La Costa Brava. Cycle the prettiest coast in all of Spain LA COSTA BRAVA 2018 ITINERARY OUTLINE CLASSICO. Trip Essence / Page 2

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1 La Costa Brava Cycle the prettiest coast in all of Spain Situated in the northeastern corner of Spain, the Costa Brava is one of the most romantic and gorgeous stretches of coast arguably in all of Europe. It is home to some of the finest Blue Flag beaches, turquoise waters and secluded coves. It also has the reputation of producing some of Spain s finest cuisine, making Catalonia a foodie s paradise. What makes the Costa Brava even more spectacular is its mild year-round climate and varied cycling terrain, making it the preferred training ground for amateur and pro cyclists alike. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-5 Arrival & Departure / Page 6 Bike Information / Page 6 Terms & Conditions / Page 7 Reserve Your Space! / Page 7 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 1

2 TRIP ESSENCE Mild year-round cycling and varied terrain, perfect for cycling Strikingly well preserved ruins and archaeological sites Turquoise waters, secluded coves and white sandy beaches Sample the finest Spanish cuisine WHAT S INCLUDED Use of a carbon road bike (see page 6 for details) Service of local, professional guides throughout the program Ciclismo jersey and water bottle All accommodations 1 olive oil tasting 2 walking tours (Girona and Empúries) All breakfasts, 2 lunches + family picnic lunch, and 6 dinners A group post-tour shuttle TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Dates Apr May Jun 2-9 Jun Sep 8-15 Sep Oct 6-13 Ability Level Intermediate Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 18 miles Day 2: 38 miles Day 3: 49 miles Day 4: 54 miles Day 5: 36 miles Day 6: 46 miles Day 7: 52 miles Day 8: Adios! Total: 293 miles Optional extra loops available Trip Price $5,195 Single Supplement: $800 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 2

3 DAY 1 GIRONA Daily Mileage - 18 miles; 1,150 Riding Terrain - Rolling with one climb Hotel - Ciutat de Girona Location: Girona Duration: 2 Nights Website: www. hotelciutatdegirona.com/en DAY 2 GIRONA LOOP Daily Mileage - 38 miles; 2,800 Riding Terrain - Easy rolling with one long climb Welcome to Catalonia s Costa Brava! Today we meet at the hotel at 12:45 pm for a light lunch, introductions and a bike fitting. We ll leave the hotel for a short warm-up ride. Ciutat de Girona is a 4-star hotel located in the cultural heart of Girona near the historic center and shops. The hotel combines a modern style with a Spanish flair. The hotel has a small spa and indoor pool. Rooms are equipped to offer comfort, style, personality and functionality. Today after breakfast, we depart for our first full ride of the tour. Founded by Romans, Girona was later taken over by Moors and Franks before falling under the rule of Barcelona. Because of its various influences, the city has produced many fine Romanesque and Gothic buildings that still stand to this day. As we pedal, we ll see the many sites that Girona has to offer. We ll also have a walking tour of the city to learn more about its history. Hotel - See Day 1 DAY 3 BESALU Daily Mileage - 49 miles; 4,000 Riding Terrain - Hilly with one major 4-mile climb Hotel - Casa Marcial Location: Besalu Duration: 1 Night Website: Besalu is one of the most beautiful and lesser-known medieval villages in Spain. It has charm, art, culture and good food, but it has been secluded enough that it doesn t get overly crowded. Treasuring its turbulent history, the village has restored the picturesque bridge and maintained areas of the Jewish quarter that make a stroll through Besalu a highlight of today. Casa Marcial is located near the medieval bridge and center of town. Bedrooms have all of the modern amenities and an outdoor pool. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 3

