Arriving
We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Biarritz, France (BIQ) and take a taxi nine miles south to our meeting point in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Alternatively, fly into Paris, France (CDG) and travel by TGV train six hours southwest to the Saint-Jean-de-Luz station, less than one mile from our meeting point. For train schedules and further information please consult www.RailEurope.com.
As the trip ends in the Costa Brava region of Spain, we recommend booking your return flight from Barcelona Airport (BCN). There are hourly trains from Girona to the downtown Barcelona Sants Station, and the trip takes about an hour. From the station, you can connect to the airport by a 20-minute train ride. For further information, consult www.RENFE.com.
August 17, 2023 trip start date: Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa (143, Boulevard Thiers, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France) at 9:00 AM on the first day of the trip.
August 30, 2023 trip start date: Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Hotel La Reserve (1 Avenue Gaëtan Bernoville, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France) at 9:00 AM on the first day of the trip.
After a brief round of introductions, you'll begin your first ride through the Pays Basque. Your guides will be at this trip start hotel between 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM on the previous day, where you can choose to meet them to be fit to your bike a day early. This pre-bike fitting is not mandatory but highly recommended if your travel schedule allows. If you can't make the pre-bike fitting on the previous day, you will be fit to your bike on the first day of the trip at 8:30 AM. Please have your cycling gear handy and separate from your other luggage to facilitate the bike fitting and ride on the first riding's day.
If you are going to be late for the bike fit or are going to miss the meeting altogether, please inform your guides. You will receive an email a week before the trip start with their names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel in Saint-Palais, Hôtel de la Paix (+33) 5 59 65 73 15, and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details. Buses leave four times daily from Bayonne (25 miles north of Saint-Jean-de-Luz) to Saint-Palais. The journey will take just over an hour and cost around 10 euros. Consult www.RailEurope.com for more information.
View our pre hotel recommendations