If you are looking for that something different and very special, then you must join us here in Almeria, and discover it’s beauty by scooter. You will enjoy the beautiful and dramatic scenery whilst riding on roads you are unlikely to have ever experienced before - especially the lack of traffic - although you may occasionally get held up by the local goat herders and their flock!
You will stay in one of our cosy Casitas at our own private residence in Urcal, a small traditional spanish village just outside the historic town of Huercal-Overa where you will be well-cared for at our home in our cosy casitas. You will enjoy lunch at different Spanish bars or restaurants throughout your stay.
During the Tour you will visit some of Southern Spain’s hidden gems not normally found in your traditional spanish package holiday!
The charming small town of Villarícos is located approximately ten kilometres north of La Garrucha, a lively fishing harbour.. Villarícos is situated in a unique position on the mouth of the Rio Almanzora and the coast. There is a strong fishing community here, as well as several unspoilt beaches. The surrounding countryside is stunning with the entire stretch of coastline sheltered by the dramatic Sierra Almagrera mountain. There are some spectacular caves due east of here - Cuevas Almanzora and continuing off the beaten track leads you to Vélez Rubio where the large Iglesia de la Encarnación is the most lavish baroque building in the province. Villaricos is also home to the world reknown Dreambeach Festival where party goers from all over the globe dance all through the night and into dawn!
Vélez-Blanco forms part of the Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park and the Ruta de los Castillos (route of castles) through Andalucia. It is as popular a destination for lovers of rural tourism and sports as it is for lovers of culture and history.
The Castillo-Palacio (Renaissance Castle) that crowns the centre of the town is the main attraction, one of the jewels of the Spanish Renaissance. Constructed on top of the old Arab castle in the 16th Century, under order from the first Marqués de Los Vélez, and declared a National Historical Monument, it rises up above a rock more than 1000 metres tall, offering the most spectacular view of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, only the exterior has been preserved to this day as the interior was sold at the beginning of the 20th Century and today is on show at the Museum of Metropolitan Art in New York, US.
Other stand-out buildings include the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol, from the 16th Century, which has some gothic elements to it, as well as Renaissance and Mudejar; The San Luis Convent, from the same century, with a plateresque door and a small mudejar tower; and the Fuente Caños de Caravaca, from the 18th Century.
Outside the centre of town there are various Arab watchtowers, as well as archaeological sites with cave paintings, many located in the Natural Park. Among them is the Cueva Ambrosio and the Cerro de las Canteras, from the Paleolithic and Neolithic times.
The town of Albánchez is located among rolling hills and is known for its grand production of citrus fruits and pears. The main economic activity of the town, though, is the marble production taken from the local quarries. You will see a 11th century castle, a Renaissance church, and a tower built at the end of the 19th century. Just outside the village centre there is also a roman aqueduct.
The architectural wealth of the town is clearly visible, with monuments such as the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación, built in the 17th century, the church of Encarnación, the San Roque chapel from the 15th Century and the chapel of San Mateo, from the 14th Century. The cross of Calvario, 2 metres high, is a sign of identification of the new settlers of the 16th century.
This Almerian town also has many archaeological sites remaining from the 11th century in the Cerro del Castillo and the Roman aquaduct of Los Arcos. The monumental complexity of Albánchez is completed with the Torre del Reloj, from the 14th Century, the antique flour mills and Los Caños, a water spring constructed in the 18th Century.
In terms of Gastronomy, the town offers a variety of delicious local dishes including gazpacho (cold soup), meats, rice with rabbit, black pudding, rabbit cooked in garlic, garlic tortilla, special potatoes, potatoes with garlic and meat with salsa.
Aguilas stands on a coastal area of 35 km, under the surveillance of its beautiful castle of San Juan de las Águilas and on the southern-most tip of the region. This municipality has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic age, and many other cultures, including the Argaric, Phoenician, Roman and Moslem people, have left traces here. Of particular interest are the Roman remains, especially the baths, which date from the 1st to 4th century. As a modern town, Águilas was born of the enlightened thought of Charles III and his ministers Aranda and Floridablanca, who sought a port for the export of the agricultural products of the river plain of Lorca, and Águilas was the natural departure point for the entire region. The new town, with its rectilinear layout, became a commercial center on the up, reaching its zenith in the 19th century with exploitations of silver, lead and iron and the construction of the railway line and the pier of El Hornillo by British companies. Nowadays, Aguilas conserves its seafaring tradition and its deep-rooted vocation as a tourist resort.
At GTS we use the Scomadi TL 125 which is perfect, with its automatic gears, for the twist and turns of these delightful spanish roads. This holiday is perfect for both the experienced scooterist or a first time rider. Our scooters can also take pillion if preferred.
We very much look forward to you staying with us here in beautiful Almeria, so please contact us now!
Ian and Sue Duncanson
