Compare Northern Spain Real Food Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Luxury Basque Cycling Tour by Bike Basque
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,782 | $ 2,968 |
| Price Per Day | $ 278 | $ 371 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Basic |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
-Half-board (7 breakfasts & lunches) |
| Description |
Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Northern Spain on this food-focused adventure. Immerse yourself in local history and culture as you sample produce at La Boqueria Market, whip up Catalan specialties in a cooking class, enjoy myriad tapas bars in Logrono, discover the medieval streets and underground wine caves of Laguardia, and venture north to San Sebastian where beaches and a thriving food and arts scene bask together under a beaming sun. Experience a traditional Asturian sidreria (cider house) near Oviedo, attend a centuries' old farmers market in the Potes and taste fresh seafood on the coast in Galicia. With Santiago de Compostela in your sights, your Spanish food pilgrimage is a path worth taking. |
The Basque Country is not only famous for its landscapes and lifestyle, but also for its celebrated cuisine! Home to one of the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, it is a foodie’s paradise, and precisely why Bike Basque has chosen it to provide you an eight-day, gourmet cycling tour. Your Basque Country cycling adventure starts in Hondarribia and finishes in San Sebastian. Every day of this luxury cycling tour is spent pedaling between 45 to 80 kilometers through typical Basque towns, hand-picked for their charm, and the opportunity to dine in some of the world’s best restaurants. |
Day 1 Barcelona
Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. For those who arrive early, perhaps explore the streets of the old Gothic Quarter, check out the Picasso Museum, wander the tree-lined pedestrian boulevard of La Rambla, or take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo for some incredible views. After the meeting, jump straight into your Real Food Adventure by feeling the rhythm of Barcelona, sipping a locally produced cava or vermouth in a local bar then perhaps continuing on a tapas crawl, tasting rustic bite-sized Catalan dishes.
Day 2 Barcelona
This morning, get ready for a truly authentic introduction to Catalan cuisine with a passionate and well-regarded local chef. Taste your way through the stalls of La Boqueria Market and pick up some fresh ingredients for a cooking class. Hang out with the stall holders as you select the best piece of meat, feel for the crispest vegetable and choose the freshest seafood. Afterwards, your host will guide you in crafting the Spanish classic - paella. Sit down to a leisurely lunch accompanied by a glass or two of wine from the nearby Penedes region. Spend the afternoon exploring more of the city's food hotspots or get cultural with some Gaudi at the Casa Mila or La Sagrada Familia. Maybe get lost in the mysterious alleys of the Gothic Quarter and finish the day with a sip of red wine from a Porron – a traditional glass pitcher.
Day 3 Logrono
Ride the rails east to the prized vineyards of the La Rioja wine region and Logrono. Logrono sits on the banks of the Ebro river and is the capital of Spain’s most renowned wine region. It also boasts one of the most distinguished culinary traditions in the country and is home to some of the best tapas bars in the whole of Spain, all crammed into its small medieval centre. Logrono is a charming city of medieval fortifications, where much work is being done to restore it to its full glory. This evening you’ll go on a walking tour of the Old Quarter, wandering down Calle del Laurel and the 60 or so taperias (tapas bars) that line the way. This is the perfect opportunity to sample a bit of everything, as each bar has its own speciality – taste your way through some grilled chorizo or wild mushrooms, and wash them down with a glass of the region’s famous red.
Day 4 San Sebastian
This morning you’ll stop past the Logrono market where you might like to pick up some treats for a picnic lunch later. Then take a local bus and go back in time to the historic walled town of Laguardia, perched atop a rock foundation. The entire centre of Laguardia is traffic free as underground lies a maze of tunnels, used to make and store wine for centuries. Here you’ll tour Laguardia's wine caves and then enjoy a guided tasting through some of the region's distinct varietals. Later in the afternoon, transfer to the stunning seaside San Sebastian – a jewel of the Basque country and a city obsessed with food. Take an orientation tour of the Parte Vieja (Old Town) – a mix of alleyways wedged between the bay and the Urumea River. This evening perhaps join your leader for an optional tour of the neighbourhood streets for a txikiteo of pinxtos, a Basque-style tapas crawl that will fill the senses – and stomach – with the unique flavours of the region. Don’t forget to wash them down with txakoli – a slightly fizzy white that’s the region’s signature wine.
