Join this Douro bike tour suitable for road cyclists who want to discover the world's first demarcated wine region and historic Portuguese villages. Ride along the river, enjoy the trademark UNESCO World Heritage Site, the "socalcos" or terraced vineyards, and experience the centuries-old traditions of this region.
Visit the wine cellars, taste some of the best Port and Douro wines and discover traces of Portugal's early history, dating back up to 30000 years. Visit the historic villages and climb the most beautiful viewpoints. Drive to the historic Portuguese villages and visit the medieval castles, the Paleolithic engravings and the rugged nature of the Douro International Park and its byways.
The history of this region begins and ends in Porto, one of the oldest urban centres in Europe, settled in the 4th century during the Roman occupation under the name of Portus Cale, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed "socalcos" that house the wineries on the steep hills of the Douro River, and in the unique traditions, architecture, Port wines and wineries. Visit Palaeolithic archaeological sites with prehistoric rock engravings and drawings dating back to 22000-20000 years BC, and stay in some of Portugal's historic villages with their own medieval castles.
On this Douro bike tour you will experience beautiful landscapes and viewpoints over the Douro Valley, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its characteristic "socalcos" or terraced vineyards; the undiscovered paradise of one of Portugal's most remote areas, the Douro International Park: endless olive oil and orange fields, river beaches and wildlife. Visit the authentic and picturesque villages of Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Marialva and Barca d'Alva, all near or on the banks of the Douro motorway and used in the past to trade and transport grapes and wine to and from Porto in the traditional "Rabelo" boats that docked in their ports.
Taste the different wines of the Douro Valley, from the world-famous and highly acclaimed Port wines, recently named the best wines in the world in 2014, to the esteemed red and white Douro wines. Experience the wine production system: help farmers stomp the grapes in the traditional way, visit the farms and wineries and watch the "Rabelo" boats bring the wine to the city of Porto. Enjoy the varied and tasty local gastronomy, whether in Michelin-starred restaurants or in the local "tascas". Meat lovers will not forget the "Posta Mirandesa" or the oven-baked and smoked meats.
Eat and sleep in the region's charming hotels, which were once wineries or medieval castles but are now fully equipped hotels with their own spas and amazing amenities to make you feel at home. Hop on a boat and sail the Douro to discover the region from a different perspective. Climb the lookouts on this Douro bike tour and enjoy privileged views of the world's most beautiful wine-growing region. And enjoy the long, sweeping and almost car-free descents of the Douro International Park. Choose between shorter or longer rides each day and set your own destinations and pace during your bike tour.
Live Love Ride - Portugal Bike Tours exceeded every expectation of our Trip to the the Alentejo and the Algarve region. ...
Day 1: Arrival in Porto – Transfer from Porto hotel/airport to your hotel in Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro River. You will stay either at the Quinta de La Rosa or the Vintage House Douro, a 5-star hotel on the Douro River. Free day to relax at the hotel. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 2: Douro Cycle Tour: Pinhão – Tabuaço – Adorigo – Peso da Régua – Pinhão (75km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. The ride starts on the N222, voted the best road in the world by Avis. You will then head uphill towards Tabuaço, passing the Távora River and enjoying the magnificent views of the vineyards. In Tabuaço, stop to visit the town centre and then descend to Adorigo and Peso da Régua. Return to your Douro Valley bike tour and ride back to your hotel in Pinhão to finish the loop. In the afternoon, visit the Quinta do Seixo winery and cellar and taste some of Sandeman's finest ports. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 3: Douro bike tour: Pinhão – Casal de Loivos – Alijó – Favaios – Pinhão (60 km, 1300 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride towards the river Pinhão, a tributary of the Douro. You will drive up to the viewpoint "Casal dos Loivos" and continue to Alijó (visit the wine and olive oil cooperative) and Favaios (home of the liqueur wine "Favaios") and then back to Pinhão, where you will arrive at your hotel. Relax by the swimming pool in the afternoon or visit the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua to learn more about the history of the Douro ecosystem. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 4: Douro bike tour: Pinhão – São João Pesqueira – Marialva/Longroiva (70 km, 1460 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the bike tour from Pinhão towards São João da Pesqueira with a long but manageable climb – or start your tour in São João da Pesqueira and be transferred there. Experienced riders are invited to ride to the viewpoint of São Salvador do Mundo, from where there are great views of the river and the Douro Valley. Ride towards Mêda and the historic village of Marialva and witness the scenic changes as you go deeper into the Beira Alta. Stay and relax at the historic "Casas do Côro" hotel (included in the Premium option) in the centre of Marialva, next to the centuries-old castle, or at the newly renovated "Termas de Longroiva", a thermal hotel perfect for relaxing near Mêda. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 5: Douro bike tour: Marialva/Longroiva – Trancoso – Marialva (60km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the ride from Marialva to Trancoso, another historic village in Portugal, with its trademark medieval castle and ramparts surrounding the historic town centre. Return to Marialva across the plateau, past Mêda and back to Marialva. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon and join a sunset boat trip in the late afternoon, relaxing on a pristine beach on the Douro River. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 6: Douro Bike Tour: Marialva/Longroiva – Faia Brava – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – Barca D'Alva (62km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start your Douro bike tour towards the Faia Brava National Park, on the river Côa. Ride on car-free roads to Freixo de Espada à Cinta and then enjoy the impressive 20km descent to Barca D'Alva, on the border with Spain. Transfer back to the hotel. Relax at the hotel or visit the museum and archaeological sites of Foz Côa. Recommended dinner at Casas do Côro. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 7: Marialva/Longroiva – Porto (Transfer)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at the hotel and transfer to Porto hotel/airport
EXTENDED STAY IN PORTO, PINHÃO or MARIALVA/LONGROIVA: On request.
Extend your stay in Porto, Pinhão or Marialva by an additional day before or after this trip.
Live Love Ride
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1950-421
Lisbon - Portugal
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Email: ridewithus @ liveloveride.pt
