Level
Experience the passion and adrenaline of the last week of the Tour during your recovery through Galicia, Northern Portugal and the central system. We start at the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, where we know the Camino de Santiago, we will go to the coast of death, to Finisterre, to km 0 of the Camino and we will ride by the sea, including the circuit closed to the traffic of the Ezaro clock. Then we go to the river Miño and Ourense, and we move to Porto. We cycle in the city; we see its wineries and the coast of Porto with bike paths by the sea. Then, we will do another transfer to see the Douro Valley, the vineyards of the famous wine. After the night in Ciudad Rodrigo, we will see the decisive stage of Covatilla and transfer to Madrid to enjoy the end of the party.
Nothing like pedalling on the same roads those professionals will travel a few hours later, enjoying access to the VIP area to see the end of the stage from the best position. With front-row seats at the finish line in the exclusive VIP area, all you need to do is sit with champagne in your hand and wait for the excitement as the professionals arrive.
We promise a spectacular cycling trip that captures the beauty of these routes and the highlights of the race and we will offer an exciting end to this Tour. The relaxed atmosphere and accessibility to professional cyclists and their teams during the Tour make this trip a very special experience. Accommodations in luxury 4-star hotels, VIP access to the race areas and bike rides along spectacular routes with logistic support at all times in addition to the presence of our experienced guides, we can guarantee that it will be one of the trips of your life!
See the photo gallery of our 2019 tour for La Vuelta HERE.
Day 1: Sunday, August 30th: Santiago de Compostela
Arrival Day to Santiago
Accommodation: Parador Reyes Católicos de Santiago de Compostela
Arrival to Santiago on your own or we can transfer you from Madrid by van.
We will leave Madrid at 9a.m. It will take about 7 hours to get to Santiago. Estimated arrival is at 5pm, when we will have time to fix the bikes and walk around this historical UNESCO World Heritage town. We will visit the Cathedral and its well preserved old town.
There will be a meeting all together to fix bikes and do a briefing, at 7pm at the hotel´s lobby. If you get to Santiago on your own, there are good connections from Madrid by plane, coach or train.
Tonight dinner is included in a local restaurant.
Hotel: Parador Reyes Católicos *****
Day 2: Monday, August 31st. Finisterre
Costa da Morte
Accommodation: Mar de Fisterra
This morning, after the copious breakfast of the hotel, we leave by van towards the coast (1 hour) and stop before arriving to ride along the coastline to km0 of the Camino de Santiago, in the lighthouse of Fisterre; spectacular view of the bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Free time and typical seafood and fish dinner with the group.
Hotel: Mar de Fisterra** (Fisterra o Finisterre)
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Tuesday, September 1st: Finisterre
Rest Day
Accomodation: Hotel Mar de Fisterra
Our route: To be confirmed
Today we move to Muros to pedal the time trial circuit before the first runner. We leave as a team along with an official race car. YES, get excited, THE PASSION THAT TOUCHS YOU.
It will be a flat ride by the sea that ends at the Ézaro dam. Hard climb uphill but also a short one. Up in the VIP area we will have spectacular views of the bay and food and drink, to see the corridors arrive.
Hotel: Mar de Fisterra**
Meals included: breakfast. Dinner not included, but there are many restaurants by the sea.
Day 4: Wednesday, September 2nd: Vila do conde (Portugal)
Accommodation: Vila C Boutique
La Vuelta: Stage 17: Lugo > Orense – 205.8km. More information
Our ride:
Today, we have a transfer to Chantada to ride the last kms of the stage. We will ride by the Miño river with outstanding views. We will arrive to Orense and see the final part and transfer to Portugal by van (about 2 hours drive).
Dinner at the hotel included with portuguese wine.
Hotel: Vila C Boutique****
Meals included: breakfast & dinner.
Day 5: Thursday, September 3rd: Porto
Porto and the coast
Accomodation: Vila C Boutique
La Vuelta: Stage 18: Mos > Porto. Matosinhos – 178km. More information.
Route:
Today we ride from the hotel, part of the Portuguese way of Santiago. We will arrive in Porto along the coast and visit the winery area, the bridges and continue along the sea to the south.
After lunch, we go by van to see the arrival in Matosinhos. We will have free time in Porto to visit the old town. Back to the hotel and dinner.
Hotel: Vila C Boutique****
Meals included: breakfast and dinner with selected wines
Day 6: Friday, September 4th: Ciudad Rodrigo
Duero Valley
Accommodation: Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo
La Vuelta: Stage 19: Viseu > Ciudad Rodrigo – 177.7km. More information.
