Ever dream of a world with pristine roads to ride
and where cyclists are honored citizens? A place where cycling is
the local passion not just a Nike campaign or filler between golf
tournaments on TV? If you’ve ever wished of a better place
as you fight for space on roads dominated by cars then VeloAsia
has got news for you. It does exist.
Welcome to the Basque Country. The three ostensibly
“Basque” provinces of Northern Spain is the cycling
utopia we’ve all dreamed existed. A place where on Sunday
entire villages, young and old, get on their bikes, pull themselves
up the mountains, then fly back down again to enjoy the local brew
and share stories of valor. It is a place where beautiful mountain
vistas merge dramatically with stunning coastline and cosmopolitan
cities. Where your labors in the saddle can be rewarded with some
of the most interesting wine and cuisine that Europe has to offer.
In 2006 VeloAsia proudly inaugurated our first
European trip that returns us to our cycling roots.
Like VeloAsia’s other destinations, and quite unlike many
other over-saturated destinations in Europe, the Basque Country
offers beauty, curiosity, adventure and above all pleasure! We combine
great cycling with outstanding cuisine in a setting of unique beauty and
historical interest. This is not the austere adventure you might
find scaling Mount Everest or riding the Mongolian plains, it is
a trip where you will want to savor the lunch as well as the scenery,
or where you might reconsider your career plans in favor of buying
an old Pyrenean farm house.
The area of the tour is a cross-border region
alongside the Atlantic Coast of France and Spain. The unique local
culture and cuisine is influenced by both sides of the border. Language,
architecture, character, gastronomy and folklore mingle and produce
a common particular way of life. The simple way of cooking fish,
the use of piquillo peppers or the presence of foie-gras in Spain
and even Spanish producers of this so much sought after product
speak to combined cultures of the Basque region.
In contrast to the very manicured and rigid developments
of the French side of the Pyrenees, the Spanish side has a more
down to earth beauty, more “real” and less manicured
gardens and public places and less strict planning and building
rules. Both sides are very beautiful, but it is in Spain that we
have chosen to focus the trip. It is here that we really are able
to see the quaint life of Basque countryside juxtaposed with the
cosmopolitan and raucous life of the cities. From the Pyrenean foothills
along the Atlantic coast and in to the vineyards of the La Rioja
valley you will enjoy the diversity and beauty that the Basque country
has to offer.
QUESTIONS? Call us in San Francisco at or Email
us.
We are happy to answer questions or inquiries.
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Tour Details
Road Bicycling with Support
12 Days/Nights
Intermediate Cycling
100% Good Condition Paved Roads
Maximum Group Size: 12
Landcost: $2750 |
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Tour Dates:
Private Custom Tour |
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12 Day Itinerary:
Day 1: St. Jean de Pie de Port
Day 2: St. Jean de Pie de Port to Oieregi
Day 3: Oieregi to San Sebastian
Day 4: San Sebastian
Day 5: San Sebastian toLekeitio
Day 6: Lekeitio to Bakio
Day 7: Bakio to Bilbao
Day 8: Haro
Day 9: Haro
Day 10: Haro to Laguardia
Day 11: Laguardia to Codes
Day 12: Return to Oieregi
Day 13: Depart to Biarritz
VIEW COMPLETE DETAILS |
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