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Itinerary

Monday, 22nd April: Leon
Arrival day
Accommodation: Parador de León

Welcome to the Camino, and the start of an amazing tour!

Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, you will need to obtain your credencial (pilgrim passport) from the Albergue del Monasterio de las Benedictinas (open daily 11am – 11pm) or from the Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago (open Mon – Fri 11am – 1pm/6pm – 8pm). The credencial costs 2€, payable in cash.

At leisure in León

• Top of your list should be León Cathedral (open Mon – Sat 9:30am – 1:30pm/4pm – 7pm, Sun 9:30am – 11:30am and 1pm – 3pm), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a spectacular rose window. Constructed between the mid 18th and early 19th centuries, the Cathedral’s architectural style demonstrates the transition from Late Baroque to Neo-Classical.
• León’s colourful Plaza Mayor is well worth a visit: grab a coffee at one of the many cafés and admire the elegant architecture. If your visit coincides with a Wednesday or Saturday, you can visit the traditional market held in the plaza from 9am – 3pm, and sample some local produce.
• Basílica de San Isidoro: Consecrated in 1063, this beautiful church (open daily from 10am), houses a Royal Pantheon, covered in stunning colorful frescoes, a museum, a collegiate library and a beautiful hotel and restaurant (open daily 1:30pm – 3:30pm/8:30pm – 10:30pm), where you can dine among the ancient cloisters. 
• Museo Casa Botines de Gaudí: Famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí didn’t just design buildings in Barcelona; among his creations in Castile-León is this magnificent example of 20th-century Modernist architecture, originally a commercial warehouse and private residence (open Thu – Mon 10am – 7pm, Wed 3pm – 7pm).
• Discover more about the history of the local area at León Museum, the biggest in Castile-León, and whose collection dates back to the Bronze Age (open Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm/4pm – 7pm and Sun 10am – 2pm).
• Art fans will love MUSAC, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castile-León, which houses works by local and international artists and is famous for its stained glass gallery, designed to mimic the colours of the Cathedral’s rose window.

Eating and drinking in León

No visit to León is complete without a tapas crawl around the Barrio Húmedo, or “wet district”, so called because it’s where you’ll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs! From the Cathedral, cross Calle Ancha, an ancient Roman road, and start exploring. You will receive a tapa with each drink order, so we suggest that you order cortos (small beers!)

Some of our favourite tapas bars are: La Bicha (for morcilla, or blood sausage), El Rebote (for croquetas), Jamón Jamón (charcuterie), Rúa 11 (150 varieties of vermouth), El Rincón del Gaucho (garlic soup).

Tuesday, 23rd April: Leon – Astorga
Route: 55km/34.6 mi
Elevation: +484m/+1,588 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Via de la Plata
Meals included: Breakfast

9am: Bike fitting at the Parador de León. In case of any issues, please contact Enrique on (+34) 696 546 088.

This first stage traverses classic Castilian landscapes, complete with holm oaks, golden wheat fields and moderate rolling hills. The straightforward route follows the path of the N120 highway. The scenery along the first half of the route is relatively dry, but gets greener the further west you go as the cornfields give way to endless vineyards. Keep your eyes peeled for geckos, birds of prey and dairy cows!

We recommend that you stop for lunch in the charming town of Hóspital de Órbigo, named after the pilgrim hospital founded by the Knights Hospitaller in the 16th century next to the Órbigo river. One of the town’s most famous attractions is the Paso Honroso, a 300m long stone medieval bridge, where according to the knight Don Suero de Quiñones once held a jousting tournament lasting over a month, in which he swore to break 300 lances in honour of unrequited love.

Our recommended lunch restaurant is La Encomienda (open daily 1pm – 4pm and Sat 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 12am), a historic spot whose specialty is trout.

Just before reaching Astorga, we recommend a quick photo stop at the Crucero de Santo Toribio, a stone cross atop a hill from where you can enjoy fabulous views of the Montes de León and Astorga.

At leisure in Astorga

Located at the convergence of the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata, Astorga offers a rich cultural legacy stretching from Roman times through to 20th century Modernism.

