Itinerary

Day 1 Kick things off in Barcelona, Catalonia's effervescent capital  Head north to the mountains and pedal past alpine villages, herds of cows and farmers tending their crops Sample cava, Spain's beloved version of bubbly.

Day 2 Scenic routes in the Pyrénées foothills lead into France and onto the famed Saint James Trail, a pilgrimage route used since the Middle Ages Gaze in awe at mighty granite peaks above rugged valleys Cap off your day with a tasting of Catalan wines.

Day 3 Acclaimed Catalan fusion cuisine and fresh seafood Pine and chestnut trees give way to oaks and olive groves en route to the coast Stretch your legs in St-Laurent-de-Cerdans, a village renowned for its ebullient Catalan textiles.

Day 4 Salvador Dalí's artistic genius shines at the medieval Gala Dalí Castle he restored for his wife Spin to the beautiful Baix Empordà, the "region of coves," stopping to explore hamlets with cobbled town squares, Baroque-style churches and ancient fortresses.

Days 5-6 Bike along the coves of the Costa Brava, where the Mediterranean laps against white-sand beaches, and villages cling to forested hills above hidden bays Lounge by the surf An explosion of color and fragrance awaits at the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens, perched on a promontory and offering glorious sea views.

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