5 Night Self Guided Catalan Coast & Village Cycling Holiday

Overview

Holiday Overview:

This cycling holiday gives you the opportunity to explore the beautiful Catalan countryside and rugged coast, surrounded by the Pyrenees, historic castles, hilltop fortresses, medieval villages, vineyards and fields full of lavender, this is a beautiful cycling holiday you will never forget!

Our five night cycling holiday has been specifically designed to reveal many aspects of this beautiful part of Catalonia; you will:

• Cycle along the “wild coast” with its miles of golden beaches.
• Cycle inland through the Aiguamolls Nature Reserve where innumerable seabirds and songbirds have settled.
• Cycle along stunning trails offering spectacular views sweeping far into the Pyrenees.
• Discover Romanesque and Gothic buildings.
• Discover medieval villages.
• Visit the Greek and Roman Ruins of Empuries.
• Discover the region’s acclaimed gastronomy, the wines produced by the vineyards you pass on your route and much more!

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Catalan Coast & Village Cycling Holiday (5 Nights)

The “Wild Coast”, Medieval Villages and Mountainous Interior

Nights: 5

Grade: Easy
Terrain: Rolling plains, farmland, olive groves, vineyards, pine woods, wetlands. You will cycle principally on farm tracks and trails, sometimes on quiet country lanes.

Note: The cycle route times do not include breaks or visits to attractions.

Day 1: Arrive at Girona Airport or Figueres Train Station where you will be transferred to your accommodation in Palau Saverdera.

Surrounded by vineyards and orchards, immerse yourself in the history and culture of this traditional Catalan farming village, take a cycle through the local countryside and discover all the details that go together to make up the everyday life of this beautiful part of Catalonia.

Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel, B&B, Palau Saverdera. The hotel, renovated in 2006, is a charming hotel situated in a small Catalan farming village, only 5 km away from the sea. If you decide to eat in the restaurant in the evening you will have the opportunity to savour some wonderful traditional Catalan cuisine.

Day 2: Today you will travel west on a circular route, you will travel through beautiful Catalan countryside; you will pass fields lined with vineyards and olive groves, eventually arriving at the historic town of Peralada. Peralada’s historic character remains reflected in each step. Its narrow streets, museums, St. Domènec’s cloister, the impressive casino-castle with its gardens and library give it a unique and exclusive air. You will then make your way back to Palau Saverdera via the sleepy hamlets of Pedret and Marza. (36km, 3hrs 30 mins)

Day 3: Today you leave Palau Saverdera behind and head south, you will pass through Castello D’Empuries, a beautiful medieval village steeped in history. There are many historical buildings to visit; however the landmark of the village, visible from afar, is the Parish Church of Santa Maria which is often called the “Cathedral of the Empordà” because of its size and gothic influenced architecture.

You will travel through the Aiguamolls Natural Park, dotted with hides. At any time of the year you are likely to spot birds such as Ibis, Herons, Tufted Ducks, Pochards, Snipes, Redshanks, Marsh Harriers and Sandpipers, but if you are lucky you can make some exciting sightings during the spring and autumn migrations: Grey Herons, Golden Plovers, Flamingos, Black Storks and Spoonbills.

Then onwards through the stunning Catalan countryside onto the village of Sant Pere Pescador. Surrounded by authentic natural beauty and bordered by the River Fluvià, Sant Pere Pescador keeps a perfect balance between land and sea, between the greens and yellows of its orchards and the blue and gold of its extensive beaches.

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the village, take a cycle through the local countryside and discover the wide-open landscape on the banks of the River Fluvià, with its apple orchards and nature trails, and its glimpses of windsurfers and sand-dunes. (28km, 3hrs 20mins)

Accommodation: 4 Star Rural Guest House (Casa Rural), B&B, Sant Pere Pescador. The house is situated next to the River Fluvia and surrounded by fields of fruit trees. An imposing Catalan farmhouse, lovingly converted by Miquel and Anna, the farmhouse is set in landscaped gardens with a small pool. It comprises five individually-styled bedrooms, each one in keeping with the original building, with lots of exposed stone and dark wooden beams. The dining room is very sunny with views to the garden; the living room has a chimney, television, music equipment and board games. In the lounge you will be able to relax, read or simply enjoy the view.

Day 4: Today you will travel on a circular route through stunning Catalan farming countryside; you will pass apple orchards and many small hamlets.

You start by heading westwards, parallel to the River Fluvià, before crossing the river and looping southwards to arrive back at San Pere Pescador. Throughout the first section on a clear day there are superb views across the high Pyrenees. If you prefer to do very little cycling, you could simply head to the nearby beach and spend the day by the sea. (37km, 3hrs 30mins)

Day 5: Today you will travel south; you will pass the walled coastal settlement of Sant Martí d’Empúries, which is well worth a visit. The real highlight, however, is the fascinating Greek and Roman ruins at nearby Empúries (pay locally). The ancient city was used by the Romans as their base for the invasion and dominance of the Iberian Peninsula. There are some excellent mosaics and other remains, most dating from 218BC onwards. You will pass several beaches where you could pause for a swim, then onwards via several small hamlets and finally back to Sant Pere Pescador (39km, 3hrs 40mins)

Day 6: Pick up and transfer to Girona airport or Figueres Train Station

What your holiday includes:

• Transfer to and from Girona Airport or Figueres Train Station
• Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
• 24/7 local support
• Five nights’ B&B accommodation
• Moving of luggage between accommodation
• Detailed route notes
• Fully equipped hybrid bicycle
• Local maps
• Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Holiday Insurance
• Meals (except breakfast)

Other Info

Other information (what to bring etc):

We provide panniers, however if you have a small rucksack, that will be useful. When you stop en-route you can put any valuables into the rucksack whilst visiting attractions.

We provide all the bicycle tools you will need for the holiday.

Travel Options

Travel Options:

There are regular flights from many European cities to Girona airport, the closest airport for this holiday, most of which are operated by Ryanair. The transfer from Girona airport to your first accommodation takes approx. 1 hour.

There are a wider choice of airlines flying into Barcelona including Ryanair and Easyjet. You will need to take the shuttle train to Barcelona Sants train station from the airport; the shuttle trains leave every 30 minutes and take approx. 20 minutes. You then change trains at Sants and take a train to Figueres, trains leave approx. every 40 minutes and take between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the train you take, the price is between 8 Euros and 12 Euros per person. The private transfer from Figueres train station to your first accommodation takes approx. 15 minutes.

Travelling via Barcelona will allow you the opportunity to explore this exciting city by spending a couple of nights there at the beginning or end of the holiday.

Availability and Prices

Prices and Availability:

Prices 2012

 

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What your holiday includes:

• Transfer to and from Girona Airport or Figueres Train Station
• Welcome meeting with local English speaking guide
• 24/7  local support
• Five nights’ B&B accommodation
• Moving of luggage between accommodation
• Detailed route notes
• Fully equipped hybrid bicycle
• Local maps
• Personal information pack including information about local history, culture, traditions, restaurants, shops and local attractions etc

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Holiday Insurance
• Meals (except breakfast)

from £476 Book Now

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