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Scenic cycling through small villages and along stunning coastline
An airport transfer is included to pick you up from Porto airport (please ensure you arrive before 2.10pm). By the time you reach Moncao, the fortified town on the River Minho, you will come to understand why the Portuguese are so proud of the fact that the Spanish were never able to conquer them. Upon arrival there is time to sample some of the local wine.
On this stage you pedal westwards, along the River Minho to the Atlantic Ocean. Your journey takes you through extensive vineyards dedicated to the production of Vinho Verde (translates as young wine) which is a slightly carbonated, lower-alcohol wine; the perfect drink for a warm afternoon! You can pick up a bottle at the elegant Brejoeira Palace, which is a leading producer of top quality Vinho Verde. Along today's route you will cycle past landmarks of the battles between Portugal and Spain, such as the 17th Century stronghold at Valenca and the Vila Nova de Cerveira fort. That evening arrive in the elegant town of Caminha, located on the estuary of the River Minho, with a history dating back to pre-Roman times.
Distance in Km: 48
Distance in Miles: 30
Today you spend the morning cycling along the dramatic Atlantic Ocean coastline, through fishing villages that appear unchanged for centuries. Arriving in Viana do Castelo the peace and quiet is replaced by the buzz of this lively city, situated on the estuary of the River Lima. Viana has an impressive maritime history and the wealth created by this is demonstrated in the narrow lanes, crowded with Manueline manors and Rococo palaces. A must-see is the 19th Century Byzantine Santa Lucia Church on the hilltop overlooking the city, worth the steep climb for the breathtaking view. From here you cycle inland until you arrive in Ponte de Lima, the oldest village in Portugal. Your accommodation tonight is in a delightfully rural setting, and there is time to taste some of the wine and honey made on the estate itself.
Distance in Km: 53
Distance in Miles: 33
Cycle along the Lima river to Ponte da Barca. The town's historical centre has a number of manor houses (some of which have been adapted to provide accommodation for tourists), as well as some beautiful monuments dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. The route continues to Arcos de Valdevez, a town is situated in the valley of the River Vez and still retains much of the typical charm of the Alto Minho province - luxuriant green landscapes and the traditional architecture of its buildings, amongst which the most impressive are the manor houses. The municipality of Arcos de Valdevez is located inside the boundaries of the Peneda Geres National Park, where nature still conserves all of its original charm.
Distance in Km: 45
Distance in Miles: 28
The ride today follows the ancient Portuguese route towards Santiago de Compostela, and whether you are religious or not, is a really special experience. It is a route that those who have walked it for centuries, do so knowing they will meet challenges, experience great joy, and learn the lesson of life. The pleasant route today is through cornfields and vineyards to the pretty town of Barcelos on the River Cavado. Barcelos is the centre of the pottery industry in Portugal. There are markets held in the town on most days and a visit to one of these is highly recommended.
Distance in Km: 33
Distance in Miles: 20
The ride back to the Atlantic today is a short stage, so why not take some extra time to enjoy a great lunch the Portuguese way: a leisurely, several course meal that reminds you again why the Portuguese people are so proud of their cuisine. You arrive in Vila do Conde where you can enjoy a walk around the manors and palaces within the town centre, and take a leisurely stroll along the beach before dinner.
Distance in Km: 36
Distance in Miles: 22
The last stage of your holiday takes you on quiet cycle paths along the coast; along sand dunes, and passing through fishing villages and a seabird reserve. You approach Porto, and enter via the estuary of the River Douro. A UNESCO World Heritage City and best European City destination for 2013, 2014, and again for 2017, Porto is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The old centre boasts more than 1500 listed monuments, and the history of the traditional Port Wine can be explored by visiting many of the Port cellars which are open to the public and can be appreciated during the included Port tasting.
Distance in Km: 34
Distance in Miles: 21
* 7 nights 3 and 4-star hotels and guesthouses
* 6 days cycling with luggage transfers
* 86% paved, 14% unpaved (including some cobbled sections)
* Mainly flat or downhill roads with some gentle hills
A typical hotel breakfast consists of: toast/bread with jam,or honey, cheese
and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and
yoghurt.
Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh
seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually
sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways.
Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on
the region - there are up to 365 recipes to cook it! Caldo Verde (green soup)
is made with potatoes, olive oil and salt, sometimes with garlic and onion,
and is typical in the northern region of Portugal. For meat lovers the
barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and roasted just to it's
naturally delicious flavour. There are also several stew dishes to sample,
delicacies being Tripas à Moda do Porto (tripe & white bean stew) and
Rojões à Minhota (chunks of pork usually cooked with potatoes).
'Francesinha' is an iconic dish originating from Porto and involves layers of
different meats (usually beef, ham, grilled pork, linguiça (smoke cured pork
sausage) and sausage), between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese
and immersed in a spicy beer & tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg
and surrounded by chips. It is not for the faint hearted!
To drink you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Superbock beer. Vinho
Verde is available from the supermarket and directly from the producers. It
is a young, medium alcohol white wine with an almost carbonated quality. Port
needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will
generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal!
* 7 nights 3 and 4-star hotels and guesthouses
* 6 days cycling with luggage transfers
* 86% paved, 14% unpaved (including some cobbled sections)
* Mainly flat or downhill roads with some gentle hills
*Cycling conditions*
This is a self-guided cycling trip for those who like to cycle independently,
but with back up to take out the hard work and planning. We arrange your
accommodations, 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.
*Activity Level*: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
Please see the introductory pages of the cycling holidays brochure or our
website for more important information on classification and grading.
*Average daily ride*: 42km (26 miles).
*No. of days cycling*: 6
*Terrain & route*: Mostly on cycle paths or roads. Whilst the majority of the
cycling is on paved roads there will also be times you are cycling on cycle
paths - these can be of mixed terrain and are sometimes affected by adverse
weather conditions (i.e. they can get muddy). You will be warned at the
introductory briefing if there are any sections of the route where you need
to take extra care because of this. We would also like to point out that
cobbled roads are included in our description of 'paved roads'; something you
should take into consideration when booking.The route is mainly flat or
downhill with the occasional small climb.
*Vehicle Support*: A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the
bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.
It is very common to keep pet dogs in Northern Portugal for guarding rural
properties. Whilst on the cycle route, you may encounter dogs barking or
running alongside your bike. In most cases, dogs are confined to properties
for this trip.
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. Where
possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as
pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may
be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number
should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally
able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge
for this service.
*Families*
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer
the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as
and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your
family and the sites that interest you. As a guide we have suggested that 14
years is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will
be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you.
The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a
description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect.
On this trip, children should be expected to ride on roads with traffic. If
you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our
experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you
like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily
activities.
Hotels and guesthouses
7 nights spent in an array of diverse and comfortable accommodations, chosen
for their character and/or location. Highlights includean eco-friendly design
hotel, a traditional seafront hotel in Porto with great views from the
roof-top pool terrace and an ultra-modern design boutique hotel with a
rustic-style restaurant featuring local produce.
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 24hr emergency assistance telephone number. In emergency, the local
representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves.
They may wish to charge for this service.
A typical hotel breakfast consists of: toast/bread with jam,or honey, cheese
and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and
yoghurt.
Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh
seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually
sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways.
Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on
the region - there are up to 365 recipes to cook it! Caldo Verde (green soup)
is made with potatoes, olive oil and salt, sometimes with garlic and onion,
and is typical in the northern region of Portugal. For meat lovers the
barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and roasted just to it's
naturally delicious flavour. There are also several stew dishes to sample,
delicacies being Tripas à Moda do Porto (tripe & white bean stew) and
Rojões à Minhota (chunks of pork usually cooked with potatoes).
'Francesinha' is an iconic dish originating from Porto and involves layers of
different meats (usually beef, ham, grilled pork, linguiça (smoke cured pork
sausage) and sausage), between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese
and immersed in a spicy beer & tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg
and surrounded by chips. It is not for the faint hearted!
