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8 Days / 7 Nights
CLICK HERE FOR
ITINERARY MAP
DAY 1:
MADRID - EZCARAY (LA RIOJA)
24 km/15 miles
- Guests are collected at the agreed time at
the airport or their hotel in Madrid.
- Transit by minibus (4 hours) to a charming
mountain hotel in the ski resort of Ezcaray
- En-route Pause for a light lunch, followed
by a tour of the landmarks of the ancient
city of Burgos.
- From Santo Domingo La Calzada we bicycle
the last 15 miles along the river Oja as far
as Ezcaray.
- Upon arrival, welcome drink, delivery of
tour documents and bicycle selection
process.
- Time for a stroll around to the village
through which flows the river Oja, giving
its name to the Autonomous Region of La
Rioja
- Dinner at the hotel
- Overnight in Ezcaray
L, D
DAY 2:
EZCARAY - HARO
74 km/46 mi 220 m gradient
- Breakfast
- After breakfast we start our cycling route
towards Santo Domingo de la Calazada and
Haro. (This will be quite a long day,
but the route may shortened depending on the
group's bicycling abilities).
- From Haro we cycle towards the village of
La Bastida (fortress) then on to Remelluri,
where we have lunch at the bodega
- This route, taking us along the left bank
of the river through the High Rioja and the
Rioja Alavesa regions is gently rolling and
follows side roads flanked by abundant
vineyards.
- Later, we visit the village of El Ciego
where we pause at the newly (end of 2006)
inaugurated Marques de Riscal winery,
designed by celebrated architect, Frank
Gehry
- Transfer back to the hotel by minibus back
to Haro. This is the wine capital of Rioja
Alta (the High Rioja). Many noblemen settled
in this region, leaving their beautiful
sunny palaces and mansions for posterity. It
has many wine cellars and an interesting
wine museum. Our hotel, situated in the
center of the town, is a former Augustine
convent. Nowadays it offers all the comforts
and traditional style of a four star hotel.
- The evening will be free and supper will
take place at the Parador hotel
- Overnight in Haro
B, L, D
DAY 3:
HARO - COVARRUBIAS (BURGOS)
36-50 km/23-31 mi 277 m gradient
- Breakfast
- After breakfast we depart on bicycle
following the Pilgrim's Way towards Najera
- We proceed to San Millan de la Cogolla to
visit the famous monasteries, site of the
first manuscripts ever to be written in the
Castilian language, followed by lunch
- In the afternoon our minibus will take us
through the Tierra de Cameros mountain
region, following the River Najerilla, and
pausing to view the village of Mansilla, now
submerged by the new reservoir.
- We will remount our cycles for some of the
most beautiful stretches, to arrive at
Covarrubias in time for a wholesome country
dinner and an overnight stay at a charming
hotel at the main square. Covarrubias is an
ensemble of well-restored and preserved
buildings of popular architecture where most
of the mansions have maintained their
mediaeval characteristics and charm
throughout the centuries.
Overnight in Covarrubias
B, L, D
DAY 4:
COVARRUBIAS - PEÑARANDA DE DUERO (BURGOS)
43-65 km/27-41 mi 390 m gradient
- Breakfast
- Our day starts on bicycle, heading towards
Santo Domingo de Silos to visit this
village's unique monastery, famous for the
Gregorian chants superbly sung by its monks
- We then continue towards the Yecla Gorge
and on to Caleruega
- From there we bicycle to Peñaranda where
we stay at the Posada (Inn) overlooking the
main square and the Castle. This inn has
very pleasant and comfortable lodgings, as
well as excellent cuisine
- Peñaranda is a small and peaceful village
dominated by an impressive fortress. Also to
be mentioned are the church, the main square
in front of the hotel and the palace of the
Zuñiga and Avellaneda families which can be
visited. Peñaranda hosts also one of the
oldest pharmacies of Spain (always within
the same family after eight generations).
- Overnight in Peñaranda de Duero
B, L
DAY 5
PEÑARANDA DE DUERO - PEÑAFIEL (VALLADOLID)
35-55 km/22-34mi 159 m gradient
- Breakfast
- We start with a visit to an ancient
pharmacy (maintained by the same family for
eight generations) and then visit the palace
- Afterwards, the minibus takes us on to
Sotillo where we tour one of the oldest
wineries of this region
- From there we will bicycle to Roa for
lunch
- The afternoon's ride takes us towards
Peñafiel, whose imposing castle can be seen
from many miles away
- In Peñafiel our accommodation is an
ancient monastery converted into a 4-star
hotel
- We dine at a restaurant previously housing
an flour mill.
- Peñafiel is the central point of the
Ribera del Duero region in the province of
Valladolid. It has one of the finest castles
in Spain and a very typical main square.
- Overnight in Peñafiel
B, L, D
DAY 6:
PEÑAFIEL - VALLADOLID
70 km/43 miles mostly flat
- Breakfast
- We begin cycling along the meadow on the
banks of the river Duero
- Our route takes us through beautiful and
plenteous vineyards and we pause at charming
villages like Pesquera
- Lunch on the way, and we board the
mini-bus in Tudela to be driven to our hotel
in Valladolid. The city has 320.000
inhabitants, it is the capital city of the
Autonomous Community of Castille and Léon.
It has many museums and churches with a
lively and bustling city centre thanks to
its many bars and restaurants.
- Time to rest or enjoy free time for
shopping and visiting the city sights
- Dinner is at a typical restaurant in the
city centre.
- Overnight in Valladolid
B, L, D
DAY 7:
VALLADOLID - SEGOVIA - MADRID
- Breakfast
- Early morning departure for Madrid where
we will arrive in the early afternoon after
a journey of 3 hours
- We will stop for a lunch break on the way,
and there is the possibility of including a
visit to the city of Segovia.
- Evening in Madrid free
- Overnight in Madrid
B, L
DAY 8:
MADRID
- Breakfast
- Transfer to airport or your own departure
arrangements if you continue your trip
- ¡Hasta pronto y buen viaje!
B
END OF TOUR SERVICES
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We use the mini bus to transport our guests to the most interesting bicycling
routes which we normally do in the mornings, followed by lunch, leaving the
afternoons and evenings for sightseeing and free time to relax.
We had a fabulous time on the Camino de Santiago! Everything worked as
it should have and all contact we had with anyone associated with
EATours was very friendly, very helpful and totally professional. You
can be sure that we will be passing the word. A real pleasure... 
