The Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) 2008 "The Final Week" Luxury 4* Hotel Accommodation Guided by Spanish ex Vuelta rider Marcelino Garcia (ONCE & CSC) V.I.P accreditation passes for starts & finishes Entry to the Official Vuelta Party With or Without Bikes Thursday 11th to Monday 22nd September 2008

On this trip you will see all the crucial stages of the final week of the 2008 Vuelta.

You will see several mountain stages including the now infamous finish up the feared “El Anglriu”, a mountain time trial plus of course the sprint finish on the streets of Madrid.
Accommodation is in 4* hotels throughout.

On stage 17 and the final stage there are various exclusive options to enter the riders enclosure at the start and see the stage finishes in the official grandstand etc.

Thursday 11^th September:
Arrange your own flight to Madrid where our reps will meet you and take you the short distance into the city of Madrid, and the 4* Hotel NH Principe Vergara (www.nhhotelesdirectorio.com/hotels/nh_principe_de_vergara.htm), where you will spend the night on Dinner Bed & Breakfast. At 21.00hrs there will be a welcome dinner at the hotel where you will be able to meet and get to know your traveling companions and our reps, and we shall explain how the tour will operate.
We have arranged for you to keep your bike box / bag at the NH Hotel Principe Vergara for the duration of the tour, as your bike will be safely stored and transported in our bike trailer or van.

Friday 12^th September:
After breakfast we shall leave Madrid and travel to the northern Spanish coast and the region of Asturias and the city of Oviedo, where we shall spend the next 3 nights on half board basis (Dinner B&B) at the excellent 4* Hotel La Gruta (www.lagruta.com). In the past many of the teams in La Vuelta stay at the Hotel La Gruta when there are stages in the area.

Our location in Oviedo is excellent for accessing the two big Asturian mountain stages to the famous Angliru and Fuentes de Invierno.

At dinner you will be introduced to our ex professional guide Marcelino Garcia. He is from the region of Asturias and has excellent knowledge of the regions roads and climbs that La Vuleta will visit. His experience of the region will give our tour the extra added value.

Saturday 13^th September:
Our first encounter with La Vuelta will be with one of the hardest mountain stages of the race, as the feared climb of “El Anglriu” makes a return to the race. Today’s stage starts from the coastal town of San Vicente de la Barquera and takes in two 3^rd cat climbs and two 1^st cat climbs before commencing the assent of the feared Angliru.

Our location in Oviedo could not be better for accessing today’s mountainous stage which finishes on the now famous climb of L'Angliru, reputed to be one of the hardest climbs in the world. Although the climb of L'Angliru is only 13km long it has gradients of 23% only 3km from the summit, and the last 7km of the climb don't drop below 16%.

Those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel direct to the Angliru climb or have an extended ride and complete the final 60km of the stage. Those without bikes will be taken to the base of the Angliru climb from where they will be able to walk on to the climb to see the stage.

After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Oviedo.

Sunday 14^th September:
The mountains continue and today’s stage finishes at the Asturian ski resort of “El Fuentes de Invierno” and is the final mountain top road stage of La Vuleta. The stage starts from our base in Oviedo and after three 3^rd cat climbs, one 2^nd cat climb and a 1^st cat climb the riders commence the final climb to the ski station of “Fuentes del Invierno”

Once again our location in Oviedo is excellent for accessing the stage. Those with bikes will have the option of starting early and riding the whole 158km stage, or ride direct from Oviedo to the final climb of Fuentes del Invierno, or travel on the bus and ride just the final climb. Those without bikes will be taken to the stage finish at the ski station of Fuentes del Invierno.

After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Oviedo.

Monday 15^th September:
La Vuelta leaves the Principality of Asturias from the coastal town of Cudillero with a medium mountain stage to Ponferada. En route the riders will face the 1^st cat climb of the Puerto de Somiedo and the 2^nd cat climb of the Alto de Mina.

Once again our location in Oviedo is excellent for accessing the stage. Those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel onto the stage route and to the 1st climb of the Puerto de Somiedo (90km ride), or travel part way on the bus and ride the rest. Those without bikes will be taken to the summit of the 1^st cat climb Puerto de Somiedo where they will watch the stage.

After seeing the stage we shall rejoin the bus and travel to the town of Benavente, where we shall spend the next 2 nights at the luxurious 4* Hotel Parador - images right and below (www.parador.es) on half board basis (Dinner B&B).
The Benavente Parador is a Renaissance styled castle which was built by order of Fernando II de León and forms part of the former walled enclosure of the town. Practically razed to the ground in 1808 during the Peninsular War, it conserves the monumental Torre del Caracol, where there is a living room with an admirable Mudejar coffered ceiling. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the interior contains classical decorative elements.

Tuesday 16^th September:
Today’s 185km stage from Ponferrada to Zamora climbs the 1^st cat Alto de Acebo at the beginning of the stage, but from there on the terrain is downhill and flat to the finish, and is likely to see the return of the sprinters hunting the stage victory.

