8GS Pueblos Blancos of Andalusia

We start with the highlight - Granada. The Moorish royal castle Alhambra, a sight of world fame, lies beautifully against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.

The bikes are charged, the ladies arrived, tomorrow morning we are off - stay tuned!

Here is a brief information about the Covid situation for those who hesitate to travel. Spain was hit hard by the first wave of the pandemic, had the hardest lockdown in Europe and learned quickly from it. The vaccination rate is 82%, the highest in Europe, and public life is almost as it was before the pandemic.

We started out at perfect weather. Olive trees, veggie gardens, ups and downs, beautiful route, perfect scenery. 

Die Temperaturen sind perfekt zum Radeln. Wir verlassen und die Stadt und es beginnt die typisch andalusische Landschaft - Olivenhaine soweit das Auge reicht. Weite Felder mit allen Sorten von Gemüse. Die Arbeiter freuen sich über einen Plausch.

Let's go south. One of the most impressive geological Rock Formationen in Europe is the plateau El Torcal. The forces of weathering chiselled bizarre sculptures from the porous limestone. From the visitor center It is a few minutes to Mirador Las Ventanillas with views to the Costa del Sol. We cycle along three large reservoirs and a part of the Caminito Del Rey until we leave the canyon at El Chorro.

A perfect day that can hardly be topped. Sunrise is starting later and later, which is why we had a relaxing breakfast until half past nine. The sun was shining and dipped the Garganta del Chorro in a wonderful morning light. Perfect for taking pictures. A freshly paved, winding road took us along the dam to Ardales. 

In El Burgo we could hardly get enough of the delicious tapas. The Tapas were helpful, because the climb to Puerto del Viento is exhausting. Ronda can be seen from far away and we will spend 2 days here.

Today there will be a surprise for our ladies on this special tour which is not part of the normal tour program.

Unfortunately, we have to leave beautiful Ronda. But more highlights are to be expected. The white villages of Andalusia! Zahara de la Sierra is a picturesque village nestled on a mighty rock on the northern edge of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Above the village is the ruin of a Moorish castle. We drive across the Puerto de las Palomas, the pass of the pigeons and reach the next white village. Grazalema is said to be the most beautiful of them all.

On small roads we cycle through the Sierra de Grazalema to El Bosque. Small houses built of natural stones line the streets. El Bosque is located at the gate of Sierra Grazalema National Park. Arcos de la Frontera, our destination for today, is situated on a steep cliff. Several Moorish arches – arcos - span the narrow streets. Our hotel for tonight is a Parador in the middle of the old town.

We are about 40 km from Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez is the city of sherry. Names like Sandeman and Tio Pepe are now known around the world. One could spend a whole week here - the Moorish fortress from the 13th century, the Christian cathedral, museums and tapas bars, sherry tastings and much more could be discovered.

Wir sind ca. 40 km von Jerez de la Frontera entfernt. Jerez ist die Stadt des Sherry. Namen wie Sandeman und Tio Pepe sind mittlerweile weltbekannt. Hier könnte man eine ganze Woche verbringen - die maurische Festung aus dem 13.Jh, die christliche Kathedrale, Museen und Tapas Bars, Sherry Verkostungen u.v.m.  wären zu entdecken