7 Night - Andalusia – The Route of the Moors
24 April - 1 May 2010 Guided Tour
Granada and Cordoba are cities that need no introduction. They probably best
exemplify Spain’s Moslem heritage at a time when the Arab Empire included
substantial portions of Europe and the greater part of the Iberian Peninsula.
This occupation of Spain by the Moslems was to last almost eight centuries.
It is hard to equal the incredible architecture of the 8th century Mosque
of Cordoba, capital of the Omayyad Caliphs, centre of civilization and bridge
between east and west.
This is the basis of our trip, the Moslem Kingdom of al-Andalus and the Route
of the Caliphs communicating Granada and Cordoba.
This is a route of immense open horizons with the infinite olive plantations
giving way to the vineyards of Montilla and the wheat fields around Cordoba.
This in turn gives way to the beautiful mountain scenery of the Parque Natural
de las Sierras Subbéticas between the villages of Zuheros and Priego de Cordoba.
It’s a trip where all the villages are whitewashed and bedecked with geraniums
and where the olive trees stretch into the distance, creating a beautifully
decorated landscape.
Our final stop is for two nights in Granada where we enjoy the magnificent
spectacle of the palace – fortress of La Alhambra, home of the Nasrid dynasty
founded by Ibn al-Ahmar, and last stronghold of Moslem Spain. From the old
Arab quarter of the Albayzín, La Alhambra is enhanced by the spectacular backdrop
of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountains of the Iberian Peninsula.
Trip Code - SAT7AND2
“I just wanted to say again what a marvelous trip you arranged. The area couldn't have been more beautiful and the arrangements were excellent.” Steve Wermiel – Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| Night One | Antequera |
| Night Two | Lucena |
| Night Three | Cordoba |
| Night Four | Zuheros |
| Night Five | Priego de Córdoba |
| Night Six | Montefrío |
| Night Seven | Granada |
Granada and Cordoba are cities that need no introduction. They probably best exemplify Spain’s Moslem heritage at a time when the Arab Empire included substantial portions of Europe and the greater part of the Iberian Peninsula. This occupation of Spain by the Moslems was to last almost eight centuries. It is hard to equal the incredible architecture of the 8th century Mosque of Cordoba, capital of the Omayyad Caliphs, centre of civilisation and bridge between east and west. The culmination of the trip is the beautiful city of Granada with the Arab palace-cum-fortress of La Alhambra and the winding streets of the Albayzín. This is the basis of our trip, the Moslem Kingdom of al-Andalus and the Route of the Caliphs communicating Granada and Cordoba.
This is a route of immense open horizons with the infinite olive plantations giving way to the vineyards of Montilla and the wheat fields around Cordoba. This in turn gives way to the beautiful mountain scenery of the Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas between the villages of Zuheros and Priego de Cordoba. It’s a trip where all the villages are whitewashed and bedecked with geraniums and where the olive trees stretch into the distance, creating a beautifully decorated landscape.
Our final stop is for two nights in Granada where we enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the palace – fortress of La Alhambra, home of the Nasrid dynasty founded by Ibn al-Ahmar, and last stronghold of Moslem Spain. From the old Arab quarter of the Albayzín, La Alhambra is enhanced by the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountains of the Iberian Peninsula.
Day 1 Transfer to Antequera
Arrive at airport. Transfer to Antequera. Try bikes, and visit Old Quarter of town with its whitewashed streets, fine churches and castle and the only bullring in Spain with a restaurant.Day 2 Antequera - Lucena
Leave Antequera through
gently rolling countryside and olive plantations to the village of Lucena
where we spend the night in this town, known in medieval times as the “Pearl
of the Three Cultures” (Jewish, Christian and Arab) and famous for its tapas.Distance short 53 km – 33 miles
long 87 km – 54 miles
Day 3 Lucena - Cordoba
Today’s ride takes
us from Lucena, through the vineyards of Montilla-Moriles, down into the valley
of the River Guadalquivir, and on to the city of Cordoba itself, jewel in
the crown of the Kingdom of al-Andalus.Spend the afternoon visiting the delightful Judería, the old Jewish Quarter, and the renowned Mosque of Cordoba.
