The Expedition, 4 days

Circular Vespa tour in the north of Madrid
Description

An epic, fun and liberating journey around the mountains of Madrid. As featured on The Guardian

Vespas: A delectable piece of design. Infallibly cool. Even rubbish drivers can´t diminish their iconic beauty.

Adventure: A 4 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...


The hotels:

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.

La Era de la Tía 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.

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.

How to get there:

  • Which airport should I fly to?
    Madrid international airport.
  • How do I get to the Starting Point?
    Catch an AVE (High Speed Train) from Madrid to Segovia (12,20€, takes 30 mins). From here we take you by private transfer to Navafría (takes 35 minutes).
  • How do I get back to Madrid?
    We transfer you from Navafría to Segovia (takes 35mins) and catch an AVE (High Speed Train) back into Madrid (12,20€, takes 30 mins).

 

 

  • Day: 1 - Arrival and circular tour to Pedraza (40 km)

    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.

    Accommodation: Posada Mingaseda, Navafría. (https://posada-mingaseda-navafria.hotelmix.es/ )

  • Day: 2 - From Navafría to Campillo de Ranas (100 km)

    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.

    Accommodation: La Era de la Tía Donata, Campillo de Ranas. (www.laeradelatiadonata.com)

  • Day: 3 - From Campillo de Ranas to Sepúlveda (105 km)

    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.

    Accommodation: Posada de San Millán, Sepúlveda. (www.posadasanmillan.es)

  • Day: 4 - Tour around Sepúlveda and then back to Navafría (70 km)

    Your last day is spent exploring the staggeringly beautiful Duratón Canyon Nature Reserve before returning to Navafría where the trip started.

Prices and Dates

Recommended time of year:

May to September. The summer months in this area is ideal to ride a scooter since it does not get too hot and the air when riding is just perfect.

 

Prices 2023:

Person sharing a double or twin room: 646€ per person

Discount if sharing a scooter: 50€ per person

Half board: 75€ per person

Single Supplement: 96€ per person

Transfer to or from Madrid: 165€ per vehicle each way

What´s included?

  • 3 nights accommodation in three different 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, information about your accommodation, etc.
  • Emergency support.
  • 4 days hire: Vespa LX 125.
  • Helmet.
  • Local transfers from Segovia to the starting point in Navafría and back at the end.

 

Not included: 

  • Luggage transfers. We will provide with a waterproof 20L bag to carry your essentials for three days.

 

Options:

  • Many of our clients combine this tour with a city break in Madrid. Ask for extra nights in Madrid!
  • Dinners.
Gallery
  • Discover Spain on a Vespa
  • Discover Spain on a Vespa
  • Discover Segovia on a Vespa
  • Vespa Trip
  • Vespa Holidays
  • Vespa Travel
  • Vespa Holidays
  • Vespa Tours
  • Scooters
  • Spain villages
  • Scooter Trip
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