Motorbike tour, Motorcycle tour, Andalucia, Spain

This is a ten night tour. On route to Andalucia, we stay over in the atmospheric city of Salamanca and then the ancient Roman city of Merida, before reaching the southern coast of Spain on the third day. Once we reach Torre del Mar, we stay in bungalows. A swimming pool is available on the campsite, as is a restaurant and mini-market. The campsite lies at the edge of the town and is close to many bars and restaurants.

This tour will take in the wondrous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Nerja Caves, El Chorro Lakes, The surreal landscape of El Torcal, The Wolf Park and White Villages of Andalucia. The roads in this area are superb for biking. Over the weekend period, you will notice the increase in bike traffic as the Spanish come out to play. Please note; admission prices are not included in the tour price.

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Day 1 Santander to Salamanca

We meet near the ferry terminal in Santander. Of course you don't have to travel from Plymouth, you may like to make your own way through France before joining us. Those of you who wish to relax on the Pont Aven can see booking information at brittany-ferries

From Santander, we make the 225 mile journey to the beautiful city of Salamanca, arriving in time to enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants around the world famous Plaza Mayor. Our hotel is just ten minutes walk (even if you walk slowly) to the historic centre of Salamanca.

Day 2 Salamanca to Merida

After breakfast in Salamanca, we travel 170 miles on to Merida.

The capital of Extremadura and the ancient capital of Lusitania, Merida was one of the most famous Roman cities of the Iberian Peninsula, and features some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Europe.

Extremadura was held to be the traditional boundary between Moorish and Christian Spain. Merida itself was passed between Christian, Moorish, and even Portuguese control. It's a fabulous place to walk. Like Rome (only much smaller!) archaeology pops up in the strangest corners, and the Moorish influence adds a grace of its own to the town.

Day 3 Merida to Torre del Mar

270 miles today will see us arrive at our home for the next 6 nights. Torre del Mar is a delightful coastal town, as yet undiscovered by the Northern European masses. In August it is throng with Spanish tourists, but we're not going in August are we.

There are countless bars and restaurants to choose from, so there should be something to suit everyone.

Boat Barbeque in Torre del Mar

The Paseo Maritimo (promenade) in Torre del Mar is one of the finest in Spain. You can walk the whole length of the town to the fishing port of La Caleta, stopping off on the way in one of the many bars for a cool beer.

Day 4 Nerja Caves, La Herradura and Lake Bermejales En-route to Zaffaraya Pass

What a great day this. Our first port of call is the Nerja Caves system. Ask anyone who has visited the caves and they'll tell you just how impressive they are.

These are breathtakingly beautiful caves, some of the best in Europe and officially recognised as an historical and artistic monument, Nerja Caves are one of the most important Prehistoric archaeological sites on the western Mediterranean. Dating back some five million years, they are notable for the large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and the immense length, over 4,000 metres.

After the caves, we take one of the best biking roads you will ever find. The new motorway between Nerja and Almunecar has left the old coast road, which winds its way around the cliffs, almost deserted. We arrive in La Herradura for a break, feeling invigorated.

From the coast, we head inland to the Bermejales lake and then return via the mountain road through Zaffaraya Pass........just brilliant.

Day 5 El Torcal and The Wolf Park

Torcal Park Nature Reserve is known for it's unusual limestone rock formations. Within El Torcal Park's 17 square km are some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe. The whole area was under sea until one hundred million years ago

When the violent movements of the Earth's crust forced upward to form hills and mountains 1.300 metres above sea level, the limestone still kept its layered horizontal formation. Over the millions of years the rain and wind have been able to chisel away at these layers to form incredible shapes

Timberwolf The Wolf Park features four different wolf sub species: Canadian Timber, European, Alaskan Tundra and native Iberian that have been given a home. An incredible place, circled by the El Torcal mountain range and it’s probably as close as humans can safely get to untamed wolves.

Los Enamorados, Antequera Antequera is overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high, called La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lovers' Leap". The name comes from a local legend about an impossible love affair between a young Christian man from Antequera and a beautiful Moorish girl from nearby Archidona, who were driven to the top of the cliff by the Moorish soldiers, where, rather than renounce their love, they chose to hurl themselves into the abyss. We will stop to photos of the incredible head shaped mountain.

Day 6 El Chorro and the Spanish Lake District

Another memorable day. Imagine three stunningly beautiful, turquoise coloured lakes bordered by pine forests. Now imagine riding your bike through this scene.......Mmmmm

Around the lakes lie many typical Spanish villages, so they'll be no danger of running dry while we're out and about. Some of the restaurants and cafes in this area enjoy spectacular views.

The area generally boasts stunning views and is surrounded by vast pine forests and soaring limestone cliffs. In 1989 it was proclaimed a natural reserve by the Junta de Andalucia.

Day 7 The Village in the Sky

Today we take a chill pill and cruise around some of the white villages in the local area, including Comares, the village in the sky. There will be plenty of time for coffee and listening to some of the jokes I've been saving up for you.

As we wind our way up the twisty road, we will see the village hanging on to the mountainside.

Comares is famous for its local Malaga sweet wine and almonds. Sometimes, you can buy these from the villagers.

Day 8 The Alhambra Palace, Granada

The Alhambra, The Red One, was once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions exhibiting the country's most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th century and later buildings. Its gardens are world famous.

On July 7 2007, the New Seven Wonders of the World were announced. One of the nominees was the Alhambra. Unfortunately, it didn't make the final seven, but it came pretty close.

If you really wouldn't care to enter the Alhambra, Granada is a wonderful alternative and worthy of a visit in its own right. Granada city, with its ancient monuments and cathedrals, lies within a short distance of the Alhambra (walking or bus).

Entrance tickets are not included in the tour price, but can be obtained by us in advance.

Day 9 Torre del Mar to The Province of Ciudad Real

230 miles today to the province of Ciudad Real, as we begin our journey north through Spain.

Day 10 Ciudad Real to Valladolid

240 miles through the middle of Spain, passing by Madrid and arriving in Valladolid with plenty of time to look around.

Valladolid was captured from the Moors in the tenth century. It was then a small village which was later improved by Count Pedro Ansúrez. In 1469, Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon were married in the city and by the fifteenth century it was the residence of the kings of Castile and remained the capital of the Kingdom of Spain until 1561, when Philip II moved the capital to Madrid. Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid in 1506 in a house which is now a Museum dedicated to him. It was made the capital of the kingdom again between 1601 and 1606 by Philip III. It was in that period when Cervantes published his first edition of Don Quixote in 1604.

Day 11 Valladolid to Santander

Just 153 miles today, back to Santander.

Those of you who are going home with Brittany Ferries will be taken to the gates of the Ferry Terminal. See you again soon.