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Varied beach-front cycling along some of the most spectacular stretches of coast we've ever seen!
Arrive at your hotel where our agent will kit you out with your bike and run through the routes with you before a traditional dinner on the Douro riverfront. *(Staying at the Hotel Vincci Porto, Half Board)*
An optional, return cycle route takes you north of Porto following cycle paths, first along the river and then the ocean. You'll pass beaches, restaurants, the C16 castle of Sao Joao da Foz, the fishing village of Matosinhos and the Boa Nova Tea House of the famous Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, which belongs to Chef Rui Paula (from the Portuguese Masterchef). Alternatively, relax in Porto for the day, strolling along the narrow alleys and along the riverfront. A port wine tasting and cellar visit across the Douro River is included in the afternoon, while your evening meal has been left free so you can choose from one of the many restaurants on offer. *(Staying at the Hotel Vincci Porto, Breakfast Only) *
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 13
Take your time this morning, cycling along the south bank of the Douro River, where the rabelo boats line up along the quay. Perhaps stop for a tasting in one of the famous cellars before a glorious waterfront cycle path leads you from the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary, with its birdwatching hides, to the Atlantic coast. You exchange bays for beaches for the rest of the day, with many seafront restaurants to stop at for lunch. Relax on the sands at Espinho before hopping on the train (13 mins) to Ovar. For the longer route, continue cycling from Espinho to Ovar, making sure to visit the Parque de Bucaquinho. It's then flat cycling to your beachfront hotel at nearby Furadouro where you'll dine in the hotel restaurant. * (Staying at the Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Half Board)*
Distance in Km: 30
Distance in Miles: 19
Leaving Furadouro, pedal south along the protected Aveiro Lagoon past rickety pontoons, where plover and sandpiper tiptoe amid golden wattle and parrot feather in search of lunch. Hop on the train from Estarreja (14 mins, pay locally) or Salreu (another nearly 10km further on for those looking for a longer cycle) to the heart of Aveiro and your luxury mansion hotel. For dinner tonight you're free to choose from one of the many famous fish restaurants nearby. *(Staying at the Hotel Moliceiro, Breakfast Only) *
Distance in Km: 34
Distance in Miles: 22
Aveiro is known as 'Portugal's Venice'. Alleyways are lined with churrasquerias for lunch, and gondola-style boats cruise below swaying palms on the latticework canals. The noisy fish market is a daily event, and the excellent museum is set in a beautifully preserved Augustinian convent. A short bus trip (30 mins) leads to neighbouring Costa Nova; streets of wooden houses are squeezed between the beach and the lagoon, painted in candy floss pink, summer yellow and sailor-blue stripes. *(Staying at the Hotel Moliceiro, Breakfast Only) *
The Aveiro Lagoon narrows as you cycle south today. Vista Alegre is Portugal's oldest fine porcelain producer and has a fascinating museum and factory in Ilhavo. Head for lunch in Costa Nova (extends the day's route by a round-trip cycle of 12km) if you wish. Next, cross the lagoon to meet the ocean again in Vagueira where oxen were once used to pull fishing nets up the beach. You then turn inland, pedalling past pears, lemon orchards and strawberry fields to your beachfront hotel at Praia de Mira with its inviting rooftop pool. *(Staying at the Macarico Beach Hotel, Half Board in a local restaurant)*
Distance in Km: 33
Distance in Miles: 21
A leafy trail leads east into lagoons and acacia forest this morning, and sun-dappled routes cross timber, New England-style, covered bridges spanning clear-water canals. Kingfisher and blue heron are common here, and bright cistus and iris splash colour along the route leading past several perfect picnic spots. Have lunch by the sea and enjoy a final paddle before dinner back at your hotel. *(Staying at the Macarico Beach Hotel, Half Board in a local restaurant)*
Distance in Km: 24
Distance in Miles: 15
* 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
* All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
* Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
* Route directions and maps
* High quality bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
* Port wine-tasting
* GPS device
Portuguese cuisine is wholesome, hearty, and rarely fancy and relies heavily
on the use of different herbs and spices due to its Moorish influence. Fish
dishes are more predominant in the south, although northern regions often
offer delicious freshwater fish dishes.
