Melting pocket-watches? Elephants with spider legs? In Catalonia, the very same landscape that inspired surrealist Salvador Dali is sure to inspire your gang’s real spirit of adventure. From Barcelona, venture into the majestic Pyrénées, where kids can practice their Spanish and learn the art of pottery-making. Adults hug the border to France, pedaling roads the pro cyclists use to train for that famous French race. Medieval villages and a far-out castle are yours to discover en route to the heavenly beaches of the Costa Brava. Seem surreal? You’re not dreaming - you’re in Catalonia!
Day 1 Kick off the journey in vibrant Barcelona,
Catalonia’s effervescent capital 
Head into the mountains, pedaling past alpine villages, herds of cows and goats, and farmers tending their crops Sample cava, Spain’s version of bubbly.
Day 2 Pedal scenic routes in the French Pyrénées foothills,
testing your legs on a stretch that's seen action during the world's greatest bike race Know how to make butter? You can learn today at a historic farm! Gaze in awe at the limestone massif of Cadí-Moixeró Nature Reserve.
Day 3 Acclaimed Catalan fusion cuisine and fresh seafood
Pine and chestnut trees give way to oaks and olive groves en route to the coast Spin alongside deep valleys and rugged rock walls in La Garrotxa, a remote volcanic area rarely visited by tourists.
Day 4 Kids create their own pottery masterpiece
in La Bisbal, Catalonia's ceramics capital Ride past fields of sunflowers and wheat to the beautiful Baix Empordà, the "region of coves," stopping to explore hamlets with cobbled town squares, Baroque-style churches and ancient fortresses A winery invites you in to taste Catalan vintages.
Days 5-6 Bike along the bays of the Costa Brava,
where the Mediterranean laps against white-sand beaches and villages cling to forested hills The Gavarres Nature Reserve offers up a pass to climb Wiggle your toes in the sand during some well-deserved beach time while the kids discover a hidden cove Glorious sea views greet you from the Sant Sebastià lighthouse.
Trip Highlights
- Kick off the journey in vibrant Barcelona
- Ride scenic routes in the Pyrénées foothills
- A kid-friendly ceramics class in Catalonia’s pottery capital
- The white-sand beaches of Costa Brava
- Get surreal and admire the artistic genius of Salvador Dalí
Premiere Inns
Torre del Remei (2 nights): Set amid acres of lush manicured gardens, this modernist castle from the early 1900s was designed by a disciple of Antoni Gaudí. A Relais & Chateâux member. (pool)
Mas Falgarona (1 night): Owners Brigitta and Severino warmly welcome us into their renovated 15th-century stone farmhouse, tucked into the countryside between the Pyrénées and Costa Brava. (pool)
Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa (2 nights): A beautifully restored 18th-century manor house with stylish rooms and historic country charm. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 16, 20 miles
- 650 - 1780 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 10, 38, 41 miles
- 1930 - 4570 feet elevation gain
- Kids: Bread & Butter Making 3 hours
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 18, 43, 53 miles
- 2200 - 4550 feet elevation gain
- Kids: Scavenger Hunt 2 hours
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 5 Route Options Available
- 21, 28, 39, 42, 49 miles
- 590 - 2520 feet elevation gain
- Kids: Pottery Making 2 hours
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 29, 40 46 miles
- 850 - 2100 feet elevation gain
- Kids: Secret Beach Walk
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 9, 14 miles
- 160 - 280 feet elevation gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/10-15 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/12-17 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/10-15 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/17-22 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/24-29 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/7-12 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/21-26 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1500 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
- No Burleys available on this trip
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
Once again, Backroads provided a most wonderful vacation and family experience. We learned so much about Catalunya and ourselves through this extraordinary trip that took us from the mountains to the sea. Since coming home, much of my day is spent reliving 420 pictures of a most beautiful experience. Everyone says a memory is worth more than things. Backroads has put together a most magical formula to make that happen....We enjoyed the beauty of Spanish culture, the magic of new friendships, the exuberance from athletic challenge (the Lance climb), the growth that comes from laughter, and the love of family. Backroads allows you to just "be" - to experience the joy of all our senses in a given day, and to appreciate the uniqueness of each one (smell, touch, see, hear and taste). I am forever grateful for all the time and attention that Backroads has given to me and my family. There is no greater thrill than to see your child grow in experience, family and friendship.- Prospect, KY
The itinerary you planned for this trip was an unforgettable combination of everything the region had to offer -- from the coastal ride, to the hills and valleys, from small villages to interesting ancient towns. I was completely delighted.- Minneapolis, MN
The leaders were great, the scenery was great, the accommodations were great, the biking was great, the weather was great! It will be hard for you guys to beat this one!!- Arlington, VA
This was a terrific trip. The areas that we visited were far more interesting and scenic than I anticipated. The accommodations were all special, striking architecture with soaring spaces, evoking the past and, in some, defining the future. Both our leaders were among the best we have ever had. They were knowledgeable, helpful, patient, solved every problem, big or small, and best of all, they were great fun to be with.- Chicago, IL