Announcing the Bob's BMW & Edelweiss Bike Travel Adventure to Spain and Morocco!!
October 16th — 26th, 2009
ONLY 9 SPACES AVAILABLE!
Call today or miss out on the best selection of bikes!
Created exclusively for customers of Bob's BMW, this tour is one you won’t find in the Edelweiss catalog. It’s a twelve day vacation, with eight days of riding, designed to include some of the best roads and scenery to be found in this part of the world. You say you also want sightseeing, history, culture, fine hotels, delicious food and wine, and great camaraderie? You’ll definitely get all that and more on this trip!
Bob says:
“Several years ago I rode on many of these very roads in Spain along with a handful of other BMW dealers. With fewer days available we had to go at a faster clip with fewer stops and substantially more daily miles. In spite of the slightly hectic pace, the riding was so amazing I’ve wanted to return ever since -- but this time with my wife Suzanne and a group of friends -- and to enjoy it at a more relaxed tempo. But then I had always heard how beautiful Morocco is, and I thought, ‘it’s so close, it would be a shame to miss it!’ So I contacted my friend Werner Wachter, the owner of Edelweiss, and after some wonderful arm wrestling on destinations, dates and prices, we created this amazing riding adventure for you that’s sure to be unforgettable!” |
This 2009 tour is limited to just 30 participants — riders & passengers!
The Tour: Your twelve day vacation (including the travel days between the US and Spain) begins with your flight to Malaga, Spain. There you'll have most of a day to relax, adjust to the time change and get ready to pick up your BMW motorcycle. The first day’s ride heads to Granada, followed by stops in Ecija, Cadiz, Tarifa, Chefchaouen, Ceuta and Ronda before returning to Malaga at the end. For those who might like to arrive a day or two early or stay a day or two late, you’ll be pleased to know that the main hotel is right on the beach and a quick cab ride to the center of town for exploring.
 In the middle of the tour we will take a short ferry ride to Morocco where we’ll spend two nights, at Chefchaouen and Ceuta, before taking the ferry back to Spain. We’ve planned each of the days’ routes to allow the option of spending a little extra time in each city to enjoy the local flavor and sights. Or you may choose to ride some extra miles to take in scenery and historic stops. Either way there will be time at the end of each day’s ride to just relax with some local wine and food. As such, there is no rest day in the middle of this tour. Remember the Spanish eat dinner fashionably late, so by custom we will have an extra couple of hours every day to unwind, explore the town on foot, or kick tires and tell lies about who had the best day. We have even added a wonderful overnight in the Rif Rif Mountains at about 5000 feet in elevation! Bob's and Edelweiss will be making concerted efforts to arrange for a special walking tour of the Alhambra Palace when we stay in Granada as it is truly an historical wonder of the centuries. And what could top that? Perhaps the unforgettable sunset you’ll see from the incredible cliffs at Ronda.
The Riding: You’ll have eight days of exciting riding. The shortest riding day, taking the shortest route, is only about 70 miles, or perhaps 4 hours of saddle time. Remember you’ll be on almost all scenic, secondary roads — you probably won't be flying down them. The longest day’s route is around 175 miles and perhaps 6 or 7 hours of riding. Each day has plenty of opportunities for exploring more roads than the standard routes. The guides will gladly share that info with you if you’re so inclined. But of course, this is your ride: go at your own comfortable pace; stop for coffee; take photos; do whatever else piques your interest each day.
 The Bikes: Riders can select from the F650GS in standard and low chassis, the F800GS, R1200GS, R1200R and R1200RT. Bob personally suggests that unless you are riding with a passenger the smaller or standard bikes are ideal for this adventure but as always it is on a first reserved basis that one gets bikes. Incidentally, Edelweiss bikes are generally equipped with saddlebags, most with trunks, and all have a universal tank bag for easy access to your camera, sunglasses, maps, etc.
The Weather: You can expect daytime temperatures at this time of year to be between 65 and 85 degrees, but cooler temperatures should be planned for just in case. However you rate the weather, it is an ideal time of year to enjoy southern Spain!
The Money: Good news: The US dollar is stronger now than it has been in quite some time. While it's impossible to guarantee what the exchange rate will be this fall, it is likely that the dollar will continue to be worth around 0.75 Euros. Everything in Spain seems to be a good value right now too, especially food and wine, which except for gasoline, are often your biggest daily expense while on a tour.
This tour has also been specially priced to create perhaps the very best value — not a bad thing considering that there is some instability out there. Rates for a participant sharing a room and riding a F650GS, start at only $3,770 USD plus airfare. Should you desire total privacy, the single room supplement is only $480. Passengers also have a special rate on this tour of only $3,090, regardless of the bike selected by their pilot! We can't predict what airfare will be later this year, of course, but right now it is about $770 per person on Iberia from Washington, DC.
Before the Tour: A month or so in advance of the tour, participants can look forward to sharing a wonderful, authentic Spanish dinner with the others going on the trip. This is something that Suzanne and Bob Henig, as the organizing hosts, have done prior to all their tours. So before the real adventure begins in Spain, riders get an opportunity to meet and start building wonderful friendships! The dinner also serves as a little preview of the culture in which you’ll be traveling. The authenticity of the evening’s pleasure is exceptional, right down to the music and beverages.
 This event is usually held after-hours at the dealership. And it isn’t only about great food and socializing. There will be some special presentations on tour preparedness, and for those hoping to expand or upgrade their riding gear, some great deals many will find too tempting to resist.
Just as a note, on the last Bob's & Edelweiss adventure tour to New Zealand, participants came from as far away as California and Canada to join their riding colleagues for this special pre-tour dinner event. It’s the kind of thing that just isn’t found on any other tours, regardless of the operator.
Well, that's plenty of information to get you started. Check back here on our website in the weeks ahead for maps, images, and lots more information.
If you are ready to sign up now, hold your place on the tour, and get the best bike selection, the required deposit is only $500. Please don’t delay.
If you still have a few questions please email Bob directly at bob@bobsbmw.com or…
Contact Tri-Community Travel, 800-507-4459; edelweiss@trict.com. They are our preferred agent for the past 13 years for all of our Edelweiss Adventures (because they ride and are super nice and highly professional). They can help you make flight arrangements and provide additional info, especially if this is your first overseas travel. In addition to our friends at
Tri-Community Travel on the West Coast we have a new Edelweiss Travel Partner on the east coast who also rides motorcycles. Jodi Martinez is the Owner of Top That Travel and was at our Open House this Spring to help promote this trip as well as other Edelweiss Adventures. If the time zone difference is a small barrier to getting signed up for this years exciting Bob's adventure, please give her a call at 800-234-5670 or 814-725-1111 or via email at Jodi@topthattravel.com.
If you’re unfamiliar with our friends at Edelweiss Bike Travel, learn all about them at www.edelweissbike.com.
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