Day 5 San Sebastian
One of the secrets to the success of San Sebastian’s food scene is the obsession with high quality, local, seasonal ingredients. The best way to experience this firsthand it to visit the traditional food markets of La Bretxa or San Martin, and you’ll do just that this morning before a masterclass in Basque cuisine. In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare some of the signature dishes of the region, and you’ll also taste Basque products including idiazabal – a local cheese, and txakoli – a lightly sparkling dry white wine. The afternoon is free you to explore the town or surrounding area more. Perhaps catch a cable car to Monte Igueldo for some truly spectacular views or take a trip along the winding coast to the nearby small fishing village of Getaria. Maybe discover San Sebastian’s beaches, shops and charismatic streets, or dive into pinxtos bars that range from the traditional to the experimental.
Day 6 Bilbao / Picos de Europa National Park
Continue east to Bilbao – a city that was revitalised by the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum. Spend some free time perhaps visiting Frank Gehry’s sweeping metal building and the artistic treasures housed inside and out. After, climb by bus up to the Picos de Europa National Park. The park is not what many people picture as Spain – it’s an alpine landscape, high, cool, lush and green, with forests, deep gorges through the cliffs, and grassland dotted with photogenic toffee-coloured cows. Covering some 647 square kilometres, Picos de Europa is Spain's second largest national park and spans across the three provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and Leon. For dinner, a classic Cantabrian dish is on the menu – Cocido Lebaniego. Cocido Lebaniego is a rich, hearty stew of black pudding, pork shoulder, chorizo and locally grown chickpeas. Preparing this dish starts the day before, so while you savour this rich and satisfying local delicacy, take a moment to learn about the ingredients and preparation. Be sure to enjoy it with some crusty bread and a glass of cider.
Day 7 Oviedo
This morning you'll have the option to head into the National Park where you can go for a walk or you may like to take the funicular higher into the mountains for spectacular views over the surrounding valleys. Afterwards, head to the small mountain town of Potes, nestled in the National Park. Bordered by ancient monasteries, Potes is brimming with centuries of history, and is a quaint tapestry of bridges, narrow streets and old houses. You will arrive in time to experience the wonderful weekly food market, where you’ll enjoy a market brunch. Depending on the season, you may get to savour locally grown apples, cherries, tomatoes, olives, asparagus, or walnuts. On the way to Oviedo, the ancient capital of the region, drive to the charming hillside village of Arenas de Cabrales. Here there’s the opportunity to taste famous Cabrales cheese – a natural blue cheese produced by farmers using a traditional artisan method. After arriving in Oviedo, stop past an Asturian cider house – the traditional drink of the region. Enjoy a glass in the local style, poured from a bottle held high over the head into a glass at the knee to produce natural carbonation. Enjoy a free evening to tuck into whichever local delicacies tempt you.
Day 8 Oviedo
Take a walk around the handsome city of Oviedo, with its unique personality, quaint pre-Romanesque churches, elegant streetscapes, fine monuments and grand houses. At the heart of the town sits the impressive Gothic San Salvador Cathedral. You’ll also enjoy an introduction to wonderful local products of Asturia at El Fontan market, home to excellent fish stalls beneath a canopy of wrought-iron and glass. This afternoon is free for your own exploration. Perhaps take a trip up to the port city of Gijon for fresh seafood and sweet-filled bakeries, or the fishing village of Luanco for a relaxing drink on the promenade. For dinner, consider heading to Calle de la Gascona, which is lined with lively sidrerias (cider houses) serving a wide range of raciones (tasting plates).
