Costa Brava to Canal du Midi with Titan Travel

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Titan Travel on a five-day trip exploring the beautiful Costa Brava — with a surprise dash of southern France thrown in for good measure. From home pick-up to heartfelt farewells, it was a reminder of why Titan’s escorted tours are such a stress-free way to explore.

Day One – Home to Roses

The trip began bright and early with Titan’s home-to-airport transfer service, which is included on every Titan tour. My driver collected me right from my doorstep and delivered me smoothly to Heathrow Terminal 5 for my British Airways flight to Barcelona.

On arrival, our friendly Titan Tour Manager greeted us and whisked us away to Roses, a seaside resort on Spain’s Costa Brava, around two hours north of Barcelona and just 30km from the French border. Roses is a classic Mediterranean town — think long promenades, sandy beaches, and a marina lined with cafés. After checking in, we spent the afternoon exploring before gathering for a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.

Day Two – Cadaqués & Salvador Dalí

After breakfast, we took a short stroll to the harbour for our Cap de Creus cruise to the picture-perfect fishing village of Cadaqués — once home to the surrealist genius Salvador Dalí. The cruise took about two hours, offering spectacular views of the rugged coastline.

In Cadaqués, we enjoyed a guided walk through its whitewashed lanes up to the Santa Maria de Cadaqués Church, which overlooks the bay. Free time followed for exploring and lunch by the water. In the afternoon, we drove to Figueres to visit the incredible Dalí Theatre-Museum — a wonderfully eccentric place that leaves you torn between thinking Dalí was a genius or slightly mad. (It’s worth noting that the lunch and museum visit were additional to the standard Titan itinerary.)

Day Three – Into France: Cruising the Canal du Midi

Wednesday took us across the border into France for a day on the Canal du Midi. After a scenic two-hour coach journey, we boarded our boat in the town of Colombiers for a leisurely four-hour cruise to Béziers, complete with a four-course lunch and wine on board. The pace was slow and tranquil — the perfect way to soak in the French countryside. Béziers itself is full of history, including the impressive Cathedral Saint-Nazaire, before our coach took us back to Roses in the evening.

Day Four – Lakes, Medieval Streets & a Taste of Paella

Thursday offered a more relaxed itinerary, starting in Banyoles, a lakeside town once used for the rowing events in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. From there, we travelled to the beautifully preserved 16th-century town of Besalú. Crossing its ancient stone bridge feels like stepping back in time — cobbled streets, artisan shops, charming squares, and the striking Monastery de Sant Pere de Besalú.

We stopped for a traditional paella lunch (again, an extra treat not normally included on the Titan tour) before returning towards Roses, pausing for photos in Empuriabrava, a town dubbed the “Venice of Spain” for its network of canals lined with impressive homes.

Day Five – A Final Taste of Barcelona

On our final morning, we departed early to enjoy a short stop in Barcelona before our flight home. The lively square outside the Cathedral of Barcelona was alive with street musicians and even an antique market that day — a lovely farewell to Spain. One last glass of wine at a nearby café provided the perfect toast to a fantastic week.

After landing back at Heathrow, the Titan driver was waiting to take me straight home — the final reminder of how seamless and well-organised every element of a Titan Travel tour is.

Final Thoughts

From the ease of Titan’s door-to-door service to the quality of their tour managers and thoughtfully crafted itineraries, this trip showcased exactly why they’ve earned their reputation for effortless escorted touring. The Costa Brava and southern France offered a wonderful mix of scenery, art, food, and history — all without a single travel worry.

If you’re looking for a relaxing yet enriching European escape, this is one to add to your list.