VITORIA-GASTEIZ

The administrative capital of the Basque region, home of Alaves F.C. and the flat capital of Europe. Blocks of them 6 to 10 stories high lined our 5 km ride into the centre and many more are visible from our hotel balcony across the other side of town. I have yet to see a house. Coupled with huge amounts of construction and chaos caused by ongoing tram lines removal this did not make a favourable first impression of this historic city. Weary bodies (442 km in our first week of riding) decided a rest day was due so we got a tidy ensuite room with balcony and breakfast, near the old centre, for 45 euros which we thought was good value until we discovered the lack of hot water. After pointing this out we are now have a double room plus large lounge area with kitchen, hall with chez longue and a rooftop balcony where you could have a decent game of 5 a side football. But the water is still only warm...