Basque Country Tour
Basque Country, Spain
Where the mountain embraces the sea, we find this land of enormous cultural, scenic and gastronomic wealth. And all this, within an environment of a great cycling tradition. There is a reason why the most important professional circuit, the UCI WorldTour, has two unavoidable appointments with this land.
The first, in the middle of spring on the occasion of the Euskal Herriko Itzulia and the second, after the Tour de France: the Donostia Klasikoa.
The history of cycling in the Basque Country is based on a faithful and devoted fans. An inexhaustible pool of runners and cycling teams, such as those that have disappeared on FAGOR, REYNOLDS or KAS, up to the current Euskaltel-Euskadi, or Caja Rural.
The green hills of the areas closest to the coast remind us of ports as well known as Urkiola, Jaizkibel or Ibardin. Emblematic places, which have witnessed the great feats led by Tony Rominger, Laurent Jalabert, Alex Zulle, Sean Kelly, Miguel Indurain, Abraham Olano, Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde and Lance Armstrong among others.
The contrast is marked by the regions of Araba and Navarra. These enjoy a sunnier climate, which makes them suitable for growing vines. This offers us the unique opportunity to learn, first hand, the operation of the most prestigious wine cellars.
Day 1 – Welcome
After the transfer from the airport (Bilbao Airport or Biarritz Airport (France), the Viura hotel will welcome us, to enjoy a welcome dinner and a well-deserved rest.
We will take advantage of the first hours to welcome you, carry out a review of the biomechanics of your bicycle, we will give you the welcome kit and we will discuss the briefing of the tour.
Day 2 – Rioja Alavesa Tour
We will start the tour at the Rioja Alavesa, land of vineyards and denomination of origin of great wines. The first stage passes without major orographic difficulties. The vineyards will alternate with the wheat fields, while we skirt the south of the Alavesa mountain.
The medieval and spectacular town of Laguardia It will be the point of departure and arrival of a circular route that will take us to discover towns that keep true treasures such as lancigiego o The blind In the latter is the well-known work of the architect Frank Gehry (Marques de Riscal Winery). It's time to visit her and try her wines. Next, the spectacular Hotel Viura will welcome us, to enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Day 3 – Laguardia-Donostia
The third day is marked by a favorable route, given the 450 meters above sea level at which the start is located and that the finish line is located on the coast at level 0.
Leaving from the Vitoria reservoir (Ulibarri Gamboa), we will access the province of Gipuzkoa through the salt pans of leniz, where the tradition of obtaining salt by hand is still maintained.
A route that, in its last section, will offer us a passage through the coastal towns of Zumaia, Getaria, Zarautz y Orio. Populations with a great fishing and cycling tradition.
Along our way we will discover several of the real settings in which the blockbuster Game of Thrones set the settings of Rocadragón and the ancestral fortress of the House of Targaryens, reviving the plot of the seven kingdoms. While we keep the sea to our left, we can see to our right the slopes where the vines are cultivated with which the characteristic Txakoli (white wine with designation of origin of the area) is produced, ideal to accompany the excellent fish dishes that here they are grilled.
After eating in the restaurant Zelai Txiki, in the afternoon it's time to relax the muscles with a massage in the exclusive Hotel Villa Soro from San Sebastián, which will be our home for the remainder of the tour. Later we will have free time to finish off the day with a traditional Basque dinner in el La Vina restaurant.
Day 4 – Boat trip
The Cantabrian Sea offers us a day of rest to enjoy the Basque coast. On board a sailboat, we will enjoy a Catering made up of native products, suitable for the most demanding palates.
In the afternoon we will visit the museum squeal leku, a unique museum, erected in itself as a great work of art.
To end the day, we will immerse ourselves in the old part of San Sebastian to taste in el Beti Jai Berria restaurant of the typical and world-renowned “pintxos”. The most exquisite bites in the city await us!
Day 5 – Tourmalet-Marie Blanque
A brief stage for him Pyrenees National Park, will take us through a series of ports of great importance in the history of the Tour de France.
Starting from the aspe valley, we will ascend the ramps of the Cabbage Marie-Blanque, before descending to the ossau basin. From there, we will direct our route via the winter season of gourmet, to him Col d'Aubisque and his little brother Col d´Soulor.
Other towns with a great tradition of passage in the Tour de France such as Argeles-Gazost o Luz-Saint-Sauveur, will come our way, before facing the culmination of our adventure: the ascent to the Tourmalet. With its 2.115 meters high and its strategic location, it is a port that has it all. Whether we talk about professional cycling or about cycling.
Back in San Sebastian, dinner will take place at the Kokotxa Restaurant from San Sebastián awarded with a Michelin star.
Day 6 – Iparralde-Jaizkibel
The last cycling experience will take place in the French Basque Country, also known as iparralde. At the beginning of the Pyrenees and having Mount Larhun as a reference, we will trace a route that has a great tradition of passage between the two countries: Spain and France. He port of Jaizkibel, judge of the classic San Sebastian, will put the finishing touch to the cycling part of our tour.
In the afternoon, after the well-deserved massage, we will enjoy a VIP experience in el San Sebastian Aquarium.
We end with a farewell dinner at el Akelarre restaurant, with three Michelin stars, where we will deliver a souvenir to put an end to this unforgettable tour.
