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Costa Brava Explorer - Longer Road Cycling Tour
This tour explores the best of the Girona province: the Costa Brava without forgetting the lovely backcountry and the Pyrenees both on the French and the Spanish side. The week long itinerary provides guests exclusive scenic routes and consists of 6 days of cycling with riders staying in 5 stunning locations. Our strenuous routes explore the mountainous Spanish/French border region covering almost 600 km of extraordinary roads, allowing riders to experience a wide variety of landscape and culture.
Highlights include the incredible coastal roads into France via Collioure and the panoramic road between Sant Feliu de Guixols and Tossa de Mar, as well as famous training routes in the area. Three nights are spent in the old part of the provincial capital Girona. This is an area famous for cycling and the proving ground of many professional riders. In Girona, one can find the new and the old - with a city built up around a very long history, the old city offers narrow cobblestone streets that have been preserved and yet all the modern conveniences available.
Enjoy very charming to deluxe accomodations while discovering the treasures of this sunny region. This tour offers coastal riding and also crosses the inland areas between Girona and the coast. The upgraded version is priced below and corresponding hotels shown in the itinerary. A lower priced 4 star/3 star hotel version is available too, see the price section below.
5 Reasons to Cycling Catalonia
Tour Details
General Tour Information
Duration : 8 days & 7 nights
Dates 2012 : Any date On request from March 31 to October 30, can start any day of the week. High season: April 1-8' and July 1-Aug 31. We recommend a start day of Wednesday thru Sunday.
Level 3 - Advanced to challenging- flat to rolling countryside with some options for challenging climbing and longer daily ride distances. We offer and only recommend road bikes for this trip. See the information and details on the Bike Rental tab.
Self Guided Travel - Learn More
Options:
Shorter tour - minimum 4 nights, depart Torroella
Hotel Upgrades as noted.
Girona stop overs
Local Coordinators
Our local staff is there to help you during your trip; either Bo, Neus, or Empar are all available to help; they all live in Catalonia and will meet you for orientation and provide emergency assistance throughout your trip.
Customer Comments
"The trip was the most relaxing time I've spent in 20 years. I learned how to slow down. There were no TVs, radios, phones, internet or clocks. Just listening to the birds chatting outside the window was the music for the evening. We spent a lot of time speaking Spanish (and Catlan) while getting to know the hosts and other B & B world travelers. Thanks for a memorable vacation!"
- Mark M.
"The tour was GREAT, every day was like a treasure hunt, great new places to discover! the food, of course was unbelievable, and the best meals we had were at little places we discovered along the way for lunch, mostly three star cafes. the scenery was also unbelievable, the coast is great and the foothills were also fun and beautiful."
- Dan. G
"We had a great experinence. Terrific support and info from Maggie, Saskia and Dave."
- Al B.
"Your itinerary was really excellent and we all felt we got a true feeling for Northern Spain--the interior with the medieval villages and then the costa brava was wonderful."
- Jan T.
"We had a fantastic time and absolutely loved our trip. It will be a long time until we could ever go again, but we are already recommending the trip to our friends and family.!"
- Nancy A.
Itinerary
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8
Day 1 | Arrival in Girona
Arrival in Girona at the train station or airport and transfer on your own to your deluxe 4 star lodging in the historic old town. You have the rest of the day and night to explore Girona and its fantastic Old City. Enjoy the rest in the historic town of Girona with its charming old quarter including the former Jewish quarter and the Cathedral. The city is the home of many cycling champions, and the former home of a certain Texan rider. Dinner on your own - we'll give you several suggestions among the many good options available. We suggest any day to start except Mondays or Tuesdays. 5 Foods to try in Spain
Hotel Gran Ultonia - Girona
4
Girona
The new 4 star hotel Gran Ultonia in Girona was recently opened in 2009. Adjacent to the Ultonia Hot...
Day 2 |Circular route Girona to Sant Hilari Sacalm (108 km with option to add 28km)
Orientation at 9am this morning at your hotel before you go off to ride. The first day on the bike provides riders with a chance to acclimatise and settle in to their bikes with a climb to over 800m in altitude to the mountain town of Sant Hilari. The climb to the town is approx. 15km and is an excellent training climb with its slack gradients but long distance (elevation gain around 1.000m). Riders then have a thrilling 18km descent to the town of Santa Coloma. This is famous training ride used by hundreds of both local and foreign riders. Todays route level: Medium. Return to your Girona hotel and dinner out on your own. (B)
Hotel Gran Ultonia - Girona
4
Girona
The new 4 star hotel Gran Ultonia in Girona was recently opened in 2009. Adjacent to the Ultonia Hot...
Day 3 | Girona to Sant Feliu de Guixols (104 km)
The second bike tour is a harder ride taking riders south to the Costa Brava coast and a 100km blast on some of the finest cycling roads in the world containing three climbs as the road winds over the mountains to the Costa Brava. The first climb starts right outside Girona and brings riders into the Gavarres Mountains to complete the iconic Els Angels climb, made famous by the US postal team, which was based in Girona. The second climb up to Santa Pellaia pass is another challenge and offers fantastic panoramic views. The last and easiest climb brings us to the coast at Tossa de Mar where we finish the day with one of the most breathtaking coastal roads between Tossa and Sant Feliu. Todays route level: Medium-Hard. Dinner included tonight in Sant Feliu; 4 star ocean side hotel. (B,D)
Hotel Sant Pol
3
Sant Feliu de Guixols
Hotel Sant Pol is a family business which began its activity as a guesthouse and a restaurant in 196...
