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Experience the passion and excitement of our “La Vuelta” bike trip to Spain during the first week of the race in Andalusia, passing through Sevilla, Ronda and Granada.
The first week of La Vuelta will feature surprises for cyclists and spectators alike with two brand-new summit finishes, both category 3 climbs that will likely produce some time gaps among the riders. We’ll have the opportunity to cycle the route of La Vuelta for ourselves mere hours before the pro cyclists, before heading to our VIP seats at the finish line to watch a peloton full of cycling stars fight for first place.
As well as the hills and mountains, we’ll also experience Andalusia’s cultural crown jewels: Seville boasts no fewer than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Ronda is world-famous for its iconic Puente Nuevo bridge; while Granada is home to the majestic Alhambra, Spain’s number one tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.
The Vuelta is the most intimate of the three major professional cycling tours: the relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the professional cyclists and their teams make it a very special cycling experience. Accommodation in luxury 4* and 5* hotels; VIP access to restricted race areas; logistical support from our van at all times; carefully-selected guided cycling routes; as well as the company of our experienced guides, guarantee that your La Vuelta experience will be not only a spectacular cycling experience, but also a fantastic gastronomic and cultural tour. We are confident that our La Vuelta bike tour will be a trip that you will never forget.
Day 1: Monday, August 19th. Madrid
Arrival day
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Goya
Arrival at leisure in Madrid. Today, we’ll enjoy some free time to get to know Spain’s elegant capital.
If you would like some assistance to help you make the most of your time in Madrid, please contact our Bike Spain Tours team for their recommendations.
Day 2: Tuesday, August 20th. Seville
Accommodation: Hotel Exe Sevilla Macarena
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
This morning, we will take a high speed train south to Seville, arriving mid-morning. We’ll spend some time at leisure in the breathtaking historic centre, discovering the city’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Royal Alcázar, the Cathedral (the second largest in the world!) and the Royal Archive of the Indies.
In the afternoon, we’ll take some time for the bike fitting, and to introduce our team and explain how the tour will work. Next, we’ll take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures by taking our bikes out for a spin in a cycle tour around Seville before getting to know each other over a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Wednesday, August 21st. Seville
Accommodation: Hotel Exe Sevilla Macarena
La Vuelta: Stage 5: Fuente del Maestre > Seville
Route: 106km / +922m
Meals included: Breakfast
It’s time to hit the mountains! Today we’ll enjoy a cycle route through the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Norte de Sevilla, a mosaic of natural and man-made beauty: verdant pastures, spectacular limestone formations, cobblestone streets through traditional white villages, and everywhere the scent of aniseed in the air.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to our VIP seats to watch the nail-biting finish of today’s stage of La Vuelta in Seville. After cheering on our favourites, we’ll enjoy a final evening of free time in Seville for shopping; watching the sunset from Las Setas, a modern wonder of the world; or simply wandering the orange-scented streets.
Day 4: Thursday, August 22nd. Ronda
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria
La Vuelta: Stage 6: Carrefour Sur. Jerez de la Frontera > Yunquera
Route: 78km / +1696m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Pack your bags, we’re going to Ronda!
This morning, we’ll head into the Betic mountain range to enjoy a cycle tour of some of Andalusias most magical pueblos blancos (white villages) as we follow today’s Vuelta stage. The first of these is Olvera, a village perched on a mountain and overlooked by a 12th century Nasrid fortress, whose white buildings are a perfect example of Andalusian architecture. Next, we’ll visit Setenil de las Bodegas, a unique village that grew out of a network of caves, with the result that the white houses seem to emerge from the cliff face, with walls and roofs made of rock. We’ll make a quick circuit of Ronda, where we’ll spend the night, before continuing on to Yunquera, the end of today’s stage.
On today’s cycle route, we will tackle some of the most challenging climbs of today’s Vuelta stage: el Alto de Ronda and el Puerto del Viento, both category 3 ascents. Our cycle route will finish in Yunquera, where we will take our VIP seats at the finish line, and cheer on the pro cyclists as they fight to be the first to the summit finish.
After the racers have crossed the line, we’ll travel back to Ronda, and take some time to explore this beautiful city. Heading into the Tajo, gorge, we can admire the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge, which rises 100m into the sky, connecting the ancient Arab medina with the modern Mercadillo neighbourhood on the other side of the Guadalevín river. We’ll finish the day by enjoying dinner together, recounting our adventures in the Andalusian mountains and making predictions for the rest of La Vuelta.
