Cycle Marseille to Barcelona
Cycle Marseille to Barcelona
Cycle Marseille to Barcelona
8 Days Starting in Marseille and ending in Barcelona
Visiting: Marseille, Camargue, Collioure, Béziers, Figueres, Catalonia, Peratallada, La Bisbal d'Empordà, Barcelona
Tour Overview
A cycle journey from Marseille to Barcelona that explores the wild beauty of the Camargue, medieval villages, the Canal du Midi, vineyards, Greek and Roman remains and the inviting beaches of Catalonia. We also travel by train and bus as we cycle the most interesting sections between the historic port cities.
Catalan Emporda - Cycle through this beautiful region
Camargue wetlands - Explore the regional park and natural reserve
Mediterranean culture - Contrasts between the French and Catalan (Spanish) Mediterranean
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Trip Starts In Marseille
Location: Marseille
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Carré Vieux
Our trip starts in Marseille. An exuberant multicultural port city in southern France with a mix of grit and grandeur, Marseille was originally founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC and has been a crossroads of immigration and trade ever since.
The Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and, slightly later, our first group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers. If you would like an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. There are no included excursions today and if you miss the briefing, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
No cycling today.
Day 2: Explore Old Marseille On Foot; Cycle Protected Wetlands Of The Camargue
Location: Camargue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bleu Marine
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we plan an orientation walk around old Marseille - including the old port, Place de Lenche, Place de Moulin, Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica and the historic Panier district. Later this morning we leave the city in our bus and drive for just over an hour to Porte-Saint-Luis-du-Rhone where we take a short Rhone river ferry crossing. It is here that we commence our first cycle ride into the protected lowlands of the Rhone delta alongside dikes and saltwater lakes, always close to the sea until we reach Saintes Maries de la Mer where we spend the night in the heart of the Camargue. All the cycling today is on good gravel roads. Our support vehicle has limited access to us today due to the cycle route. Strong Mistral winds can affect the region we are cycling in today and tomorrow. Please note that it may therefore be necessary to adjust, shorten or change the rides if the weather is bad.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 31 kilometres/19.2 miles on the flat on good gravel roads.
Day 3: Explore Camargue Nature Reserve By Bike; Visit Medieval Aigues Mortes
Location: Camargue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Citotel Imperial
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we continue cycling on a mixture of paved and unpaved roads through the rivers, lagoons and canals of the Camargue and Rhone Delta. The area has rich birding opportunities and we will keep our eyes peeled for wildlife including the evocative white horses and Flamingos (seasonal). On our route we will visit the fortified medieval town of Aigues Mortes. Finally we reach Villeneuve-les-Maguelone where we end our ride today. We continue by train to Sete where we check into our hotel in the new part of town and you have a chance to swim in the Med. Sete is an ancient port and the old part of town is just 20-30 minutes away by foot. Our support vehicle has limited access to us today as cannot access our cycle route.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 67 kilometres/41.6 miles (100 metres/328 feet total accumulated ascent and descent).
Day 4: Cycle The Canal Du Midi To Bezier; Train To Collioure
Location: Collioure, Béziers
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Princes de Catalogne
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave the Camargue today and cycle to Bezier along back roads and a stretch of the famous Canal du Midi. Today's cycling ends in historic Bezier where we get on a train (1hr 30mins) to the medieval port town of Collioure. This picturesque town has a backdrop of the Pyrenees and is set around a quiet Mediterranean bay. It is known for the impressive Chateau Royal de Collioure which dominates the waterfront.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres/31 miles (220 metres/721 feet total accumulated ascent and descent).
Day 5: Cycle Into Spain To Figueres, Optional Visit To Dali Museum
Location: Figueres
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Pirineo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our cycle ride today involves some longer climbs and there are a few busier sections of road to be covered in the first 11 kilometre/6.8 miles. We then cycle inland on quiet back roads over the Banyuls pass, which marks the border between France and Spain. Entering Spain, we cycle south to Figueres, where we spend the night. The afternoon is left free for you to explore the town and you may choose to visit the famous Salvador Dali theatre-museum.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres/31 miles (670 metres/2198 feet total of ascent and 630 metres/2067 feet descent). The climb to cross the border is the only challenging one on this trip but very rewarding.
Day 6: Cycle Emporda Region; Optional Visit To Greek Ruins In Empuries
Location: Catalonia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Santa Anna
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we cycle from our accommodation off across the rolling hills of the Emporda region of Catalonia. We will take a rest stop in Empuries where you have the chance to visit the remains of one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain, where the ruins of a Greek and a Roman city lie side by side. (entrance payable locally). The beaches here are inviting and you have the chance for a swim. We continue by bike to our hotel in L'Estartit, a short walk from the Med.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres/36 miles (200 metres/656 feet total accumulated ascent and 230 metres/755 feet descent).
Day 7: Cycle Through Peratallada And La Bisbal. Drive To Barcelona
Location: Peratallada, La Bisbal d'Empordà
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sant Pau
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we cycle from our hotel through diverse scenery including stops at the lovely medieval villages of Peratallada and La Bisbal. Our route continues across low hills covered with oak tree forests before reaching the port town of Palamos. Our bus ride to Barcelona should take 1.5 hours, arriving in the late afternoon. The Leader will arrange a final group meal to celebrate the end of the trip in this marvellous city.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 55 kilometres/32 miles (370 metres/1213 feet total accumulated ascent and descent).
Day 8: Trip Ends In Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Barcelona.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN), which is about 30-45 minute drive away.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Breakfast Only
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
Why Book this Tour
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don't need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet.
Meals
Breakfasts: 7
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, we would be delighted to book extra nights before the start or at the end of your trip, please let us know your requirements at the time of booking.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
All customers that travel on an Explore group trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. This is a great way to start your travels, offering you that little extra peace of mind and comfort in the knowledge that there will be someone at the airport or station waiting to take you t
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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