Compare Best of Northern Spain by G Adventures vs Barcelona and Beyond by Cycle Catalan
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,679 | $ 1,102 |
| Price Per Day | $ 234 | $ 157 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
Spain has been described as less of a country than a collection of small nations all working together. Each region has its own distinct character, style, even language. This quick eight-day trip introduces you to Spain’s Basque and Catalan provinces the best way: through food, art, culture, and first-person contact. Vibrant Barcelona, unhurried San Sebastián, Bilbao’s fabulous architecture, Logroño's famous cuisine, cosmopolitan Madrid, and the mighty Pyrenees, all in just over a week? Yeah, we did that. Come find out how. |
Catalonia is rich in culture. From the Greek-Roman ruins of Empuries dating back to 530BC to the stunning Museum D’Art of Catalonia in Barcelona housing modern art of the 21st century there is an abundance of cultural activities to explore on your cycling tour. Highlights will include Castell Dali Gala in Pubol, the Dali museum in Figueres, a circular wine trail in Peralada and half day bike tour in Barcelona. There is an opportunity to explore the countryside and coastal paths and make time for a swim as well as some retail therapy in Barcelona. |
Day 1 Barcelona
Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this vibrant city.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà.
Day 2 Barcelona/Pyrenees
Take the morning to explore beautiful Barcelona. Head to the Pyrenees region for 2 nights in a 'casa rural'. Enjoy home-cooked meals and hiking.
Explore a bit of Barcelona before an afternoon departure north. Travel to the Pyrenees by local bus and van to reach a 'casa rural', or converted farmhouse, near the town of Ainsa. Indulge in delicious local meals and time to explore the beautiful landscape.
Day 3 Pyrenees
Enjoy the day in the scenic Pyrenees. Opt for some hikes in the area or head to Ainsa to explore. Spend another night in the 'casa rural'.
Day 4 Pyrenees/Bilbao
Travel to Bilbao, the first stop in the unique Basque region of Spain. Arrive in the early afternoon. Opt to visit the stunning Guggenheim Museum, or climb the Mallona Stairs to Parque Etxebarria for beautiful views over the city.
Day 5 Bilbao/San Sebastian/Bilbao
Take a day trip to San Sebastian. Opt to take a pintxos (tapas) tour and learn about the fascinating culture of the area. Return to Bilbao for the night.
The real treat in this part of the country is the eating. Basque cuisine is famous in Spain and around the world, with many believing this is the best food in the country. While San Sebastián didn't invent tapas, they are well-acknowledged to have perfected them. Wander through the streets before lunchtime or in the evening and check out what each bar has on offer. Stop in each place for some wine or beer and sample their tapas (pintxos in Basque) selection. Move on to the next bar and repeat! Delicious seafood abounds here as well. Looking for more than just pintxos? Head to the harbour and hole up in a traditional simple tavern. Don't leave San Sebastián without trying the famous jamon iberico. The specialty drink in this area is called the Kalimotxo — half wine (usually red table wine) and half Coca Cola.Take some time to wander through the plazas, marvel at the buildings, and spot the art sprinkled throughout the city. And, as always, try the pintxos.
Day 6 Bilbao/Logroño
Travel to Logroño and enjoy an included wine tasting in the Rioja region.
With tons of churches, roman bridges, parks, plazas, and ancient buildings, there's no shortage of sights to be seen when wandering around this city.
Day 7 Logroño/Madrid
Travel to Madrid and enjoy free time in this capital city.
Day 8 Madrid
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival
Meet at Flaca station (if arriving from Barcelona). A representative from Cycle Catalan will be there to greet you and take you to the Hotel Palau Lo Mirador in Torroella de Montgri, where you will be based for the next three nights’. This luxury hotel is a beautifully restored elegant palace set in beautiful grounds with an outdoor pool. A welcome drink awaits you in the bar where we introduce the cycling itinerary to you. A three course dinner with wines from Emporda will be served at the Hotel’s excellent restaurant.
Day 2: Casa Museu Castell Gala Dali
Level: Moderate
Distance: 52 kms.(shorter route of 34kms available)
Your cycling route takes you through pretty medieval villages past fields of sunflowers and orchards to Pubol Castle. In 1970 Salvador Dali bought the castle as a gift for his wife Gala. It is full of original works, furniture, sculptures, paintings, all designed by Dali. We love this museum, it is so personal and even displays some of Gala’s original haute couture dresses designed for her by Dior. Gala lived here for many years before her death in 1982. She was buried in the mausoleum in the basement. Continue on to the Market town of La Bisbal which is famous for its ceramics. Here you can visit some of the workshops including the wonderful Ponderosa run by 2 sisters who make everything themselves and watch how some of their ceramics are created. Return to the hotel late afternoon before heading out to explore this lively little town with great tapas bars for dinner tonight.
Day 3: Medieval Towns and Villages
Level: Moderate
Distance: 42kms
First stop is Pals, a perfectly preserved hilltop medieval village. The old quarter known as El Pedro within the medieval walls contains many historic buildings. There is a gothic church at the centre surrounded by beautiful cobbled streets leading to the old castle. The views from the ancient wall to the sea are spectacular. After morning coffee we continue our cycle through the valley of the river Grossa to the village of Sant Feliu de Boada where we recommend lunch at Can Joan. This afternoon cycle on to Ullastret and follow the old Roman road back to Gualta passing the old Iberian settlement. An information pack will be provided with a list of recommended restaurants to explore.
Day 4: Ancient Greco-Roman Ruins of Empuries
Level: Easy
Distance: 35 kms
Set off this morning towards Figueres via the countryside and the pretty coastal paths of San Marti where you can stop for lunch after visiting the famous ruins of Empuries one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Europe dating back to 530BC. The museum has an amazing collection of perfectly preserved Greek urns, plates and jewellery. Accommodation for the next two nights’ will be at the Hotel Duran, family run since 1855. It’s a very comfortable centrally placed hotel with friendly staff and good food. The restaurant is famous for its cuisine and customers, Salvador Dali was a regular guest. Ramon’s grandfather was a friend of Dali’s and there is a unique collection of his sketches, menu designs, photographs on the restaurant wall. We have booked dinner for you here tonight.
Day 5: Peralada Wine Trail
Level: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 34kms
Today we have designed a 34km circular route of the wine region of Peralada. Make time to visit the castle and the convent Carmen before visiting Castello Peralada’s degustacion centre and La Vinyeta which also produces amazing olive oil. Late afternoon is a great time to visit the Dali museum. The crowds have left this ‘must see museum’ which comprises of thousands of objects dating from different periods in Dali’s colourful life. Please note that Monday some of the vineyards may be closed.
Day 6: Barcelona
Level: Easy
Distance: 12kms
After breakfast transfer to Barcelona by train from Figueres. You will be staying at the Hotel Market or the Vilamari for one night. This afternoon we have organised a half day cycle tour of Barcelona when you will have the opportunity to see many fine examples of Gaudi’s architecture including the Sagrada de Familia and the fountains at Parc de la Ciutadella. Tonight why not start at La Vinya de Senjor a wine bar with 300 wines to choose from. We supply a list of recommended restaurants and are happy to book you something special.
Day 7: Market
After breakfast walk round to the Market San Antoni for some presents, a great covered market selling local produce including azzafron (saffron) and organic honey and olive oils. Transfer back to Barcelona or Girona airport.
