Bike through peaceful villages and along winding country roads in beautiful Rioja.

Bike the quiet country roads of Rioja

September 12-18, 2009

Explore the beauty and charm of the Rioja region of northern Spain, as deep and rich as the wine for which the region is famous. Bike through peaceful villages and along winding country roads in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Surrounded by lovely untouched landscapes, we will start in Pamplona (no bull!), then ride from Calahorra to Logrono to Ezcaray to Najera, before shuttling to Bilbao, the major city of northern Spain.

Highlights:

• Get an introduction to the region with a city tour of Pamplona, known for its architecture as well as the running of the bulls.
  
• Cycle country roads over undulating terrain and former rail beds to medieval hill towns.
  
• Follow a portion of the pilgrims' route of Camino de Santiago by bike, and enjoy picnics along the way.
  
• Taste the wine at the extraordinary Dinastia Vivancos Wine Museum.
  
• Visit the ancient monasteries of Yuso and Suso, World Heritage Sites dating back to the 9th century.
  
• Enjoy one night and a Farewell Dinner in Bilbao, home of the new Guggenheim Museum, and the center of Basque Spain.
  

Dates and Price:
Sept. 12 to 18, 2009: $3,290: A trip for gay men & lesbians.

Prices are per-person, based on double occupancy. Tours often fill up months before departure. We regularly update our travel schedule to show the status of this and other trips.

Travelling Alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself.

Location: Starts in Pamplona and ends in Bilbao, Spain

Price includes: Five full days of cycling in the countryside and small towns; Services of bike guides; Van shuttle from Pamplona to Calahorra to start the trip, and from Najera to Bilbao later in the trip; Daily transportation to get luggage (and tired riders!) to destination; Guided tours of historic sites; Comfortable accommodations each night, in double occupancy (limited number of single rooms are available); All breakfasts, a picnic lunch, and 3 dinners with wine included at dinners; Tapas and Wine tasting; Use of bike; Map and detailed route instructions.

Not included: Transportation to Pamplona and from Bilbao; Transfers between airports or train stations and hotels at start and end of trip; Meals not listed as being included; Personal items such as souvenirs, snacks, faxes and telephone calls; Admissions not described as included in the itinerary; Gratuities for guides.

Cycle through beautiful countryside and villages, along quiet back roads and Via Verde rail trails, as we discover the rich history and culture of the Rioja region of northern Spain. Our cycling days are rewarded with relaxed evenings in lovely paradors and inns enjoying traditional cuisine and fine wines. We celebrate our journey with a final stay in the city of Bilbao.

1: Arrival Day: Pamplona to Calahorra

Our adventure begins as we meet in Pamplona in the early afternoon for a walking tour from the famous Plaza de Toros to the Cathedral, and through the authentic medieval quarter of this old Basque city.

After our walking tour, we'll drive 45 minutes to Calahorra, a 2000-year-old town above the Ebro River alluvial plain, for our first night in Rioja. Calahorra recently celebrated its bi-millennium and preserves traces of Roman occupation as well as a rich medieval past. Calahorra is also the capital of Rioja Baja, a subzone of the famous wine region where a hotter, drier climate produces wines different from the famous ruby-colored Rioja. After checking into our hotel we will fit our our bikes to allow a quicker start in the morning. Then we'll gather in our hotel's lush garden for a reception and orientation about our tour before our Welcome Dinner. Tonight, we stay at the inviting Parador Calahorra.

2: Via Verde to Arnedillo

After breakfast we'll start our cycling on smaller roads and the Via Verde rail trail to the spa town of Arnedillo, tucked into the gorge formed by the Cidacos River. The town is famous for its waters, said to cure rheumatism and bone disorders. It's also home to the Château-like Santuario Vinícola Riojano bodega, built around a 300-year-old mill on the river bank. 34 KM

In the afternoon, you can select among several options. We can cycle out and back to Spain’s Jurassic Park (optional 38 KM ride) or indulge in non-biking afternoon activities such as: swim/soak in the river and mineral pools; enjoy pre-arranged spa services; or relax at your leisure. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant in the village. Tonight we stay in Arnedillo.

