Among volcanoes_ENG.pub

AMONG VOLCANOES
GARROTXA BIKING 2015
DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
TYPE: ROAD BIKE
START&FINISH: GIRONA/GIRONA (SPAIN)
DATES: MARCH TO OCTOBER
LODGING: 3*, 4* HOTELS
ROUTE LEVEL: 3
KM.PER DAY: 80–100K M
TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUP & PRIVATE
GROUPS: 4/... MIN/MAX
PRICE: FROM 2.050 € / See prices
AMONG VOLCANOES / GIRONA & GARROTXA
La Garrotxa is one of the best zones to practice cyclotourism in Catalonia. It possesses a magnificent natural
environment, picturesque landscapes and multiple routes and altitudes. Girona province has become training
location for a lot of professional cyclists and for some of the world's best teams because of the unbeatable
conditions it offers: excellent roads, nice weather, superb gastronomy, inviting cities and optimum
communications.
AMONG VOLCANOES is a very complete route running through Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa
(Garrotxa's Volcanic Zone unforgettablerk), the best example of volcanic landscape in Iberian Peninsula and one
of the most important in Europe, with more than 40 volcanoes, what makes it specially unique. We will ride
surrounded by fields, pastures, forests and, of course, volcanoes, which define a quiet and tidy scenery. In the
heart of the Natural Park we will discover the Croscat Volcano (with the biggest cone in the Iberian Peninsula 160m-) and the incredible Fageda d'en Jordà, an exceptional beech forest placed in a very low altitude plain and
established over the flow of Croscat's past eruptions.
Throughout all the route we will enjoy a very rich cultural patrimony as well. In this area we can find exceptional
medieval samples, like the village of Besalú, designated a site of national artistic and historical interest, which
conforms one of the most important and well preserved medieval sites in Catalonia and where a majestic
romanesque XI century bridge stands out. Or the XIV century medieval village of Santa Pau, located inside the
natural park. Designated a site of national artistic and historical interest too, we can single out its XIII century
castle and its arcaded square, one of the most beautiful in Catalonia.
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.
At the end of every stage we will taste a unique and rich gastronomy, based in local, native and traditional
products. Volcanic features of the soil in la Garrotxa make it very rich and fertile. This has a clear effect in its
cuisine and we can definitely affirm that culture and nature can be found in local dishes. We will lodge in
charming hotels, where we can relax, rest and forget about the daily routine to turn these days into an
unforgettable vacation.
We are waiting for you!
Utopic Bike Travel
www.utopicbiketravel.com [email protected]
ITINERARY /
AMONG VOLCANOES / DAY 1 - 2
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 – OLOT - 102 km / Elevation 1210m
A THRILLING ROUTE
La Garrotxa, one of the best places to
practice cyclotourism in Catalonia
After breakfast we start our tour towards the land of volcanoes. Along our
way we will find and visit the Estany de Banyoles (lake of Banyoles), an
enigmatic, misterious and charming spot surrounded by gardens and trees.
Is the biggest natural lake of Catalonia and in 1992 hosted the rowing
competition during the summer Olympic Games.
Garrotxa’s Volcanic Natural Park, the
best example of volcanic landscape in
the Iberian Peninsula and one of the
most important in Europe. Almost 40
volcanic cones and 20 basaltic lava
streams
We leave behind this beautiful scenery and enter the volcanic area of La
Garrotxa, finding the village of Besalú, designated a Site of National Artistic
and Historical interest and one of the most important and well preserved
medieval sites in Catalonia and Castellfollit de la Roca, a village placed on
the top of an spectacular 50m high basaltic rock. Some of its houses
actually hang at the edge of the cliff.
The most charming medieval villages
in Catalonia
A short stop and we ride to Olot, capital of La Garrotxa. From here we keep
pedalling to la Vall d'en Bas, a delicious valley with one of the most fertile
soils in Catalonia and crossed by numerous streams that flow into river
Fluvià.
Catalan cava tasting in a magnificent
medieval environment
Our route ends today in Hostalets d'en Bas, designated Site of Historical
and Artisitic Interest.
Short transfer to our hotel in the medieval village of Santa Pau. An old
country house located in a privileged spot.
Dinner and lodging in 3* hotel.
Natural Area of Alta Garrotxa, the
most important in Oriental PrePyrenees. Deep valleys surrounded
by cliffs and stone walls
ITINERARY /
AMONG VOLCANOES / DAY 3
DAY 3: VALLEY OF CAMPRODON - 86 km / Elevation 1400m
Route throughout Ripollès and Garrotxa regions, discovering beautiful
landscapes among pasture fields and beech and oak forests. A very
attractive itinerary with impressive views of Canigó mountains and Alta
Garrotxa area.
After breakfast we will ride towards Vall de Bianya where our first climb
starts. A nice narrow and winding road will take us to the top of Capsacosta
(870m), entering the region of Ripollès. This is a very popular pass because
it's part of the itinerary of two of the most important cyclotourist events in
the country. We will visit as well the beautiful village of Camprodon, located
in the valley of its name and in the heart of Oriental Pyrenees, with an
spectacular romanesque XII century bridge. We'll use the moment to taste
the most typical products of this zone: Cold meats of Ripollès, mushrooms,
honey and traditonal pastries.
Our route continues heading to Vall del Bac shaded valley), a very extreme
spot located in the Natural Interest Space of Alta Garrotxa. It can be
considered the most important space of Oriental Pre-Pyrenees because of
its diversity and singularity. Along the valley we will find restored
traditional country houses and a stream with sections where you can take a
bath.
In the afternoon we will visit the "Saints Museum", a quite singular
experience that will allow us to discover the traditional techniques used to
produce religious imagery and ancient trades related to this locally highly
rooted activity.
After this, a visit to the old town and dinner in a central traditional catalan
restaurant.
Lodging in the same 3* hotel.
ITINERARY /
AMONG VOLCANOES / DAY 4 - 5
DAY 4: GARROTXA’S VOLCANIC NATURAL PARK
After breakfast we will start our journey riding through the Volcanic
Natural Park and the Mieres valley. A wide, green and sunny place in one of
the most quiet and rural areas of Garrotxa.
We will visit two of the most interesting places in the Park, the Croscat (the
youngest of all the volcanoes in the area with the biggest cone -160m- in
the Iberian Peninsula) and La Fageda d'en Jordà, an exceptional beech
forest that grows at a very low altitude (550m) plain spot. It is also
stablished over the flow of Croscat's past eruptions. Santa Pau is a place
we must see. This XIV century village has been designated Site of National
Artistic and Historical Interest and deserves an extense visit.
Back to the hotel, spare time to rest in the garden, the reading room or to
relax with a massage (this service is not included in the tour price and must
be reserved previously)
For our most active guests trips to Santa Margarida and Roca Negra
volcanoes or to a gorgeous waterfalls hidden in the middle of nature can be
arranged. We have endless possibilities since we are sorrounded by nature.
At night, dinner in one of the most emblematic restaurants of the area. We
will discover there why "pa amb tomàquet" (bread and spread tomato) is
the gastronomic symbol of Catalonia.
Lodging in the same 3* hotel.
DAY 5: NATURAL AREA OF COLLSACABRA - 104 km / Elev. 1840m
An spectacular route is waiting for us today. We'll have the chance to
discover one of the most beautiful and inhospitable spots in Catalonia. The
unmistakable landscape of Sau Collsacabra is characterized by the relief of
its plateaus, precipices that descend abruptly and green and deep valleys
where streams flow. Romanesque churches and hermitages appear
everywhere, as well as traditional country houses, waterfalls, natural
springs, prehistoric caves, more than 40 km of cliffs with an average height
of 1100m, leafy forests, small medieval villages and even a reservoir.