The region is also famous for sticky desserts that use egg yolk. During the
Golden Age (15C and 16C), the area was very rich because of all the treasures
that were brought back from the discoveries of the New World. These riches
paid for many convents. The nuns needed egg whites to starch their habits so
they used the egg yolks in many gooey desserts that have curious names like
monk’s breast and nun’s stomach.
The Alentejo is also a highly respected wine region. The Romans were the
first to start cultivating vines here. You’ll find a whole range of
different vintages to try en route, the best known ones include Roupeiro,
Rabo do Ovelha and Antão Vaz (white) and Periquita, Trincadeira and Aragonez
(reds), although many small family run vineyards produce their own versions
as well. The majority of the wines served in Portugal come from this region.
If you enjoy a very young wine, try Vinho Verde from the North. Calcos do
Tanha from the Douro region is a good red wine as are Cozinha Velha, Esporão
and Ma Partilha from Terra do Sado. Try one of the many excellent ports as a
digestif.
* 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
* All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
* Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
* Route directions and maps
* High quality bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
* Port wine-tasting
* GPS device
**Cycling Conditions
*Classification*: Self*-*Guided
*Activity Level:* 1 (Leisurely)
*Average daily distance:* 28.2km (17.8miles) Please note that these are the
averages for the shorter walks , however on three of the days there is the
opurtunity to extend them.
*No. of days cycling:* 5
*Terrain and route: *The suggested routes mainly follow a mixture of
dedicated cycle paths, either beside the road or separate from the road, and
along some tracks.
*Vehicle Support:* This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle
independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map
and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are
transported from one hotel to the next.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we
make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe
others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone
number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to
dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this
service.
Hotels
Your hotels range from 4-star hotels in art-deco and historic buildings in
Porto and Aveiro respectively, to a chic designer property at Praia de Mira
and a boutique spa hotel in Furadouro. We've included four evening meals and
left you free to select from one of the many restaurants in Porto (night
two), and also in Aveiro.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your
luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes
contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In emergency, the
hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They
may wish to charge for this service.
Portuguese cuisine is wholesome, hearty, and rarely fancy and relies heavily
on the use of different herbs and spices due to its Moorish influence. Fish
dishes are more predominant in the south, although northern regions often
offer delicious freshwater fish dishes.
The region is also famous for sticky desserts that use egg yolk. During the
Golden Age (15C and 16C), the area was very rich because of all the treasures
that were brought back from the discoveries of the New World. These riches
paid for many convents. The nuns needed egg whites to starch their habits so
they used the egg yolks in many gooey desserts that have curious names like
monk’s breast and nun’s stomach.
The Alentejo is also a highly respected wine region. The Romans were the
first to start cultivating vines here. You’ll find a whole range of
different vintages to try en route, the best known ones include Roupeiro,
Rabo do Ovelha and Antão Vaz (white) and Periquita, Trincadeira and Aragonez
(reds), although many small family run vineyards produce their own versions
as well. The majority of the wines served in Portugal come from this region.
If you enjoy a very young wine, try Vinho Verde from the North. Calcos do
Tanha from the Douro region is a good red wine as are Cozinha Velha, Esporão
and Ma Partilha from Terra do Sado. Try one of the many excellent ports as a
digestif.
*Alternative Air Travel*
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private
transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to use one
of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these on your behalf (£30 admin
fee per person). We can also book UK shuttles to connect with your onward
flight, please call for details and prices.
*Alternative transfers*
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a
different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these
for you (there may be an additional charge).
*Air-rail prices include our standard flights, onward rail and station
transfers*
TAP Air Portugal Gatwick to Porto 11:50/14:10 then transfer to hotel 20 mins
Return: Transfer to station 50 mins then rail Aveiro to Porto Campanha
14:02/14:36 and TAP Air Portugal to Gatwick 17:55/20:05.
*Standard transfers*
Transfers included from Porto airport at 14:10, and back to Aveiro station at
13:00.
Porto has a temperate maritime climate with a strong Mediterranean influence.
The climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain
falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are
marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the
autumn. Heat waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (compulsory supplement)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Supplement for single traveller (includes single accommodation supplement)
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