2024 Girona and Costa Brava Tour, April 14 to April 21
- Dates: 14/04/2024 - 21/04/2024
- Tour length: 8 Days, 7 Nights
- Start / End: Barcelona
- Terrain: Picturesque medieval towns, hilly with some steep climbs and coastal panoramas. This tour is Activity Level B
- Price Per Guest:
$ 6,600 (Bike Included)
$ 800 Single Occupancy Fee
**$ 1,000 Deposit per guest due before October 15, 2023**
- Non-Cycling Guest:
- Book Now
This tour is a collaboration with Bike Cat Tours, the first tour operator based in Girona, with whom we have had a close relationship since 2016. Jaume Cabruja and Debbie Stein will be our tour hosts. They are a very charming couple and embrace the importance of personalized service and attention to detail. We are very grateful to collaborate with them.
We will enjoy 7 days discovering the northern part of the province of Girona and the Costa Brava. Our rides will take us to the easternmost point of the Iberian peninsula, the Cap de Creus. We will visit the picturesque village of Cadaqués where Dalí spent his childhood Summers and Portlligat, where he lived as an adult and painted some of his famous landscapes. Amazing rides with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea!
The first 4 nights we will be in the historical city of Girona. This is a city that offers a medieval center, charming cafe’s and excellent restaurants. So when we are off the bike you can explore this magical city. Girona has also become a cycling mecca over the last couple of decades. Many pro cyclists live in Girona and train in the surrounding countryside, hills and along the coast. Our accommodations will be at the Hotel Historic.
The next 3 nights we will be in the countryside near the Costa Brava. We will be surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Our accommodations will be at Hotel Mas Lazuli.
Marco Saligari, Willie Joffroy and the Bike Cat team will be your guides. You will receive the personalized service and attention that Willie’s World Cycling and Bikecat are known for.
We will savor with pleasure the beautiful accommodations, local cuisine and wine.
Food & Wine
We will enjoy the exquisite cuisine and wines of the region. The restaurants will vary from the local cuisine to Michelin starred.
From the famous Tapas, typical Paella, traditional Catalan and Spanish cuisine, as well as modern cuisine.
Our meals will be paired with excellent wines. The local wines from D.O. Empordà, still unknown for many, are a pleasant surprise for their character.
Guides
Marco Saligari
Marco Saligari
Former Professional Cyclist
Marco has an impressive resume including stage victories in the 1992, 1993, and 1994 Giro d’Italia and overall winner of the 1993 Tour de Suisse. He has also been Directeur Sportif of Team Landbouwkrediet-Colnago and Team Crelan-Euphony from 2002 to 2013. Marco has been a race commentator of the Giro d’Italia for Gazzetta Dello Sport Radio, Eurosport Television, and has had his own show, The Coach, on the Bike Channel. Marco is currently a commentator for the Italian network RAI Sports for several races including the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Strade Bianche to name a few. He was part of the RAI 2020 Tokyo Olympics commentary team for the cycling events. He is affectionately know as Il Commissario. In addition to all of his accomplishments in the world of professional cycling, Marco is a great guy with a beautiful family. We are honored to collaborate with Marco. He brings a slice of cycling history to share with our guests.
Marco is married to Lela and they have two children, Martina and Giacomo.
CloseWillie Joffroy
Willie Joffroy
Founder & President
I combine nearly 30 years of experience in international logistics planning with a quarter-century of cycling experience in Italy. My expertise allows Willie’s World Cycling to offer some of the finest cycling tour experiences in Italy. From the choice of simple elegance and intimacy in accommodations, to the delectable regional cuisine of carefully chosen local chefs, (we) my wife Margarita and I impart international style and pay careful attention to detail.
I accompany every Willie’s World Cycling tour, sharing the extensive knowledge I have gleaned from 25 years of cycling in Italy. This storehouse of information includes: Italy’s premier cycling regions, scenic wine-growing regions and small wineries, unique and private accommodations, and fine regional cuisine.
Prior to establishing Willie’s World Cycling, I spent 29 years in cross-border logistics services along the U.S.-Mexico border. Throughout my business career, I have focused on providing my clients with the very best in professional and personalized service. I have instilled this commitment to the client into the values of Willie’s World Cycling.
I have been an avid cyclist for more than 35 years and regularly start my day cycling up and down Mount Lemmon, a 6,800-foot climb from my home in Tucson, Arizona. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, I have a great passion for the cycling, food, and wine unique to Italy, and take great pleasure in sharing that passion. I am a believer in the health benefits that flow from regular exercise such as cycling, fresh and wholesome local food, and fine wine. A consummate host, I make certain that each of my cycling tours inspires treasured memories.
CloseAccommodations
The first 4 nights will be at the very charming Hotel Historic in the medieval section of Girona and 3 nights near the Costa Brava at Hotel Mas Lazuli.
Itinerary
-
Day 1:
Sunday, April 14
Bienvenidos a Catalunya!We will pick you up at El Prat Airport in Barcelona at 11:30 am.
