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Bonding Over Bikes

Costa Brava sets the stage for a father-daughter bonding experience.

After experiencing a heavy dose of “FOMO” last year when my aunt and I went on our Yellowstone and Grand Tetons cycling trip, my dad enthusiastically jumped at the chance to join in when the time came around for me to take part in a Trek Travel Spain bike tour in Costa Brava.

I am very close with both of my parents, so I didn’t anticipate that this trip would make my dad and I even closer. However, in the months leading up to the trip, the upcoming vacation did give us new topics to talk about outside of our usual “how was your week” and “what’s new with you” conversations. As my dad trained, he asked me questions about what to expect, I helped him pick out what to pack, and we selected our pre and post trip hotels and activities. The bonding had already begun before we even stepped foot in Spain.

Even though my dad is in great shape from running and biking, he was still concerned about the hills in Europe (as was I!) since we both live in the Midwest in cities that are relatively flat. We made the decision to both use e-bikes, and it turned out to be the best tool. As a slow rider to begin with, the e-bike acted like the perfect equalizer for me to keep up when going uphill. Since I wasn’t as winded as I normally would have been without it, my dad and I were able to continue our conversations for the full rides each day. We talked about how lucky we were to be witnessing the stunning views that were around every turn, laughed at our sweat levels, and thanked each other for coming on the trip in the first place.

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Another way we further bonded was through food. My dad is very much a Midwestern meat and potatoes kind of guy (nothing wrong with that!), but on our trip, we both encountered food we normally would avoid. Whether it was pâté or raw cod for my dad or fresh clams and squid for me, we pushed each other to at least try everything. For the most part, we were pleasantly surprised at how delicious our “intimidating” foods were (but just don’t expect us to eat them every day, okay?).

Costa Brava Cycling Vacation Bike Tour in Costa Brava, Spain Biking Costa Brava

Lastly, our relationship was strengthened through motivating each other. It started on the Mediterranean sailboat cruise on day four of the trip. With an overcast sky and a slight breeze, nobody was initially clamoring to jump in the brisk water for a swim. Taking the lead, I was the first to plunge into the sea for a dip. My dad is not a strong swimmer at all, so initially, he was not going to go in. After lots of prodding from me, along with our Captain Sergio strapping him into a life vest, my dad faced his fears and joined me in the water.

For me, it was being pushed to do the most elevation gain I’ve ever done on a single ride. Our trip’s fifth day includes a stunning coastal ride between S’Agaro and Tossa de Mar. After the ride out, I was ready to hop in the van to get a boost back to our hotel, but my dad said to me, “This is the prettiest ride I’ve ever been on, and I don’t want it to end.” Despite my concerns of overheating (this Midwestern gal is not built to endure high temps), we got back in the saddle, and I’m so glad we did. Even though we were on the same route we came in on, we were now on the same side of the road as the water, and the views were entirely different and even more stunning than they had been in the opposite direction. It was a ride I will never forget.

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Travel is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things, experiencing different cultures, and challenging yourself. When you get to also do this with someone you love and create those shared memories, you get to strengthen that bond in an entirely new way. So, take the (literal) leap into the cold Mediterranean. Climb that hill you didn’t think was possible. Eat that questionable cuisine. I guarantee you won’t have any regrets and will get just a little bit closer to your travel partner.

Thanks for the ride, Dad.

Experience Costa Brava

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2018 Hotel of the Year Award

It’s the culmination of our year spent traveling the world, staying everywhere from the heart of the Patagonian Rainforest to a chef-inspired epicurean escape in Sonoma. So, which one was our favorite?

This 18th-century castle hotel is nestled in the countryside, underneath a panorama of the Tramuntana mountain range. It offers a luxurious, relaxing retreat from the rigors of the day. Enjoy the saltwater pool and its sweeping views of the valley below, the private orchard with 200-year-old olive trees, and the signature spa with special Mallorcan treatments. These are accommodations that truly defy the ordinary.

