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Cycling Gastro TOURS: Costa Brava Gastro by UTOPIC Bike Travel
1. COSTA BRAVA
GASTRO
CATALONIA GASTRO 2014
DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
TYPE: TOURING /HYBRID BIKE
START&FINISH: GIRONA/GIRONA (SPAIN)
DATES: MARCH TO OCTOBER
LODGING: 3*, 4* HOTELS / RURAL
ROUTE LEVEL: 1
KM.PER DAY: 30–60 KM
TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUP & PRIVATE
GROUPS: 4/... MIN/MAX
PRICE: FROM 2.350€ / See prices
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO
Catalonia possesses an extraordinary landscape and patrimonial richness, but it is undoubtedly one of the main
gastronomic destinations in the world. Catalan gastronomy dates from classic roman age. A complex, assorted
and rich cuisine, plenty of mediterranean influences and based on all kind of products (seafood, vegetables, and
all kind of meat). It is adapted to every season and all sort of traditions, as well. We cannot talk about gastronomy
without including wine. Catalonia is the number one producer of high quality wine in Spain and one of the most
important wine producing areas in Europe, holding a great history. Ancient Greek and Roman introduced the wine
-making process and, by middle-age, catalan monasteries conitnued with this practice. Nowadays, Catalonia has
eleven protected denominations of origin, spreaded throughout all our territor, with a great variety of white, rosé
and red wines.
In UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL we believe that cyclo tourism is not at odds with the pleasure of a good meal and that’s
why we have created gastronomic rotes for everyone who wants to experience a new culinary experience. It is
still a cyclotourist route where we discover villages, valleys a beautiful spots of Catalonia, but we are going to
dedicate more time to discover gastronomic culture and traditions, enjoying typical products and dishes available
across this territory.
In this COSTA BRAVA GASTRO tour, we ride through the beautiful “Costa Brava” (meaning Brave Coast), enjoying
charming crystal water coves, steep cliffs and picturesque fishing villages. We are going to discover the most
rural and unknown part of the “Empordà” region. A tile of vineyards, cereal, fruit, all kind of vegetables and even
rice fields, sorrounded by an endless number of medieval villages, romanesque churches and old castles, that
will set us out on a time travel in this historical land inhabited in past centuries by iberian, greek, roman and
modern pirates. The city of Girona is to be discovered as well. A place with the charm of big cities but with no
crowds. Located in a privileged site between the sea and the mountains it offers us a great display of unique and
spectacular monuments, testimony of its millenary history. We will lodge in old stone country houses and in little
charming hotels, selected upon their quality, exclusivity and personalized care. And, of course, we are going to
taste “l’Empordà”, starting with “la gamba de Palamós” (Palamós prawns), Pals rice or the famous “anxoves de
l’Escala” (salted anchovies). Sea products are responsible for the name of several Costa Brava’s villages. And
Catalonia, being a seafaring tradition country, has always tried to make the most out of Mediterranean sea
resources.
We are waiting for you!
Utopic Bike Travel www.utopicbiketravel.com info@utopicbiketravel.com
2. ITINERARY/
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO / DAY 1 - 2
DAY 1: GIRONA
Individual arrival at hotel.
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL presentation.
Bicycles set up.
Possibility of pickup at the Train Station or at the Girona Airport.
Please consult "Arrivals & Departures" in case of different arrivals or for
additional logistical information.
WELCOME TO CATALONIA!
Once settled in the hotel, our guides will give you information regarding
tour details and will complete the setup of your bike. You have spare time to
visit the Barri Vell (Old Neighborhood), the historical center of the city
where you can find unique constructions in Europe: the roman city walls, el
Call (one of the best conserved jewish quarters in Spain) and the Gothic
Cathedral, with the widest central nave in the world. We recommend too a
visit to the river Onyar colored houses that, together with the numerous
bridges and the Cathedral in the background, define the most emblematic
image of Girona.
At night we will have dinner in one of many traditional restaurants
available.
Lodging in a central 4* hotel.
DAY 2: GIRONA - ST. FELIU DE GUÍXOLS - 42 km / Elevation 190m
After breakfast, we start our adventure riding through what used to be the
old route of El Feliuet, the narrow-gauge railway line from Girona to St.
