The Basque Country

[johnmdesigner]

Going to the Basque Country in early June. An eating trip not a cycling trip.
Hitting all the usual places. Wondering if anyone here has had an interesting experience out in the countryside between San Sebastián and Bilbao?
Anything you are willing to share would be greatly appreciated. We will have a car.
A nice bike store with a unique jersey would always be desirable.
Many thanks!

[Jellybird3]

Lucky! The drive between Bilbao & San Sebastian itself is memorable - windy and beautiful. Hope you got a sports car!

[johnmdesigner]

Lucky! The drive between Bilbao & San Sebastian itself is memorable - windy and beautiful. Hope you got a sports car!

Oh Europe. The only place I enjoy driving a stick.

[nachetetm]

Oh Europe. The only place I enjoy driving a stick.You are going to have fun then! The highway that goes from SS to Pamplona is like a giant rollercoaster with you in command. I never had so much fun in a highway.

[eddief]

a lovely city. Of the cities I got to cycle through, Vitoria was the coolest.

Lucky! The drive between Bilbao & San Sebastian itself is memorable - windy and beautiful. Hope you got a sports car!

[johnmdesigner]

I once drove from Granada to Almuecar and scared the **** out of the missus.
No guard rails and you play chicken with the tour buses on the mountain curves.

[Ozz]

Here you go: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=225718

[dmurphey]

Close by is the Rioja wine region. Also, head down the highway along the north coast of Spain and stop in the big and little towns. Great food, great beaches, cool overlooks.

[vav]

Spent almost 3 weeks last summer in Basque country / Cantabria.

3 places that I'd highly recommend are San Juan de Gaztelugtxe (about 45 min north of Bilbao ) and Hondarribia ( 20 min east of San Sebastian ) If time permits, cross the border into Saint Jean de Luz. Have fun.

Close to Bilbao visit also Castro Urdiales.

Wherever you go, make sure to try some chuleton vasco :hello:

[redir]

If you are coming to Bilbao from the east to the west the drive is just amazing. Bilbao is such a cool city too. I really wish I had a bike when I was out there and the time to ride it but just going out there to eat, drink, and enjoy the sites is just spectacular. I love northern Spain, dare I call it that!

BTW if you think your Spanish is good, which I did of my self, It's not good, up there ;)

Assuming you are going in and out of Madrid, if you circle back round then don't miss out on Toledo and Segovia.

[Laifer69]

If you like steak, please make time for Casa Julian in Tolosa. A short drive from San Sebastián. Even better is to take the train... and have a bottle (or two!) of red.

Have a good trip!

[johnmdesigner]

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions.
I'm hungry already!

[RonW87]

Did the Rioja trip with Duvine last summer.

Some recommendations:

Marques de Riscal: Frank Ghery designed hotel with excellent restaurant.

Ezcaray: Hotel and 2-star Michelin Restaurant in a quaint out of the way village.

Guggenheim Bilbao: Duh!

Tapas in Logrono.

Rioja Vineyards: Muga, Marques de Riscal, one with a building that is a glass cube (forget the name).

Looked at many cycling shops but didn't find any with character.

[redir]

Tapas in Logrono.



Oh man no doubt! Don't miss out on that experience.

[isalgue]

Tapas in Calle del Laurel, tiny street with tapa bars on both sides, spent a few days there during the wine festival in Oct. Awesome place.
Oh man no doubt! Don't miss out on that experience.

[RonW87]

Ezcaray: Hotel and 2-star Michelin Restaurant in a quaint out of the way village.


Echaurren Hotel Gastronomico

Restaurant: El Portal de Echaurren