Spain Andalusia Cycle Tour 2019 Individual Self-Guided 9 days / 8 nights Bullfights, tapas, fiestas, and flamenco are waiting for you in unique Andalusia. The southernmost region of Spain is a paradise full of surprises. Hardly any other landscape evokes such fascinating pictures as Andalusia: a Flamenco dancer in a flowing red dress, white villages on hills, Moorish palaces, and gloriously dressed bullfighters in crowded arenas. Experience an incomparable conglomeration of European and Arabic culture, scenic beauty harmonized perfectly with masterful architecture: Today s Andalusia combines modernity with a rich tradition. We will guide you on welldeveloped routes and small roads without much traffic through lush overgrown hills, green river valleys, and the wild landscape of the Sierras. You will visit Seville and Cordoba, the metropolises of the spiritual life in Moorish Andalusia. In the narrow streets, in the markets, in the buildings of the Alhambra, the Real Alcazar, and the Mezquita you will travel through time and dream about days gone by, in which Andalusian scholars brought light to the darkness of the European Middle Ages. So... come, eat, and drink: cervezas, tapas, wine, and jamon iberico. Andalusia is awaiting you!
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Individual arrival in Málaga Malaga is a bustling port city by the clear blue Mediterranean Sea, it is characterised by historical treasures as well as beautiful beaches. One of the most famous Spaniards of this century was the Malagueño Pablo Picasso. Picasso's traces run through the entire city to the famous Picasso Museum. Furthermore, the imposing cathedral, the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, and the Gibralfaro castle are waiting to be discovered. The old town, the Moorish castle, and cathedral testify to the former prosperity of the city. Day 2: Trip by Bus to Granada and Visit to the Alhambra In the morning, an approximately 2 hour bus transfer will take you to the beautiful city of Granada. Here you will find the most important historical monument of Andalusia with Arab influences: the fabulous Alhambra (the red castle) has existed since the 9 th century and it used to be a fortress in earlier times. In the evening, you will get to Antequera, the starting point of the bike tour. Rusticblue.com Day 3: Antequera Lucena 65 km At the gates of the kingdom of Granada, the historic city of Antequera is waiting with its collection of red tiled roofs and 30 steeples. The bike tour will begin with a ride on the old railway line through the beautiful countryside to Lucena. In one of the most important olive oil producing regions of the world, the famous oil is pressed in the mills. Ellenmarciaspain.blogspot.com Day 4: Lucena Baena 35 km You will continue your journey along an old railway line passing vast olive groves to Baena. The inhabitants of Baena live mainly from agriculture and are very tradition conscious people. This is also reflected in the townscape of Baena, which is located on a hill. It is characterized by narrow streets that wind their way through the old town and where you can find interesting religious buildings such as the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor from the 16 th century or the old castle.
Day 5: Baena - Cordoba 55 km The Sierra Morena with its foothills frames the former European Capital of Culture. This romantic area is surrounded by pine forests and an impressive solitude. The route leads on almost empty streets mostly downhill, with one slightly longer and some shorter climbs towards Cordoba. Every now and then, you will pass farms, which specialize in the breeding of fighting bulls and enjoy a special reputation in Andalusia. In the evening, you will get the possibility to participate in a city tour and see the witnesses of the dazzling cosmopolitan past: Moorish architects created masterpieces, such as the Great Mosque, which is - besides the Alhambra - the most powerful Moorish building in Europe. Particularly nice are the "forest of a thousand pillars" and the ornate prayer rooms. Day 6: Cordoba Ecija/Palma del Rio 55 km In the wide valley of the Guadalquivir, you will leave Cordoba on an old Roman connecting road. Ecija is the capital of horse breeding. From once important Franciscan monastery in Palma del Rio, the monks journeyed to America to proselytize. Day 7: Ecija/Palma del Rio Carmona 65 km Also today, the Guadalquivir is the first companion. You will continue your tour through the Campiña of Seville, a gently rolling landscape of fertile farmland to the west. Carmona is a city that has not changed for 150 years, it has Baroque palaces, churches and monasteries, and is surrounded by intact Moorish town walls. Day 8: Carmona Seville 30 km Today, you will cycle over the gently rolling plateau of Alcores to one of the most fertile agricultural areas in Andalusia. For centuries, Alcalá de Guadaira supplied Seville with bread and water, and it is considered to be one of the cradles of flamenco. Former haciendas of the Kingdom of Seville, today just as large farms as in former times, line the road. Our destination is Seville, where three of the most important operas are performed: Don Juan, the seducer; the cunning barber Figaro; and Carmen, the femme fatale, who lost her life somewhere between the tobacco factories and the bullfight arena. Two international exhibitions helped the city to futuristic buildings and great green parks. In the evening we suggest a visit to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the Barrio Santa Cruz, and the Casa de Pilatos. Day 9: Departure or Extension of Trip
Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Relatively Easy. The bike routes are alternately flat and hilly. You will cycle on bike paths (former railway lines) and side roads. In some cases, you will find yourself on roads with more traffic, especially when entering or leaving a city. Distance: 310 km Travel Season: Saturday arrival March 30 - June 8 and September 14 - October 26, 2019 Season 1: March 30 April 12 and October 6 October 26 Season 2: April 27 June 8 and September 14 October 5 Season 3: April 13 - April 26
Price per Person: Season 1 Double Occupancy B&B 1045.00 Season 2 Double Occupancy B&B 1099.00 Season 3 Double Occupancy B&B 1159.00 Surcharge single room 319.00 Bike rental 90.00 E-bike 200.00 Additional Nights per person Double Single Surcharge Sevilla Season 1 & 2 67.00 39.00 Sevilla Season 3 125.00 39.00 Malaga Season 1 & 2 97.00 59.00 Malaga Season 3 149.00 59.00 Accommodation: Category: 3* hotels and 4* hotels Services Included: Overnight stays in the listed hotels Breakfast buffet or an extensive breakfast Welcome briefing Luggage transfer between hotels Excellently planned routes Detailed travel documents 1 per room (route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers) City tour in Cordoba Train journey from Brenes to Seville including bike Excursion by sightseeing bus in Seville Bus transfer to Granada to the Alhambra including admission fees and guided tour Tour Signposting GPS data is available Service hotline Inclusive Package Alhambra Ticket and guided tour through the walls of the Alhambra by an expert. During the 2.5 hour tour, you will get to see the highlights of Alhambra. Afterwards, there will still be ample time to explore the palace and the city of Granada on your own. Not included: Tourist taxes, payable locally
Bikes Hybrid Bike Unisex frame 21-gears with free wheel sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedaling brake sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm Men s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "slopping" cm (note: a reservation is necessary!) Also includes Saddle bag (water-repellent), handlebar bag (waterrepellent), service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube, pump and combination lock Electric Bike A Pedelec is an electro bike which assists with electric support only when pedaling. Composed on basis of KTM-bikes, adequate for our missions. The bike is easy to handle as you have a good weight distribution and a low balance point. Overall weight amounts to approx. 23 kg. An illuminated LCD display, a computer and a wattage display add to the comfort. Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848