• Astorga’s Late Gothic Cathedral (open daily 10am – 6pm, closed Sun 11:30am – 1pm for Mass) was built over three centuries, with the result that the stones that make up its walls are from different quarries and are different colours. Don’t miss the figure of St James on the cathedral’s ornate Baroque façade, facing the pilgrims’ route and blessing all those who pass.
• Astorga’s majestic Episcopal Palace, or the Palacio de Gaudí, is one of the municipality’s most fascinating buildings, and now houses a museum dedicated to the Camino de Santiago.
• The Plaza Mayor is the perfect example of Astorga’s mixture of old and new. Built over the remnants of the Roman forum, the square is home to the 17th century town hall, considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the region. On Tuesday mornings, the Plaza hosts a market (open 9am – 1:30pm) where you can pick up some fresh regional produce.
• For a sweet treat, visit Astorga’s Chocolate Museum, (open Tue – Sat 10:30am – 2pm/4:30pm – 7pm and Sun 10:30am – 2pm) which traces the history of the Astorgan families who became official chocolate suppliers to the Spanish Royal Family, and is set in one of their elegant former mansions.
• Discover Astorga’s Classical history at the Roman Museum (open Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm and Sun 10am – 2pm), which is housed in an ancient domed building that was once part of the Roman forum.

Eating and drinking in Astorga

A very traditional dish in Astorga is cocido maragato, a meat stew that is served one stage at a time: first the meat, then the vegetables, then finally the broth. What makes cocido maragato so special is that the rest of Spain serves their cocido in the reverse order, starting with the broth!

Cocido maragato is the perfect way to replenish calories after a long day of cycling, and we recommend you try it at Restaurante Casa Maragata, which is dedicated exclusively to this dish! They have two establishments in the city: Restaurante Casa Maragata I (open Wed – Sun 10:30am – 5pm) and Restaurante Casa Maragata II (open Fri – Tues from 10:30am – 5pm).

Wednesday, 24th April: Astorga – Villafranca
Route: 80.2 km/49.8 miles
Elevation: +1121 m/+3678 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo

From Astorga, the Camino climbs gently up to the foothills of your first mountain pass. Once you’ve reached the top of Foncebadón, relax and enjoy the sweeping downhill ride to Villafranca, with gorgeous views of vineyards stretching out endlessly on both sides.

At km 7, you’ll reach the picturesque town of Castrillo de los Polvazares, considered to be one of the region’s most beautiful examples of popular architecture. Take a quick breather to explore the cobblestone streets and admire brightly painted door and windowframes.

Further along the Camino, you’ll reach the medieval town of Rabanal del Camino, a historic pilgrim town where you can still find the remains of centuries-old pilgrim hospitals. For an authentic pilgrim experience, stop by the Municipal Pilgrim Hostel for a quick bite to eat at their bar/restaurant. On Sundays, they serve delicious plates of octupus! The town also houses the first monastery founded in the 21st century: the Monastery of San Salvador de Monte Irago.

Next, you’ll cycle up to beautiful mountain village of Foncebadón, which was largely abandoned until the mid-20th century, when the resurgence of the Camino started to attract new residents. If you’re passing through on a Saturday or Sunday, we recommend that you stop by La Taberna de Gaia (open Sat/Sun 12pm – 8pm), a unique medieval-themed restaurants serving authentic historical fare.

Just outside of Foncebadón, you’ll come across the famous Cruz del Ferro, the highest point of today’s ride and also the highest point of the Camino Francés, where pilgrims traditionally leave a small stone as a symbol of leaving behind their burdens before arriving in Santiago.

A little later, you’ll pass through the abandoned mountain village of Manjarín, where you can visit a pilgrim hostel founded by a modern-day Templar Knight! Tomás Martínez received the call to join the Order of the Knights Templar in 1993, and founded a medieval-style pilgrim hostel. Although the hostel is now closed, the site is still a fascinating insight into the history and spirit of the Camino.

Cross the medieval bridge into Molinaseca, and make a lunch stop at one of the riverside restaurants. Our favourites are Mesón El Palacio (open Fri – Wed 8am – 12am) and Mesón Puente Romano (open Thu – Tue 8am – 12am)

After Molinaseca, you’ll pass through the historic city of Ponferrada,  historically a stronghold of the Knights Templar and still dominated by their imposing 12^th century castle (open Tue – Sun 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm).

