Douro Bike Tour

Name: Douro Bike Tour
Brand: cttc-4e8f
Price: 3781.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

Suggested Dates: May, Jun, and Sep

Duration: 6 nights / 7 days

Accommodation: Luxury B&B, Mannor House, Port lodges

Daily Mileage: 65 km Average

Activity Level: Level 3 | Advanced

Tour Interests: Wines, Gourmet Cuisine, History

€3.781,00 EUR

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Bike tour along the valley of the Douro River in northern Portugal, sampling Vintage Ports, fine wines, peppery olive oils and spectacular scenery. So spectacular, in fact, that the whole valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. This elegant valley is steeped in traditions that date back to the Romans but it wasn’t until the 18th C when port became the favourite drink of the English aristocracy that the Douro gained its regal reputation.

Our tour will take us through the most stunning landscapes with breathtaking views of this unique valley. We will have an opportunity to visit acclaimed wineries and to meet the oenologists. We'll tour the largest array of outdoor Palaeolithic rock art in the world, visit a traditional olive oil cooperative, and soak in the river views from our leisurely river boat cruise.

Our accommodations include the sumptuously decorated former warehouse of Taylor’s Port resting on the banks of the river and surrounded by lavender. This is a stunning 18th C “Quinta” (country estate), and a fabulous working manor house where everything is organic!

Highlights

Sample some of the rarest & most sought after wines in the world.
Explore a spectacular UNESCO world heritage site.
Experience a leisurely river cruise along the beautiful Douro river.
See the birthplace of the famous navigator, Magellan.
Taste some of the finest olive oils in a local cooperative.
Visit a remarkable array of outdoor Palaeolithic rock art.
Enjoy world-class accommodations that will have you not wanting to leave.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Cruising to Pinhão

We begin our trip by literally dipping in the Douro River; after meeting in our Hotel we head over to the docks to catch our cruise boat. Deeper into the Douro valley you’ll begin to see “quintas” (country estates) of all the wine producers, nestled on hillside terraces surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see. We overnight in the splendid Vintage House Hotel right on the banks of the river. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea will be served on board the boat.

DAY 2 - Pinhão to Sabrosa Loop

Pinhão to Sabrosa Loop - Ride of 59km / 37m.
After an AM bike fitting, we head out on a gently rolling road along the north bank of the river. We're heading for the town of Sabrosa, birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan. The riding becomes easier and just before the best downhill we'll stop for a tasting at Quinta do Portal - one of the finest producers of Port and table wine. We then coast downhill all the way back to Pinhão.

DAY 3 - Pinhão to São João de Pesqueira

Pinhão to São João de Pesqueira 62.9km / 39.0m.
Today you have two options; either a direct route to S.J Pesqueira or a longer and much tougher (but very rewarding!) ride criss-crossing the Douro). Taking the longer option, you leave behind Pinhão and cycle up through the vineyards with breathtaking views of the sweeping terraces down to the river. We pass many small villages on stunning roads with little or no traffic, it's a ride to remember. Excellent lunch stop right on the river.

DAY 4 - São João de Pesqueira to Vila Nova de Foz Coa

São João de Pesqueira to Vila Nova de Foz Coa - Ride of 42km / 26m.
Today’s ride is short but hilly, leaving S.J Pesqueira and heading upstream towards Foz Côa. As you ride the land becomes more sparsely populated and tourism infrastructures are thin on the ground. You’ll also notice the land begins to give way to less vineyards and more olive and almond trees. The ride is a rewarding journey with some spectacular views as the roads wind erratically up and down the mountainside between the different valleys. The town is beautifully situated high above the River Coa, one of the tributaries of the Douro River.

DAY 5 - Vila Nova de Foz Côa Loop

Vila Nova de Foz Côa Loop - Ride of 46.8km / 29m.
The ride today is perhaps the prettiest of the trip with a bucolic and slightly feudal air as you pass old Quintas and ride between the olive groves and almond trees and of course vineyards; taking you through little villages forgotten by time that revolve solely around agriculture. This area was heavily fortified against the Spanish neighbours and at one time even neighbouring tribes. So often if you look up you might see the ruins of a castle in the distance. Today it’s hard to imagine these little villages in need of a castle

DAY 6 - Vila Nova de Foz Côa to Porto

Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes as we transfer in 4X4 and on foot to visit the spectacular and unique Palaeolithic rock art sites! After sampling some of the finest local olive oil & wines, we'll catch the very scenic train back to Porto. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stroll along the World Heritage waterfront before our farewell dinner in the Port wine lodge of Taylors offering unbeatable views of Porto by night.

DAY 7 - Farewell

We offer shuttles to the airport, train station or bus station. For those of you staying on we’d be delighted to help with your continuing travels in anyway we can - or why not stay another day and explore all that Porto has to offer?

Included

Hybrid or Road bicycle hire for the tour duration (e-bikes or race bikes available as optional extras).
Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners, and en route snacks available at all times from the van.
Carefully selected local wine or beer with every delicious meal.
Expert guides with extensive local knowledge, who go above and beyond to cater to your every need.
Entrance fees to all scheduled historic sites, museums, and scenic natural parks.
Pick up and drop off before and after your tour from convenient locations.