VBT Bicycle Tours - Spain Bicycle Tours - Spain: Under the Andalusian Sky 2009


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Spain: Under the Andalusian Sky 2009 - Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart US/Fly overnight to Seville

Depart from the U.S. for Spain. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Seville

Hotel: Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Seville

Enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day on your own in Seville. Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is a unique blend of Roman, Arab and Christian art and culture. The very heart of the old town is the Barrio de Santa Cruz, close to the Alcazar and the Cathedral, with its famous bell tower La Giralda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This delightful maze is dominated by the massive shape of the Cathedral, and has a distinctly Moorish flavor, with cobblestone streets and small squares surrounded by white houses. Another of Seville's famous local marvels is the Alcazar: the city's old Moorish Palace. It was developed over the centuries into a unique building with vaulted rooms, patios, a beautiful garden decorated with fountains and high palms. Other sights not to be missed during your stay include the beautiful Plaza de Espana, the Torre dell'Oro and one of Spain's biggest Plaza de Toros (bull-fighting rings), which is a symbol of the Spanish culture and tradition. At night, be sure to indulge in tapas y cerveza, a meal of bite-sized local delicacies which has made Seville famous to food-lovers the world over. Our splendid hotel, Las Casas de la Juderia, is located just a few steps from the walls of the Alcazar. It consists of ancient private homes from the 17th and 18th centuries, all including charming patios, gardens and spring fountains, beautifully restored. It's a perfect place from which to discover this beautiful and lively city!

Meals: B Hotel: Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Seville

Continue your independent exploration of Seville today. VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Meals: B Hotel: Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart US/Fly overnight to Seville

Depart from the U.S. for Spain. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Seville

Upon arrival at the Seville Airport, meet your driver outside the customs area in your arrival terminal, then transfer by private car (approximately 20 minutes) to your hotel in Seville city center. The driver will be holding a VBT sign. At the hotel receive a City Information Packet containing a map and information for your stay in Seville. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore the city. Choose a restaurant for dinner on own. Note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk. Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is a unique blend of Roman, Arab and Christian art and culture. The very heart of the old town is the Barrio de Santa Cruz, close to the Alcazar and the Cathedral, with its famous bell tower La Giralda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This delightful maze is dominated by the massive shape of the Cathedral, and has a distinctly Moorish flavor, with cobblestone streets and small squares surrounded by white houses. Another of Seville's famous local marvels is the Alcazar: the city's old Moorish Palace. It was developed over the centuries into a unique building with vaulted rooms, patios, a beautiful garden decorated with fountains and high palms. Other sights not to be missed during your stay include the beautiful Plaza de Espana, the Torre dell'Oro and one of Spain's biggest Plaza de Toros (bull-fighting rings), which is a symbol of the Spanish culture and tradition. At night, be sure to indulge in tapas y cerveza, a meal of bite-sized local delicacies which has made Seville famous to food-lovers the world over. Our splendid hotel, Las Casas de la Juderia, is located just a few steps from the walls of the Alcazar. It consists of ancient private homes from the 17th and 18th centuries, all including charming patios, gardens and spring fountains, beautifully restored. It's a perfect place from which to discover this beautiful and lively city!

Hotel: Hotel Las Casa de la Juderia

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Meet Trip Leaders/Warm-up ride/Welcome reception

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet your VBT trip Leaders and the rest of the group at our Seville Hotel (Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia, Callejon dos Hermanas 2, a small side street of Santa Maria La Blanca, phone +34 95 4415150) at 12:45 PM. If your arrival at the hotel is scheduled later than 1 PM, or if you are delayed, you must take a taxi at your own expense (approximately 100 euros/$150 USD) to Monasterio De San Francisco in Palma del Rion, about 80 km from Seville). Please contact Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia in Seville to advise of any travel delays or changes, and the staff will pass your message on to your VBT Trip Leaders. VBT Air Package guests & Pre-trip Extension guests: Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at the Seville hotel at 12:45 PM. They will be wearing VBT staff garments. Please plan to have lunch on your own before meeting your Trip Leaders. From Seville you transfer by private motorcoach (approx. 1 hour) to Palma del Rio. Our Hotel in Palma del Rio is Monasterio de San Francisco. As the name suggests, it was a Franciscan convent built in 1492 by the VII Señor de Palma's orders. About 20 years ago it was turned into a charming hotel, which preserves the simplicity and tranquility of a monastery. What makes this place special is the role of the monastery and the year of its construction: 1492. The discovery of America is part of the building's history, since the Franciscan monks based here founded American missions, took the language and customs to the new world, introduced the famous orange groves in California and opened the Mision de Palma del Rio in San Diego. Columbus was here before setting for his journey, the monastery being a strategic and powerful ‘centro de conoscimiento', or centre of learning and culture for the times. The cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, all own their names to the monasteries in this area. Today guests can still drink the orange juice from the 65 orange trees grown in the gardens, some of which are 5 centuries old. After settling in your rooms, join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session followed by a warm-up ride in the surroundings of Palma del Rio. You will be riding on the fertile lowland of the Guadalquivir River. Tonight, we gather for a welcome reception including tapas and sangria—two of Andalusia's regional specialties. Learn about the history of the neighborhood before dinner is served.

