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This special bike tour will allow you to discover the Empordà, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and the soil, the footsteps of the mountains surrounding the plane are a perfect terrain to produce the grapes. The ancient farmers in the area decided to use the plains for planting olive trees and the slopes for planting vines on terraces separated by dry-stone walls.
Since 2005 influential wine guru Robert Parker put Empordà on the world wine-producing map. Thanks to the hard work of the wineries this area has been certified as a Origin Designation of Empordà.
It’s an easy tour for regular cyclist that combines half of the tour on quiet secondary roads, and half on nice and clean unpaved roads. Stages are 50km average without big climbs.
Day 1: Barcelona August 25 and 26
Accommodation: Hotel Gallery
Arrival day
Today you will have a leisure day to discover Barcelona. It is a beautiful city with a lot of plans to make: The Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the Palau de la Música, the Barceloneta beach, the cathedral or the Ramblas are just a sample that makes this city one of the most beautiful in the world.
Different restaurants you can enjoy in the city.
26th August:
Today LA VUELTA is in the city so you can enjoy with the environment of it. You will meet around 5pm to get the tickets.
Jody and Lynn will be in the VIP area with Tickets VIP to see the race, the others have a leisure day discovering Barcelona.
Day 2: Girona
Accommodation: Hotel Double Tree by Hilton Girona
Van transfer to Girona at 10am. 1,30 minutes. Bike fitting and free day in Girona.
This morning the guide NIKI MENESELLO +34 628233271 will pick you up at your hotel GALLERY
In Girona there is plenty to see and 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 a highly recommended, or following the Onyar River, which gives you a nice picturesque view of the colored houses of Onyar River. As part of the maintainance tasks, this first day we will do the bike fitting also.
Day 3: Girona-S’Agaró
Route: 56 km / 975m+
Starting from our hotel you will follow a cycle path to exit the city to the south. The ride takes you straight to the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows greenway called “El Carrilet” , passing through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Along the route we always have the Gavarres Massif as a backdrop, a mountainous forest area, consisting mainly of oaks, important for the cork production. We arrive in S’Agaró, our hotel will be near the nice beach of Sant Pol.
Day 4: S’Agaró – Calella de Palafrugell
Route: 55.4 km / 664m+
Today you’ll 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 unspoilt cove Platja de Castell, with it’s Iberian settlement on the left side . This is a nice place to do a picnic and take a swim in the Mediterranean sea. Later on you arrive in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafurgell, one of the pearls of Costa Brava.
Day 5: Calella de Palafrugell – Torroella de Montgri
Route: 61 km / 680m+
Route towards the north, where optionally we can include passing through Palafurgell, with his fish, meat and vegetables marquet. Nice place to learn about the product land of this region. You can also visit the Cork Museum. After exiting Palafurgell you can stop to the cellar Mas Oller for the guided visit and the wine tasting. Later on you reach Pals, one of the better conserved medieval centers. 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 karstic Montgri Massif.
Day 6: Torroella de Montgri – Roses
Route: 61 km / 651m+
The route continues to the North passing the Montgrí massif into the county of Alt Empordà. We 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, we should take the time to visit the archeological settlement Empúries with Greek and Roman ruins, the gateway of the classic cultures to the Iberian Peninsula. The route then continues North where riders will pass through the protected marshlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. The route ends in Roses, at Hotel Marina right at the seafront, at the centre of Roses with wonderful views overlooking the sea and the Citadel.
Day 7: Roses Loop to Cadaques
Route: 50.2 km / 1000m+
This ride provides fantastic views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling by lovely beaches and hidden coves. First we climb to the monastery of Sant Peter of Roses and we do an espectacular down hill to Port de Selva. We climb again to see the Perafita winery and down again to Cadaques and cap de Creus, a pretty coastal ride. Back to Cadaques, we have a stop to have lunch in one of many restaurants in front of the sea, or enjoy a bath in the tranquile water. We climb again to the winery and down to our hotel in Roses.
Day 8: Roses – Figueres
Route: 54 km / 491m+
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 wit 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 to Figueres riders enjoy a visit to the world famous Theatre-Museum Dalí, still one of the most visited tourist site in Spain.
Departure day
Figueres train station at 5:30am to get the train to Madrid.
Day 9: Madrid SUNDAY September 3rd
In Madrid, you can get a taxi to the hotel H10 Puerta de Alcala in the Retiro park. Free day in Madrid.
Hotel Double Tree by Hilton Girona
The Hilton Girona, located 10 minutes from historic downtown. Enjoy our seasonal rooftop pool and attached bar, and expect a warm DoubleTree cookie on arrival.
The hotel offers a nice terrace with pool and wonderful views of the Pyrenees, with bar service and snacks in the evening. The hotel has comfortable and modern rooms, with warm decor and wooden floors. It offers standard and superior rooms and junior suites, with amenities and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel S’Agaró
S’Agaró Hotel is situated in the spectacular beach of S’Agaro.
The hotel is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, in the exclusive, idyllic S’Agaró, one of the Costa Brava’s most prestigious enclaves, a pioneer in quality holidays, internationally recognised for its select, glamorous surroundings. S’Agaró Hotel is right on the seafront, on Sant Pol beach, one of the Costa Brava’s top locations. A small beach of fine sand, far removed from the noise of other coastal areas in the summer season.
Hotel Alga
Enjoy a privileged location next to Port Bo Beach, in the charming fishing town of Calella de Palafrugell
It is an idealdestination for travellers searching for peace and quiet, beaches, golf and nature, allowing you to explore the most beautiful spots on the Costa Brava easily and comfortably.
Hotel URH Molí del Mig
It is a unique space in the heart of Emporda.
The Hotel Moli del Mig Restaurant and SPA is located in the the majestic area of Massis del Montgrí and one kilometer away from the historic center of Torroella de Montgrí. With a careful restoration of the ancient mill, it boasts the most modern facilities and cutting-edge design that seek to highlight its historical value, respecting the landscape in an integrated architecture in the natural environment with seven acres of gardens and fields.
Hotel Marina
A Hotel right at the seafront, at the centre of Roses with wonderful views overlooking the sea and the Citadel.
Hotel Marina is located a few kilometers from places with a great attraction, routes oenological, Dalí route, Girona, Monumental complex on the Rodes Serra, nature in its purest form as the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, the biggest strength of Europe the Castel of Sant Ferran
Hotel Duran
Set in the heart of Figueres, in the upper part of the Rambla.
Right in the historical centre of the city and just a short walk from its most charismatic buildings: the Dalí Museum, the Toy Museum of Catalonia, El Jardí Theatre, and more. It is a high category 3-star hotel of recognised prestige, totally refurbished in contemporary style. It is the city’s most emblematic hotel, as the building was originally an old inn dating back to 1855, El Celler de Ca la Teta.
Hotel H10 Alcalá
This hotel was entirely renovated in 2016 and offers a quality stay
The H10 Puerta de Alcalá is located about 100 meters from the Retiro Park in Madrid and the subway station Principe de Vergara. It offers elegant rooms with wooden floors, minibar and pillow menu.
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