zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION
SPAIN: LA RIOJA & BASQUE COUNTRY
HIKE, BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE
When you hear travelers speak of Spain you often hear of great cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville.
On our adventure in Spain, however, we prefer to explore the small villages and
discover the wonderful secrets of Northern Spain.
Our multisport tour has us biking and hiking through areas known for delicious wines,
warm culture, and outstanding cuisine: the Basque Coast and La Rioja.
Our route traverses from the Atlantic Ocean’s Bay of Biscay to a thousand-year-old pilgrimage trail that
crosses Northern Spain (Camino de Santiago de Compostela) to the rolling vineyards
of Rioja along the Rio Ebro – making a fantastic playground for us.
You might already know that the food in Northern Spain is fantastic
and the area is emerging as one of the culinary capitals of the world! However, we also experience wines
you might not be familiar with at home: the white Txakolis of the Basque Country,
the deep reds of La Rioja, and the cavas (Spanish sparkling wine) of the area!
You’ll love it all – and we think you’ll enjoy our favorite little corner of Spain.
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Your guides will meet you in the heart of Bilbao, Spain in the early afternoon. If you arrived the day before, you may
have explored the Guggenheim Museum or the winding streets of the historic center of this modern Basque city. We depart
together for the coast, arriving in the town of Zumaia to begin our first hike on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, planting
our feet where thousands of others have stepped before us in the last ten centuries. The route travels through vineyards and
pastureland and we stop along the way to sample Txakoli, a crisp white Basque wine with a slight sparkling quality before
reaching our destination: the small fishing village of Getaria. Tonight we get our first taste of the wonderful fish for which the
Basque are famous.
Accommodation: Saiaz Hotela, Getaria
Activity: Hiking, 5 kilometers
DAY 2: This morning, you can get a little extra exercise after breakfast at our lovely seaside hotel by walking to “the mouse,” a
small islet in the harbor connected to Getaria via a causeway. We’ll then begin our main hike, again on the Camino de Santiago
de Compostela, high along the bluffs and with beautiful views of the ocean all the way to the town of Zarautz. This tourist
destination has the longest beach in Northern Spain and is a world-class surfing town. Another thing it is famous for is its culinary
excellence and you won’t want to miss out on having lunch here today! Afterwards, you can choose to take the Zephyr shuttle
back to Getaria or hike near the crashing waves along the seafront path. Tonight we’ll offer a private wine tasting and
introduction to Spanish wines in our hotel overlooking the sea, and then enjoy more of the fine food and wine of the Basque
land, a cuisine rich with history and tradition and currently one of the world’s culinary hotspots (neighboring San Sebastian, which
foodies should definitely plan to visit after or before your Zephyr trip, is rumored to have more Michelin stars than Paris!)
Accommodation: Saiaz Hotela, Getaria
Activity: Hiking, 5 or 10 kilometers
www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected]
zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION
SPAIN: LA RIOJA & BASQUE COUNTRY
HIKE, BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE
DAY 3: Today we leave the coast and travel south: it is time to go to La Rioja, the most respected wine-growing region of
Spain. In the tiny town of Santa Cruz del Fierro, we will meet our bicycles. We’ll hop on and cycle to a picnic and short hike up
to a castle overlooking the countryside. We’ll continue our ride along a ridgeline and up a mountain pass and at the top will be
rewarded with a view of the stunning valley created by the Rio Ebro. From there, it’s all thrilling downhill on a route that twists
and turns past vineyards and vast landscapes to Labastida, and then on to the regional wine capital of Haro. Post-ride, we will
join the Spaniards in one of their most famous customs, eating dinner at local tapas bars in the city center.
Activity: Biking, 35 or 39 kilometers, with an optional shuttle up the five-kilometer mountain pass
Accommodation: Hotel Los Agustinos, Haro
DAY 4: After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and cycle through what we think is the most idyllic scenery anywhere in
Rioja. The route has a few ups and downs but this undulation gives us great views of the valley, turn after turn. Our route takes
us on one of our favorite stretches of biking anywhere in the world, to the lovely towns of Baños de Ebro and Elciego, where you
can either catch a shuttle or continue riding to our home for the next two nights in the town of Laguardia, a walled village that
hasn’t changed much since the 13th century! Tonight, we have dinner in Laguardia, well-known for its love of food and for the
addition of more Michelin stars every year. We’ll stroll through town and take in a bit of history on our way to a tasting in an
underground cellar where they traditionally made the local wine, and a multi-course dinner at the fabulous Los Parajes.
