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Girona countryside group

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Spain is a divers country and has many beautiful regions for a perfect cycle trip. Girona is one of the four provinces in the region Catalonia, which is situated in the north east of the country at the Mediterranean Sea. The region has a climate with mild winters and warm summers. The varied landscape includes mountains, rough cliffs at the coast, endless fields and river deltas. Catalonia is internationally known for its beautiful countryside and excellent food. On this trip we will cycle through charming villages with spacious market squares, along medieval castles and we will pass by Roman and gothic churches, vinyards and olive trees. You will enjoy the stunning views.
Girona is the capital of the Girona province. The rivers Ten and Onyar flow through this university town. Starting point of this trip is a hotel in the old part of town. Worth seeing are the gothic cathedral, the old city walls, the Arabic baths and the Jewish quarter, all in walking distance from the hotel. The first cycling day we climb to Els Angels (484m) - a picknick lunch on top will be the reward. After lunch we descent to La Bisbal d'Empordà for our overnight stay. More rural scenery the next day when we pass vinyards and olive trees, while cycling on quiet roads. This stage, with some short climbs, will take us to (or near) the medieval village Sant Marti Empúries. Enjoy the lively placa major at night. The next day you can choose between a day of rest at the beach or a cycletrip to Figueres, famous for the museum of surrealistic painter Salvador Dalí. We continue along the coast in southern direction. The longer route takes you also to the mountains of Les Gavarres and the Sant Grau pass (600m). This pass is considered to be one of the most difficult climbs in this area. At the end of the week we'll return to Girona.
We stay overnight in good 2* and 3* accommodation. You can bring your own bike or rent one. We have Cannondale hybrid and roadbikes available. The bikes are brand new in 2010.
The climate and the landscape make Girona a perfect holiday destination both in (early) springtime as in autumn. This trip is a(n international) group tour with a multilingual tourguide.

Trip information

Lenght: 8-days journey (7 nights).
Itinerary: round trip with stages of 25 - 70 km. Every day you can choose between the short (partly unpaved) route or the longer route (100% on asphalt). See itinerary for more details.
Lodging: double or twin bedroom.
Bike: road bike or hybrid with triple chainset. Bring your own bike or rent a Cannondale (2010). For the right size rental bike mention your height at the register form.
Trip difficulty: 2* - for the cyclist in good condition.

Dates and prices

Best time: march-june and september-november.
Departure date: Group journeys 2011:
  • sun 22 may.
    		•
    Price: 950 euro per person.
    Included:
    • 7 nights in double/twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom,
    • breakfast, from day 2 until day 8,
    • 5x picknick lunch (on cycling days),
    • 2x dinner (welcome dinner on day 1 and 1x paëlla by the sea),
    • visit Catalan winery,
    • visit olive oil farm (incl. free bottle olive oil),
    • visit fishing village of Palamós,
    • routediscriptions,
    • map -copy-,
    • luggage transport,
    • multilingual tourguide,
    • safe garage for your bicycle,
    • welcome meeting,
    • bike fitting (if applicable),
    • tourist tax.
    Not included:
    • transport to/from Girona, see 'getting there' for more details,
    • bike rental (7 days): roadbike 105 euro / hybrid 70 euro,
    • not mentioned lunches and dinners - this gives you the opportunity to make your own choice from the local cuisine,
    • entrance fee Dalí museum in Figueras,
    • visit Roman ruins of Empúries,
    • trip insurance.
    Participants: minimal 8 cyclists.
    july 2010