Difficulty Rating : 4 Start: Girona Finish: Figueres Terrain: Gentle climbing Daily Average: 37km Weekly Average: 220km Tour Type: Self Guided Teaser: The Catalan region of Emporda originally produced Cava only but is now known for producing a long list of high quality red and white wines
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The Catalan region of Emporda originally produced Cava only but is now known for producing a long list of high quality red and white wines. This cycling holiday provides something for all of your senses.

Starting off in Girona, as you cycle through this medieval city take in the magical sights of cathedrals, gothic architecture and the ancient city walls. The route then follows the old railway line greenway of "El Carrilet" down towards the coastline, where you stay overnight. Cycling along the coast you will see lots of different sights - from fishing villages to Roman ruins to rice fields, leading you up to the vineyard region with the Pyrenees as your backdrop. You will not only experience the fantastic local cuisine but also enjoy optional wine tasting visits to the most interesing and charming of wine cellars in the region.

One last treat in store for your final day, is a visit to the world famous Theatre-Museum Dali - the most visited site in Spain.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Girona

There is plenty to see and do in this magic historical city. Spend the day visiting the Cathedral, which has the broadest single nave of Gothic architecture in the world and getting lost through the narrow streets of the ancient Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in the world. We also recommend a stroll along the Rambla or walk the medieval walls, which gives you a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Day 2

Girona ~ Sant Feliu de Guixols (45km)

Your cycle heads for the Mediterranean Sea, following the greenway “El Carrilet”. The route passes the coloured houses of the Onyar River, one of most photographed images of Girona, as well as towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Santa Cristina d'Aro and Llagostera. The Gavarres Massif provide a backdrop, a mountainous forested area, consisting mainly of oaks, important for the cork production.

Day 3

Sant Feliu de Guixols ~ Calella de Palafrugell (30 or 47 km)

You cycle along the coast to the main port town Palamós. You'll pass the unspoilt cove, Platja de Castell, with its Iberian settlement, before arriving in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the pearls of Costa Brava. On the last section, you’ll cycle along the greenway called “Ruta del Tren Petit”, connecting Palamós to your destination, the seaside town of Palafrugell

Day 4

Calella de Palafrugell ~ Torroella de Montgri (29 km)

Your route follows the coast, visiting places of outstanding interest: Pals, with its beautifully conserved medieval centre, and Torroella de Montgrí. The cycle will take you through natural wetlands with extensive rice fields and long sandy beaches, finishing at the foot of the karstic Montgri Massif, in a Natural Park.

Day 5

Torroella de Montgri ~ Castello d'Empuries (36 km)

You pass the long Bay of Roses with long, sandy, white beaches. Next to the pretty medieval settlement, Sant Martí de Empúries, in front of the superb beach, you should take the time to visit the archaeological complex Empúries, with Greek and Roman ruins dating from 600BC. The route ends at the village of Castello d'Empuries which has a rich architectural heritage; gothic church, Count's palace, old market building and Jewish quarter.

Day 6

Loop ride Castello d'Empuries (37 km)

Todays route offers fantastic views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through 100-year-old vineyards. Today you will have the opportunity to visit the most interesting wineries, that are located in the towns of Pau and Vilajuïga. This day includes a wine tasting and lands product's picnic in Espelt Cellar.

Day 7

Catello d'Empuries ~ Figueres (43 km)

The last cycle heads to Cantallops and takes you on a long downhill cycle to your final destination, the city of Figueres. A rewarding detour takes you to the village of Capmany which can boast the highest number of wineries in the Empordà area. After arriving at Figueres riders enjoy a visit to the world famous Theatre-Museum Dalí, still the most visited tourist site in Spain.

  • 7 nights 2* - 3* en suite accommodation / upgrade to 3*-4* available
  • Breakfast
  • daily luggage transfers
  • Route details and maps
  • 24 hour hotline assistance
  • GPS tracks available 

Bike rental is not included in our 2024 tour price. This is an additional:
€135: Hybrid / Touring Bike
€265: Electric Bike
€230: Gravel Bike

Optional:
Celler visit, picnic & wine tasting €50
Gastronimic dinner 1* Michelin (Day 1 Girona or day 6 Castello) €150
Rental of GPS device with tracks: €65

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2024 Emporda Self Guided Tour 
Low Season (1 - 26 March, 1 - 31 October)
€725 per person sharing  / €240 single room supplement (standard accommodation)
€940 per person sharing  / €390 single room supplement (premium accommodation)

Mid Season (27 March - 20 June, 1 - 30 September)
€840 per person sharing  / €315 single room supplement (standard accommodation)
€1075 per person sharing  / €485 single room supplement (premium accommodation)

High Season (21 June - 31 August)
€950 per person sharing  / €380 single supplement (standard accommodation)
€1350 per person sharing  / €575 single room supplement (premium accommodation)

Standard accommodation: 2* & 3* accommodation
Premium accommodation: 3* & 4* accommodation

10% discount on 3rd person staying in triple room.
All details are in our tour dossier or please email us

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour starts daily from 1 March to 31 October

How to get to the start point in Girona: 

Girona Airport is the closest airport. Barcelona International airport is approx 110km away.

To Girona: by bus it takes 25 minutes and costs 3€

To Girona by taxi takes 25 minutes and it costs €35 approximately.

Barcelona to Girona by bus There are 6 buses/ day from Barcelona Airport to Girona city, it takes 2hours 30 minutes and it costs €20

By train: T1-T2 shuttle bus schedule is from 5.30 hr to 24.00hr every 6 or 7 minutes approximately, and from 0.00 hr to 5.30 h. every 20/25 minutes. This bus is free and takes about 10 minutes. When you arrive in T2, you should take a train to Barcelona Sants, and then another one to Girona

We can arrange airport transfers (priced for 1- 4 people) :
Girona airport to Girona            €55
Barcelona airport to Girona       €205
Figueres to Girona                      €120
Figueres to Girona Airport        €120 
Figueres to Barcelona Airport   €305

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

Girona

Hotel Peninsular 3*

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Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Hotel Barcarola 3*

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Calella de Palafrugell

Hotel Garbi 3*

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Torroella de Montgrí

Fonda Mitjà (no website available)

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Castelló d’Empúries

Hotel Canet 2* (2 nights)

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Figueres

Hotel Ronda 3*

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Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.