Day 9 La Coruna / Santiago de Compostela
This morning, take a bus to A Coruna in the region of Galicia, taking in some of the spectacular Galician coastline during the drive. Here you will visit the impressive fish market in the Praza de Lugo and marvel at the range of seafood on offer. Lunch on fresh seafood at a nearby café, with other delicious non-seafood options available. Then, like thousands of pilgrims before you, end your journey in the capital of Galicia, believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St James. The beautiful old city of Santiago de Compostela holds many delights within its walls, all overseen by the mighty cathedral. Take a walk around the Old District lit up at night, through the arcaded stone streets, the spacious Praza del Obradoiro and past the Archbishop’s imposing palace. Santiago is home to more than just pilgrims, with the large population of students from the university enhancing the city’s nightlife. Perhaps spend the night in one of the cafes, bars or tapas restaurants in the Old Town.
Day 10 Santiago de Compostela
Your journey through Spain comes to an end today. Say adios to your leader and group before parting ways. If you’d like to extend your time in Santiago de Compostela, chat with your booking agent.
Day 1
Arrival in the Basque Country (Biarritz or San Sebastian airports). After your transfer to the spectacular Hotel Parador de Hondarribia, the Basque Bike staff will introduce themselves and go over the routes, hotels, restaurants, and safety procedures as you cycle through the Basque Country before responding to any questions left unanswered. Gift bags that include a Bike Basque cycling jersey, water bottles and road book will be distributed to each guest, and for those who have chosen to rent a bike from Bike Basque, we will assist in setting it up to your specs. Once completed, you will have the time to discover the charming cobblestone streets of the old town.
Hotel: Paradores Hondarribia****
Day 2
The first day will be spent spend riding from Hondarribia to Guetaria on a route comprised of two superb climbs, the Jaizkibel and the Igueldo, that will provide breathtaking views as you cycling along the Atlantic coastline and through the city of San Sebastian, or “Donostia” as it is called in Basque language.
Hotel: Iturregi****
Day 3
Similar to yesterday, today you will be following the coastline, ascending and descending the bordering mountains as you pedal from Guetaria to the impressive Castillo de Arteaga. This route will drop you into delightful fishing villages such as Deba or Lekeitio, and provide constant stunning landscape views when climbing through the Basque Country toward the day’s final captivating destination.
Hotel: Castillo de Arteaga****
Day 4
Yet another beautiful day awaits you on the magnificent Basque Country coastline as you turn your legs from the Castillo de Arteaga to Durango, passing throught Gernica, city that gave its name to one of Pablo Picasso’s most critically acclaimed paintings, a powerful piece of art that portrays the chaos, assault and struggles of the people after the city was bombed during WW II.
Hotel: Gran Hotel Domine****
Day 5
Today we head inland as we cycle through the Basque Country from Durango to Oñati, or the “place of many hills” in Basque language. What a perfect name to describe the lush undulating landscape that surrounds this city on three sides. Small roads pass through verdant valleys, and even by some lakes, en route to tonight’s hotel, the Torre Zumultzegi which overlooks the historic mediaeval town of Oñati.
Hotel: Torre Zumeltzegi***
Day 6
Today’s route from Oñati to Bidania-Goiatz is quite hilly, but the ride through the lavish green Basque countryside will be divine, and all of your efforts will be well rewarded by an extraordinary gastronomic experience at the “Iriarte Jauregia” Hotel in Bidania-Goiatz. This exceptional natural landscape is the guarantee of equally exceptional products and your forthcoming dining experience.
Hotel: Iriarte Jauregia****
Day 7
The week has flown by!
Day seven is here, and we will be of riding from Bidania-Goiatz to San Sebastian through more splendid plush valleys and mountain passes of the Basque Country as we head back toward the coast. The day ends with a long descent through the woods toward San Sebastian where our luxury cycling tour through the Basque Country comes to an end.
Hotel: Villa Soro****
Day 8
After a delicious breakfast, we will leave San Sebastian together. Bike Basque will drive you to your departure travel arrangements in Biarritz.
