VUELTA A ESPAÑA - TOUR OF SPAIN 2020 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
6 Days | 22nd – 27th August 2020
10 Days | 22nd – 31st August 2020
DAY 2 – Sunday 23rd August. 2020
DAY 3 – Monday 24th August,2020
9am: This morning after breakfast, we transfer you to Asturias Airport for your onward travel.
DAY 8 – Saturday 29th August, 2020
DAY 9 – Sunday 30th August, 2020
DAY 10 – Monday 31st August, 2020Travel Insurance
More About Our Vuelta a’Espana Tour
LOCATIONFrench Pyrenees and Spain
PAYMENTS
Bookings closed
No hidden Credit Card fees.
- 6 DAY TOURDates: 22nd – 27th August 2020
$750 AUD – Advanced Booking Deposit
6 Day Tour Price: 4250$ AUD per person (Approximate conversion: $3000 USD per person)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single Supplement Price: $575 AUD per person
Approximate conversion: $375 USD per person
* Our twin share prices are per person based on two people sharing one room. If you are travelling alone, you have the option of sharing a twin room with another tour participant that we’ll match you with or alternatively, have a room to yourself by paying the additional single room supplement.
Feel free to give us a call or email, we’re here to help. Contact Us Now
- 10 DAY TOUR22nd – 31st August 2020
$750 AUD – Advanced Booking Deposit (Risk Free – it’s 100% fully refundable)
10 Day Tour Price: $6750.00 AUD per person
Approximate conversion: USD $4450.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single Supplement Price: $820.00 AUD per person
Approximate conversion: USD $550.00
* Our twin share prices are per person based on two people sharing one room. If you are travelling alone, you have the option of sharing a twin room with another tour participant that we’ll match you with or alternatively, have a room to yourself by paying the additional single room supplement.
Feel free to give us a call or email, we’re here to help. Contact Us Now
Vuelta a España 2020 Including Our Camino de Santiago Cycling Pilgrimidge
We’ve teamed up with our longtime friend, Australian and Tour de France cycling legend Phil Anderson on a new series of signature, collaboration tours. This tour takes in the Vuelta a España – The Tour of Spain.
The Vuelta a España is the unheralded Grand Tour of cycling. It offers an explosive three weeks of mountaintop finishes raced in the late afternoon Spanish light and immersed in a culture of relaxed eating and drinking.
Our 2020 Vuelta Tour follows the Vuelta a’Espana from The Col du Tourmalet in the French Pyrenees to the north-west of Spain. We’ll see varied aspects of the Vuelta race, take in the finest parts of Spain and follow a similar path to the Camino de Santiago, “The French & Primativo Camino routes”.
We’ll visit the start point of the Camino deep in the French Pyrenees border region. We then criss cross the camino routes as we traverse the north of Spain, from the central Rioja region across to the west, providing non cyclists a world of optional walking /camino experiences to intertwine with Vuelta race experiences.
The Vuelta a España is now on the bucket list of professional cyclists and weekend warriors alike. No longer overlooked by those seeking cycling holiday experiences the Vuelta a España also features highly as a desired palmare for all the general classification contenders of the current era.
The 2020 Vuelta a España will again be one of the hardest races you will see, we follow the race for 10 days that includes the combination of riding, spectating, relaxing, cool drinks, Pintxos, Tapas and generally enjoying wonderful Spanish life.
Our Optional Tour extension will see an additional two stages of the Vuelta, plus finish our pilgrimidge in the famous Spainish town of Santiago de Compostela – the finishing point of the Camino de Santiago route. Contact us directly to register your interest.
We love everything about Spain, it’s a great climate for cycling, beautiful roads and a culture which encourages cycling and the outdoors, we love it so much – we have our European base in a small village in Spain. We’re sure you’ll love Spain as much as we do.
-
Vuelta a España
10 Day Bike Hire
$70 AUD/day$520.00 AUD
itinerary
6 Day and 10 DAY ITINERARIES
Vuelta a España – Tour of Spain 2020
DAY 1
Day 1 – Saturday 22nd August.
ARRIVAL DAY: Welome Ride – Getting settled
Race Stage 8. Huesca – Sabiñánigo 185.8km
La Vuelta visits the French Pyrenees briefly, it’s your chance to combine the Vuelta and Le Tour to experience the incredible Pyrnees.
Welcome to the 2020 Vuelta which will start on the French side of the Pyrenees.
As always we recommend arriving at our Team Hotel a day or two prior to your tour start, it’ll reduce travel stress and you’ll adjust to the local time zone far better. If you are already in Spain or France navigate to our Team Hotel or alternatively we can pick you up at:
10:00am Tarbes Airport
or
11:00am Lourdes TGV Trainstation.