Feliu de Guíxols, set up nowadays for cycling and walking. We will discover
two regions today, el Gironès and el Baix Empordà.
This route has smooth curves and slope. Leaving Girona behind we find a
tile of fields alternate with forest terrains. After Cassà de la Selva our
itinerary runs through farming fields, little forests, streams and country
houses until we arrive to Llagostera, the midpoint of our journey. In the
charming park besides the old Station we will rest and enjoy a picnic
prepared by our guides.
Trip continues along the valley of the river Riudaura to arrive finally to Sant
Feliu de Guíxols, by the sea, which is our final destination today.
We will visit the village and then we will head to our hotel, a former XVIII
century "Masia Catalana" (country house) completely reformed in a purely
natural and mediterranean environment.
At night we will taste a unique way of cooking Ganxó fish (sardine, anchovy,
mackerel, horse mackerel, seabass, tuna or sea bream among others) in a
Sant Feliu de Guixols restaurant.
Lodging in rural 4* hotel.
AN INTENSE ROUTE
One of the most attractive regions in
Europe
Beautiful crystal water coves in Costa
Brava
Picturesque fishing villages
Rural roads surrounded by farming
fields and gardens
Genuine medieval villages in Baix
Empordà
Exquisite catalan cuisine. A unique
experience.
Catalan hospitality
3. ITINERARY /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO / DAY 3 - 4
DAY 3: SANT FELIU DE GUÍXOLS – CALELLA - 32 Km / Elev. 230m
Today's stage runs through the warm and shiny Costa Brava, plenty of
charming crystal water coves and picturesque fishing villages.
Undoubtedly, 100% Mediterranean flavour...
We start our journey following a road that follows the sea line until we
arrive to the fishing village of Palamós with its harbor plenty of fishing
boats that bring all kind of fresh seafood and fish everyday. Palamós fish
market is one of the most important in Costa Brava and supplies
restaurants and stores with the best products.
After visiting the harbor and the seafront promenade we will have lunch in
one of the best Palamós restaurants to enjoy "El menú de la
gamba" (prawn's menu). After this culinary experience we keep our journey
visiting the la Fosca beach and the beautyful Platja de Castell beach, with
an ancient iberian village on its top. We keep the pedalling through a "green
way" that connects Palamós and Palafrugell and is known as La Ruta del
Tren Petit (little train's route), a 6 kms section that will allow us to explore
the rural and farming landscape of the zone.In Palafrugell we keep our
route until we arrive to the charming and picturesque village of Calella de
Palafrugell, with its white façades that remind us of a fishing past. Here is
our hotel.
Dinner and lodging at a 3* hotel.
DAY 4: CALELLA– PALS - 30 Km / Elevation 270m
Time to leave Costa Brava behind and head inland into the Baix Empordà
region. We ride through rural roads in the middle of a farming landscape,
splattered with medieval villages. Time seems to have stopped here.
In the village of Pals we will be able to admire the medieval area, one of the
best conserved and most visited of the Girona province, and a magnifiscent
panoramic view of all Empordà, with Medes islands, from its overlook. After
a walk through its cobblestone streets we will enjoy a typical rice dish,
arròs a la cassola, in one of its restaurants.
Pals is well known for its rice, which has always been highly regarded
thanks to the praiseworthy work of local farmers and a combination of
environmental factors, like sun and water.
Back to our bikes, we will ride through the rice fields and marshes of Pals.
Todays lodging is a completely reconditioned fortified XVI century country
house.
For dinner, if weather permits it, we will enjoy a barbecue by the pool with
grilled meat, typical catalan cold meats and pa amb tomàquet (tomato's
spread bread), all accompanied with cava, catalan sparkling wine.
Lodging in rural hotel.
MOST IMPORTANT INCLUDED VISITS
TEATRO-MUSEO DALÍ
Biggest surrealist object in the world
ARCHAELOGICAL SITE OF EMPÚRIES
The only one in Iberian Peninsula
where greek and roman remains can
be found together.
