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Given its location at the western end of the Mediterranean, it is not surprising that so many cultures – Moorish, Visigoths, Roman and Greek – have crossed paths in the southernmost part of Spain.
This route follows the paths of the Caliphs – the chief civil and religious ruler of the Muslim faith, regarded as the successors of Muhammad – and of Washington Irving, most famous as the creator of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, but who stayed in the Alhambra Palace while serving as the American ambassador of Spain in the 1840s.
Day 1: Granada to La Bobadilla
Accommodation: Hotel La Bobadilla
You can arrive in Granada at your leisure and we recommend making time before the trip to visit this fascinating city with a rich history of Moorish, Jewish and Catholic influence. Above all, you should make time to visit the Alhambra. Part fortress, part palace, part water garden, the Alhambra is a pinnacle of Moorish art that encapsulates Andalusian history and is one of the great architectural sights of Europe.
Your Bike Spain guide will pick you up in Granada this morning before making our way by van westwards out of the city to start riding on a warm-up route that is a great introduction to the typical Andalusian countryside you will see over the next week. With vast olive groves and rich fruit trees covering the landscape, the first ride is a pleasant feast for the senses with the occasional uphill adding a nice challenge for the legs.
Tonight’s stay is in the luxurious 5-star resort of La Bobadilla where we will enjoy a gourmet dinner in the hotel’s charming patio restaurant.
Day 2: La Bobadilla
Accommodation: Hotel La Bobadilla
Today’s ride takes us on a loop from the hotel through the towns of Villanueva del Trabuco and Archidona and through some spectacular and classic Andalusian scenery of rolling hills and sprawling olive groves. The ride can be shortened at any stage for those wishing to do less kilometres and there are plenty of options along the way for a traditional, local lunch.
This evening why not treat yourself to a pampering treatment in the hotel’s spa before dinner on the hotel’s outdoor terrace (weather permitting) where we we sample some of this Andalusia’s most traditional and classic dishes.
Day 3: Ronda
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria
Following a quick van transfer from the hotel this morning we start biking from the impressive gorge of El Chorro, which is renowned worldwide as one of the best climbing spots in Spain. From here we make our way southwest with striking views along the way of the Sierra de las Nieves, so-called due to the mountain range’s snow-capped peaks during the winter.
We arrive in the fascinating small town of Ronda, first settled by the Celts in the 6th Century and renowned for it’s long-standing tradition of bull fighting. Your hotel for the next 2 nights offers some of the best views of Ronda’s impressive gorge and the bustling town centre is ideal for a tapas tour!
Day 4: Ronda
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria
Today’s ride takes us on a loop from Ronda to enjoy some spectacular scenery in the nearby natural park of the Sierra de Grazalema. With gentle hills passing through cork forests, which are inhabited by vast herds of the famous “pata negra” wild pigs, this is a glorious ride that brings us to one of the most beautiful and unknown white villages of Andalusia, Zahara de la Sierra, overlooking the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of its reservoir below.
Following a dip in your hotel’s luxurious pool, you can relax and take in the view before dinner tonight on the hotel’s restaurant terrace.
Day 5: Casares (Málaga)
Accommodation: Finca Cortesin
Leaving Ronda today we climb out of the valley towards the towns of Montejaque and Benaojan before the ride evens out as we head south with some stunning views of the Mediterranean and even a glimpse of the coast of Africa on a clear day. We will pass through the pretty whitewashed villages of Caucin and Casares, both perched on hilltops overlooking the impressive landscapes.
Our final stetch takes us downhill into the luxurious grounds of our hotel, the Finca Cortesin, where will enjoy our final gourmet dinner on the grounds of the hotel.
Day 6: Departure
It´s time to say goodbye after an exciting trip, whose memories will accompany us on our journey home and hopefully encourage us to return to Spain again in the future!
This morning you will be transferred to the airport of Malaga or to your next hotel should you desire to prolong your stay on the region.
Hotel Reina Victoria
The hotel, totally renovated in 2012, is settled in a unique environment, between a lovely pine forest in the middle of the town, very close to the famous Tajo de Ronda.
Around the hotel, which has 95 fully equipped rooms, there’s an amazing 3,000sqm garden in which our guests can enjoy our swimming pool and our terrace.
Hotel La Bobadilla
The hotel boasts big luxurious rooms, 3 restaurants and a larger outdoor pool.
Set in its own 350-hectare estate, the luxurious Barcelo La Bobadilla resembles a Moorish village of white-walled buildings with tile roofs and patios evoking the different cultures that have left their mark on Andalusia.
Finca Cortesin
Hotel Finca Cortesin is designed to enchant every one of the senses.
The hotel’s fresh but grand design is inspired by traditional Andalusian architecture and gives every area a big, bright and luxuriously spacious feel that is so rare in Europe. Built around two principle courtyards with palatial proportions, the hotel has 67 large, luminous and exquisitely designed suites with lofty 4m high ceilings ranging from 50 to 200m². With 23.000 m2 of manicured gardens, luxurious spa, 3 pools, tennis and paddle courts, impressive 6.000 m2 beach club, exquisite cuisine and an ambiance of tranquility, elegance and refinement, it is a destination that invites you to return. Come discover why Finca Cortesín has been named “Best non-urban Hotel in Spain” by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.
Parador Granada
Its magical location on the grounds of the Alhambra Palace makes the Parador Granada a very popular hotel.
The Parador is part of a palace, a mosque and the former royal chapel and therefore combines different styles in the exterior as well as the interior. The bedrooms all have a unique design and offer views on the other historic buildings that form part of the Alhambra. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and enchanting, especially at night. There are many traditional Andalucian specialties served in the restaurant of the hotel, which you can enjoy inside as well as on the terrace with view on the gardens of the Alhambra. To simply enjoy the weather and views you can also relax on the traditional enclosed patio.
5.990,00€ – 6.190,00€
Inform us about your dream biking trip to Andalusia and we’ll design your own deluxe tour.
| Dates | Any date up to 30 Nov 2024 |
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