Andalusia Southern Spain Bike Tour through Olive Groves and Vineyards

This is the tour for any cyclist who wants to experience Spain´s most iconic region and cycle through breathtaking scenery.

Following the route of the Caliphs, from Cordoba to Granada , this first part proposes an enticing adventure for the mind, linking the two most prominent cities of Spain´s Moorish occupation. If Cordoba had the grandeur then Granada had the finesse. On route, there are castles, corn fields, vineyards, huge olive groves, sun flowers, orchards. Arriving in Granada, we visit the Alhambra, a route that fascinated the senses of Washington Irving, the American writer and diplomat. Seville, the Andalusian capital, is unique in its ability to evoke a diversity of sensations and the essence of the Andalusian spirit.






Our route includes the path of a disused railway perfectly adapted for cycling, minor country roads and pathways. Our accommodation is of the best quality; four star hotels in the main cities and smaller hotels with a special charm in some villages.








We will savor the Andalusian cuisine that offers us traditional dishes accompanied by excellent wines. The mini bus will transport us to the starting point of each of the tour stages, and we will be bicycling for the most interesting parts of our route. Each stage of the tour may be adapted to the groups overall bicycling skills.

Few cycling experiences can match the combination of the Andalusian sun, its delicious food and fine wines, visiting monumental Cordoba and Granada and other jewels of the Jewish, Arabic and Christian culture.

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DAY 1:
MADRID
Total distance is 15 Kms. (10 miles) in a flat terrain
- Our guests will be met at the airport at the time agreed then transferred in our minibus to the hotel at a Madrid downtown location close to Atocha train station and the Art Museums.
- Optional unguided visit of the city and the nearby Prado museum, or a cycling tour of the historic centre. This part of the program can be added to the end of the trip if preferred
- Overnight in Madrid
L


DAY 2:
MADRID - (AVE Train) CORDOBA
15 km (10 miles) on level - city streets
- Breakfast
- Early morning departure from Madrid on the high speed train (AVE) to Cordoba arriving in less than two hours
- Transfer to the hotel, followed by a cycling tour of the city until early afternoon, then lunch
- In the afternoon we are free to visit the Mosque and the picturesque historic centre. 10 centuries ago, Cordoba was one of the biggest and most influential cities in the world and the capital of Muslim Spain. Today Cordoba is well-known for its mosque but the city abounds with artistic and architectural treasures. The old Arab and Jewish quarters with their narrow streets offer the visitor a unique experience.
Overnight in Cordoba
B, L


DAY 3:
CORDOBA - ZUHEROS
Total distance is 45 Kms. (30 miles) on the flat (a disused railway track with possibility of extending the cycling time)
- Breakfast
- After breakfast we leave Cordoba by minibus to visit a famous winery in Montilla, the town giving its name to the world-renowned wine
- We proceed by minibus to Lucena, where we begin cycling along the old rail track which is known as the Via del Aceite.
- After our lunch stop, we continue cycling for some more miles through the olive groves.
- Tonight we stay in Zuheros, one of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia, hangs from a rocky outcrop on the edge of a nature reserve. The castle and palace enjoy a spectacular position on top of an enormous rock, commanding splendid views of the Andalucian countryside. For those interested, the Bat Cave, 4 km. away, boasts a collection of extraordinary limestone formations.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Overnight in Zuheros
B, L, D



DAY 4:
ZUHEROS - PRIEGO DE CORDOBA
Today`s total distance is 40 Km (28 miles with a modest initial climb along a wide rural track)
- Breakfast
- From Zuheros we cycle to the village of Luque and then on to Priego, crossing the impressive landscapes of Sierra Subbetica mountain range.
- Following our descent we will stop for lunch at Carcabuey
- In the afternoon, we cycle on to Priego. Surrounded by olive groves and with a fine mediaeval castle, Priego is a small and delightfully picturesque town, considered the cradle of Spanish baroque architecture. The town is a maze of incredibly narrow streets, a labyrinth of whitewashed walls, cobblestone pavements and corners and niches over- flowing with flower pots
- We dine at the hotel or in a recommended restaurant.
B, L, D


DAY 5:
PRIEGO DE CORDOBA - GRANADA
Today`s total distance is 50 Km (32 miles along rolling country roads with minimal traffic)
- Breakfast
- Our day begins with a short minibus ride to visit the castle of Alcala la Real following which we continue to our cycling departure point, close to the village Moclín perched above pinewoods with a ruined fortress
- From here we wind our way gently up and down through olive groves and pine trees, arriving at the reservoir of Cubillas where we stop for lunch at a fine restaurant with views on to the lake
- Here, we can choose to continue cycling, or ride in the minibus to the hotel in Granada. For the cyclists we have a further 20 km (12 miles) on the level, via Guevejar, with more intense traffic as we approach the city centre, where our hotel is located.
- Granada is a romantic destiny. In the words of Alexandre Dumas written in 1846: With the pretty name of Granada , you have already created a medieval city in your mind, half Christian, half Moorish. But Washington Irving´s words define it more aptly: It typified the oriental exoticism of the romantic vision of Spain
- Dinner in the city of Granada
- Overnight in Granada
B, L, D


DAY 6:
GRANADA
Today`s total distance is 20 Kms (12 miles rolling terrain)
- Breakfast
- Our day starts with a visit to the Alhambra, after which we explore the city of Granada either on cycle, or on foot, taking in Albaicín, the original moorish quarter
- Here we climb to the panoramic outlook point of San Nicolas affording us a magnificent view of the majestic Alhambra lit up by the soft rays of the setting sun, an unforgettable moment and maybe the best highlight of our cycling tour through Andalusia
- After dinner in a tapas restaurant, we have the option of seeing a late flamenco show in one of the gypsy caves in Sacramonte.
- Overnight in Granada
B, L, D


DAY 7:
GRANDA - SEVILLE
- Breakfast
- Leaving the hotel in Granada we drive by minibus to Seville, the journey lasting about two hours
- Here we have a light lunch at the hotel, followed by a city cycling tour
- This will be the end of our cycling activities
- Overnight in Seville
B, L, D


DAY 8:
SEVILLE - MADRID
- Breakfast
- Guests have the option of returning to Madrid by *high-speed train (*tickets included), or extending their stay to enjoy the city of Seville on their own.
- Guests who will have spent their first night in Cordoba, have the option of adding the Madrid city program on their return from Seville.
- !Hasta pronto y buen viaje!
B


END OF TOUR SERVICES