Andalucia, Spain

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Seville - Check-in and Sightseeing

   After you check-in (for those who are just arriving), you will meet the rest of the group at the hotel reception for an afternoon walking tour of Seville, this magnificent, historically rich center of Andalucía. A lot could be said about this gem of first Muslim taifa (kingdom) and then Christian Spain, but let’s just say that it is probably the liveliest city in Spain and one of the most “addictive” cities in the entire world. You will discover its many charms on this tour. Rental bike fitting and other bike assistance will be provided before and after the tour. In the evening, you will meet for a welcome dinner and orientation meeting.
   

   • Hotel in Seville
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Seville – Constantina

   After breakfast at the hotel, you will get on your bike and ride in a group out of the city using one of its bike paths, heading north towards the beautiful National Parks of de la Sierra Norte. After about 20 km (12.4 mi) of flat terrain, the roads become rolling and eventually hilly. You will ride through several small towns where you can get the first taste of what a small Andalucian town or village looks like. Prior to entering the National Park, you will pass cattle farms, orchards, fields, olive groves, and cork tree plantations. Today’s destination is the typical “mountain” town of Constantina (elevation 555m) in the heart of the National Park. You will spend the night here in a small, quiet hotel on top of the town with views of the local ruin, a former Islamic fort.

   Elevation: Seville – 30m, Constantina 555m
   

   • 52.8 miles
   • Accommodation in Constantina
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Constantina - Cordoba

   The first half of today’s ride takes you through the National Park of Sierra Norte and its small charming towns, with some really spectacular and breathtaking views of the area. When you get down to the valley of the Rio Guadalquivir, you will ride on small rolling roads through some of the many local olive groves and sunflower fields. You will follow the river all the way to Cordoba, where you will cross the famous Roman Bridge towards the even more famous Mezquita Cathedral. Your hotel for the next two nights is located just a short walk from this magnificent architectural gem that is reminiscent of the time when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived side by side in tolerance and respect, enriching their city with their cultures, skills, and customs.

   
   Elevation: Constantina 555m – Cordoba 110m
   
   

   • 67.1 miles
   • Hotel in Cordoba
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Day Off in Cordoba

   After breakfast, you will visit the Mezquita Cathedral. You have the entire afternoon to explore the narrow, charming streets of this fairy-tale like city of Andalucía, its historical center, and many of the city’s famous patios and courtyards, which homeowners use as a seasonal living room. People in Cordoba take pride in their courtyards and often leave their doors open, so everybody can admire these small gardens in the city. Visit some of the many tapa bars and taste their excellent Spanish wine and famous Andalucian tapas, do some shopping, and visit the Arab Spa (Baños Árabes). For dinner on your own, you can choose from many excellent restaurants in the city that serve, besides other food, the best of Andalucian cuisine.
   

   • Hotel in Cordoba
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Cordoba - Baena

   After breakfast, you will cross once again the Roman Bridge and say goodbye to the ancient and at the same time modern city of Cordoba. Today’s ride takes you on small curvy and rolling roads through sunflower fields and olive groves. You also have the opportunity to explore the charming center of Castro del Rio, a small town on the route. Your destination today is the small town of Baena (population 20,000), which has become famous for its excellent olive oil. You will visit the local Museum of Olive Oil, or the best working olive-oil mill in the Cordoba province.

   Elevation: Cordoba 110m, Baena 378m
   
   

   • 46.6 miles
   • Accommodation in Baena
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Baena – Jaén

   You will leave Baena and after riding about 20 km (12.4 mi) on small, curvy rolling roads through yet more olive groves, you will join one of the most beautiful Spanish green roads – the Olive Oil Green Bike Road/Path (Vía Verde de Aceite). This bike path was built on a former railroad track and takes you through the Provincia of Jaén and its hills covered with olive and cork trees. You will cross several viaducts with magnificent views of small rivers and valleys, and ride through two former railroad tunnels. The path takes you all the way to Jaén, where it is just a short ride through this city to get to your hotel. Jaén is often overlooked by visitors to the region, which is a pity because it is a beautiful city with rich architecture, history, and also great tapas bars and Flamenco tradition.
   
   Elevation: Baena 378m, Jaén 575m
   

   • 54.7 miles
   • Hotel in Jaen
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Jaen - Baeza

   After breakfast, you will set out once again on small roads and head towards the Renaissance jewel of Baeza. While today’s stage is short, it takes you through some dramatic terrain of yet another National Park, the Sierra Mágina. A few long climbs are definitely worth the effort – you are rewarded by breathtaking views of this mountain range and several long downhill rides. When you arrive in Baeza, a tour guide will lead you through the city to discover its many many charms. The hotel for tonight is a former palace converted into a hotel. It has a magnificent patio and beautiful architecture.

   Elevation: Jaen – 575m, Baeza 790m
   

   • 44.7 miles
   • Hotel in Baeza
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Baeza - Guadix

   Today’s stage is the longest one on the trip. For those who do not feel like riding the entire stage, a support van is available and ready to do some “shuttling”. Hilly terrain alternates with flat sections as you slowly approach the great Sierra Nevada region. The views of this mountain range that you will have almost all day are truly amazing. The Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain range in Spain and is the southernmost area with ski resorts in Europe. After a long day, you will arrive in Guadix. As most Andalucian towns, Guadix has a beautiful, architecturally rich, and easy to navigate center. However, it is most famous for its cave dwellings. Even today, about 3,000 town inhabitants live in these dwellings. Overnight you will stay in one of these “caves” that has been converted into a hotel. The hotel has a pool and gorgeous views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Guadix is also famous for its excellent (and mostly free) tapas.

   Elevation: Baeza – 790m, Guadix 915m
   
   

   • 77.7 miles
   • 'Cave' hotel in Guadix
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Guadix - Granada

   A relatively short ride with one major climb (you will climb to the highest point of the bike tour – an elevation of 1,297 m/4255 ft) and a 25 km (15.5 mi) downhill through the “foothills” of the Sierra Nevada takes you to the heart of Andalucía and the Sierra Nevada – the magnificent city of Granada with its unbeatable and unimaginably beautiful Alhambra Palace. The hotel is located just a short walk from this former seat of Jewish, Arab, and Christian rulers. You will enjoy a tour of this “must see” historical world wonder in the afternoon just in time for your goodbye dinner in the evening.

   Elevation: Guadix – 915m, Granada 685m
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • Hotel in Granada
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Alhambra Palace, Granada

     Spend the last few days of the tour in Granada and discover its rich heritage and beauty

10. Day 10Granada

    After breakfast, the trip is officially over. Since Granada has a lot to offer besides the Alhambra, you are encouraged to stay at least one more day. Besides its architecture, the city is also famous for the largest and best tapas in the country and for its bullfights.
    

    • Breakfast

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      Alhambra Palace, Granada

      Spend the last few days of the tour in Granada and discover its rich heritage and beauty