MARELLA CRUISES

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Roses Cruises, Spain

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The Greeks first set up a colony in Roses in 776 BC, no doubt tempted by the area’s lagoon-like waters. Nowadays, Roses is still drawing attention for its shimmering shoreline. It sits on a huge bay, which stretches all the way from Roses in the north to L’Escala in the south – making a tiny indent on Spain’s northwest corner. It’s home to a collection of Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. In fact, it’s even been endorsed by UNESCO-backed organisation, The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.

  • Spot cuckoos, nightingales and herons at Aiguamolls nature reserve. It’s Catalonia’s second-biggest wetlands, and a birdwatchers’ paradise. From the park’s tower, you can enjoy sweeping views of the lagoons, marshes and meadows.
  • Spend a day in nearby Figueres – the birthplace of Salvador Dali. There’s a museum dedicated to the surrealist painter. Before you step inside, take some time to marvel at the bread-decorated exteriors and the giant ceramic eggs on the roof.
  • The town’s 16th-century Citadel watches over the bay. Here, you can learn about Roses’ first-ever settlers. The fort houses the remains of the ancient Greek town of Rhode, as well as Roman ruins.

Map of Roses

SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Girona City tour

This guided excursion is designed to take you back in time, as we explore one of the most historically rich cities in Spain. From Roses we’ll journey south to Girona. We’ll begin in the area of El Call, the Jewish Quarter, where the labyrinth of narrow streets and courtyards are remarkably well-preserved. From there, we’ll move on to the Medieval walls of the city and see the remains of the Torre Gironella. This tower is the tallest point of the city wall and, according to Greek mythology, was built by a giant. We’ll also pass by the Catalonian Romanesque Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, which was declared a national monument in 1931. The tour will wrap up at the Arab Baths, which in actual fact aren’t Arab at all. They were built by Christians in a Romanesque style, and their Arab influences reflect a period in Spanish history where rule switched from Roman to North African and back again. You’ll then have some free time to explore the city under your own steam.

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Figueres & Dalí Museum

You’ll be able to tick off plenty of culture on this tour. We’ll leave Roses and take a scenic drive inland to Figueres, before making our way to the Dali Theatre-Museum. It’s an architectural one-of-a-kind design by the artist himself – you have to see it to believe it. The museum is bright red and topped with egg-shaped boulders – the pièce de résistance is a giant glass globe built into the roof. Inside, you’ll have the chance to trick your mind with the optical illusion of Sala Mae West, and marvel at the vast portrait of Abraham Lincoln, as well as lots of Dali’s other masterpieces. We’ll also visit the crypt where the artist is buried. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to discover the town of Figueres and browse the shops.

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Banyoles & Besalu

For a genuine snapshot of regional Spain, this tour is ideal. This panoramic tour by coach gives you the chance to see as much as possible of the beautiful scenery that Banyoles has to offer. In this city of 15,000 residents the highlight is the vast lake in its centre. It’s the largest in Catalonia, has hosted a number of rowing events including the 1992 Olympics, and is still a popular training location. Afterwards we’ll travel down the road to Besalu, where you’ll have the opportunity to see one of the most well-preserved Medieval towns in Catalonia. We’ll also visit the Monastery of Saint Peter, a Benedictine monastery with very distinctive carvings. Finally, we’ll encounter the town’s key landmark, the Viejo Bridge. Originally built to help defend Besalu, the bridge’s two towers cast an imposing shadow. You’ll then have some free time to explore on your own, before we head back to Roses.

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