Viva España - the Costa Blanca & Brava

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in the Montpellier region, stopping en route in Lyon – the perfect place to stop for lunch at your leisure thanks to its reputation as the gourmet capital of France! Situated where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, this impressive city takes us on a journey through time. Its Old Town – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site – offers a maze of narrow streets, vaulted passageways and historic buildings, while another highlight is the Notre Dame de Fourvière, a late 19^th-century basilica built in shimmering white stone.

We continue onwards to the htop Calella Palace & Spa in the Catalonian town of Calella, visiting Perpignan along the way. Near to the Spanish border, this charming French town was once declared the centre of the world by Salvador Dalí and is a listed Town of Art and History. The medieval centre is a delight to explore, boasting the Moorish-style Palace of the Kings of Mallorca and the mighty 14^th-century city gate, which is now home to the Museum of Catalan History.

We take a guided morning trip to Tossa de Mar, once a medieval town and now a popular seaside resort that has managed to retain all of its original charm and character. Away from the beach and turquoise waters, discover the walled Old Town with its tangle of cobbled streets and enchanting castle.

We enjoy a day at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the local sights.

We head to beautiful Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, delicious tapas and vibrant culture. Discover the highlights of this beachside city during our guided tour, including the historic Gothic Quarter, the bustling streets known as the Ramblas and Gaudí’s incredible cathedral, the Sagrada Familia.

Leaving the Costa Brava, we travel to the Costa Blanca where we check into Port Fiesta Park in Benidorm and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Today’s excursion takes us to the charming city of Valencia, the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, founded in 138BC by the Romans. On our guided tour we learn more about its fascinating history and discover the picturesque Old Quarter with is labyrinth of cobbled streets, lined with medieval buildings and towers that were once part of the ancient wall that surrounded the old city. There are also city beaches with tree-lined promenades, scenic gardens and an attractive cathedral on offer here.

Don't miss the chance to visit the coastal town of Villajoyosa, known to the locals as La Vila and translated to Joyful Town in English. This pretty town is famous for the many brightly coloured homes on the palm-tree-lined promenade and for its local chocolate! As part of our guided visit, we head to the Valor Chocolate Museum to learn the history of the town's chocolate-making and see how it's made – don't forget to visit their in-house shop for some free samples and souvenirs too.

Choose to spend some down time at the hotel or why not explore the highlights of our popular resort, such as Benidorm Old Town? Also known as Casco Antiguo, this historic quarter is characterised by its narrow cobbled streets, white-washed houses and traditional Spanish architecture. There are plenty of quaint shops to explore plus a variety of restaurants (Tapas Alley is a real highlight!) serving authentic Spanish cuisine. Don't miss the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana too, which dates back to the 18th century and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Two of the Costa Blanca's most picturesque destinations await today, beginning with a guided tour of Alicante. The major landmark of this bustling city is the medieval Castle of Santa Barbara, which stands on the top of Mount Benacantil, offering fabulous views. Other attractions include the Esplanada de España, a palm-tree-lined promenade paved with wavy marble floor tiles and the Gravina Palace, located in the Old Town. The marina is a popular hotspot, full of restaurants, cafés and shops, and is the perfect place to admire the luxury yachts moored here.

Our next stop is Elche, well-known for its UNESCO protected palm orchard planted in Roman times and its shoemaking tradition. Considered to be one of the most important cities in the Province, Elche is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sights. Explore at your leisure some of the many highlights, such as the Basilica de Santa Maria and the famous ‘Huerto del Cura’, home to the great imperial palm and more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna.

We check out of our hotel and make our way back to Calella Palace, where we stay overnight.

We travel to our overnight hotel in Dijon, stopping along the way for lunch (not included).

Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.