Costa Brava - Dali’s Country

Day 1: Arrival in Girona
Day 2: Girona - Sant Feliu de Guixols via "Greenways", 24 mi (40 km)
Day 3: Sant Feliu de Guixols - Calella de Palafrugell, 16 mi (27 km)
Day 4: Calella de Palafrugell - Bordils, 28 mi (47 km)
Day 5: Bordils - Sant Pere Pescador, 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: Rountrip, Sant Pere Pescador via Figueres, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Sant Pere Pescador - Girona, 17 mi. (29 km)
Day 8: Departure from Girona

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case please follow the directions posted on site.

DAY 1: Arrival in Girona
Girona is a city in the northeast of Spain on the Costa Brava, near the French border. It is a beautiful city where you get a real feeling for its history just by walking through its ancient streets. A walled city, dating back to the Roman period, it has a fascinating old quarter. You will be able to explore the entire city on foot since it is not very large.

DAY 2: Girona - Sant Feliu de Guixols via "Greenways", 24 mi. (40 km)
Bike pick up and information meeting at Girona Cycle Center. On the first day of biking,  you will spend part of your time on the "Greenways" or Vias Verdes. Vías Verdes are the result of converting disused railway lines into cycling and walking routes. Easy, accessible, far removed from motorized traffic and with hardly any steep slopes, they are especially recommended for nature lovers and people who enjoy outdoor exercise. There are already 1,500 kilometers of Greenways throughout Spain (more than 58 greenways), all of which have been carefully restored to allow you to discover the most hidden corners of the countryside. This first day is a relatively easy day, finishing by the beach in the old fishing village of Sant Feliu de Guixols. Located on the Mediterranean, Sant Feliu de Guíxols has idyllic weather almost all year long. The coastline of the town spreads over ten kilometers. It also includes many little bays with coves surrounded by pine-covered mountains and with rocky or fine sand beaches. If you get a chance in the morning be sure to visit the Plaça del Mercat before beginning your cycling day. The marketplace serves as the heart of public and economic life in the town. It takes place every morning on the “Plaça” where you can do some shopping before you head out for your second cycling day.

DAY 3: Sant Feliu de Guixols - Calella de Palafrugell, 16 mi. (27 km)
The route winds north along the Costa Brava passing into the northern part of the Empordá county, rich with famous medieval hilltop villages and secluded coves and bays. Calella de Palafrugell is the destination today, well known for the traditional architecture of its Voltes (archways). You then follow the coastline of Palafrugell with 12 km of beaches and coves which are all awarded the European Blue flag each year. The Blue Flag is an award that is given to beaches and marinas that have met very stringent standards. The main beaches are Aigua Xelida, Tamariu, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell. The archipelago of the Formigues isles (the isles of the Ants) is off the coastline. This is an area where many ships wrecked in ancient times. In front of the Saint Sebastian lighthouse is the Ullastres, popular with snorkelers because of the abundant marine life.

DAY 4: Calella de Palafrugell - Bordils, 28 mi. (47 km)
The route continues north cutting inland and passing one of the most unique and incredible landscapes in all of Europe. The countryside is dotted with ancient stone houses and castles, one of which was bought by Salvadore Dali for his beloved wife Gala to be their home. The castle has the appearance of a small Gothic-Renaissance palace. The lovely gardens outside the castle, with a few of Dali's spindly elephant sculptures keeping company with lush greenery and trees, stand in stark contrast to the madness of Dali's world. Gala lived here in the castle until her death in 1982. She is actually buried in the castle. Dali moved back to his sea house at Port Lligat after her death. Walking through the rooms of Castle Pubol is something special. With every step, you cannot help but be aware of Dali and his artistic influence in the surroundings. It is now maintained as a museum. The castle home has to be viewed as a great work of Dali in and of itself, for everything in it was conceived and designed by the artist and offers us a glimpse inside his captivating and unique world. Accommodations this evening are only a few miles from this castle museum. You will love Bordils, a tiny romantic village that time has forgotten. The Placa Major (main square) still has the ancient clothes washing area surrounded by buildings of the Gothic/Renaissance period.

DAY 5: Bordils - Sant Pere Pescador, 22 mi. (36 km)
Continuing north, the route leads deep into the wine and olive groves of the Alt Empordá, or wine growing region of Spain. The day ends with a ride along a beach road past the Greco-Roman city that gives the region its name, Emporion, where the Romans introduced wine to the peninsula. Sant Pere Pescador is a village with very special personality. It is in the middle of the Bay of Roses, one of the most attractive bays of the western Mediterranean. It boasts a 7 km stretch of pristine sandy beach. The first historical reference to the town dates back to the year 974.

DAY 6: Roundtrip, Sant Pere Pescador via Figueres, 30 mi. (50 km)
This day is an easy route passing through the village of Figueres, home to the Salvador Dali theater museum. This museum was actually designed by Dali, himself. The entire renovated theater is a surrealistic work of art. Dali himself said “Where, if not in my own town, should the most extravagant and solid of my work endure, where if not here?" You will have ample time to explore this and also the Dali Jewels Gallery. You can enjoy a lunch on the Rambla, the main pedestrian street of the town.

DAY 7: Sant Pere Pescador - Girona, 17 mi. (29 km)
This final day on the cycle returns you to the capital city of the region, Girona. It is another stunning route through the rolling hills and vineyards of Emporda providing the perfect ending to a perfect week.

DAY 8:  Departure from Girona

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