White Villages of Andalusía

Day 1: Transfer from Málaga to Ronda
Day 2: Ronda, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Ronda - Grazalema, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Grazalema - Arcos de la Frontera, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 5: Arcos de la Frontera - Medina Sidonia, 49 or 63 mi. (79 or 101 km)
Day 6: Medina Sidonia - Vejer de la Frontera, 45 or 53 mi. (72 or 86 km)
Day 7: Vejer de la Frontera - Tarifa, 22 or 69 mi. (35 or 110 km)
Day 8: Tarifa - Malaga

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example,  you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally. Your support vehicle is just a phone call away.

Day 1: Transfer from Málaga to Ronda
You will be picked up at your arrival point and transfer to the hotel in Ronda. After arriving, checking in, and refreshing, take the time to explore this beautiful town split into two by the most incredible ravine. Whitewashed houses, where the labyrinth of streets betrays Ronda's Arab past. The elegant bullring and the fine town walls.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa

Day 2: Ronda, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today's ride visits the beautiful mountains of Málaga between Ronda and the Costa del Sol. The green scenery is dotted with picturesque white villages, and it is usually possible to look down the coast to Gibraltar and the continent of Africa across the Straits. One of the villages is not white but blue! Discover why on this beautiful ride. Spend the rest of the day discovering Ronda.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa

Day 3: Ronda - Grazalema, 30 mi. (48 km)
From Ronda, you will ride to the incredible village of Setenil de las Bodegas, where the houses are built into the cliff face. Along the way, you can visit the Roman archaeological site of Acinipo. Continuing on, you cycle through a landscape of olive groves, farmland,  and small oak forests where the characteristic black pigs are allowed to graze in the open. After the incredible Sentenil de las Bodegas, it is on to the beautiful limestone mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema with immense forests of cork trees and vultures soaring overhead. The hotel is in the open countryside, close to the village of Grazalema, which nestles under the high peaks.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Fuerte Grazalema

Day 4: Grazalema - Arcos de la Frontera, 44 mi. (70 km)
Leaving the hotel, you head to Grazalema and can take some time to wander around the enchanting streets and enjoy the marvelous surroundings of the village. Some might like to take the opportunity to do the spectacular ride up the Puerto de las Palomas. You then have a tremendous long descent which leads through a landscape of cotton fields, bull ranches, and vineyards. The final destination is Arcos de la Frontera, one of the most famous of the white villages, perched high on a hill and dominated by its castle.

Preferred accommodation: Parador de Arcos de la Frontera

Day 5: Arcos de la Frontera - Medina Sidonia, 49 or 63 mi. (79 or 101 km)
After leaving Arcos de la Frontera, you head southwards towards the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, one of the largest cork forests in Europe. On reaching the park, you turn towards the Atlantic coast. The route follows the shore of the Guadalcacín reservoir with immense bull ranches. Tonight's stop is in the charming village of Medina Sidonia, an old Arab fortress town and previously a Roman city, not far from the Atlantic Coast.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Medina Sidonia

Day 6: Medina Sidonia - Vejer de la Frontera, 45 or 53 mi. (72 or 86 km)
Today's route leads down towards the coast. After crossing the flatlands of La Janda, where it is often possible to see fighting bulls grazing, you reach the hilltop village of Vejer de la Frontera. You should spend time exploring this enchanting village. The chaotic street plan of Vejer, and indeed of most of the villages that we see en route, is evidence of the Arab past of Spain.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Convento San Francisco

Day 7: Vejer de la Frontera - Tarifa, 22 or 69 mi. (35 or 110 km)
You first descend towards the coast and then follow the beach round to Cape Trafalgar, the site of the famous sea battle. You pass through the fishing villages of Barbate and Zahara de los Atunes, famous for the almadraba, their own peculiar method of fishing for tuna fish. Continuing southwards along the coast, the mountains of Morocco slowly become visible. The final destination is Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar, where Europe greets Africa and the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel & Spa La Residencia Puerto

Day 8: Transfer from Tarifa to Málaga
After breakfast, you are transferred to  Málaga, departing from Tarifa at 9:30 (stopping briefly to look at Morocco across the Strait), arriving at Málaga Airport at 12:00, and then continuing on to the city center for those who are extending their stay. Tonight's accommodation is not part of the tour. Different transfer times may be available and are subject to a supplement. It is also possible to take a train from nearby Algeciras to Madrid. You may also like to leave the tour after breakfast in Tarifa and then go on to Seville, or maybe take a ferry to Morocco. Details on request.

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Hotels

You will be accommodated in a mixture of 2, 3, and 4-star hotels each chosen for their location and quality of service. For example in Grazalema you will stay in a 4-star establishment located in the heart of the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema. In Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, you will stay in the former house of the local magistrate, overlooking the Guadalete River, offering spectacular views of the lovely Cádiz town. The hotel’s idyllic location makes it one of the best choices for visiting the sights of Arcos de la Frontera. On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the preferred hotel is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.

Bicycles

Trekking Bike

Trek FX - male and female frames

• 27 speed
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager Sport saddle

Accessories

• Helmet
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Road Bike

Cube Attain GTC

• 22-speed Shimano gearing
• Full carbon frame
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager P3 Verse Comp

Accessories

• Seat postbag
• Odometer
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Tandem Bike

Dawes Duet Tandem

• Alloy frame
• Shimano 21 speed
• Dawes custom saddles

Acessories

• Helmets
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottles
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Electric Bike

Various models

• Aluminum frame (men or women's)
• Shimano Alivio 9 speed
• Hydraulic brakes
• Bosch Active Line Motor

Accessories

• Helmet
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit