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 21st century there is an abundance of cultural activities to explore on your cycling tour.
Highlights will include Castell Dali Gala in Pubol, the Dali museum in Figueres, a circular wine trail in Peralada and half day bike tour in Barcelona. There is an opportunity to explore the countryside and coastal paths and make time for a swim as well as some retail therapy in Barcelona.
Please Note: We endeavor to book your first choice of hotels, however occasionally we offer you an alternative hotel of the same standard. You will be notified of any hotel change at the time of booking.
Meet at 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, 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 outdoor pool. A welcome drink 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.
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)
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. An information pack will be provided with a list of recommended restaurants to explore.
Level: Moderate
Distance: 42kms
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 since 1855. It’s 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
Today we have designed a 34km circular route of the wine region of Peralada. Make time to visit the castle and the convent Carmen before visiting Castello Peralada’s degustacion centre and La Vinyeta which also produces amazing olive oil. Late afternoon is a great time to visit the Dali museum. The crowds have left this ‘must see museum’ which comprises of thousands of objects dating from different periods in Dali’s colourful life. Please note that Monday some of the vineyards may be closed.
Level: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 34kms
After breakfast transfer to Barcelona by train from Figueres. You will be staying at the Hotel Vilamari for one night. 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 .
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.
Booked months ago, in an attempt to help the boys GCSE spanish we came away in a rush with our 2 teenage boys for the Oct half term so hadn’t done much research. Alan and the team were brilliant and paved the way for 3 / 4 glorious days of cycling, eating and exploring. Didn’t expect rural Catalonia to be a Spanish, flat and very quiet CotswoldS Beautiful weather and few climbs made it an easy jaunt through stunning countryside, picking up an olive farms and the Dali museum in Pueblo. It was so quiet in fact that there weren’t many restaurants open but that didn’t seem to stop us eating like kings. Reached the coast on day 3 to find a town far more chic than we expected. Hotel Trias was stylish and sophisticated ( wouldn’t recommend the in house restaurant for supper though). Great tips from alan made sure that we found the quiet local beaches and quality beach restaurants. Day 5 was off to Barcelona and again Cycle Catalan sorted out our train, hotel in Barca and cycle tour of the city. Thanks team for a brilliant break.