Once we have all convened at out Tour start hotel we will set up and fit our bikes, readying them for the rigours of the Vuelta a Espania.
We start our tour with the now tradition welcome ride, an easy 45km with sufficient bumps to get the heart pumping and set the theme for the days to come.
Tonight’s meal is on the house, a time to celebrate in style with a classic French welcome meal and drinks at our superb 4 star Hotel. It’s a great chance to catch up with new friends and old and talk about our sojourn into La Vuelta.
Our Ride: Welcome Ride 45km / 650m climbing
We’ll show you one of our favourite local Pyrenees Training Loops. This afternoon we head straight out of the door from our Team Hotel along some small lesser know, yet lovely and quiet roads of the region.
Today’s ride is a nice way to make sure your bike and body are all working well for the following days ahead.
Non-cycling options:
Explore our beautiful Pyrenean village, there’s plenty to explore and see, take some time to settle in or relax in the spacious grounds of our historic hotel. If you fancy being active, we have plenty of great walks or hikes we can suggest.
Alternatively, ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Vuelta Race: Huesca – Sabiñánigo 185.8km
We’ll catch the last hour of the race live on TV as the Vuelta heads north toward us in the French Pyrenees.
Après Ride: 3 Course Welcome Dinner and Drinks.
Tonight we gather in the superb restaurant at our hotel for our welcome dinner and drinks. Our hotel and restuarant showcase a bygone era of opulent travel, the elegant restaurant is complete with wood floors, chandeliers, great local food, wine and service with an abundance of character
Accommodation:
French Pyrnees – Luxury 4 Star, Spa and Bike Hotel.
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
Day 6 – Thursday 27th August, 2020
6 DAY TOUR END
10 DAY TOUR CONTINUES
Stage 15: 159km Tineo > Santuario del Acebo
The Vuelta tackles the Alto de Acebo twice in the 15th stage and visit the two most famous mountain passes in western Asturias: Puerto del Conio and Puerto del Pozo de las Mujeres Muertas before what should be a dramatic finale.
We have planned an equally arduous day on the bike. There are mountains to climb as we too head for the Santuario del Acebo and with more than 3000m of climbing en-route it will be a day for the mountain goats.
Always there is the option to shorten the ride and for all of the passage home is in the comfort of our vehicle.
Our Rides: Distance: 70km – 105km Climbing: 600m – 1000m
10 Day Tour Continues
DAY 7
DAY 7 – Friday 28th August, 2020
Stage 16: 155km Pravia – Alto de la Cubilla
A defining mountain stage presents today and it is one that could determine the outcome of the Vuelta. We do need to be at the finish to witness what could be the winner of the 2019 Vuelta take the stage at the end of a momentous 2nd week.
Our route to the stage finish on the Alto De la Cubilla is less circuitous and via small country lanes. There will be climbing, an inevitability but less so than yesterday and with time for a leisurely lunch en-route it should be a typically relaxing ride day in Spain.
Tonight we will celebrate the end of the middle segment of La Vuela 2019. The final week looks far less challenging and the winner could well be coasting home.
Our Rides: Distance 50km – 80km Climbing: 750m – 1200m
Après Bike:
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
Inclusions
- Pro mechanical support on tour
- Support vehicle each day to carry daypacks, spare parts, hydration and ride snacks
- Separate Spectator Itinerary for Non-cyclists
- Itinerary, including daily ride maps
- Free download of our GPS Ride Routes
- Complimentary return airport – or Train station transfers
- Daily Bike Spa including Bike Wash, Mechanical check and tune, by a Pro Mechanic
- Cyclists Receive Our Premium Quality European Rider Pack including: Jersey, Knicks, Socks, Cycling Cap and Musette Bag
- Non-Cyclists Receive a Spectator Pack including Designer Ride International Tours Polo Shirt, Socks, Cap and Musette Bag
Exclusions
Advance Bookings:
We open up our Advance Reservations for tours so you can book well ahead. Guarantee your position by booking up to 12 months prior.
If you’d like to organise and book your trip more than 12 months prior, contact us via email or phone, we’ll arrange everything so you can make an advanced early booking.
An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.
Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.
If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.
To cancel an advance reservation a cancellation request must be submitted in writing/ via email within 14 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 14-day period.
Final Payments:
The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 120 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.
What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.
Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.
* PLEASE NOTE: For Phil Anderson to attend this tour, there needs to be a minimum of 4 guests booked. In the event that Phil does not attend this tour, our experienced, professional team of Australian and local on and off-bike guides will host your tour.
AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:
| 120 – 91 days prior to departure | 50% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 90 – 61 days prior to departure | 75% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 60 days and less prior to departure | 100% cancellation fee of the trip price |
6 Day and 10 DAY ITINERARIES
Vuelta a España – Tour of Spain 2020
2019 Day 1 – Saturday 22 Aug.
ARRIVAL DAY: Welome Ride – Getting settled
Stage 8. Huesca – Sabiñánigo 185.8km
La Vuelta visits the French Pyrenees briefly, it’s your chance to combine the Vuelta and Le Tour to experience the incredible Pyrnees.
Welcome to the 2020 Vuelta which will start on the French side of the Pyrenees.
As always we definitely recommend arriving at our Team Hotel a day or two prior to your tour start, it’ll reduce travel stress and you’ll adjust to the local time zone far better. If you are already in Spain or France navigate to our Team Hotel or alternatively we can pick you up at:
10:00am Tarbes Airport
or
11:00am Lourdes TGV Trainstation.
Once we have all convened at out Tour start hotel we will set up and fit our bikes, readying them for the rigours of the Vuelta a Espania.
We start our tour with the now tradition welcome ride, an easy 45km with sufficient bumps to get the heart pumping and set the theme for the days to come.
Tonight’s meal is on the house, a time to celebrate in style with a classic French welcome meal and drinks at our superb 4 star Hotel. It’s a great chance to catch up with new friends and old and talk about our sojourn into La Vuelta.
Our Ride: Welcome Ride 45km / 650m climbing
We’ll show you one of our favourite local Pyrenees Training Loops. This afternoon we head straight out of the door from our Team Hotel along some small lesser know, yet lovely and quiet roads of the region.
Todays ride is a nice way to make sure your bike and body are all working well for the following days ahead.
Non-cycling options:
Explore our beautiful Pyrenean village, there’s plenty to explore and see, take some time to settle in or relax in the spacious grounds of our historic hotel. If you fancy being active, we have plenty of great walks or hikes we can suggest.
Alternatively ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Vuelta Race: Huesca – Sabiñánigo 185.8km
We’ll catch the last hour of the race live on TV as the Vuelta heads north toward us in the French Pyrenees.
Après Ride: 3 Course Welcome Dinner and Drinks.
Tonight we gather in the superb restaurant at our hotel for our welcome dinner and drinks. Our hotel and restuarant showcase a bygone era of opulent travel, the elegant restaurant is complete with wood floors, chandeliers, great local food, wine and service with an abundance of character
Accommodation:
French Pyrnees – Luxury 4 Star, Spa and Bike Hotel.
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 04 SEPT. 2019
Stage 11: 169km Saint Palias to Urdax
We plan on a classic Spanish start to the day, relaxed enough to allow a little time to explore San Sebastian, before we head out for a mid-morning ride that will have us arrive in Urdax with time for a late lunch before the stage finish. The rides are short enough to allow for at least 60km | 1000m-1600m of climbing on our first incursion into the Spanish mountains.
Stage 11 is a middle-mountain stage running over 4 intermediate climbs before an exciting downhill finish in town. There are expectations of an attacker stealing the day but I would expect the stronger teams to control and dominate the stage, managing time bonuses before a strong finale in the streets of Urdax.
As the temperate cools we will drive back to San Sebastian for tapas, and a late dinner. Spanish already!
Our Rides: Distance 60km | Climbing: 1000m (Extra’s available)
.
DAY 3 – THURSDAY 05 SEPT. 2019
Stage 12: 175km Circuito de Navarra – Bilboa
Stage 12 involves three short but tough consecutive climbs, very close together through stunning country. The penultimate climb, the steep Alto El Vivero will precede the 7km descent to what will be a dramatic stage finish in Bilbao.
As La Vuelta heads East we will consequently extend our ride to take in the ascent of the Alto El Vivero to watch the race in its closing stages. We are likely to be in the mix of the cycling-mad Basque. It will be unrivalled spectating after a reasonably long ride to secure our positions.
We will return to San Sebastian with our feet up and spirits high for our last night in town before we chase the peloton along the coast to our next hotel.
Our Rides: Distances: 60km-130km Climbing: 850m – 1500m
.
DAY 4 – FRIDAY 06 SEPT. 2019
Stage 13: 168km Bilboa – Los Machucos
A tour is designed around the riding and of course La Vuelta, occasionally it involves not just the obligatory transfer, but a ride and a stage finish. We will have the luxury of a relaxed start to our day, typically Spanish followed by a race chase both by car and bike.
A mountain top finish is on our race card. This critical stage includes seven climbs before the final ascent to Los Machucos. This is the climb that Froome faltered on in 2017 and is one the Spanish refer to as ‘rampas inhumanas’. The Cantabrian mountain is a synonym for torture. The climb is only 7.3 kilometres at 8.7%, but this average hides the initial 17.5% ramp before it is followed by a steep descent. A km further and there is a 26% gradient, which continues onto a small plateau and yet another ramp of 25%.
