Away from the Crowds

Reviews

world-class

Another wonderful cycling holiday organised by Away from the Crowds. The Seville to Cadiz trip is expertly organised. As usual, the organisation and detail was exceptional.

All we had to do was pedal and enjoy the combination of fantastic scenery and the World-renowned cites of Seville, Jerez and Cadiz. The combination of the cities and two ancient historic towns (Carmona and Acros de la Frontera) made this a memorable trip.

Thank you again guys, your should be proud of your service as its world-class.

Ged Bell, UK

Thanks Ged. Always a pleasure to host you.

Jaime, AFTC.

We especially enjoyed the Paradors

Seville was really interesting and well worth the two nights we spent there. It's really walkable and there were plenty of things to see including the Giralda Tower (really worth going to the top for great views of the city), Triana (bustling and lively), the Plaza de Espana (we saw it late at night and it was very impressive) and the area to the south of the cathedral including the Jardines de Murillo.

All of the accommodation was really well-chosen. We especially enjoyed the Paradors (the breakfasts are the best we've had anywhere). It was great to be able to sit out on the terraces at Carmona and Arcos de la Frontera drinking wine and eating bar snacks looking out on really stunning views. The Hacienda la Morena near Montellano was a really special place and the lovely hosts made our stay very memorable. It had been a long, exposed and very hot day's cycling from Carmona to Montellano and it was a really great place to end up at.

There was a good variety of cycling. It was great to be able get all the way out of Seville on the first day almost entirely on cycle lanes, and to be able to avoid the busy traffic and then to be able to cycle along areas with historical interest (we enjoyed the well-researched trip notes on the area's geography and history)

Carmona to Montellano was probably the toughest day because it was the most exposed for the most amount of time and - even though there was not that much ascent - there was a long time spent in the saddle, pedalling (we live among a lot of steep hills and are used to lots of uphill cycling, but also benefit from the descents!). However, as the trip progressed, and the countryside became greener it became more varied we got a better appreciation of the area. The Greenway along the disused railway after Montellano was fun and picturesque. We also enjoyed the stretch from Arcos de la Frontera to Jerez and was a nice contrast from the long miles spent travelling through fields of sunflowers and wheat (although you really get an idea of the size of Spain when you cycle along its long straight roads and wide open spaces).

All the stops along the route were well-chosen and we just wish we could have stayed longer in them (especially Arcos de la Frontera and Cadiz)

Thanks for a great cycling trip.

Simon Wilkins, UK

a brilliant holiday

Communication from the company was excellent. No issues with luggage transfers. Sent GPS, road maps and detailed map book which was very handy when Garmin had an issue especially when cycling through some towns.

Bikes were sturdy touring bikes a bit heavier than our usual ride but very dependable.

We did have an issue after particularly heavy rain one day when we literally got stuck in clay / mud. We have suggested to AFTC team that maybe an alternative route is offered even if it's a little longer to stop others having the same issue. Some road cycling on busy roads but usually only for very short periods.

The scenery is stunning and all the Paradores and hotels we stayed in were beautiful and very comfortable bar the Jerez hotel. Although quirky, it didn’t quite hit the mark and major building work looks and sounds like it will be ongoing for a while.

Overall a brilliant holiday, well organised with beautiful hotels and scenery. Would definitely consider using AFTC again.

Hilary Shaw, UK.

Thanks for your feedback Hilary. We have changed hotel in Jerez since your comments. We really appreciate your input.

Jaime, AFTC.

We loved the luxury

The organisation is fautless. Each hotel was fully expecting us on arrival and had our rooms ready and somewhere to safely store the bikes.

There were no problems with transporting our luggage either. Every morning we left it in the hotel reception and it was there waiting for us on arrival at the next hotel.

We also had one small problem where we had left a few items at a previous hotel. I called the emergency number and the lady from awayfromthecrowds helpfully advised me which hotel I should get my things shipped to and contacted them on my behalf.

The bikes were simple but solid touring bikes with front suspension and shimano groupsets which I always find dependable. They were well serviced and supplied by a small and friendly bike establishment in Seville by a man named Ali.

Our only issue was we had requested to male geometry bike and even double checked to confirm - however my partner still received a ladies bike.

A large waterproof pannier bag was supplied with each bike with all necessary tools.We were also supplied with excellent route maps and road books and .GPX files for our Garmin GPS - navigation was very easy with this combination.