Day 5: Friday, August 23rd. Bobadilla
Accommodation: La Bobadilla
La Vuelta: Stage 7: Archidona > Córdoba
Route: 56 km / +937m
Meals included: Breakfast
Today, we’ll be watching the start of the stage! We’ll head up to Archidona and use our VIP passes to join in with the behind-the-scenes excitement before the beginning of the day’s stage, taking selfies with our favourite pro cyclists and chatting to their teams.
After seeing off the pros, we’ll hop on our bikes and cycle up to the charming mountain village of Riofrío, famous for its pure river waters which have made the area a production centre for organic beluga caviar, and consequently a place of pilgrimage for fans of fine gastronomy.
We’ll finish today’s cycle tour at our hotel, La Bobadilla. Tucked away in the Andalusian mountains on its own estate, and surrounded by countryside, La Bobadilla is a luxurious haven in the form of a private Andalusian white village. We’ll spend the afternoon at leisure, enjoying the pool, the spa and the beautiful surroundings of one of the best hotels in Spain.
Day 6: Saturday, August 24th. Granada
Accommodation: Áurea Washington Irving
La Vuelta: Stage 8: Úbeda > Cazorla
Route: 86km / 1496m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Our cycle route today will take us through the Natural Park of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, mountain ranges that separate the interior of Andalusia from the coast with a spectacular succession of peaks, dotted with remote pueblos blancos. We’ll cycle between rugged crags and steep ridges, admiring the fantastical shapes that ancient rivers have carved into the limestone, such as the Zafarraya, a spectacular depression surrounded by mountains.
We’ll finish our route in the mountains overlooking Granada, and head down into the city to spend the afternoon exploring. Arriving into Granada is like stepping into another country; Granada was the capital of the Spanish Caliphate for two and a half centuries, and the Moorish influence is still very noticeable in the architecture, gastronomy, and culture of the area.
The star attraction of Granada is of course the Alhambra, a spectacular Moorish palace dating back to the 9th century, highly decorated in traditional Nasrid style. We’ll enjoy an unforgettable visit to the palace, before continuing our Andalusian experience with a dinner of authentic local cuisine and a traditional flamenco show. Flamenco originally arose from the melting pot of cultures and musical traditions in Andalusia, so Granada really is the only place to see it!
Day 7: Sunday, August 25th. Madrid
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Goya
Route: 77km / 2118m
Meals included: Breakfast
Get your mountain legs ready: this morning we’ll be cycling into the Sierra Nevada, all the way up to Hoya de la Mora: one of the highest roads in Spain and with an average gradient of 6.66%!
The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps. Some of the highest peaks retain snow on their summits even in the summer, and huge glacial lakes break up the landscape. We’ll enjoy fresh mountain air, majestic landscapes, and a triumphant downhill ride back into Granada.
In the afternoon, we’ll watch the pro cyclists arrive at the end of the stage in Granada, from our VIP seats at the finish line. After cheering on our favourites one last time, we’ll climb onto the podium for a photo shoot – just like the pros! Once our VIP Vuelta experience has come to an end, we’ll travel back to Madrid by private transfer.
Day 8: Monday, August 26th.
After breakfast, our tour will come to an end.
Your Bike Spain Tours guides will be available to help you with your onward travel plans and any other details to make sure you have a perfect trip back home!
Hotel Catalonia Goya
Sleep in Madrid’s Golden Mile at the Catalonia Goya hotel in the heart of the Salamanca neighbourhood.
The hotel has recently refurbished rooms with a contemporary design, an urban pool ideal for cooling off on a hot day, and a gym to keep up with your workouts. Each morning you will enjoy an extensive buffet breakfast with a cooking show and you can stop off at the Gastrobar anytime for Mediterranean-inspired dishes that can also be served in your room.
Exe Sevilla Macarena
An unbeatable location and wonderful panoramic views of the city of Seville.
Located in front of the Macarena basilica and the Parliament, Exe Sevilla Macarena 4* invites you to enjoy the beauty of Andalucia. Its 331 rooms, set around a beautiful typical Sevillian patio, are equipped with an elegant and sophisticated decoration, as well as all the necessary services for a luxurious stay in Seville.
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 Ronda’s landmarks and 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.
Hotel Eurostars Washington Irving
Literature, romanticism and comfort combine at this fantastic luxury hotel, which has been decorated to reflect the works of American writer Washington Irving.
The rooms and common areas of this dream hotel recreate sentences and passages from works like Tales of the Alhambra, making it a warm, welcoming place where guests are enveloped in the romanticism of the 19th century.
3.250,00€
Included
Not Included
| Dates | 19th -26th August |
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