|
|
France/Spain Transborder Experience
offered by supplier M09630 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Spain
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Season: February - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 960 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1040 Euro (EUR)
|
|
This popular tour explores the Spanish and French Pyrenees, an area famous among cyclists for its geographic diversity and for serving as the proving ground for many past and present professional riders. This week-long itinerary features Cyclomundo-exclusive routes through a spectacle of mountains and seascapes, along with first-rate accommodations, dining, and convenient assistance in the form of van support and luggage transfer.
The tour consists of five or six days (the option is yours) of cycling while lodging in four spectacular locations on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Our leg-testing altitude routes explore the mountainous Spanish/French border region, covering almost 550 kilometers of unparalleled mountain roads, allowing you to experience a sweeping variety of landscape and culture at your own pace. Three days of easy rides provide balance to the itinerary, allowing, if needed, for energy levels to recharge.
The ride's many highlights include: pedaling Catalonia's incredible coastal road into the picturesque fishing village of Collioure, France via Cap de Creus, Spain's only nature reserve; ascending Coustouges, a mountain border pass surrounded by a panoramic grandstand of alpine awe; and lodging within the walls of Belaru, a historically intact Medieval village that perfectly balances the past with the present.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Torroella de Montgri
Your tour begins in Torroella de Montgri where you will be accommodated in a bike-friendly hotel that enjoys an internationally renown reputation for catering to cyclists as evidenced by an amenity list that includes bike shed, bike workshop, and bike mechanic.
Day 2: Torroella de Montrgri - Figueres (70 km or 44 miles)
Acclimation day. To ease the leg muscles into tour-mode today's ride works-out the eyes rather than the thighs. A relatively flat route wanders past stretching olive groves and well-tended vineyards, the type of pastoral setting that nuzzles the mind like a visual massage. The ride concludes surreally-literally and figuratively-in Figueres, the hometown of painter Salvador Dali. Teatro-Museo Dali, the second most visited museum in Spain, stands as a five-floor monument to Dali's work, lending it 10 stars on the must-see scale.
Day 3: Figueres - Cadaques - Collioure - Figueres (120 km or 75 miles)
Today's route ascends into Cap de Creus, Spain's only nature reserve. A craggy coastline, that legend attributes to the mythical workings of Hercules, harmonizes with the sun-chandeliered Mediterranean to create a geographical masterpiece. In between prolonged awe-breaks you will pedal into Coilloure, France and Cadaques, Spain-two idyllic fishing villages whose beauty prompted some of history's greatest artists-Matisse, Picasso, Dali, Duchamps-to become full-time residents. The day's ride finishes back in Figueres.
Day 4: Figueres - Coustouges - Camprodon (100 km or 60 miles)
Good-bye sea, hello mountains. Today's pedal winds upward into the famed Pyrenees, testing the legs but rewarding the eyes. The route briefly bends into France at Coustouges, a tiny alpine village ornamented with remarkable displays of Romanesque art and architecture. You will then descend back into Spain to the ski town of Camprodon, birthplace of concert pianist, Isaac Albeniz. The tiny shops and restaurants that front Camprodon's narrow streets, will provide plenty of reasons to walk off today's ride.
Day 5: Camprodon - Besalu (70 km or 44 km)
Today's easy, downhill ride will take you from the natural wonders of the Pyrenees to the manmade wonders of Besalu. This ancient, walled town along the Fluvia River looks like the inspiration for every Medieval movie ever made. The Pont Fortificat, Besalu's 11th century landmark bridge, serves as a stunning entrance gate, worthy of at least eleven snapshots. Romanesque churches, like the Monestir de Sant Pere and Església de Sant Vicenc, decorate Besalu's interior and add to its incomparable time warp ambience. The short length of today's ride will allow for plenty of time to explore.
Day 6: Besalu - Torroella de Montgri (60 km or 37 miles)
Today you'll coast back to the coast, returning to hotel Moli del Mig. The easy pace of the ride will match the easy pace of Catalonia's countryside, which possesses the comforting feel of a cultural speed bump. After, you'll have ample time to tour Torroella de Montgri and its many options. Old Town houses ancient architecture, including a huge sundial from the 18th century. Montrgi Castle, atop adjacent Montgri Mountain, overlooks the town and offers post card-like views of the Mediterranean coast. La Gola beach, with its views of the Medes Islands, provides a relaxing setting to rest weary legs. And the main shopping streets of Carrer de Sant Agusti and Carrer de la Porta Nova are ideal for souvenir needs.
Day 7: Torroella de Montgri - Sant Feliu - Moli del Mig (110 km or 70 miles)
This optional ride with a moderate rating pedals south along Catalonia's famed Costa Brava. Jagged coves lined with white horseshoe beaches dot the entire route with the kind of setting that prompts riders to suddenly add "real estate office visit" to the day's agenda. Before looping back through the forested Gavarres Mountains, you'll spend time in Sant Feliu de Guixols, a seaside town brimming with Old World allure.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, depart at the time of your choice.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
These prices include:
- 7-night accommodations (4 nights in 4-star property; 3 nights in 3-star properties)
- Daily breakfast
- 3 dinners (drinks are not included)
- Meeting with our local representative
- Luggage transfers
- Marked maps and route notes
- Tourist information
- Assistance if necessary
- All tax and service charges
Prices do not include:
- Transfers to/from Girona. These can be arranged through us
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Insurance. Elvia insurance is available through us at 15 euros per person (covers bike damage and theft)
- Expenses of personal nature
- Rental bikes. Bikes are available at the rate of 150 euros/bike.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Bicycle Touring
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
