THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORDÀ A very interesting route that follows partly the green way, former narrrow-gauge railway line that connected Girona and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. 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 Empordà 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 tomàquet" (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 "Empordà" dishes, accompanied of course by a good "Empordà" 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: 30–60 KM

TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUP & PRIVATE

GROUPS: 4/... MIN/MAX

PRICE: FROM 2.400€ / See prices

THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORDÀ COSTA BRAVA BIKING 2014

ITINERARY/ THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORDÀ / 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 GUÍXOLS - 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 Guíxols, set up nowadays for cycling and walking. We will discover two regions today, el Gironès and el Baix Empordà.

This route has smooth curves and slope. Leaving Girona behind we find a tile of fields alternate with forest terrains. After Cassà 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 Guíxols, 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

Empordà

Exquisite catalan cuisine. A unique experience.

Catalan hospitality

ITINERARY / THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORDÀ / DAY 3-4

DAY 3: SANT FELIU DE GUÍXOLS – 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 Palamós with its harbor plenty of fishing boats that bring all kind of fresh seafood and fish everyday. Palamós 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 Palamós 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 façades 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 Empordà 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 Empordà, with Medes islands, from its overlook. After a walk through its cobblestone streets we will enjoy a typical rice dish, arròs 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 tomàquet (tomato's spread bread), all accompanied with cava, catalan sparkling wine.

Lodging in rural hotel.

MOST IMPORTANT INCLUDED VISITS

TEATRO-MUSEO DALÍ Biggest surrealist object in the world

ARCHAELOGICAL SITE OF EMPÚRIES 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. Empordà

ITINERARY / THE MOST AUTHENTIC EMPORDÀ / DAY 5-8

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

Circular route calmly pedalling through Baix Empordà's plains and crossing numerous medieval villages like Palau-Sator, Peratallada, Ullastret, Monells. We visit too La Bisbal d'Empordà, 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 – L’ESCALA - 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 Montgrí massif, crowned by a XII and XIII century castle from which all Empordà plain can be admired.

After a nice ride, we enter Alt Empordà again, where our hotel, located in an extremely beautiful and historical place, is waiting for us. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 7: L’ESCALA

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 EMPORDÀ

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 EMPORDÀ

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 EMPORDÀ 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, rosé and red wines. In this trip we will taste this country’s traditional dishes and we will discover the authentic Emporda’s 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 hotel’s 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 Palamós…

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 EMPORDÀ

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 flight’s 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 EMPORDÀ

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 don’t 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.