Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler

For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Blog
  • Work With Us
    • Media Kit
    • Help with Your Business
    • Housesitting
      • How to Get Started as an International House Sitter
      • Our Housesitting Profile
  • Places
    • Africa
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Australia & Oceania
      • Australia
      • Fiji Islands
      • The Philippines
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Bulgaria
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Latvia
      • Liechtenstein
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Serbia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Kansas
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Missouri
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Pennsylvania
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Scandinavia
      • Finland
      • Sweden
    • General Travel
  • Resources and Tools
    • Gift Guides
    • Luggage and Packing
      • Luggage Tags
      • Passport Security
    • Resources for Zazzle and Print On Demand
    • Technology
  • Contact
  • Opt-out preferences

E-Biking through Medieval Villages

By Betsy Wuebker 26 Comments

(Last Updated On: January 23, 2020)

Our group was fortunate to spend a half-day e-biking through medieval villages we might otherwise not have considered in Catalunya’s Baix Empordà.

E-biking through medieval villages gives you an unanticipated perspective. You can go fast enough – with an electric boost for inclines and lengthy distances – to visit several villages in a short period of time. You can go slow enough to wind your way through narrow street corridors, taking note of special details. In the Baix Empordà region of Catalunya, you’ll be gratified by sweeping vistas across a landscape that is reminiscent of rural Tuscany or other more well-known Mediterranean locations, but far less crowded.

e-biking through medieval villages

Timeless Mediterranean landscape of the Baix Empordà’s coastal plain

A full one-third of the entire Baix Empordà is protected under a Natural Interest Areas Plan. What this means to the cyclist or e-biker is a great opportunity to design a route that takes advantage of rural scenery, and the castles, Romanesque churches, archeological sites, monasteries and other medieval monuments scattered throughout its coastal plain.

gualta roman bridge
Roman Bridge over the River Daró at Gualta
e-biking through medieval villages
Ancient wagon wheel ruts on Roman bridge at Gualta

e-biking through medieval villages

An ancient gate at the Ullastret Roman Wall

The Baix Empordà’s signposted cycle touring network indicates suitable low-traffic routes which cyclists can share with regular traffic. Our group was guided through a 20+ kilometer route consisting of a series of dirt pathways, rocky roads dating from medieval times and modern blacktop. This made for an up close and personal half day of e-biking through medieval villages we might not have otherwise considered.

e-biking through medieval villages

Two roads converge in Palau where my yellow-shirted guide graciously awaits a laggard

Our electric bikes were dubbed “burricletas” – a combination of the words for “burro” and “bicycle.” They were equipped with deep saddlebag-like baskets big enough for all kinds of essentials: water bottles, sweater or jacket, purse or small backpack, camera, phone, etc. Usually when I’m biking, I don’t carry a lot of stuff along because I’m going under my own power, so this was great!

e-biking through medieval villages

Our group of fearless e-biking bloggers, grateful for a cloudy day when exertion is planned

We chose our bike helmets from an attractive selection, and after a quick lesson in how to operate our burricletas, we were off.

e-biking through medieval villages

Attired in our attractive bike helmets – Betsy with Patti of luggageandlipstick.com

I was proud that I managed to avoid a couple of minor mishaps that occurred in our group. The only time I wound up sitting on the ground was when I wanted to pose for this photo!

e-biking through medieval villages

“Poppies! Poppies!”

Many tourists of history to this region only visit the Gothic Quarter of Pals, which was one of the first to be restored after being declared an official Cultural Asset of National Importance in 1949. The village of Pals boasts a cultural museum, medieval tombs, a 9th century castle with Romanesque tower, the imposing Churches of Sant Pere and Sant Fructuós, and sweeping views of the coastal plain. Pals is a rightful standalone destination. Add great shopping and you might want to make more than a day of it.

e-biking through medieval villages
Shopping in medieval Pals
e-biking through medieval villages
Arched pathway in Pals

Compared with the smaller villages we visited, though, Pals was a little too “Disney-fied” for me personally. I better enjoyed the smaller villages, where my voyeuristic tendencies confirmed that daily life goes on at an unhurried pace.

e-biking through medieval villages

Taking a break in Palau next to its beehive oven

e-biking through medieval villages

Three different architectural eras in one edifice – you can tell by the size and uniformity of the stones

After our day of e-biking through medieval villages, I was convinced I could poke around the Baix Empordà’s inland communities for weeks on end, take thousands of photos in any season, dine and drink in innumerable establishments located in refurbished vintage buildings, and still see something new all the time.

button great fun catalunya barcelona e bike tours

 

e-biking through medieval villages

A medieval corridor in Palau

Pinnable Image:

E-biking through medieval villages in the Baix Empordà region of Catalunya, Spain

Burricleta Centre Baix Empordà in Gualta, tel. 972 75 50 82, also offers Segway tours for adults and children, a laser combat range and motorized mini-quad(for children) rentals. Advance reservations required and professional historian guides available.

Disclosure: Members of our group were the guests of Burricleta Centre Baix Empordà and Costa Brava TurismeTurisme for this experience. All opinions are our own.

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using CheapOAir, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to TripAdvisor.

You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.

PassingThru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

To view PassingThru’s privacy policy, click here.

