Home to some of Spain's most iconic cities and famous characters, Catalonia is a one-of-a-kind destination. With a history as diverse as the territory and a cultural identity and language of its own, this Spanish community will delight and fascinate. We’ll spend our first three nights in the Bay of Roses, (rated in the top 10 of most beautiful bays in the world). Using a wonderful spa hotel as home base you’ll cycle to stunning nearby towns including Roses, Escala and Cadaques. The mornings will be spent cycling while the afternoons are yours to... sit by the hotel pool, schedule a massage, explore Roman ruins, or try a few water sports in the bay. Once our exploration of the area is complete we’ll cycle to Figueres, birthplace of the famous painter Salvador Dali from there we'll head to our hotel, a 17th century mill that's been converted into a stunning estate. We'll spend our final days of cycling exploring hidden fishing villages, quiet towns, and the foothills of the Pyrenees where we'll taste the region's famous wine.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
Less packing and more relaxing with a 3 and 2-night hotel stay, Bay of Roses, Catalonia's medieval villages, Cadaques, Dalí museum, foothills of the Pyrenees, wine country
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
Includes
6 days, 5 nights accommodation, meals as noted in itinerary, guided tour of the Dalí museum, wine tasting
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
DAY 1: Meet in Girona and transfer to the Bay of Roses
Highlights: Bay of Roses
We meet in Girona today for a mid-morning transfer to our beautiful spa hotel and home for the next three nights. You are in for a treat because we are on the southern coast of the Bay of Roses (considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world). We’ll have time for a bike fitting and short ride after lunch together. Later in the afternoon we'll take a walk through Escala and learn about its history from Greek to Roman influences. We have a special welcome dinner planned at our hotel this evening.
Highlights: Cycling through beautiful medieval villages
Today's loop ride takes you to some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Catalonia. Take your time on the ride to soak in the incredible ambiance and history of the area. If the spirit catches you it's possible to add 15 kms of cycling to the day. This afternoon you decide what you prefer to do... sit by the pool, schedule a massage, take a paddle board or kayak out in the bay. If you are a scuba diver you can plan ahead and book an afternoon excursion with a local dive center to explore archaeological remains of the ancient port of Empúries, visit beautiful caves, or sunken ships.
Highlights: Dalí's summer home and garden, Cadaques by boat or bike
The ride today takes us north along the Bay of Roses to the town of Roses. From here you can decide to take a boat into Cadaques or ride up and over the headland to Cadaques. No matter which transportation option you prefer everyone will have the opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava. Art and history lovers can take time to visit Dalí's summer home and garden. Return to Roses by boat or if you are in the mood for more cycling ride up and over the headland and back to our hotel on the beach.
It's a short ride to the town of Figueres today so we have time for a guided tour of the Dalí museum. After the museum visit take time to explore Figueres and have a relaxing lunch before pedaling on to our country estate, a restored 17th Century mill, and home for two nights. We'll have a taste of the local wines and olive oil specialties tonight before dinner together.
Highlights: Foothills of the Pyrenees, Extra cycling to cross the boarder into France
Today's loop ride takes us up into the foothills of the Pyrenees and then drops through some of the region's most famous wine country. Choose to do the shorter loop of 25 kms (18 miles) or pedal into the Pyrenees for as far as you want. France is just another 40 kms (25 miles) and a 1,000 meters of climbing away! Tonight we'll celebrate our exploration of Catalonia with dinner together.
Your tour starts with a shuttle pick-up on Day 1 (your spot is already reserved on this shuttle):
Meeting Time: 10 a.m.
Meeting Hotel: Hotel Historic in Girona
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements,
check with us if your departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like
Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into Girona (GRO) or Barcelona El Prat (BCN)
We will be glad to arrange your pre- and post-tour stay at the Meeting Hotel for you upon request. Note that we will not stay thre as a group and the stay there is not included int he tour price.
If you arrive at Barcelona Airport and continue to the Meeting Hotel:
Bus:
Sagales Bus from Barcelona Airport Terminal 1 or 2 to Girona Estacio d'Autobuses (2.5 hr/EUR 19)
Taxi: From the Bus station to the meeting hotel (10 min/EUR 10)
Or
Train: R2 Nord from the Barcelona airport to the Barcelona Sants station (25 min / EUR 4.20)
*Train: From Barcelona Sants to Girona/Gerona (40 min/ Fares vary).
Taxi: From the Girona/Gerona train station to the Meeting Hotel. (10 min/EUR 10)
*Note: The train connection from Barcelona to Girona/Gerona is a busy but frequent line. If you are staying in Barcelona, you may purchase tickets for this train leg in advance. If you arrive by plane the same day, you should purchase them at the Sants train station though you might opt to skip a train departure if it is already full.
Look up Spanish train schedules at
Renfe.com or
Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe
here or
ask us.
Day 6: Departure Information
Tour ends - transfer to Figueres
Your tour ends with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle from the ending hotel to the Figueres Vilafant train station Arrival around 10:30 a.m.
Reservations required. Please make your shuttle reservation by
emailing us no later than 30 days prior to your tour start date
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like
Rome2Rio.
Flying out of Barcelona (BCN).
Train: From Figueres Vilafant to Barcelona Sants (1-2 hours/fares vary)
Train: From Barcelona Sants to Aeroport del Prat (35 min/EUR 4.20)
If you are planning to fly out of Girona (GRO)
Taxi: From the Ending Hotel to the Girona Airport (40 min/EUR 85)
Keep in Mind
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight Tour Style page.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Check the online itinerary of your trip and review the arrival and departure information under the "Travel Information" tab to see meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition, Spotlight and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your Getting To and Away information and one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Spotlight Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Spotlight tour at the Spotlight page.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Very hilly
Mountainous
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