We start the day with a ride over to the race route to sample our first taste of the atmosphere of the La Vuelta. Climb the short category 1 "El Fito" to reach a 360 degree viewpoint of stunning vistas. Descend down the smooth tarmac along the green Asturian valleys, stopping for lunch in a quaint village. The afternoon is all about the epic ascent to the Lagos de Covadonga, a hors category thriller where the race today ends in the high lakes of the Picos de Europa. Many a past Vuelta has been decided here. We will await the race leaders and watch the end of this magnificent stage. We then literally fly back down the descent and take a van transfer back to Gijón.

After a hearty buffet breakfast, we take a transfer out before riding a favourite area of previous years. We join the race route and ride along small villages to the foot of the Pajares climb. Today is one of the key days in the trip and has to be regarded as the "Queen" stage of this year´s tour. The pros will ride 185km over 2 category 1 climbs (we won´t ride this part!) before ascending the final Hors Category Pajares climb to 1,850 metres, with a new 3km ending (Cuitu Negru) at the ski-station that has just been tarmaced to make this the toughest climb of the race! We will spend the afternoon on the climb watching the action unfold. As with all high mountain finishes, expect all the locals to be out in force cheering on the climbers. This will be an amazing day.

In the evening we will take a transfer back to our beautiful rural hotel in Laviana and enjoy a group meal together in its well regarded restaurant. We will uncork a few bottles of the famous Asturiano cider and celebrate our mountain adventure.

Today is a rest day for La Vuelta and a much more relaxed day for us. After a later start, we will ride a route from our hotel over quiet roads enjoying the scenery of the countryside. We will arrive for a late lunch at our destination, the interesting and historic town of Vilaviciosa, and stay in a restored 17th century hotel.

After lunch, take time out to relax and experience this picturesque town, or for those who wish for some more kms (!), we can ride a short loop through rustic villages. Tonight you are free to discover the variety of tapas bars and local treats.

The race heads back into the stunning Picos today and we will be there to see it. A morning ride takes us past flowing rivers as we pedal onto the mountain village of Potes, our base for the next 2 evenings. From here we will climb the col of Fuente Dé (a gentler ascent) to see the finish of today´s stage 17. From this picturesque high we will head back down to our mountain retreat hotel and enjoy a group dinner together.

A rest day to explore this pleasant market town or indeed talk a hike in the Picos. Potes is one of the most attractive villages in Cantabria and is surrounded by spectacular mountains and running streams.
For those who would like to ride the bike, we will take a morning spin through the verdant valleys and the local stone housed villages.
A free day to dine, try regional favourites such as the well regarded "cocido lebaniego" or chickpea casserole.

After breakfast, we ride out of the Picos, exploring this scenic area further. We take a transfer into the province of Castille and León to meet the end of today´s stage. Being a flat stage, the end will certainly be contested by the sprinters aiming for the green jersey. An exciting finish.

The race finish is very near to our superb 4 star hotel for the next 2 nights, right in the heart of pretty Segovia and with incredible views of the world renowned Aqueduct - the best preserved of its kind anywhere in the world. Segovia is often described as Spain at its best with medieval streets, the highest number of Romanesque churches in all of Europe and a castle that was the inspiration for Walt Disney. You are free to explore this town tonight and no doubt enjoy the roasted suckling pig that every restaurant is proud of.