After Ponferrada, you’ll enter the region of El Bierzo, whose wines have their own Protected Denomination of Origin. You have plenty of opportunities to visit a local winery: on the way out of Camponaraya, you’ll find Viñas del Bierzo (open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm and Sat 10am – 2pm), and Bodegas Godelia (open Mon – Fri 9am – 2pm/3pm – 6pm) and Losada Vinos de Finca (open Mon – Fri 9am – 2pm/3pm – 5pm) in Pieros.

At leisure in Villafranca del Bierzo

The town of Villafranca del Bierzo is was originally founded to provide pilgrims with refuge and sanctuary before beginning the most difficult part of their pilgrimage. The town boasts a long and storied history, and is replete with churches and monuments, testament to its importance as a stop on the ancient Camino de Santiago route.

• At the entrance to the town, you’ll find the 12th-century Church of Santiago, where pilgrims unable to continue to Santiago de Compostela were able to pass through the Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) and obtain forgiveness for their sins.
• Continuing into town, you’ll find the Castle-Palace of the Marqueses de Villafranca, which nowadays houses a winery. You can admire more historic palaces by taking a stroll down Calle del Agua, a street replete with the manor houses of the aristocracy of yesteryear.

Eating and drinking in Villafranca del Bierzo

Your hotel, has its own excellent restauarant serving locally-produced fare; however, if you would like to explore the town further, we recommend the Microhostal Restaurante La Puerta del Perdón (open Tue – Sun 1pm – 4pm), the restaurant at the pilgrim hostel Albergue Viña Femita, or Mesón Don Nacho (open Wed – Mon 8am -4pm/8pm-12am)

Thursday, 25th April: Villafranca – Portomarin
Route: 68.7 km OR 98.7 km/42.7 miles OR 61.5 miles
Elevation: +739 m OR +1814 m/+2425 ft OR +5,976 ft
Accommodation: Vistalegre Hotel Spa
Meals included: Breakfast

Get ready for the most challenging day of the Camino! From Villafranca the Camino climbs up to the mountain village of O’Cebreiro, the most demanding ascent of the western Camino Francés.

10am: In order to optimise your experience on this stage, we have organised for a taxi to collect you from your hotel and take you up to O’Cebreiro, so that you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the more beautiful (and flatter!) part of the ride.

The taxi will also take your luggage to Portomarín, so make sure you bring everything with you rather than leaving it in hotel reception.

The tiny mountain village of O’Cebreiro is your first stop in Galicia! The village holds huge cultural significance for the Camino de Santiago, and is well worth taking the time to explore. We highly recommend that you visit the pallozas: oval-shaped stone huts with straw roofs where for centuries local people cohabited with their livestock (open Tue – Sat 8:30am – 2:30pm in summer and 11am – 6pm in winter). Also worth a visit is the 9th century church of Santa María do Cebreiro (open Mon – Sat 9:30am – 1:30pm/4pm – 8pm and Sun 9:30am – 1:30pm), one of the oldest and best-preserved of the Camino, said to house the Holy Grail and whose bells once rang through the mists to guide pilgrims to safety.

Continuing on from O’Cebreiro, we highly recommend a stop at the tiny Albergue del Puerto, just beyond Padornelo, for a well-deserved slice of tortilla!

As you leave Triacastela, the Camino offers us two routes to Sarria. You’ll be taking the route via Samos, allowing you to visit the magnificent Monastery of Samos, which dates back to the 6th century. Samos is also known for its gastronomy, especially river fish such as trout and eel: you can try these at Hotel Veiga Restaurante (open daily from 8am).

The town of Sarria has reached legendary status on the Camino, because it’s the final town before the all-important 100km point, and therefore marks the starting point for many pilgrims. We recommend a quick stop here to soak up the Camino atmosphere, and grab some seafood from Restaurante Santiago.

Upon arrival in Portomarín, you’ll cross the Ponte Nova: the new bridge that was constructed in the 1960s following the flood that resulted from the construction of the Miño River. The older neighborhoods of the town once belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, but now lie submerged. When the reservoir waters are low, it’s still possible to see the original medieval bridge and get an idea of the layout of the ancient town.

At leisure in Portomarín

The most important historical buildings of Portomarín were rescued, stone by stone, before the construction of the dam, and can still be seen today. Don’t miss the fortified Church of St Nicholas, and the Romanesque Church of San Pedro.

