Cycling for art lovers guided tour

Dates available on request

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, book a spa treatment, have a swim ,indulge in some retail therapy, the selection of bags and shoes in Barcelona is irresistible!
This tour is suitable for small groups or travel companies promoting cycling or walking tours in Catalonia for solo travellers.

Day 1:
Meet at Flaca Station (if arriving from Barcelona or Girona airports). A representative from Cycle Catalan will be there to meet you and take you to the Hotel Emporda where you will be based for the next three nights. This luxury contemporary hotel is set in beautiful grounds and has a large outdoor pool and a spa centre where you can indulge in some serious pampering! A welcome glass of Cava accompanied by some tapas awaits you in the bar where we introduce the cycling itinerary to you. Next we do a bike fitting and go for a short cycle. A three course dinner with wine and water will be served at the Hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2: Casa Museu Castell Gala Dali
Our cycling route takes us 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 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. We continue on to the Market town of La Bisbal which is famous for its ceramics. Here we will visit some of the workshops and see how some of the ceramics are created. We return to the hotel late afternoon before heading out to Torroella de Montgri a lively little town with great tapas bars for dinner tonight.

Level: Moderate
Distance: 57 kms

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 will have lunch. This afternoon we will cycle on to Ullasret and follow the old roman road back to Gualta passing the old Iberian settlement. There will be time for a swim in the Hotel Spa before dinner which will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Level: Moderate
Distance: 62kms

Day 4: Ancient Greco-Roman Ruins of Empuries
We set off this morning towards Figueres via the countryside and the pretty coastal paths of San Marti where we stop for a packed 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 a very comfortable centrally placed hotel with friendly staff and good food. Dinner will be in the hotel’s restaurant.

Level: Easy
Distance: 35 kms

Day 5: Dali Museum
After a leisurely breakfast we take a five minute walk to the Dali Theatre Museum where we have a guided 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 1.45 mins. This afternoon you have 2 options. Explore Figueres on your own and 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 we transfer to Barcelona where 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 you will dine at the Hotel’s restaurant.

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 and will stop off at various places that Picasso frequented including Quatre Gats Café which displayed his first exhibition when he lived here from 1895. We 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. A farewell dinner has been arranged at the restaurant Flamant.

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 Girona/ Barcelona airport by train.


Prices on Request

Included in your tour:
3 nights accommodation Hotel Emporda Golf and Spa.www.empordagolf.com
2 nights accommodation Hotel Duran Figueres www.hotelduran.com
2 nights accommodation Hotel Market Barcelona www.markethotel.com.es

Food/Wine:
Welcome glass of Cava, tapas
7 breakfasts
7 dinners including wine
1 Packed Lunch
1 Picnic Lunch
2 Menu del Dia Lunches,( all lunches include wine and water excluding packed lunch)

Excursions/Tours:
Entrance fee to Museu Casa Gala Pubol.
Entrance fee to Ruins of Empuries and Museum.
Entrance fee to Dali Theatre Museum and Guided tour
Entrance fee to Picasso Museum and guided walking tour.
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.

Guide and Support Service:
Services of 2 Cycle Catalan Guides. 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 museums and walking tour will be run by art tour guides.

Transfers:
Transfer from Barcelona airport to Hotel Emporda.
Transfer from Hotel Duran Figueras to Barcelona.
Transfer from Hotel Market Barcelona to Barcelona airport.
Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel

What is not included:
Flights
Holiday insurance.
Lunch in Figueres on Day 5 and Lunch in Barcelona on Day 6
Drinks, Incidentals, coffee breaks etc