Catalonia's Bike and Beach (trip)

Catalonia's Bike and Beach

  • Girona Airport , Gerona, Spain
  • Active & Adventure
Self-guided cycling tour, Spain, Europe

from €890* per person8 DaysFebruary-December
Boutique accommodations Exertion level: 4
Operator: Cyclomundo 15 people max
Costa Brava’s extraordinary rugged coastline has drawn many exceptional people throughout the ages. Notable relatively recent admirers are Salvador Dali - the famous surrealist painter whose house can be visited in Cadaques, Ferran Adria - the acclaimed Chef of the world-famous El Bulli (fully booked for 2009!), and several outstanding pro-riders – who now use this area as their training playground. Once you see it for yourself, you’ll see why the area is so captivating. Even if you do decide to return home after our week-long trip, be assured you’ll want to take as much of it with you as possible! The Costa Brava boasts a mild and temperate climate to allow for year-round cycling.

To maximize your coastal experience you’ll also enjoy overnight stays in scenic fishing ports of whitewashed buildings, stretching beaches, and open-air restaurants specialized in “Catch of the Hour” seafood. The inland portion of your ride will be highlighted by medieval villages with narrow cobblestone streets and ancient churches, as well as visits to Empuries, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites and the Gala-Dalí Castle-Museum, the former home (actually, it’s a palace) of Salvador Dalí.

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Self-guided cycling tour, Spain, Europe

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Cyclomundo:

  • Reviewer: Terry Loboschefsky
    "The snow is flying and we're waxing the skis. The bikes are quiet for now. Anyway...while riding out the current snowstorm, couldn't help but reflect on the "going for the yellow" tour from this summer. The excitement and spectacle of Le Tour...the sweat on the demanding climbs and stuffing our bellies into food commas at the day's conclusion. How can you not love that? Anyway, just wanted to take time to thank you and your crew. We had an absolutely great time!.... and now have many treasured memories to accompany the envious looks from our friends. Hope all stays well for you. "
  • Reviewer: Becky Mohr
    " We enjoyed all of the hotels. We really appreciate the smaller, local hotels. We would stay at any of them again! ... Superb [restaurents], especially in Castello d'Empuries, the restaurant just down the street from Hotel Casa Clara. Wonderful! ... We really appreciated that they added the panniers and toe cages [to our bikes]. This made our trip much more enjoyable...Phillippe and Alexandra were extremely helpful."
  • Reviewer: Van Sillerud
    "Dinners were out of this world. The service and attention to detail was most exceptional at the hotel in Vitrac. They deserve special notice. In contrast to prior trips, we never missed a turn or got lost. In some ways, we regret that. What can I say? ces't magnifique!"

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Special information

  • Self-guided (includes hotels, maps, luggage transfer, etc but no guide).

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Gerona
Arrive in Gerona at the time of your choice. Trains run from Barcelona’s downtown train stations (Sants and França) on a regular basis. Alternatively, you may choose to take advantage of the low-cost airlines servicing Gerona Airport. From there, a short 25-minute bus ride takes you to the center of town where your hotel is located. Time permitting, take a walk around the old part of town along the Onyar River and discover some of its remarkable treasures, including its gothic cathedral.

Day 2: Gerona – Tamariu (50 km or 31 miles)
After breakfast, you’ll meet our local representative to go over the next few days’ itinerary. You’ll then be transferred to Santuari de la Mare de Deu dels Angels (484m), from which you’ll ride down the “Las Gavarres” mountains to La Bisbal d’Empurda, where you can visit pottery and handicraft shops. Riding on towards Calonge via the Col de la Ganga, you’ll tackle the major climb of the day. Once that is behind you, gravity takes over and pulls you to the seashore, where you’ll overnight in the jewel of a seaside town, Tamariu.

Day 3: Tamariu – Peratallada (30 km or 19 miles)
After breakfast and dropping your luggage at reception (it will be picked up and transported to the next hotel), hop on your bike and pedal to the small port of Llafranc. Some climbing is required, but your effort will be rewarded ten-fold with amazing views and pretty villages. Cycling along the shore, you’ll soon reach the beach of Sa Riera, before heading inland through the medieval village of Pals. Your destination for the day is another medieval village of exceptional beauty, Peratallada.

Day 4: Peratallada – Castello d’Empuries (48 km or 30 miles)
After a leisurely breakfast in Peratallada, you’ll be ready for another day of riding through more beautiful places, such as Torroella-de-Montgri or, further on, Bellcaire d'Emporda, a tiny village steeped in medieval history. After that comes the small fishing port of l'Escala, known for its anchovies. Remember to pay a quick visit to the exceptional site of Empuries, with its Greek and Roman ruins dating back to 500 BC, where a humbling stroll through this outdoor museum is a must, before cycling on to Sant Pere Pescador. Following our detailed directions, you’ll then ride through the Natural Park of Aiguamolis in the Gulf of Roses, a paradise for bird watchers, before reaching Castello d’Empuries, your stopping point for dinner and an overnight.

Day 5: Castello d’Empuries – Port de la Selva (42 km or 26 miles)
Before setting off for another day of discovery, be sure to explore Castello d’Empuries and its medieval buildings. The cycling route takes you north into a very scenic part of Catalonia that is sure to fascinate you with its rugged coastline and white villages. Be ready for your average speed to drop dramatically as too many beautiful sights come your way! Take time to stop and look carefully, because capturing them on film just does not do the area justice. You’ll ride through the small villages of Gariguella and Vilamaniscla, wedged between the Pyrenean Mountains and Mediterranean’s Cape Creus, and soon experience breathtaking views over the “Big Blue”. Once in Llanca, you’ll follow the car-free path which leads you to coastal Port de la Selva, where you’ll dine and overnight.

Day 6: Port de la Selva – Cadaques (16 km or 10 miles)
We’ve kept today’s ride minimally short and for good reasons, namely Cadaques, Cap de Creus, and Perafita. All are amazing places and without a doubt you’ll see why this part of the world has attracted or has been the spawning ground for some of our most inspired artistic geniuses, including Salvador Dali, Picasso, and more recently, Ferran Adria. Early arrival in Cadaques will give you time to visit Salvador Dali’s home and take a stroll through this charming and authentic seaside town.

Day 7: Cadaques – Figueres (45 km or 28 miles)
On your last cycling day, you’ll rally Figueres following an itinerary through vineyards and olive fields. Riding through the D.O. Emporda wine area, we recommend stopping at the Estate Terra Remota for a very interesting visit and wine tasting. As an exclamation point to this extraordinary tour, the Museum Dali right in the center of Figueres should not be missed.

Day 8: Departure and transfer
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Gerona.

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