General Information

Duration:

7 Days

Location Start:

Hotel in Madrid

Location Finish:

Hotel in Madrid

Phone:

0034915223899

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

Spanish, French, English, German, Dutch

Last updated: 11/10/2006

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 Miraflores de la Sierra (Madrid)
Guests of Bike Spain Tours are taken by van to the town of Miraflores de la Sierra. Once we arrive at the hotel and have had a chance to unpack, we’ll have a welcome drink, fit your bikes and provide you with the road book and maps for the tour. If time permits, we’ll take a short ride to get acquainted with the terrain.

Day 2

Día 2 SEGOVIA
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the top of the Morcuera Pass to ride down and through the beautiful Lozoya Valley and visit the El Paular monastery and ride along the edges of the Pinilla Reservoir. Then we’ll take the van over the Navafría Pass and ride along the northern flank of the Guadarrama Mountains, travelling through oak and pine forests on back country roads to the town of Pedraza, a perfectly preserved medieval town, complete with castle. We’ll have lunch in Pedraza and travel by van to Segovia, where we’ll stay the night in a historic hotel located in the city’s Plaza Mayor, after we have a chance to visit Segovia’s cathedral and Alcázar.

Day 3

Día 3 El Escorial (MADRID)
Segovia’s ancient streets and medieval neighbourhoods provide a great place to start today’s riding. We’ll pass along the ancient city walls, under the world-famous Roman aqueduct and go by some marvellously old monasteries as we travel around the city and head towards the town of San Ildefonso de la Granja, built by the first Bourbon monarchs of Spain, who were determined to re-create a little piece of Versailles in the dry plains of Spain. From there, we’ll drive to the town of El Escorial and visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo. Built between 1563 and 1584, the Monastery was the biggest building of the Renaissance period.

Day 4

Día 4 TOLEDO
The mountainside setting of El Escorial is a favourite location for cycle tourists and road bikers alike; once we’ve had the chance to explore the area surrounding the San Lorenzo Monastery, we’ll jump in the van and go further back in time, to the world-famous city of Toledo, which was the capital of the country in the 15th century and was once the most famous seat of learning in the peninsula. Every square inch of the hill rising from the banks of the Tagus River has been built upon, and the city is home to innumerable convents, churches, museums, synagogues and palaces. Take the afternoon to discover the narrow alleys and hillside staircases that have inspired everyone from artist El Greco to novelist Noah Gordon.

Day 5

Day 5 MADRID
After a quick van transfer, we’ll head to the town of Chinchón, which has one of the prettiest town squares in the region. From there, we’ll ride through the rolling countryside to the town of Aranjuez, going by wineries, olive grove and melon farms. We’ll reach Aranjuez just in time to visit the 18th-century Aranjuez Palace (recently restored, it contains all of its orginal furnishings) and in the afternoon, we’ll head back to Madrid.

Day 6

Day 6 MADRID
The final day of the tour gives you the chance to discover Madrid on your own, either on foot or by bike. There’s so much to do that it almost seems unfair to list all the possibilities, but favourites of past participants – and of most visitors to Madrid! – include the Big Three museums (the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía), the beauty of the Retiro Park, or the wide open spaces of the Casa de Campo Park (perfect for those who’d like a spin on a mountain bike!) In the evening, you’re free to go on your own tapas crawl, take in a flamenco show or see something cultural at the Teatro Real or the Teatro Nacional (we’ll be happy to make the reservations for you.

Day 7

Day 7 MADRID
Transfer to the airport. Time to say goodbye to the capital. We hope that the tour has given you the opportunity to discover the natural beauty and historic depth of Madrid and the surrounding region.

Extra Information

Exclusions -

dinner

Extras -

INCLUDED: Accommodation, buffet breakfast, 4 lunches, transfers, quality touring bike, travel insurance and some special gifts