February 3-11, 2024

Malaga, Spain

Squadra Coppi Travel hosts cycling experiences featuring cultural discovery, based out of luxury AirBnBs.

Andalusia, the warmest part of mainland Spain, boasts flamenco, orange trees, and whitewashed buildings. Winters offer a pleasant escape, with the historic port city of Malaga delivering the quintessential Mediterranean coastal experience. In February, temperatures range from lows of 44-50 degrees to highs of 63-68 degrees, with daily sunshine. 

Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century, and is steeped in history. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, it houses the Museo Picasso, and attractions like the Alcazaba Fortress, a 16th-century cathedral, and Gibralfaro Castle.

INCLUDED

  • ✅ Luxury villa, with heated pool

  • ✅ All breakfasts & two catered dinners

  • ✅ Six cultural activities: All entrance fees to flamenco show/dinner, centro historico 3-hr walking tour, Hammam Al Ándalus Baños Árabes, UNESCO Alhambra day trip, sunset catamaran tour, and Caminito del Rey hike.

  • ✅ Six guided rides: With mechanic & sag vehicle every mile of every ride (knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced Coppi members as guides)

  • ✅ Daily bike tune-up & bike wash

  • ✅ Custom “Malaga 2024” cycling jersey

  • ✅ Laundry service for cycling clothing

  • ✅ Luggage delivery & airport transfers

CYCLING AT A GLANCE

6 days riding | 309 miles | 24,881 ft climbing

  • Home base: Malaga

  • Hardest Day: Tuesday: Malaga to Villanueva de la Concepcion y El Torcal, 68 miles, 6,667 ft

  • Group Size: 15

  • Average: 51.5 miles & 4,146 ft per day

CULTURE AT A GLANCE

4 included activities:

  • Sunday: 3-hr Malaga Old City Walking Tour: cathedral, fortress, castle, Picasso sites.

  • Monday: Flamenco show & dinner

  • Tuesday: Traditional Arab Hammam baths

  • Wednesday: All-day UNESCO Alhambra tour

  • Friday: Sunset catamaran tour

  • Saturday: Caminito del Rey hike

LUXURY VILLA, WITH HEATED POOL

CYCLING + CULTURE

Our trips have a special vibe — our Squadra Coppi culture: We include non-riding partners, book only 5-star AirBnBs, discover epic cultural activities, enjoy excellent cuisine, and challenge ourselves on hard rides.

The rhythm of Coppi Travel is different. Instead of rushed point-to-point cycling vacations, we get to know one world-class location – returning to our favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. By the end of Coppi Travel’s “Malaga 2024,” you’ll have ripped your legs off with some of the best riding of your life — but you will also experience culture on your own terms. In the centro historico of Malaga, you’ll navigate without a map to grab a Negroni at your favorite bar, then eat tapas at Bodega Bar El Pimpi, and a digestivo or desert at Casa Aranda. It’s cool to feel less like a tourist and more like you know a place.

FAQ

  1. What are the dates? A: February 3-11.

  2. Are your trips point-to-point or single location? A: All Squadra Coppi Travel has a single home base for our cycling and cultural discovery. 

  3. What makes Coppi Travel different? A: We include non-riding partners, book only 5-star AirBnBs, discover epic cultural activities, enjoy excellent cuisine, and challenge ourselves on hard rides. Most of all, you’ll immediately recognize that you are among friends: Coppis are known for our positive vibes, and how we support you – both on and off the bike. 

  4. Why Malaga? A: One word: warmth. Andalusia, a region in the southwest of Spain, is the warmest part of mainland Spain (and Europe) in the winter. It’s filled with flamenco, orange trees, and whitewashed buildings. Summers here are unbearably hot, but winters are beautiful. The hottest place in Andalusia tends to be Malaga, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. Malaga is a thriving Spanish city (6th largest) that combines the best of a beach getaway with European history and culture. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in the 8th century by the Phoenicians. During February, temperatures range from a low of 7-10 C (44-50 F) to a high of 17-20 C (63-68 F) and the sun shines almost every day. As the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga is home to the Museo Picasso. Other must-see sites are Alcazaba Fortress, Malaga’s 16th century cathedral, and Gibralfaro Castle.

  5. Can I bring my non-riding spouse? A: Absolutely. There are a lot of activities to do while we are on the bike, and then your spouse can join us for our cultural and dining outings in the afternoons and evenings. 

  6. Is airfare included? A: No. Arrive in Malaga Saturday February 3. We will arrange airport transfer and deliver you to our AirBnB. There, our bike-shop partner will put together your bike for you (or deliver your rental bike).

  7. What cultural activities are included? A: All entrance fees are already paid for the centro historico 3-hr walking tour (Sunday), flamenco show and dinner (Monday), UNESCO Alhambra day trip (Wednesday), and Hammam Al Ándalus Baños Árabes (Thursday).

  8. Should I rent or bring a bike? Your choice. You can’t go wrong either way. Most Squadra Coppi members will bring our own bikes. Our Malaga bike-shop partner rents a great selection of bikes. This cost of approximately 23 Euros per day is not included.

  9. What are accommodations like? A: We have a great villa with a heated pool. We don’t like hotels, where you only hang with your teammates at dinner, or planned meet-ups in the lobby. Squadra Coppi Travel books 5-star AirBnBs with big common rooms, kitchens, and outdoor living spaces. Better for hanging with old friends and making new ones: coffee or yoga pre-ride; eating, drinking, and Strava trash-talk post-ride, and hanging around the pool while planning that next outing together.

  10. Is food included? A: Breakfasts are always included and provided every morning. Lunches are not included. You are free to buy what you want, usually while we are out on the bike together (guides select locations). On-bike fuel is not included: bring your own. (There will be space to store your extra food, drinks, and layers in the sag car.) Two dinners are catered at our villa (after long days). The rest of the dinners are not included: part of the fun of the trip is deciding where to go and choosing what to eat. There is a grocery store a few blocks away in Malaga nearby if you want to supplement.

  11. Do I get a jersey? A: Yes, those who register by December 1, 2023 will receive the 2024 Malaga jersey, included in the price.

  12. When do I need to arrive in Malaga? A: Arrive Saturday, February 3. We will arrange your free airport transfer to the villa. Our bike-shop partner will assemble your bike (or fit your rental bike). 

  13. How’s the riding? A: We’ve scheduled 6 ride days, and 1 rest day in the middle. See here for details about each day.

  14. How challenging are the rides? A: We are avid cyclists. Total for the week: 6 rides, 318 miles, 22,396 feet elevation. We usually break into an A group and B group, and since we are a team, we look out for each other. 

  15. Do we have support during our rides? A: We have sag support every mile of every ride, all 6 days. Our bike-shop partner follows us in a vehicle. This gives riders a lot of options. You can keep extra clothing, drinks and food in the car. You can get your bike tuned up (or flat tires repaired) mid-ride. If you’re not feeling it, you can jump in the car and skip some of the ride (or the rest of it). 

  16. What happens if my bike has a problem? A: We have a mechanic in the sag car, who can fix your bike mid-ride. You can also rent a bike if it takes a day to receive a part.

  17. What if I’m tired and want to skip a riding day? A: No problem. The villa is close to town. You can explore, relax at home, or any combination. The guides can give you ideas of what to do.

  18. What if I don’t want to do the cultural events, can I get a refund? A: No.

  19. What is the link for the AirBnB villa? A: Link