CCC 2402 - Christopher Columbus Tour
In our very nice hotel right at the Mediterranean Sea, we noticed that already quite some customers arrived yesterday. Great idea to explore Malaga a bit and get rid of our jetlag. At the welcome briefing everyone received their welcome packages and after doing the paperworks we handed over the keys of the motorcycles and everybody got their iron horsed prepared for tomorrow ! Stay tuned for more!
We started this morning with a very pleasant temperature and rode along the seashore towards San Pedro. After a nice first coffeeshop with splendid views we took the under motorcyclists well known winding road to Ronda, where we spent some hours to stroll along the steep cliff and admired the old bridge. After a very relaxed lunch we followed our way through the splendid almost desolated roads of Andalusia. Good temperatures, good coffee, good company: what else to wish for? Unfortunately the last couple of kilometers in the rain but overall a very nice riding day. Let's explore Sevilla!
No better city to stroll around than in the cradle of the Flamenco dance and music: Sevilla! A little sleep in, nice breakfast and then in the walking boot s to the historic centre of this ancient city. With a vibrant atmosphere and little alleys full of nice and curious shops, it is easy to forget the time!. Visiting the famous Maestranza bullfight ring, the Las Setas wooden construction with a great view over the city , and a visit to the Sevilla cathedral where the remaining are kept of the name giver of this tour: Christopher Columbus. The group splitter up a little and some went for a nice taps lunch, others visited the Royal palace and the Giralda tower Completed with a real genuine flamenco show we concluded this beautiful day in this historic city
Today we are going to Portugal. After Seville, we drive across open country on wide roads towards Portugal. The quickest connection between Seville and Faro would actually be by ferry. Unfortunately, when we get there we are told that this week only passengers and no motorcycles are being transported. Dont pay the ferryman before he ..... You already know :-)
Today 's riding day started in Faro Portugal which is situated at the Algarve coast. From this picturesque former fisherman's village we rode mainly in western direction in the morning and passed a couple of very nice spots along the coastal road. In Lagos at the seaside it was time for a coffee and a sea view!. Then following the road further to the west the air became more salty, which meant that the sea is very close!. And suddenly we were at the most southern west point of the continent: Cabo st Vincente. As a former and still important landmark it marks the exit of the mediterranean sea to the Atlantic ocean. Rough seas and beautiful cliffs are all around. And of course some took the "Last Bratwusrt before America" including the certificate before we head up north where chef Tom prepared us a nice picnic. Then the last 70 km of nice coastal roads and we arrived in Sines at one of the most beautiful hotels of this trip with an excellent dinner. Great day !
What a beautiful riding day ahead: along the west coast from the province of Alentejo in Portugal we worked our way up towards the ferry of Troia which brought us to the city of Setubal south of Lisbon. Unfortunately the weathergods were not with us today, so most of our way up to our restaurant at the waterside was a bit covered in mist. After lunch it became dry and by the time we hit the bit bridge over the river Tagus info downtown Lisbon, it was sunny again. And now: two nights ahead in the vibrant capitol of Portugal!
Time to explore Lisbon and surroundings! Majority of our group decided to stay in Lisbon and explore this wonderful city by bus, by walking or by tram. And there is so much to see in this vibrant city with all its history! about 5 riders and two pillions went on a restday ride along the Tagus river and the up along the coast to Cabo di Roca ( most western point of the continent) and up to Sintra where all the kings palaces were build to escape the heat in summer in the city And on the way back we visited the Christo Rei statue which rises high above the city and has splendid views. A very well spent day and much better weather than expected !
After leaving Lisbon early on Sunday morning, we unfortunately have to use the highway to get around. The first stop brings a bit of variety at a go-kart track. After some of us have done a few laps of the track, we continue on to the famous ossuary in Evora. From there, it's not far to our destination for today in Zafra
Today we left our beautiful hotel, which is basically an old castle, in Zafra to move eastward to the ancient city of Cordoba. This nice city full of history has a couple of interesting sites to visit, like the Mezquita and the enchanting alleys of the Jewish quarter. After a full day of riding, a great picnic as lunch prepared by Chief Cook Alberto, we finally hit the city limits. In the evening we had a absolute great dinner in a kind of palace room where we felt like royalties. Great day all together
And suddenly it is there again: the final riding day! Predicted as a rainy day but when angels travel..... nice weather! today our direction was south towards Malaga where everything started. But first to the very heart of Andalusia: the historic city of Antequera. With a challenging ride through the small and steep streets all the way to the top of the city we parked our bikes. And a walk down where we had our last lunch together. After leaving Antequera there was only one of the best roads waiting for us to bring us down to Malaga again. Countless twists and switchback concluded this wonderful tour. With a last drink and a very good dinner we said good-bye to each other. We all hope to see you again on another tour, another time, another place! all the best Your tourguides: Ted, Tom and Alberto (aka: pope Alberto 1st)