Eating and drinking in Portomarín

For a well-earned dinner, we recommend the riverside Restaurante O Mirador (open Sat – Thu, 1:30pm – 4:30pm/7:30pm – 10:30pm), which features a chill-out terrace with fabulous views, or Restaurante Xaones (open Sun – Fri 1:30pm – 11pm).

Friday, 26th April: Portomarín – Arzúa
Route: 58.3 km/36.2 miles
Elevation: +1052 m/3453 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Pazo Brandeso

Today’s stage marks a pleasant contrast with the exertions of yesterday! You’ll enjoy a relaxed ride across the rolling Galician countryside, gradually losing altitude.

Your ride today takes you to the Celtic heart of Galicia. As you leave Castromaior, you can take a short diversion to visit the Celtic castro (fortified town) which gave the town its name. Dating back to the 4th century BC, this castro is one of the largest Iron Age sites in the Iberian peninsula.

History-lovers might also consider a diversion of 9km round-trip to Castillo de Pambre, which dates back to the 14th century and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Galician medieval military architecture (open Apr – Oct: Tues – Sun 11am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm and Nov – Mar: Tues – Sun 12pm – 5pm=.

Further long the route, you will pass through the small town of Melide, famous for its speciality: pulpo a feira (Galician octopus!) You can sample this very traditional Galician dish at one of the town’s pulperías: Ezequiel (open daily from 9:30am) or A Garnacha (open dialy from 9:30am).

Eating and drinking in Arzúa

Arzúa is very famous for Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, which has Protected Denomination of Origin status. You can buy some to try at A Queixeira de Arzúa (open daily from 8am).

If you didn’t try pulpo at lunchtime in Melide, you can sample Galicia’s most famous delicacy at Pulpería Parrillada Europa (open daily from 9:30am).

Saturday, 27th April: Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela
Route: 44 km/27.4 miles
Elevation: +692 m/+2262 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago 

Today’s stage takes you along forest paths, through the beautiful Galician countryside to your final destination: the Pórtico de la Gloria (“The Façade of Glory”) of Santiago Cathedral!

Between the tiny hamlets of As Ras and A Brea, you’ll find Alimentos Ruta Xacobea (open Mon – Fri 10am – 1:30pm/4pm – 7pm), a small cheese factory making Arzúa-Ulloa cheese and other local varieties.

If you’d like to grab some lunch before arriving into Santiago de Compostela, we can recommend either Raxería San Marcos (open Wed – Mon 10am – 6pm) or Restaurante O Tangueiro for pulpo (open daily from 9am).

The official end-point of the Camino in Santiago de Compostela is the Cathedral, located in Plaza del Obradoiro. We recommend taking a break in the plaza to celebrate your achievement and soak up the amazing atmosphere. There is something indescribably human about the sight of hundreds of daily pilgrims arriving into the plaza, just as countless others have done over the centuries.

Inside the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally embrace the statue of St James and visit his tomb. If you’d like to carry out this ritual, you can enter the Cathedral via Porta de Acibechería in Plaza da Inmaculada (daily from 8:30am – 9pm).

When you’re ready, you can visit the Pilgrim’s Office at Rúa das Carretas, 33 (open daily 10am – 6pm), where you can obtain the Compostela: the document certifying you as an official pilgrim! You can also request the Certificate of Distance, which reflects the start point of your pilgrimage, the number of kilometres travelled and the start and finish dates. This Certificate costs 3€, payable in cash at the Pilgrim Office.

Pilgrim’s Mass takes place in the Cathedral daily at 7:30am, 9:30am, 12:00pm and 7:30pm. At the beginning of the Pilgrim’s Mass, a list of the number of pilgrims who have been received in the Pilgrims’ Office in the last 24 hours is read out. Where they have travelled from and where they began their pilgrimage is also read out at the beginning of the service. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Botafumeiro, the enormous censer filled with incense and swung over the heads of mass attendees to counteract the smell of recently-arrived pilgrims!

Once you check into the Parador de Santiago, please leave your bikes with hotel reception for later collection.

At leisure in Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela was, without a doubt, the most important city in Christian medieval Spain. It’s world-renowned for its cultural and religious significance, and each year thousands of travellers come to visit.