After we arrive in Girona we will check into our hotel followed by a light lunch. After lunch we will do a short warm up ride to make sure everyone is comfortable on the bikes.
Dinner in Girona -
Day 2:
Monday, April 15
After breakfast we will ride out of Girona toward Vall del Llemena. This is a hilly route with short climbs and winding descents. The roads are peaceful, surrounding fields, woods and traditional farmhouses. Distance 84km and 860m elevation gain. Lunch on the road and dinner at a Girona restaurant. -
Day 3:
Tuesday, April 16
After breakfast we will ride out of Girona toward Tossa del Mar. This is a walled fishing village in one of the most stunning locations along the Costa Brava.
Distance 105km and 1,185m of elevation gain. Lunch on the road and dinner at a Girona restaurant. -
Day 4:
Wednesday, April 17
After breakfast we will ride out of Girona to Caldes de Malavella, Jaume's home village. This area is famous for sparkling water and hot springs dating back to Roman times. Distance 79km and 660m of elevation gain. Lunch on the road and dinner at a Girona restaurant.
-
Day 5:
Thursday, April 18
After breakfast we will ride out of Girona to Els Angels and through the beautiful landscape that surrounds medieval villages. We will finish our ride at our next hotel Mas Lazuli. Distance 78km and 810m of elevation gain. Lunch on the road and dinner at a restaurant.For those that need a rest day we can organize a visit to the Salvador Dali museum in Figures.
-
Day 6:
Friday, April 19
After breakfast we will ride to Sant Pere de Rodes, Cadaques and Cap de Creus. This is where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. We will visit the picturesque fishing village of Cadaques. Distance 71km and 1,310m elevation gain. Lunch on the road and dinner at a restaurant. -
Day 7:
Saturday, April 20
After breakfast we will ride to the mountain village of La Vajol near the French border. This route will take us along vineyards and smaller roads. Distance 91km and 870m elevation gain. Lunch will be on the road and dinner at a restaurant. -
Day 8:
Sunday, April 21
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and transfer to El Prat Airport in Barcelona. Please schedule your return flights after April 21. If you have to travel on April 21 please let us know as soon as possible.
Pricing
-
Included:
4 to 5 cycling guides and van support
Lodging 7 nights
All breakfasts
All lunches
All dinners
Wine pairings with dinners
Cooking Class if requested at least 6 weeks before the tour
A rental bicycle will be included
Cycling kit (jersey and shorts)
Snacks and water on bike rides
Cycling guide, driver, and mechanic services
Tips for cycling guidesNot included:
Airfare
Non-tour hotels
Any rental car or train service you may use outside of tour activities.
Any purchases of a personal nature including bar and hotel mini-bar.
Any incidental expenses associated with non-cycling activities, such as cost of guide, museum entry fees, spa services, archaeological site entry fees, etc.
Laundry service at hotel
Post ride massage if availablePlease note that a check or wire transfer is preferred. We also accept, ZELLE Quick Pay, Apple Pay. Credit card payments will have an additional 3% fee for USA transactions and a 4.5% fee for international transactions.
Payment Instructions:
Willie’s World Cycling prefers payment by check payable to:
Willie’s World Cycling LLC
4231 E. Pontatoc Canyon Dr.
Tucson, Arizona 85718
Or
Wire transfers, ZELLE Quick Pay or Apple Pay please contact us.
A *non-refundable deposit is required in the amount of $1,000 with the balance to be paid in full 60 days before the start date of the tour unless otherwise noted. Tour prices are based on double occupancy per cyclist or non-cyclist. A single occupancy supplement may apply to those traveling alone and requesting their own room. Please make checks payable to Willie’s World Cycling or pay via wire transfer. If your party includes a non-cyclist, please notify us when you register and submit your deposit so we can begin planning stimulating and rewarding activities while cyclists are on the road.
Our prices are in U.S. Dollars and are based on exchange rates in effect at the time of publication. While we make every effort to avoid adding surcharges, Willie’s World Cycling reserves the right to do so should the U.S. Dollar lose substantial value against the Euro.
After your deposit is received, you will be sent more information regarding the sizing for your bicycle, liability waiver, and general information that will be helpful for your visit to Italy.
We recommend obtaining travel or trip cancellation insurance. Please speak to your travel agent for further assistance.
Willie’s World Cycling reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. We will refund any payment received by Willie’s World Cycling which will constitute full settlement.
Although we make every effort to contract the very best in outside services, we do not guarantee services provided by third parties.
Preparation:
Please make sure you have a valid passport.We count on our clients to ensure they are healthy and adequately fit for this tour. This tour is rated Activity Level C Challenging.
*Cancellation Policy:
Deposits are non-refundable if a guest cancels. If the guest signs up for a tour during the year of the cancelled tour or the following year then the deposit will be credited to the tour. After 1 full year the deposit is forfeited to Willie's World Cycling. Final payments are not refundable. Exceptions to this policy will be considered in cases of illness or family emergency45 Days or less: Cancellation charge of 100% of the total cost of the tour