Durango 12 June

Braganca to Durango (Basque Country) 330 miles

Leaving Braganca, I was pleasantly surprised by the mild weather, a welcome change from the previous day's heat. It suited me perfectly for riding, although my original plan to take the A-11 to Durango quickly changed. Due to a 45-minute delay, I opted for the A-52 and A-66 through Leon instead. With my comms down, I navigated carefully until I reached Leon, where I continued on the A-231 to Burgos. From there, the AP-1 swiftly brought me to Durango. Just as I approached my destination, a heavy rainstorm began but fortunately subsided upon my arrival home.

On my recent visits to the Basque Country, I had the pleasure of dining at two renowned restaurants: Azurmendi, boasting three stars, and Asador Etxebarri, celebrated with one star. Seeking authentic tapas,

I followed the hotel's reservation to a local gem. To my surprise, the restaurant was tucked away in a charming back room at the end of a tapas bar within a housing complex—reminiscent of stepping into a beloved grandparent's home.

Despite my initial apprehension, I was warmly welcomed by the waiter who promptly seated me and presented the menu, with the English version accessible only via a convenient QR code. For starters, I chose the Iberian ham, followed by Galician Octopus as my main course. The waiter's wine selections from Rioja complemented the meal beautifully, enhancing an already delightful but earthy experience.