To drink you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Superbock beer. Vinho
Verde is available from the supermarket and directly from the producers. It
is a young, medium alcohol white wine with an almost carbonated quality. Port
needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will
generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal!
Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you. Airport transfer
will either be in a minibus or taxi.
*Travelling land only: 8 days starting in Moncao and ending in Porto*
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Moncao on the afternoon of Day 1
of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start hotel are given in the
Final Joining Instructions.
Full joining instructions including route notes, hotel list, map and local
emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining
Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure,
or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
A shared airport transfer (arrival and departure) is included in the trip
cost. Please book a flight that arrives in Porto airport before 2.20pm in
order to take advantage of this transfer. (Please meet at the 'meeting point'
area in the airport). If you arrive at the airport earlier than the shared
transfer time, Porto airport has luggage storage facilities if you need to
use these. If you arrive after 2.20pm (or if you would prefer not to wait) we
can offer a private transfer to take you to the start accommodation at a
supplement. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must
provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance.
Unless specified otherwise, the return transfer will be from the end hotel at
3pm (transfers from other hotels in the same city may attract an extra
charge).
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 occasionally. Summers are warmer
and drier in the interior and moderated by the sea, as winters are cooler
inland and mild by the sea. At Porto, the average maximum temperatures in
August –the hottest month - is 25 degrees Celsius, and the average maximum
temperatures in January –the coolest month - is 14 degrees Celsius. May and
October have an average midday temperatures of 20 Celsius, and even April and
November have an average midday temperatures around 17 and 18 Celsius.
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 occasionally. Summers are warmer
and drier in the interior and moderated by the sea, as winters are cooler
inland and mild by the sea. At Porto, the average maximum temperatures in
August –the hottest month - is 25 degrees Celsius, and the average maximum
temperatures in January –the coolest month - is 14 degrees Celsius. May and
October have an average midday temperatures of 20 Celsius, and even April and
November have an average midday temperatures around 17 and 18 Celsius.
*Self-Guided Hire Bikes*
All bikes (Specialised hybrid bikes) are supplied with:
- 1 front bar bag with a plastic folder for your route notes and maps - 1
every 2 people (if you are travelling together)
- 1 set of rear panniers per person
- 1 bike lock every 2 people
- 1 repair kit every 2 people, which includes 1 spare inner tube and a pump,
plus a lock
Seat and handlebar heights will have been set up in advance from the heights
you have given us on booking. However, when you receive your bike there will
be the opportunity to test and adjust. Electronic bikes are available for
this trip, please request one as early as possible as they are subject to
availability. Helmets can be requested if you wish, but please be aware we
can never guarantee the quality of these so we do recommend bringing your
own.
We recommend you bring the following items:
Normal daily clothes
Padded cycling shorts
Cycling gloves
Water bottles
Breathable cycling top
Cycling helmet (compulsory on this trip)
A couple of warm layers
Sunglasses, sun cream and sunhat
Stiff-soled shoes suitable for cycling
Waterproofs and long cycling trousers
For earlier departures you may need some warmer layers
Mobile phone with roaming capabilities
*Bike Repairs*
As you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair or
change an inner tube before setting off on your bike! Please visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QSjw0iDs98&t=3s [1] for a comprehensive
guide on fixing a puncture.
The bikes are serviced before being rented out so there should be no problems
- however, there are emergency numbers provided in the Route Notes for more
complex problems.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QSjw0iDs98&t=3s
A Specialized hybrid bike (with suspension) is included in the trip price. It
is also possible to upgrade to an E-bike (for an additional supplement).
Please speak to your sales consultant for more details.
Allow €10-15 for each lunch or dinner (taken in a restaurants), excluding
alcoholic beverages. You will also need some extra cash for drinks or ice
creams in cafés or bars during the day. Typically a beer or coffee will cost
around €1.5 and a reasonable bottle of wine at dinner about €8.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (compulsory supplement)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Flights from London (available on request)
* Lunches and dinners
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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