After breakfast we shall travel to see the stage, and we have chosen to see the riders pass through the feed station, where you’ll see the riders take their food bags, and you’ll probably get the chance for a free souvenir as the riders throw off unwanted bottles and food.

Those with bikes will be able to ride to the feed station from the hotel in Benavente, whilst those without bikes will be taken by the tour bus.

After seeing the stage we shall return to Benavente and the 4* Hotel Parador.

Wednesday 17^th September:
A totally flat stage of 160km between Zamora and Valladolid will be another stage for the sprinters.

Those with bikes will have the opportunity to ride the whole 160km stage from Zamora to Valladolid, in front of La Vuelta. On arrival in Valladolid you’ll be able to get changed and take your seat in the official grandstand, from where you’ll see the stage finish.

Those without bikes will be taken to Zamora where you will be provided with VIP access to today’s stage start. With your VIP pass you will have access to the riders enclosure and Hospitality village. After seeing the stage start we shall travel the short distance (ahead of the race) to Valladolid where you’ll see the finish of the stage. On arrival in Valladolid we shall be provided with VIP Hospitality access for seeing the stage finish.

After seeing the stage we shall join the bus and travel to the beautiful Royal town of San Lorenzo El Escorial, where we shall spend the next 4 nights on Half Board basis (Dinner B&B) at the excellent 4* Hotel Victoria Palace, right (www.hotelvictoriapalace.com). Our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial is excellent for accessing the final stages of La Vuelta.

Thursday 18^th September:
The riders leave the city of Valladolid on a 179km stage that takes them into the region of Madrid and the stage finish in the town of Las Rozas. The main difficulty of the stage is the 3^rd cat climb of Puerto Los Leones, and from here its downhill and flat to the finish, so another chance for the sprinters.
Our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial is excellent for accessing the stage, and those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel to the Puerto Los Leones to see the stage, whilst those without bikes will have time to visit San Lorenzo El Escorial in the morning and be taken by the tour bus in the afternoon to see the stage on the Puerto de Los Leones.
After seeing the stage we shall rejoin the bus and return the short distance to our hotel in San Lorenzo El Escorial.

Friday 19^th September:
As the Vuelta enters its final stage, the mountains return and today’s 161km stage between Las Rozas and Segovia sees the riders tackle the two 1^st cat climbs of Navacerrada and Navafria. Segovia is a beautiful city with its famous roman aqueduct, and is also home to Spanish Tour de France winner Pedro Delgado.
Today, we will be able to see the stage twice, and our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial is excellent for accessing the stage, as those with bikes will be able to climb the Navacerrada mountain to see the stage and then descend to the finishing circuit in Segovia. Alternatively you could ride 90% of the stage route in advance of the race.
Those without bikes will be taken to the Navacerrada climb by the tour bus and after seeing the riders pass by will travel the short distance to Segovia for the finishing circuit.
After seeing the stage we shall rejoin the bus and return the short distance to our hotel in San Lorenzo El Escorial.

Saturday 20^th September:
The 1^st cat climb of Puerto de Navacerrada will be the scene of today’s crucial 16km Mountain Time Trial, that starts from La Granja de San Ildefonso.
Once again our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial is excellent for accessing the stage finish on top of the Navacerrada climb, and those with bikes will be able to ride to the summit whilst those without bikes will be taken there by the touring bus.

After seeing the stage we shall rejoin the bus and return the short distance to our hotel in San Lorenzo El Escorial.

Sunday 21^st September:
As is a tradition by now in the important tours, the last stage is usually a triumphant ride for the winner up to the start of the Madrid circuit, where the teams with sprinters make sure of keeping the peloton under control to reach the sprint. Today’s final stage starts on the outskirts of Madrid from San Sebastian de los Reyes and after 110km finishes in the centre of Madrid on the Paseo Castellana.
There will be no option of a bike ride today. You will be taken to by our tour bus to San Sebastian de los Reyes where you will be issued with a VIP Hospitality pass which will allow you access to the riders enclosure and hospitality village. After seeing the stage start we shall return to the city of Madrid and you will take your place in the official grandstand from where you will be able to see the 8 lap finale and stage finish.
After seeing the stage and riders prize presentation you will have the rest of the evening at leisure in Madrid, but we will provide you with entry to the official Vuelta Party, where many of the riders will be present.

Monday 22^nd September:
You will in the morning the short distance to Madrid airport for your return flight.

Order a full Graham Baxter Sporting Tours cycling kit (short sleeved jersey, bib shorts, socks and cap) for only £70 (list price £85) when purchased with your holiday booking. See clothing page for clothing details and sizes. Clothing order must be paid in full and sent with holiday booking. The offer does not apply if ordered separately from holiday booking.

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