CYCLING IN EXTREMADURA

TRIP PREVIEW - 7 days / 6 nights > Departs Sunday, returns Saturday

Our route takes us along the foothills of the Sierra Morena, crossing the Ruta de Plata which was once the Medieval Pilgrim route to Santiago, on deserted roads shaded by cork trees and staying at wonderful hotels that include a castle, a monastery and a convent. Another of this region's secrets are the gastronomic delights which we will be able to enjoy at the different hotels and restaurants we will be visiting.

TERRAIN:
Mostly small lanes and hard graded tracks. Undulating with some long ascents, a few steep.

CLIMATE:
Both spring and autumn can be very warm and sunny with perhaps the risk of a light shower. The average temperature in May is 25º C and in October is 20º C.

DAILY DISTANCE: Between 32 - 72 kilometres (20 - 45 miles)

TRIP START AND END: Seville airport

PRICE - by arrangement

N.B. This trip has a fixed departure for 2004 of 9th October

What your holiday price includes:

• Full support throughout of two knowledgeable bi-lingual trip leaders - one or more will always live in the area of your tour and know it intimately
• Luxury back-up minibus/people carrier
• Arrival and departure transfers to the start and end of your tour
• Outstanding accommodation in carefully selected local hotels, paradores, convents, etc.
• All meals as indicated (B, L, D)
• Regional wine (half a bottle a person) at all evening meals detailed above
• Daily energy snacks, fruit and bottled water whilst cycling
• Luggage delivery to your room
• 21 speed hybrid bikes with equipment (front fork suspension, luggage rack, anti-theft device, front pouch with map holder, and repair kit)
• Detailed documentation, route notes and maps
• All entrance fees to historical sites, vineyards, and attractions visited on the tour
• All gratuities (except to trip leader and drivers)

Not included in the price:

• Airfares and transportation from your home to the tour start and end
• Personal expenditure
• Passport or visa costs & holiday insurance
• Although cycling helmets, seats & pedals are included you may want to bring your own

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Seville - Bienvenida, Extremadura

After meeting in Seville we travel north into the Sierra Morena and after a journey of just under two hours we reach Bienvenida, a small agricultural village, where we stay at a beautifully restored 17th Century house in the center of the village. The hotel was the home of the local gentry and in it's gardens we can see how the olive oil was processed and stored before tasting the local wine by the pool. There will be a familiarisation session on a hard trail that leads out of the village through the olive groves. We dine at the hotel.
Hotel la Hacienda, D

DAY 2 Bienvenida - a circular route: 55 kms. (35 miles)

We begin the day on a hard trial heading south towards the Sierra Morena. As we descend into a remote valley, we pass through several small villages, all dominated by a castle as this was the frontier for centuries dividing the Moorish and Christian war lords. At the foothills we stop at a Roman Theatre of Regina which had a capacity for 1,000 spectators and a reminder of the importance Extremadura was for the Roman Empire, before we set off to Llerena a small fortified town steeped in history as it was the administartive capital of The Order of Santiago. The magnificent churches in Llerena are also of great interest as they are all fine examples of the "gótico-mudéjar" (Gothic-Moorish) style that dominates the area. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Bienvenida along a quiet even trial through the sun flower and grain fields that are a feature of the area.
Hotel la Hacienda, B, L, D

DAY 3 Bienvenida - Zafra 40 kms. (25 miles)

A leisurely start as we ride on a hard trail passed the olive groves and vineyards as we head for Zafra, a town renowned for it's Moorish conections. We stop at the village of Calzadilla de los Barros which is on the Ruta de Plata, so called as it was the original route of the silver from South America from the south to Madrid. It was also the route of the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, defended by the Order of Santiago whose castles are to be found on every strategic point. However of most interest is a magnificent altar piece in the local church that dates back to the 15th century with it's 28 panels that depict the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. We continue passed Medina de las Torres and picnic close to the castle with panaromic views of the Sierra Morena. A hard track then takes us to Zafra through the olive groves. We reach the Parador, and 15th century castle in the middle of the town. Before we have supper at the Parador, it is worth wondering around Zafra taking in the Mudejar (Arabic) architecture and visiting the Church of Santa María de la Candelaria with it's nine paintings by Zurbarán.
Parador de Zafra, B, L, D

DAY 4 Zafra - La Parra 33 kms. (21 miles)

A gentle ride out of Zafra takes us to the foothills of Sierra Morena where we start a long radual climb through the Cork forests that will become a familiar sight over the next few days. The cork trees are centuries old and are probably the best example in Western Europe of a man made ecological system that provides a perfect cattle grazing habitat as well as an ideal refuge for abundant wild life. Here we will see numerous species of birds including birds of prey and, with luck, deer and wild boar. The shade of the trees and the mountain streams will help us keep cool for the picnic lunch followed by a well earned "siesta". The only village we will be passing through in the Sierra is called Feria and has a magnificent castle dominating the valley which serves as a beacon from Zafra. As with most of the castles in the area it was first constructed by the Moors before falling into the hands of the Knight Templers who controlled the area for a century. We then descend and reach La Parra where we will be staying at a 15th century convent lovingly restored and converted into a hotel. After the days hard work, the hotel will serve as a welcome rest in this quiet village. We have supper in the convent's refectory.
Convento de La Parra, B, L, D

DAY 5 La Parra - Barcarrota 32 kms. (20 miles)

This morning in La Parra we visit a potter's workshop where we can see how ceramics are traditionally made. Then we ride up and over the hill and after the next village we take a trail into an isolated valley where we cycle towards Nogales, a charming village perched high on a hill with exquisite views over the fertile valleys of Extremadura. This is the land known as La Tierra de los Barros where an excellent and little known wine outside Spain is produced. Nogales is the site for another famous picnic, and a chance to try a delicious local gazpacho soup. We continue and take a small road to the village of Salvaleón, which is famous for the cured ham - Pata Negra. We then cut across country on an ancient hard track through beautiful cork Oak dotted country before a short spell of road brings us to Rocamador, a 14th century monastery whose Superior once was San Pedro de Alcantara the mentor of Santa Teresa de Avila. Recently converted into a hotel it provides a sumptuous setting from which we are able to relax and enjoy the wonderful views. We have supper at the monastery's restaurant, famous for it's cuisine and which has recently been given a one star Michelin rating
Monasterio Rocamador, B, L, D

DAY 6 Olivenza - a circular route 72 kms. (45 miles)

This is the longest day as we make our way along little used roads that skirt large fincas, many of which breed bulls who can be seen grazing peacefully under the Alcornoque trees. The first village we pass through, Barcarrota, was the birthplace of Hernando de Soto who with Pizarro conquered Peru before he ventured north discovering Florida and the River Mississippi. The ride to Olivenza is flat with a few small hills to climb before we reach our destination, a town steeped in history, on the Portuguese border and as a result has changed hands many times giving it a unique character - it's inhabitants still claim that they belong to Portugal. The castle museum of Ethnic Costumes is well worth a visit as are the numerous churches and the Napoleonic fort, whose remains surround the town. We lunch at a local restaurant and then make our way back. On the route there are numerous Dolmens, collection of prehistoric stones, which offer a pleasant resting point as we make our way back to Rocamador for a wine tasting session before supper.
Monasterio Rocamador, B, L, D

DAY 7 Seville - Transfer to Seville for the journey home. Onward arrangements can be made for those wishing to stay in Spain.