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Catalan Coast & Villages
The peaceful, northern bays of the Costa Brava are small arcs of inviting sand enclosed by rocky outcrops and wooded hills; inland, quiet, undulating lanes lead past tiny vineyards, cornfields and olive groves to medieval villages and bustling market towns. This is perfect cycling country, with plenty of time to pause for a dip in the sea, to visit a Romanesque church, or to linger over a seafood lunch. The warm, sunny climate ensures a long season, and much of life here is lived outdoors. Cycling chiefly on quiet back roads, with sections on farm tracks, this journey takes you to the wooded foothills of the sierras, the medieval villages of the coastal plain, and sandy bays. Nights: 6 Starting point: Hotel El Racó (country hotel), Madremanya. Enjoy dinner with other guests in the cosy table d’hôte dining room of this friendly hotel, a converted 18th-century farmhouse with a pool. Day 1: Enjoy a lazy day by the pool or explore the undulating countryside north of Madremanya, stopping to visit the fascinating Dalí museum in Púbol (pay locally; closed Mondays). Other picturesque villages along the route include Pera, with a pretty church, and Sant Llorenc, around where there are some lovely picnic spots. You can opt for a shortcut on the return leg if you prefer a slightly easier day. (up to 27km)
Accommodation: Hotel El Raco, as above. Day 2: The initial stretch of today’s cycle is a pleasant, downhill ride through wonderful scenery heading for flatter tracks and quiet roads, with views of the rugged Gavarres hills to the south and to the Pyrenees to the north in clear weather. You pass through the honey-coloured villages of Monells and San Sadurni on your way to Peratallada. (20km)
Accommodation: Hostal Miralluna (country house), Peratallada. Owner Nuria Martinez has taken great care when converting this attractive 17th-century country house - the bedrooms are furnished with many antiques and decorated with exquisite attention to detail, with many personal touches. The walled garden (complete with a splash pool) is very Provençal in style, with masses of herbs and lavender; the superb, individually-prepared breakfasts are served out here for most of the season. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis – though small, Peratallada boasts several top-class restaurants, from which you can take your pick using our recommendations as a guide.
Day 3: Our suggested circular ride for your day at Peratallada leads through the open farmland and fields of sunflowers to the north of the village, passing through the beautiful walled medieval village of Ullastret, where you can detour to visit the remains of an Iberian (pre-Roman) settlement. For a slightly longer day, you can also take in the village of Ultramort. Both routes include pleasant sections alongside the River Daró. (22km or 31km) Accommodation: Hostal Miralluna, as above.
Day 4: Cycle south across the inland plain via hill-top Pals, where you can spend some time exploring the ancient ramparts and the cobbled streets of houses built from the peach-coloured local stone. Seek out, too, the various Romanesque monuments and the viewpoint overlooking the Mediterranean, the Medes Islands and the Montgri Mountains. There are various good restaurants, making this a good point to stop for lunch. The terrain is mostly flat, and you eventually cruise into the quiet and delightful bay of Llafranc. (25km) Accommodation: Hotel Terramar (3*), Llafranc. This comfortable hotel enjoys an excellent location right on the seafront promenade, and both the bedrooms (which all have a balcony) and the restaurant face the sea.
Day 5: You could simply spend the day on the beach, but we recommend a pleasant circular route south of Llafranc to Palamos. The outward leg is along a coastal track which offers lovely views of the coast. You pass the beautiful botanical gardens at Cap Roig, well worth a visit, as well as many coves and beaches where you could relax by the sea. You return by an inland route. (up to 26km) Accommodation: Hotel Terramar, as above. Recommendations for extra nights: Llafranc or Peratallada. Alternatively you can combine this with our Heart of Catalonia cycle (the 8-night version featuring the Molí del Mig in Torroella) to make a lovely 14-night holiday, with leisurely routes, fantastic scenery and distinctive hotels. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: Heart of Catalonia (grade 1-2), A Meander along the Ebro (grade 1-2), Southern Beaches to Central Plain (grade 1-2) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Barcelona & Girona Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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