“Castell Son Claret is the pinnacle of idyllic location, sumptuous accommodation, and extraordinary food – the perfect conditions to luxuriate and relax after a day of spectacular riding. From the two-star Michelin meal to the unrivaled spa you’ll be sure to find your bliss at Castell Son Claret. We love it, and we want you to love it too.”
Jenny Dahm, Trip Design Manager

[trek-fullwidth-img src=”https://trektravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CSC_PanoramicPool.jpg”]

Visit Spain’s Alluring Island Paradise

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See all Spain bike tours

Before, During and After: Andalucia

Andalucia is a perfect destination for a cycling vacation of a lifetime. If you find yourself with a flight to Andalucia for a Spain bike tours, consider any of the following cities before or after your trip. From the flamenco caves of Granada to the northern Pyrenees and coastal cities of Catalonia, you will be enchanted by Spain.

Like any country, the landscape and culture is unique wherever you go in Spain. Andalucia, or Andalusia, is a region in southern Spain known for its warm weather, agriculture, sherry, Jamon Ibérico, flamenco, bullfighting and Moorish architecture. It’s an incredible experience for a cycling vacation with a variety of climbs and rolling hills, stunning views, friendly people and endless tapas throughout your ride that continue into the night alongside a glass of sherry or local vino. Just a train ride away you’ll find a handful of popular and to-be-discovered cities throughout Spain that are also worth a trip.

Before: Seville, Spain

On Trek Travel’s cycling vacation, we begin in Seville, Andalucia’s capital city, where we meet up with the guides to start the bike tour. If you arrive at the end of April, you could catch the beginning of Feria, one of Spain’s biggest festivals. On the night of the festival, follow the crowds along the river to the grounds that house hundreds of decorated casetas, or little houses, for private gatherings that celebrate well into the night and into the following morning. During the day, be sure to enjoy the local tapas bars and explore the history and architecture of Seville. Lonely Planet named Seville the “Best city to visit in 2018.”

Travel to Sevilla, Andalucia on an Andalucia bike tour
Travel to Sevilla, Andalucia on an Andalucia bike tour

Empty streets of downtown Sevilla. The entire city made their way to the Feria de Abril festival.

Travel to Sevilla, Andalucia on an Andalucia bike tour
Plaza de España in Sevilla

During: Ronda to Antequera, Andalucia

If you’re a lucky guest on the Trek Travel trip, hop in the van with the guides and drive into the hills to a lovely olive oil farm. Your first ride will lead you down into a valley and up through the hills towards the hidden gem of Ronda. Ronda is a historic mountaintop city overlooking a gorge that includes the diverse “old town” and “new town”, separated by an iconic stone bridge. The “old town” houses residents who’ve lived there for centuries, and across the bridge you’ll find shops, tapas bars, flamenco dancing, the oldest bull fighting ring in Spain and more. The whole city is quite small and very walk-able. Ronda is extremely charming and a gem of the South.

Travel on an Andalucia bike tour
The hills of Andalucia bring slow climbs and views of pueblos blancos, or white villages, dotted throughout the landscape

Travel on an Andalucia bike tour
A hidden gem in Andalucia, Ronda is a historic town that overlooks a breathtaking gorge

After (Southern Spain): Granada

After the Trek Travel trip, consider taking a train to experience Granada. Granada features the Moorish castle Alhambra which overlooks the old neighborhood of Albaicín. Sit down and have a beer or glass of wine here and you’ll also receive a small plate of tapas – whatever the kitchen is serving up that day. You might never have to pay for food here, as long as you have a drink ordered. Be sure to get tickets in advance to tour the Alhambra, it’s a popular tourist sight, but you’ll find the city itself is filled with friendly, charming locals. You can’t miss the flamenco in Granada either – here, step into a cave, sit down with a drink and enjoy the dancers and musicians perform the traditional flamenco.

Travel to Granada, Andalucia on an Andalucia bike tour
Travel to Granada, Andalucia on an Andalucia bike tour

The view from Generalife at Alhambra and a hot air balloon floating over the city of Granada

After (Northern Spain): Barcelona, Girona and San Sebastian

If you’re looking to head north, book a train to Catalonia to find a variety of cities to fall in love with. Travel to Barcelona for its seaside cityscape, world-class dining, museums and famous architecture. Or hop on a quick train just north of Barcelona to Girona in Costa Brava for cobbled streets, medieval architecture, a cycling scene and endless pintxos. Girona is just 20 minutes from the coast where you’ll find unbelievable views of the Mediterranean sea, and roads that are perfect for a scenic bike ride. San Sebastian is only a train ride away and nestled into the northern edge of Spain on the border of France. San Sebastian is in the Basque region, home of some of the best seafood and beaches in the world. It is a foodies delight, with enough Michelin star restaurants and world-class pintxos and cidre to keep you full for your entire stay.

