Geo: 40.6118, 14.524A superb walking day - The predicted thunderstorms held off and we were treated to sunny and pleasant weather. As usual the day started off with steps up - there really is no other way out of Amalfi if you are walking. Then we had a really scenic gradual ascent up to Lone and Vettica Minore. After this the landscape was even more impressive as the cliffs made a sheer drop into a very narrow fjord-like valley. The track had to take us right up to the head of the valley to get around the chasm and to Fiodo, the town which seemed to defy gravity by clinging to the rocks.At Sant' Elia we had an important decision. Should we take the track with steep drop offs, or choose the vertigo avoidance route? Well ... read more

Geo: 40.6344, 14.6026First up today was a walk up to the hilltop town of Ravello. But Amalfi, as with all these villages that have houses clinging to steep rock, they are an interesting exercise to navigate through. There are tiny passageways that thread between and under buildings, narrow steps winding around corners and up cliffs.If you take the correct route through this maze of alleyways, you very quickly arrive in Atrani and from then it is up and up the steps to Ravello. It seemed that we would never stop climbing the steps and the walking poles (first time I have used them) did help. Views galore as we ascended and finally got to the top. We visited two well known Ravello gardens. First up was Villa Cimbrone with its quirky statuary and inscriptions, and a ... read more

Geo: 37.0194, -4.56288Unfortunately weather conditions prevented us riding yesterday. The wind was so strong and gusty that it was too dangerous to attempt the climb up to El Torcal so we had to go with Plan B.We shuttled up to El Torcal, a high rock formation, passing a couple of cyclists on the way.... our decision not to ride was justified as they were basically going backwards, with the wind pushing them dangerously towards the traffic. We hiked for a couple of hours through the rock formations of El Torcal, with the highlight being a point where we could see the coastline of Morocco on the horizon.Then we went off to explore the Alcazaba fortress in Antequera which was constructed by the Moors in the 14th century to counter the Christian advance from the north.Then yet ... read more

Geo: 36.742, -5.1664175 km of sustained effort today and my legs know all about it! Three significant climbs - two of which were around 9 km with a gradient of about 7%. But what beautiful riding - along switchback roads through the gorge and the Sierra de Grazelema National Park where I saw lots of magnificent Griffon vultures soaring above the cliffs. Helen was on a mission in the morning (she must have had an extra coffee at breakfast) as she was really strong climbing the hills. Looking good! It was very hard to get back on the bike after a pleasant lunch sitting in the sun in the plaza but it had to be done. The highlight of the afternoon were two spectacular descents - one through cork plantations and one descending down to the ... read more

Geo: 37.3833, -5.9965During the city walking tour Mercedes led us down tiny alleyways to show us the traditional shops where the Sevilla women purchase their mantones (shawls), mantillas (headpieces) and flamenco dresses which are widely worn for festivals, special occasions and events. All were very beautiful and in high demand for the Feria de Abril which is the city's two week colourful fiesta. Today, the first day of the Feria, elegantly dressed families took part in the horse and carriage parades around the Plaza de España. No detail was overlooked with superbly groomed horses, shining carriages, and smartly dressed attendants escorting the entourage. After the formal parades, the real partying starts with eating, drinking, live music and flamenco dancing in private marquees (or casetas) until the early hours of the morning.The Plaza de España was... read more