• Santiago Cathedral: The end of your pilgrimage and top of your tourist list is Santiago’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century and is one of the few catedrals in the world built over the tomb of an apostle. We highly recommend the cathedral rooftop tour (available daily from 10am – 8pm, reservation recommended). You’ll climb up the cathedral tower and out onto the roof for a once-in-a-lifetime angel’s eye view of Santiago, as well as a unique perspective of the stunning cathedral.
• Take a stroll in Alameda Park for fabulous views of the cathedral and the rest of Santiago’s UNESCO World Heritage Site old town. Don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of As Marías, two elderly sisters who used to go for a walk in the park every day at 2pm, dressed in their finery, regardless of civil war, dictatorship or inclement weather!
• For more insight into the history of the Camino, don’t miss the Pilgrimage Museum (open Tue – Fri 9:30am – 8:30pm, Sat 11am – 7:30pm and Sundays 10:15am – 2:45pm)
• Also well worth a visit is the Museum of the Galician People (open Tue – Sat 11am – 6pm and Sun 11am – 2pm), which explores the unique culture and history of this little corner of Spain. The museum is housed in a former Dominican convent, set in beautiful grounds that are now a public park.
   

Eating and drinking in Santiago de Compostela

• Mercado La Galiciana: This gastromarket is just a couple of years old, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy both local and foreign food. There is an amazing range of eateries, and the place itself is beautifully designed (open Sun – Thu 12pm – 12am and Fri/Sat 12pm – 1am)
• For a more traditional experience, visit Mercado de Abastos (open Mon – Sat, 11:30am – 5pm). This historic market is extremely popular with locals, and contains a range of restaurants, traditional market stalls, and even a fishmonger that will cook your purchases for you while you wait!

Santiago de Compostela also has a fantastic tapas culture. You will receive one free tapa per drink purchased, so we recommend that you stick with small glasses of albariño wine! Some of our favourites are Bar La Tita (enormous portions of tortilla) Petiscos do Cordeal (seafood), Benboa (seafood), Viñoteca Ventosela (cheese and charcuterie), Raices Gallegas (traditional Galician dishes including zorza and raxo) and Orella (pig’s ear). We also recommend a visit to Casa Antonio, which serves wine in a traditional Galician cunca (bowl)!

Sunday, 28th April: End of tour
Departure Day

Hotels

Parador de León GL San Marcos

Hotel Via de la Plata

Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo

Vistalegre Hotel Spa

Hotel Pazo Santa María

Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos

CYCLING SAFETY

On a Bike Spain Tours vacation, understanding and abiding by the rules of safe cycling is vital.

You’re probably familiar with some common safety guidelines. Below are those that we follow at Bike Spain, and we ask that you follow them while traveling with us:

• It is required that you wear a helmet at all times when on your bike
• Obey all traffic signs
• Always yield right of way to pedestrians
• Ride on the same side of the road as the direction of moving traffic
• Use appropriate hand signals when stopping, slowing down, and turning
• Ride in single-file, leaving at least 2 bike lengths between you and the rider ahead of you
• Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the edge of the road
• Communicate with other riders – let them know when there are bumps, rocks, cars, or other hazards on the road
• Be ready for vehicles to pass you on the left
• Use both the rear and front brakes simultaneously—NEVER use the front brake alone
• When going downhill, pump both the front and rear brakes simultaneously, and increase the distance between you and the rider ahead of you
• Always maintain a speed that is comfortable for you
• Use caution when crossing over railroad tracks, cattle crossings, gravel patches, slippery or sandy roads, descending steeply, or when you encounter a situation that is potentially dangerous or uncomfortable for you
• Always get off your bike and walk if you feel uncomfortable riding
• Gear up and gear down appropriately to maintain a safe and comfortable riding speed
• When admiring the view or taking a photo, always stop first and then look or snap
• Above all, have fun and enjoy your ride!

WHAT TO BRING

Biking Clothing & Gear

• Biking shorts
• Breathable, synthetic tops (short- and long-sleeved)
• Biking shoes
• Biking gloves and full-finger, wind-resistant gloves
• Helmets are mandatory!
• Wind & rain jacket
• Fleece jacket or warm vest/jacket
• Sunglasses

Other clothing

• Hat
• Bathing suit
• Sweater/jacket for cool evenings
• Walking shorts
• Comfortable walking shoes/sandals
• Evening wear

Optional Items

• Books about the area
• Travel alarm clock
• Camera
• First aid kit
• GPS

Don’t Forget!