TRADITIONAL FAMILY WINERY
Visit and taste of wines in a reference
Winery D.O. Empordà
ANCHOVIES FACTORY
A family business that is dedicated to
anchovies salting in its most
traditional way
4. ITINERARY /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO / DAY 5 - 6
DAY 5: PALS - 44 Km / Elevation 130m
Circular route calmly pedalling through Baix Empordà's plains and crossing
numerous medieval villages like Palau-Sator, Peratallada, Ullastret,
Monells. We visit too La Bisbal d'Empordà, region's capital and well known
for its ceramics and pottery tradition, with multitude of stores and
craftsman workshops dedicated to this activity, as is reflected in the old
town zone.
Lunch will consist of a picinic prepared by our guides with typical products.
In the afternoon we will visit one of the winaries distinguished by Robert
parker. A former XVIII century country house where award-winning wines,
which have become synonym of high quality, are produced. We'll go for a
walk through its vineyards, visit the cellar and enjoy the taste of one of its
+90 points wines.
Back to the hotel, spare time to relax in the library, the living room, the pool
or with a massage (this service is not included in the tour price and must be
reserved previously).
Before dinner, our guides will explain the next two days of the tour.
Dinner and lodging in the same rural hotel.
DAY 6: PALS – L’ESCALA - 60 Km / Elevation 340m
After breakfast we continue our trip riding through a very beutiful farming
landscape. Cereal, fruit trees and all kind of vegetables as we keep
crossing little stone villages.
Today's route main point is the Montgrí massif, crowned by a XII and XIII
century castle from which all Empordà plain can be admired.
The route continues and we meet Mediterranean sea again. This time the
fishing village of L'Escala, where we end today's stage, centres our
attention. Our hotel is located in an extremely beautiful and historical
place.
Once settled in we will visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Empúries,
located just besides our hotel. It is the only archaelogical site in iberian
Peninsula where greek and roman archaelogical remains can be found
together. We can actually see very clearly how the city was arranged, and
admire its homes, temples, streets, markets and stores.
Dinner at the hotel.
Visit the most beautiful fishing
harbors of Costa Brava
We’ll witness the arrival of the fishing
boats to one of the most important
ones
And we will have the chance to see a
live fishing auction
5. ITINERARY /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO / DAY 7 - 8
DAY 7: L’ESCALA
This is one of the places where a stop is well deserved. The hotel, placed in
front of the sea, rests in a millenary spot which is considered one of the
best of Costa Brava.
After breakfast we will visit Salvador Dali's Museum in Figueres. The
biggest surrealistic object of the world.
Coming back to L'Escala, free lunch to get the chance to explore the area by
yourself. Our guides will be delighted to suggest some of our favourite
restaurants.
L´Escala has got a long heritage in the salted anchovies industry. This
process remains today and it has worldwide reputation, thanks to the use of
completely natural products and its traditional elaboration.
In the evening we will visit a salted anchovies factory and we will be able to
watch this traditional preservation process. Later we will visit some of the
most beautiful spots of L'Escala and will have dinner in one of the best
mediterranean and seafood cuisine restaurants of the village.
Lodging in the same hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, farewell and end of our services.
NOTE:Possibility of extra days in Costa Brava, Girona or Barcelona. Consult
us.
ONE ROUTE, SEVERAL OPTIONS
Routes designed to enjoy them at
your own rate.
Take your time to take a good picture
or to have a tasty coffee.
The most important places and visits
have been taken into account.
Mileage has been calculated
thoroughly as well to keep you feet
till the end of the day.
Additional mileage offered for our
most exigent clients.
6. WHAT’S INCLUDED? /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO
PRICES 2014
Minimum Group : 4 people*
Tours available from: March 1st to October 30st
Price per person (double occupancy) ……...……………............ 2.350 €
Supplements:
Single Occupancy supplement .............................................. 350 €
*Minimum group supplement (per person):
2 people group ……………………..……....…..………………...... 600 €
3 people group ………………………………..….…………..…..…. 300 €
Other options
Bike rental …………..…………….......…….…………………………..... 140 €
Transfers to Barcelona /hotel /Barcelona Airport .............. 50 €
Extra night in Girona, Barcelona, Costa Brava ……………...... Consult us
Optional Travel Insurance (2.500€ cancellation costs) 75 €
INCLUDED
Arrivals & Departures
Transfers to and from Girona Train Station or Girona Airport to Hotel
Lodging & meals
7 nights at selected 3* and 4* hotels and charming rural houses.