Route:
Long transfer to the Douro Valley, we will pass through Peso da regua, Pinhao and San Joa Pesquera, where the Gran Fondo del Duero March runs. We stop at Castelo Figuera to go to Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo for the last 70 km of the stage. Again we see the end in the VIP area and we stayed right there in the castle.
Hotel: Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo ****
Meals included: breakfast and dinner with selected wines.
Día 7: Saturday, September 5th: Madrid
End of the Race, Covatilla
Accomodation: H10 Puerta de Alcala
La Vuelta: Stage 20: Sequeros > Alto de la Covatilla – 175.8km. More information.
Route:
Transfer to the exit of the stage, and we cross the Sierra de Salamanca, to reach Bejar, where we will begin the route to Covatiolla, a long climb where the return to Spain is decided. Surely the positions are clear, but this stage is hard to surprise.
After the stage, we have 3 hours to Madrid. Therefore, on the way, we stop for dinner in Avila and we will arrive late to the hotel in Madrid, but it is worth it. Upon arrival at the hotel, some guides will say goodbye and you can enjoy Madrid at your leisure time.
Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Sunday, September 6th: Madrid
The Grand Final
Accomodation: H10 Puerta Alcalá
La Vuelta: Etapa 21 (final): Hipodromo de la Zarzuela > Madrid – 125.4km. Más información.
Today is the day of the Grand Final.
If you are not tired of this week cycling we really recommend you to take a walk in the nearby Retiro Park and enter a museum. At midday the 5-hour show begins (time to be confirmed). First you can watch the women’s race and around 18pm the professional cyclists arrive to the city where they will ride the traditional laps through the centre.
For those who have added the VIP NEPTUNO experience at the finish line (optional at 350 EUR) they will have a more exclusive space and a quality buffet.
Madrid is a vibrant city with many interesting things to do. It combines the most modern infrastructures with a great cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of several centuries of history. The capital has also more than 60 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. Besides, we should not forget its parks. Madrid is definetely big in parks and green areas. It is one of the European capital cities with more green areas per square meter. El Retiro Park is considered as the best city park in Europe.
Hotel: H10 Puerta de Alcalá****
Priviledge location right next to the Retiro Park. The hotel has a rooftop and a pool. It´s a hip and trendy neighborhood in Madrid. Comfortable and centrally located.
Dinner not included. You could choose among many quality restaurants which are nearby the hotel.
Day 9: Monday, September 7th: Madrid
Departure day
After the breakfast, our services end.
Today is at leisure. The Bike Spain guides will be available to help you with your travel plans and with any other details so that you have a happy trip back home!
Parador de Santiago
The Parador de Santiago, known as the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, is a blend of history, art and tradition, the dream of pilgrims and emblem of Santiago.
It is located on Obradoiro Square near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals in the world. A stay at this Parador means a visit to a truly unique and exclusive location.
Hotel Mar de Fisterra
Hotel Mar de Fisterra is a new and comfortable accommodation in Fisterra
It is located a few meters fromPlaya Langosteira, in which the ritual bathing and purification is performed; just before reaching the viewpoint of the Cruz de Baixar, entering Fisterra where the pilgrim ends his trip, a place with the best views of the sea.
Vila C Boutique
This design hotel, located on the south bank of Ave river in Azurara, is the ideal place for leisure and perfect for cyclists. It is part of Bikeotel network (bike-friendly accommodations).
A boutique hotel that will be the center of the city, with 41 rooms and 2 suites with balcony, the great À Terra restaurant, a bar, a spa with suana, Turkish bath and indoor pool, a gym, and lots of events and entertainment.
Parador Ciudad Rodrigo
The Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo is located between the energetic cultural life of Salamanca and the wonderful charm of Portugal’s Aldeias Históricas (Historical Villages).
The hotel, once the castle of Henry II of Trastámara, overlooks the town from atop a high precipice like an eagle’s nest. The elegant keep stands above the Águeda River plain, offering wonderful views of the countryside of the Campo Charro region.
Hotel H10 Alcalá
This hotel was entirely renovated in 2016 and offers a quality stay
The H10 Puerta de Alcalá is located about 100 meters from the Retiro Park in Madrid and the subway station Principe de Vergara. It offers elegant rooms with wooden floors, minibar and pillow menu.
I rate our experience a 10. Niki an Luis really made our trip one we will never forget. The choices for us about cycling routes, restaurants and hotels were all excellent. Niki and Luis were truly a pleasure to be around. They gave 100% to making sure we had a memorable cycling trip. Thank you to everyone at Bike Spain for your efforts. The Bike Spain team is a superior group. They took care of everything. They gave us great information, took care of any issues that came up. They were always friendly and courteous.
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