Cycling holidays in Portugal where you set the pace and we provide the support
GUIDED/SELF GUIDED -
THE DOURO - PORT WINE ROUTE
Intermediate level, minimum 2 people
Guided: June 13th 2010
Self Guided: all year round
Learn about the world famous Port wine and enjoy the beautiful Douro region - the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Discover historical villages, ride through vineyards and pass old castles. The week ends with a visit to the port wine cellars in Porto.
You will need to reasonably fit as the area is not flat but this is a fantastic opportunity to visit this really great region.
We are offering this holiday in conjunction with A2Z adventures.
Included in this holiday
• 7 nights accommodation in a twin room in a Portuguese manor house or equivalent
• 4 star luxury accommodation
• 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and 1 lunch
• 2 guides
• transfers to and from Porto airport
• baggage transfers
• map routes & notes
• back up van support
Not included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• 6 lunches
• bikes (these can rented for €100.00 for the week - we will send you full details
Cost per person and dates
Guided: £1635.00 or €1840.00
Self Guided: £1245.00 or €1400.00
The self guided tour includes breakfasts and route notes with maps but no guides.
Itinerary
Day 1 – meet at the airport in Porto and van transfer to Pinhao. After a light lunch we will explore the Douro river on a small boat from which we will enjoy close-up views of the Port wine vineyards planted on terraces along the river's shores. Back in Pinhao you can go for a short warm-up ride or just relax by our inn's outdoor pool. Before dinner we will taste the famous local Port wine.
Day 2 – Pocinho-Marialva (49km/31miles) Before we start spinning the pedals we will take a short trip by train to the village of Pocinho using an old railway that follows the Douro river in all its beauty. On the way to Marialva – one of Portugal's Historical Villages - we will stop for lunch in Quinta da Erva Moira and visit their Port Wine museum. Our inn has a small spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Day 3 – Marialva-Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (56km/35miles) Today we will connect two 12th Century Historical Villages – Marialva and Castelo Rodrigo. These two medieval walled villages will take you back in time, to when the brave inhabitants of these villages fought against the Spanish invaders. We will stay in Hospedaria do Convento, an inn that was once used by ecclesiastical visitors and high social rank Leics. This inn is part of the historical complex of Santa Maria de Aguiar and has a coat of arms dated from 1704.
Day 4 – Castelo Rodrigo-Barca de Alva (34km/21miles) Enjoy great views of Port Wine vineyards along the road that takes us to Barca de Alva. In Barca de Alva we will go for a kayak ride in the Douro river and have lunch on shore. If don't feel like riding you can stay home and enjoy the pool or go for a donkey ride. Second night at Hospedaria do Convento.
Day 5 – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo-Almeida (75km/47miles) A quite challenging day of riding on the way to yet another Historical Village – Almeida. This village is one of the crown jewels of Portuguese military architecture – the hexagonal shaped walls of Almeida's fortress were built in the XVII century.
Day 6 – Almeida-Trancoso (63km/39miles) Today we will have another intense day of riding on the way to our final destination - the town of Trancoso. Expect some serious climbing but also breathtaking views. In Trancoso, the old part of town, built inside the majestic city walls, is definitely worth a visit.
Day 7 – early morning van transfer to Porto. In Porto we will visit a Port Wine cellar, where we can taste some of Portugal's best Port wines. The rest of the afternoon will be spent exploring this exciting and unique city. Our hotel is located near the Praca da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Porto. It is within a block of town houses dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by Unesco as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River. Farewell dinner in one of Porto's most popular restaurants.
Day 8 – transfer back to the airport..
Booking Procedure and Conditions
Before booking a tour be sure to read our booking procedure and conditions. Read More >
Algarve Day Tours
You may be interested to know that we also offer guided cycling day tours in the Algarve. Read More >
Intermediate level, minimum 2 people
Guided: June 13th 2010
Self Guided: all year round
Learn about the world famous Port wine and enjoy the beautiful Douro region - the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Discover historical villages, ride through vineyards and pass old castles. The week ends with a visit to the port wine cellars in Porto.You will need to reasonably fit as the area is not flat but this is a fantastic opportunity to visit this really great region.
We are offering this holiday in conjunction with A2Z adventures.
Included in this holiday
• 7 nights accommodation in a twin room in a Portuguese manor house or equivalent
• 4 star luxury accommodation
• 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and 1 lunch
• 2 guides
• transfers to and from Porto airport
• baggage transfers
• map routes & notes
• back up van support
Not included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• 6 lunches
• bikes (these can rented for €100.00 for the week - we will send you full details
Cost per person and dates
Guided: £1635.00 or €1840.00
Self Guided: £1245.00 or €1400.00
The self guided tour includes breakfasts and route notes with maps but no guides.
Itinerary
Day 1 – meet at the airport in Porto and van transfer to Pinhao. After a light lunch we will explore the Douro river on a small boat from which we will enjoy close-up views of the Port wine vineyards planted on terraces along the river's shores. Back in Pinhao you can go for a short warm-up ride or just relax by our inn's outdoor pool. Before dinner we will taste the famous local Port wine.
Day 2 – Pocinho-Marialva (49km/31miles) Before we start spinning the pedals we will take a short trip by train to the village of Pocinho using an old railway that follows the Douro river in all its beauty. On the way to Marialva – one of Portugal's Historical Villages - we will stop for lunch in Quinta da Erva Moira and visit their Port Wine museum. Our inn has a small spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Day 3 – Marialva-Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (56km/35miles) Today we will connect two 12th Century Historical Villages – Marialva and Castelo Rodrigo. These two medieval walled villages will take you back in time, to when the brave inhabitants of these villages fought against the Spanish invaders. We will stay in Hospedaria do Convento, an inn that was once used by ecclesiastical visitors and high social rank Leics. This inn is part of the historical complex of Santa Maria de Aguiar and has a coat of arms dated from 1704.
Day 4 – Castelo Rodrigo-Barca de Alva (34km/21miles) Enjoy great views of Port Wine vineyards along the road that takes us to Barca de Alva. In Barca de Alva we will go for a kayak ride in the Douro river and have lunch on shore. If don't feel like riding you can stay home and enjoy the pool or go for a donkey ride. Second night at Hospedaria do Convento.
Day 5 – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo-Almeida (75km/47miles) A quite challenging day of riding on the way to yet another Historical Village – Almeida. This village is one of the crown jewels of Portuguese military architecture – the hexagonal shaped walls of Almeida's fortress were built in the XVII century.
Day 6 – Almeida-Trancoso (63km/39miles) Today we will have another intense day of riding on the way to our final destination - the town of Trancoso. Expect some serious climbing but also breathtaking views. In Trancoso, the old part of town, built inside the majestic city walls, is definitely worth a visit.
Day 7 – early morning van transfer to Porto. In Porto we will visit a Port Wine cellar, where we can taste some of Portugal's best Port wines. The rest of the afternoon will be spent exploring this exciting and unique city. Our hotel is located near the Praca da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Porto. It is within a block of town houses dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by Unesco as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River. Farewell dinner in one of Porto's most popular restaurants.
Day 8 – transfer back to the airport..
Booking Procedure and Conditions
Before booking a tour be sure to read our booking procedure and conditions. Read More >
Algarve Day Tours
You may be interested to know that we also offer guided cycling day tours in the Algarve. Read More >