Breakfast every day, lunches or picnics, snacks and drinks throughout all
the route. 6 dinners with wine included.
Support
Minimum of one guide + one support vehicle. (depending on group size)
Road book with maps and tour documentation in spanish, english or
german.
24h personalized care.
Clothes clean and ready every day.
Luggage transportation during the tour.
Client transportation in our support vehicle if necessary.
Insurances and tips
Travel and cancellation Insurance (consult policy) . All tips in restaurants
and hotels.
NOT INCLUDED
Plane ticket, air taxes and airport taxes.
Bike rental.
Optional travel or cancellation insurance.
Guide tips
Personal items purchased during the tour.
Optional activities not programmed by Utopic Bike Travel
Any aspect not specified in the above section.
MAIN REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL:
We design our own trips
*
Our team is formed by a group of
young nature and cycling lovers who
have decided that their passion would
become their way of life
*
Our guides have spent their lifes on
their bikes and have covered
thousands of miles on each zone
*
We want to share our experiences
with our clients
*
For us, every client is unique, every
need is different and every trip is
unrepeatable!
7. LODGING & MEALS/
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO
LODGING
In UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL we have made a selection of what we think are
special lodgings, regardless of their price or category. They are usually
located in unique surroundings and placed at historical or ancient buildings
with a great architectural value.
Charming and inviting places which are family-runned and join quality,
peacefulness and personalized care.
In this route COSTA BRAVA GASTRO we will stay in little 3* and 4* hotels
(spanish qualification) and in rural houses. Given their characteristics, we
cannot allocate accomodation until we receive confirmation of availability
by the hotel.
MEALS & GASTRONOMY
To taste Catalonia can become a great experience! It possesses an
extraordinary lanscape and patrimonial richness, but it is undoubtedly one
of the main gastronomic destinations in the world. Catalan gastronomy
dates from classic roman age. A complex, assorted and rich cuisine, plenty
of mediterranean influences and based on all kind of products (seafood,
vegetables, and all kind of meat). It is adapted to every season and all sort
of traditions, as well. We cannot talk about gastronomy without including
wine. Catalonia is the number one producer of high quality wine in Spain
and one of the most important wine producing areas in Europe, holding a
great history. Ancient Greek and Roman introduced the wine-making
process and, by middle-age, catalan monasteries conitnued with this
practice. Nowadays, Catalonia has eleven protected denominations of
origin, spreaded throughout all our territor, with a great variety of white,
rosé and red wines.
In this trip we will taste this country’s traditional dishes and we will
discover the authentic Emporda’s cuisine, which masterfully combines fish
and seafood, local fruits and vegetables and meat and cheeses from this
zone. Every morning abundant breakfasts containing dairy products,
cereals, bread, fruit and natural juices are waiting for us. Besides, in most
of our selected lodgings we will find typical cold meats (all sort of sausages
and ham), home made bakery and jam, and more…
Lunches are adapted depending on the route we are making and, therefore,
can be more varied. A picnic on the top of a hill, some snack in a bar by the
sea, energy bars right after surmounting a mountain pass…
Supper time in UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL is intended to enjoy the authentic local
gastronomy. Every night we will taste the most traditional and popular local
dishes, either at the hotel’s restaurant or at some popular one around the
place.
And of course, a good meal must be accompanied by a good wine. A good
DO (denomination of origin) or a good house wine will surely complete the
event.
In some of our trips we give the opportunity to our guests to explore by
themselves and do it their way to discover places or restaurants the might
find interesting. These meals are not included in the price of the tour.
Nevertheless, our guides will be delighted to suggest you any of our
favourite restaurants if you want.
