Girona and Costa Brava Catalan Bike Tour

Our epic Catalan bike tour will take you from the shimmering Costa Brava, through the little known Volcanic region of the Garrotxa and back to the coast again before you head back inland into the ancient undiscovered Languedoc wine region in France.

The ancient kingdom of Catalonia once straddled the lofty Pyrennes between northeastern Spain and southwestern France all the way from Valencia in Spain to Carcassonne in France. Nowadays, it is better known as the autonomous region of Catalunya in Spain and the Languedoc-Roussillon province of France.

Catalonia offers outstanding cycling, food and wine, but it was also home to some of the greatest creative geniuses of our time such as Dali, Miro, Gaudi and Picasso, as well as, the powerful medieval religious sect, the Cathars. You’ll spend 11 days following in their footsteps exploring artistic, breathtaking Catalunya and the vine-covered hills of Languedoc-Roussillon - areas of extraordinary contrasts, both culturally and scenic, unmatched in their romantic associations.

From the stunning pine clad cliffs of the Costa Brava to enchanting seaside villages, artist Mecca's, eye-popping austere castles of the doomed Cathars and riding through the largest wine producing area of France, while in the evenings sampling some of their produce accompanied by the incomparable Catalan cuisine before finally arriving at the greatest Cathar fortification of all – fairytale Carcassonne with its perfectly preserved walls.

• Immerse yourself in an extraordinary fusion of gastronomy and adventure across two culinary titans - Spain and France. Gallop along Spain's breathtaking railway-turned-trails, nestled in the heart of the verdant Garrotxa volcanic region, where nature's vibrancy fuels your journey.
  
• Dive into an unparalleled culinary symphony at a Michelin-starred restaurant, where each dish tells a story of innovation and culinary creativity, giving you an epicurean experience that is as unique as it is memorable.
  
• Embark on a cultural voyage through Catalonia’s artistic heartland as we step into the kaleidoscopic universe of Salvador Dali. Explore the labyrinthine galleries of his museum, and later, traverse the enchanting confines of his whimsical residence tucked away in an idyllic cove.
  
• Unravel the colourful past of the seaside town once inhabited by Matisse, Derain, and Picasso. Follow in their brushstrokes along a path that showcases the same stunning views that inspired their timeless masterpieces.
  
• Experience the awe-inspiring vista of castles standing sentinel over the rolling vineyards of Languedoc. These once formidable fortresses bear testament to the valiant Cathar knights who met their tragic end within their mighty walls.
  
• Retreat to France's fairy-tale citadel, Carcassonne. Enveloped by the glow of the setting sun, this historic fortress transforms into an ethereal world where the stories of yesteryears echo through the cobblestone streets, inviting you to an unforgettable night of dreams.

DAY 1 - Girona

After an 11am pickup in Barcelona we’ll transfer to the beautiful and fascinating city of Girona divided by the carp-filled Riu Onyar. All points of interest are concentrated in the compact medieval Jewish quarter, with parapeted walls, stepped streets and secluded courtyards. Known as the Call, the Jewish community was well established in Girona from at least the 9th century and until 1492. It was the most important Jewish community in Spain after Barcelona’s.

Activity: 2 hour guided Girona walking tour
Highlights: Old town Girona, Welcome dinner
Accommodations: Nord 1901 / Casa Cacau
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 2 - Girona to Olot

Our first day's ride will be north along one of Spain's first 'Trails-for-Rails' - an incredibly scenic ride through woods of oak and beech into the volcanoes of the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa. Our destination is Olot - a town with four craters within its urban limits! An absolutely unforgettable group Dinner.

Activity: Ride of 59km / 34m
Highlights: Olot bike path ride, Michelin star dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Riu Olot
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 3 - Olot to Besalu

Today will start with a guided hike through the Garrotxa Volcanic Park to the little medieval 15th C hermitage at the bottom of the crater. The hike will take us through the spooky maze-like beech forest that covers the Garrotxa Volcanic Park. Time permitting we will then take a little wooden train into the heart of the largest volcano over an astonishing landscape of hardened lava. From here we'll ride on to Banyoles and around Banyoles Lake where the 1992 Olympics held their rowing events. Later in the day, we'll reach our night's destination - the enchanting medieval village of Besalu with its imposing 11th C fortified bridge and perfectly preserved Jewish Miqwe (bathhouse). 

