Cycling for art lovers Self guided cycling

Dates 1st April to 31st October 2012

Introduction
Catalonia is rich in culture. From the Greek-Roman ruins of Empuries dating back to 530BC to the stunning Museum D’Art of Catalonia in Barcelona housing modern art of the 21stcentury there is an abundance of art and architecture to explore on your cycling tour. Highlights will include a visit to Casa Museu Castell Gala Dali in Pubol, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and the Dali Teatre Museum in Figueres. There will be an opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside and coastal paths. There will also be plenty of time to relax, have a swim, and indulge in some retail therapy in Barcelona.

Day 1:
Meet at Girona airport or Flaca station if arriving from Barcelona. A representative from Cycle Catalan will be there to greet you and take you to the Hotel Palau Lo Mirador in Torroella de Montgri, or the Hotel Emporda, where you will be based for the next three nights. This luxury hotel is a beautifully restored elegant palace set in beautiful grounds with an an outdoor pool. A welcome glass of Cava accompanied by some tapas awaits you in the bar where we introduce the cycling itinerary to you. A three course dinner with wines from Emporda will be served at the Hotel’s excellent restaurant.

Day 2: Casa Museu Castell Gala Dali
Your cycling route takes you through pretty medieval villages past fields of sunflowers and orchards to Pubol Castle. In 1970 Salvador Dali bought the castle as a gift for his wife Gala. It is full of original works, furniture, sculptures, paintings, all designed by Dali. We love this museum, it is so personal and even displays some of Gala’s original haute couture dresses designed for her by Dior. Gala lived here for many years before her death in 1982. She was buried in the mausoleum in the basement. Continue on to the Market town of La Bisbal which is famous for its ceramics. Here you can visit some of the workshops including the wonderful Ponderosa run by 2 sisters who make everything themselves and watch how some of their ceramics are created. Return to the hotel late afternoon before heading out to explore this lively little town with great tapas bars for dinner tonight.

Level: Moderate
Distance: 52 kms.(shorter route of 34kms available)

Day 3: Medieval Towns and Villages
First stop is Pals, a perfectly preserved hilltop medieval village. The old quarter known as El Pedro within the medieval walls contains many historic buildings. There is a gothic church at the centre surrounded by beautiful cobbled streets leading to the old castle. The views from the ancient wall to the sea are spectacular. After morning coffee we continue our cycle through the valley of the river Grossa to the village of Sant Feliu de Boada where we recommend lunch at Can Joan. This afternoon cycle on to Ullastret and follow the old Roman road back to Gualta passing the old Iberian settlement. We suggest dinner at Portal Del Mar a 3 minute walk from the hotel.

Level: Moderate
Distance: 42kms

Day 4: Ancient Greco-Roman Ruins of Empuries
Set off this morning towards Figueres via the countryside and the pretty coastal paths of San Marti where you can stop for lunch after visiting the famous ruins of Empuries one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Europe dating back to 530BC. The museum has an amazing collection of perfectly preserved Greek urns, plates and jewellery. Accommodation for the next two nights will be at the Hotel Duran, family run by the Durans since 1855 a very comfortable centrally placed hotel with friendly staff and good food.The restaurant is famous for its cuisine and customers, Salvador Dali was a regular guest. Ramon’s grandfather was a friend Of Dali’s and there is a unique collection of his sketches, menu designs, photographs on the restaurant wall. We have booked dinner for you here tonight.

Level: Easy
Distance: 35 kms

Day 5: Dali Museum
After a leisurely breakfast take a five minute walk to the Dali Theatre Museum where you have a tour of this “must see” museum which comprises of thousands of objects dating from different periods of Dali’s life. He was enormously diverse, paintings, drawings, sculpture, jewellery, photography and installations. The tour will take approx 2 hours. Alternatively you can organise a waking Dali tour including a guided tour of the museum. This afternoon you have 2 options. Explore Figueres , we recommend that you visit the Emporda Museum which houses an impressive collection of Iberian ceramics, medieval sculptures, Emporda art and a contemporary art collection.

Day 6: Barcelona
After breakfast transfer to Barcelona by train from Figueres. You will be staying at the Hotel Market for the next two nights. This afternoon we have organised a half day cycle tour of Barcelona when you will have the opportunity to see many fine examples of Gaudi’s architecture including the Sagrada de Familia and the fountains at Parc de la Ciutadella. Tonight why not start at La Vinya de Senjor a wine bar with 300 wines to choose from. We supply a list of recommended restaurants and are happy to book you something special.

Level: Easy
Distance: 12kms

Day 7: Picasso walking tour and Picasso Museum
This morning we have organised a walking tour of the Barri Gothic area for you. Stop off at various places that Picasso frequented including Quatre Gats Café which displayed his first exhibition when he lived here from 1895. You then go on to the Picasso Museum and have a guided tour. This afternoon you have plenty of time to explore this fascinating city. There are three other galleries well worth a visit, the wonderful Fundacio Joan Miro, and the Museum National D’art de Catalunya. This museum of modern art is worth a visit not only for the art but also for the fabulous views you’ll get of Barcelona. The Museum of Contempory Art displays art mainly from the second half of the 20th century. We will supply you with maps of how to reach all the museums and you can choose your own itinerary for the afternoon.

You may want to check out the fabulous handbag and shoe shops, sample some tapas and watch the world go by or try some famous chocolate at Xocoa, a unique Barcelona enterprise which produces over 30 varieties of chocolate all made to their own recipe. Why not head down to the seafront tonight and try some famous Palamos Prawns and Patatas Bravas.

Day 8: Market
After breakfast walk round to the Market San Antoni for some presents, a great covered market selling local produce including azzafron ( saffron) and organic honey and olive oils. Transfer back to Barcelona or Girona airport.

Available from 1st April to 31st October
Price per person from €835 based on double occupancy
7 nights/ 8 days

Included in your tour:
3 nights in Palou Lo Mirador www.paloulomirador.com or Hotel Emporda www.hotelempordagolf.com
2 night’s accommodation Hotel Duran Figueres www.hotelduran.com
2 night’s accommodation Hotel Market Barcelona www.hotelmarket.com.es

Food/Wine
Welcome glass of Cava
7 breakfasts
2 dinners including wine

Guided Picasso walking tour including entrance to museum.
Half day cycle tour of Barcelona.

Bikes
Lightweight 21 speed touring bikes with full suspension. Water bottle, helmet and a lock will be provided. Information pack supplied to each cyclist will include cycle route map, itinerary and visitor guide for places of interest including any temporary art exhibitions that may be on in Figueres and Barcelona during your holiday.

Services of Cycle Catalan
Emergency back up and assistance from support vehicle equipped with bikes, bike spares, water and first aid kit. The half day cycle tour in Barcelona will be run by The Fat Tyre Company. The guided tour of the Picasso museum and walking tour will be run by an art tour guide.

Transfers
Transfer from Girona airport or Flaca station (if arriving from Barcelona) to Hotel Palau lo Mirador in Torroella de Montgri.
Transfer of luggage from Palau Torroella to Figueres

Not included:
Transfer by train to Barcelona from Figueres
Transfer from Hotel Market Barcelona to Barcelona or Girona airport.
Flights
Holiday insurance.