BrynMota

Looking for advice on towns/villages/activities/scenic routes for the following trip.

We are flying into Seville after a week in Brussels in early December. We will rent a motorcycle and drop it off on Madrid to cover more area in our short time there (6 full days). We prefer scenery/countryside/lakes/mountains/villages vs. cities. We don't mind a day or two to do a quick tour of cities, but that's all the time we want there.

Examples of other areas in Europe we have loved include in Italy: Tuscany, Bellagio, Lake Como, Lucca and in France; Normandy, Annecy, Chamonix.

Activities we enjoy besides the motorcycle are horseback riding and seeing things native to area, like a horse show, possibly bull fighting (though struggle with my animal rights side), flamenco, and the don't-miss sites of the main areas. We love lakes, mountains, wide spaces like olive groves and vineyards.

Our initial thoughts are:

Day 0: Arrive in the evening into Seville

Day 1: Seville

Day 2: Travel to Ronda & area

Day 3: Ronda & area

Day 4: Travel to Alpujarras & Granada area (wouldn't mind traveling along southern coast if it is scenic or there is a suggested place near the water for lunch)

Day 5: Alpujarras & Granada area

Day 6: Madrid

Day 7: Fly out of Madrid

Thoughts? Ideas on most scenic routes to take on this journey?

Thank you!

Robert2016

I wouldn't think early December is ideal motorcycle touring weather, even in southern Spain (rather chilly weather, rain, snow in the Sierra Nevada, short daylight hours).

Who are you planning on renting the bike from?

BrynMota

We have rented all over the world and in all sorts of weather so as long as it isn't unsafe (snow in terms of weather, or unsafe road conditions) then we are game.

We are looking at http://www.wellcomebikersespana.com/ to rent from Seville and drop off in Madrid.

Thanks!

ribeirasacra

Oh Robert...your comment about the weather made my wife laugh.She being from the Netherlands says what to you think the Dutch do in winter? Not ride their motorbikes. Think about it. Every cold climate country has motorbikes and use them in short daylight hours/cold weather/rain.
To the OP look at this website.
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motor...--___8576.html
I suppose the road you choose depends on the type of 'bike you are riding.
This channels has some more ideas on the routes you could take. Just search for the right area of Spain.
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrPutoCalvo/videos

Robert2016

From Granada, or Alpujarras, I would head for Ciudad Real to spend the night. You could visit Almagro before stopping in Ciudad Real. The next morning you could head for Consuegra to see the windmills before driving into Madrid.

It's about a 3-hour from Granada to Ciudad Real, closer to 5-1/2 from Alpujarras, depending on the weather. Expect the road to be busy once you pass Aranjuez.

BrynMota

Thank you Ribeirasacra!

Initial start to this road trip w/ some route questions:

1) Seville to Ronda... Thinking Seville -> Acros -> Ronda

Option 1: E5 to Jerez and A382 to Acros de la Frontela (a tad longer, but is marked as a good motorcycle route). or,

Option 2: E5 to Las Cabezas de San Juan and SE5209 to Acros (shorter - scenic?).

Would also like to see Zahara and Grazalma. Thinking 1 day would be the above Seville to Ronda, and the next day a day trip from Ronda out to Zahara and Grazalma? But if we can get Zahara &/or Grazalma in on this ride over that would be great as they are on the way.

2) Next would be Ronda to Granada area (not sure yet where - maybe staying in Alpujarras). Thinking Ronda -> Puerto Banus -> Nerja -> Granada area.

Taking 397 south from Ronda to Puerto Banus for a drive through to see the fanciness and water, then to Nerja and north from there. Looks like N340 runs along the water - is it scenic? The motorcycle map rating roads doesn't have this on it, just A-7.

Next will be looking at the Granada area to figure out where we are going to then determine the route - but feedback on the above is much appreciated!

ribeirasacra

Shorter or scenic? That is the question.
I always prefer scenic. However if the weather is rubbish then take the shorter. Leave your options open.
The old N340 is certainly along the coast. So good places to stop too. You know little lay-bys (usually of the older road) with views of the coast.
Do not forget that this will take a long time.
Speed restrictions in populated areas. A lot of curves. Maybe slower traffic etc will be a hindrance to progress.
Also do not forget some nice villages to stop off to partake in sightseeing.
Motril is nothing of interest and personally I do not like Nerja.
Salobreña is quite an interesting village with a castle at the top.
Órgiva, is full of what some call hippies and some call drop outs. However the roads N323a- N346- N348 is also worth a diversion. Scenic and twisty. Again it all comes down to time and weather.

BrynMota

Thanks! Shorter and scenic is always great in order to see more of the towns along the way. Are both roads from Seville to Ronda equally as scenic? The only reason we were looking at the longer route that goes near Jerez was that the motorcycle site listed it as a recommended ride.