Day 4 | Sant Feliu de Guixols to Torroella de Montgri (88 km short/ 112km long)
The route takes riders south along the panoramic road and then up to the famous and very popular training climb to the Monastery at Sant Grau climbing 400m in only 6km. We continue through the hilly backcountry and the route crosses the Gavarres via the beautiful village of Romanya de la Selva until reaching the town of La Bisbal d/Emporda famous for its production of ceramics on route before passing the historic villages of Peratallada, Pals and Palau-Sator. We arrive to your deluxe 4 star hotel near Torroella de MontgrĂ amidst fruit plantation, next to the Ter river and only a short ride away from the beach. Todays route level: Medium-Hard. Dinner included. (B,D)
Hotel Moli del Mig
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torroella de Montgri
The hotel is a combination of a converted ancient mill from the XVth Century and a newly constructed...
Day 5 | Torroella de Montgri to El Port de la Selva (60 km + 40km)
This ride starts with gentle cycling along the Montgri massif and entering the long Bay of Roses allowing riders to warm up before the exciting climb to the 10th century monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes at 532 m with breathtaking views to the coastline below. The route then descents dramatically to the old fishing villages of El Port de la Selva and our 4 star hotel. Optional extension to Cadaques and Portlligat, the former home of Salvador Dali and even further to the lighthouse at beautiful nature reserve Cap de Creus crossing the protected area and easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. Todays route level: Easy-Medium. Dinner on your own. (B)
Hotel Portocristo
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El Port de la Selva
A historical building built in 1864 with rocks from Cap de Creus. Turned into hotel from 1960 and to...
Day 6 | Port de la Selva to Colliure (France)- Figueres (96 km)
Today riders cross over the French border along the coastal road to the charming town Colliure with its rich medieval heritage. Riders return to Spain over the pass of Banyuls and passing through the stunning olive groves and vineyards around the town of Espolla, finishing in the city of Figueres. Todays route level: Medium. 2 star hotel in Figueres with dinner included* in 'standard' version only. (B,D*)
Hotel Ronda
3
Figueres
Hotel Ronda Figueres is a family-run hotel in central Figueres, the birthplace of the artist Salvado...
Day 7 | Figueres to Girona (67 km short or 117km long)
Take your time to visit the world famous Theatre-Museum Dali, still the most visited tourist sites in Spain. Today riders can choose between a shorter and easier tour and another one that enters the foothills of the Pyrenees. The ride takes us from the Alt Emporda south crossing the Fluvia and Ter rivers. This route passes through Pubol, famous for the House-museum Gala-Dali castle. The route continues with another climb to the mountain top Monastery of Mare de Deu dels Angels at 484m giving a last challenge before riders return to Girona. Todays route level: Easy-Medium. 4 star hotel in Girona, dinner on your own. (B)
OPTION: for stronger riders, there is an option to add 2 more ride days into the Pyrenees from this day. This makes the trip a 8 night & 9 day trip and you ride another 200 km; finishing back in Girona. Contact us for more details.
Hotel Gran Ultonia - Girona
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Girona
The new 4 star hotel Gran Ultonia in Girona was recently opened in 2009. Adjacent to the Ultonia Hot...
Day 8 | Departure Day, you are free to take your time in the morning, breakfast included. Leave your bikes at the hotel for us to collect later. Trains for Barcelona depart all day long. We are available to help with add ons, please inquire. (B)
What's Included
7 nights 2/3/4 star lodging (standard version hotels shown in the itinerary tab), breakfast daily, 3 top quality dinners, luggage transfers daily, local Girona based emergency support throughout the tour, orientation and bike set up on Day 2, bike return, road books with riding route maps and cue sheets, suggestions for visitation and dining. Additional services and stays can be arranged separately.
On the UPGRADE version, we include 6 nights in 4 star hotels and 1 night in 2 star (Figueres). 2 gastronomic dinners included in this version.
Accommodation: Excellent hotels for all nights. 2 options available, Standard and Upgraded. The standard package offers 5 nights in 4 star and 2 nights in 3 star. The upgraded offers 6 nights in 4 star and 1 night in 2 star. Hotels in the standard version are, as shown in the intinerary tab: Hotel Ultonia****, Hotel Portocristo****, Moli del Mig****, Hotel Sant Pol***, and Hotel Ronda***.
Note about the Upgrade quote: The upgraded version of this tour includes 1 less dinner. Hotels are all 4* except 1 night in 2 star with superior room. Hotel Historic****, Hotel S'Agaro**** (seaside), Hotel Portocristo****, Hotel Moli del Mig****, Hotel Rambla**(superior room)
Options:
Long Add on to Pyrenees - see Day 7 in Itinerary (8 night/9 days)
Shorter tour - minimum 4 nights, depart Torroella
Hotel Upgrades as noted.
Girona stop overs
Tour Rates
Standard Tour; Price Per person based on double occupancy:
Low Season:
1135 Euros per person
High Season: 1245 Euros per person (high season: April 1-8, June 15-Sept 15)
Single supplement when 2 or more persons are traveling but in separate individual rooms:
Low Season: 289 euros
High Season: 335 euros
UPGRADED Tour : Per person based on double occupancy
High Season: 1527 euros per person
Low Season: 1369 euros per person
Road Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 140 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer.
Bike Info
Bike rentals are available for all tours in Spain. Click on our Rental Page link to know more about the Road Bikes in Spain. See the specs/details of our road bikes at this link:
Rates are 140 euros per bike for the duration of this tour.
Orbea Orca B105 is an Orbea carbon bronze frame and fork setup with Shimano 105 34/50 compact crank set with 105 11-25 cassette, 10 speed.
The Orbea Aqua T105 is an aluminum frame and carbon fork set with Shimano 105 34/50 compact crank set with 105 11-25 cassette, 10 speed.
Both bikes are rented without pedals. Please bring your own pedals to install. A handlebar bag is available and a saddle bag for tools. 2 bottle cages and bottles are included. Bike computer included.
Photos & Videos
Images from this Region
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