Filed Under: Bucket List, Europe, Spain, Travel Tagged With: Baix Emporda, catalunya

Comments

  1. Shobha says

    September 6, 2015 at 10:43 am

    I really enjoyed that bike trip! Thank goodness for the electric motors though because some of those roads were quite hilly. The whole area was hillier than I expected. Considering I am naturally lazy, I was surprised when I found out that the burricleta was one of the best parts of that Costa Brava trip. I’d definitely do it again.

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 6, 2015 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Shobha – I’d do it again, too, in a minute. My triceps were hurtin’ from hanging on for dear life on the rocky roads, but getting a close look in this fascinating area was so enjoyable. The perfect activity.

      Reply
  2. Kristin Henning says

    September 6, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    This sounds like such a fun way to get around to small villages. I would love to visit some of these places via e-bike on my next visit!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 6, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      Hi Kristin – I know you’d love it! On our next visit we’d love to organize more than a day trip if at all possible. Just the right amount of exercise (and the electric motor helps when you need it!)

      Reply
  3. Becky Blanton says

    September 7, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Looks like total, absolute FUN. Great pics and something I’d never hear of – the e-biking! Now THAT I could do!!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 7, 2015 at 10:32 pm

      Hi Becky – I am a total convert! If ever we settle down, I’d love an e-bike! So ingenious.

      Reply
  4. Donna says

    September 7, 2015 at 4:03 am

    This really makes me wish I had been on that trip! Lovely photos that make me want to go there. Thanks Betsy!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 7, 2015 at 10:33 pm

      Hi Donna – You would have loved this way of getting personal with these villages. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Anita says

    September 7, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    I’d like to give e-biking a try, and Baix Emporda looks like the perfect place to do it! Mostly though, I’d want to wear one of those hats. 🙂

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 7, 2015 at 10:41 pm

      Hi Anita – Great way to disguise a clunky bike helmet, isn’t it? You’d have loved this activity. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Suze the Luxury Columnist says

    September 7, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    This is such a brilliant idea and how cool are those bike helmets, I’ve never seen anything like them! The medieval villages look absolutely stunning

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 7, 2015 at 10:42 pm

      Hi Suze – All in all, this is a great way to see history up close and get some not-too-strenuous exercise in. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Bettina Tynan says

    September 9, 2015 at 3:37 am

    Wow your pictures look amazing! E-biking is such a great idea too. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it until now! <3

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 9, 2015 at 3:49 am

      Hi Bettina – They’re very easy to learn and get used to as well. Thanks. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sarah Twain says

    September 9, 2015 at 7:53 am

    Never been e-biking before- sounds weird. Great pictures- I’m very jelly x

    Reply
  9. Revati says

    September 9, 2015 at 3:45 am

    I’m not much of a cyclist, but I do remember when we were staying in the medieval hill towns of tuscany, we’d see loads of cyclists coming in through the day, just passing through, and we looked at them rather enviously!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 9, 2015 at 3:50 am

      Hi Revati – We’ve seen tons of cyclists, particularly on hilly Mallorca, who were exerting themselves far more than we would ever attempt. This is a nice compromise. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Robb Saunders says

    September 9, 2015 at 4:07 am

    Sounds like a fun trip. I want to go on a burricletas and cruise through the streets. Also great photos!
    Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  11. Sarah says

    September 12, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Lovely pictures! The burricleta sounds like an awesome way to discover the medieval villages! I really need to learn how to ride a bike! I miss out on so many good tours because of it!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 13, 2015 at 1:09 am

      Hi Sarah – It really is the greatest! Hope you get to try!

      Reply
  12. Jon @ jonistravelling.com says

    September 13, 2015 at 2:52 am

    Cycling has got to be the best way to get around, I’ve done it a lot in Asia but this looks a lot more relaxing (and not so hot).

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 13, 2015 at 4:38 am

      Hi Jon – It was a cloudy day, so that really helped. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the direct sun. Instead, it was quite comfortable.

      Reply
  13. Connie says

    September 14, 2015 at 3:19 am

    Now that’s my kind of bicycling. I’d want all the help I could get. Beautiful scenery.

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      September 14, 2015 at 10:17 pm

      Hi Connie – The e-bike sure made things far more enjoyable for me than they would have been under solely my own steam. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Jessica Brown says

    December 21, 2015 at 6:53 am

    I still enjoy cycling, it really keeps me clam & fit too. You blog is very interesting & informative. Cheers

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      December 22, 2015 at 10:06 am

      Hi Jessica – Thanks for your comment!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Aloha! We’re Betsy and Pete Wuebker. We traveled the world full time for close to four years and have visited almost 50 countries. If you’re a curious and thoughtful traveler, you’re in the right place. No matter if you’re new to travel or an old hand, we can help you refine your bucket list!

Here’s to a happier, travel-centered life!

Top 10 European Historic Sites to Visit at Least Once in a Lifetime

Bucket List Ideas

  • Things You Will Learn About Yourself While Walking the Camino de Santiago
  • 10 Unmissable Attractions in Bhutan
  • Oktoberfest Getaway in Munich: Top Tips Ensure the Best Oktoberfest Plan for the Famous Munich Beer Festival

More Bucket List Ideas

Privacy Policy

Click here for PassingThru’s Privacy Policy.

Disclosure

PassingThru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Click here for PassingThru’s complete Disclosure Policy.

Copyright © 2023 Passing Thru · Designed by Blue Sun Studio, Inc. on Genesis · Log in

Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}