We will keep our tour until we find, hidden in the middle of this huge
territory of natural richness, the village of Rupit. Rupit maintains almost
intact its architectural patrimony. Rustic XVI and XVII century houses,
cobblestone streets, a medieval bridge and its peculiar hanging wooden
bridge. Designated Site of National Artistic and Historical Interest, is
considered one of the most beautiful villages of Catalonia.
We keep riding on a concrete road to Tavertet. Designed as a Place of
Cultural Interest as well, rests on an enormous 200m high cliff. Such
rugged land and remote place has helped the preservation of 48 rural
houses build during XVII and XVIII centuries.
FAGEDA D’EN JORDÀ
(JORDAN’S BEECH)
Do you know where the Jordan's beech is?
If you go around Olot up the plan,
find a place deep green
and never found overturned in the world:
as a green water inside, deep and clear;
the green of the beech in Jordan.
The walk on entering the site,
it begins to walk slowly;
has his steps in the great stillness
stops and does not feel anything, and is lost.
It takes a sweet oblivion of the world
in the silence of that deep,
and not thinking out there and think about it:
is made of beech wood in the Jordan
prisoner of silence and greenery.
Company Oh! Oh freeing prisoners
Joan Maragall (1860 - 1911)
Catalan Poet
ITINERARY /
AMONG VOLCANOES / DAY 6 - 7
DAY 6: LLÉMENA’S VALLEY ROUTE 89 km / Elevatron 810m
In our last stage will enjoy, pretty effortlessly, a route through the rural
valleys of Hostoles and Llémena, a very popular itinerary in this area.
LLémena's valley is one of the best preserved natural spots in Girona.
We will ride through small secondary roads where small villages and
unique appear, conforming a great landscape value setting.
Spare evening to visit the city of Girona, to rest or to enjoy the sun and the
memories of this amazing tour throughout the province with the most
cycling flavour in Spain.
At night farewell dinner at one of the most emblematic restaurants of
Girona.
Lodging in 4* Hotel, the same of the first night.
DAY 7: 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.
WHAT’S INCLUDED? /
AMONG VOLCANOES
PRICES 2015
Minimum Group : 4 people*
Tours available from: March 1st to October 30st
Price per person (double occupancy) ……...……………...……..
Supplements:
Single Occupancy supplement .............................................
*Minimum group supplement (per person):
2 people group ……………………..……....…..…………………...
3 people group ………………………………..….……...………….
2.050 €
245 €
500 €
250 €
Other options
Bike rental (Bianchi Intenso)........…….…………………….….…..
130 €
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
6 nights at selected 3* and 4* hotels and charming rural houses.
Breakfast every day, lunches or picnics, snacks and drinks throughout all
the route, all dinners and local wine 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 /
AMONG VOLCANOES
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 AMONG VOLCANOES 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 tour we will discover the unique "volcanic" cuisine, based upon the
local products and traditions deeply rooted in the zone.
The rich volcanic soil gives great quality products like "farro" (special type
of corn flour), buckwheat, beans of "Santa Pau", potatoes, turnips, onions,
all kind of mushrooms, truffles, snails and excellent meats like pork and
wild boar.
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…
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 PRODUCTS
Santa Pau’s beans, black turnips,
mushrooms, traditional cold meats
and cheese, “farro” (typical corn
flour), buckwheat, “Vall d’en Bas”
potatoes, “Ratafía” (traditional liquor
made of nuts and aromatic herbes)…
TYPICAL DISHES
Catalan sausage with Santa Pau’s
beans, traditional snails “ a l’adoba”,
roasted beef with mushrooms,
“patates dela Dèu” (meat stuffed
potatoes), duck with pears, pato con
peras, pig’s trotters with turnips,
“escudella i carn d’olla”…
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES /
AMONG VOLCANOES
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 taylormade 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/
AMONG VOLCANOES
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.