Wine Country Bike Tour

Discover the Cava, Costers de Segre, and Penedès wine regions of Catalunya - hills, plains, valleys lakes and sea.

ITINERARY:

Day 1
Transfer La Llacuna to enjoy picturesque hill scenery and an open air BBQ/picnic lunch served with ecologically produced wines. Transfer to Valfogona de Ruicorb and late afternoon relaxing in the Hotel Spa - a climatised dynamic pool, jacuzzi, and an outdoor swimming pool will be at our disposal. Also available are Vichy, ciclonica and Kneipp showers as well as shiatsu, mud baths, massages and drainages, beauty treatments and wine baths. An evening of light tuition on the ABC of wine tasting followed by dinner in the Hotel.

Day 2
Bike adjustments and short excursion to learn how to use the shift gears and generally try out the bikes. Cycle along the picturesque River Corb valley to pick up the Cistercian Monastery Trail which begins in Vallbona de les Monges in the Urgell province of Catalonia home to the nunnery of Santa Maria de Vallbona founded in 1153.Vist of the Monastery - highlights include two Gothic lantern towers in which bells were hung, the sarcophagi in the church (a fine example of the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic) and the trapezoidal cloister. After a visit to the monastery it's a short walk to meet the winemakers of a small agricultural co-operative whose wine production comes from its 12 hectares of vineyards where the Macabeu, Parellada and Chardonnay grape varieties are grown. The winery is located in a former barn and is equipped with all the modern technology necessary to obtain fine quality white wines. Wine tasting in the winery. Picnic lunch in Vallbona.
Transfer or cycle back to our Spa Hotel.
Distance: 25 km

Day 3
Cycle across vine trails to the town of Verdu and Appellation region of Costers del Segre. The soil is poor and consists mostly of clay and sand - ideal for handmade ceramics and wine making. Verdu is a small town but has many interesting things to see and do. During our stay in Verdu we will learn about the past and present of the ceramic industry and see how the experts make their works of art. Time to explore the XII Castle, the Santa Maria Church dating back to Roman times and Plaza Mayor. There is also a Toy Museum which is worth a visit. Just before lunch we will taste wines from the DO Costers del Segre in the XII Castle. - excellent aged reds! Picnic lunch in Verdú.
After lunch cycle through undulating hills to the Castle village of Santa Coloma. The splendid castle of the Counts of Queralt is one of the most impressive castles we will see en route. Hotel check in and free time to view historical Santa Coloma before dinner.
Distance: 36 km

Day 4
Quite a lot of cycling today! We will leave Santa Coloma at 09.00 and journey southwards to a winery set in the Upper (700 metres) Appellation of the Penedès & Cava wine producing region. Vallformosa currently owns 387 Hectares distributed among 9 pagos (estates) throughout the wide range of soils and climates in the three areas of Upper, Middle and Lower Penedès. We will visit one of the 9 pagos where we will begin with a welcome glass of cava followed by a picnic lunch and then we will have the opportunity to pick our own grapes (harvest season). Once we have filled our baskets and taken those valuable photos we will walk back to the main house (masía) and begin our wine tasting - emphasis on still wines. En route we will stop in La Teca bar in the hamlet of Rofes for refreshments.
After it's a mostly downhill cycle ride to the market town and capital of the Penedès region, Vilafranca and visit of one of the world's great innovative wineries - Torres. Cycle to catch a train from Vilafranca to the seaside town of Comaruga. From here we will leisurely cycle along the sea front to our charming hotel for the next two nights in Calafell. Time for a swimming pool dip before our host Salvador will lead a cookery class demonstration - we will be shown how to prepare a typical Spanish dishes - later we will enjoy our meal paired with Penedès wine.
Distance: 45 km

Day 5
Today we will have a break from the saddle and will visit Barcelona. Guided walking visit of the old town, starting in the heart of Barcelona, Plaça Catalunya. Walk down part of the Rambla and then through narrow streets to the gothic quarter which contains the cathedral - one of Spain's most oustanding buildings, Food and wine highlights include the Mercat de la Boquería - a bustling and colourful covered food market, the Vila Viniteca - a specialist wine and spirit shop where you can chat with the friendly and enthusiastic staff about some of the 3,500 bottles that line the shop's walls, Casa Gispert - one of the most aromatic and picturesque shops in Barcelona, bursting with spices, saffron, chocolates and nuts, and the Butifarrería - located next to the Santa María church, sells excellent cheeses, hams, pâtés and homemade sobrassadas (pork pâté with paprika). Lunch and free afternoon for shopping or more sight seeing. Dinner in the Hotel.