Day 7 – Check Out
Free time breakfast and transfer to the airport.
At Hors Categorie each client is unique, and we want your experience to be unforgettable. That is why we take care of all the details so that you only worry about enjoying yourself. We offer you a complete package that includes:
Preparations
After the reservation we will send you the detailed road book, telephone numbers of our staff and packing list so that you can prepare your trip without forgetting anything. A few days before, we will send you the weather forecast so that you can take it into account when packing your suitcase.
Transfer to the airport
We take care of picking you up and taking you to the airport so that you arrive calm, comfortable and rested.
The best equipment
We provide you with all the material you need to enjoy your experience to the fullest. Bicycle, technical clothing, helmets, etc.
biomechanical review
One of the first tasks before getting on the bike is to carry out a biomechanical review, to verify that the bike and its measurements adapt perfectly to you and thus guarantee ergonomics and comfort on it.
Provisioning
During the routes we provide you with everything you need so that you do not lack energy. Bottles of water, energy bars, fruit isotonic drinks... We assure you that you will not go hungry or thirsty.
Massages and physiotherapy
We take care of your body every day through massages and physiotherapy treatments so that you recover from the routes and can continue enjoying yourself to the fullest.
Lodging
We make sure that you rest in the best hotels so that your rest is a true luxury.
Restaurants
We make sure that you enjoy the local gastronomy in the most exclusive restaurants: seafood restaurants, wineries and top-level restaurants will be the prize of each stage. Everything is designed so that you feel comfortable and cared for at all times.
professional guides
Our guides will always be by your side, both on and off the road. You will have our support car, mechanical service and a bicycle guide with you at all times, guaranteeing the safety of the group.
Activities
In addition to the bicycle routes, you will experience complementary activities so that you can enjoy local culture and leisure. From sightseeing tours to workshops on cycling techniques.
Laundry
We know that technical clothing needs special care, which is why we have a laundry service so that you always have clean clothes ready for the next route.
Workshops
At Hors Categorie we not only want you to enjoy the experience, but also to learn. For this reason, we give you workshops on cycling techniques, nutrition and body care.
Priority Support
Our team will always be at your disposal for any questions or needs you may have. We want you to feel cared for at all times.
Photographic report and farewell detail
Our professional photographer will prepare a beautiful report for us to remember this trip. In addition, on the last day we will give you a detail as a reminder.
HC Club
From your first participation, you will become part of the CLUB HORS CATEGORIE TOURS. This select Club rewards our clients with numerous benefits: gifts and extra advantages for your next trip, limited editions of our brands, items of interest.
At Hors Categorie each client is unique, and we want your experience to be unforgettable. That is why we take care of all the details so that you only worry about enjoying yourself. We offer you a complete package that includes:
Lander Aperribay
The heart
Hello, I'm Lander Aperribay, former pro rider for Euskaltel-Euskadi on the World Tour. After my experience in professional cycling and in the cycling business market, I am delighted to belong to this group of excellent people, who will make you live the experience of feeling like professional cyclists in our different destinations, where great chapters in history have been written. of cycling, combining it with culture, gastronomy and traditions.
Aitor Mendizabal
The illusion
Hi, I'm Aitor Mendizabal, cycling has been inside me since childhood and it's something I still enjoy today. I am sure that we will give you the best cycling experience of your life.
Who is Hors Categorie Tours?
We are a group of local cyclists who for 20 years have shared roads and experiences, from lower categories to the most prestigious races on the professional calendar, such as the Giro d'Italia. Now we want to share all this with all of you so that, together, we can add beautiful memories to our experiences.
material we use
At Hors Categorie Tours we work with the best brands: Both Bicycles and equipment for the cyclist (shoes, helmets and accessories), Clothing and Nutrition for your well-being. New support vehicles, Boutique hotels, with charm and the best restaurants in each place.
What physical level do I need?
We are always the ones who adapt to your physical form. For this we have conventional and electric bicycles. Depending on your possibilities and thanks to our local guides and support vehicles, we allow the members of a group to choose their pace and distance to travel on the bike. Our premise is that we all enjoy the experience.
How is a day with us?
The first thing to do is carry out a biomechanical review to adapt the bike to each participant. The first day we will start with a breakfast selected just as a professional does. As soon as you finish you will find your bike ready, the refreshment bag and the drink. We will discuss the plan of the day and we will go pedaling.
Throughout the route we will be accompanied by our local guide, knowledgeable about the terrain and the most famous points. A mechanical team will also accompany us to solve any fault. You will have supplies en route and your spare clothes in case it is necessary.
At the end of the day's tour, natural juices and fruit await us in the rooms of the most exclusive hotels in each place. It is time for a comforting massage, to eat as we have earned it and some free time. Then we will take you to discover the cultural offer of the surroundings and we will close the day with a dinner in the best gastronomic temples of each area. At Hors Categorie Tours, every day of the route includes breakfast, lunch and dinner!
What is not included
Air tickets from and to the starting point.
Lodging before and after the days of the trip.
Purchases of personal items.
Do not run out of your place and experience cycling like never before
Contact
If you have any questions contact us. We will be happy to help you.
We invite you to contact us so that, depending on your needs, we can prepare a personalized tour for you: more days in our destinations, on other dates, to other destinations, …
Write us to hello@horscategorietours.com
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