Medieval Southern Catalunya Biking Wine Tour

This may be a nice quite corner of the old continent but we are still talking about the largest sparkling wine region, the biggest paellas, the largest monestaries, the longest river and delta, the most fiestas and fire-crackers, the biggest reds, the highest vineyards, the oldest vines, all this and more is hidden just south of the glamorous city of Barcelona.


Southern Catalunya was the frontier land between Christians and Moors for more than 400 years. It is one of the truly undiscovered parts of Spain with a wealth of nature, history and culture. You will be surrounded by fine wines and excellent Catalan slow food, full of long forgotten flavours. There is the incredible diversity of landscape from one county to the other. The soft rolling lanes of Penedès pick up the Cistercial pilgrim route to woody Conca de Barbera and from there the crusaders route to the Roman Tarragona and Priorat. We cross some of the ancient Iberian routes in the highlands of Terra Alta before descending to the Ebro Delta, another world of rice paddies, canal paths, nature reserves, beaches, and the most amazing seafood.






Don`t be surprised if you find yourself picking grapes, olives or almonds, building a human castle or turning calçots (spring onions) on a grill of flaming vine trimmings. We have over 10 years experience of introducing visitors to our neck of the wood and we know the best routes and local culture.








Difficulty Level
We have prepared these routes with different cycling styles and levels in mind, some for those interested in an easy going experience and then some for strong road bikers. We use fully equipped Decathlon B-Twin tour bikes on well paved minor roads. In the unlikely event that you encounter difficulties, we have two bike centres within 1 hours drive of your itinerary.




Notes
Cycling between 30 and 80 km per day is adapted to the client,
All groups supported by back up van/guide, bike centres in Penedès & Priorat. We reserves the right to change routes and times.
Climate
335 dry and sunny days a year. high temperatures late July/early August

You get in touch with real Southern Catalunya.

DAY 1:
- Transfers from Barcelona city and airport
- Welcome to Penedès and the Bike Centre
- Bike fitting
- Settle into accommodation


DAY 2:
Cava & Wine, The Rings of Penedès 20/40km
A sunny lazy wine route through the towns and villages of DO Penedès, A territory full of family run wineries. Between the medieval castles and small restaurants you will stop to taste crisp white wines, bold rosés, vintage white and rosé sparkling wines and lots of big fruit forward reds. Some wineries will be expecting you and you may just drop-in on others. Your route will be marked with locations of good restaurants, olive mills and historic sites of interest.
- 09:00AM: Cycle through vineyards to first characterful winery
- 10:00AM: Winery visit and tasting
- 11:00AM: Cycle to Sant Marti Sarroca
- Visit the XII Castle and Romanic church
- 01:00PM: Lunch in Sant Marti Sarroca or Guardiola de Font Rubi
- Cycle to les Casetes den Respall
- Visit the olive mill of Cal Madrona
- Cycle to 2nd winery for visit and tasting
- 06:00PM: Tour ends
Main attractions: Wonderful small wineries, small wineries, country lanes, beautiful scenery
B, L


DAY 3:
Surf & Turf 51km
Alt Penedès wine country to Vilanova and Sitges on the Mediterranean coast 1 Day Bike tour, Torrelles de Foix Castellvi - Castellet Vilanova Sitges
Quiet back lanes and roads lead from Alt Penedès, around the lake of Castellet and down to Vilanova and Sitges on the Mediterranean coast. This ride includes castles, wineries, lakes, special wineries, cuisine and great views with a wonderful finale, a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean.
- 09:00AM: Cycle to the castle of Sant Marti Sarroca
- 10:00AM: Breakfast in a local café
- 11:00AM: Visit one of the great Cava wineries of Alt Penedès
- 01:00PM: Lunch at Castellet,
- 03:00PM: Cycle to Vilanova i la Geltru
- 04:00PM: Visit winery Viticultors de Montgros
- 06:00PM: Visit Sitges
- 08:00PM: Transfer to Penedès accommodation
Main attractions: Romanesque castle and church of Sant Marti, cavas and wines, lake and romantic castle of Castellet, great wine country and Mediterranean coast
B, L


DAY 4:
Crusaders & Cistercians, The Route of the Reconquest
La Llacuna Montblanc 60 km
Follow the route of the reconquist of New Catalonía, from the high ground of Santa Coloma de Queralt to the Medieval walled city of Montblanc and the county of Conca de Barbera, also known as the valley of the Cistercian Mesenteries.
- 09:00AM: La Llacuna to Santa Coloma de Queralt
- 10:00AM: Breakfast in the plaza of walled city, Santa Coloma de Queralt
- 10:30AM: Cycle to Conesa, Roquefort de Queralt
- 11:30AM: Visit Cooperative Cathederal of Wine Roquefort
- Cycle to Serral, Pira
- 12:30PM: Visit Carles Andreu winery (Trepat varieties)
- 01:30PM: Lunch in Montblanc,
- 03:30PM: Cycle to Poblet/Milmander winery
- 06:00PM: Arrive accommodation Les Masies /Transfer
Main attractions: Catalan high ground, Trepat rose and red wines, medieval walled cities, Modernist Cathederals of Wine, low traffic density, great Catalan country cuisine. Montblanc medieval walled city, Prehistoric caves of Espluges de Francolí. We climb to the historic fortress town of Santa Coloma de Queralt, then to Conesa to take us away from the main road, after this it is down hill all the way to Montblanc. You pass the Modernist Cathedral of wine at Roquefort de Queralt. The Winery of Carles Andreu, the only producer of Trepat red wine and wonderful rosé sparkling wine. Lunch in the medieval walled city of Montblanc, your base for the night.
You will have time in the evening to explore Espluges de Francoli and Poblet (6km) the largest Cistercian monastery in Europe and final resting place of the Catalan aristocracy
B, L


