THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD

A very interesting route that follows partly the green way, former narrrow-gauge railway line that connected
Girona and Sant Feliu de Guxols.

We will ride through the beautiful Costa Brava (meaning Brave Coast) admiring its crystal water coves, steep
cliffs and picturesque fishing villages.

We are going to discover the most rural and unknown part of the Empord 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. Moreover, Girona has become headquarters and training place of
some professional cycling teams, like Garmin-Sharp. The whole province provides us, throughout all year, with
the best conditions for the practice of cycling. Good roads and communications, nice weather, excellent
gastronomy and great tourist infrastructure.

For 6 wonderful days, we will peacefully ride through rural and secondary roads, with excellent and even tarmac,
that will help us to enjoy pretty effortlessly the beautiful and mediterranean landscape surrounding us.

We will lodge in small and charming hotels. Selected upon their quality, exclusivity and personalized care. We
will also enjoy the catalan gastronomy, starting our day with a typical breakfast like the world famous "pa amb
tomquet" (a slice of bread with tomato rubbed over it and seasoned with salt and olive oil) and
"embutit" (different kinds of cold meats and cold cuts), ending our journey with a good mediterranean or typical
"Empord" dishes, accompanied of course by a good "Empord" DO (Denomination of Origin) wine.

We are waiting for you!!!


Utopic Bike Travel www.utopicbiketravel.com info@utopicbiketravel.com
DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
TYPE: TOURING / HYBRID BIKE
START&FINISH: GIRONA/GIRONA (SPAIN)
DATES: MARCH TO OCTOBER
LODGING: 3*, 4* HOTELS AND RURAL
ROUTE LEVEL: 1
KM.PER DAY: 3060 KM
TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUP & PRIVATE
GROUPS: 4/... MIN/MAX
PRICE: FROM 2.400 / See prices

THE MOST AUTHENTIC
EMPORD
COSTA BRAVA BIKING 2014
ITINERARY/
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD / DAY 1

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 GUXOLS - 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 Guxols, set up nowadays for cycling and walking. We will discover
two regions today, el Girons and el Baix Empord.
This route has smooth curves and slope. Leaving Girona behind we find a
tile of fields alternate with forest terrains. After Cass 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 Guxols, 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, dinner in one of the hotel's small halls to taste a wide variety of
dishes inspired in the traditional catalan cuisine.
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
Empord

Exquisite catalan cuisine. A unique
experience.

Catalan hospitality
ITINERARY /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD / DAY 3-4

DAY 3: SANT FELIU DE GUXOLS 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 Palams with its harbor plenty of fishing
boats that bring all kind of fresh seafood and fish everyday. Palams fish
market is one of the most important in Costa Brava and supplies
restaurants and stores with the best products. After a visit to the harbor
and the seafront promenade we will have some fish and seafood appetizers
("tapas").
Back to our bicycles. We keep the pedalling through a "green way" that
connects Palams 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 as we cross the Aubi plain (with a great
agricultural value), surrounded by the massif of Les Gavarres and the
mountains of Begur. In Palafrugell we keep our route until we arrive to the
charming and picturesque village of Calella de Palafrugell, with its white
faades 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 Empord
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 Empord, with Medes islands, from its overlook. After
a walk through its cobblestone streets we will enjoy a typical rice dish,
arrs 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 tomquet (tomato's
spread bread), all accompanied with cava, catalan sparkling wine.
Lodging in rural hotel.




MOST IMPORTANT INCLUDED VISITS


TEATRO-MUSEO DAL
Biggest surrealist object in the world


ARCHAELOGICAL SITE OF EMPRIES
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. Empord


ITINERARY /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD / DAY 5-8

DAY 5: PALS - 44 km / Elevation: 130m

Circular route calmly pedalling through Baix Empord's plains and crossing
numerous medieval villages like Palau-Sator, Peratallada, Ullastret,
Monells. We visit too La Bisbal d'Empord, 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). Dinner and lodging in the same rural hotel.
DAY 6: PALS LESCALA - 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 Montgr massif, crowned by a XII and XIII
century castle from which all Empord plain can be admired.
After a nice ride, we enter Alt Empord again, where our hotel, located in
an extremely beautiful and historical place, is waiting for us. Dinner at the
hotel.
DAY 7: LESCALA

Free day. 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. If you want more activity we invite you to make a
further exploration of the zone, either riding, sailing or flying. Exploring
Costa Brava is exceptionally attractive regardless of the way you use.
Should you prefer a more relaxed experience, the pine sorrunded spa and
Portitxol beach, in front of the hotel could well be your option.
In the afternoon we will visit Salvador Dali's Museum in Figueres. The
biggest surrealistic object of the world. At night, farewell dinner at l'Escala
in one of its best mediterranean and seafood restaurants. 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.
WHATS INCLUDED? /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD

PRICES 2014

Minimum Group : 4 people*
Tours available from: March 1st to October 31st

Price per person (double occupancy) ......... 2.400

Supplements:
Single Occupancy supplement .............................................. 350
*Minimum group supplement (per person):
2 people group ............... 600
3 people group ...... 300

Other options
Bike rental Bianchi Camaleonte.......... 80
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, 5 lunches or picnics, snacks and drinks throughout all
the route, all dinners and local wines included in every meal.

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
Travel and cancellation Insurance (consult policy)

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!
LODGING & MEALS /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD

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 THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD 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,
ros and red wines.

In this trip we will taste this countrys traditional dishes and we will
discover the authentic Empordas 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 hotels 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 Palams



TYPICAL DISHES
Like escalivada, platillos, grilled
meat, cuttlefish with green peas, all
kind of fish suquets and all sort of
rice dishes
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD

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 flights 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 taylor-
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION /
THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORD

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 dont 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.