Spain Basque Country Biking
Fully Supported and loaded with Excursions
Spain Basque Country Biking
and Rioja Wine region
Spain Basque Country Biking
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Spain Basque Country Biking
fully supported
Basque Country in northeastern Spain borders France in an area unlike the rest of Spain; in fact it's unlike anywhere in Europe. Locally known as Euskadi or País Vasco; it has its own language, its own culinary traditions, and a distinctive geographic and cultural landscape. We fully explore these differences on our daily rides and tours and experience a region where culture, history, and mouthwatering gastronomy are celebrated. We start in the Rioja, where 73 castles dot along lands once disputed between the kings of Navarre and the kings of Castille.
Day 1 & 2: La Rioja
Our first couple of days take us into La Rioja region, the smallest region in Spain but the territory is home to a range of landscapes and locations typical of a continent. Incredible wines to be discovered as we ride along quiet roads between hill top villages.
Day 3: Into the Basque Coutryside
After starting our day in Vitoria-Gastiez we head across the great mountain of Aizkorri-Aratz and through the Oria Valley. We pass local producers of renowned local chesse and bread during our longest ride of the tour.
Day 4: Onwards to San Sebastian
An easier riding day passes through the interior of Gipuzkoa and onwards to San Sebastian. Stop to enjoy the Cider Capital of Spain enroute to our Waterfront hotel.
Day 5: Touching France
Either take time to explore San Sebastian and enjoy a moment off the bike or head out in the morning for a ride to the city of Irun and the natural border between France and Spain formed by the Bidasoa River. Our journey that will allow us to see beautiful towns and villages in the interior of Gipuzkoa, such as Hondarribia, before returning. An afternoon gudied city tour of San Sebastian is sure to impress.
Day 6-8 The Basque Coastline
Once departed from San Sebastian, we glide olong the undulating terrain of the Basque Coutry coastline, pausing to enjoy small fishing villages and incredible vistas.. Our last ride leads towards Bilbao and we enjoy some time exploring before our farewell feast.
Inclusions
Not included
Basque Country in the northeastern region of Spain is where culture, history, and mouthwatering gastronomy are celebrated. We start in the Rioja, where 73 castles dot along lands once disputed between the kings of Navarre and the kings of Castille. Today the region of Rioja is renowned for wines that cover 250 square miles (640 square kilometers) of vines, within more than 600 wineries.
We whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of Bilbao and transfer you to La Rioja region and the village of San Millán de la Cogolla, The home of the Spanish Language.
After visitng the Monestary, we have a light lunch and then begin our journey by bike. Our ride today takes us along quiet country roads to the Museo Vivanco de la Cultura del Vino. Spains largest wine museum will fill us with plenty of information for our upcoming days.
It's then a short journey to our Hotel, located in the Old town center of Haro, Rioja's wine capital. Rioja is divided into 3 regions—Alta, Alavesa and Orientale (until recently Orientale was called ‘Baja’ but because that means low and may have been considered derogatory, was changed). Haro is the capital of La Rioja Alta, the northwest segment of Rioja.
We ride from our hotel through Rioja Alavesa and the stunning viilages of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Lagurdia, elciego.
After an easy start, we arrive in San vincente de la Sonsierra with its beautiful castle, and pause for a coffee before heading onwards towards one of the most important villages in the region, Laguardia, founded by the King of Navarre .
We pass by architually stunning vineyards and ancient Dolmen. Once we have arrived in Laguardia we will stop for lunch in its old town before heading to Elciego and the famous Marqués de Riscal wine estate, where we take time to enjoy a wine tasting.
After a short transfer from our hotel to the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Capital of the Basque Country, our adventure into the Basque Countryside begins.
Before we start our ride today, we take some time to visit the "Medevial Almond" of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which dates back to more than 8 centuries ago, when Sancho VI "The wise" founded the city.
Our ride takes us past the Reservoir of Ullíbarri-Gamboa, around the Aizkorri-Aratz nature park, straddling the provinces of Álava and Gipuzkoa, and to Brinkola and El Rincón del Pan where we learn about the bread of the area. We continue on towards Beasain and savour some Idiazabal cheese enroute.
