IberoCycle

Catalonia is home to some of the country's most varied scenery, ranging from the spectacular Pyrenees on the border with France, down through beautiful farmland and forests, to the rugged beauty of the Costa Brava. Here the pretty coastline contrasts with the clear waters and sheltered coves. We will visit fine medieval towns and villages such as Girona and Pals, along with picturesque coastal villages. And of course the various Dalí sites associated with the great artist.

Highlights:

• volcanic area of La Garrotxa
  

• Greek & Roman archaeological site of Empuries
  

• beautifully conserved medieval of village of Pals
  

This tour explores the Alentejo region Portugal around its beautiful capital, Évora and its many lovely small villages with castles, churches and wineries. Sights on route include the pretty village of Alvito, the beautiful white village of Monsaraz with its view over the lake, Terena, with its white houses decorated with roses and bougainvillea, the grand Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, and finally Estremoz, the city of marble. The route rolls along through olive groves, vineyards and cork oaks. A tour which will give you an enticing glimpse of unknown Portugal.

Castile is home to some of the most beautiful and monumental cities in Europa. We visit two of the most famous; Segovia and Ávila, along with Felipe II's immense monastery and residence El Escorial. Sights include the magnificent Roman aqueduct in Segovia and the impressive city walls of the fortified city of Ávila. Rivalling the spectacle of these cities are the beautiful villages and landscapes, ranging from the endless horizons of the plains of Castile to the dramatic beauty of the Sierra de Gredos mountains as we head towards El Escorial and Madrid.

Highlights:

• walls of Ávila and Alcázar fortress of Segovia
• canyons of Hoces del Duratón
• Sierra de Gredos mountain range

Cycling down the California coast from Monterey to Santa Barbara via Big Sur on a bike tour avoids much of the urban biking and the less scenic agricultural areas of longer bike tours down the California coast. The first part of a Monterey to Santa Barbara bike tour focuses on the hilly, but spectacular Big Sur coast, with its rugged coastline and towering redwoods. South of Big Sur, cycling through San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County offers a diverse palette of marine wildlife viewing, historic missions, winery areas and surfers plying the waves of the Pacific Ocean off sandy beaches.

A route of open horizons with infinite olive groves. These in turn give way to the beautiful mountain scenery. The villages are whitewashed and bedecked with geraniums. Our final stop is Granada, to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the palace / fortress of La Alhambra, the last stronghold of Moslem Spain set against the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. The essence of Spain.

Highlights:

• El Albayzín and La Alhambra in Granada
• town of Lucena - the "Pearl of the Three Cultures"
• views and forests of Sierra Subbética

One of the three charming Balearic Islands, along with its neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza. Menorca combines wonderful sandy coves with transparent waters, quiet inland villages, the beautiful medieval and colonial cities of Mahón and Ciutadella, prehistoric monuments, Mediterranean cuisine, and much more.

Highlights:

• lighthouse & lunar landscape of Cap de Favàritx
• charm and rich history of Ciutadella
• prehistoric caves of Cales Coves

The great tour of the Empordà starts in the magnificent city of Girona and offers a complete itinerary across the Empordà, one of the most beautiful landscapes of Catalonia. Cyclists will have a fantastic view of this region, inland and coast. A great variety of landscapes , such as medieval villages, little coves or traditional fishing villages. It's a challenging route for medium level cyclists, due to its gradients that include mountains passes between 5and 10 long. This route takes you also to Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

Highlights:

• picturesque fishing village of Callella
• Greek and Roman ruins dating from 600BC in Empúries  
• Salvador Dalí Museum in Figueres

Follow the beautiful coastline of Northern Spain, from Bilbao in the Basque Country to Ribadesella in Asturias. Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum, wonderful and unspoilt beaches, pretty villages, all in the same tour.

Highlights:

• UNESCO site Puente Vizcaya, 19th century bridge
• tapas of Bilbao, anchovies of Santoña, cider of Asturias
• mountain & ocean views from fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera

The route usually follows the coastline. It is hilly at times, but the hills are never too long. Generally easy to intermediate cycling.

It begins at almost 3200 metres above sea level. The first 2 days ride across Castile towards the Castilian town of Aguilar de Campoo and the Cantabrian Mountains. Then the pass of Piedrasluengas leads to a wonderful descent into the heart of the Picos de Europa. 2 nights here to enjoy some of the most impressive scenery to be found in Spain. Our final 2 days reach the coast and the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera and the picturesque medieval village of Santillana del Mar.

Highlights:

• The beautiful and unknown area where Castile meets the Cantabrian Mountains
• Wildlife includes brown bear, wolves, wild boar, vultures, storks
• 11th century castle in Aguilar de Campoo
• The typical Castilian medieval towns of Aguilar de Campoo and Cervera de Pisuerga
• Storks nesting in Barrio de Santa María
• The views from the hotel Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga
• A wonderful descent from the pass of Piedrasluengas to the valleys of the Picos de Europa
• The dramatic cable car of Fuente Dé
• The bustling market town of Potes
• The impressive gorge of La Hermida and the River Deva
• Beautiful coastline and beaches leading to the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera
• The wonderful medieval village of Santillana del Mar

A beautiful shorter trip taking in the coast, valleys and villages of Cantabria. The tour has a combination of coastal and valley scenery and provides a great introduction to Northern Spain. Our stopovers include a picturesque medieval town, a tranquil fishing village and the beach resort of Somo with the city of Santander just across the bay. On the "free" days you can cycle as much or as little as you like. The marvellous scenic descent of the Miera Valley takes us to our final stop at Somo.

Highlights

• El Capricho palace by the famous Catalán architect Gaudí
• Natural Park of Oyambre and Miera river valley
• views of Bay of Biscay and Peaks of Europe