Basque Country, Spain
The Basque Country might be the best place on earth to eat. We start in San Sebastián, ride inland through green hills and farm villages to Vitoria, cross the Urkiola mountains, and roll back along the Atlantic coast. Expect pintxo bars, wood-fired grills, cider houses and txakoli, plus a free day at the end to enjoy San Sebastián.
Highlights
- Wood-fired lunch at TxispaEverything cooked over fire, in the hills of Atxondo.
- Pintxo crawlsSan Sebastián and Vitoria, two of the best eating towns in Europe.
- A night at a cider house innFarmhouse dinner and cider from the barrel in Navarre.
- The Urkiola mountainsOne proper climb through green limestone peaks.
- A free day in San SebastiánBeach, food markets, or one more easy ride.
The route
Five shorter riding days on one loop, the most approachable trip of the season and a great first multi-day ride. Green hills and quiet farm roads inland, one proper climb into the Urkiola mountains, then the coast road home. The van carries your bags every day and can pick you up anytime.
Day by day
Sleep: Hotel, San Sebastián
Sleep: Rural inn with its own cider house, Arbizu
Sleep: Hotel, Vitoria-Gasteiz
Sleep: Country cottage near Garai
Sleep: Coastal hotel, Deba
Sleep: Hotel, San Sebastián
Sleep: Same
Sleep: —
Please note: Routes, stays, restaurants and daily plans may change. We reserve the right to update the itinerary for weather, road conditions, availability or safety, and if something changes we'll swap in something just as good.
Is this trip for me?
Level 2 of 4
You'll enjoy this if you ride a couple of times a week and are comfortable with 30–45 miles on rolling roads, a few days in a row. No racing, no pressure.
- Shorter riding days, about 35 miles on average
- Rolling green hills with one bigger climb
- A great first multi-day trip
A typical day
Breakfast together, then we roll out mid-morning. We stop for coffee and a long lunch along the way, and arrive at the next stay in the afternoon with time to shower, explore or nap. Evenings are for dinner, whether it's a group dinner or one of the places I've picked for you to try on your own.
How the riding works
- I ride with the group every day.
- A support van carries your luggage, follows the ride with snacks and water, and can pick you up anytime.
- You'll get every day's route ahead of time for your GPS or phone.
- Ride at your own pace. We regroup at coffee and lunch stops.
The food
The highlight is a long lunch at Txispa in the hills of Atxondo, where everything is cooked over wood fire. Around it: pintxo crawls in San Sebastián and Vitoria, a night at a farmhouse inn with its own cider house, and plenty of free nights to explore some of the best eating towns in Europe.
Where you stay
Small, characterful 3–4 star stays: a hotel in San Sebastián at the start and end, a rural inn with a cider house in Navarre, a hotel in Vitoria, a country cottage in the Urkiola hills, and a coastal hotel in Deba. Everyone gets their own room in Arbizu. Exact properties are confirmed closer to the trip.
What's included
- 7 nights of hand-picked stays
- Breakfast every day
- Three group dinners
- Signature lunch at Txispa
- Luggage van between stays, and van support on every ride
- Snacks and water on rides
- Rider jersey and cap
- Alex riding with you every day
- Pro photos and video of the trip
Not included
- Flights
- Airport and train transfers
- Most lunches
- Dinners on free nights
- Drinks beyond the wine at group dinners
- Bike rental (offered as an add-on)
- Travel insurance (required)
Price and booking
Pricing is announced Nov 16, 2026. Email subscribers get first access, and booking opens to everyone on Nov 19.
We confirm the trip is running by February 19, 2027. Please wait until then to book flights.
Getting there
Fly into San Sebastián, or into Biarritz (about 45 minutes away) or Bilbao (about 1 hour 15 minutes). We meet at the start hotel on Saturday afternoon for the opening dinner, and the trip ends after breakfast the following Saturday. Want to arrive early or stay longer? Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
Your host
Alex Blosil, chef and ride leader
I'm a chef from Utah. I fell for France at 15, lived there in my early twenties and spent a winter cooking in Paris. I fell in love with cycling on a bike trip across Iowa with my mom, and my first food-and-bike trip was through Skåne in southern Sweden. Now I plan every trip around the best tables in each region, and I ride every mile with the group.
Questions
Is this a good first trip?
Yes. It's the most approachable trip of the season, with short days, and the van can pick you up anytime.
Can the route change?
Yes, sometimes. We reserve the right to change or update the route, stays and restaurants for weather, road conditions, availability or safety. If anything changes, we'll replace it with something just as good and let you know as early as we can.
How fit do I need to be?
See “Is this trip for me?” above. You don't need to be fast. The van can pick you up anytime, so you choose how much you ride.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. Or rent a quality bike from us as an add-on, fitted and ready when you arrive.
Can I get an e-bike?
Not on our 2027 trips. The van follows every ride, so if you need a break, you can hop in anytime.
I'm traveling solo. Can I have my own room?
Yes. You can choose your own room, or a shared room if you're booking with a friend or partner.
I have dietary needs. Is that OK?
Of course. Tell us when you book. I'm a chef, and I'll make sure you eat well.
Can a non-riding partner come?
Get in touch and we'll see what we can work out.
When do I pay?
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. The balance is due 120 days before the trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it's required. Choose a policy that covers cycling and trip cancellation.
What should I pack?
We'll send a packing list after you book. Plan on cycling kit for each riding day, a rain jacket, warm layers and casual clothes for dinners.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
How big is the group?
8 riders at most, plus me, our support driver and our filmmaker.
Still have a question? Email alex@chefalextours.com.