Wherever you choose to travel to in Spain, you will not be disappointed. This warm and welcoming country will keep you busy with activities or relaxation and make you want to come back for more.

Visit northern Spain in San Sebastian before or after your Trek Travel cycling vacation
Old town in San Sebastian and one of the best beaches in the world, La Concha

Plan your cycling vacation to Andalucia with Trek Travel

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Stronger, Faster, Better: Mallorca Ride Camp

Meet Jim. A Trek Travel ride camper who wasn’t sure, “how many Ride Camps I have left in my old bod.” Though the climbs of Mallorca felt discouraging at the time, it was when he returned home that he experienced a pleasant surprise…

“I wanted to give you some feedback from an older cyclist after he spent 11 days at your ride camp. In Mallorca, I always feel like my condition is hopeless, that I am so far over-the-hill that I must be deluding myself thinking I’ll ride strongly again. The climbs get longer and slower each year and I keep wondering how many more ride camps I have in my old bod. Don’t misinterpret, I enjoyed every minute of it, but when the only people I’m passing on the climbs are a few stray cyclists I just had to wonder what exactly I was accomplishing.

Then I came home. With getting caught up with life at home post-travel, it was a week before I could ride again. I set off with my usual group and BINGO!: I was so far off the front that I started to get embarrassed (it is a group ride, after all). Beth referred to me as in my Turbo mode. The difference in my strength and speed was so palpable that others asked me, “What did you DO in Mallorca?” On one stretch, with a tail wind, I led the charge up a long, gentle slope at -get this- topping out at 33mph! Everybody else said they hung on for dear life, and I was exultant.

I suddenly feel I have the perfect base fitness to hone in on speed work before the National Senior Games Time Trials in early June.

This sudden change in fitness was all because of TT’s Ride Camp, which you so wonderfully and cheerfully manage and conduct. I’m sitting here today on a rainy morning in PA thinking that it doesn’t matter how slowly I climb Orient, Soller, Puig, or even Sa Calobra. It truly is all good.

Thank you for everything. You truly are the best! I’m already planning to see you next year.”
-Jim

Jim, a guest on Trek Travel's Mallorca Ride Camp

 

Train like the pros in Mallorca.

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Photos: The Villas of Barcelona

Barcelona can be an action-packed combination of passion, nightlife, food and culture. Or it can be the getaway to end all getaways, with the serene escape of your own private villa. New in 2018, you can now choose one of three luxury villas and say goodbye to the bustle of civilized life.

Casa Felix

Casa Felix is beautifully located in Barcelona, on the edge of the charming village of Olivella, with stunning views over the Garraf National Park and just a short drive from the Mediterranean coast. A traditional Catalan Masia dating back to the 11th century, the villa has been lovingly restored to include 16 bedrooms, many sitting rooms, a library, game room, private garden and two swimming pools. Perhaps the best part, however, is the large terrace with beautiful sunset views over the surrounding vineyards!
Stay at Casa Felix»

Villa Isla Cozumel

Perfectly located on the beachfront promenade, a stone’s throw from the white sandy beaches of Sitges, Villa Isla Cozumel is an iconic colonial mansion. Originally built in 1940, it has recently been exquisitely refurbished by the renowned Interior Designer Sandra Valenti. The main villa boasts 6 bedrooms, and the ground floor has spacious living area inviting relaxation and enjoyment of the fabulous sea views. Relax and enjoy the pool surrounded by tropical gardens or stroll into town for a cocktail and tapas.
Stay at Villa Isla Cozumel»

Ca L’Almiral de la Font

Ca l’Almiral de la Font is an exquisite, private villa situated among olive trees and vineyards in the Penedès wine country. This traditional “basilica” style manor formerly used for winemaking has been refurbished to maintain the original building’s historic charm, while also affording guests every possible luxury – inside and out! A large tiled courtyard, complete with a Moroccan lounge, leads to a breathtaking infinity pool, and the 330 acres of private grounds include vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees.
Stay at Cal L’Almiral de la Font»

Top 5 Reasons to See This Year’s Vuelta

Watching a pro cycling race on TV is one thing, seeing it live in person and feeling the experience is a whole different ball game. Especially when it’s in the beautiful destination of Spain. As an Official Tour Operator, our guests get the VIP treatment and experience the race closer than they could ever imagine. This year’s Vuelta a España trip takes place in Northern Spain from Oviedo to Santander. Expect amazing food and wine, breathtaking landscapes, exciting stages and incredible race access. If that’s not enough, here are the top 5 reasons why you should book your ticket to Spain and join us.

