Family in Catalonia Cycle Tour

If you are coming by train from Barcelona or Gerona you can request that the accommodation owner pick you up from the nearest train station (details in your tour info pack).

On the first day, you immerse yourself in the ambience of the Lower Ampurdan (Baix Emporda). You start by cycling through traditional and picturesque landscapes with little vegetable gardens, tiny villages and Mediterranean woods. The medieval village centres of Monells and Madremanya are especially worth a visit, as well as the castle museum in Pubol dedicated to Gala by Dalí.

Today you begin with a short climb through the woods, but afterwards, the road is almost flat, surrounded by the Tuscany like villages situated on natural mounds. You cross a vast agricultural region worked long ago by the Iberians, who introduced the cypress tree as a wind panel to protect the soil against erosion. Once in Peratallada, you will have the challenging task of strolling around the village to select one of the 13 inviting restaurants for dinner.

Today you cycle out to the Costa Brava.  You cycle along quiet country lanes, through the lovely regional capital of Pals to Palafrugell, and on to Llafranca and Calella de Palafrugell, one of the most beautiful fishing villages on this coast. There is the option of taking a lunch break at a very nice restaurant on the beach.  You may also visit the lovely botanical gardens in Cap Roig before you cycle back to Peratallada.

A relatively gentle cycling route takes you to sandy beaches and through the green rice-fields of the Ter River delta. You will even see windmills here!  If you prefer to spend the day relaxing, the village of Peratallada is also the perfect spot for a rest day or a short stroll through the nearby Mediterranean woods.

Today you cycle northward to the region of Upper Ampurdan (Alt Emporda). You ride through mixed forests, open rural landscape and endless orchards from Peratallada to San Pere Pescador.  On the way, you pass the interesting archaeological site of Empuries with its Greek and Roman ruins. Torroella de Montgri makes a good place to stop for a rest, with its medieval streets and local palaces. Your day’s journey ends in San Pere Pescadore, only a few km away from the blue Mediterranean.

A mostly flat route which may be shortened and takes you first to Figueres, the village whose name is synonymous with that of Salvador Dalí.  Here you can visit the surrealist painter’s museum and the lesser-known regional museum and later take a pleasant stroll along with the town Rambla.  Just outside the town, you’ll see a beautiful Augustine monastery and then continue along the Muga River to the medieval town of Castello d’Empuries. The return through the Aiguamolls de l’Emporda Natural Park is green and refreshing.  You ride through the wetlands of the park, along narrow but firm paths, and enjoy viewing the significant seasonal waterbird colony which lives there.

Your arrangement ends after breakfast.  Transport to the train station in Figueres is included.  From there you have trains every hour to Flaça, Gerona or Barcelona.