book or to request a detailed tour itinerary