A guide point of view:IMTBike BMW MOA Andalucía Tour

Hello again!

Today we want to share with all of you the second article of “a guide’s point of view “series. This one will be about the exclusive BMW MOA Andalucía Tour.

“Truth is the BMW MOA Andalucía Tour has always been one of the most special tours. IMTBike designed it exclusively for our friends at the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, and on 2000 kilometers (1242 miles approximately) we explore the always welcoming and sunny Andalucía, with it “whitewashed” pueblos, it immense olive groves, flamenco dancing, tasty “tapas”, warm people, etc. but let’s start from the beginning.

As always every time I set foot in Andalucía, I am inebriated with its good vibe. I was anxious to meet the people of the group who were my responsibility but also my riding partners and new friends. After a short introduction, me and my partner started our safety briefing in which we went through all the details of the tour and answered any possible doubts anyone had. When the briefing concluded we all went together to a typical Andalucian restaurant for the welcome dinner. Needless to say there’s always plenty of good Spanish wine to enjoy with the delicious dishes the restaurant has to offer. It is very satisfying to share dinner with fifteen people who at this time don’t have strong bonds with each other but by the time the tour ends they will have forged life lasting friendships. After the welcome dinner some decided to do some night time tourism in Seville. We, the guides decided to go the hotel and have a good night sleep in order to be at our best for the next day.

Arcos de la Frontera Parador View

The next morning we left the beautiful city of Sevilla with our motorcycles heading to Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its great Sherries, and for the Jerez Racetrack- host of the Spanish Grand Prix of MotoGP. We had a short but invigorating stop in this town where we had the chance to visit a famous Sherry Bodega and enjoy some “tapas”.  Then we continued our trip to our first destiny: Arcos de la Frontera which is perched atop a rocky limestone ridge. We spend our first night here at the amazing Parador which was formerly the “Casa del Corregidor”. It boasts an impressive view over the fertile plains surrounding the river, as well as the Arcos de la Frontera old town filled with beautiful whitewashed houses.

The second day is on my list of all-time favorites from all the tours I’ve ever ridden!  It’s not often that someone can experience such joy while sliding through roads full of harmonic curves across the Sierra Mountains of Andalucía. The Scenery also plays an important role: endless cork trees and Spanish haciendas where they breed Lidia fighting bulls.  And we are always surrounded by the whitewashed villages that makes this region famous. We spent the second night in Ronda which is with no doubt the most famous whitewashed village for two reasons: first, it’s located on the edge of a 300 meters gorge and second, it’s where the first Spanish bullring was built. It’s also logical that we spent the first rest day here where we can enjoy all the things Ronda has to offer: the old Arab baths, the Santa Maria Sanctuary, the old river or the breathtaking Cuenca Gardens. All of this while resting in the outstanding and motorcycle friendly Parador of Ronda.  This is one of my favorite Paradors in all of Spain!

The next morning we left the amazing views of the Ronda gorge and headed to Marbella, this Costa del Sol town is a famous haven for international jet setters. Afterwards we kept our route right along the Mediterranean Sea and arrived in Granada after riding across the sheer mountains of Sierra Nevada. Once in Granada, we could visit the outstanding Alhambra Palace/Fortress. We stayed for another day in Granada because this town offers everything you can ask for in a rest day. You can enjoy a motorcycle ride up to Pico Veleta, Spain highest point that boasts a ski station, enjoy , visit the old Jewish quarter, the Albaicín Barrio (Declared UN World Heritage Site) or the Sacramonte Caves.

One day later, we left Granada heading north. With the Sierra Nevada Mountains guiding our way we arrived to Sierra Cazorla. We rode through this incredible natural park until we reached our destination: Úbeda.   This amazing town of glorious past has also been UN World Heritage Site thanks to its multiple treasures from the Spanish Renaissance period.

Riding through Andaluc

Not without sadness, we left Úbeda to enjoy a new journey of soft curves and infinite olive trees while riding our BMW motorcycles. The BMW MOA Andalucía tour now took us to Córdoba where we stopped to visit the Mosque, a unique architectural jewel that allows to see a Christian cathedral inside a Muslim Mosque. We obviously didn’t miss the chance to taste some delicious tapas during the stop like “salmorejo.”  There was only one more step now, and we joyfully followed the Guadalquivir River, like many before through the centuries until we set foot in Sevilla once again.

Mediterranean Sea road

The group atmosphere was unbeatable.  Everyone had an incredible time on this Andalucian adventure and while we parked our BMWs everyone was talking about their favorite road, curve, landscape or town and agreed it was an unforgettable time together.”

So here it is the second issue of “from a guide’s point of view” about the IMTBike BMW MOA Andalucía Tour. Did you like this new piece? What Tour would you like us to cover for the next segment of “From a guide’s point of view?” Meanwhile, if you want more information about this or any other tour, please visit www.IMTBike.com or contact us via email info@IMTBike.com or call us +34 91 633 72 22.