Catalonian Flavors of the Mediterranean

Day 1: Arrival in Girona
Day 2: Girona - St Feliu de Guíxols, 28 mi (45 km)
Day 3: St Feliu de Guíxols - Calella de Palafrugell, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí, 8 mi. (29 km)
Day 5: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d'Empúries, 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: Loop ride Castelló d'Empúries, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Castelló d'Empúries - Figueres, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 8: Departure from Figueres

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 route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Arrival in Girona
In Girona, there is plenty to see and to do. The city is famous for having one of the best-preserved Jewish old towns and the Cathedral boasts one of the largest stone vaulted spaces in Gothic architecture. A walk along the city walls is highly recommended or following the Onyar River, which gives you a nice picturesque view of the colored houses of Onyar River. Tour documentation and maps will be waiting for you at your first hotel.

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Peninsular
• Premium: Hotel Gran Ultonia

Day 2: Girona - St. Feliu de Guíxols, 28 mi (45 km)
Your rental bike will be waiting for you at our local representative's office. After a tourist information meeting, you will follow a cycle path to exit the city to the south.  If you prefer, you can request that your rental bike be delivered to your accommodations. The ride takes you straight to the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows the greenway called “El Carrilet”, passing through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Along the route you always have the Gavarres Massif as a backdrop, a mountainous forest area, consisting mainly of oaks, important for cork production. You arrive in San Feliu de Guíxols and your hotel near the beach of Sant Pol.

Elevation: +2800 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Sant Pol
• Premium: Hotel Ilunion

Day 3: St Feliu de Guíxols - Calella de Palafrugell, 19 mi. (30 km)
You ride North along the coast combining the coastal road with the front sea boulevards, visiting the main port town of Palamós. After a few kilometers, you’ll pass the unspoiled cove, Platja de Castell, with its Iberian settlement on the left side. This is a nice place for a picnic and a swim in the Mediterranean sea. Later on, you arrive in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the pearls of Costa Brava. On the last section, you’ll be cycling along the greenway called “Ruta del Tren Petit”.

Elevation: +271 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Sant Roc
• Premium: Hotel Alga

Day 4: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí, 18 mi. (29 km)
Your route leads northward inland passing through Palafrugell, with its fish, meat, and vegetable market. You can also visit the Cork Museum here.  After exiting Palafrugell you con stop at the Mas Oller wine cellar for the guided visit and the wine tasting. Eventually, you reach Pals, one of the better preserved medieval center. The ride will take you through natural wetlands with extensive rice fields and long sandy beaches. The bike tour ends in Torroella de Montgrí at the foot of the castle Montgri Massif.

Elevation: +1800 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Fonda Mitjà
• Premium: Hotel Moli del Mig

Day 5: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d'Empúries, 22 mi. (36 km)
The route continues to the North passing the Montgrí massif into the county of Alt Empordà. You enter the long Bay of Roses with long, sandy beaches. Next to the pretty medieval settlement Sant Martí de Empúries and right in front of the superb beach, you should take the time to visit the archeological settlement, Empúries, with Greek and Roman ruins, the gateway of the classic cultures to the Iberian Peninsular. The route then continues North where riders will pass through the protected marshlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. The route ends at the village of Castelló d’Empúries, with its rich architectural heritage, a gothic church , Count’s palace, old market building, and Jewish quarter.

Elevation: +60 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Canet
• Premium: Hotel La Moneda

Day 6: Loop ride Castelló d'Empúries, 23 mi. (37 km)
This ride provides fantastic views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through the 100-year-old vineyards. Today you will have the opportunity to visit the most interesting wineries, which are mainly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau. This day features an optional wine tasting and picnic in Espelt Cellar.

Elevation: +65 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Canet
• Premium: Hotel La Moneda

Day 7: Castelló d'Empúries - Figueres, 27 mi. (43 km)
The last bike tour heads first to Peralada (the capital of the wine DO) where you will visit the castle and the medieval town. From there you will cycle crossing the upper part of the vineyards zone passing by Garriguella, Vilamaniscle and Rabos with the most ancient groves. Don’t miss a fast visit to the modernist cellar of Espolla cooperative. From there the tour takes you to a long downhill ride until arriving to your final destination, the city of Figueres. After arriving at Figueres riders enjoy a visit to the world-famous Theatre-Museum Dalí, still one of the most visited tourist sites in Spain.

Elevation: +370 m

Preferred accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Ronda
• Premium: Hotel Pirineos

Day 8: Departure

Accommodations

You will have your choice regarding the level of accommodations, standard or premium. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.

Bicycles

Touring Bike

Ghost Square Cross X Touring Bike

• Men or women's frame
• 24-speed touring bike
• Front shocks
• Disc brakes
• Equipped with map carrier/holder, one rear pannier, helmet, and basic repair kit and lock

Electric Bike

Various models

Flyer E-bike (T8.1), Winora E-bike (Sinus Tria), Alpenchallenge AMP Two

• Shimano Nexus 8-speed or Shimano SLX 11-40T
• 700 mm wheels

Gravel Bike

URS 01 Three or URS One

• Full carbon frame
• SRAM rival group
• Disc brakes