• Photocopies of your important documents
• Travel Insurance Certificate
• Airline tickets/Boarding Passes
• Passport/Visa (if required)
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Required medications and their prescriptions
• Personal items and toiletries
• Mosquito repellent

What to Leave at Home

• Expensive electronic items
• Expensive jewelry & family heirlooms
• Other valuables

BIKE BLOOPERS

What to do if something goes wrong…

Being on a bike tour shouldn’t mean constantly worrying about your bike breaking down. Nevertheless, bikes are machines, and issues can occur. Here’s what to look for if something doesn’t sound, feel, or work right.

• The brakes. Disc brake. Take care of brake pads, don’t brake constantly. If the brake disk becomes too warm from overusing the brakes, stop for a moment or squeeze the brakes in order to cool down the disc.
• Shifting. Always use a gear that is comfortable for you, so that you can maintain a high cadence of pedalling; this is better for both your legs and the bicycle. That is, don’t use the lowest gears of the smallest disk, or the highest gears of the largest disk. Most of our routes are filled with ups and downs, so bear this in mind and change your gears ahead of time instead of when you’re struggling with a climb.
• My tyres are soft. Be sure you know how to use the pump ahead of time! If not, other cyclists will surely help you out. Most importantly though, keep the tyres well inflated to avoid getting a flat.
• Wheels. The Thru Axle can be removed with a 6mm Allen Key, but this isn’t an easy task. Ask for help if you need it.
• Uh-oh….!!! If the problem is more difficult than that, or you don’t really know what’s wrong with the bike, there are three steps you can take:

1. Flag down a fellow cyclist and ask for help. A lot of the bikers are real gear-heads, and more than ready to give you a hand if you’re having trouble. Some of the words you might need includes: frenos (brakes), cambios (gears), cadena (chain), rueda (wheel), cámara de repuesto (spare inner tube.) And if you’re not sure what’s happened, be honest: ¡No tengo ni idea!

2. Call the bike shops (talleres de bicicleta) or auto shops (taller de recambios) listed on each day’s description. They can go where you are or will call a taxi driver you pick you up and drive to the shop.

3. If you can’t locate a shop and you’re not sure what to do, call the office at +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need. Our office is in Madrid, but we’ll try to transfer you to your hotel and call a local bike dealer to repair the bike. Note that any payments that have to be made to bike shops or taxi drivers must be paid for by the client. Save all receipts. We only accept responsibility if the bicycle is defective.
    

ACCIDENTS: In case of an accident, keep calm, get off the road and go to a safe place (such as the hard shoulder) where you can evaluate the problem. If you suspect that you need medical care, call the Spanish emergency services on 112, explaining clearly where you are and what the problem is. Have your passport and your insurance documentation handy before calling. Please contact our office immediately after speaking with emergency services.

Remember that personal insurance it is not included on our self-guided tours. We offer an optional insurance policy. If you choose not to purchase this, please make sure that you keep own insurance documentation with you (including your passport).

The tour price does not include any roadside assistance with bicycle maintenance (e.g. flat tires) or any other taxi transfers during the tour. Any repairs that need to be caarried out on the bicycles that are not a result of negligence on Bike Spain Tours’ part will be paid for by the client.

HELMET: Cycling on the road in Spain without a helmet is illegal and unsafe; remember to wear your helmet at all times. 

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

The weather

To check the weather before you leave on your trip, please take a look at current weather conditions at www.weatheronline.co.uk. For historical temperature and precipitation statistics visit www.weatherbase.com or take a look at the Spanish Meteorological website with detailed information per region (http://www.aemet.es/en/elclima/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos)

Recommended (guide) books and maps

• The Story of Spain | Mark Williams
• The New Spaniards | John Hopper
• The Arts in Spain | John F. Moffitt
• Ghosts of Spain | Giles Tremlett
• Between Hopes and Memories: A Spanish Journey | Michael Jacobs
• The Green Guide—Spain | Michelin Travel Publications
• Lonely Planet—Spain | Lonely Planet Publications