Meals: B, D Hotel: Monastario de San Francisco

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle through the Spanish Vega/Explore Carmona

After breakfast this morning we set for a bike ride leading us to the near lower hills of the Sierra de Hornachuelos, a park known for its natural beauty and scenic hiking trails. We follow a quiet, winding route through the woods along the Guadalquivir river canal system. After passing through the busy village of Penaflor, we continue on an even road with sweeping views of the Spanish Vega, or vast plain, en route to Carmona. A short shuttle will take us to this charming hilltop town, where we have time to stroll the Roman cobblestone streets, admire the gates, old palaces and churches and enjoy lunch on our own. This afternoon, we'll ride mostly downhill on a scenic route to Palma del Rio, among country farms raising fighting bulls and horses. Before we arrive at Palma, we stop to visit a typical, privately-owned Plaza de Toros, built for bullfighting. Back at the hotel, relax besides the quiet swimming pool, or take a peaceful stroll through the vegetable gardens. Our Trip Leaders conduct a short Spanish language class to help familiarize you with the local language. Tonight we walk to dinner to a simple local peña, where cantaores occasionally play and sing flamenco. This authentic Spanish restaurant features black and white pictures of flamenco singers, a fireplace, and serves tasty food like Jamón Ibérico – a regional cured ham cut in small slices by expert hands.

Meals: B, D Hotel: Monastario de San Francisco

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Cordoba/picnic lunch

En route to Cordoba today we learn the difference between the typical farms scattered along our route: fincas, huertas, cortijos and haciendas. We stop along the way for a picnic lunch. When we arrive at Almodovar, we cycle not far from its mighty castle. Later in the afternoon, we arrive at our beautiful 5 star hotel, centrally located in Cordoba, the city of the Caliphs. In the 11th century this was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Europe. A developed system for running water and street lights existed, along with vast libraries where Arabic, Latin and Greek manuscripts were translated. Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in perfectly harmony here. Exceptional monuments like the Mezquita cathedral are a good representation of the blend of these different cultures. Famous sons of Cordoba include the philosophers Seneca (Roman) and Averroes (Arabian) and Maimonides (Jewish). Cordoba has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1984. Our luxurious and secluded hotel, Palacio del Bailío, is a good example of the cultural synthesis of this city's glorious past. The Palace rests in an old quarter near the Capuchin monastery, and was originally constructed as a mansion between the 16th and 18th centuries. It includes old stables, a coach house and granary, as well as Roman remains (walls and frescoes) which have been beautifully enhanced by the modern design of its furniture and rooms. Our breakfast room rests right above a pristine Roman mosaic, protected under a large glass floor. The hotel features Moorish patios and gardens with orange trees, an elegant pool and a small boutique spa with an original Roman bath, combined with all the amenities and comforts of a modern 5 star property. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure enjoying all the amenities of your hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Meals: B, L Hotel: Hospes Palacio Del Bailio

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR DISCOVERY DAY! Explore Cordoba/Hammam bath and massage

After breakfast , the morning is free for you to explore on your own. You may choose to visit the Mezquita cathedral and stroll the maze of ancient city streets. “Mezquita” is the Spanish word for "mosque". This Roman Catholic cathedral was originally built to be a temple, lighthouse and warehouse. It later became the second-largest mosque in the world, and is considered to be one of the most accomplished monuments of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba. It was consecrated as a Christian church after Cordoba was captured by the Spanish in the 12th century. Cordoba is an excellent place to shop for pottery, abanijos (fans), cotton and leather goods, embroidered mantillas (shawls) and wooden crafts. Around the Mezquita, be sure to pay a visit to the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Archiepiscopal Palais, the Roman bridge with its 16 arcs spanning over the Guadalquivir river, the Jewish synagogue built in 1315 in the charming Jewish quarter of la Juderia. For those interested in bullfighting, you may also wish to visit the Bullfight-Museum. Later this afternoon, we gather together to experience an ancient local tradition: an Arab bath. The hammam near the cathedral of Cordoba is a magical place. Immerse yourself in the luxurious waters of the hammam, followed by a relaxing massage with essential oils. The experience would not be complete without savoring a tea in the typical Andalusian hammam tea-room. Tonight, choose a restaurant for dinner on your own in Cordoba. You might choose to visit a flamenco house in the trendy Paseo Maritimo district, where you may taste the special local cuisine, such as ragout of lamb Cordero en Caldereta, or sausages like Morcilla, Caña de Lomo and Salchicon de Pozo Blanco. Arabian influences can be found in the sweet Alfajores and Pestiños with almonds and honey .

