The Expedition, 4 days
An epic, fun and liberating journey around the mountains of Madrid
Vespas: "a delectable piece of design. Infallibly cool. Even rubbish drivers can´t diminish their iconic beauty."
Adventure: "A 5 day, peak-skirting circular lap by Vespa...Empty single-lane roads, winding mountain passes and a stretch they´ve nicknamed "the Great Wall of China", for its steep paved zig-zags."
Scenery:"thyme, rosemary and lavender scent the air...every corner is like diving into a painting. The tarmac loops like liquorice bootlaces through lurid fields of banana yellow and ivory flowers, butterflies everywhere..."
- Please note that while the Vespas are easy to drive, shorter people (under 5`5, 165cm) can find it too difficult! You will need to have held a car driving license for more than 3 yrs.
- Price : 467€ per person.
- Recommended time of year : April - end of October
What´s included?
- 3 nights accommodation in charming small rural hotels with breakfasts included.
- Detailed maps with your route clearly marked.
- Itinerary description, full of recommendations for things to do and places to visit, advice and suggestions and information about your accommodation, etc.
- Emergency support.
Vespa riding training.
- 4 days hire: Vespa LX 125 (one rider per bike) with basic 3rd party insurance and helmet.
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- Vespa GTS 125 (two riders per bike) with basic 3rd party insurance and two helmets.
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Options:
- Local Transfers. Dinners. Helmet intercom hire. Extra night/s in Segovia or Madrid.
Itinerary description
- Day 1 Arrival at the mountain village of Navafría. You will be given complete instruction and training until you feel ready to go on your way. Your journey starts here, with a visit to the medieval town of Pedraza before returning to your hotel.
40km - Accommodation: Posada Mingaseda, Navafría. (www.posadamingaseda.com)
- Day 2 After packing your travel bag provided with all the essentials for the next couple of days you climb a breathtaking mountain pass through a vast pine forest, descend into the Lozoya Valley amongst oak and beech woodland and follow increasingly quiet country roads towards the Sierra del Rincón. You end the day´s journey in the "Tejera Negra", an isolated mountainous area famous for its black slate villages.
100 km
Accommodation: La Era de la Tia Donata, Campillo de Ranas. (www.laeradelatiadonata.com) - Day 3 This day´s scenery is the best yet. Climbing the Sierra de Ayllón and down towards the medieval town of Riaza, built around a bull ring and clock tower, with storks nesting on top, then push on to Villacorta, one of the region´s famous "pueblos rojos", red villages. From here you loop west across the cereal and sunflower plains of Castilla to the winding cobbled streets of Sepúlveda, a 3000 year old hilltop town with Arabic architecture.
105 Km
Accommodation: Posada de San Millán, Sepúlveda. (www.posadasanmillan.es) - Day 4 Your last day is spent exploring the staggeringly beautiful Duratón Canyon Nature Reserve before returning to Navafría where the trip started.
70 Km
The Hotels:
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Posada Real Mingaseda, Navafría : A mountain village house, renovated in rustic style. 14 magnificent bedrooms decorated with love. Restaurant, gardens, comfortable living rooms. A friendly Spanish family from the village run this hotel very well indeed.
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La Era de la Tia Donata, Campillo de Ranas: Traditional building in an isolated village of extraordinary beauty. Only six double rooms with all the creature comforts and decorated to a high standard with a lot of attention to detail. Own restaurant. English spoken by very friendly owners.
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- Posada de San Millán, Sepúlveda: Situated in the old historic center of Sepúlveda. A protected building and one of the oldest buildings in town, with a XIIth century Romanesque front and XVth century inner courtyard. It consists of eight original and carefully decorated bedrooms around the courtyard and a garden offering wonderful views. English spoken.
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How to get there:
- Which airport should I fly to? Madrid international airport.
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How do I get to the Starting Point? Catch an AVE (High Speed Train) from Madrid to Segovia (9€, takes 25mins). From here book our local taxi transfer to Navafría (35€, takes 35 minutes)
How do I get back to Madrid? Book our local transfer from Navafría to Segovia (35€, takes 35mins) and catch an AVE (High Speed Train) back into Madrid (9€, takes 25mins).
