Bacchus ON BIKES

Bacchus ON BIKES

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN It was on a cycling trip from La Rochelle to Barcelona in 2013 with my two daughters, Zoe and Annie, that I was lucky enough to discover the hidden gems of the Empordà in Catalonia. We cycled through beautiful parts of France, but it was without doubt the northeastern knuckle of Spain that stuck in all our memories - mountains, coastline, medieval villages, paddy fields, orchards, vineyards, olive groves, dedicated cycling & walking routes and to top it all off, the incomparable pleasure of sitting down to a feast of fresh local food and delicious wine with weary legs after a long day exercising. With that sweet taste of the Empordà still in my mouth, I approached Catalan friend, Josep Maria (pictured above - LHS), to set the wheels in motion for Bacchus original cycling, walking, wine, olive oil and gastronomy tours - aiming to give friends and family an under the skin experience of the region and a chance to get to know the dedicated and enthusiastic characters behind their food and drink. Two years down the line and after a number of fantastic tours in the Empordà, we are excited to be taking this concept further afield under the leadership of Managing Director, Gareth Davies (pictured below). With new and exciting destinations on the roadmap, including Andalusia this year and the Douro Valley in 2018, we hope you will be able to join us for the ride. Anthony Wallington OBE Executive Chairman (pictured above - RHS)

SUBLIME RIDES DIVINE FOOD FINE WINE Slow down and enjoy the ride Bacchus on Bikes design and lead tailor-made cycling holidays for all levels of cyclist through the Empordà region of Catalonia and Andalusia in the south of Spain. Building on the success of our original cycling, walking, wine, olive oil and gastronomy tours in the Empordà, we are gradually establishing Bacchus in a range of exciting and beautiful locations around the world. The perfect marriage of velo & viticulture We strike the balance between time in and out of the saddle, providing you with a combination of outstanding cycling routes and the best of local wine and cuisine. Cycle & Sip All trips are tailored to your expectations, which means you decide whether you would prefer a day soaring up mountains or an afternoon sipping wine at one of our favourite cellars. Hidden Gems Bacchus on Bikes is about more than just cycling - we pride ourselves on unearthing the hidden gems of each destination; the great wine, local cuisine and people you meet along the way. Under the skin The most enjoyable aspect of our trips is the chance to introduce you to the dedicated people behind the food and wine you will taste. Through our local contacts and time spent in each region nurturing relationships with the people and places we visit, we like to think you are experiencing the real thing.

OUR DESTINATIONS

EMPORDÀ - CATALONIA Situated in Northern Catalonia, the Empordà region is relatively unknown given its gastronomic, vinicultural and olive oil producing heritage. The people of Empordà have been producing wine and olive oil since the Greeks, Romans and Arabs inhabited the area many centuries ago. With an abundance of cultural sites, medieval villages, national parks and wetlands, combined with the growing number of family-run cellars, olive groves and top-rated restaurants, the potential for wine and olive oil tourism is greater than ever. The classic Pirinexus cycle route provides a peaceful way of enjoying the stunning landscapes and varied terrain of the region, and the variety of remote backroads has transformed it into the chosen training destination for over a quarter of pro-tour cyclists. Season: Alt & Baix Emporda enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate for much of the year. We recommend visiting between March and the end of October to guarantee best weather and cycling conditions.

THE SHERRY TRIANGLE - ANDALUSIA Famous for flamenco, sherry and phenomenal tapas, Andalusia is the perfect destination to embark on a gastronomic adventure in 2017. The region is famous for its pueblos blancos (white towns) and the Sherry Triangle - an undiscovered gem brimming with wonderful bodegas, tapas bars, quirky restaurants and a fascinating history. Boasting unparalleled quality of seafood, charcuterie and wine, you would expect hoards of tourists to visit the region, yet it still remains largely untouched. Spend your days cycling through undulating Andalusian countryside before venturing into the heart of the Sherry Triangle for sherry tasting and long lunches. We promise you now is the time to visit. Season: Andalusia has one of the driest climates in Europe, however when it rains, it rains! Visit in Spring and Autumn for most pleasant temperatures on the bike.

each trip tailored to your expectations Price All itineraries are tailor-made and quoted based on the size of the group. Please get in touch for more information. What is included? Airport transfers on arrival and departure for recommended flights, Bacchus host and route guide, English-speaking local guide, accommodation, all breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, pitstop refreshments, support vehicle, bike hire (if required). What is excluded? Flights, travel insurance, wine with evening meals, personal costs Cycling Routes Daily mileage and terrain can be agreed upon and routes distributed in advance if required. The Empordà and Andalusia have a variety of routes that can be tailored depending on client s level of cycling and expectations. Accommodation and Single Room Supplement We choose accommodation that aims to make your Bacchus experience extra special - these are places run by local people we have developed relationships with over time, hence we feel more than comfortable leaving you in their safe hands each evening. Support and Guides Each day the support vehicle will be nearby to offer a lift should you need one. A member of the Bacchus entourage will be there to lead you on each ride. With a passion for everything each region has to offer, from sailing, hiking and cycling to eating good food and drinking local wine, their invaluable local knowledge hopes to make your tour a unique and memorable experience for everyone.

PLEASE DON T HESITATE TO GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO DESIGN YOUR CYCLING HOLIDAY www.bacchusonbikes.com info@bacchusonbikes.com 020 7402 4035