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Experience the passion and excitement of our La Vuelta bike trip to Spain during the final week of the race, passing through Galicia and Valladolid before the dramatic finale in Madrid.
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.
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: Sunday, September 7th. Madrid.
Arrival day
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Goya
Welcome to Madrid, and the start of your La Vuelta bike tour!
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 your Bike Spain Tours travel consultant for their recommendations.
Day 2: Monday, September 8th. Baiona.
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
In the morning, we’ll travel by high-speed train from Madrid up to Ourense in Galicia, where we’ll meet our van for our transfer to Baiona.
We’ll take some time to explore Baiona’s atmospheric historic centre and quaint fishing port. The town’s most important historic building is the Castelo de Monterreal, a medieval fortress that still retains the cannons once used to defend the town from pirates, and which offers fabulous views over the bay from the parapet. Nowadays, it is a luxury hotel; our hotel for the night, in fact!
Later, we’ll carry out the bike fitting and tour welcome briefing.
Day 3: Tuesday, September 9th. Baiona.
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
La Vuelta: Stage 16: Poio > Mos. Castro de Herville
Our tour begins with some beautiful cycling around the bay of Baiona, following the Atlantic coast in a fast, flat ride before turning inland to finish our ride at the finish line of today’s stage at Mos. Castro de Herville, where we’ll wait in the VIP section for the peloton to arrive.
Day 4: Wednesday, September 10th. Valladolid
Accommodation:
Today we’ll enjoy some beautiful cycling along the Galician coast, before hopping into our van for our transfer to Valladolid ahead of tomorrow’s time trial.
Day 5: Thursday, September 11th. Valladolid.
Accommodation:
La Vuelta: Stage 18: Valladolid > Valladolid
Today’s stage is a time trial in the historic city of Valladolid, a lively university town with an impressive architectural heritage. We’ll test our own pace by cycling the stage ourselves, before heading to the VIP area to cheer on our favourites as they cycle the very same route!
Day 6: Friday, September 12th. Segovia.
Accommodation: Parador de Segovia
La Vuelta: Stage 19: Rueda > Guijuelo
Today, we’ll be watching the start of the stage in Rueda! We’ll 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.
From here, we’ll head south and enjoy a beautiful cycling route in the province of Segovia. We’ll discover the Palacio Real de Riofrío, constructed in the 18th century and still in use today by the Spanish Royal family. The palace is surrounded by some 600 hectares of forest, making for a very pleasant cycle ride.
Next, we’ll pass through the beautiful mountain village of Valsaín, where the Spanish kings used to hunt in centuries gone by, before continuing on to the majestic Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso, another official residence of the Spanish Royal family. The Palace is surrounded by expansive gardens, which are considered to be one of the best examples of 18th century landscaping in Europe.
Finally, we’ll finish the route in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia. Here, we can visit the impressive Roman acqueduct, which was in use from the first century AD up to 1973; the enormous Gothic Cathedral; and the Alcázar Castle, said to have inspired Walt Disney!
Day 7: Saturday, September 13th. Madrid
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Goya
La Vuelta: Stage 20: Robledo de Chavela > Bola del Mundo. Puerto de Navacerrada
It’s time for the all-important final mountain stage!
After a quick transfer to the Sierra de Madrid mountain range, we’ll enjoy some beautiful cycling through the fairytale villages and tranquil pine forest of the mountains of Madrid before tackling the final climb up to the Puerto de Navacerrada, a La Vuelta favourite, having featured in the race no fewer than 34 times in the race’s history!
Once in Navacerrada, we’ll watch the nail-biting finish from the VIP section, before heading down into Madrid ahead of tomorrow’s grand final!
Day 8: Sunday, September 14th. Madrid
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Goya
La Vuelta: Stage 21: Alalpardo > Madrid
Last day party!
Today is the day of the grand final. We’ll spend the morning at leisure exploring Spain’s charismatic capital city.
In the afternoon, the party begins! We’ll take our seats in the luxury VIP area next to the finish line, from where we can watch the end of the Vuelta, whilst enjoying gourmet catering and an open bar.
Day 9: Monday, September 15th. Madrid
Departure day
After breakfast, our La Vuelta bike tour will come to an end.
If you need any assistance with your onward travel plans, or if you would like to book any additional nights in Madrid, contact your Bike Spain Tours travel consultant for assistance
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.
