Basque Country Chef on Wheels Bike Tour
San Sebastián to the Sea: Culinary Culture and Gastronomy in Northern Spain
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Market to Mountains
Meet your guides this morning in Bilbao before a transfer to the historic town of Guernica to meet Mikel Olaizola, our Chef on Wheels. Our culinary adventure begins with a visit to one of Basque Country’s last traditional markets, where Mikel introduces us to a bounty of local produce and demonstrates the fine art of haggling while we fill our baskets with fresh ingredients for tonight’s dinner. After a bike fitting and safety briefing, we’ll head out into the Basque countryside and tackle our first climb of the week—a lush and tree-lined route that leads to a viewpoint of the lakes below. A spectacular descent ends at one of our favorite local restaurants where we’ll enjoy the menú del día, then continue riding to our friend Jon’s charming hotel, a beautifully renovated 16th-century farmhouse. Later, regroup and join Mikel to forage for edible flowers and wild herbs, then and learn as he transforms our market finds into a feast for the senses.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Bilbao, Guernica, Axpe
Accomplished: 20 miles / 31 km, elevation gain: 2,460 feet / 758 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Mendi Goikoa Bekoa - Day 2
Into the Vines
Today we set our sights on the coast and head northeast for our longest ride of the week. The first leg of our journey takes us up into the mountains on shaded roads before descending towards the 15th-century Basilica of Loyola. Stop and refuel with a slice of creamy Basque cheesecake, then hop in the van or continue cycling through rolling hills blanketed in vines to one of the region’s most spectacular family-owned wineries. We’ll enjoy a Mikel-made picnic right there in the vineyard, paired with glasses of Txakoli: a fresh, effervescent white wine infused with the essence of the sea. It’s a short ride to the chic, coastal village of Zarautz and our boutique hotel a stone’s throw from the Bay of Biscay. Spend the afternoon basking on the beach while surfers ride the waves or take a seaside stroll along El Malecón. Tonight, we’ll dine in style at the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Axpe, Azpeitia, Zarautz
Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 3,350 feet / 1,020 meters
Longer Option: 48 miles / 78 km, elevation gain: 6,460 feet / 1,970 meters
Accommodations: Hotel UR Bare - Day 3
The Art of Txikiteo
This morning’s ride is short but stunning, leading us through grape vines and chestnut groves to San Sebastián, the culinary capital of the Basque Country. Here, Mikel unlocks the magic of the city’s world-class food scene and guides us through the delightful Basque tradition of txikiteo (bar-hopping). We’ll sip local wines and sample savory snacks called pintxos prepared by some of his amigos. In the afternoon, transfer to the sublime hotel we’ll call home for the next three nights, with time for a treatment at the spa or a glass of Cava on one of the hotel’s many terraces. Later, we meet Mikel’s friend Gabriella—a renowned food and wine expert on the Basque culinary scene—at her beautiful home, where Mikel dazzles us with a sumptuous feast.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Zarautz, San Sebastián
Accomplished: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 2,034 feet / 620 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Akelarre - Day 4
Getaria’s Maritime Heritage
The Bay of Biscay creates a magnificent backdrop for today’s ride along the coast, where the rugged cliffs of Zumai appear to erupt straight from the earth. Our destination is the picturesque fishing village of Getaria. Famous for being the onetime home of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe, Getaria is also celebrated for its many historic parillas (grills) where just-caught fish are cooked outdoors in wire baskets over blazing coals. Get an inside look at the town’s rich seafaring history with our friend Manuela, the matriarch of one of the town’s few remaining fishing families, before heading to the Michelin-starred Elkano for lunch. There, chef Aitor Arregui shares his passion for both perfectly grilled seafood and Getaria’s maritime legacy. Afterwards, pedal along the Urola coastline to tackle the climb known locally as Mendizorrotz, or opt to transfer back to the hotel. Tonight, head into San Sebastián—Chef Mikel can suggest several excellent spots for dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Getaria, Zumaia, Igeldo
Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,673 feet / 510 meters
Longer Option: 36 miles / 58 km, elevation gain: 3,510 feet / 1,070 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Akelarre - Day 5
The New Basque Kitchen
Our final day of riding takes us inland through Pagoetako Natural Park to Aia, a quaint mountain town where we’ll meet Mikel’s friend Iker at his artisanal quesería. There, the renowned cheesemaker will explain the unique process he uses to produce his cow, sheep, and goat milk cheeses and share some delicious samples. Back on our bikes, we’ll return to the coast for a beachfront picnic prepared by Mikel. Linger with a refreshing dip in the Atlantic followed by a transfer to the hotel—or challenge yourself with another opportunity to revisit Mendizorrotz. Regroup at sunset to toast the week with an aperitivo, then head to Akelaŕe for a show-stopping dinner by three Michelin-star chef Pedro Subijana, one of the celebrated founders of New Basque Cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Igeldo, Aia, Orio
Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 1,998 feet / 609 meters
Longer Option: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 3,261 feet / 994 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Akelarre - Day 6
Agur!
Relish views of the Bay of Biscay over a relaxing breakfast this morning before we bid farewell to Basque Country. Transfer back to Bilbao and visit Frank Gehry’s magnificent Guggenheim Museum or return to San Sebastián for a day or two of solo discovery.
Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Bilbao, Spain Pick-Up Location: The Artist Grand Hotel of Art or Hotel Miró Bilbao Pick-Up Time: 8:15 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Bilbao, Spain Drop-Off Location: Bilbao International Airport Drop-Off Time: 11:00 am
Arrival and departure details for 2025 + 2026 tours may be subject to change.
Meet the Chef: Mikel Olaizola
Chef Mikel Olaizola is an accomplished chef and DuVine guide with a deep passion for the Basque Country’s rich culinary heritage. The San Sebastián native received his Bachelor’s degree from the Basque Culinary Center, where he studied gastronomy and culinary arts. From there, he trained in award-winning restaurants in Spain, Japan, and Denmark—including Tokyo’s two-Michelin star Narisawa.
Mikel’s passion for gastronomic science and research eventually led him back to the Basque Culinary Center, this time as a member of the faculty. During his time there, Mikel coordinated the school’s Master’s program while teaching, overseeing the test kitchen, and running the Laboratory of Food Development and Technology. Mikel has also collaborated with colleagues from Harvard, MIT Media Lab, and UC Berkeley on a number of scholarly articles.
More recently, Mikel participated in the launch of chef Rasmus Munk’s multi-sensory, science-forward Copenhagen restaurant: The Alchemist. He also serves as a member of the restaurant’s research and development team, where he helped to create Spora, an innovative new food lab dedicated to sustainable food research.
Dates + Availability
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance