Self guided cycling holiday Catalonia, Spain
B&B for 6 nights.
Cycle hire.
Dinner on three nights.
Transportation of luggage between hotels.
Smartphone app, including route maps, itinerary, restaurant recommendations etc.
Description of Self guided cycling holiday Catalonia, Spain
This self-guided cycling holiday is designed to give you a taste of the different aspects of northern Catalonia. We start in the foothills of the Pyrenees following the old railway originally used for the iron ore mines down from Ripoll to Olot. Here we enter a different landscape dominated by old volcanoes known as the Garrotxa. Two nights are spent in the area to allow exploration of this fascinating part of Catalonia before heading down through the lush green valleys and rolling countryside of Alt Emporda. The river Ter flows through this part of the country, which supports many species of animals and birds. You will then arrive in the medieval town of Girona known as the cultural capital of Catalonia. Your accommodation is in the old quarter next to the cathedral.
The next morning you pick up the old railway route to the coast. Downhill all the way you will arrive in the fishing town of Palamos where you will stay for the next two nights. Here you can visit the fish market on the harbour, wander around the cobbled streets of the old town and stop off for some tapas. The next day you could visit the famous botanical gardens of Cap Roig in Calella de Parafrugell or just simply relax by the pool or swim in the sea directly across from the hotel. The choice is yours.
Best time to go? The Spring is very beautiful with the wild flowers and the snow covered mountain scenery. The festivals are more common in the Summer. The orchards and vineyards are ripe with fruit in Autumn, the weather is perfect for cycling.
Price information
B&B for 6 nights.
Cycle hire.
Dinner on three nights.
Transportation of luggage between hotels.
Smartphone app, including route maps, itinerary, restaurant recommendations etc.
Departure information
Travel guides
Reviews
1 Reviews of Self guided cycling holiday Catalonia, Spain
Reviewed on 27 Jul 2017 by Jackie Robertson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Attending a Cuban style music concert at 10 pm on the beach at Palamos; listening to the Catalan national anthem with white hankies waving, and cycling back to Calonge after midnight!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This holiday worked well for our family of two adults and two teenagers. The house at Calonge was perfect and the pool a big hit. The Festival was on in Calonge when we arrived, making for interesting things to enjoy over the weekend - puppets, concert in the castle grounds and a firework display. We enjoyed the cycle rides though probably would think again about cycling to Cape
Rough on our day off as it turned out to be the hottest of the holiday, but we
survived! The beaches were safe and clean; indeed everywhere we went was spotless. Calella was a delight and well worth the cycle but start early before it gets too hot.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We bought our bread from the local baker and the street market, all friendly and helpful. We drank the tap water so no plastic bottles to dispose off. We cycled everywhere - the bikes were extremely comfy - along cycle friendly routes. Even
when on roads, the drivers were courteous and considerate, stopping for us at crossings etc. So, yes, we did support the area/environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We viewed our holiday as a success - being met at Gerona by Jordan and transferred to the house worked well. We extended our trip by four nights
in Gerona, staying get at a hotel which was recommended by the operator. This worked well and allowed us to get the train to Barcelona for a day - sadly we hadn't appreciated the need to get tickets for the Cathedral in advance so weren't able to go inside. We had a great lunch sitting at one of the more locally frequented lunch cafes and took the tour buses around the city - well worth the expense.
If, like us, you like something to do on holiday and for all the family to be happy, then this holiday is an excellent choice. It would be ideal for an Easter break when perhaps less hot for longer cycles.
Responsible Travel
Planet
The Vias Verdes is an excellent resource for visitors to Catalonia, it cuts through magnificent scenery off the beaten track and a lot of time and money has been invested to create this cycling and walking trail. Our clients are encouraged to use all the conservation measures laid out in the guidelines and code of practice issued by the Generalitat de Catalunya. Litter must be disposed of at the various points on the route. Fires must not be set. Water must be used in a responsible manner. Animal and bird life should be respected. Route signs should be followed. We feel very privileged to be able to offer this tour to our guests and encourage responsible tourism through this programme.People
This tour takes you through an area which has many conservation programmes and initiatives. The trail itself has undergone a complete overhaul using local resources and natural materials. Users of the route are encouraged to abide by the codes and guidelines set up for the protection of the environment and wildlife. All the old stations have been restored to allow the traveller to break up his journey causing minimal impact to the surroundings. The small local communities along the route service all these facilities giving economic value back to the area. There are also visitor centres along the way setting out the various initiatives being undertaken in this area which will allow you to, if not take part actively, be able to support throughout your stay.The second half of the route visits old traditional towns which promote their own individual cultural and economic heritage. Girona is very much the centre of Catalan culture with it ancient University and Cathedral, while Palamos represents the traditional fishing heritage of the area. The Vias Verdes is a network of old railway lines across Spain which have been restored and modified so that the public may walk or cycle through some of the most important natural areas of the country. The Vias Verdes passport can be stamped on each different route. This encourages the traveller to get involved and be aware of the conservation projects going on in any one area.
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