43404SOU
Ronda Sightseeing with TM or local guide.
Inside visit of Bullring and museum. TM pays.
· To make best use of the day you should set off no later than 9am the bullring opens at 10am.
· Check your voucher to see if you have a local guide included. If a local guide is included, ring them at least 24 hours in advance and arrange to meet them by the bullring.
· The timing on this day is just a suggestion; the walking tour can be cut short at the bridge if your group is flagging.
· Warn your group before setting off that the road is very curvy and those with a tendency to get carsick should sit at the front of the coach.
· Unless you’re staying in Ronda overnight, coaches are only allowed to drop you off at the bus station on the Plaza de Concepción García, which is about 7-10 mins walk from the bullring
· If you have a less able or elderly group, it might be possible to drop them more centrally. In this case, call Araque in advance to see if it is a possibility.
· There are cafes along the main street near the bridge and also along some side streets near the bullring if group wants to get refreshments.
· The bullring is usually open from 10:00 to 20:00 – It closes earlier in February, so check times in advance.
· There are toilets available at the bullring
· You pay the entrances to the bullring – group rate– you should be free of charge as a guide.
· Warn your groups that pickpockets are becoming increasingly common in town, and especially around the bullring
· Please make sure everyone in your group has their whisper sets before heading out on sightseeing (and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide)
08:30 Leave the Costa del Sol.
10:00 Arrive in Ronda
Sightseeing includes:
· Bullring inside visit
· Arab quarter walking tour
Start at bullring – 15/20 minutes Alameda del Tajo Views of gorge from bridge Arab quarter End at Plaza del Socorro Walk your group from the bus station: Walk down through the bus station and take the first left onto Calle de San José then a right onto Avenida Dr Fleming. Continue down this street until you reach the bullring. Point out the statue of Pedro Romero outside the gate, pay their entrances and take your group inside. You should have explained the stages of a bullfight on the bus or outside the bullring. Once inside you can point out the main parts of the ring so your previous explanation is clear. Give them around 30 minutes (depending on their interest) to take pictures, visit the museum, which is straight ahead of you as you enter and stop in the gift store/bathrooms. Arrange to meet your group outside the main gate. Walk for a minute or so back up Calle Virgen de la Paz and take a left through the Alameda del Tajo – a small town park. This will bring you to the side of the gorge and from here onwards the views are quite spectacular. Turn left following the path along the side of the ravine until you get to the Parador, continue around and lead your group across the bridge – stop for a couple of minutes as this is a good place for the group to take photos. The bridge has a door and a balcony – it has been used for many things in its time – from a café to a prison during the Civil War. You are now in the old Arab quarter. There are several paths you can take although the suggested route is probably the most straightforward (see map). At the bottom of the steep hill is an old Arab bath. They can visit if they like but there is a small entrance fee (around €3) which they would have to pay. Allow about half an hour for the old section before taking them back across the old bridge. Take Calle Virgen Los Remedios back to Plaza del Socorro. This is a great place for lunch or free time (depending on the time of your visit).
Give an hour’s free time in the plaza and then lead them back to the coach
15.30 Depart Ronda
17.00 Arrive in Costa del Sol
If you are on a half day excursion, after the visit of the bullring give your group free time in the shopping streets before heading back to the bus station
12:30 Depart Ronda
14:00 Arrive in Costa del Sol
Route from Ronda Bus Station to:
Alameda De Tajo
Plaza de Toros
Ravine Mirador and Bridge
Arab Quarter walking tour