Accommodation: Hotel Villa de Laguardia, Laguardia
Activity: Biking, 35, 41 and 47 kilometers
DAY 5: We have a wonderful loop ride today that begins and ends in Laguardia. We start in the morning, when a thick cloud
often curls over the mountain range behind the valley and makes an impressive backdrop for our ride. We reach San Vicente at
mid-day, a fantastic town with a main plaza, outdoor restaurants, and a castle on top of the hill. Our next stop is at the worldclass wine museum of Dinastia Vivanco. From there you can choose to shuttle back to Laguardia and perhaps take advantage of
the outdoor pool or treat yourself to a massage at our spa hotel, or circle back to Laguardia on your bike through rural villages
and on small side roads. Tonight we celebrate our cycling (and wine drinking) successes with a final dinner at the famous
Marques de Riscal (the incredible main building was designed by Frank Gehry and intended to mimic the vines in the
surrounding vineyards).
Accommodation: Hotel Villa de Laguardia, Laguardia
Activity: Biking, 26, 30 or 49 kilometers
DAY 6: This morning, we’ll rise early and shuttle to the start of our climb up one of the tallest peaks in the region: Lapoblación.
From the top, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the entire valley below, including the long shadows cast by the early morning sun
behind a bank of modern windmills atop a ridgeline (Spain is the world's third biggest producer of wind power). After checking
out of our hotel and having lunch on our own, we’ll continue our journey by completing our loop back to Bilbao, where we will
bid one another farewell and either travel onward or depart for home.
Activity: Hiking, 4 kilometers
www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected]
zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION
SPAIN: LA RIOJA & BASQUE COUNTRY
HIKE, BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE
TRIP DETAILS
DATE September 14 – 18, 2014
COST $2,500 USD per person
OPTIONAL COSTS
• Bike rental of 25 euros/day for three days
• Single supplement of $850 (single supplement is always optional; otherwise we will find you a roommate of the same gender)
HIGHLIGHTS
• Exploring the cultures of Spain’s Basque Country and La Rioja
• Hiking on the ancient pathway – Camino de Santiago de Compostela – along the Bay of Biscay
• Enjoying tapas (pintxos), local fish and bueno vino!
• Biking among the beautiful Rioja vineyards
• Hiking to the top of Lapoblación, a uniquely shaped peak in the Cantabrian Mountains
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE Your guides meet you in the early afternoon in Bilbao, Spain on the first day of the trip. If you
choose to arrive that day, we will meet you at the airport. If you arrive earlier we’ll meet you at a downtown hotel. We’ll return
to Bilbao’s airport the last afternoon of the trip, giving you time to fly out and return home (or extend your stay) that same day.
TRANSPORTATION There are no direct flights from North America to Bilbao (airport code BIO), but flights generally require
just one stop in a major European airport before arriving in Bilbao. All flights from North America to Europe are overnight
flights. Returning home, you can catch an afternoon flight from Bilbao and return to major North American or European airports
that same day.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• Our Spanish guide joins at least one other Zephyr guide, with a third guide added if necessary.
• Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are traveling solo, we will match you with another traveler of the same gender.
However, you may pay a single supplement to have your own room.
• All of your dinners and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. We leave lunches open so that you
have time to explore and enjoy the small markets and shops in the villages en route.
• All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
• Some wine tastings are included.
NOT INCLUDED Bike rental, beverages, desserts, lunches, optional gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to
and from the destination.
www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected]
zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION
SPAIN: LA RIOJA & BASQUE COUNTRY
HIKE, BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE
ACCOMMODATIONS
Nights 1 & 2: Hotel Saiaz Getaria
Hotel Saiaz is converted from Gothic houses in the historic center and located on a narrow street of cobblestone. The hotel sits
over the ocean and is minutes away from a wonderful beach, perfect for a swim before breakfast or dinner. The owner Mikel
and his staff take excellent care of us.
Night 3: Hotel Los Agustinos
The Hotel Agustinos dates back to 1373 when Don Diego Lopez de Haro built the licensed convent. Since then its incarnations
have included a military garrison, hospital, prison, and school. The hotel now features a magnificent cloister which is covered in
glass. Completely renovated in 2006, the hotel offers wonderful accommodations and cuisine.
Nights 4 & 5: Hotel Villa Laguardia
This modern four-star spa hotel offers amenities like an outdoor pool, a covered garage for our bicycles, a gym, a reading room,
a TV room, a garden, a solarium, an enomatic wine dispenser and even its own wine! It is a fancy place, but you will feel right at
home here because of the friendly staff.
BOOKING DETAILS
INTERESTED IN JOINING US? Call us at 888.758.8687 or email us to check availability, or to ask any questions you may have
regarding this trip or any other travel ideas you may be considering.
TO BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE You can book online or by calling us at 888.758.8687. Zephyr Adventures requires a $500
deposit (payable by check or credit card) at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable by check or credit card no
later than 60 days prior to the start of the trip.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? We will send you a confirmation email after we receive your booking, as well as a link to detailed
printer-friendly pre-departure documents: arrival and departure information, suggestions for making travel arrangements, a
packing list, an invoice, information about your trip location and guides. It will also include a link to an information form and
liability waiver. We will also provide you with a link to information about travel insurance. We highly recommend you purchase
travel insurance because it protects you if you have an unexpected change in travel plans.
www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected]