Spain Multisport Wine Adventure

September 7-13, 2008

Price $2,600 per person

Spain and its people seem to have a true zest for life. A calendar and culture alive with feasts and celebrations give the Spaniards an excuse to relax and enjoy life, take in a siesta, and enjoy another glass of wine.

Our route is a big loop in the very north of the country. We start in the city of Bilbao on the northern coast and then traverse east across the coastline into the Basque region, an area rich in culture and steeped in history. We hike along the coast and on the El Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrim path, before visiting several wineries to taste Txakolí, the local wine.

We then travel south into the Navarra region where we ride both bicycles and then horses under the impressive Navarran Pyrenees, surrounded by vineyards laden with the Tempranillo grape. Our home in Navarra is the city of Puente la Reina, which we access by bike over a six-arched medieval bridge.

Heading west into the province of la Rioja, we jump back on our bikes for a ride in the Ebro Valley, past the fortress village of Laguardia that contains the oldest winery in the region, and on to our home for the next two nights, Haro. Haro is the capital of the Rioja wine area and is the perfect place to explore the tapas bar culture of Spain.

We enjoy another hike, this time through the vineyards of the Rioja, before completing the journey by returning back north to Bilbao. The blend of a unique gastronomy, delicious varietals, and a rolling countryside make Northern Spain’s wine country the perfect place to find that Spanish zest for life.

Day 1: Home to Spain’s Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao serves as the starting and ending points of our Spanish Wine Adventure. From here, we’ll travel a short distance east to Getaria, a historic fishing village on the Bay of Biscay. Cobblestone streets bring you past medieval houses and the crashing surf of the sea. We’ll enjoy a short walk on Mount Saint Anton, also known as the “Mouse”, located on a small peninsula connected to the village via a dock.

Day 2: The Txakoli wine, a local Basque variety, grows high on the sea cliffs of the impressive coast near our hotel in Getaria. This is where we will hike today. Our hike follows El Camino de Santiago—the Way of St. James—tracing a thousand-year-old route taken by pilgrims on their way to the Holy City of Santiago. We’ll visit a winery perched above the sea where our host, a Txakoli vintner, will share his culture with us over lunch. With options to walk six to nine kilometers today, we’ll be left with plenty of time to relax and enjoy Getaria before dinner this evening.

Day 3: Traveling south, we’ll enter the ancient Kingdom of Navarra. Historically known as the heartland of the Basques, this region is alive with agriculture – especially wine. With routes of 15 to 45 kilometers, our bike ride will bring us from the foothills of the Navarran Pyenees and past vast rolling countryside filled with vineyards of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Merlot. Our ride ends as we enter the historic city of Puente la Reina, crossing a six-arched medieval bridge, and reach the stone walls of our hotel located in the center of the village.

Day 4: Those interested to ride their bike will have the option to do so on an early morning ride for 10 to 35 kilometers on rarely-traveled roads. We then shuttle to Olite, considered to be the wine capital of the Navarra. Our day begins with a horseback ride through the nearby hills, once home to monarchs and princes, with great castles rising above a vineyard-strewn landscape. This afternoon, we’ll walk the narrow streets of Olite, surrounded by a Roman wall. The warm climate creates diverse and delicious wines and this afternoon we’ll taste some of the finest of the region.

Day 5: Protected from the cold winds of the north by the vast Cantabria mountain range, La Rioja is home to some of Spain’s finest wines. We shuttle to this region and start our biking from the top of a mountain pass. Overlooking the impressive Ebro Valley, our ride rolls past vines rich with history and flavor. With options to ride 24, 35 or more kilometers our roads will take us to the beautiful castle village of Laguardia. Founded in the 10th century as a defensive stronghold of the Kingdom of Navarra, Laguardia is the home of Mayor de Migueloa, the oldest winery of La Rioja. We continue to Elciego and the winery of Marques de Riscal before finishing in the wine capital of La Rioja, Haro.

Day 6: Today we hike through vineyards and along the scenic Rio Ebro. The castle town of Briones offers a great stop for lunch before our private tour of the famous Museo de la Cultura del Vino. This modern museum is one of the most impressive wine museums of the world. Our time in Briones ends with a tasting from Dinastia Vivanco winery. We then return to the Hotel Agustinos and Haro and perhaps take a siesta before dinner and an evening stroll through the streets.

Day 7:We depart Haro to travel north and back to Bilbao, where our tour began. For those leaving Spain today, we’ll provide transportation to the airport. For those staying a little longer, Bilbao offers lots of interesting sites and sounds.