White Rose ToursAndalusia - a Grand Tour of Spain
Tour Details
Duration
13 Nights
Tour Area
Spain
Type
Escorted (E)
Accommodation
Paradors, 3 & 4 star Hotel
Mileage
200 - 250 miles per day (longest 297 miles)
Tour Mileage
2500 miles
Roads
Combination of Motorway, A, B and Mountain Roads
Skills
Experienced riders/pillions who have ridden on the continent before and are able to navigate independently
Join us as we ride away those winter blues and take a great motorcycle tour of Spain
We are pleased to advise that we have arranged another ‘Tour of Spain’ but this time with more emphasis on Spain’s most southerly area, Andalusia.
This is not a quick rush to the Costas but a 13 night tour travelling leisurely around Spain riding the best biking roads, enjoying great accommodation and admiring the diverse scenery that Spain offers.
To maximise our time in Spain we will be using the Plymouth to Santander both ways (see travel choice). On arrival, we head southwards in a clockwise direction via Cuenca, Jaén, Andalucia, Cordoba ,Extremadura, Castile and back through northern Spain. This tour has sensible daily mileages with a 2 night stop in Granada, and 3 nights in Ronda. All the accommodation will be to our usual standard, and will be mainly 4 star hotels and Paradors.
This is an Escorted Tour which means that although the guide will be with you, you are responsible for doing your own navigation. We will as usual provide a Tour Pack which will include a full itinerary, Gpx route files and hotel location, however you should be a competent navigator and be prepared to use your own initiative. If you think this describes you, then we would love you to join us.
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Tour prices are inclusive of the following |
| * Plymouth - Santander return 4 berth en-suite cabin (for 2) |
| * 11 Nights' en-suite accommodation at Paradors or 4 star hotel |
| * 7 Evening meals (see note 1) |
| * 11 Regional breakfasts |
| * Full use of the hotels' leisure facilities |
| * GPX satnav routes |
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* Services of experienced Tour Guide (Chris) |
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* Parking Fees |
| Not included |
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* Meals onboard ferry |
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is to our usual standard and is either 4 star hotels or Paradors. Those of you who have travelled in Spain will no doubt be aware that the Paradors offer some of the finest accommodation available. Many of these hotels are converted palaces, castles, convents or monasteries. All the hotel bedrooms are en-suite with the usual facilities consistent with their ratings. Many have Air-Conditioning, fridges, balconies, and Wi-Fi access. It would take too long to itemise the entire different hotels' facilities, however items such as fitness rooms, spa, sauna and swimming pools where available, are generally included, so we suggest you take your swimming gear. Your costs also include parking charges where applicable.
In some city locations we have just booked B&B on certain nights, giving you the opportunity to dine out at one of the many local restaurants.
Note 1. In Spain it is the normal practice to eat quite late - evening meals will be traditional regional menus and mainly meat-based. Although we will do our best to obtain an alternative, vegetarians should be aware that the choice can be very limited.
The tour itinerary is based on a Brittany Ferry from Plymouth to Santander (See travel choice)
Wednesday 2nd April: Today we start our tour by catching the mid-afternoon ferry from Plymouth to Santander. Our crossing will be on the 'Pont Aven', Brittany ferries flagship which takes just 20 hours to get to Northern Spain. Once on-board, you can relax and enjoy the facilities provided, which include cinemas, bars, various restaurants and even a swimming pool. To make your crossing more comfortable we have included a 4 berth en-suite cabin (for two persons), but we leave you to make your own dining arrangements. Alternative cabin types subject to availabilty.
Thursday 3rd April (120 miles): Our ferry docks in Santander early afternoon, giving us a good start for our journey southwards to our first hotel, a converted 17th Century Palace. 4 star Parador, Dinner, B&B.
Friday 4th April (250 miles): Travelling south we take a scenic cross country route to the historic town of Cuenca, famous for its 'hanging houses'. 4 star hotel, Dinner, B&B
Saturday 5th April (240 miles): Today we enter an area overlooked by many, the Cazorla National Park. This is an area of great natural beauty and of considerable ecological importance containing a wealth of wildlife. Our day finishes in a small town on the edge of the Despeñaperros national park. 4 star hotel, Dinner, B&B
Sunday 6th April (290 miles): Some great roads today as we ride south into Almeria. Passing Tabernas desert - where many Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns were filmed - we enter Andalusia to ride the scenic roads in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Our route takes us west through chestnut groves, and past quaint white washed villages, all under the shadow of Mulhacen, Spain's highest mountain. Our day finishes at our hotel for the next two nights on the outskirts of Granada. 4star hotel, Dinner,B&B.
Monday 7th April (free day): I would guess that a visit to the Alhambra Palace will be very much everyone's choice today. However, there should be time to enjoy a ride out on one of the many great biking roads in the area, perhaps to enjoy the view from Pradollano (2100m) and home of Europe's most southerly ski resort. If all that sounds like hard work enjoy the facilities of the hotel as you laze by the pool. 4star hotel, B&B.
Tuesday 8th April (180 miles): Ronda is our destination today. We go across country using roads much favoured by the Spanish Vuelta cycle race before bypassing Malaga to pick up the A397 up to Ronda, described by many as one of the best roads in Spain, this is one not to miss. Our hotel for the next three nights sits in its own grounds and offers fantastic views over the El Tajo gorge. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools and optional spa treatments. We take advantage of the towns many restaurants to eat out , which are within easy walking distance. 4star hotel, Dinner, B&B
Wednesday 9th - Thursday 10th April (free days) this three night stop gives us two free days to explore Ronda and the surrounding area. Ronda is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the Rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, before taking in the views from the Alameda out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains. If you plan to ride out there are great roads in the Grazalema and Alcorncales national parks and a visit to Gibraltar is possible. 4star hotel, B&B.
Friday 11th April (110 miles): We have purposely kept the mileage low today as we head north to the iconic city of Cordoba. This will give you maximum time to explore this lovely city. The heart of the old city is the Jewish quarter, a UNESCO world heritage site with its buildings and cobbled streets little changed over the centuries. Highlight of the city must be the Mezquita Cathedral de Cordoba; this former mosque, with gardens and 850 granite, jasper and marble arches is one not to miss. Your 4 star hotel is situated in a privileged spot on the banks of the river Guadalquivir a short distance from the centre. 4 star hotel, B&B.
Saturday 12th April (160 miles): Entering Extemadura, we travel past the many reservoirs of the Rio Guadiana to enter the Sierra de Guadalupe. Your accommodation tonight is a lovely Parador we have used on several occasions, it has a lovely swimming pool and is situated just off the towns historic centre. 4 star Parador, Dinner, B&B.
Sunday 13th April (240 miles): Passing through the Sierra de Gredos we pass the walled city of Avilha to our final nights accommodation, a former mansion now a 4 star Parador set in its own pine forest. Its heated indoor pool, sauna and turkish baths are always a hit with our customers. 4 Star Parador, Dinner, B&B.
Monday 14th April (170 miles): Our return ferry is not till 1800hrs, so there is the opportunity to ride some of the roads of the Picos de Europa before arriving in Santander. Our return is on Brittany ferries flagship 'Pont Aven'. With bike stowed, there is time to relax over a drink or two and reflect on the tour's events, before taking advantage of the on-board dining options. A 4 berth en-suite cabin (for two persons) is included in the package.
Tuesday 15th April: We arrive back in Plymouth at 1530 hrs, from where we make our way home.
Travel Choice : The tour itinerary is based on an outward ferry overnight from Plymouth to Santander and inward ferry from Santander to Plymouth. These ferries save on overnight stops, fuel costs, and wear and tear on your bike, however, we understand that ferries are not for everyone, so there is the option to make your own arrangements and join and leave the group at the first and last nights hotel. Costs will be reduced accordingly.
Prices are based on two people sharing a 4 berth inside cabin, should you wish an alternative please advise us asap. These will be subject to availability and priced accordingly.
Personal Travel and Breakdown Assistance Cover
On all European tours (including Southern Ireland) we require clients to take-out some form of Personal Travel and Accident/Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency. If you have an existing policy you should check that your company would repatriate your bike, even if undamaged, should you be unable to ride it (many do not!)
We also strongly urge you to take out insurance prior to paying your balance that includes cancellation cover in the event of circumstances which may cause you to cancel.
| Tour Cost | Plymouth - Santander return |
| 1 bike, 2 persons, sharing a room | £1870 each |
| 1 bike, 1 person, sharing a room | £2070 |
| 1 bike, 1 person, own room | £2700* |
| Deposit £100 per person | *(based on single hotel room & cabin share on ferry) |
| note: all prices based on current Spanish VAT rates and Euro-GBP rates as of October 2024 | |