TOLEDO & THE GUADARRAMA MOUNTAINSFriday June 9th – Tuesday June 20th (11 nights, 12 days)
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This tour promises great roads and stunning scenery in the regions of Rioja, Burgos, Castile & Leon and La Mancha. It will also visit the Picos de Europa, the Guadarrama and the Demanda mountain ranges and has a two-night stop in the fabulous historic city of Toledo.
This tour is planned and run on minor and back roads unless otherwise stated or when there is a need to progress on a motorway or main road. 
Day 1. Friday June 9th. Portsmouth to Santander.
Ferry departs in the afternoon for the 24 hour crossing and a two-berth cabin is included. Day 2. Saturday June 10th. Santander to Limpias (approx. 40 miles) Arriving in Santander in the afternoon we ride the short distance to the 4-star Palacio Del Siglo Parador where dinner with wine awaits us. Day 3. Sunday June 11th. Limpias to Lerma (approx. 170 miles) We start the day with a 15 mile climb over the Alto de los Tornos and through mountain gorges with stops in the old square of Briviesca and in Covarrubias, a protected historical village. We then make our way to Lerma and our four-star hotel, formerly a Ducal Palace, which stands overlooking the old town centre. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 4. Monday June 12th. Lerma to Segovia (approx. 120 miles) Through rolling countryside today and along the way we stop in quaint villages and towns with their ancient churches and castles. As we approach the Guadarrama Mountains we arrive at our overnight stop in the heart of Segovia. Our four-star hotel overlooks the remarkable Roman aqueduct which proudly dominates the city centre. Tonight we are free to eat out in this historic walled city, with its Romanesque churches, gothic cathedral and of course the aqueduct. Day 5. Tuesday June 13th. Segovia to Toledo (approx. 110 miles) Today we head into the Guadarrama Mountains which surround the Spanish Capital of Madrid. We cross the Puerto de Navacerrada, a pass 1,800 metres high, before a stop at El Escorial, the historical residence of former Spanish Kings. From here we make our way through the Spanish countryside, stopping at sleepy villages, such as Robledo, San Martin and Navas del Rey, along the way before we arrive in Toledo. Our centrally located, four-star hotel sits opposite the Bull Ring and close to the old quarter. Tonight we are free to eat out. Day 6. Wednesday June 14th. Day off to explore Toledo Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. Our hotel is just a short walk to the city’s main attractions including the El Greco Museum, gothic Cathedral, roman and medieval bridges and much more. Tonight we will be free to eat out. Day 7. Thursday June 15th. Toledo to Tordesillas (approx. 170 miles) Today we start out going west and to the town of Talavera, internationally known for its ceramics. From here we turn north to the Gredos mountains and over the Puerto del Pico pass at 1,350 metres and on to Avila. This beautiful town is still enclosed by its’ medieval wall which has over 80 towers and 9 gates. For those of us of a certain age, the town was featured in the film “The Pride and The Passion” starring Sophia Lauren, Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant! We continue north over the flatlands and via Medina del Campo before arriving on the outskirts of Tordesillas and our four-star hotel. Diner with wine is included tonight. Day 8. Friday June 16th. Tordesillas to Santa Domingo (approx. 170 miles) We start the day with a quick motorway run to get us around the busy city of Valladolid before picking up the country backroads towards Lerma and a stop in Santa Domingo de Silos with its Benedictine monastery. Then through the national park of the Demanda Mountains to Santa Domingo del Calzada in the province of Rioja. Tonight’s centrally located, four-star hotel was formerly a 12th century hospital on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 9. Saturday June 17th. Santa Domingo to Cosgaya (approx. 160 miles) This morning we continue north and take the 1,000 metre Mazorra pass and then towards Aguilar de Campoo before finishing in the fabulous Picos de Europa Mountains. Mountain scenery and passes, lakes and sweeping roads until we arrive at our mountain lodge style hotel in the quiet village of Cosgaya. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 10. Sunday June 18th. Cosgaya to Sardinero (approx. 75 miles) This morning we run through the impressive Deva gorge before taking the coast road to Sardinero and our 4-star hotel close to the beach. This finishes the tour and we will have ridden more back roads, seen more countryside, villages, towns and views of “real” Spain than most tourists see in a lifetime. Tonight dinner with wine is included. Day 11. Monday June 19th. Sardinero to Santander ferry (approx. 3 miles) We have the morning to relax on the beach or have a quick run up to the Harley Dealer in Santander before heading to the ferry in time to catch the return crossing back to the UK. Day 12. Tuesday June 20th. Arrive in Portsmouth mid-afternoon, refreshed and ready for your onward journey home. Total tour mileage approximately 1,000 Please note:
Please ensure you have read our Terms & Conditions
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Prices
Rider sharing a room £ 2,070 ......................................... Rider & pillion £ 3,795 ......................................... Rider, single room £ 2,745 ......................................... Price Includes:
Prices without return ferry Rider sharing a room £ 1,630 ......................................... Rider & pillion £ 3,245 ......................................... Rider, single room £ 2,245 ......................................... Price Includes:
Just a quick note to thank you for yet another amazing trip, we thought that you would be hard pressed to improve on the trip to Slovenia but this holiday was definitely the best. |