See the full trip»

Indulge in the best of Spain with Trek Travel

1. Experience ten mountaintop finishes.

The impressive list includes an assault on the Spanish giant, the Alto de l’Angrilu, known as the hardest climb in Spain. You’ll also get the chance to take on Lagos de Covadonga, Cima Chechu Rubiera, Peña Cabarga, Puerto de Alisas and more. If you don’t want to climb everything, you can always hop in the Trek Travel van and shuttle up the mountain.

2. Get exclusive front row seats and Stage 10 VIP access.

Witness the Stage 10 summit finish at Lagos de Covadonga and ride on the race course. Afterwards, experience a live viewing of Stage 11, both with VIP passes for unrivaled access.

Witness a mountain top finish of a pro cycling race

3. Ride with a UCI pro tour veteran and former US Postal domestique.

Meet Chechu Rubiera and gain insight to La Vuelta and its magical subtleties from a former pro. Together you’ll climb the Alto de l’Angliru, the hardest climb in Spain. L’Angliru was last featured in the 2013 Vuelta, when Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Horner battled each other into the clouds, with Horner emerging from the mist as the stage victor. Learn more in our recent interview with Chechu»

Ride with former pro cyclist Chechu Rubiera on Trek Travel's Vuelta a Espana race vacation

4. Be the ultimate super fan.

Only with Trek Travel can you spend an evening at the Trek-Segafredo pro team hotel to tour the official team bus, meet the mechanics, and have a photo session with team officials and riders. Access to the riders at the Vuelta is unparalleled—they are far more relaxed than at the Giro d’Italia or Tour de France but they are still in top racing form.

Meet the new Trek-Segafredo team on a Trek Travel bike tour

5. Indulge in the best of Spain.

Traverse the greenest countryside in Spain, sample the finest northern Spanish cuisine, and catch the race action in the remarkably beautiful regions of Asturias and Cantabria. We’ll make our way through Basque Country, one of the most celebrated areas for epicureans in Spain. The Spanish Grand Tour has its own unique story and it is best discovered by bike. Join us!

Dine on local cuisine in Spain

Sip on the Spanish wines on your Trek Travel trip to Spain

Are you ready for the Vuelta?

Reserve your spot

Taking on the Canary Islands

“I guess you could call it a midlife crisis. I’d flown across the Atlantic Ocean for a weeklong cycling trip on this Spanish archipelago off the coast of Morocco.”

Lori Rackl | May 4, 2016

The crisis part came as I watched a Trek Travel guide hoist my Domane road bike onto the roof rack of the support van, and I sheepishly crawled into the passenger seat while the other cyclists on the trip pedaled up the hill and out of sight.

Read More in the Chicago Tribune»

Industry Insider: Chechu Rubiera

A Spanish cycling legend, UCI ProTour veteran and former US Postal domestique, Chechu Rubiera’s palmarès include a pair of Top 10 finishes at the Vuelta a España and multiple Giro d’Italia stage victories. But beyond his strength on a bike, it is his easy laughter and perfect manners for which he earned respect in the peloton and a spot on our trip.

Meet pro cyclist Chechu Rubiera on Trek Travel's Vuelta race vacation

Your full name is Jose Luis Rubiera Vigil. Where did the nickname Chechu originate?
When I was little, my mother used to listen to a soap opera on the radio. One of the characters was named Chechu. That’s where my name came from; no one calls me Jose Luis.

What sets the Vuelta a España apart from the Tour de France or Giro d’Italia?
I think a big difference between La Vuelta and the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia is that, with a few exceptions, during La Vuelta the riders, teams, mechanics and masseurs work with less pressure than in the other two races.

It’s also a race at the end of season, and major goals have already passed for most of the cyclists (Spring Classics, the Tour, the Giro…). Some even participate in preparation for the world championship, without pushing themselves at 200%.

This makes La Vuelta – especially from the spectator’s point of view – more accessible to meet riders in hotels, or at the starts and finishes. The riders leave the buses earlier than at the other races, like at the Tour for example, to go to the village and enjoy it without the pressure that’s usually present at the most important races. At the Tour de France they use all the time prior to departure for team meetings on the bus and to build their concentration. At La Vuelta, you can even see the cyclists after dinner, going out for a little walk around the hotel. Why? Because they are just more relaxed. They are professionals and the next race day they will give it everything, but they’re not under so much pressure from the sponsors and directors as they are at the other races. I think this way the essence of cycling is recovered a little bit, since nowadays it has been professionalized to extremes from which the audience does not always benefit.

Trek Travel Vuelta a Espana Cycling Vacation

The Category 1 climb, Puerto de Cotobello, is better known as Cima Chechu Rubiera. Tell us the story behind that climb.
It was a road used exclusively as a service road for a local mine. When the hill was opened to traffic, it was still unknown. My friends encouraged me to climb the hill on my bike. I loved it: no traffic, beautiful views and constant climbing without being extreme or inhuman. I proposed it to La Vuelta’s organizers for a final stage of 2010 Vuelta and they liked it, and included it to the race. The local government and my cycling friends proposed to name it after me, and I got the privilege and honor that it’s known as the Chechu Rubiera climb.

You were born in northern Spain and still live there today. What makes this a great travel destination?
From the cycling perspective, it is a wonderful area for its scenery, mountains, forests and ports, which cyclists can enjoy at the right speed. Gastronomically is a perfect place for the cyclists to enjoy food, but I would highlight especially the countless examples of art and culture surrounding any route that can be seen from the saddle; the traces of people who inhabited these lands before us, ranging from prehistoric times to the Romans, through the Muslim and Christian kings.

What is your best memory from your days competing in Vuelta a España?
There are many. Team victories, several classifications among the Top 15, and especially the memory of seeing my parents cheering me on proudly from the side of the road in many different places in Spain.

Trek Travel Vuelta a Espana Bike Tour with Chechu Rubiera

RIDE WITH CHECHU RUBIERA ON TREK TRAVEL’S VUELTA A ESPAÑA VACATION»

Andalucia Part 4: Relax, Resurface & Raise a Glass

I had expected to end my days with endless local red wine, but quickly discovered that the real drink of choice for locals was the gintonic.

Words by Trek Travel Guest Erin F.
For more stories of Erin’s voyages home and away, visit her blog: VogueTrotter

 
Stay at Hotel Reina Victoria on Trek Travel's Andalucia, Spain bike tour
 
 
On our first night, I asked the bartender at our hotel, the Reina Victoria in Ronda, to help me choose from the 60 different types of gin they had on offer. She quickly returned and served me up a softball sized coupe with a generous portion of Gin Mare. Produced in the small fishing town of Vilanova, just outside Barcelona, this tasty spirit boasts typical mediterranean flavors like Seville orange peel, Arbequina olives, basil and thyme. (And luckily for us, they’ve just started importing it in the US.)

Drink in hand, proud of having completed our first day of riding, we sat on the hotel’s deep gray outdoor sofa, nestled under a heat lamp, and watched the rain fall on the mountainside through a sea of palm trees and ethereal fog. Most people go to Spain for the sun, but in yet another unexpected twist, it was the rain that gave us our perfect vacation moment.

On the Grid in Madrid

One of the best reasons to go off the grid is the feeling you get when you resurface back on it. After a week of batting my mascara-less eyes and looking at the rolling hills rather than a scrolling iPhone screen, it felt exhilarating to arrive at the luxurious boutique hotel, Only You, in the big city of Madrid. Fancy cocktails! Facials! Fluffy white beds! Not that we didn’t stay at some lovely Andalucian hotels, but we’re city people at heart and being in the capital felt just a bit more like home.

Completely worn out after our week of cycling in the mountains, we let ourselves truly indulge, simply by doing very little. We opted to eat lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day all in our hotel–a renovated neoclassical townhouse from the early 1900’s, clad in a modern day Delft-Blue motif–and stepped out to see the Prado museum and Botanical Gardens in between meals. We also spent several rounds of gintonics at the hotel bar and learned some more about Spain’s gin craze from Only You’s head bartender, Marc Puig.
 
 
Trek Travel guest, Erin, talks about her stay at the Only You Hotel in Madrid, Spain
 
 
Tell me about the gin trend in Spain.

