Arima Hotel in San Sebastian: cycling destination approved
Bike hotels are not infrequently functionally equipped places. Everything is there, but if you're honest, you wouldn't book that hotel with your partner. Unless you are both bike crazy, but even then. In the Basque Country, they have found something to that. The beautiful Arima Hotel & Spa, on the south side of San Sebastian, [...]
Grand Depart Basque Country - Stage 3 at Haimar's doorstep
The coast of the Basque country is rugged, green and hilly. Small towns and villages are interspersed with green strips that continuously undulate up and down. When the riders of the men's peloton ride stage 3 of the Grand Depart on Monday 3 July 2023, they will still be gulping. Not because of the beauty, or because of [...]
Grand Depart Basque Country: from capital Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián
In 2023, the Basque Country will be completely dominated by the Tour de France. With three stages going through northern Spain, it will be a big celebration of cycling in general and cycling in the Basque Country in particular. Earlier you could see the preview of stage one on this medium. Today [...]
Round the Basque Country: in the wake of the Grand Depart Euskadi - part 1
A rugged coastline, interspersed with idyllic towns and a deserted beach. Sounds of the 'txalaparta' instead of the more rhythmic Flamenco. A cheerful ¡Aupa! to all the other cyclists you meet. Basque Country is really a different kind of Spain from what you are used to. You won't find tapas here. Pintxos are the 'snack of choice'. Want to [...]
Basque Country diary part 5: land of wind and wine
The jolly man in the blue shirt starts talking to me unintelligibly. Dressed like that in cycling clothes, I do not immediately recognise him as señor Landa. Right, Mikel Landa's grandfather (!) got ready for a bike ride this morning. From his enthusiastic story, I can just decipher that he says: 'I [...]