Recommended movies

• Volver | Pedro Almodóvar (2006)
• Lucia y el Sexo | Julio Medem (2001)
• Jamón Jamón | José Juan Bigas Luna (1992)
• Flamenco | Carlos Saura (1995)

Recommended music (flamenco & fusion)

• Paco de Lucía Antología | Paco de Lucía (1995)
• Una Leyenda Flamenca | El Camarón de la Isla (1993)
• Lágrimas Negras | Bebo Valdés and Diego El Cigala (2003)
• Sueña La Alhambra | Enrique Morente (2005)
• Barí | Ojos de Brujo (2002)

Useful Websites

• www.spain.info | The official website for Spanish Tourism. Lots of great information in English about all of Spain.
• www.spanish-fiestas.com | Has little on fiestas but does have everything from events listings to links to Spanish culture.
• www.winesfromspain.com | A wide range of information on background history, on vineyards and winemaking, on the characteristics differentiating the distinct winemaking areas, and on the varieties that give Spanish wines personality.
  

HISTORY

The history of Spain is a compendium of influences from the different cultures that have lived in the country. The first settlers on the Peninsula were the Celts and the Iberians. The Roman presence in Hispania lasted for seven centuries, during which time the basic borders of the Peninsula in relation to other European towns were set up. Many institutions were inherited from Rome such as the concept of family, Latin as a language, religion and law. At the start of the 5th century new settlers from the North arrived and settled on the Peninsula: the Visigoths in the interior and the Swabians on the West. The decomposition of the Visigoth state apparatus would lead to the successive infiltration of Arab and Berber troops from the other side of the Straits of Gibraltar at the beginning of the 8th century. In the middle of the 8th century the Muslims had completed occupation and Cordoba became the center of the flourishing Andalusian state. The Arab presence in Spain would last for almost seven centuries and leave an indelible mark on the Spanish cultural heritage.

Following a long period of peaceful coexistence, the small Christian strongholds in the North of the Peninsula took on a leading role in the Reconquest, which ended with the capture of Granada in 1492 under the reign of the Catholic King and Queen, traditionally considered the founders of peninsular unity and the imperial management of the Spanish revival. The 16th century represents the zenith of Spanish hegemony in the world, a process that would last until the middle of the 17th century. Following the death of Charles II, the last of the Austrians, who died without having had children, Phillip V inaugurated the dynasty of the Bourbons of Spain.

The crisis of the Old Order opened the doorway to the Napoleonic invasion. The War of Independence was a war against the French invasion, but also a revolutionary war due to the decisive involvement of the people and the clear formation of a national consciousness that would later shape the 1812 Constitution. The Courts of Cadiz thereby enacted one of the first Constitutions of the world which ratified that sovereignty would reside in the nation. The conflict between liberalists and absolutists, or in other words, between two different ways of perceiving the establishment of the state, would be one of the longest Spanish conflicts throughout the 19th century.

The ballot box is introduced into Spain and with it the first democratic experience of the 20th century: the second Republic, a brief attempt to introduce the reformations the country needed, frustrated by General Franco’s military rising and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936. The military victory of General Franco gave way to a long dictatorial period that would last until 1975. Following his death, the Spanish peacefully made the transition from dictatorship to democracy in a process known as ‘the Spanish model’. Don Juan Carlos I, as King of the Spanish people, became the chief of a social and democratic state of law, which molded the Constitution of 1978.

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GASTRONOMY

In Spain you have exquisite and innovative dishes with the guarantee of internationally prestigious chefs. The highest quality products from the best producers, recipes combining popular tradition with artistic creation and offer you exciting, new flavors. Spain’s culinary revolution, headed by master chefs like Ferrán Adriá, Arzak and Berasategui turns the pleasure of good food into a luxury for the senses that is at its finest when savored in Spain.

Spanish cuisine is nowadays recommended in the finest restaurants, heralded by the most prestigious critics and demanded by millions of consumers over the world. It has gone through a real revolution, which, in the time of a few short years, has put Spain at the top of international cuisine. With traditional styles as the basis, a modern, innovative cuisine has developed, identified by the use of quality products and by the creativity of its chefs.

To read more about Spain’s cuisine

• www.spain.info/en/saborea/
• www.in-spain.net/principales/gastronomy.htm | gives an overview of the specific culinary art of every region
• www.red2000.com/spain/g-map.html | regional gastronomic information through an interactive map