Distance short 57 km – 36 miles
long 105 km – 65 miles
Day 4 Cordoba – Zuheros
Today we leave Cordoba
and head through the rolling countryside towards the Parque Natural de la
Sierra Subbética.The wheatfields of Cordoba are replaced by olive plantations, stretching as far as the eye can see. We pass through Baena, whose name is virtually synonymous with the production of olive oil.
Finally we arrive at the incredible Moorish village of Zuheros (the name comes from the Arab word for rock, suhayra), with its 9th century castle perched high above the surrounding countryside and with the backdrop of the Sierra Subbética.
Distance short 48 km – 30 miles
long 91 km – 57 miles
Day 5Zuheros – Aldea de Zagrilla
Today is a shorter
route that takes us around the Parque Natural to our next stop in the village
of Aldea de Zagrilla, near Priego de Cordoba.Those who wish may visit the traditional oil press of Nuńez de Prado in Baena. Priego de Córdoba has a fine medieval Moslem quarter and is know as the capital of the Cordoba baroque style due to its several fine churches dating from this period.
Aldea de Zagrilla is a small village situated amidst the olive groves where clothes are still washed in the public washhouse in the centre of the village.
This route can of course be extended at will by those who wish to explore the beautiful Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas.
Distance 34 km – 21 miles
Day 6Aldea de Zagrilla - Montefrío
From Aldea de Zagrilla we begin the final leg of our journey towards Granada.We head through fine and hilly countryside, the Sierra Nevada slowly looming into view as we begin our descent towards the Plain of Granada.
We pass through the fine village of Montefrío, dominated by its 15th century church built after the town was reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1486.
We meet in the village of Fuente Vaqueros, birthplace of the famous poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, born in 1898 and tragically assassinated at the beginning of the Civil War.
From here we transfer to the city of Granada.
Distance short 54 km – 34 miles
long 86 km – 54 miles
Day 7Montefrío - Granada.
We head through fine and hilly countryside, the Sierra Nevada slowly looming
into view as we begin our descent towards the Plain of Granada.
We pass through the fine village of Montefrío, dominated by its 15th century
church built after the town was reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in
1486.
We meet in the village of Fuente Vaqueros, birthplace of the famous poet
and playwright Federico García Lorca, born in 1898 and tragically assassinated
at the beginning of the Civil War.
From here we transfer to the city of Granada, or alternatively we can continue
our ride right to the city itself.
| Day 8 | Transfer
Granada – departure point Transfer to departure point. End of trip. |
| Trip Details | |
| Tour Dates | 24 April - 1 May |
| Prices | 1 person in double share - 940 € Single person - 1070 € Bike hire - 88 € |
| Included | Accommodation in double, twin or single room with en-suite bathroom
(see price list for prices and single supplement) Continental style breakfast Transport to and from arrival / departure points Information Pack with Route Guide and maps Visit to 18th century olive oil mill of Nuńez de Prado in Baena, Day 4 or 5 Luggage transport between hotels |
| Not Included | Lunch & dinner Bicycle hire (see price list) Holiday extension |
| Terrain / Gradients | Cycle across gentle countryside from Antequera to Lucena and more undulating
country to Cordoba. Moderate ascent to Zuheros followed by short stage
to Aldea de Zagrilla around the mountains of the Sierra Subbética. More demanding stages from Zagrilla to Granada but with benefit of back-up vehicle. Generally easy to moderate. |
| Arrival points |
Malaga Airport or Granada Airport. Málaga is actually closer
to the start point and Granada to the end point, so you may find it
convenient to arrive in Málaga and depart from Granada. Granada is home to the following companies : RyanAir to Barcelona, Bologna, Girona, Liverpool, London (Stansted) Madrid, Milan. Air Europa toBarcelona, Madrid, Miami, New York. Iberia to all Spanish national airports and also intenational destinations. Vueling to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Brussels, Moscow, Rome, Ibiza, Lisbon, Madrid, Minorca, Milan, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Pisa, Venice, Vigo. |
| Transfers | Day 1 – Malaga or Granada Airport - Antequera. Day 8 Granada – Granada or Malaga Airport Please note that differing pick up times may require some degree of customer flexibility |
| Holiday extensions | Possibility of spending extra days in Costa del Sol, Malaga, Granada, Seville, Cordoba or other parts of Andalusia. |