The ancient wine region of La Rioja, the smallest of Spain's regions is a household name known throughout the world. This ancient region's local wines are without doubt some of the country's finest, but Rioja is also home to spectacular mountain scenery, historic World Heritage sites, the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way), 150 million year old dinosaur trails and relaxing therapeutic thermal waters. The fertile plains of the Ebro valley have given rise to a wine producing industry which goes back to Roman times. The region's rich soil and plentiful supply of water enable it to produce high quality fruit and vegetables (including artichokes, asparagus, egg plant and peaches) which together with Rioja's excellent cured meats form the basis of excellent regional cuisine from traditional to haute cuisine. Baby goat "cabrito", potatoes cooked with red "chorizo" sausage and the popular sweet red peppers "pimientos del piqillo" are among the typical dishes of the region. Our easygoing Spanish biking trip will also take you further south to the largely undiscovered Ribera del Duero wine country, a swath of land that cuts along the Duero river, near Madrid where deeply complex Ribera reds have a growing number of devotees around the world.

Day 1 - A Rioja Introduction - Rendezvous in Logroño. Private transfer to the Rioja hamlet of Abalos and our home for the next two nights. Spin around the area, through a sea of ancient vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. Dinner tonight at a renowned local restaurant and wine cellar offering the best of La Rioja's traditional cuisine with a creative touch.
Lodging in Abalos (Today's route - 15 to 25 miles - easy biking)

Day 2 - La Rioja Wine Villages - Ride along the Ebro River to San Vicente de Sonsierra, then up to Labastida to a historic winery located in a centuries-old monastery. Traditional Rioja lunch and private wine tasting at the prestigious Remelluri cellars where exquisite wines are the product of centuries of tradition. Tonight, enjoy a romantic or fun filled evening on your won in LaGuardia, perhaps sampling some the area's famous tapas.
Lodging in Abalos (Today's route - 30 to 40 miles - easy to moderately easy biking)

Day 3 - Camino de Santiago - Morning ride to a fifteenth-century vineyard for a historical perspective on wine making. Cycle through the picturesque towns of Briones and Azofre and spin near the thousand year-old Camino de Santiago known by some as the Saint James Way before visiting the Abadía de Cañas. Late afternoon transfer to hill top Lerma, dating back to pre-Roman times. Dine in the town's Parador, built in the 15th century for King Felipe the Third.
Lodging in Lerma (Today's route - 30 to 40 miles - easy to moderately easy biking)

Day 4 - Ribera del Duero Wine Country - Ride to Santo Domningo de Silos, where we'll visit the monastery that made Gregorian chant internationally famous. Visit the Yecla Gorge before riding through the town of Caleruega on our way into Ribera del Duero wine country. Arrive at Peñaranda del Duero where the town's jail has a local vintner. Dinner tonight featuring the best of traditional Duero cuisine. Prefer more riding ! Take an extra ride up to the twelfth-century Vid Monastery, known as one of the top wineries in the region.
Lodging in Peñaranda del Duero (Today's route - 30 to 40 miles - easy to moderate biking)

Day 5 - Duratón Canyon Scenery - Travel to the hillside town of Sepúlveda, dramatically perched on the edge of the Duratón Canyon Nature Reserve and Castile's most important nature reserve. Perhaps wander among its medieval streets to visit its Romanesque monuments before heading out into the wheat fields and Segovian towns. Follow the meandering Casla River to the fortress town of Pedraza de la Sierra, with one of the most beautiful main squares in Castilla y León. Visit its cobbled streets and adorned houses forming a perfect medieval setting. Celebrate your Spanish biking journey with a colorful farewell fiesta and dinner.
Lodging in Pedraza (Today's route - 35 to 45 miles - easy to moderate biking)

Day 6 - Madrid - Homeward bound. Say goodbye to the open landscapes of Spain and take a private transfer to Madrid via the historical village of Segovia. Visit the old town sqaure with its medieval and Renaissance buildings, and the (1st-century) Roman aqueduct in the Plaza del Azoguejo which brought water from 15 kilometres away. Arrive at your post-trip hotel or other travel connections in Madrid in time for lunch. As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Adios !

NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION? E-mail or call our professional travel advisers at Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat. They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.

Please note that the above itinerary is typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate optional route daily distances & effort levels, your daily biking pace and interests, and special local events. Weather conditions and road repairs, etc. can also alter the routes.
In an effort to enhance this itinerary to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are always in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations and interesting places to visit.

Hotel Villa Abalos - Abalos (2 nights) - is a beautifully restored 17th-century ancestral home with original walls enhancing a cosy lounge and elegantly decorated guestrooms. Stone, wood and ironwork complement a spacious and warm atmosphere.
Parador Lerma - Lerma (1 night) - is a Ducal Palace that was constructed on the site of a 15th-century castle as a place of lodging, rest and general enjoyment for King Felipe III.
Hotel Torremilanos - Peñaranda del Duero (1 night) - located on a bodegas "wine estate" is an inn with a grand lobby and outstanding service. Amenities include a pretty terrace off the breakfast room where a glass of wine in the late afternoon is the perfect conclusion to a day's riding.
Hospederia de Santo Domingo - Pedraza (1 night) - is an early 18th-century restored house in the Jewish quarter of Pedraza. Earthenware floors and thick wooden beams combined with warm tones are complemented with a peaceful garden surrounded by an ancient wall with wonderful views of the Guadarrama mountain range.

Note: The above Michelin rated hotels are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. Alternative accommodations meet or excede the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.