Day 6
Some light cycling today as we head across the Low Penedès to our final winery visit. The bodega in question has an excellent reputation for it's range of hand-crafted wines as well as fame for producing sweet (Cabernet Sauvignon) and sour (Chardonnay) cooking vinegars. It is also the only winery in Spain to make a wine using 100% Cabernet Franc. Picnic lunch at the winery. After lunch cycle back to the hotel and transfer to Barcelona. Once in the Catalonian capital you can extend your stay with us and join us on our Barcelona week - end city break programme.
Distance: 28 km.

Wine country bike tour: Catalonia
What's included:

• Transfer to and from Barcelona airport
• 5 nights accommodation
• 5 Full breakfasts
• 4 picnic lunches with wine and soft drinks
• 1 BBQ welcome lunch with wine
• 1 restaurant lunch in Barcelona
• 5 dinners with wine (1/2 bottle per person)
• Expert English speaking tour guides
• 5 Winery visits and tastings in famed cellars
• 1 Spanish cookery demonstration
• Wine tasting course and wine tasting note sheets
• Wine tasting holiday handbook
• All entrance fees to cultural sites included in itinerary
• Mountain bike, water bottle, impermeable bike bag for the days specified in the itinerary
• Maps
• Train journeys as specified in the itinerary

What's not included:

• Airfare
• Meals and drinks not specified
• Tips
• Personal expenses (mini bar, telephone, laundry etc)
• Spa services not specified
• Entrance fees to cultural sites when not with guide
• Optional private tours on free day
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal & travel insurance
• Room service
• Gratuities to Chauffeurs and guides
• Train journeys not specified in the itinerary
• Bike use/hire not specified in the itinerary
• Bike repair/replacement charges due to negligence by rider

Barcelona Week - end City Break

Saturday
Morning guided walking tour of the old town, or gothic quarter which contains the cathedral - one of Spain's most oustanding buildings, the Royal Palace where Columbus was received by Ferdinand and Isobella after his discovery of the New World, the district of Ribera - a remarkable concentration of 14th century mansions some of which house the Picasso museum and much more. Food and wine highlights include the Mercat de la Boquería - a bustling and colourful covered food market, the Vila Viniteca - a specialist wine and spirit shop where you can chat with the friendly and enthusiastic staff about some of the 3,500 bottles that line the shop's walls, Casa Gispert - one of the most aromatic and picturesque shops in Barcelona, bursting with spices, saffron, chocolates and nuts, and the Butifarrería - located next to the Santa María church, sells excellent cheeses, hams, pâtés and homemade sobrassadas (pork pâté with paprika).

Afternoon free for a stroll down the Ramblas and/or shopping.
Optional Spanish evening cooking class and dinner.

Sunday
Today we have free time to explore as you wish but there is hardly enough time to see it all. There are the musts such as the Cathedral of Sagrada Familia, or you could do something simple and relaxing such as explore the Ciutadella Park, complete with orange trees and natural parrots to see the locals spending their free time - real Spain at its best. As today is Sunday you must take time for lunch as this is what everyone else in Barcelona will be doing, but do not try to rush things - wine and food is a serious business in Spain.

Barcelona week - end City Break
Whats included:

• Guided Barcelona walking city tour
• 2 nights accommodation (does not include breakfast)

What's not included:

• Meals and drinks not specified
• Tips
• Personal expenses (mini bar, telephone, laundry etc)
• Entrance fees not specified
• Spanish cookery class

Wine Country bike tour 6 days/5 nights: 956 Euros
Barcelona week - end city break: 320 Euros