Our ride may be difficult as well but will not be preceded by 6 climbs and we will tackle the mountain from behind.
Our Rides: Distance: 45km – 85km Climbing: 700m – 1400m
.
DAY 5 – SATURDAY 07 SEPT. 2019
Stage 14: 189km San Vincente de la barquera – Oviedo
Stage 14 see’s a return of the sprinters on a flat stage which in finishes in Oviedo, reasonably close to home. Bearing that in mind, we have planned a beautiful ride towards the Asturian coast, away from the race with a return planned to catch the stage finish in town.
A late breakfast is planned followed by a ride start time that the pro’s would envy. We will head out easy and have a relaxed lunch en-route, we’ll clip back onto the bikes for the roll home and a race to catch.
Our Rides: Distance: 65km – 90km Climbing: 700m – 1000m (extra’s available)
.
DAY 6 – SUNDAY 08 SEPT 2019
10 DAY TOUR CONTINUES
Stage 15: 159km Tineo > Santuario del Acebo
The Vuelta tackles the Alto de Acebo twice in the 15th stage and visit the two most famous mountain passes in western Asturias: Puerto del Conio and Puerto del Pozo de las Mujeres Muertas before what should be a dramatic finale.
We have planned an equally arduous day on the bike. There are mountains to climb as we too head for the Santuario del Acebo and with more than 3000m of climbing en-route it will be a day for the mountain goats.
Always there is the option to shorten the ride and for all of the passage home is in the comfort of our vehicle.
Our Rides: Distance: 70km – 105km Climbing: 600m – 1000m
6 DAY TOUR END
DAY 7 – MONDAY 09 SEPT 2019
Stage 16: 155km Pravia – Alto de la Cubilla
A defining mountain stage presents today and it is one that could determine the outcome of the Vuelta. We do need to be at the finish to witness what could be the winner of the 2019 Vuelta take the stage at the end of a momentous 2nd week.
Our route to the stage finish on the Alto De la Cubilla is less circuitous and via small country lanes. There will be climbing, an inevitability but less so than yesterday and with time for a leisurely lunch en-route it should be a typically relaxing ride day in Spain.
Tonight we will celebrate the end of the middle segment of La Vuela 2019. The final week looks far less challenging and the winner could well be coasting home.
Our Rides: Distance 50km – 80km Climbing: 750m – 1200m
.
Après Bike:
DAY 8 – TUESDAY 10 SEPT 2019
Departure Day – Adios
9am: This morning after breakfast, we transfer you to Asturias Airport for your onward travel.
Thank you for joining us at the Vuelta a España, we hope you enjoyed the ride.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon Ciao Pat, Phil and Grace
DAY 9 – WEDNESDAY 11 SEPT 2019
Departure Day – Adios
9am: This morning after breakfast, we transfer you to Asturias Airport for your onward travel.
Thank you for joining us at the Vuelta a España, we hope you enjoyed the ride.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon Ciao Pat, Phil and Grace
DAY 10 – THURSDAY 12 SEPT 2019
Departure Day – Adios
9am: This morning after breakfast, we transfer you to Asturias Airport for your onward travel – or Alternatively choose the optional extra to join us on our tour extension to complete our Camino by bike to Santiago.
Thank you for joining us at the Vuelta a España, we hope you enjoyed the ride.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon Ciao Pat, Phil and Grace
10
Years of Experience
63
Tours Completed
1,384
Trip Guests
32,926km
Cycled on Tour
238
Hotels Visited
OUR GUEST REVIEWS
“Both Pat and Grace have excellent people skills, they build relationships quickly, they were always well organised with itineraries or plans for the day re weather, road changes, or unexpected issues that arose. Hard work from them made our tour of two weeks a dream holiday along with all the extra drama of the biggest cycling race in the world.”
“Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour. You and your team certainly exceeded my expectations, not only with the rides but local knowledge which helped make life simple.”
“It is the small things that you guys do behind the scenes that makes all the difference. It was an amazing experience to ride in Italy and experience the Giro first hand. Thanks again and looking forward to the next tour.”
“I first met Pat and Grace on a cycling tour in Europe in 2013. Pat and Grace make the perfect team to run these types of tours, both are friendly, bubbly and outgoing in their personalities and each bring their own invaluable skills to touring with a group.”
“Wow, two of the greatest tour guides I know. Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team to handle your once in a life time tour. I’ve done at least 4 two-week cycle tours with one or both of this husband wife team. Every one has been extraordinary. You will not go wrong with one of these two as your tour coordinators.”
ABOUT US
Operating since 2007, we offer a range of bespoke cycling tours across Australia, Europe and Asia.
