Rioja Bike Tour

Basque Country, Bilbao, and the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain

6 days / 5 nights Level: 2Price From: $5,295Collection: Classic

Tour Highlights

  • Visit world-renowned wineries and a few of our favorite boutique bodegas
  • Ride a section of the Camino de Santiago to the Monastery of Yuso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as the birthplace of the Spanish language
  • Sample Riojana and Basque dishes during a two-star Michelin dining experience and family-style lunches
  • Stay at the Frank Gehry-designed Hotel Marques de Riscal and relax with a wine-infused treatment at Spa Vinothérapie Caudalie

Eat

Tapas, Jamón Serrano, Manchego cheese, hearty Riojana stew, and lamb cooked in a wood-fired oven

Drink

Rioja Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva red wine, made from Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Mazuelo grapes

As featured in:
Print Itinerary
  • Day 1

    Welcome to Green Spain

    Your DuVine guides will greet you in downtown Bilbao, and then we’re off to our luxurious hotel designed by iconic architect Frank O. Gehry. After a safety review and bike fitting, we’ll head out on our first ride through the Tempranillo vineyards of La Rioja before returning to Elciego for lunch at our hotel’s wine bar. Tonight we’ll get to know each other over an apéritif, then kick off the week with a classic Rioja-style feast at our hotel.

    Meals: Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Bilbao, Elciego
    Accomplished: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 1,309 feet / 399 meters
    Longer Option: 20 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,650 feet / 500 meters
    Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Hotel Echaurren

  • Day 2

    The City of Cellars

    Today, take your pick between an easygoing or more challenging route. We’ll ride out of Elciego along a ridge high above the vineyards, then meet the Ebro river after descending through the town of Lapuebla de Labarca. Our destination is the medieval town of Laguardia, which sits upon a warren of 300 cellars carved from rock in the Middle Ages. These cellars—called calados—were once hideaways to protect townspeople in times of turmoil, but they’ve since been re-purposed as subterranean wine storage. The ancient calados are a striking contrast to the many ultra-modern wineries that have cropped up since Spain joined the European Union. We’re headed to one of these high-design wineries for a tapas-style lunch overlooking the Sierra Cantabria mountains. Tonight, our friend Irene hosts us at her family-run winery for a homemade dinner of vine wood-barbecued tuna, which pairs beautifully with a selection of her estate wines.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Lapuebla de Labarca, Laguardia, Elciego
    Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 2,000 feet / 615 meters
    Longer Option: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 2,600 feet / 797 meters
    Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Palacio Tondón

  • Day 3

    Origins of the Spanish Language

    Today we cruise south to the 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Monastery of Yuso, considered the birthplace of the Spanish language. We’ll pass pilgrims as they hike this section of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, stopping for our own visit at this historic monument. Right across the road, break for lunch and a glass of fruit-forward local wine (or an ice-cold cerveza). Choose to bike back to our hotel, or transfer by van for more relaxation time by the pool or at the spa. Dinner tonight will be at your leisure—our guides are happy to escort you to the nearby city of Logroño for an authentic tapeo along the famous Calle del Laurel. Try out the local tradition of hopping between your choice of the 50-plus tapas bars, sampling different interpretations of appetizer-sized bites.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
    Destinations: Najera, San Millan de la Cogolla
    Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,594 feet / 486 meters
    Longer Option: 46 miles / 73 km, elevation gain: 2,300 feet / 700 meters
    Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Palacio Tondón

  • Day 4

    Vivanco Dinastia

    The day begins with a ride to Bodegas Vivanco, a family winery that’s also Spain’s largest private museum of wine accoutrements and art. Back on our bikes, we’ll pedal to the wine town of Haro for lunch at a historic winery, located in the heart of the railway-station quarter. Inaugurated in 1863, the railway was built to transport Rioja wines to Bilbao and beyond, bringing them to export markets around the world—many of the region’s best-known wine houses established a home base here. Afterwards, opt to complete the ride to our next hotel or take it easy with a van transfer. Return to Haro for tonight’s dinner at a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving its famous slow-roasted lamb since 1870.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Briones, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Haro, Briñas
    Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 2,250 feet / 686 meters
    Longer Option: 24 miles / 39 km, elevation gain: 1,970 feet / 600 meters
    Accommodations: Palacio Tondón or Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego

  • Day 5

    To the Source

    Bid farewell to the charming village of Briñas as we bike back through Haro and into the open countryside. Along the way, we’ll encounter a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge, sleepy medieval villages, and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Our route follows the Rio Oja—the river which gives this region its name—to the charming village of Ezcaray. After a light lunch, choose to add some extra miles into the hills beyond town or stick with the short ride that takes us to our boutique Relais & Châteaux hotel. This afternoon, stroll into the village, enjoy a glass of wine in the main square, or visit a luxury scarf and blanket weaver to pick up some special souvenirs. Celebrate our week together with tonight’s show-stopping dinner at El Portal, the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, created for us by Chef Francis Paniego and accompanied by a selection of hand-picked Rioja wines.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Haro, Ezcaray
    Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 1,725 feet / 526 meters
    Longer Option: 44 miles / 71 km, elevation gain: 2,800 feet / 860 meters
    Accommodations: Hotel Echaurren or Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego

  • Day 6

    Adios Rioja

    Bid farewell to La Rioja, its wines, medieval architecture, sumptuous gastronomy, and stunning landscapes. We transfer back to Bilbao where your guides will take you to your post-trip hotel or Bilbao airport.

    Meal: Breakfast

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.



Arrival Details

Airport City: Bilbao, Spain Pick-Up Location: Hotel Gran Domine or Hotel Miró Bilbao Pick-Up Time: 9:00 am
Departure Details

Airport City: Bilbao, Spain Drop-Off Location: Bilbao Airport or your downtown Bilbao hotel Drop-Off Time: 11:00 am

Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

2023Single Supplement From: $1,200
2024Single Supplement From: $1,200

See our cancellation policy

Weather by Month
Average Temperature + Precipitation

Average Temperature + Precipitation

Month
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
High (°F)
49°
53°
59°
60°
69°
75°
80°
81°
74°
65°
55°
49°
Low (°F)
34°
33°
37°
38°
45°
50°
54°
55°
49°
45°
39°
35°
Rain (in)
376
376
251
251
251
125
125
125
251
251
4102
376

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
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Synapse 2 RLE

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Road

Quick 1 Disc

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Hybrid

Roadmachine AMP TWO

Manufacturer: BMC

Type: Road E-Bike

257 AMP AL TWO

Manufacturer: BMC

Type: E-Bike