Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Palamós
Your tour begins in Palamós, Costa Brava’s capital. This beautiful coastal village features a dazzling beach, which some rate as the nicest in Catalonia. The Fishing Museum, the only one of its kind along the Mediterranean coast, warrants attention as does the town’s famous Fish Market, which is part commerce and part spectacle. Everyday the Market opens at 5 p.m. selling seafood, including the region’s famous prawns, caught just hours before by local fishermen.

Day 2: Palamós to Calella de Palafrugell (25 kilometers – 15 miles)
Following breakfast, our local representative will meet with you to go over your itinerary (meeting is scheduled at 9:30 am). You’ll be given tour packets containing all of the information you’ll need (maps, phone numbers, lodging details) for your ride.

After the first 10 kilometers of the bike portion, your tour will begin with a visit to Celler Can Sais, a family wine cellar located in Vall-Llobrega (Emporda appellation). You’ll be greeted by the family’s daughter who also doubles as the cellar’s winemaker. She’ll guide you on a 5-kilometer (3 miles) bike tour through the vineyard, culminating with a wine tasting (please note that the guided wine tour must start before 1 pm or after 3pm).

You’ll return to Palamós, following a coastal route that passes Castell Beach. This crescent of sand rims the inside of a small cove and enjoys status as Costa Brava’s last virgin beach. From Palamós you’ll continue on to Calella de Palafrugell, a stunningly beautiful fishing port where all the homes and surrounding buildings are white, creating a visual aura of warmth and calm. There, you'll have the opportunity to take a short walk along the sea cliff on the famous «Chemin de ronde». The stroll is easy and the views breathtaking! Our local representative can certainly give you more information about this walk when meeting her/him in Palamos. Calella is one of the most beautiful villages in la Costa Brava. If you'd like to spend an additional day/night in Catalonia along your itinerary, this is where we'd recommend staying!

Day 3: Calella de Palafrugell to Peratallada (26 kilometers – 16 miles)
Following the coast, you’ll pedal into Llafranc. Tucked inside a cove of shimmering blue water, this resort town of whitewashed streets and hillside villas is THE model of coastal villages. If the legs allow, a ride up to the Sant Sebastià Lighthouse will reward your efforts with fantastic views of the coast. From here you’ll pedal inland to Pals, a medieval village of narrow cobblestone streets and stone archways.

On your way, you’ll ride through the lively and typical market of Palafrugell. The market is separated into three parts: fruit and vegetables (street), fish (square), butchery and delicatessen (indoor). In the indoor market, look for Margarita’s place. She will give you a container with the typical “croquetas” (a small cake of chicken, or ham, or mushroom coated with bread crumbs and fried).Your next stop is the “Museu de la Confitura in Torrent. Georgina, the founder of this cozy space, will guide you through this gastronomic experience, showing the elaboration process of her artisanal jams, and offering a jam tasting accompanied by juices, coffee and sparkle wine. A delicious experience! And then it’s on to Peratallada,

your home for the night. This ancient village is chockfull of medieval wow. Narrow streets framed by stone buildings are the norm rather than the exception, making you half expect that at any moment you’ll bump into King Charlemagne.

Day 4: Peratallada to Madremanya (21 kilometers - 13 miles)
La Bisbal d’Empordià is today’s first stop. Considered to be Spain’s “Pottery Capital,” this bustling market town features scores of shops selling pottery and ceramics. It also houses a wealth of architectural marvels, highlighted by the Church of Santa Maria de la Bisbal (901) and the Vell Bridge (1606) over the Daro River. You’ll next pedal into Monells, another village steeped with ancient awe, highlighted by a town square dotted with tiny cafes and restaurants. From here you’ll ride into Madremanya, a medieval village with an Italian feel. Dinner at La Plaça Restaurant will end the day with a culinary exclamation point. Located inside a 14th century farmhouse surrounded by overflowing gardens, you’ll enjoy a meal based on seasonal produce, which combines traditional fare with innovative techniques

Day 5: Madremanya to Torroella de Montrgrí (26 kilometers – 16 miles)
Today you’ll pedal into La Pera, another well-preserved medieval village, known for its narrow, hilly streets and dominating Gothic church. From here you’ll ride southeast into Púbol, home to the Gala-Dalí Castle-Museum. This Gothic Renaissance palace (once the main residence of Salvador Dalí) offers up-close insight to the world’s most famous surrealist painter. A tour of the palace exposes you to Dalí’s vast art collection, including his famous elephant sculptures, as well as personal items like his high fashion clothes and his famous Cadillac. And you’ll also pass the crypt where his wife, Gala, is buried. You’ll spend the night in Torroella de Montgrí, yet another fantastically preserved medieval village with an array of palaces and homes dating back to the 16th century.

Day 6: Torroella de Montgrí to Sant Pere Pescador (27 kilometers – 17 miles)
Today you’ll ride into Bellcaire d’Empordà, a hilltop village famous for its ancient castle that dates back to the 13th century. Equally as impressive is the 10th century Church of Santa Caterina that stands next to the castle. Next, you’ll visit Sant Martí d’Empúries, located along the coast, overlooking the Gulf of Roses. This tiny village is home to Empúries, a massive archaeological dig site of a Greek town, settled in 6 BC, and, next to it, a Roman village built during the days of Julius Caesar. And then from here you’ll ride into Sant Pere Pescador, a scenic coastal town with a large beach.

Day 7: Sant Pere Pescador to Figueres (25 kilometers - 15.5 miles)
Your last riding day will take you into Aiguamolls de l’Empordà National Park. This reserve of marshes and dunes is home to 327 different species and is considered one of Spain’s most important bird habitats. Storks, herons, osprey and gulls are some of the more common winged-residents that in this area. And then you’ll end your tour in Figueres, Salvador Dalí’s birthplace. The Dalí Theater-Museum deserves must-see status, featuring the world’s largest collection of Dalí’s art, including paintings, sculptures and collages.

More information from Cyclomundo:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.cyclomundo.com/p_catalonia_gastronomic.html…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips