Pyrenees Coastal & Alberes mountains WW2 Freedom Trail – Lisa Fittko & Walter Benjamin l 6 days

and make the transfer to Collioure, close to where Walter Benjamin started his journey to Spain. Alternatively, you can arrive in Barcelona and catch a train or take a taxi directly to Collioure. Perpignan was in touching distance of freedom and was one of the final steppingstones leading to Spain and ultimately the free world beyond. Perpignan was one of the final steppingstones to Spain and ultimately Gibraltar and beyond and strategically important to the PAT and Francoise lines after visiting memorial Camp de Rivsaltes which housed many prisoners and refugees from 1939. In the evening you will have the opportunity to look around Collioure and see the Chateau de Collioure. You can also fly into Barcelona and meet us in Perpignan which is a short train ride away. 3* Hotel in Collioure or Hotel in Port Vendres depending on group size.

We begin walking to Port-Vendres where Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin began his escape journey after arriving by train from Marseille. Lisa and Hans Fittko helped hundreds of refugees over the Pyrenees to Spain) and onto Barcelona, Madrid, Badajoz and Lisbon. We start taking in the Fort Sant Elme and head out past the Batterie Mally ruins to the Cap de Bear. We continue around the coast to Banyuls sur la mer. Alternatively, it is possible to climb up from Port -Vendres to visit the Tour de Madaloc (656m) en route. We will take lunch in a café en route. 3* Hotel Banyuls sur la Mer. (B,D)

Walter Benjamin escaped crossing the Col de Rumplissa assisted by Lisa Fittko on the F route or Lister route with three other German Jews. On leaving Puig Mas we climb up through wine groves to reach the col. A memorial route is marked and we have the opportunity to visit the castle of Querroig before descending, at times steeply to Portbou to make the escape into Spain. The refugees route runs below the road and is concealed by the mountain overhang, so that it couldn’t be seen by the French border sentries who patrolled above. At some places the road and the path get very near each other, and there the refugees had to be attentive. Many escapees boarded the night train to Barcelona and others walked on. Visit to Walter Benjamin Memorial and then catch the train from Portbou to Llanca or transfer around to where we will stay for the night. (13km +500m) 3* hotel Llanca (B,L)

Walk Portbou or Llanca – Port de la Selva making an early start via some remote beaches on the Cap de Ras. Opportunity to swim in the afternoon or take a tougher route by the monastery St Pere de Rodes. It was clear the refugees were meant to be keep moving through Spain; in the words of the foreign minister of the time “they were passing through Spain as light passes through glass, leaving no trace”. The Lister line first headed to Barcelona and then Madrid and Lisbon to Havanna.
Alternative option:
We drive up from Llanca to the fabulous monestir Sant Pere de Rodes, a former benadictine monastery before dropping down to Port de la Selva. Often the coastal routes were closed off due to Nazi check points such as at Cebre and it was necessary for escapees to take to the mountains… 2 or 3* hotel (B,L) Long day 18km +600m or take on the shorter day from Llanca. Hotel Port de la Selva 3* (B,L)

Cap de Creus park is a stunning terrestrial and marine park, the first to be created in Spain. We walk through fascinating scrubland with a huge array of plant life, reptiles and marine birds. Common toad, Ocellated lizard, Mediterranean turtle, eagle, peregrine falcon, owls, gulls, terns, shearwaters and shag can be seen. Spectacular and unusual rocky scenery don’t disappoint as we make our way to the fascinating coastline and a lighthouse. We have the chance to make an optional visit to the Dali house museum where Dali lived for a long period. Drive of 50 minutes to Figueres for our celebratory dinner with our team or your guide. End of services. (B,L)

Time to relax in the morning on the cobbled streets of Figueres before departing. There is a train from Figueres Vilifant to Barcelona Sants which takes (1hr 15 minutes). There is a 4-minute drive by taxi to the train station. Should you wish not to travel by train we can assist with another form of transfer which needs to be booked in advance with us and isn't included.