Villa
de Ábalos - Cycling Weekends
Jose Luis of Villa de Abalos
invites you to join him on a short bicycle tour of the Ábalos area.
An easy circuit of about 30 km that will please both serious cyclists and
occasional bikers.
The route starts off passing between vineyards on the way to San Vicente
de la Sonsierra where there will be a short stop to admire the fantastic
views from the castle and to pay a visit to the Cofradía de la Vera
Cruz. You will then carry on along the banks of the Rio Ebro, passing tiny
villages, wine caverns and ancient stone wine vats where people were making
wine since the 15th century.
En route you will pop in to two small family bodegas where you can learn
more about the wine-making process and try the results.
The base for these
tours is the little village of Ábalos, where the leisurely pace of
a bike ride will allow visitors to discover the numerous historic family
houses with their arms carved on the front, the impressive Palacio de los
Legarda, the magnificent altar-piece of the church of St Stephen, and the
historic remains scattered about the countryside. If your limbs feel a little
weary at the end of the day, the Hospederíá Villa de Ábalos
will provide rest and comfort. The tour includes two nights stay in this
beautiful 17th century ancestral home, replete with Merche's delightful meals
of regional dishes with her own personal touch.
If you're a regular cyclist
and you want to expand your horizons, why not take the weekend as the
start of a longer cycling holiday in the Rioja area. There's no better place.
DATES.-
This programme will run on each of the following weekends:
18 to 20 April
16 to 18 May
13 to 15 June
18 to 20 July
15 to 17 August
19 to 21 September
PROGRAMME.-
FRIDAY
Arrive at Hotel Hospedería Villa de Ábalos
Welcome dinner
SATURDAY
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Depart towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra (8 km)
Visit to the old stone wine vats
11:30 Arrive at San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Visit the castle and the Cofradía de la Vera Cruz
12:30 Depart towards Baños de Ebro (8 km)
13:00 Onward to Villabuena (3 km)
13:30 Visit a bodega and try the product
14:30 Lunch
16:00 Set off towards Samaniego (5 km)
16:30 The final leg towards Ábalos (3 km)
17:00 Visit another bodega to make sure it's just as good as the first (!)
18:30 Arrival back at the hotel
20:00 Visit to St Stephen's church in Ábalos
SUNDAY
Breakfast
Do as you please. Jose Luis will probably suggest a visit to the Museum of
Wine Culture
PRICE.-
Per person, sharing a double room: € 205
Single room supplement: 60€
Including 7% VAT
INCLUDED.-
Two nights bed & breakfast in the Hotel Hospedería Villa de Ábalos.
Welcome dinner on Friday night in "Merche's Kitchen" where we recommend
the typical Rioja cuisine, accompanied by a Rioja Crianza wine.
A guide for the whole route, with assistance if required.
Picnic lunch en-route.
All of the visits mentioned in the programme.
NOTE
If you don't want to bring your own bike (or don't have one), the hotel can
lend you one for € 15.
Do remember to bring suitable clothing for the ride.
