Go Bicycle Touring in Spain

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This trip goes round one of the most beautiful landscapes of Spain. It’s a great chance to fully enjoy the charming villages, vintage cellars, small castles, religious art and the best gastronomy and wine.[/one_third] [one_third]

Cycle along the historic Camino de Santiago (also called St. James Way), and traverse the rolling green Galician countryside. Challenge yourself on the infamous climb up to the Cruz de Ferro in the hillsides of Castilla y León.[/one_third] [one_third_last]

Toledo! Segovia! Museums! Monasteries! The Sierra! How do you select a tour that allows you to see all the great sights of Madrid and its surrounding regions without sacrificing time in the saddle? Easy: our Madrid, Toledo and Segovia-Tour gets you out of the city to experience the beauty of Madrid’s surroundings – the Monastery of El Paular, the Aqueduct of Segovia, the narrow and winding alleys of Toledo.[/one_third_last]

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Spain is a sovereign nation and a member state of the European Union, located in the Iberian Peninsula, it’s mainland is bordered to the South and east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the North and North-east by France and Andorra, and the to West and Northwest by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s population is approximately 46.7 million people, and it covers an area of 505, 992 square kilometers. Spain has the world’s thirteenth largest economy.

From a cycling standpoint, Spain is a fantastic place for all types of cyclists. From the legendary Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James – a religious pilgrimage to Spain’s west coast. To the Canary Islands where the world’s third tallest volcano – Mount Teide is located. Spain’s Basque Country boasts wine, and food and terrific, flat, cycling paths. And northern Spain is home to sea-side cycling roads, picture-perfect Spanish towns, and the “Peaks of Europe” in the background.

Popular Bike Tour Destinations In Spain

• The Camino de Santiago is a world-famous pilgrimage route, it allows riders to take whichever route they please, as there are several to choose from, depending on which European country one is coming from. The most popular of these routes, is the French Way. It is a 754 kilometer route from Saint-Jean-de-Pied-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees mountains, over to the Roncesvalle, on the Spanish side – then on a further 754 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. For the most part, it’s entirely cycle-able, although it is best suited to mountain bikers, or cyclists with tougher touring tyres.

• Spanish Basque Country is home to some of Spain’s most architecturally-marvellous cities, and beautiful coastal roads, offering a cyclist the best of both worlds. You meander through the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Vitoria, it also crosses paths with the above-mentioned Camino de Santiago, for a truly wonderful mix of spirituality, nature, and city-life.

• Northern Spain is home to some of Spain’s most brilliant cycling scenery by-the-sea. Riding through unspoilt, golden sanded beaches, into picturesque Spanish towns and alongside Spanish fishing harbors. All this, and you’re also privy to the magnificence of having the Picos De Europa (Peaks of Europe) as a backdrop.

• Andalusia is Spain’s moor region. Located in the south of Spain, Andalusia is Spain’s most populated autonomous region, and home to not only stunning moorland views, but also Seville – a major Spanish metropolitan city. Andalusia is where the palace/fortress of La Alhambra was built, it was the last stronghold of Moslem Spain, set against the spectacular backdrop of the highest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula – the Sierra Nevada.

• The Canary Islands is a group of thirteen islands off Spain’s southern coast. In particular, the island of Lanzarote is a popular tourist destination, along with Tenerife. Tenerife is home to the world’s third tallest volcano – Mount Teide. You can cycle on Lanzarote year-round, seen as it is neither too hot during the summer, nor cold during the winter, it provides glorious open roads for cycling, combined with several trails for mountain bikers.

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This bicycle tour of Andalusia in Spain, is a journey between the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz, set in dreamy landscapes of interwoven peaks and valleys. You will find the “Pueblos Blancos” (White Villages) of the Ronda and Grazalema Mountains, which are gems of the popular Andalusian architecture, lodged between the deep green of their valleys and the rocky gray of their mountains. [/one_third] [one_third]

This bicycle tour of Andalusia in Spain, is a journey through time, cycling across unique landscapes and natural reserves. Ride through tranquil hills of olive groves, holm-oak woods, vegetables gardens and vineyards, rushing streams, imposing watchtowers, proud castles and humble farmsteads, all contributing to an unforgettable visit.[/one_third] [one_third_last]

Highlights include the incredible coastal roads into France via Collioure and the panoramic road between Sant Feliu de Guixols and Tossa de Mar, as well as famous training routes in the area. Three nights are spent in the old part of the provincial capital Girona.

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Facts About Spain

• Tomatoes, avocados, cacao, potatoes and tobacco were all brought to Europe, from their American colonies, by the Spaniards. All of these words were imported from the Spanish language into English.

• During the Spanish Inquisition (1498 – 1834), approximately 350,000 people were “converted” from Catholicism to Christianity by the Spanish, around 10% of those were executed by burning at the stake.

• Spain is renowned for it’s many festivals, including the infamous, San Fermin, or “running of the bulls”.

• Spain did not participate at all in the First and Second World Wars.
• Spain was one of the first European countries to ban smoking in all workplaces, and bars and restaurants – doing so in 2006.

• In 2004, Spain built more housing per capita than any other country. 750,000 new homes were built nationwide, more than Italy, France and Germany combined.

• Spaniards are some of the most enthusiastic radio listeners in Europe.

• Spain has four official languages – Catalan, Castillan, Basque and Galician.

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