Country & Culture

The sea and the mountains are the distinguishing features of Catalonia. Contrasting landscapes, the Pyrenees in the North and the plains of the Empordà in the South, capture the majestic scenery of this area.

The unique and contrasting scenery in Catalonia add charm to this wonderful part of Spain. You will find lush green woods and meadows in the Pyrenees and acacias, chestnuts, and alder trees in the marshlands. Rosemary, thyme and wild lavender flourish on the southern hillsides. Whilst roaming the vast plains, vines, olive and almond trees line the trails. Silvery and serene cork oak forests shimmer as you approach the coastline. The cork oak forests are replaced by bright pine trees as you reach the Mediterranean Sea.

Open sandy beaches, picturesque bays and quirky seaports which were highly-valued by merchants and pirates, are only a stone’s throw from the rough and inaccessible rocks known as “Serres“, that sheltered forts and monasteries in days gone by.

The views on your e-bike are magnificent and might just take your breath-away!

It seems that the force of nature really can produce and inspire a creative mind! How else would you explain how Catalonia has raised the world-renowned creative minds of Antoni Gaudí, Salvador Dalí, Carmen Amaya, Joan Miró and Montserrat Caballé.

Catalonia – a place and people of contrasts! The Catalans are patriotic and disciplined, traditional, yet contemporary. They have a distinguished culture and these differences have affected Catalonia´s relationship towards the rest of Spain, in particular towards Castile, whose dominance has sometimes been regarded as oppression, and still is, even today. The Catalans do not consider themselves Spanish and they are somewhat attracted by the French and German lifestyles. Bull-fighting is not wanted here. People prefer non-violent activities and would rather build human towers or dance with complete strangers to the sounds of the “Sardana”, the traditional Catalan dance. The Catalan culture is a blend of some of the best parts of Spanish and European culture, it is distinct, special and with this, the Catalans create the sensation that they are really are a nation of their own.

The Catalan language dates back to around the 9th Century. During the course of its thousand-year history, for instance, during the Franco dictatorship in Spain, it underwent numerous controls, was suppressed and it was forbidden to converse in Catalan. The Spanish interpret it more or less lovingly as “shouting”. However, “Catalá” forms part of the important Roman cultural idioms and is widely spoken throughout the region.

There are thousands of years of culture to see and experience during your trip!

Catalonia is marked by its millennia-old culture. You will see evidence of its history, time and time again during your e-cycling holiday with us. The small stone-made villages will enchant you with their dreamy architecture, as do the splendid churches and monasteries you come across on our trails. Even today, the ageing "masías" and "castillos", built by wealthy landowners and aristocrats long ago provide a window into their amazing past.