ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO The Catalan Shore - 2010
From Collioure to Cadaques - The Côte Vermeille
An exceptional self-guided walk from France into Spain, discovering the magnificent contrasting landscapes along the Catalan coast. This walk combines sea and landscape, excellent even in the mild Mediterranean winter. It takes you along the Côte Vermeille, beloved of the artists Dali and Miro. The path from Banyuls to the border with Spain follows the route taken by Walter Benjamin, the German-Jewish philosopher, on 24th September 1940, and is the route followed by many Jewish refugees during World War II.
PRICE
Option A: £570 per person. Single supplement: £120. 3 star hotels 4 nights, 2 star hotel 2 nights (Collioure and el Port de Llança)
Option B: £445 per person. Single supplement: £100. 3 star hotel 1 night (Banyuls), 2 star hotels elsewhere.
Supplement for single person walking alone: £75. Supplement applicable at Easter, 1-14 September and Christmas & New Year - £60 per person based on 2 people sharing
INCLUDED
6 nights accommodation with breakfast, 3 dinners (no dinner in Cadaques or Collioure, dinner in Llanca not available on Mondays), transport of luggage every day from hotel to hotel, IGN Maps at 1/25 000 Tops 25 (France) and Alpina maps (Spain) (marked with the itinerary), route instructions and information about the region., local back-up.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flight to/from walk & train fare (1 euro approx.) Port Bou-Llanca
- Drinks and lunches and dinners where specified
- Personal expenses
- Arrival/departure transfers
- Entrance fees
Departure dates: this holiday is possible the whole year (for the months of July and August, which are busy and very hot, please ask).
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1 : Arrive Collioure. Overnight in hotel**
(Hotel Le Mas des Citronniers).
Day 2: Walk from Collioure to Banyuls-sur-Mer via Cap Béar from where there are wonderful views. Pass the 13th century « Fort St Elmes » and continue to Port Vendres, with its busy port. Continue around Paulilles bay, one of the most beautiful places along the coast. Finally you arrive in Banyuls sur Mer following the old coastguard path. Overnight in hotel in Banyuls***
(Hotel Catalan). 3.5 to 4 hour walk. 12.5 kms/8 miles Day 3: Walk from Banyuls-sur-Mer to Portbou (Spain) and Llanca. Cross the Banyuls vineyards with their dry stone walls and take the path to the Col de la Rumpissa. Enjoy wonderful views from Carroig over the Pyrenees, Canigou peak, Cap de Creu and the Mediterranean sea. Descend to the typical Spanish village of Port Bou and take the train to Llanca. Overnight in hotel**
(Hotel Miramar). 4.5 hour walk. 12.5 kms/8 miles Day 4: Walk from Llança to Port de la Selva. Climb to the monastery Sant Père de Rodes from where there are exceptional views and where Romanesque art is distinguished by Arab and Carolingian influences. Walk down to Port de la Selva for overnight in hotel***
(Hotel Portocristo). 4.5 hour walk. 14 kms/8.75 miles Day 5: Walk from Port de la Selva to Cadaques. Following a deeply rural path you reach Cap de Creus, a magical place where the Mediterranean sea, stirred by the 'Tramontane', rushes in as the "Cova de l'Infern". Following a picturesque path with low stone walls, you reach Port Lligat. Pass close to Salvador Dali's house and walk down to Cadaques for a two night stay in hotel***
(Hotel Rocamar). 7.5 hour walk.
25 kms/15.5 miles Day 6: Today you may do a circular walk using Cadaques as your base. It will take you up into the hills to Cala Nans, before redescending to the coast. Or you may simply relax and enjoy Cadaques.
20 kms/12.5 miles Day 7 : Departure.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Moderate walking except Banyuls sur Mer to Portbou, which is a little more difficult and the last day to Cadaques, which is a long but gentle walk.
GROUP SIZE
From two persons
Collioure, Banyuls the city of the artist Maillol, Sant Pere de Rodes and its exceptional views, the Cap de Creus national park and Cadaques, Salvador Dali's town …
Hotel in Cadaques 
Hotel in Cadaques 
ACCOMMODATION
Option A: 6 nights: 4 nights hotel *** (Hotel Rocamar in Cadaqués, Hotel le Catalan in Banyuls, Hotel Portocristo in Port de la Selva) & 2 nights hotels ** (Hotel Le Mas des Citronniers in Collioure, Hotel Miramar in Llanca)
Option B: As above but 2 star hotels in el Port de la Selva and Cadaques.
GETTING THERE
By road : A9, exit Le Boulou
By train : Train station SNCF Collioure
By aeroplane : Airport Perpignan/ Rivesaltes (AOM, Ryanair) or Barcelona (all major airlines).
There are a couple of buses each day from Cadaques to Figueras. Train station in Figueras connects to Barcelona or Perpignan.
TRANSFERS
Arrival: private transfer not necessary as there is a railway station in Collioure with connections to Perpignan. A shuttle bus connects the airport with the railway station. Otherwise, a transfer from Perpignan airport to Collioure would cost £30 per person
Departure: transfer can be arranged from Cadaques to Perpignan or Collioure from 145 euro per transfer for up to three people.
LANDSCAPE
Maquis, vineyards, rocky shores …
LUGGAGE
You carry only your back-pack each day. The rest of the luggage iscarried by an assistant vehicle from accommodation to accommodation
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume,water bottle, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.
DEPARTURES
Daily all year except July and August
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44) (0)1242 254353