GENUINE CATALAN GASTRONOMY
“Cuisine is landscape put into a
cooking pot” Josep Pla
TYPICAL PRDUCTS
Like sweet catalan sausage, “requit
de drap” (local cottage cheese), rice
of Pals, prawn of Palamós…
TYPICAL DISHES
Like “escalivada”, “platillos”, grilled
meat, cuttlefish with green peas, all
kind of fish “suquets” and all sort of
rice dishes…
8. ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO
HOW TO GET HERE
Flights. We recommend you toarrive at least one day prior to the start of
our tour. It will allow you to adapt to a different time zone and will minimize
risks of missing the start of the trip because of flight delay. There are two
airports close to Girona:
Barcelona Airport – El Prat, is the biggest and most important airport in
Catalonia. 100 km from Girona. It receives flights from companies
operating all over the world..
Girona Airport – Costa Brava, much smaller. Is the closest one. There are a
few companies operating in it, most of them low cost like Ryanair. If you
come from a EU country this is the cheapest and best option.
There are several option to transfer from Barcelona Airport to Girona
(besides taxi).
Bus. There is a direct bus from the airport to Girona three times a day. It
takes 1 hour and 50 minutes from T2 terminal and 1 hour and 35 minutes
from T1 terminal.Further information in www.alsa.es
Train. If your flight’s arrival does not let you take the bus, train is available
too. You must go to Sants Station in Barcelona and then change trains to go
to Girona. Further information in www.renfe.es
Utopic Bike Travel offers an optional transfer service from Barcelona
Airport to Girona and vice versa. (consult optional supplements in the price
list).
DEPARTURE
If you want to fly the same day the tour ends, please schedule your flight to
leave after 16:00 PM to avoid delays due to traffic problems.
HOUR & MEETING PLACE
Girona / Catalonia. Our guides will be waiting for you in one of theses
places: Our Girona hotel, Train/Bus station, Girona - Costa Brava airport or
Barcelona - El Prat airport (with supplement)
One week prior to the start of the tour we will arrange our meeting place
and time. You will receive an email with our guides names and their contact
details. If you cannot get on time to the scheduled meeting please contact
our guides and, should they not be availabe either, please inform the hotel
of your expected arrival time. You will find all hotels contact details in the
mail once we have confirmed all reservations.
BOOK NOW
If you are ready just fill our
reservation form.
If you think this tour does no adapt to
your needs either because of its
duration, lodging category, or
budget...
BESPOKE TRAVEL
We are specialists designing tailor-made
trips. We can modify any of our
available tours or arrange a
completely new one for you. Tell us
your ideas a we can make it together.
9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION /
COSTA BRAVA GASTRO
WEATHER
Catalonia is famous for its warm days and fresh nights. Days are sunny and
hot in summer and mild in spring and autumn. You can expect lower
temperatures in the mountains zone, specially at night. But weather is
definitely privileged in Costa Brava: mild temperatures throughout the
year, with moderate oscillations and mostly sunny. This is the result of
Pyrenees protection in the North and Mediterranean Sea in the East. Cold
weather in winter is regulated by a warm stream, whereas higher summer
temperatures are alleviated by the fresh breeze coming from the sea.
Hottest months are July and August, november is the rainiest and January
and February are the coldest ones.
BIKE RENTAL
Check the specs of our bikes.
ACTIVITY LEVELS
We have tours for eveyone. You can find the one that suits you best.
FAQS
In our “FAQ” section you will find answers to all your questions.
INSURANCES
Every Utopic Bike Travel tour includes its Travel Insurance. Consult our
policy.
CONTRACT GENERAL CONDITIONS
Consult our contract general conditions.
IMPORTANT
This document is a generic travel offer that must be considered as
provisional since it is published beforehand the actual tour. The final travel
contract (handed once the payment of the tour is done) contains all the
services contracted definitely.
In Utopic Bike Travel we try our best to offer the perfect trip to all of ous
clients. This is why our guides reserve the right to modify the itinerary of
our routes either by weather or logistic causes.
ROADBOOK, MAPS AND BROCHURES
You don’t have to worry about
anything in our guided tours, but we
will hand you a roadbook containing
detailed information (maps, profiles
and suggestions to know what to
expect ahead of us).
SUPPORT VEHICLE
At your disposal throughout the day.
Food, drinks, clean clothes, bike
spare parts or simply to keep any of
the shopping you made during the day
or to take you back to the hotel ahead
of schedule.