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Madrid and surroundings |
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Live La Vuelta, one of the
world’s greatest cycling
races, by being on top of the
action during the final stages
and see the cyclists cross the
finish line in Spain’s
capital.
This classic tour allows you
to experience the last days
of La Vuelta in the centre of
Spain visiting some of the most
attractive cities, like Salamanca,
Segovia, Toledo, Avila, some
of them world heritage towns
by UNESCO, and closely following
the cyclists as they wind their
way along the spectacular routes
and scenery of this richly historic
area. The beauty of La Vuelta
is that we have the opportunity
to get close to the cyclists,
watch them pass by, witness
the starting and/or finishing
points of the various stages
and visit the hotels where the
teams stay.
The day generally starts with
a morning ride and then after
a relaxed lunch we view the
last kilometres of the days´
stage. Our hotels are centrally
located so we can easily access
each of the final stages and
see the most spectacular moments
of the race.
Throughout the tour you will
be accompanied by our fully
equipped van, should you wish
to take a break from cycling.
Our experienced guides will
ensure our road bikes are adjusted
to your preferences (or you
may choose to bring your own
bike). They will be on hand
to assist you from the moment
you arrive in Spain, they have
great knowledge of the country,
the roads and the routes to
ensure you have nothing to worry
about other than the pleasure
of cycling.
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Larger map |
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Itinerary
2010 |
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Day
1: Madrid
Arrive in Madrid. We will
meet you at the airport,
prepare your bicycles for
the following day and then
drop you at your hotel. |
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Day
2: SEGOVIA
On
our journey to the north
along the cyclist path we
pass through the Sierra
of Madrid and the charming
town of Rascafria nested
along the banks of the Lozoya
Reservoir. The town is extremely
popular among Madrileños
who come for the restaurants
and a stroll through the
narrow streets. From Rascafria,
we cycle through the Valley
of Lozoya to the mountain
pass of Navafria, descending
into the charming village
of Pedraza. Enjoy a typical
‘cordero asado’
(roast lamb) and continue
to Segovia by bike or by
van. A stroll through the
streets of Segovia is a
pleasant and very interesting
way of gaining an insight
into the history of Spain.
Over the centuries, various
civilisations (Romans, Arabs,
Jews and Christians) have
left an artistic heritage
that is difficult to match
elsewhere. This will become
obvious as you stroll through
its old town, whose streets
still boast the medieval
structure and civic and
religious buildings of various
architectural styles.
Dinner included. |
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Day
3: SEGOVIA
This
stage takes us through beautiful
medieval towns and by livestock
and sheep ranches. We pass
along the foot of the Guadarrama
mountains until we reach
La Granja, where we will
visit the royal site of
San Idelfonso, an impressive
French-style monument. From
here it’s downhill
to arrive at the historic
city of Segovia. The old
town square is a must, with
many important medieval
and renaissance buildings,
as well as the roman aqueduct
in the Plaza del Azoguejo.
This jewel of engineering,
built under the Roman Empire
(1st c.), brought water
to the elevated city from
15 kilometres away.
When you have dinner tonight
try the ¨cochinillo
asado¨, or suckling
pig, a delicacy from Segovia. |
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Day
4: Peñafiel (VALLADOLID)
We have a short transfer
to Sepulveda and here
we start to ride along
the river and Canyon of
Duraton, to the castle
town of Peñafiel,
the capital of the wine
region of “Ribera
del Duero”. Here
we will have time to visit
the wine museum and to
see the time trail stage
close up. We have VIP
tickets to the area of
teams and sponsors.
Dinner included.
Stage 17 |
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Day
5: SALAMANCA
We will drive by van to
Zamora, and then on to the
impressive tallest dam in
Europe, the “Almendra”.
Here we will make a pretty
ride around the reservoir
and continue along the river
Tormes to the city of Salamanca
where we will see the Vuelta
come by twice.
We will stay at a hotel
down town and dinner will
be on your own tonight.
Not many cities have two
cathedrals, but Salamanca
does. They are connected,
and the Old Cathedral is
accessed from inside the
New Cathedral. Close to
the cathedrals, we find
the famous Plaza Mayor,
one of the most beautiful
squares in the whole of
Europe. Remember to take
a stroll around this university
when sun sets and watch
the spectacle of how the
glow of the sunset turns
the stone on the façades
of all the buildings to
a magical golden colour.
Dinner included.
Stage
18 |
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Day
6: TOLEDO
From Salamanca
we go by van to Avila, to
see this Unesco town with
his magnificent wall from
the outside. We will continue
along the same road of the
stage of the Vuelta today.
After San Martin, we will
stop to see the cyclists
race by. After this we will
take the van to Toledo.
Toledo originally is a roman
city and was the capital
of Spain for many centuries.
Its beautiful city centre
which is surrounded by the
river Tajo on three sides
was added in its entirety
to the UNESCO world heritage
list in 1986. The painter
´El Greco´ lived
in Toledo and painted some
of his masterpieces here.
Toledo is also famous for
the fact that the three
main religions lived here
peacefully side by side
for over 700 years. Don’t
forget to go to the Plaza
de Zocodover to pick up
the local delicacy marzipan
(made from ground almonds
and sugar) to take back
home with you.
Hotel down town and dinner
included
Stage
19 |
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Day
7: MADRID.
Today, we go to Colmenar
Viejo to ride from there
to El Escorial to see the
famous monastery from the
outside. From there we will
go to Guadarrama where we
will see the Vuelta the
first time today. After
viewing the riders we will
go up to Navacerrada and
from the top we will have
our stand with a picnic
lunch and live TV to follow
the tour. After eating we
will walk some meters to
the steepest part of the
Vuelta which is a decisive
climb to the “Bola
del Mundo” a road
with parts that rise 20%.
After this amazing day we
tide to Madrid by van to
do the last bit of shopping
and get ready for a farewell
dinner and flamenco show.
Stage
20 |
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Day
8: Madrid
Visit Madrid City Centre
by bike! During 3 hours
we will visit all the main
sights of the city and learn
about Madrid´s varied
past. We will endeavour
to secure tickets to the
VIP area to see the final
stage of La Vuelta as the
cyclists finally reach their
destination.
This evening you are
welcome to explore the
city at your leisure.
Stage
21
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Day
9: departure
Group departs from the hotel. |
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PRICE
(EURO):
1975
€ in hotels 4*
Single
suppl.: 290 €
DAYS/NIGHTS:
9
days / 8 nights
LEVEL:
Medium-advanced.
DATES:
Sept 12th to 20th
INCLUDED:
-
Accomodation with buffet
breakfast.
- 3 dinners with wine.
- Farewell dinner and
flamenco show in Madrid.
- All transfers.
- Snacks and drinks in
the van.
- Maps and guidance.
- VIP tickets.
- Bike Spain jersey [Image]
NOT
INCLUDED:
-
Lunches and some dinners.
- Aluminium bike: 120
€
- Carbon bike: 150 €
OPTIONS:
-
Extra nights: Ask for
price.
SUPPORTED TOUR
MINIMUM GROUP 6 PERSONS
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- The perfect scenic routes.
- Quite and small, well
asphalted roads.
- Spanish gastronomy.
- Hospitality in Spain.
- Accesibility to the
cyclists. Not very restricted
traffic, possibility to
see the Vuelta two times
a day.
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