Food and Wine Lovers Guided Cycling Tour

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Day 1:
Saturday –INTRODUCTION AND PICNIC AT THE BEACH Meet at Girona airport or Flaca station (if arriving from Barcelona ). A representative from Cycle Catalan will be there to greet you and direct you to your transport. Our destination is the Hotel Picasso next to La Gola where you will spend the first night. (approx. journey time 1 hr.45 mins.)

We meet outside reception around 3pm for your bike fitting, then head off for a short 5km cycle via the River Ter, following the path to the sea. A beautiful unspoilt beach awaits you and a glass of Cava welcomes you to Catalonia and your food and wine lovers guided cycling tour. We enjoy a light afternoon picnic and sample some delicious local produce, manchego cheese, Serrano jamon, olives and our home made tortilla Espanol. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water before cycling back to the hotel. Joan and Eva run an excellent restaurant, famous for its selection of fish dishes. A three course dinner including some of the specialities will be served.

Level: Easy
Distance: 5kms.

Day 2:
Sunday - ARTISAN OLIVE OIL PRODUCER After a leisurely breakfast we set off from the coast via the rice fields of Arroz Moli de Pals on our guided cycling tour exploring some of the beautiful countryside and the perfectly preserved medieval villages, including the ruins of Ullastret dating back to 6BC. After a coffee in the square we head towards Canapost and Vulpellac.

Next stop on your food and wine lovers holiday is a visit to Can Solivera an artisan olive oil producer. Hans will provide an interesting tour of the estate followed by a tasting. A picnic lunch will served in the olive groves. We then continue the guided cycling tour with a meander through the country lanes and paths to our next destination the hotel Aatu on the outskirts of Peratallada, a delightful country house set in beautiful gardens with two swimming pools.

Peratallada means cut stone and you will see evidence of the way some of the houses have been carved into the rock. The village has many artisan shops, cafes and restaurants making it quite lively but at the same time it has managed to retain its charm and character - perfect for food and wine lovers. Plenty of time to explore before returning to the hotel's restaurant for dinner.
Level: Moderate
Distance: 35kms.

Day 3:
Monday – MAS OLLER WINE TASTING. We leave Peratallada behind and visit Mas Oller a highly respected wine producer. The definitive wine guide Penin has just awarded the 2008 vintage 93 out of a 100 which is the highest ever score for a wine in Emporda. After a guided tour of the vineyards and production methods enjoy a wine tasting. Next we visit the Museu de la Confitura which produces around 120 varieties of jams and chutneys Georgina Regas the owner will show us some of her jam making secrets. Lunch will be at Can Joan a friendly family run restaurant in St Felieu de Boarda. Joan the owner will talk through the menu del dia and describe some of the typical dishes of the region - an amazing food and wine lovers day!

On to Calella de Palafrugell now, a spectacular little fishing village with whitewashed houses and cobbled streets that wind their way down to the sea. The next two nights on your guided cycling tour you will stay at the Hotel Garbi, a comfortable hotel with great views towards the sea and only a five minute walk to the centre. This evening we have arranged dinner at the family run beach restaurant Fuego where Josep's mother will prepare her signature dish “seafood paella”.


Day 4:
Tuesday – COOKERY SCHOOL . This morning we head inland through ancient pine forests to Xidors a famous patisserie founded over 30 years ago. It's renowned for its wonderful cakes and vast collection of wines. Sergi the owner will share his knowledge of fine wines and produce of the area. Time for a quick coffee and cake before the short cycle to Aula Gastronomica de L'Emporda.

Today the guided cycling tour offers food and wine lovers the opportunity to participate in a 4 hour cookery class where you will learn about the produce of the region and prepare a typical Catalan 3 course meal using locally sourced produce. Orial the chef will take you through each process and afterwards we will enjoy the lunch we have prepared accompanied by wines of the Emporda region. Late afternoon we cycle back to the Hotel Garbi, time to relax by the pool before enjoying a light meal in the hotel's restaurant.

Level: Easy
Distance: 11kms

Day 5:
Wednesday- CYCLE TOUR OF VINEYARD CAN SAIS We leave Calella and your guided cycling tour route takes you to the picturesque beach of Castells, one of the last totally undeveloped beaches on the Costa Brava. Time for a quick swim before our visit to the vineyards of Can Sais. Here we enjoy a 10 km cycle tour led by Marta the owner of the estate before tasting the wines and enjoying a picnic lunch served in the gardens.

Next we follow the cycling tour path to the lively fishing port of Palamos , the most famous in Girona province with a history going back many centuries. The Hotel Trias is perfectly placed overlooking the port, the beach and the paseo. Dinner is served in the hotel's restaurant which is beautifully decorated in a comfortable colonial style.

Level: Easy/ Moderate
Distance: 32kms

Day 6:
Thursday - MARKET DAY AND WINE TOUR CALONGE This morning we visit a traditional weekly market in the medieval village of Calonge . Sit in the square and enjoy a coffee before heading up to the vineyards of Mas Gil. The views from the vines are spectacular and Miguel will take you on a tour before sampling the Clos D'Agon wines (recommended in Hugh Johnson's Pocket wine guide 2009). Next back to Palamos for a picnic lunch on the beach.

The afternoon is free for all you food and wine lovers to explore the old quarter, visit the Museu de Pescado, or simply lie on the beach. Tonight we have organised a tapas tour starting at Can Nicanor where you can sample Carmen's delicious goats cheese and fried aubergine tapa.
Level Easy-Moderate
Distance: 18 kms

Day 7:
Friday - HALF DAY CYCLE TOUR OF BARCELONA We leave Palamos at 11am so you have time to visit the covered market where you can purchase some organic honey or maybe some azafran(saffron) introduced by the Arabs during the 8 th century. No visit to Catalonia would be complete without a night in Barcelona.

Your accommodation during the food and wine lovers guided cycling tour is at the Hotel Market, round the corner from the famous San Antoni market and lunch will be served in their colonial style restaurant. A great way to see some of Barcelona away from the main tourist trail is by bike and we have organised a late afternoon leisurely12 kms tour which will take approximately 3/ 4 hours. In the evening we have arranged a lovely farewell dinner.

Level: Easy
Distance: 12kms

Day 8:
Saturday - MARKET SAN ANTONI Before your transfer walk round to the market for some last minute purchases. Transfer to Girona airport by shuttle bus or by train or taxi to Barcelona airport.