We are running a group press trip to Catalonia to showcase the region as a world-class cycling destination. The programme requires a high level of cycling ability as participants will be cycling advanced routes and will take part in special events. A limited number of spaces are available on the trip so we'd be delighted to hear from media who would be interested in attending this very special trip. Places will be offered based on the scope of coverage for the destination.

The trip will journey around the historical city of Girona, the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees along some of the best cycling roads in Spain. Participants will also take part in the Sea Otter Europe, a multifaceted festival for all cycling enthusiasts, and the Girona Cycling Festival, a week-long festival featuring competitions, traditional Catalan meals and night rides. 

The trip is designed for cyclists with a high-level of cycling and participants will have the possibility of choosing between three groups to ride with: road cycling one, road cycling two and mountain biking. Please find the details of each group in the itinerary below:

Friday 8th June

Flight from UK to Barcelona.  Flight details TBC

Transfer to Lloret de Mar in Costa Brava - a Mediterranean coastal town in Catalonia, Spain and one of the most picturesque destinations on the Costa Brava.

Overnight stay and dinner in Lloret de Mar. Details TBC  

Saturday 9th June

Road cycling groups 1 & 2: Road cycling groups one and two will enjoy a guided cycling tour around the coastal roads of Lloret de Mar. The tour includes climbs into the hills surrounding the Costa Brava, which will be rewarded by stunning views of the Mediterranean.

Mountain bike group: Mountain bike tour through the Gavarres natural area set between the Gironès and the Baix Empordà regions, which makes up the northernmost tip of the Catalan pre-littoral mountain range.

Lunch in a traditional Catalan restaurant to enjoy local delicacies

Attend the Sea Otter Europe cycling festival in Girona. Bike racing, dual slalom, pump track, children's activities and the expansive product exposition will be just some of the highlights of this European bicycle festival.

Dinner and overnight stay in Girona. Details TBC

Sunday 10th June

Road cycling groups 1 & 2: Participate in the non-competitive Sport No Limit Travel Grand Fondo World Tour. The route will start and end in Girona, going towards the Costa Brava and Les Gavarres, with either 80km or 125km routes. Both stages will also include a timed climb up a mountain pass.

Mountain Bike: Take a tour on demo mountain bikes with cycling professionals   

Lunch in Girona. Details TBC

Enjoy a guided visit of Girona old town. The city is set beside the River Onyar, and is known for its medieval architecture, its historical old quarter and Roman ruins.  

Dinner and accommodation in Girona. Details TBC

Monday 11th June

Road cycling group 1: The road cycling group one will enjoy a circular route to Rocacorba, one of the most popular cycling climbs in the Catalonia region. Its proximity to Girona makes it a key training climb for the many professional cyclists based in the region, and it is also a popular ride for local amateur cyclists. Lunch will be eaten during the tour.

Dinner and accommodation in Girona. Details TBC

Road cycling group 2: Road cycling group 2 will cycle a lineal tour in the La Garrotxa volcanic area and Natural Park. The area encompasses a wide diversity of landscapes including over 40 volcanoes in the natural park, to the Fluvia river valley where the terrain dramatically becomes steeper with an abundance of cliffs and gorges. Lunch on tour.

Dinner and accommodation in Vall d'en Bas (La Garrotxa). Details TBC

Mountain bike group: Transfer to La Cerdanya (Pyrenees), one of the widest valleys in Europe, with a minimum altitude (about one thousand metres), its orientation from east to west and a high level of sunlight mean there is approximately 3,000 hours of sun per year. Lunch in the area.

Dinner and accommodation in La Cerdanya. Details TBC

Tuesday 12th June

Road cycling group 1: Group 1 will take part in the road cycling time trials at the Girona Cycling Festival, up to the Els Angels monastery, which boasts panoramic views of the Mediterranean.  

Lunch at Els Angels and transfer to Calella de Palafrugell (Costa Brava).  

Road cycling group 2: Enjoy a road cycling lineal tour in Alt Emporda (Costa Brava). Alt Emporda is extraordinary area in terms of natural heritage with three classified natural areas including: the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà (wetland), the Cap de Creus and the L'Albera mountain range

Lunch on tour and transfer to Calella de Palafrugell (Costa Brava)

Mountain bike group: Transfer to El Ripolles (Pyrenees) and mountain bike tour in the area. Transfer Calella de Palafrugell (Costa Brava) in the afternoon.

All groups will enjoy a final dinner in Calella de Palafrugell

Wednesday 13th June

Transfer to Barcelona and Girona for return flights to the UK. Flights details TBC.

END OF TRIP

**NOTE

Places will be offered subject to the scope of coverage offered to Catalonia as a cycling destination.

This is not a final itinerary and activities are subject to change.