Meals: B Hotel: Hospes Palacio Del Bailio

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Ruta del Vino/ Cabra

After breakfast, we leave Cordoba and shuttle to the Cordillera Subbetica and the Ruta del Vino or wine road. This hilly region is covered with olive trees and vineyards, and produces excellent white wines and olive oils, which are exported all over the world. We begin biking from Aguilar de la Frontera to Moriles, passing by typical bodegas selling local wines and goat cheese. One of the most renowned wines produced in this area is the Pedro-Ximénez sweet wine, particularly recommended to accompany local postres or desserts. Bodegas are often beautifully situated among olive and orange groves, and they make nice spots for a short rest and spontaneous wine tasting. In Navas del Selpillar we enter the Via Verde de la Subbetica, a well kept bike path built on a former railway road. We will follow this trail through the end of our trip. We'll stop at lunchtime for a delicious picnic made from local products. When we reach Cabra, we enjoy a wine tasting at a local family business which has been operating for 5 generations. We arrive at our hotel in the afternoon, where you will have some time to relax by the pool before our cooking class with a Spanish chef. Learn how to prepare Salmorejo, similar to gazpacho soup, as well as a classic Spanish dish, paella. Enjoy the fruits of our labor tonight at dinner, as well as many other local specialties.

Meals: B, L, D Hotel: Hotel Fuente Las Piedras

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Discover the white village of Zuheros/Cooking demonstration

Today we follow the bike path to Zuheros, passing peaceful farms, olive groves and lovely views of the surrounding hillsides. As we pedal along our gently rolling path, keep your eyes open for local wildlife, such as storks, goats and a variety of birds. A short walk will take us to Zuheros, where you'll have time to explore this beautiful white village, built onto a rocky promontory, from which you can take in scenic views of the countryside. Zuheros is known for its cheese and olive oil production, and you can purchase many local products made from aceitunas (olives), including soaps made from olive oil. Near Luque we stop for a picnic lunch made from local ingredients. Those looking for longer cycling options may wish to continue on the scenic path toward Laguna del Conde and the Guadajoz river, which inlcudes some beautiful lake scenery. In the afternoon we loop back to our hotel, where you will have some time to relax before our festive barbeque dinner. You will have the opportunity to taste many specialties like oxtail or rabo de toro.

Meals: B, L, D Hotel: Hotel Fuente Las Piedras

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Granada/Free time/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer with the rest of the group to Granada by private motorcoach, arriving at approximately 10:30 AM. Our driver will drop you at our hotel Tryp Albayzin on the central Carrera del Genil. Important: Flight departures from Granada airport prior to 12:30 PM are not recommended; if your flight is scheduled earlier, you must make transfer arrangements from the last hotel at your own expense. Taxi cost to Granada airport is approximately 200 euros/$300 USD (travel time approximately 1h 45). VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer by private motorcoach (approximately 2 hours) to the Hotel Tryp Albayzin in Granada for your final stay. The hotel is located in the city center. You will arrive at approximately 10:30 AM and have the rest of the day to discover this unique Moorish city. At the hotel you will receive a City Information Packet with a map and tips to discover the city on your own. The time of your airport transfer tomorrow will be provided as well. Guests should not miss the visit of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens which, together with the medieval district of Albayzín, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We recommend booking your ticket well in advance at www.alhambradegranada.org. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Granada.

Meals: B Hotel: Hotel Tryp Albayzin

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Granada airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight **. Please ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time. *Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. **VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Begin your optional Barcelona extension

If you have chosen the optional post-trip extension to Barcelona, after breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Granada airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight **. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time. *Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. **VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense. Upon arrival at the Barcelona airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. A VBT representative will meet you outside the customs area in your arrival terminal and will be holding a VBT sign. (At this time, please verify with your VBT representative the time of your transfer at the end of your trip from your Barcelona hotel to the airport). You will transfer by private car (approximately 40 minutes) to your central on Plaza Catalunya. At the hotel, you will receive a City Information Packet that includes a city map to help you explore Barcelona. If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 1 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk. You have the rest of the day free to explore this wonderful, historic city. Discover Barcelona at your leisure as you spend two nights in one of the most beautiful and vibrant capitals of the Mediterranean, well known for its history, cuisine and contemporary architecture. Barcelona is both modern and ancient with its Roman ruins and Ciutat Vella - the Old Town with its narrow, crooked pedestrian streets, old markets, theatres and pastry shops. Marvel at the genius of Gaudì, admiring the Modernist facades of his buildings and the famous Sagrada Familia, as well as Gaudì's Parc Guell with its colored mosaics of trees. Seven properties built by Gaudì are UNESCO Word Heritage Sites, testifying to the exceptional contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the 20th century. You might choose to explore the medieval Barri Gotic neighborhood, with the Jewish Quarter and the Cathedral, or follow Gaudì's tracks to Casa Battlò, La Pedrera and Casa Martì close to the famous Boquerìa covered market. Many sites are within walking distance from your centrally located hotel on Plaza Catalunya. Be sure to enjoy a delicious paella at the Barceloneta old port, or a stroll down the lively Ramblas boulevard. And during a leisurely walk down to the sea, you may wish to experience the vibrant colors of the scented flower market, or consider a stop at pasteleria Escribà to admire the sensual shapes of its Modernist windows and taste its delicious Crema catalana,

Meals: B Hotel: Olivia Plaza Hotel

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Barcelona

Continue your independent exploration of Barcelona.

Meals: B Hotel: Olivia Plaza Hotel

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for U.S

After breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Barcelona airport (approximately 40 minutes depending on traffic) for your departing flight **. Please ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time. *Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. **VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B