Our Hotel tonight in the bustling town of Beasian, is well known for its restaurant and its close proximaty to the Igartza Palace.
Onwards to San Sebastián, One of the most romantic cities in the world, famed for its beauty and fine food.
We continue our journey through the Basque countryside, over rolling terrain towards the coast. During our ride we pass through small towns such as Tolosa. Located on the bank of the river Oria, Tolosa is a town with a great historical importance that admires its past, but it is also adapted to the present times. The former capital of Gipuzkoa was an important passage for traders that linked up Navarre with ports of the Bay of Biscay.
Further on, we discover the famous Cider bars, and enjoy a refreshing glass from various barrels before ending in our Waterfront hotel in San Sebastián.
Today we have the option to either take the day off from the bike and spend the day exploring the city of San Sebastián or we ride out to Hondarribia, one of the prettiest coastal villages in Spain, literally on the boarder with France.
We transfer back to San Sebastián but For those wanting a challenge we can ride back to our hotel via the Jaizkibel Mountain (545m).
After which we return to town for a guided city tour in the afternoon.
The Basque Coastline, truely stunning.
We leave San Sebastián behind and travel along the coastline. We take our time as we pass through many small fishing villages, Zarautz, Deba, Mutriku,stopping for lunch and trying some freshly-caught fish washed down with the white wine, txakoli, before ending our day in Lekeitio.
Hemingway himself would later call: “The Basque Country and his Basque friends. Rather more than just San Fermin and bulls!”
Today we trace Hemingway's movements around the area of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, Kanala, Gernika, and after passing through the Old Town of Bermeo. The beautiful streets and squares and the old port blessed the town with an original character, then onto our final destination of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with its 10th Century chapel in a spectacular setting, 241 steps, rocks, sea and wind. The magical island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is an essential stop on the Basque coastline.
Tonight we enjoy a farewell feast and share stories of our adventures.
Departure day: and time to say "Agur - Goodbye in Basque". Downtown Bilbao and its airport are close by.
A unique hotel in La Rioja with over 600 years of history. The hotel bursting with history in the heart of the D.O. Rioja. Located in a building that was once a convent, military barracks, prison and hospital, it is the ideal choice as a base to get to know the cradle of wine and enjoy this region’s charm.
A lovely seventeenth century farmhouse converted into a luxury hotel. This is how we can define the Dolarea hotel, set within the monumental heritage site in Igartza (Beasain) and in the heart of the Goierri region. While the exterior structure has been maintained, the interior of the hotel has undergone complete reconstruction with modernity and tradition going hand in hand at Dolarea.
Lasala Plaza aspires to be a hotel that embraces and highlights the best of Donostia-San Sebastián: its culture, its love of gastronomy and the sea, the art of knowing how to live and, above all, its people.
A historical place of 17th century full of calm and tranquility. Zubieta Hotel in Lekeitio is a charming hotel in the coast of the Basque Country.
*Please note: while these hotels are typically featured, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality due to availability. Please call us if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.
DAY-TO-DAY DISTANCES & HIGHLIGHTS
All the towns & lodgings we stay are highlights in themselves
KEEP IT PRIVATE ON AN EXISTING TOUR or CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP
If you have at least 6 participants we can keep it private on any of our sheduled tours or on an alternative date (subject to availability). For less than 6, prices may vary and for more than 12 discounts may apply.
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Sometimes a custom trip is participating in one of our exisitng trips on a private basis with a few alterations to trip length, activity level, or adding some side trips. Other times we get to work to create a unique itinerary specific to your groups desires or budget. We then use our expertise to organize a tour especially tailored to your vision.
The first thing we do is get to know you a little. We learn your interests and preferences, find out who’s going and why. Family, friends or associates? Birthday, reunion or corporate retreat? When you speak with our tour designer he/she will work together with you to design a trip that is sure to create great anticipation and excitement for all.
