Moorish architecture and legend, hilltop white villages covered with orange blossoms, restaurants featuring paella, gazpacho & tapas, endless sunshine and of course, flamenco. Spring in southern Spain is a time of celebration and cycling between the white villages of Andalusia, staying in 4-star luxury is sublime.

Only Great Explorations:

  • Small groups, extraordinary guides and authentic experiences
  • Ride the bike path along the Loire River, a ride you will never forget
  • A sumptuous picnic on the grounds of the grand chateau
  • Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks
  • Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
  • We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises

Location

Cordoba

Córdoba, Spain

Day 1

Palma del Rio

Palma del Río, Spain

Day 2+3

Carmona

Carmona, Spain

Day 4+5

Seville

Seville, Spain

Day 6+7

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guides
Support vehicle
6 nights lodging
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
Entrance fees for selected tastings, historical sites and museums
Detailed map and route instructions
All baggage transportation
All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off (see arrive/depart cities)

Particulars

EVENT DATES

2023

Mar 6-12
Apr 2-8
Apr 9-15
Oct 16-22

2024

Mar 4-10
Mar 31-Apr 6
Apr 7-13
Oct 14-20

Trip can start at any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.

TRIP SIZE

4-16 participants

TOTAL DAYS

7 days / 6 nights

ARRIVE / DEPART

Cordoba / Seville

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate
20-40+ miles daily
Van supported

TERRAIN

Varied with some hills

COST

Land Cost:
US $2,950
Includes 6B/2L/5D

Single Supplement:
US $750

Bike Rental:
US $280

E-Bike Rental:
US $480*

Optional Extension

Granada:

  • US $495 pp – 2D/2N
    Single supplement US $495
    Includes: two nights hotel, 1/2 day walking tour with licensed guide and City Guide for Granada with historical insights and restaurant recommendations

*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.

 

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247

Getting there

Cordoba: You can reach Cordoba by rail (2 Hours – trains are leaving every hour during the day).


1

Day 1

Cordoba

We meet in the charming city of Cordoba with its Moorish architecture and monuments. On this trip, your hotel is included on arrival day and there is no planned cycling on this day; we stay at the 3-star Hotel Maimonides, situated in the heart of the historic district. We suggest arriving anytime after 12:00 noon; we’ll offer a walking tour with a guided visit to the Great Mosque late afternoon followed by bike-fit and then dinner at our favorite restaurant, in Cordoba, the Almatea, where the owners prepare fusion Spanish/ European cuisine that is sublime.

2

Day 2+3

Palma del Rio

We’ll begin cycling from the historical center of Cordoba, following the Guadalquivir River to Almodevar del Rio where we’ll visit the castle and enjoy lunch; from here we’ll continue on to Palma del Rio, and the Hospederia de San Francisco, a beautiful converted monastery, now a fabulous hotel. On our second day, we’ll ride into the Sierra Morena, along quiet roads to a splendid lake, where a picnic makes for an ideal way to spend mid-day. Palma del Rio is the home to several flamenco players and we may visit a tapas bar that often hosts performances.

3

Day 4+5

Carmona

We’ll ride past rolling wheat fields and bull farms en route to Carmona, a picturesque walled village famous for Roman ruins, art and architecture; we’ll visit these on a walking tour with local historian before dinner. Next day, choose between an easy ride through plains to Marchena or a more challenging ride into the Parque natural de la Sierrra de Hornachuelos. We stay in a four star hotel in the historical district of Carmona.

4

Day 6

Seville

From Carmona, we’ll continue west, crossing the Guadalquivir River at Villaverde making our way to Santiponce, just outside of Seville. Santiponce is the site of extraordinary Roman ruins and we’ll have time to visit these before continuing into Seville. We’ll stay at the fabulous Hotel Sacristia Santa Ana located in the historical center of town, and we finish our trip with dinner at one of Seville’s acclaimed restaurants.

5

Day 7

Departure Day

Depart at your leisure for onward travel.

Hotel Maimonides, Cordoba

Located in the historical district, directly facing the mosque, this hotel has an interior Mujdedar-style courtyard, and plush furnishings. Rooms are modern and comfortable.


Hospederia San Francisco, Palma del Rio

A wonderful, luxurious hotel, this former 15th century monastery exudes peace and tranquility. Surrounded by cloistered patios and elegant gardens, and offering an exquisite pool, excellent cuisine and fine wines, this exquisite hotel is truly unique.


Alcazar de la Reina, Carmona

Nestled in quiet, breathtaking surroundings in Carmona’s historical center, this hotel is both elegant and enchanting with the expected amenities of a hotel in this class. Its interior reflects the beautiful style and atmosphere of the “mudejar” and the 68 rooms are elgegantly decorated and fully equipped. Note that no two rooms are exactly the same!


Hotel Sacristia Santa Ana, Seville

The NY Times Travel review says, ‘Overlooking La Plaza de la Alamdeda, the hotel, which was a convent in the 18th century, is a crisp, 25 room country-chic modern establishment popular with the bohemian set.’ We like the location, close enough to the historical center with lots of great cafes and restaurants nearby and the standard of service in the hotel.



			

		

				

					

			
			

		

		
			


	


 

                        
                    

                        

	
	
	
	
	



	
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