REF: #08009
Historic Catalonia Self-Guided
The holiday follows beautiful country lanes and coastal roads around the historic region, where you will visit Roman remains, Visigothic castles and countless Medieval villages
- Bed and breakfast
- Pyrenees / The Spanish Pyrenees —Girona > Sant Pere Pescador
- Activity Type
- Route advice only
- Point to point
- Groups up to 20
Service
In addition to the magnificent history, the cycling is fantastic in this region. From the rugged coastline and sandy beaches of the Costa Brava, to picturesque vineyards and country lanes, every day is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Using a combination of quiet lanes and cycle routes you are kept away from the traffic and can really connect with the scenery and discover the beauty of the region. This tour is rated as easy. The routes are flat or very gently rolling, with two route options each day to suit cyclists of all levels. Price starts from €1190 and dates are available all year round
The following is included in the tour:
- Six nights accommodation in double, twin or single room with en-suite. Please see price list for details of single supplement
- Transfer to and from the arrival/departure points
- Continental breakfast every day
- Luggage transferred between hotels
- Detailed maps and route information for each day, with clearly marked points of interest
- Route extensions every day for those of you who wish to cycle
The following are optional extras available for an additional charge:
- Hire of bicycles
- Tour Extensions
The following is not included in the tour
- Lunches and Dinners
- Any transfers not stated above
- Travel Insurance
- Entry to any attractions (e.g. museums, churches) except were explicitly stated
- Flights
Itinerary
Day 1 - Girona
Girona Cathedral We will pick you up from Girona airport or train station and transfer you to the hotel in the historic center of Girona. From here you can explore the Gothic cathedral and the old town which are enclosed by city walls which originated in Roman times. Girona is also regarded as being - alongside San Sebastian - the gastronomic capital of Spain. There is a wide choice of excellent restaurants where you can sample traditional Catalan cuisine.
Day 2 – The Wild Coast
Country Lanes The first day of cycling follows a scenic off-road cycle path out of Girona. The route follows a historic rail-road and passes through picturesque green countryside before reaching the Costa Brava (‘The Wild Coast’). The route finishes in a beautiful spa hotel, situated on a stunningly isolated and undeveloped part of the coast.
Short Route - 38km / 24 miles
Long Route - 60km / 37 miles
Day 3 – Medieval Villages
Peratallada You begin today by heading north alongside the Costa Brava, admiring the beaches and coves in several small towns. As the coastline starts to become more hilly, the route heads inland on flatter roads and passes through the small, historic villages that are so typical of Catalonia. Pals, a Medieval Romanesque style town, makes a great place to stop for lunch, before continuing to the destination for the evening – Pertallada. Peratallada is a beautiful village and one not to miss. It is dominated by a Medieval castle and city walls and contains numerous interesting boutique galleries and restaurants. Despite it’s beauty and charm, the village is relatively untouched by tourism, giving you a real flavour of the true character of the area.
Short Route - 30km / 19 miles
Long Route - 55km / 34 miles
Day 4 – Iberian Settlements
Poblat Iberic Today you have two options, both of which are circular routes around the historic villages of the Baix Emporda region. Both routes follow quiet country lanes and off road cycle paths, regularly passing through the charming villages which characterize the area. Among the highlights is Ullastret; home to a pre-Roman Iberian settlement, as well as a beautiful 9th century church.
Short Route - 29km / 18 miles
Long Route - 61km / 38 miles
Day 5 – Vineyards & Castles
Catalonia The route today continues heading north along quite country lanes, passing some of the numerous vineyards in the region as you continue through the Baix Emporda region. Early on in the day you cross the narrow Medieval bridge in Gualta; site of a battle in the Napoleonic wars which was supposedly referenced in a painting by Francisco Goya. The day finishes in Torroella de Montgri; a picturesque site with a charming Medieval center. A 14th century hilltop castle also stands imperiously above the town.
Short Route - 31km / 19 miles
Long Route - 55km / 34 miles
Day 6 – Roman & Greek Temples
Pals The final day of the tour continues along picturesque cycle routes, which pass through vineyards and spectacular sunflower fields. The highlight is the large archaeological site at Empuries. This contains remains and artefacts from the Ancient Greek city that was founded here, as well as a much larger Roman site which includes several temples, an amphitheatre, well preserved mosaics and many houses and streets. You stay in a beautiful country house, situated on the edge of the market town of St Pere Pescador.
Short Route - 25km / 16 miles
Long Route - 53km / 33 miles
Day 7 – Girona or Extensions
Dali Museum, Figueres The tour comes to an end after breakfast. We will transfer you to Girona Airport or city center, or would be happy to arrange for you to extend the tour to other places in the region. Popular extensions include nearby Figueres - the home town of Salvador Dalí - and Cadaques, a beautiful coastal village which was frequented by many great artists, including Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp.
Please contact us if you would like to know more about extending the tour.
Accommodation
We believe that the hotels that you stay in are just as important as the towns that you visit and the scenery that you ride through.
On this tour we have chosen a diverse mix of boutique hotels and country houses, which we feel best showcases the unique character of the region. The hotels are mostly small and intimate, helping you to discover and experience the real Catalonia.
Girona
Peratallada Hotel In Girona you stay in a fantastic locally run boutique hotel, situated in the Jewish Quarter in the heart of the old town.
The hotel is less than 100m from the cathedral and the Girona Art Museum and is set in a beatifully styled stone house.
With fewer than ten rooms, the hotel has a very personable feel and embodies the character and charm of historic Girona.
Costa Brava
Here we stay in a **** spa hotel situated on a beautiful, undeveloped part of the Costa Brava. This is the largest hotel on the tour, but is beautifully styled with large grounds and excellent facilities.
The hotel also has access to a private beach and several beautiful coves situated on the coast.
Peratallada
In Peratallada you stay in a 13th century Medieval building in the heart of the village.
It is beautifully renovated and decorated, with fewer than ten rooms, providing the perfect combination of luxury and an authentic experience.
It is set amidst the network of narrow, original Medieval streets that make Peratallada such a special and unique village.
Torroella de Montgri
Hotel, Torroella This small boutique hotel is set in a 14th century building in the Medieval center of Torroella. It has a large swimming pool surrounded by vast gardens and a terrace which are perfect for relaxing.
The large rooms are all uniquely styled and in keeping with the historic nature of the hotel.
Sant Pere Pescador
The final night is spent in a Can; a small country house which is unique to the Catalan speaking part of Spain.
With fewer than ten individually styled rooms, it provides another unique, intimate experience.
The building dates from the 17th century and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a swimming pool.
Location
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