DAY 5:
The Moorish Queen Siurana Gratallops 40 km
The Crown of Southern Catalunya has many jewels but one that shines particularly bright. Is Priorat. Isolation has mean preservation. Since its most prosperous period a century ago production and population has dropped to a tenth. The wines are produced on steep slate/rock hillsides, the climate is extreme, the varieties rare and the production miserable, the resulting brews are magnificent. Our approach brings us from the soft landscape of La Conca del Barbera into the tark and intense presence of Priorat and the Montsant. Our route follows the Siurana river and passes the beautiful monastery town of Scala Dei, terraced vineyards, designer and garage wineries, beautiful medieval towns.
- 08:00AM: strong cyclist start 20 km climb from Poblet - Siurana
- 10:00AM: Start in Suriana, spectacular views of Prades Mountains, Priorat,
- Cycle Cornudella Scala Dei
- 10:30AM: Visit Scala Dei, wineries and Cistercian monestary ruins
- Cycle to Vilella Baixa, Gratallops
- 01:30PM: Lunch at El Raco de Priorat, Vilella Baixa, La Font, Gratallops, Mas Trucafort, Falset
- El Celler de lAspic, Falset,
- 04:00PM: Visit Clos dAbac, old hand, great variety, Pinord Mas Blanc, Mas Igneus, new age ecologic
- Visit lead mines of Bellmunt del Priorat,
- 06:00PM: Return to accommodation
- Visit Falset / Porrera, wine shops, café, best bar at the end of the universe
B, L


DAY 6:
Picasso´s Highlands, La Via Verde de Terra Alta, Arnes - Tortosa 40/80km
The Beautiful highlands of Southern Catalunya, full of valleys, forests and iconic geological formations, a hiding ground and path of rediscovery for a young man called Pablo. From the Ebro we can ride or take a transfer which gets you to Horta de Sant Juan. Visit the Picasso museum, wander the town and enjoy a lazy coffee in the plaza before descending to the Ebro to follow it into the town of 3 cultures, Tortosa
- 08:00-09:00AM: Cycle / Transfer from Priorat / LAmpolla - Miravet, Benifallet,
Visit Castell of Miravet, Ebro, sieges of Moors and Templars
- 10:00AM: Breakfast in Horta de Sant Joan and visit Picasso centre
- Cycle to Bot, Winery visit, Celler Cooperative de Bot
- 01.00PM: Picnic lunch at Bot, Pinell de Brai or Fontcalda railway stations
- Cycle to Prat del Comte, Xerta, Jesus, Tortosa
- 06:00PM: Arrive accommodation Tortosa
- Dinner suggestion: el Park dels Ferrocariles
Main attractions: tiny historic highland towns, wow scenery, Picasso museum , Green way of 40 tunnels and 22 valleys, Garnatxa and Macabeo wines, dried fruit, nuts, oranges and honey, Tortosa, city of three cultures.
B, L


DAY 7:
Flamenco Catalana, Ebro Delta Canals and beaches, Tortosa to Eucaliptus beach 50km
We leave, Tortosa the city of 3 cultures and the mountains. Straight ahead (and absolutely flat), lies L Ampolla, Sant Carles de la Rapita and the rice fields of Spain. Nature reserves, cool Mediterranean sea breezes, the rustle of long grass and plops of fish jumping beside the paths and paddy fields. Long horizons, and endless beaches where sweet and salt water meet.
- 09:00AM: Cycle from Tortosa Amposta
- 11:00AM: Break in Amposta
- Cycle TV3408 to Santa Carles de la Rapita
- 01:00PM: Lunch, Santa Carles de la Rapita
- Rest. Bon Marisc on promenade
- 03:30PM: Visit fish market
- 04:00PM: Cycle to La Casa de Fusta, Ebro Delta interpretation centre
- Cycle around lEncanyissada lake to Poblenou de la Delta
- La Tancada lake, Platja dels Eucaliptus,
- 06:00PM: Arrive accommodation
- 09:00PM: Farewell dinner Hotel Mediterrani Blau
Main attractions: The Ebro, distant horizons, the best black rice and seafood in Spain, deserted beaches, nature reserves, birds, fish, the Mediterranean, salt flats, endless flat cycle paths, rowing, sailing and fishing
B, L, D


DAY 8:
Adios Platja Eucaliptus and Southern Catalunya
- 8:30AM: Transfer Platja Eucaplitus to lAmpolla train station
- 9:38AM: Catch train to Barcelona 2h
or
- 9:00AM: Slow breakfast on beach, Platja dels Eucaliptus, Brunch on Boat Santa Suzanna or on quay
- Cycle to Sant Jaume dEnveja
- 11:00AM: Take transbordador / ferry to Deltebre TV3401 to lAmpolla,
- 12:00PM: Arrive lAmpolla
- 01:51PM: Transfer back to Barcelona city centre or Airport
Main attractions: a quick or slow getaway from the beach you had been waiting a week to get to, lazy local customs, the river, the atmosphere
B


END OF TOUR SERVICES