Madrid

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Departure

But don't leave yet! Make sure you save some time to enjoy the most vibrant and exciting European capital. Art, gastronomy, culture, music, hospitality and a big etc. Madrid has it all!

Arrival

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Tarifa

Our tour begins in Tarifa, the southernmost point of Spain and of continental Europe. This delightful town is located on the Straits of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Europe meets Africa with the impressive Rif mountains of Morocco and Tangiers just 10 miles away across the water. Arrive a couple of days early and take the chance to hop on a ferry and spend a night or two visiting this charming and exotic country.

Tarifa

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Vejer de la Frontera

From Tarifa we cycle through the cork forests, reaching the coast by the beautiful Roman remains of Baelo Claudia and Europe's largest sand dune Then Zahara de los Atunes and its marvellous beach, Barbate, famous for the almadraba method of tuna fisning. Further along the coast is Trafalgar, where Nelson won the famous naval battle, but lost his life. And finally Vejer de la Frontera, one of the most beautiful white villages of Andalusia.

Vejer de la Frontera

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Arcos de la Frontera

From Vejer we ride across country towards Arcos. En route we will see impressive bulls in the many ranches to be found in Cádiz. Medina Sidonia is another charming white village and a coffee stop in the Plaza de España where we watch the world go by. Then across cotton fields and vineyards to the spectacular village of Arcos de la Frontera perched on a clifftop and dominating the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a beer on the hotel terrace and watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

Arcos de la Frontera

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Seville

From Arcos de la Frontera, we pedal towards the vineyards which surround the sherry capital of the world, Jerez de la Frontera. Then towards the valley of the Guadalquivir, the "big river". A complex irrigation system produces fertile soils and a variety of crops. Finally we reach Seville, the capital of Andalusia.

Seville

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Seviille

What is there to say about Seville that has not been said already? A city in love with itself. Its Arab heritage exemplified in the cathedral tower of the Giralda, once the minaret of the mosque, the winding narrow streets of the Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, the ornate Plaza de España, the Metropol Parasol (commonly referred to as the "mushrooms", the Torre del Oro on the banks of the majestic Guadalquivir with the area of Triana on the opposite bank, a vibrant tapas scene, catch a flamenco show. A beautiful city and well worth a day off the bike to enjoy its charms.

Seville

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Cazalla de la Sierra

Cross the Guadalquivir and just outside Seville we pass the archaeological site of Itálica, a Roman city founded in 206 B.C. We follow the valley of the Guadalquivir until we turn towards the hills to the north know as the Sierra Norte de Sevilla, part of the Sierra Morena, with its oak forests, black Iberian pigs, reservoirs, beautiful scenery dotted with picturesque white villages such as our final destination, Cazalla de la Sierra.

Cazalla de la Sierra

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Zafra

From Cazalla we continue north through the verdant landscape of the Sierra Morrena. We then reach the vast plains of Extremadura and say goodbye to Andalusia as we begin the next chapter of our journey. Reina is a one-time Roman city dominated by its 12th century Arab castle. The great painter Francisco de Zurbarán lived in the beautiful town of Llerena and was born in Fuente de Cantos, which we also cycle through. Finally we arrive in the picturesque town of Zafra, sometimes known as the "little Seville" where we spend the night in its 15th century castle.

Zafra

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Mérida

Today's route crosses the agricultural landscape of Extremadura. Extensive vineyards stretch for miles around and produce some of Spain's finest red wines. Almendralejo derives its name from the almond trees common here and is also a wine and olive centre. Our final destination is Mérida on the banks of the River Guadiana, capital of Extremadura. The city was founded as Emerita Augusta in 25 A.D, the foremost Roman city in the Iberian Peninsula:and has some of the most important Roman remains in Europe.

Mérida

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Cáceres

Leaving Mérida we get the chance to see the impressive Roman Acueducto de los Milagros which supplied the city with water from the Proserpina Dam, still in use today. An landscape of medieval castles, Mediterranean oak dehesas, wtih black bulls, Iberian pigs, storks and vultures leads us to the city of Cáceres, one of Spain's undiscovered gems. The old centre is like a medieval film set with narrow cobbled streets, mansions, churches, town walls, spires and storks' nests. Truly impressive.

Cáceres

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Trujillo

From Cáceres, our route turns to the east and we cycle through dramatic wild countryside with immense horizons. This area is famous as a bird reserve, and there are not only elegant storks and huge circling vultures, but many other species besides. Today's shorter ride leads us to our stay in the village of Trujillo, famous for its conquistadores who ventured across the Atlantic to claim large portions of the Americas for the Spanish throne. The statue of Pizarro adorns the beeautiful main square. The village is dominated by its fine medieval Moorish castle.

Trujillo

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Guadalupe

Today's route continues to the east across some more truly wild and beautiful scenery. Little roads twist and turn through the hills where little sleepy villages welcome us. Pure nature and open landscapes crossed by little streams and decorated with cork oaks. Finally the little white village of Guadalupe, its Jewish quarter, the enchanting square, perfect for a nice cold beer, and of course the impressive Monastery with works of art by Zurburán, El Greco, and Goya amongst others.

Guadalupe

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Cabañeros

More fantastic landscape as we enter the area known as the Montes de Toledo and the famous La Mancha of Don Quixote. Open horizons, traffic-free roads, immense reservoirs and superb scenery and wildliife. Our final destination is in the sleepy little village of Horcajo de los Montes. This lies within the Parque Nacional de Cabañeros, one of Spain's very important Nationa Parks. This is an important area of Mediteranean forest and is sometimes known as the Spanish Serengeti due to its landscape and wildlife with many birds of prey, black storks, deer, boar, lynx and many other species.

Cabañeros

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Toledo

Begin with a visit to the Information Centre in Horcajo de los Montes before riding through the Serengeti. A great ride with more beautiful views takes us right through the National Park. After San Pablo de los Montes, a brief climb and then a descent to the plains around Toledo as we leave the Montes de Toledo behind to enter this monumental city.

Toledo

A free day to visit Toledo, a truly monumental city. Walk around its narrow cobbled streets to visit its historical centre, discover the Jewish heritage famous throughout the world, as well as its Christian and Muslim history. Also the the Alcázar, famous for its siege in the Spanish Civil Way, the views over the River Tajo as it loops around the city, the art of El Greco, and the many artsans' shops and tapas bars around the city. Another great day off the bike and ready for our final ride.

Toledo

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Madrid

Our final stage. From Toledo, we follow the River Tagus, at 1007 km, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. Our first stop is Aranjuez, The magnificent Royal Palace dates back to the 16th century and the gardens inspired Joaquin Rodrigo's exquisite Concierto de Aranjuez, From here, we ride through the province of Madrid through small villages before finally entering the capital along the cycle path of the River Manzanares. Time to relax, and enjoy Madrid and the memories of a magnificent tour.