People have been drinking gin and tonics in Spain since the 70’s; however, they made a huge come back about 10 years ago aiming to become a more “premium” drink. Nowadays they are one the most popular drinks in almost every cocktail bar around the country. What I love about the gintonic is that there are so many subtle variations that everyone can find their perfect drink. It also can be consumed from the late afternoon until the moonlight; it’s refreshing and light making it easier to deal with even the hottest Spanish day.
What’s the best way to make a gin and tonic?

Take a big cold glass, filled with ice to the top, 5 cl of premium gin and a nice Indian tonic water. Absolutely superb! Add a twist of lemon for a fresh touch of citrus.
How many different types of gin do you have at the bar? What’s most popular?

At Only You, we have 44 different types of gin. I think the best we have is Tanqueray because it has just the right balance of botanicals; we serve it with a twist of lemon or orange to bring out the flavor.

In terms of the most popular – I’ve noticed a big difference between our Spanish and international customers. While the Spanish tend to order Beefeater, guests from other countries really have a thing for Bombay Sapphire and Hendricks (I mean, who doesn’t like a bit of cucumber with their gin?).

And for those who enjoy gin but not the bitterness of tonic, I always recommend a gin fizz or Tom Collins.
Why should someone stop by your bar?

Here at the Only You bar, we take our cocktails very seriously and have created the perfect drink-pairing for every gin. We carefully study the ingredients of our gins to achieve the best possible harmony for our guests.
 
 
Cycling in Andalucia, Spain with Trek Travel bike tours
 
 
About Erin:
Since returning to NYC after living abroad for seven years, I’m aspiring to keep the same “new eyes” that I have when I visit a place for the first time. Whether in old or new Amsterdam, walking along the canals of Venice, Italy, or Canal street in Chinatown, I want to approach it all as an first-class adventure.

EXPERIENCE ANDALUCIA, SPAIN»

Andalucia Part 3: Artisanal Tastes of Spain

On my flight to Spain, I watched a documentary called Crafted, which follows the lives of three artisans–a chef, a knife welder and potter–as they reject mass production and carefully hone their craft. It was directed by Morgan Spurlock of SuperSize Me and sponsored by none other than…Haagen Daz? Yes, the ice cream brand owned by the mega food conglomerate General Mills.

Words by Trek Travel Guest Erin F.
For more stories of Erin’s voyages home and away, visit her blog: VogueTrotter

 
Trek Travel guest Erin discusses olive oil in Andalucia, Spain
 
 
This is just one example of how established brands spend big bucks trying to reposition themselves as artisanal, dusting off their “heritage” and recycling it for something more valuable. At the same time, smaller startups often build their whole identities around their hand-crafted products, which in reality doesn’t always mean better quality. Yet at the El Vinculo olive oil mill in Andalucia, Juan Urruti and his family have genuinely been living the artisan lifestyle since the mill was founded back in 1755.

Perched above the stunning Zahara reservoir, next to Grazalema National Park, El Vinculo is not only one of the oldest mills in the region but also one of the last to use traditional cold press methods of production. This means they hand pick the olives, mill them immediately after harvest to lock in the flavor, press them in stacked mats to slowly squeeze out the oil and water, and finally bottle the separated oil, again by hand.

For all the love they put into their product, Spain doesn’t seem to get the same recognition for its olive oil production as, say, Italy. But it turns out they are the largest producer of any country, supplying 40% of the world’s olive oil. In fact, one of the first things you notice in Andalucia are the rows of olive trees that systematically line the landscape for miles upon miles (which makes sense considering they have 220 million of them growing across the country).

Juan’s son, Juan Jr, gave us the tour of his family’s mill and then let us sample the olive oil, along with a glass of their sherry. We snacked as he played flamenco guitar in a rustic dining room filled with antique photos of famous bullfighters and Hemingway–exactly who you’d expect in a Spanish cafe, except that these were people his family had actually encountered in their hometown. The whole experience was an authentic Spanish moment, and something no amount of marketing budget could ever mass produce.

About Erin:
Since returning to NYC after living abroad for seven years, I’m aspiring to keep the same “new eyes” that I have when I visit a place for the first time. Whether in old or new Amsterdam, walking along the canals of Venice, Italy, or Canal street in Chinatown, I want to approach it all as an first-class adventure.

 
 
andalucia-05-1600x670
 
 
EXPERIENCE ANDALUCIA, SPAIN»

Private

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Luxury:

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

Explorer

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

Combined

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself