Melting pocket-watches? Elephants with spider legs? In Catalonia, the very same landscape that inspired surrealist Salvador Dalí is sure to inspire your gang's real spirit of adventure. From Barcelona, venture into the majestic Pyrenees, 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 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 Pyrenees foothills,
testing your legs on a stretch that's seen action during the world's greatest bike race An action-packed day for the kids with rock climbing and a scavenger hunt through a medieval fort and secret passageways.
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 Experience some of Dalí's mind-bending work at the magical Dalí Museum.
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 guided walk through the fortified medieval gem, Pals.
Days 5-6 Bike along the bays of the Costa Brava and enjoy fresh seafood
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 Pyrenees
- 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
Hospes Villa Paulita (2 nights): A "lakeside Art Nouveau villa" that's "full of surprises," including gardens adorned with glass pyramids, according to Travel + Leisure. (pool, spa)
Mas Falgarona (1 night): Owners Brigitta and Severino warmly welcome us into their renovated 15th-century stone farmhouse, tucked into the countryside between the Pyrenees 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)
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 18 | 1000 | ||||||||
| 20 | 1500 | |||||||||
| 2 | 27* | 2000 | 38 | 2300 | 57 | 3800 | ||||
| Kids: Yellow Train adventure (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Kids: Fort Libéria scavenger hunt (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Kids: Via Ferrata rock climbing course (1.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 9* | 500 | 26 | 700 | ||||||
| 4 | 9* | 700 | 32* | 1000 | 44 | 1300 | ||||
| 52 | 2400 | |||||||||
| Pals guided walking tour (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Kids: Pottery making class (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 31* | 1000 | 44 | 1200 | ||||||
| 47 | 1700 | |||||||||
| Kids: Secret beach walk (3 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 9 | 200 | ||||||||
| 15 | 200 | |||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/11-16 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/25-30 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/2-7 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/16-21 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/23-28 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/30-8/4 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/13-18 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1260 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
This is our second trip with Backroads and once again we had a truly once in a lifetime experience! The leaders were phenomenal with all aspects of the trip. It is a gift and talent to keep children from ages 16-10 interested, excited and enthusiastic. The Spanish countryside couldn't have been a more perfect backdrop for great biking, enjoying delicious local cuisine, and unforgettable times with family and friends. Thank you, again, Backroads!- Hinsdale, IL
This trip was absolutely amazing. It fulfilled the wishes of each member of our family. It was the BEST way to see a country where we had never been. The biking, ambiance, hotels, guides and other families were just perfect for us.- Lutherville Timonium, MD
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