4 DAY 4 EL PORT DE LA SELVA Daily Mileage - 54 miles; 3,800 Riding Terrain - Mainly flat with a challenging 8 km (5 mi) climb and downhill Hotel - Porto Cristo Hotel Spa Location: El Port de la Salva Duration: 1 Night Website: hotelportdelaselva.com/en/ porto-cristo-hotel-spa/ DAY 5 EMPURIES Daily Mileage - 36 miles; 2,700 Riding Terrain - Two major climbs and descents, then flat Hotel - Hostal Spa Empúries Location: L Escala Duration: 2 Nights Website: hostalempuries.com/hostalecologico-costa-brava DAY 6 EMPURIES LOOP Daily Mileage - 46 miles; 1,950 After an easy ride in the morning, mainly flat and downhill, our day becomes more challenging with the climb to Sant Pere de Rodes, a 9 th -century Benedectine monastery that offers exceptional views over the French Riviera and Costa Brava. (There will also be an optional visit to Sant Pere Rodes monastery.) This is followed by a fabulous descent to El Port de la Selva near the French border. You can enjoy the great, opulent landscape where the blue of the Mediterranean Sea compliments the green of the vineyard. We ll also get a taste of this unique culture by way of an olive oil tasting on a farm today. The Porto Cristo Hotel is a recently renovated 19 th -century, Empire-style building less than a block from the Mediterranean. Enjoy luxurious rooms and amenities along with all the elegance and hospitality El Port de la Selva has to offer. Feel free to walk down to the beach or through the nearby town center. Today we ride from El Port de la Selva to Empúries, traveling south parallel to La Costa Brava. In the morning we visit Cadaqués on the Cape de Creus, which is the home of famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali s and the legendary Picasso. Additionally, Walt Disney spent a lot of his time in Cadaqués as well. We ll have a walking tour of Empúries to discover more about this ancient, Greek-Roman archaeological site. The historic Hotel Spa Empúries stands on an ancient settlement beside Greek and Roman ruins. The hotel boasts 34 charming 100-year-old rooms with either a sea or garden view and in some cases, a balcony. It s been tastefully refurbished and decorated. Today s relaxing ride takes us around the municipality of L Escala. This afternoon you are free to relax at the beautiful beaches and explore the town. Your guides can offer suggestions on where to go and what to see. Riding Terrain - Mainly flat and rolling Hotel - See Day 5 Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 4

5 DAY 7 TOSSA DE MAR Daily Mileage - 52 miles; 3,650 Riding Terrain - Flat with a short climb, then hilly on coastal road We depart in the morning for a long but scenic ride to Tossa de Mar. We end with dinner in Tossa de Mar. Located on the more secluded Mar Menuda Beach, Premier Gran Hotel Reymar is a 4-star accommodation that has everything a traveler could want in a hotel. With a pool that also has a bar, several restaurants that offer fantastic views of the beach, and a spa, you ll feel totally at ease while staying there. Hotel - Premier Gran Hotel Reymar Location: Tossa de Mar Duration: 1 Night Website: www. hotelreymartossa.com/ DAY 8 ADIOS! This morning after breakfast around 9 am, we shuttle you directly to Barcelona airport to make your connecting flight home. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 5

6 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO GIRONA Fly to Girona Airport (GRO) or Barcelona Airport (BCN). From Girona, it s a 20-minute taxi ride to the first hotel. From Barcelona, the train takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Girona train station, then it s a 10-minute taxi ride (or a 15-minute walk) to the hotel. We meet at the hotel at 12:45 p.m. For Spain train ticket information, go to DEPARTING FROM TOSSA DE MAR After breakfast around 9 am, we shuttle you directly to Barcelona Airport (approximately 1.5 hours) to make your connecting flight home. If you decide to extend your stay, you can take the group shuttle and then either catch a taxi or train from the airport to your desired destination. BIKE INFORMATION Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Bianchi carbon fork, Shimano 105 triple groupset, an adjustable stem, and a wheel set laced with 32 spokes and 25mm tires. Included on all tours. Aluminum Hybrid More relaxed riding at a look-around-you pace, this is our custom-built, high-performance aluminum hybrid bicycles with straight handlebars. We also have a woman-specific frame. Included on all tours. Bianchi Intenso and Vertigo The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi s special C2C (Coast to Coast) frame design/geometry and different material combination. Carbon bikes are equipped with compact crank and 11/32 cassette. Available for $250. Bianchi Intenso or Vertigo with Shimano included on all intermediate and advanced tours at no extra charge. Tandems Cannondale road or hybrid: racing posture with 700c wheels, or a more straight up position and 26 inch wheels. Available for $400. Co-motion Periscope: accommodates smaller team or even children. Available for $400. Honey tandem: light and responsive and perfect for experienced tandem riders. Available for $400. ebikes Available on all easy and athletic beginner tours, some intermediate and advanced tours. Please contact us for more information. Available for $400. OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: or ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: Transportation Rome2rio* * Our preferred website to make all of your travel plans; can be used for any destination ON THE BIKE Included Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars and Garmin Edge GPS Handlebar bag Tire pump Combination bike lock Gel-padded saddle Choice of pedals Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Garmin Edge GPS Included on all bikes Pedal Options Flat pedals Half-toe pedals (without straps) Toe cage pedals Things to Bring Helmet Optional: clipless pedals with shoes Optional: your own saddle Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 6

7 INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* days - 100% of the deposit* days - 30% of the trip price days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico info@ciclismoclassico.com 7