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Catalonia in north eastern Spain has long been known for its colourful past, stunning coastline and rolling countryside and this trip explores Catalonia's Baix Emporda, on the Costa Brava. The remarkable landscape is ideally suited to cycle touring, where regular stops at medieval villages, ancient ruins and Mediterranean beaches are an essential part of the day. The pace is relaxed following flat to gently rolling terrain, from the green countryside past fields of sunflowers and wheat, forests of pines and even rice fields into an ancient land inhabited by Iberians in pre-Roman times and once besieged by pirates. During the ride stay in three specially selected rural hotels (each with its own unique charm), where you'll enjoy hearty Catalan breakfasts each morning and dine out at any of the excellent local restaurants each evening.
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11kg of CO2-e PP per day
(80kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Flaça, transfer to Monells
If you are arriving into the train station in Flaça, on the Barcelona - Girona - Figueras line, you will be picked up at the station and transferred to the first night's accommodation in the medieval village of Monells.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Loop cycle from Monells, visit castle at Pubol (17 or 31km/11 or 19mi)
Your bike will be delivered after breakfast. The first day of cycling in Baix Empordà (Lower Ampurdan) takes you through picturesque landscapes of lovely villages, tiny vegetable gardens and Mediterranean woods. The Medieval historical centre of Madremanya is especially worth a visit, as is the castle-museum in Pubol which Dalí dedicated to his wife Gala. This cycling route may be a bit tough for a first day, but there is always the option of taking a shortcut. Overnight stay in Monells Ascent/descent: 200m or 300m/655ft or 985ft
Meals: B
Day 3
Cycle through woods and rolling landscapes to Peratallada (26km/16mi)
Today you begin with a short ascent through wooded terrain, then the route takes you mainly on the flat through landscapes reminiscent of Tuscany, where small villages sit atop hills. This vast and fertile agricultural region was worked long ago by the Iberians, who introduced the cypress tree as a windbreak to protect the soil against erosion. In the evening, you'll have the challenge of selecting one of the many inviting restaurants for dinner. Overnight stay in Peratallada. Ascent: 150m/490ft, descent 175m/574ft
Day 4
Cycle to the Costa Brava beaches (39km/24.5mi)
Today you cycle out to the Costa Brava. Follow quiet country lanes through the pretty regional capital of Pals, to Palafrugell and Llafranca then Calella de Palafrugell, one of the most beautiful fishing villages along this coast. You can stop for lunch at a restaurant on the beach. In the afternoon, visit the lovely botanical gardens in Cap Roig or venture further south through the valley of Aubi, with its well-preserved rural atmosphere. Some local farmhouses still have towers dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, where villagers once sought refuge against pirate attacks. Overnight in Peratallada. Ascent/descent: 150m/490ft
Day 5
Cycle through the Ter River delta (32km/20mi)
This relatively gentle cycling route takes you through the green rice-fields of the Ter River delta, with its lovely windmills. You can continue onward to the sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coast, or if you prefer to spend the day relaxing, the village of Peratallada is also the perfect spot to enjoy a rest or a short stroll through the nearby forest. Overnight in Peratallada. Ascent/descent: 150m/490ft
Day 6
Cycle via Greek and Roman ruins at Empuries to Sant Pere Pescador (38km/23.5mi)
Today you travel northward to the region of Alt Empordà (Upper Ampurdan). Cycle through mixed forests, open rural landscape and endless orchards. On the way, you pass Empuries, an interesting archaeological site with Greek and Roman ruins. Torroella de Montgri, with its Medieval streets and local palaces, makes a good place to pause for lunch. Your day’s journey ends in Sant Pere Pescador, just a few kilometres inland from the blue Mediterranean Sea. Ascent: 200m/656ft, descent 220m/722ft
Day 7
Salvador Dalí museum, Aiguamolls Park (53km/34mi), return Sant Pere
This route takes you first to Figueres, the village whose name is synonymous with Salvador Dalí. Visit the surrealist painter’s museum (note: it is closed on some Mondays early and late in the season and should be pre-booked) and take a pleasant stroll along the Rambla. Just outside the town you pass a beautiful Augustine monastery before following the Muga River to the Medieval town of Castello d’Empuries. In the afternoon, you cycle through Aiguamolls de l’Emporda Natural Park, green and refreshing wetlands with an impressive seasonal water bird colony. Overnight in Sant Pere Pescador. Ascent/descent: 125m/410ft There is a shorter (37km/23mi), more challenging option, cycling through typical villages of the Alt Empordà. From approx 10km the route becomes more demanding, with some steep sections in the area around the River Fluvià. Ascent/descent: 225m/739ft
Day 8
Trip concludes
Your arrangements comes to an end today after breakfast. A transfer to the train station in Figueres is included in the program.
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will be provided with a 24 speed hybrid bike. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a helmet and repair kit. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a puncture repair kit, to fix the issue.
An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less confident or fit cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capabilities.
GRADE 2 - The cycling distances range from 18 to 57km/11 to 35.5mi over flat to undulating terrain. The rides follow mostly well surfaced tarmac lanes and secondary roads with little traffic and a few dirt tracks. Inevitably, near the larger towns there is more traffic. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate comfortably. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be used.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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