Cycling in Catalonia, self guided short break

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This self-guided cycling tour in Catalonia follows La Ruta del Cister, a circular pilgrimage route starting and ending in l’Espluga de Francolí. It is slow by its very nature, with guests cycling between 36-41km per day through farmland, rural villages, monasteries and historic landscapes.

With all of our tours, we encourage our guests to travel to and around Spain using buses and trains whenever possible. This itinerary is accessible by train, and daily luggage transfers are provided by a local provider, while guests complete the cycling route itself by bike. We also offer e-bike rental on this tour, making the route more accessible for guests who prefer extra support.


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

This cycling tour takes guests through the inland landscapes of Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà and Urgell, following La Ruta del Cister.
The route passes through farmland, rural hamlets, country tracks, forest paths, the Gaià River valley and traditional wine villages, linking the monasteries of Poblet, Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.
We remind guests to practise Leave No Trace throughout their trip, especially when cycling through farmland, forest paths, gravel trails and rural landscapes.
With regards to drinking water, we ask guests to bring refillable water bottles as well as a reusable shopping bag to avoid single-use plastic during their trip. We also ask guests to take any packaging away with them and be mindful of not dropping litter.
We have an in-house expert, who shares tips and advice with our guests in trip notes, blogs and newsletters. For example, on how to reduce their impact on the environment and wildlife and respect the places and communities they pass through.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned B&Bs and pilgrims’ guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, good local food and connection to the area.
The itinerary takes guests through places such as l’Espluga de Francolí, Rocallaura, Rocafort de Queralt, Santes Creus, Montblanc and Poblet, helping tourism spend reach local businesses, hosts and families along the route. Breakfast is included every day, and guests are encouraged to buy lunches and snacks in local shops, pre-order packed lunches from some hotels where needed, and dine either through their accommodation or in restaurants in the local area.
The included 6T card and diploma also connect guests with the official Cistercian Route.


EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

All of our partners in Spain are locally employed and play an important role in contributing to the local economy. At home, we have a strict policy to pay all our own employees and team members a living wage and fair wage, with holiday entitlement. In the hiring process, we prioritise experience, qualifications and passion, emphasising that race, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality are not factors of consideration. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace based on skills and expertise. We also endeavour to support any guests with visible and non-visible disabilities or any special requirements, when possible.