We deal directly with each tour operator, which means we can guarantee you the best price. If within 24 hours of your booking you find the exact same tour elsewhere for a lower price, let us know and we'll refund you the difference!
Spain: Basque Country and Rioja Wine Region
Duration
6 days
Site savings
$49
From
$4,801 USD
Embark on a 6-day journey to the heart and soul of gorgeous Basque Country and Rioja wine region. Basque, or Euskadi, is the incredibly hospitable independent community in Northern Spain and Southern France, with a distinct identity of its own. Explore the bold and beautiful Rioja wine region. Ride past vibrant vineyards, Roman towns, and charming fishing villages. Enjoy the sun-soaked beaches, traditions, and pintxos culinary culture of San Sebastian and the Basque community.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration6 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
- Distance160.9 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance40.4 miles
Quick Stats
- Duration6 days
- Main DestinationGreen Spain - The North Coast
- Distance160.9 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance40.4 miles
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Meet Bilbao Airport/Villabuena de Álava
Ongi etorri! Welcome to northern Spain’s Basque Country, home to a people with their own distinct culture and language, award-winning wines and Michelin-starred cuisine -and a region known for its historic villages, beautiful beaches, and fantastic riding. Upon arrival at the Bilbao Airport, transport to Hotel Viura, a luxury hotel located in the heart of Rioja wine country. Become enchanted by the hotels’ whimsical, cube-like structure and its beautifully appointed avant-garde modern rooms. Visit the renowned Vivanco family winery and its UNESCO-acclaimed museum, Europe’s largest wine museum. Immerse yourself in the history and evolutionary vision of wine as you are guided through five exhibition rooms, and the Garden of Bacchus, planted with more than 200 grape varieties from around the world. Taste Vivanco’s Rioja wines and view the fantastic art collection, including diverse works by Picasso, Miró, Sorolla, Juan Gris, Barceló, Mantegna, Dalí and Warhol, all artists duly recognised for their love of wine. This evening, gather with your tour leaders and travel companions for a delectable dinner of Basque and Spanish delicacies at the hotel’s fine dining room.
- Hotel Viura, Villabuena de Álava
- Dinner
- Day 2Villabuena de Álava
After a bike fitting, set out on a revelatory ride into the Rioja Wine Region. Pass through rolling vineyards and more than a dozen towns and villages in the shadow of the Sierra de Cantabria. Admire the wine-inspired sculpture adorning the outer walls of the Marqués de Riscal hotel in Eltziego –the work of Frank Gehry, architect of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum. Catch up with Christian pilgrims in Najera walking the Camino de Santiago. Recharge for a picnic lunch just outside Santa Domingo de la Calzada on the banks of the Oja River. Saint Domingo built a bridge, hospital and hotel here, and began construction on the cathedral for pilgrims following the “French Way” of Saint James. After the ride back to Villabuena de Álavathe, the evening is free for you to explore. Check out the striking wine cellars in the village or visit the town square and its 12th-century church.
- 52.8 miles
- Hotel Viura, Villabuena de Álava
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 3San Sebastian
After breakfast, embark on a leisurely ride through Rioja’s vineyards into the Romanesque town of Baños de Ebro and the 10th-century fortress town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Next, visit the beautiful beaches and Atlantic coastline of San Sebastian. Stop for a lunch of Basque and Spanish pintxos or perhaps try a popular Spanish omelette or some thinly sliced Iberian ham topped with anchovies. Travel to your home for the next three nights at the majestic, world-renowned Hotel Maria Cristina. With its Belle Époque cupolas, the early 20th-century hotel is named for its first guest, Spanish Regent Maria Cristina. This afternoon, take some time to stroll along the Monte Urgull or the La Concha beach, both within walking distance of the hotel and explore the gardens and the old quarters of San Sebastian, dubbed “the pearl of the Cantabric Sea.” Dinner is on your own tonight. Renowned for its fine cuisine (there are at least six Michelin-starred restaurants and countless bars serving a diverse selection of pintxos), San Sebastian offers plenty of options to tempt your palate. Reservation is highly recommended for most of the restaurants.
- 15.5 miles
- Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 4San Sebastian
Today’s ride follows the city’s bike path, ascending to Mount Igueldo for panoramic views of the coastline and winding through several villages, before ending at the beaches of Lekeitio. Pause in Getaria, the home village of legendary Basque explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano, who completed the first circumnavigation of the world. Recharge with a selection of pintxos for lunch at a favourite local restaurant. Riding on to Lekeitio, take a walk or a dip at the main beach of this small fishing village and port. Depending on the tides and timing, walk along an exposed sandbar to the small island of San Nicolás Island. With a shuttle back to San Sebastian, unwind and enjoy the hotel’s five-star amenities before joining your leaders and fellow travellers for dinner at an elegant restaurant.
- 46 miles
- Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5San Sebastian
From colorful fishing villages and ferry rides to Victor Hugo, pirates and a jewel of a beach resort, the journey today brims with intriguing stories and adventure. Begin the ride towards French Basque country through the small fishing village of Pasajes San Pedro, once again following the yellow markers of the Camino de Santiago. Board the ferry to Pasajes San Juan (where the great French writer Victor Hugo once lived) and cycle to Hondarribia and its well-preserved old town, stopping for a leisurely lunch. Be sure to enjoy some creative pintxos here, thanks to the booming culinary scene influenced by the town’s Michelin-star chefs. Board another ferry to Hendaye, France and cycle along the coastal route to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This popular beach resort town was once a busy port and the home base for Basque Corsairs (otherwise known as pirates) in the 17th century. The Corsairs’ illicit wealth helped fund the building of the beautiful Basque houses still standing in the historic quarters. Take a stroll along the crescent-shaped “big beach” before hopping in the van for the ride back to San Sebastian. Tonight, toast to this Basque adventure with a sumptuous farewell dinner at the hotel with your fellow travellers. As the Basque would say, ‘Topa!’
- 46 miles
- Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Depart