An athletic ride, through one of Europe’s most distinctive corners. Seafood, green hills, unique regional architecture and equally distinctive cuisine are highlights.
Picasso and Guggenheim, beaches with incredible surf, late nights in the liveliest of bars, fishing ports that conjure images of Maine or Newfoundland (where many Basques settled), and the extraordinary proximity of mountains and ocean frame this journey.
Tour Details
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Location
The Basque Country (France & Spain)
Season
June, September- October
Tour Type
Road Touring
Nearest City
San Sebastian (Madrid)
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Basque Country, Spain Basque Country, France
Distance Traveled
Varies Day to Day
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
19
Support Vehicles
Local Rail Lines - No Sag Wagon
Bike Rentals Available
Yes
Bike Brands
Bikes are custom-built, 21-speed road tourers, designed for the biking that is done.
Accommodations
All hotels (and sleeping berths on overnight trains) are included in the cost of the trip. Blue Marble bypasses chain hotels in favor of family-run inns: pretty in the country, central in the towns. A 17th century courtyard is preferred to an in-room TV.
Transportation to Start Site
Please Contact Blue Marble for details.
Dining
Breakfast (continental) is included, except on overnight trains. It is generally taken at the hotel. Snore.
Most dinners are also included. You are on your own for dinner (and its expense) two nights per “trip week”. Included dinners may be taken in a group, or you may dine on your own, or in smaller “sub-groups”, with suggestions offered by the coordinator. On nights when you prefer one of these latter options, funds will be distributed sufficient to permit a wide selection of restaurants.
Meals are special events, and a focus of the trips, especially in the Latin countries. Choice is never lacking. But Blue Marble pride themselves on their ability to show local cuisines, often different from anglo-American tradition. “Picky” eaters, or those with special diets which exclude food types or groups, may find this focus tiresome. And since special diets are rare in Latin Europe, hosts are surprised by them. Complex dishes may contain some food you wish to avoid, hidden as a seasoning. Chefs who take pride in their creations are not only unwilling (or unable) to remove the offending ingredient, but can be unwilling to even discuss the recipe! Fortunately, the flexibility of the meal program allows you to retreat to a pizza place if the cultural experience becomes oppressive.
About Liquor
Guides showcase regional wines and beers. Guests pay for their own drinks.
Rates
$2,195.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Optional Private Single Room Supplement: $375 See Blue Marble's website for Canadian and Euro prices.
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Tour Itinerary
Days 1-3: Road Biking: The French Basque Country, Biarritz Pick up your bike on the French/Spanish border and spend the first three days in the idyllic foothills of the French Pyrenees.
Coastal vistas and seaside towns give way to turn-of-the-century spas. Villages of red or green-shuttered houses with sloped roofs and overflowing flower boxes cluster around jai-alai courts.
One night is spent in a typical French Basque village, another in the beach resort of Biarritz, whose crashing surf provides a backdrop to fresh shellfish on the old port.
Days 3-5: Road Biking: The Pyrenees, San Sebastian On to the part of Euskadi administered by Spain. More green hills, but more granite in the architecture now, and a more conflictual history. Cross the Pyrenees via the coastal fishing village of Fuenterabbia, which is cheating, really. Beach stop! A village restaurant here does a perfect fresh tuna.
Two nights in San Sebastian: Rio without the dirt. A glorious sunset view of the bay greets your arrival, unless it’s pouring, or dark.
Tool around the bay, lounging on the beach or playing bumper cars on Mt. Igueldo with a view of the Atlantic. Maybe an evening cycle out to a local cider farm.
Days 6-8: Road Biking: Costa Vasca, Gernika Strike out along the coast on a breathtaking three-day ride. The first goal is Gernika (Guernica in Castillian). This market town, at the head of a tidal estuary and state park, is the birthplace of Euro-democracy, theme of a moving Picasso, and home to both a star jai-alai squad and to the Biscaye Parliament.
The nearby port of Bermeo has a great fishing museum. No kidding! After a visit, hop down to the fish market (Spain’s biggest), and buy a ton of smelt, or whatever you'd prefer. Also on the menu: beautiful beaches, prehistoric cave paintings, and above all the extraordinary Basque social life.
Day 8: Road Biking: Bilbao On Saturday, arrive in vibrant Bilbao, for a visit to the Guggenheim, tapas in the old quarter and a night on the town.
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