If we could do shorter and get in to see Zahara & Grazalma along the way, we could then save a night in Ronda.

That would allow us to perhaps spend a night along the water before heading towards Granada to give us more time to stop in villages along the way.

Macross

BrynMota, what a great trip. My husband would do in a flash. I am sharing your link with him. He does long distance riding in any sort of weather. You just wear the proper gear. We are going to Rota and the coast would be perfect riding.

BrynMota

Macross, that sounds wonderful! In my research, it seems that coast is beautiful! We love traveling via motorcycle in different places. It is such an amazing way to really immerse yourself in a 360 experience. We can always remember the temperature, smells and sounds of each picture we take. Happy Riding!!

kimhe

You can drive almost to the top of the spectacular Torcal limestone mountain, just outside Antequera, the crossroads of Andalucía.
Torcal: https://www.spain-holiday.com/Antequ...tequera-malaga
Antequera: http://wild-about-travel.com/2011/07...ing-antequera/

And perhaps go up from the Med at Almuñécar, just east of Nerja, to Granada through the scenic A 4050 road known as the Moor's Sigh. The name of the road comes from the legenedary sigh of Boabdil, the last emir of Granada, when he at the mountain pass known as Puerto del Suspiro del Moro (The Moor's sigh pass), in 1492 for a last time had a look back upon the city now lost to the so called Catholic Monarchs. His mother shall then have said: "You cry like a woman over a city you couldn't defend as a man". Images from the road:
http://www.holavalencia.net/2010/02/...and-almunecar/

kimhe

You should take a look at this excellent and recently published route in The Guardian: Start in Jerez (close to Sevilla), then on to Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, Ronda, and then on to "the heart of Andalucía" Antequera with the spectacular Torcal mentioned above before going down to 3000 year old Málaga city by the Med. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...erez-andalucia

And Málaga to Madrid is 2h 30 mins with the high speed AVE train, city center to city center. A little more about Málaga, my favourite big city in the region for the laid-back and good-humoured Andalucian atmosphere, Málaga is called a singing city for a reason: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

ribeirasacra

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...mment-10071564
"Are both roads from Seville to Ronda equally as scenic? "

The slightly longer route via the A451 etc also takes in the A92 Autovia (highway) That is certainly not so interesting.
Look on street view (by choosing the odd spot or 50) and I think that apart form the A92 this route has just the edge of the other. However, Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

I get a feeling some folk romance about the history of Spain.
I am quite surprised that aspects of modern day Spain is not a real disappointment for them.

BrynMota

Great ideas, thank you to everyone! Kimhe, I like exploring the idea of going from Ronda to Antequera rather than going south along the coast.

Would you suggest skipping going from Antequera to Almunecar and then up to Granda area and, instead, from Antequera to Granada?

We are from Ohio so the idea of seeing the water sounds great, but not at the expense of losing time if not going to be out of the ordinary, if that makes sense.

So our newer idea is:
Day 0: Arrive Seville in evening
Day 1: Seville
Day 2: Seville (rent motorcycle) -> Arcos -> Zahara -> Grazalema -> Ronda
Day 3: Ronda -> Antequera -> Alpujarras & Granada area
Day 4: Alpujarras & Granada area
Day 5: Alpujarras & Granada area
Day 6: Granda -> Madrid
Day 7: Fly out of Madrid

We could add another day to Ronda area and 1 less in Alpujarras area since the Seville to Ronda day will be pretty long. But we can also spend the earlier half of the day 3 in Ronda since the trip to Granada area isn't too long.

We haven't started the planning past Ronda just yet. Thinking of horseback riding in Ronda or Alpujarras area so that may also determine which to add the day to.

Appreciate thoughts!

kimhe

Going from Antequera to Granada without going down to the coast is a good idea. But take your time for going up on Torcal, you can drive almost to the top, just outside Antequera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j056QO3sUF8&t=44s

And perhaps stay a night in Antequera itself, this is as Andalucía as it gets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgavNv8ve5E

ribeirasacra

Warning... You are going to be overloaded. Adding even more to the original schedule is not looking good for a vacation.
Slow down and see more!

BrynMota

Thanks!

Ribeirasacra, I certainly understand. We are used to traveling like this and unfortunately only have 6 days available. We don't return to the same vacation area twice (so we are sure to explore different places in the world) so this is our only time to be in Southern spain. We want to see as much as we can, plus exploring via motorcycle is relaxing to us!

Robert2016

Been there, done that!

Bedar

Can you return the bike in Madrid or do you have to do that in Seville ?

BrynMota

We pick up in Seville and drop off in Madrid!