
Contrasts of Catalunya Cycling
Packed with contrast and variety, this easy 6-night cycling tour takes in the unspoiled Catalan coast, passing through olive groves, peach orchards and stunningly beautiful, pretty colored villages. All the hotels have pools, and 2 nights are spent in a luxury C14 castle.
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Reviews 38 Reviews5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Cycling
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Self Guided
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Activity Level Easy
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Catalunya is a semi-autonomous area of Spain; steeped in culture, its traditions and festivals date back over thousands of years. Rich in mediaeval villages, highlights include prosperous Peratallada, peach-coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches which are perfect to explore.
This holiday is full of contrasts and variety and explores one of the most beautiful corners of Catalunya. It’s gentle cycling too, occasionally off-road, through olive groves, peach orchards and pine forests, and along pretty coastal paths. The landscape is gently rolling for the most part, making this an easy cycle and a relaxing holiday. The changing seasons bring white blossom in spring, sunflower yellow in summer and warm gold at harvest time. Fabulous coastal views, beautiful beaches and aquamarine waters make this an inspirational area.
You stay in a variety of hotels, all with pools, which have been hand-picked for their charm and character. The family-run Hotel Garbi in the traditional fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, is set on the hillside overlooking the sea. The stylish Hotel Sa Punta in Platja de Pals is set in attractive gardens and is within walking distance of the beach or you can cycle to nearby Begur. Two nights of the holiday are spent at the Hotel Castell d’Emporda, a magnificently restored C14 castle perched proudly on its outcrop, just outside La Bisbal. The breathtaking views over the plain from its sun terrace are not to be missed.
- All breakfasts and 4 dinners
- 6 nights accommodation (all rooms ensuite)
- All luggage transfers
- Route notes and maps
- GPS route navigation provided
- High quality hybrid bike rental included
- RidePlus route options (more challenging routes)
- Flights
- Arrival & departure transfers (available on request, inquire for supplement)
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
- Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels (inquire for prices and details)
- Tandems available (inquire for supplement)
- RidePlus road bike (inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Ride through beautiful villages and rural orchards
- Soak up the sun on sandy beaches and beautiful bays
- Spend two nights in a luxury 14th Century castle
- Day 1 Day 1 Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell
- Day 2 Day 2 Calella de Palafrugell to Platja de Pals 33km/21mi
- Day 3 Day 3 At Platja de Pals
- Day 4 Day 4 Platja de Pals to La Bisbal 30km/19mi
- Day 5 Day 5 At La Bisbal
- Day 6 Day 6 La Bisbal to Calella de Palafrugell 33km/21mi
- Day 7 Day 7 Leave Calella de Palafrugell

All breakfasts and 4 evening meals included.
Traditional Spanish food such as paella, chorizo and albondigas (meatballs) can be found on just about every menu in Catalunya, but there are plenty of tasty local specialties too. Local cuisine features plenty of fish, including world renowned anchovies from L’Escala, and botifarras (black pudding) from the mountains. A delicious starter is Pan Catalan, which is lightly toasted bread, drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomatoes and garlic. The geography of the area has developed regional cuisine mixing ‘surf and turf’; combinations such as chicken and lobster, or rabbit with prawns. Fruits also feature strongly with dishes combining chicken with figs, or pheasant and grapes. Dishes tend to be rich and hearty but there are also plenty of vegetable options for vegetarians. Catalan foods also feature sauces in many dishes, which are usually rich in flavor.
The region is also renowned for the production of Cava, around the town of San Sadurni de Noya. There is a herby, smoky, grassy flavor to some of these as a result of the grape varieties and climate. The region also produces some of Spain’s best wines. Though we do not cycle through San Sadurni de Noya, try the wine from this region if you spot it on a menu.
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
Average daily distance: 31km (19 miles).
No. of days cycling: 5 (including 2 optional rides)
Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads with a few sections on dirt roads. The terrain is gentle throughout.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. The maps and route notes are provided in a link and can be downloaded to your phone via an app, RidewithGPS. A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
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Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
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April 25, 2021
|
Available |
$1,999.00 |
N/A |
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April 27, 2021
|
Available |
$1,999.00 |
N/A |
|
April 29, 2021
|
Available |
$1,999.00 |
N/A |
|
May 1, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 3, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 5, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 7, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 9, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 11, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 13, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 15, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 17, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 19, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 21, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 23, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 25, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 27, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 29, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
May 31, 2021
|
Available |
$2,079.00 |
N/A |
|
June 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
June 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,149.00 |
N/A |
|
July 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
July 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 1, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 3, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 25, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 27, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 29, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
August 31, 2021
|
Available |
$2,279.00 |
N/A |
|
September 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
September 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,199.00 |
N/A |
|
October 2, 2021
|
Available |
$1,999.00 |
N/A |
Mr Jones
Great location. Easy quiet cycling excellent food plenty of interesting places to visit
Mr Crawley
A mixture of excellent (hotels) and fair (cycling). The cycling was only spoilt by really rough tracks, demanding too much concentration on the riding hence missing the surrounding landscape and features.
Mrs Hayden
The hotels were in general well located. We particularly liked Sa Punta and the food here was very good. The cycling tracks were mainly gravel or sandy and a bit rutted and could be quite tricky in places and one had to keep one's eye on the track rather than the scenery but that may be because we are not used to cycling off road. The route takes you through some lovely old towns and villages the highlight of which was probably Pals. Despite our initial reluctance, we were pleased that we used the GPS route guide as it would have been difficult without it to navigate the tracks. The area is spectacular and we would definitely consider re-visiting Catalan.
Mrs Lucas
Lovely cycling through varied terrain; but be prepared for a good few sharp climbs. The hotels were well appointed and the food was generally delicious. Although the location and development of the Castell D' Emporda was unique, for us the better hotel was the Sa Punta where we spent two lovely relaxed evenings.
Mr Nicholson
An excellent introduction into cycling holidays that we will be certain to repeat.