Exploring the Seductive Mysteries of Andalusia

There’s something magical about Andalusia. Maybe it’s the way the setting sun illuminates the walls of the Alhambra fortress, towering over the narrow medieval streets of Granada. Or perhaps it’s something about the rows of carefully tended orange trees that line the parks and plazas of Seville, or the staccato sound of heels tapping out centuries of anguish to the tune of a haunting flamenco guitar. Whatever your pleasure, a cycling vacation in Andalusia is sure to reveal the many beguiling elements that make the Iberian Peninsula’s southernmost province a unique and seductive place to explore.

Local VBT Trip Leaders Bring You La Auténtica Andalucía

In the hills near the charming whitewashed village of Zuheros, you’ll pause for a visit with some of VBT’s local Spanish friends. “Balbino and Lina live in a typical Andalusian farmhouse,” says VBT Tour Manager Nico Alcala, who lives in Spain. “It’s a very picturesque spot with views of the Subbética mountain range. The house is painted with a traditional limestone whitewash—which in some places is actually required by Spanish law. The whitewash helps with heat refraction, and it's also a natural insect repellent.” Balbino and Lina moved onto the farm in the 1970s—renovating the ruins of an ancient farmhouse and bringing it back to life. Despite its many modern conveniences, some trappings of ancient Spanish farming techniques are still there to be seen. “In the early 1900s, Andalusian olive farmers used mills with huge conical stones that crushed the olives against a stone table,” explains Nico. “The olive oil mill in Balbino’s house is probably even older. It’s not currently working, but it’s very interesting to see it, and to understand how olive oil was produced in Andalusia for centuries.” As you take in the views of the majestic mountain range, you’ll enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch, as well as the pleasure of Andalusian hospitality as you break bread with your charming hosts. If you have a particular interest, or question about local customs, VBT’s Spanish trip leaders are always happy to help. “I’m a coffee lover, and when I travel, I like to seek out specialty coffee,” says VBT guest Nickie Morris. “I find it really interesting to learn about each region and how it's prepared. Our trip leader, Roman, gave me all these great coffee facts—he told me exactly how to order what I wanted. He also described how each coffee drink is different in Spain compared to other countries. It was fascinating, and super helpful!” VBT’s local trip leaders are delighted to unmask Andalusia’s many secrets—and best of all, they’re a highly entertaining bunch who bring an indelible sense of fun to the journey.

A Spanish Castle to Call Home

Pedaling the Spanish countryside is both scenic and relaxing, with quiet lanes and stunning scenery. “Most of the roads are peaceful country tracks with little traffic,” recalls Nickie. “You might see a farm tractor, or an occasional car, but otherwise it’s very chill.” With whitewashed villages and ancient medieval castles along the way, there’s plenty to do and see as you spin along. “It was a lot of fun to ride in the Spanish countryside,” says Nickie. “We would start by seeing these ancient castles in the distance—then we’d ride past orchards and fields, and eventually we’d reach the castle. It was so cool.” As you explore this ancient landscape of castles and fortresses, you’ll get to see several of them up close—including an overnight stay in a renovated 15th-century monastery. “Our first hotel in Palma del Rio was once an ancient monastery,” says Nickie. “It’s been renovated into a wonderful hotel, and it’s very warm and pretty—with a courtyard covered in orange trees. According to legend, the monks from this monastery were among the first to bring oranges to the New World—they helped make the American city of San Diego what it is today.” As you wander the monastery’s hallowed halls, you’ll find a mix of modern luxuries living side by side with charming historic accents. On a high promontory above the city of Jaen lies one of the Spain’s famous Parador hotels—and your home for two nights. The Parador De Jaen was once an Arab fortress that was rebuilt in the 13th-century by Ferdinand III of Castile. The castle commands a strategic position with sweeping views of the valley—making it a scenic spot for the luxurious hotel is has become today. “The Parador de Jaen is a four-star hotel, which everyone really enjoyed,” recalls Nickie. “The hotel is part of an ancient castle which you can explore. You can even climb to the top of the castle—and the viewpoints are just spectacular.” Some of the attractions you’ll see in Andalusia are even older than the 13th-century castle. “My favorite ride took us into a narrow canyon,” says Nickie. “It’s pretty remote—I don’t think one car passed us along the way. When you get to the end of the canyon, there's petroglyphs on the canyon walls. On the other side of the canyon walls, there’s a goat farm, and you can hear the goats bleating. It was a pretty cool experience!” From prehistory to the modern day, exploring Andalusia with your Spanish trip leaders is a fascinating spin through time.

A Land of Olives and Oranges

Andalusia is one of the strongest olive oil producing regions in the world—and it shows. Pedaling its quiet country roads brings you scenery rich with olive and orange groves. “We loved cycling past beautiful fields of olive and orange trees,” recalls Nickie. “It was springtime, and the air had a great floral scent because the orchards were all in bloom.” With hills and valleys flush with olive groves, it’s no surprise to find dinner tables showcasing delicious cuisine, rich with high-quality extra virgin olive oil. “A typical Spanish person consumes over a gallon of olive oil per year,” says Nico. “We use olive oil for everything. We also have specialty gourmet olive oils that are prized for their flavor—we bring those out on special occasions.” From complex Spanish dishes, like paella, to the simple pleasure of patatas bravas, the delicate fragrance of high-quality olive oil suffuses the Spanish table. Andalusian oranges are prized for their flavor—which is deeply ingrained in the local cuisine. “In Andalusia, there are oranges everywhere,” says Nickie. “My favorite orange dessert was a puff pastry with a scoop of orange ice cream. I found it in many places—but there were always slight variations in the pastry texture. And the orange ice cream was surprisingly rich.” Among the orange trees that line the avenues of Seville, you’ll find trendy bakeries and boutiques selling orange delicacies of every variety—including orange liquors, candied oranges, orange tortas, and flan de naranja. It’s a citrus-lover’s paradise!