Activity: Hike of 5 km / Ride of 32 km / 20 mi
Highlights: Besalu old town, Garrrotxa hike
Accommodations: Casa Marcial
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 4 - Besalu to Cadaques

Besalu to Cadaques - Ride of 52km / 32.5m.
Easy riding today as we head east to Figueres (Dali's birthplace) and the famous Museo Dali. Satisfyingly bizarre this was his greatest work and his final resting place. From Figueres we transfer to the postcard perfect fishing village of Cadaques - the star of the Costa Brava. Here, we'll visit Dali's house in nearby Port Lligat. Group dinner, overlooking the bay.

Activity: Ride of 52 km / 33 mi
Highlights: Dali's home in Port Lligat, Cadaques
Accommodations: Hotel Llane Petit
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 5 - Cadaques to Colliure

Viva la France! Today we take a quick van transfer over and through the Pyrenees to the French Cote Vermeille and the postcard perfect seaside village of Collioure. In turn Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Visigoth and Arab - Collioure eventually was discovered by Fauvist artists like Matisse and Derain and immortalized in their paintings. There'll be time to take a tour of the town by following the Chemin du Fauvisme - a trail of reproductions of some of the more famous paintings and where they were painted! 

Activity: 2 hour guided town walk
Highlights: Collioure old town, Fauvist town tour
Accommodations: Les Roches Brunes
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

DAY 6 - Colliure to Ceret

Our first day's ride in France is an easy one. Woodsy riding brings us to the charming little town of Ceret where the main draw for millions of art lovers is the Musee d'Art Moderne. Many of the works were donated by an earlier generation of artists who spent much time in Ceret. Among them were Picasso, Matisse, Chagal, Maillol and Gris. We'll have plenty of time to visit the museum and have a bite of lunch before crossing a bridge built by the devil in 1321! Group Dinner.

Activity: Ride of 52 km / 33 mi
Highlights: Modern art musem of Ceret
Accommodations: Hotel Vidal
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 7 - Ceret to Cucugnan

Our longest ride of the tour. As we ride northwards today, our first stop will be the tiny walled village of Castelnou. Meticulously preserved by its inhabitants, Castelnou is now home to many artists and artisans and makes a perfect lunch stop while investigating the local handicrafts. We ride on through Languedoc-Rousillon, the largest wine region of France. Domains (wine estates) advertising free tastings, beckon you to the right and left as you pedal along. The end of our day's ride will be in the little 10th century village of Cucugnan at the base of the breathtaking Cathar Castle of Queribus where we'll have a wine-tasting before our Group Dinner.

Activity: Ride of 70 km / 44 mi
Highlights: Lunch at Castelnou, Ride to Cucugnan 
Accommodations: Auberge du Vigneron
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 8 - Cucugnan to Lagrasse

Today's ride finds us wending our way through the superb Gorge de Galamus along the Riviere Torgan and bringing us to Villerouge-Termenes with its little castle. Here the last of the Cathars was captured and burned at the stake in 1321. We ride on through the village of Lagrasse, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France and sporting an immense abbey founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century. The evening finds us taking our ease in the little village of Lagrasse. Group Dinner at a medieval castle.

Activity: Ride of 64 km / 40 mi
Highlights: Lunch at Castelnou, Ride to Cucugnan 
Accommodations: Auberge du Vigneron
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 9 - Lagrasse to Carcassonne

A short pretty ride today to give us time to explore fairytale 12th century Carcassone with its soaring walls and pointed turrets. One of the most stunning castle fortifications in the world, with a complete village within its walls, it was the mother of all of the great Cathar castles in southern France. We'll have plenty of time to play lord & lady while we explore its many sights before ending the tour with a Gala Farewell Dinner.

Activity: Ride of 43 km / 27 mi
Highlights: Lunch at Castelnou, Ride to Cucugnan 
Accommodations: Hôtel Le Donjon
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 10 - Farewell

We'll say "au revoir" at breakfast and offer a morning transfer to the airport for those leaving. Some of you may want to stay and explore Carcassonne more fully and perhaps others may want to move on to Paris or Provence - all quickly and easily accessible by train from Carcassonne.