Andalucía, Spain
Photo Gallery:
Andalucía
Upcoming Dates
- September 25, 2010
- April 2, 2011
- May 7, 2011
- May 22, 2011
- September 24, 2011
- October 10, 2011
Accommodations
Classic
Ability Level
Intermediate
Terrain
Rolling
Distance
450
Arriving
Cordoba
Departing
Jerez
Price
- Apr, May: $4,595
- Sept, Oct: $4,695
Single Supplement
$850
Explore the Roads - and Roots - of the Spanish Southland
Highlights
- Lodging in a private estate set in an olive grove
- Guided tour of Cordoba
- Private cooking lesson featuring the region’s sumptuous cuisine
- Stay in Cordoba and Ronda
- An evening of Flamenco dancing
- Romantic tour ending in Arcos de la Frontiera
Even if your heart belongs to Italy (like ours) , change is good, too. On our tour of Andalucia, you'll feel the Ciclismo spirit as you roll through southern Spain, a region steeped in tradition and history. With stunning roads and vistas, engaging locals and tantalizing food and wines, it's a rider's paradise.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Bienvenidos A Cordoba!
Enjoy a warm-up spin through Cordoba! This city owes its fame to the brilliance of the Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Christian civilizations that endowed it with a rich and varied history. It was the Spanish capitol from the 8th to the 11th century and has many famous garden patios hidden along its cobbled streets.
Day 2 – Cordoba Loop
Soar across a flat, fertile valley typical of the region. After exploring the foothills of the Sierra we'll make our way back to the fascinating city of Cordoba. We'll also stop at the Medina Azahara, a 10th century Moorish palace.
Day 3 – Cordoba to Priego
Ride to the southeast corner of the Cordoba province, an area known for its olive groves and picturesque Andalucían towns. We'll also spin through the Subbetica Natural Park and stroll through Priego to explore some striking Baroque churches.
Day 4 – Priego to Riofrio
Today we'll ride through the rural countryside to Riofrio, a riverside village made notable by it's abundant fisherman and all the fish they catch.
Day 5 – Riofrio to Antequera
Today we'll pedal 42 glorious miles to Antequera, a medieval town in which you'll spot the spires of many churches and the towers of many Moorish fortresses. The journey there will also be very pleasing to the eyes as we cycle through some of Andalucía's most fertile farmlands and catch glimpses of asparagus fields, olives groves, and vibrant sunflowers.
Day 6 – Antequera Loop
We'll explore this 5,000 year old town more carefully and also enjoy a scenic ride to Andalucía's largest natural lake, the breeding ground for hundreds of flamingos.
Day 7 – Antequera to Ronda
Ronda is famous worldwide for it's dramatic views of the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the Rio Guadalevín through its center. Visitors are particularly drawn to the Puente Nuevo bridge that crosses over the river because of the fantastic view it has to offer of the valley below and the spectacular Serranía de Ronda Mountains.
Day 8 – Ronda Loop
Today we'll spin along a rocky limestone ridge, towards the fertile valley of the river Guadalete below, and we'll return to Ronda for a relaxing stroll in town before our final celebrating dinner.
Day 9 – ADIOS!
Today we'll say farewell to Andalucía and to each other. If you'd like to do some more exploring after your trip, let us know and we'll give you plenty of ideas! Hasta pronto!