3: Leggin' it to Logroño

Today our cycling route takes us on quiet country roads from lower Rioja to upper Rioja along the River Jubera, through desert-like mesas and on into Logroño, with a picnic lunch enroute. Logroño is the marketing center for Rioja and is a prosperous small city, with a charming old quarter overlooking the Ebro River. No visit to the town is complete without strolling along Calle Laurel and sampling copas and tapas. We'll start the evening with tapas together, then spend the night in Logroño. 68 KM

4: Vineyards, Villages & a Famous Winery

Today our roads through Rioja take us along country roads across the River Oja to the medieval hill town of Laguardia which is seen from miles away. The town is riddled with a maze of underground cellars. On a walking tour, we can see one of the cellars and the local church with its famous portal.

We will continue to El Ciego to see the award-winning Frank Gehry hotel extension to the Marqués de Riscal Winery, with lunch on your own today. There are wonderful vineyard views en route to Briones, a picturesque hilltop town with a vista over the Ebro River. Briones is nicely preserved with medieval walls, a ruined castle, and a gentle historical quality.

At the bottom of the hill is the extraordinary Dinastia Vivancos Wine Museum; the perfect place for a wine tasting. Riders have a choice of riding on to our next lodging in Abalos, or spending time at the museum, with bikes and riders transported by van to Abalos later in the afternoon.

Tonight we stay in a beautiful country inn, and this evening a local sommelier hosts a wine tasting for those who are interested, before we enjoy a dinner featuring ingredients grown in the area. 46KM

5: Cycling in the Shadow of the Camino de Santiago

After following a quiet country road from Abalos to Casallareina we'll join the Via Verde. Along the way, we’ll stop to see the Cathedral in Santo Domingo on the Camino de Santiago, with its celebrated hen house, and then continue through bucolic countryside towards the Sierra de Demanda Mountains and Ezcaray, a holiday village which will be our home for the night. Those with enough energy can take an optional round trip ride to the summit at Valdezcaray (28 KM). This evening is free to explore Ezcaray and sample one of its many restaurants on your own. 76 KM

6: Yuso & Suso Monasteries

Today we cycle through the verdant Valley of San Millán de la Cogolla, and tour two of Spain's most ancient and important monasteries, Yuso & Suso. Now World Heritage Sites, this monastic community was founded by St Millán in the mid-6th century. A fine Romanesque church built in honour of the holy man still stands at the site of Suso. In the early 16th century the community was housed in the fine new monastery of Yuso, below the older complex; it is still a thriving community today. We will picnic on the lovely grounds of the monasteries.

After lunch, we'll cycle on to Nájera, beneath cliffs carved out with caves used for food storage. The town was a former capital of the Kings of Navarra whose tombs are enshrined in a church built around a cave shrine.

After touring the church we will transfer to our minibus for the ride to Bilbao, which will be our home for the last night of the trip. Tonight we'll have our farewell dinner in the heart of this gourmet capital. 52 KM riding, plus minibus shuttle to Bilbao.

7: Departure Day or explore Bilbao

Our Rioja Adventure ends today, but you may want to extend your trip with some additional time in Bilbao, or with a visit Barcelona or Madrid. Spain is filled with many wonders yet to enjoy!

If you have the time, it can be fascinating to explore this amazing city which has experienced many booms and busts. In the 19th century, Bilbao was the financial, shipping and mining center for the north of Spain and the elegant boulevards and fine buildings are a reminder of those days.

Since the Guggenheim Museum opened its doors in the 1990s, Bilbao has again become a destination, rising like a phoenix from its post Spanish Civil War obscurity. The city offers two extraordinary museums, a rich old quarter, and an elegant city with art galleries and fine shopping.

You can enjoy a classic view by gazing down Bilbao's Calle Iparraguirre, and seeing the soft green mountains that enfold the curvaceous titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum. Below the avant-garde masterwork of Canadian Frank Gehry flows the River Nervión linking the newer city to the traditional Basque town founded in 1300 AD.

Whether dining at the Michelin-starred Zortziko, in the Guggenheim's restaurant overseen by Chef Beraseteguí, or in the simpler but delicious Yandiola, you'll enjoy this city of culture.