Luxury Spanish Pyrenees to Costa Brava Bike (Barcelona, Glorious Peaks & Mediterranean Beaches) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 19 km (12 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)
Level 2, Approx 29 km (18 miles), Elevation gain: 488 m (1,600 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 10:30 a.m. in the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel lobby, located at Moll de Barcelona, Ciutat Vella District, in Barcelona, Spain.

Please, ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and come with your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations). If you plan to change your gear following our shuttle, please note that a proper changing area is often unavailable.

Benvingut! With Catalonia's unique culture, laws, traditions, and dishes, it stands distinct from Spain. There is a lot to this unique semi-autonomous region, and we're off to explore it. After our meeting in Barcelona, we head northwest toward the soaring Pyrenees.

As we climb into the higher elevations of the pre-Pyrenees, you'll witness the landscape evolve from Mediterranean to alpine. We navigate the Cadì tunnel, a gateway to the mountainous ski region of Cerdanya, en route to the Cadì-Moixeró Nature Reserve, one of Catalonia's largest parks, with striking limestone cliffs, abundant pine trees, and lush meadows. We experience why nature lovers flock here for mountain biking, hiking, bird-watching, and canyoneering.

On arrival at the Bor village, we relax and enjoy a light lunch before your trip leaders fit your bike and educate you briefly on biking techniques and safety. Take off on two wheels and discover your rhythm as you navigate the countryside, past mountain villages, herds of cows and sheep, and farmers plying their trade. If you're up for more miles, tackle the climb to Sanjena. Don't be surprised if you're out of breath; you're getting into higher elevations.

After cycling for the day, settle in at Torre del Remei, a distinct concept of modern design amid nature and a Relais & Châteaux-member hotel. Unwind by the pool or simply bask in the serene views from the garden’s lounge. It will be our home for the next two nights. Later, at the hotel, we gather for a welcome reception before sitting down to dinner featuring natural cuisines that combine traditional Catalan recipes and a personal touch.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx 43 km (27 miles), Elevation gain: 792 m (2,600 ft)
Level 3, Approx 56 km (35 miles), Elevation gain: 792 m (2,600 ft)
Level 4, Approx 80 km (50 miles), Elevation gain: 1,341 m (4,400 ft)

Today's route will surely get your blood pumping as you climb the Cerdanya Plateau into the French Pyrenees, a famous destination for cycling professionals as they train for the Tour de France. You may not have racing plans of your own, but you are sure to develop a new appreciation for their impressive stamina as you pedal the same daunting terrain.

Begin from Llìvia, a captivating Spanish enclave surrounded by French territory on all sides. Its unique location resulted from the Treaty of the Pyrenees, signed in 1659 to end the Thirty Years' War between France and Spain. With this, the land covering Llìvia was relinquished to the French crown, but a loophole left the town itself to Spain.

We visit a historic farm in Saints Lèocadie and enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a property tour. Get on your bike, cross into Spain, and head to the hotel. Use the afternoon to explore the sprawling and impressively maintained grounds of the hotel or dip in the pool. Tonight, we shuttle to a neighbouring village for a meal of rustic Pyrenees cuisine.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 23 km (14 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 2, Approx 39 km (24 miles), Elevation gain: 518 m (1,700 ft)
Level 3, Approx 51 km (32 miles), Elevation gain: 1,067 m (3,500 ft)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast because you'll need all the energy you can gather to tackle this morning's climb to Coll de la Creueta, which at nearly 6,200 feet, is one of the highest paved roads in the Pyrenees. The climb begins almost immediately after you leave Puigcerdà, but the grade is pleasant and the scenery unreal. As you navigate the hillside, the Cerdanya Valley slowly fades behind you, and the La Molina Ski Resort is revealed. Focusing your view on the summit, keep on pedalling, and of course, make stops to take photos! At the top, add a layer and prepare for an amazingly long, 4,000-foot descent on a smooth winding road. As you go through the curves, witness the sun-drenched valley open up and soak in sublime views of the Pedraforca peaks. It's no wonder this area is a cycling mecca.

Carry on to our lunch spot in Gombren, a tiny hamlet in the foothills and home of the mythical diabolical Count Arnau, infamous in Catalan folklore. From here, we shuttle to Figueres, the birthplace and resting place of surrealist Salvador Dali. The main attraction of the Figueres is the outstanding Dali Theatre Museum, which houses countless pieces of Dali's mind-bending work. The building itself is a work of art and is considered the largest surrealistic object in the world. Following that, our next stop is the museum's gift shop. Take some time to peruse the shop before touring the town.

Our home for the night is the Mas Falgarona Hotel & Spa, famed for its spectacular scenery and fantastic location. This accommodation used to be a 15th-century farmhouse in the Alt Emporda, the rural northern section of Costa Brava. Relax and unwind by the pool or treat yourself to the spa (at own expense) or head back into town for some more exploring.

Later in the day, at the hotel, we gather for a tasting of Catalan wines, followed by a sumptuous Mediterranean-influenced dinner prepared using quality local products.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx 43 km (27 miles), Elevation gain: 488 m (1,600 ft)
Level 3, Approx 53 km (33 miles), Elevation gain: 579 m (1,900 ft)
Level 4, Approx 72 km (45 miles), Elevation gain: 762 m (2,500 ft)
Level 4, Approx 84 km (52 miles), Elevation gain: 1,128 m (3,700 ft)

Prepare for a ride to the Baix Empordà, a region famed for its coves. Set out on a gently rolling landscape through the countryside, navigating small villages featuring baroque-style churches, town squares, and ancient fortresses.

You may want to take a break in Puból to stretch your legs at the Gala Dalí Castle, proof of the artist's love for Gala, his wife, and his muse. (Note that entry is not included in the trip price.) Salvador Dalí dedicated countless hours to restoring the unkempt mediaeval palace while decorating the rooms with his unique creativity.

The castle would be his last workshop and a burial place for Gala. Head to Monells, a picture-perfect mediaeval village, where we stop for lunch.

Our afternoon route brings us closer to some of Baix Emporda's most charming villages including Cruilles, Vulpellac, and La Bisbal, Catalonia's pottery-making capital. Keep cycling to Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa, a former masia (country house) renovated into a luxury hotel by the Figueras family. Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa is an 18th-century Catalan farmhouse converted into an exclusive five-star boutique hotel as part of Relais Chateaux, set in an environment of elegance, calm, and exclusivity. Unwind in your quaint ensuite rooms boasting countryside views or laze by one of its cosy lounge areas.

The restaurant, run by prestigious chef Ramón Freixa, offers a brave rendition of traditional Catalan cuisine, in which produce, land, roots, and a modern touch are all combined artfully. It also features a broad selection of wine.

Afterward, we shuttle to Pals, a mediaeval walled city with a grand clock tower built between the 11th and 13th centuries. As you tour the town (and perhaps do some shopping), look for restaurants that strike your fancy—dinner tonight is at your own expense.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 34 km (22 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)
Level 3, Approx 53 km (33 miles), Elevation gain: 427 m (1,400 ft)
Level 4, Approx 72 km (45 miles), Elevation gain: 610 m (2,000 ft)
Level 4, Approx 77 km (48 miles), Elevation gain: 732 m (2,400 ft)

Today, you'll behold infinite coves and bays that make this part of the Baix Emporda so charming. Start with a scenic rural route with an excellent hike to a pass in Les Gavarres, a mountainous nature reserve that forms part of the Catalan Coastal Range. A bike path takes you to the harbour town of Palamos, where you may want to stop for coffee. Keep pedalling along the coast and past forested hillsides adorned with elegant homes. In the scenic fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, we stop at a favourite local restaurant to savour fresh sumptuous Catalan specialties while enjoying coastal breezes. Then take a siesta on the beach's white sand or cool in the crystal clear Mediterranean waters.

Hop on your bike and relish an easygoing ride back to the hotel to lounge by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment. If you still have some fight left in you, test your legs with the climb to the hilltop town of Begur.

We gather at the hotel tonight to toast a spectacular week in Spain before sitting down to a mouthwatering farewell dinner.

Level 1, Approx 24 km (15 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)

Before our exciting journey in this charming region ends, we set out on one last peaceful ride along rural roads through the tiny hamlets of Ulastret and Palau Sator. After that, we head back to the hotel to freshen up before it's time to say goodbye. Bid farewell to your tour leaders, friends, and acquaintances before boarding the shuttle back to Barcelona.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.