what it includes
This is a fully accompanied cycling program starting with 3 days of cycling our most popular routes in the surroundings of Plaisance followed by 5 days of cycling in both the French and Spanish Basque regions (or visa versa). The Basque part of the program covers the gorgeous stretch of road between Biaritz and Bilbao, including the picturesque towns of St Jean de Luz, St Sebastian, Getaria and Bilbao. Great flat coastal and mountain cycling, perfect scenery and fabulous cuisine. Not to mention the Pincho stops as often as possible and a day of culture and site-seeing in Bilbao. This is a suggested itinerary where we depend on our clients to make their own hotel and restaurant bookings for the Basque country part of the program. We do however have our preferred hotel and restaurant recommendations to share and accompany you all the way throughout the 9 days!
Airport transfers Biarritz and Toulouse Blagnac airports
3 Nights of B&B at Les Magnolias hotel
Bicycle hire (high quality racing, road, mountain or electric bicycles)
8 Cycling Days with Following Vehicle including:
- 3 Cycling Days around Plaisance in the Aveyron
- 5 Cycling Days in the Basque Country
3 Meals (Dinner or Lunch) at Les Magnolias
The Package does NOT include:
- Hotel accomodation and meals in the Basque country
Note: (i) final special meal/restaurant/hotel suggestions TBD subject to seasonal/other considerations;
(ii) Program days are interchangeable subject to weather/other considerations.
(iii) Plaisance cycling program will vary according to group preference.
Single pick-up of all cyclists at Biarritz airport, prior to 14h00, time to be agreed. Transfer to hotel in heart of Biarrtiz. Own lunch, bicycle kit out, afternoon cycling and site seeing in Biarritz. Own dinner in Biarritz.
Distance: Optional, approx. 10 kms, Overnight: Hotel Saint Julien/other
Early morning drive with bikes from Biaritz to Saint Jean de Luz. Breakfast at Cafe Majestic in Place de Cossaires/other. Ride from Saint Jean de Luz to top of Jaizkibel (famous Col: 18km, 453m). Optional pick-up at base of col. Beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. Drive into St Sebastian and check-in at the charming Hotel de Londres/other. Own G&Ts followed by late tapas lunch at centre of San Sebastian (don’t forget to order the Txacoli local wine over tapas or pintchos!). Site-seeing in St Sebastian.
Distance: 18-35 kms, Overnight: Hotel Londres/other
Ride from St Sebastian to the fishing village of Getaria past the small fishing village of Orio and the famous summer resort of Zarauth. This ride roams through the secondary roads between the Cantabrico sea and green mountains. Ride to and check-in at the lovely hotel San Prudentzio/other at Getaria. The hotel is situated on path of the Camino on a wine farm overlooking the ocean. Getaria is a quaint harbour village renowned for its excellent Basque cuisine. It has a wonderful harbour side atmosphere with wine and tappas bars and very good restaurants. Own lunch en route and dinner at Getaria.
Distance: approx. 30 kms, Overnight: San Prudentzio/other
Breakfast at San Prudentzio. Drive with bikes to village of Lequeitio. Ride from Lequeito to Mundaka. Longest stage of the program. Continuous ups and downs combining inland and sea side landscapes past the Laga and Laia beaches and eventually past the famous village of Gernika (Picasso fame). Possible visit to the UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Urdanibia. Own light lunch at Mundaka at Asador Portuondo (or Almiketxu in Bermeo). Drive to Bilbao (46 kms). Check-in to hotel TBC and dinner at Restaurante Aizian/other.
Distance: 46 kms, Overnight: Bilbao hotel
Breakfast at Bilbao hotel. Ride approximately 40 kms either direction Bermeo (coastal) OR direction El Ribero (inland mountain), TBD. Both are beautiful rides in the surroundings of Bilbao. Own tapas (Markina) and afternoon site seeing in Bilbao. Dinner at Kate Zaharra or equivalent.
Distance: Approx. 40 kms, Overnight: Bilbao
Breakfast at Bilbao hotel. Site seeing in Bilbao, various options. Optional cycling around Bilbao. Dinner at Zapirain or equivalent.
Distance: Optional, Overnight: Bilbao
Early breakfast at Bilbao hotel. Return to Plaisance (544 kms) with own lunch stop (various options: Lourdes, Foix, Toulouse, Albi). Dinner at Albi or Plaisance.
Distance: No cycling, Overnight: Les Magnolias – DB&B
Breakfast at Les Magnolias. Depart on Belmont 64 Yellow route ride to Belmont, via the characterful village of Combret, through beautiful forest scenery. Mix of hilly, flat and forest ride. Optional coffee stop at Belmont and return to Combret for own lunch. Optional return ride to Plaisance or by following vehicle. Relaxing at Les Magnolias. Dinner at Les Magnolias.
Distance: Optional 45-64 kms (Belmont coffee stop). Overnight: Les Magnolias – DB&B
Early breakfast at Les Magnolias. Depart on Cordes 67 Yellow route (forest, mountain and Tarn river ride). Own coffee stop at Ambialet Cafe De La Presqu’ile/other. Visit Ambialet’s ancient Franciscan monastery and impressive Roman church. Continue to Cordes-sur-Ciel, one of France’s biggest and most impressive medieval villages. Own lunch and site seeing at Cordes. Return by mini-bus to Plaisance. Swimming and chilling at Les Magnolias. Dinner at Les Magnolias.
Distance: 67 kms, Overnight: Les Magnolias – DB&B
Breakfast at Les Magnolias. Single departure for all cyclists to Toulouse, time to be agreed.
pricing
9 NIGHT basque supported tour
- Airport transfers from/to Biarritz and Toulouse Blagnac airport on request
- Accommodation at Les Magnolias
- Bike Hire
- 8 Cycling Days
- 3 Special Meals
- Following Vehicle
- 6 Days of cycling along the typical and quaint Atlantic fishing coast of the Basque Country
- 2 Days of cycling in authentic ancient rural France based at the beautiful village of Plaisance
- Amazing Tapas cycling stops at our favorite Basque villages
- A full day in Bilbao
- A touring day in the UNESCO medieval town of Albi