The bike routes themselves were nice enough with quite a bit of variation. Be aware quite a bit of the route is on roads shared with cars, but we found the Andalucian drivers generally gave us a very wide berth which was great.

The run in to Jerez and Cadiz was on quite busy roads and through built up areas but we managed without any problem. Parts of the route were also on quiet unpaved tracks including a via verde on one of General Franco's unfinished railway routes which was lovely.

It was very hot for October - above 30 degrees every day so we set off early in the mornings to beat the worst of the heat. We only felt really hot on the climbs - of which there weren't many big ones.

What really shone out were the destinations and the hotels which really were first class. We loved the luxury and character of the Paradors and the hacienda at Montellano. It was great to be able to swim in the pools in the hot afternoons post biking.

The weak link was probably Palacio Garvey in Jerez - it wasn't terrible by any means but the room was a bit dark and dingy and the breakfast and facilities didn't match the others.

All the destinations were lovely places. Carmona was probably my favourite of them all, a lovely small Pueblo Blanco full of character after the hustle and bustle of Seville, and the Parador was truly amazing.

We sometimes found it tricky to find places for lunch in some of the small towns on route. Things were very quiet during the heat of the day - it was useful to pack some food in the panniers just in case.

Some basic Spanish also went a long way. I would gladly recommend this tour!

:) Guy Thompson, UK.

Thanks for the feedback Guy. We have taken on your comments about the hotel in Jerez and no longer use it. We appreciate your input to help us improve.

Jaime, AFTC.

I would have no hesitation in recommending your team

We had a great holiday -

Organisation/communication was great

Hotel standard perfect

GPS files invaluable

The roadside cafe mentioned on the route from Arcos to Jerez near the reservoir is well and truly shut !

I have to say I would have no hesitation in recommending your team .

Thanks Tab

Tabitha and Noel Tinker, UK

Overall thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to another trip

Accomodation and breakfasts excellent (although breakfast sub-standard at Montellano hotel).

Trip notes and coloured A4 maps excellent.

GPX files also excellent (although our phones shutdown from overheating on the 30+ degrees days)

E-bikes struggled a bit with distances and with rutted, pot-holed, bumpy tracks.

Some of the route was too rough for comfort (end of season problem?)

Overall thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to another trip in 2023.

Alistair Thomson in Auckland, New Zealand

Everything was in time: bikes delivery, luggage transfers, shuttle. Hotels were superb! It was so nice to relax in a bathtub after a day of cycling.

Thank you very much for organizing our holiday. Your service was truly awesome!

Everything was in time: bikes delivery, luggage transfers, shuttle. Hotels were superb! It was so nice to relax in a bathtub after a day of cycling.

We passed beautiful cities, saw alcazars, churches. It would’ve been better if we’ve done it in springs when the fields were not empty, but it was enough beauty anyway.

The only setback was the amount of trash on the side of the roads, especially near cities and towns. This was the only setback that you can’t do much about, but we mention this just to raise the awesomeness of the problem.

In spite of this, the trip was beautiful: nature, culture, history, food!!

We would love to go again with you.

Thank you again, Marina and Alexei Belenky, USA.

it was very well organised by your company.

We had a very lovely holiday - thank you - and it was very well organised by your company.

Nice hotels and route. Some days it felt like there was quite a lot of road compared to our experience in Rioja but perhaps that’s just the reality of the region …

Ann Branch, Belgium

the bill from the bar in El Coronil simply said Inglisi - 20€!

We enjoyed the Andalucia trip very much. All the hotels were good and the cycling days were about right (given we were cycling in 40°C on day one and 30+ the other days). All the towns were lovely, and we particularly liked Sevilla, Carmona and Cadiz.

It was nice to ride away from the roads although some of this was quite rough and might not be as good in wet weather!

Stopping for lunch in the smaller towns and villages en-route was good although we were so obviously English (being very pale and having lunch at 1300) that the bill from the bar in El Coronil simply said Inglisi - 20€! #pThe ride to Cadiz, across the reserves was good. #pThe road into Carmona was a bit busy and it was the very hot day and not many places to stop, so that was the bit of riding that was less enjoyable. #pThe hotel in Jerez was a bit far out of the centre, so we didn't see as much as we would like. It was nice but we would have preferred being in the centre.

Thanks,

Neil. UK

CO₂ footprint offsetting