Authentic Trails - Portugal Biking & Hiking Experience

8D / 7N / 5 stages
Hybrid and e-bike
Medium
Minimum: 2 pax

Your cycle tour of Portugal will allow you to get to know Portugal's two largest cities and all the charm and authenticity of the towns and places you'll come across during your trip. Pedalling alongside the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the breeze and the aromas that you'll encounter along the way. Each of the towns that will welcome you will embrace you with the most typical things they have to offer - but always the gastronomy, the landscapes and their people. Start your tour in one of the Unesco World Heritage cities, Porto, with its more than 150 classified monuments and unrivalled wine and gastronomic richness, and you'll get a flavour of everything you'll find during your stay. From here and heading south, there are plenty of reasons to get lost in the best the country has to offer: from Aveiro (the famous Portuguese Venice) where you can learn about the technique of exploiting sea salt; to the famous beach of Nazaré, known not just for its giant waves, but also for the ladies with their seven skirts selling fish in the streets of the town. In contrast to the sea view, you'll reach Óbidos, a medieval town, guarded by its walls, which have maintained their traces over the centuries. From here you head to the capital, Lisbon, the city of seven hills awaits you. The sparkle and light of the Tagus River has inspired poets, painters and photographers alike... so many have immortalised Lisbon in their works. In addition to this, there are typical medieval neighbourhoods, tiles covering the façades of some houses and an endless number of monuments whose stones mark the rhythm and soul of the Portuguese discoveries.

Day 1 – Porto

Standard starting day: Sunday*

Living up to its title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here you'll find more than 150 classified monuments, in which you'll find memories of the history of a region and its people. Lose yourself in the city's typical neighbourhoods, which retain their authenticity, with the traces of the medieval period. The River Douro awaits you and the Ribeira welcomes you with open arms, inviting you to cross over to the famous Port wine cellars, where you can travel back in time and stand next to the oldest barrels in which the famous wine was transported. To say goodbye to this adventure, don't forget to enjoy a soiree in one of the city's famous restaurants, well known for its gastronomy and the graciousness with which it welcomes its visitors.

Day 2 - Stage 1 | Porto to Furadouro, a hospitable town renowned for its excellent fish

Start your adventure along the Portuguese coast, leaving behind one of Portugal's largest cities, sliding along the Atlantic, enjoying the sea breeze, taking deep breaths and filling your lungs with the fragrance of the sea. During the journey we've organised for today, the woods and pine trees will also keep you company. Of course, being so close to the sea, it's the fish that makes the gastronomy so special. Always with the guarantee of freshness and variety, cooked in such a traditional way, it's the freshness of the sea on your plate!

Day 3 - Stage 2 | Furadouro to Aveiro, the Portuguese Venice, its canals and the colorful Moliceiros boats

Your day today will be marked by a visit to the emblematic Ria de Aveiro (known as the Portuguese Venice). There are several navigable canals that enter the land, allowing you to take a ride on a moliceiro (the typical boats that, in addition to their bright colours, were used to collect moliço - a species of algae used as fertiliser) and in this way live and get to know the region to the rhythm of its seas. You can also try one of the region's and the country's most famous delicacies - Ovos Moles de Aveiro - a convent confectionery that preserves the memory of a people over the centuries. More reasons to visit the region lie in its salt pans, where salt is still extracted as it was in ancient times. Get to know the "white gold", its production techniques and its medicinal qualities.

Moliceiro boat trip + “Ovos Moles” tasting + Sparkling Wine – Included

Day 4 - Stage 3 | Aveiro to Figueira da Foz and its outlandishly wide beach and Las Vegas-style casino

For today's stage, the landscape remains the same, between Aveiro and Figueira da Foz the lagoons and canals will accompany you. Start your tour by heading for one of the region's most characteristic images - Terra Nova, with its famous striped houses in different colours, is the motto of this seaside area. These houses will accompany you for a large part of your journey today, through the Mira canal, an example of this are the famous palheiros (wooden houses) that are one of the postcards of the Mira region. Between Mira and Figueira da Foz, surrender to the protected landscape of Dunas de Mira, Gândara e Gafanha (a site of community importance, with significant native fauna and flora, which benefit from the unique characteristics of the region). This wealth of landscapes goes hand in hand with the region's fantastic dishes. Of course, the proximity of the sea means that fish is king, with specialties such as caldeirada (fish stew) and raia (ray) being particularly famous, but we mustn't forget the sardinha na telha (sardines on the shingle). Now it's on to Figueira da Foz, the final destination for today's stage, where you can enjoy one of the longest stretches of sand in Portugal.

Day 5 - Stage 4 | Figueira da Foz to Nazaré, a picturesque village and a small sea resort

Another stage heading south, now along the silver coast (named after the glittering reflection of the sea water) towards the Pinhal de Leiria (planted by King Dinis, it was of great importance during the period of the discoveries - in shipbuilding). Part of the route will take you along the Estrada Atlântica cycle path to Nazaré, you will cross S. Pedro do Moel, an important seaside resort with unique characteristics - to the north through steep rocky cliffs and to the south through a small bay - which is popular for sporting activities such as suf and at night with guaranteed entertainment. Here as well, the fish is king, caught by traditional means close to the rocks, and it owes its flavor to the proximity of the cliffs. Delight yourself with various species but be sure to try the sea bream and sea bass. The stage ends in Nazaré, a fishing village known worldwide for its giant waves, which attracts surf enthusiasts from all over the world every year.

Day 6 - Stage 5 | Nazaré to Óbidos, a charming, small and fortified town with narrow streets and white-washed houses

For your penultimate day on this tour, we've saved you a visit to two of Portugal's most emblematic villages. One - Nazaré - is considered one of the most typical and famous Portuguese fishing villages, due to its cove protected by the promontory, with a breathtaking view of the sea, as well as its main economic activity, which is very present throughout the village, with welcoming and laughing people who welcome visitors, not forgetting to show their seven skirts (undoubtedly one of the most important traditions for the people of Nazaré). In keeping with its economic activity, the fresh and tasty fish here is also a must - the most famous are the caldeirada à moda da Nazaré, the grilled sardines, and of course the fresh and exquisite seafood, enjoyable at any time of year. The other - Óbidos - loses its origins over the centuries, maintaining its layout and buildings from the medieval period. This town, situated on a high point a few kilometres from Lisbon, like a waterfall on the horizon, was given by King Dinis to his wife, Queen Isabel, and has therefore maintained its importance and wealth over the centuries. Here, the built heritage is very rich, with plenty of tile decoration and the well-preserved whitewashed houses, which contrast with the walls that guard it. The town's joy is implicit in its narrow streets, flowery and colourful windows and patios. A leisurely stroll through the town will take you back in time. However, your adventure in Óbidos can't end without highlighting the gustatory delights - the fish from the Óbidos Lagoon accompanied by the local wine will refresh your day, but one of the most emblematic attractions is undoubtedly the Ginginha, which, served in a chocolate cup, provides the perfect contrast.

Day 7 – Lisbon | The capital of Portugal, is one of Europe's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities

Your last day of the experience will be in the capital - Lisbon. We'll organise your transfer to Lisbon so that you can spend the whole day getting to know this city facing the Tagus. Enjoy a city flooded with light and let yourself get lost in its streets and typical neighbourhoods, not missing a visit to the monuments that represent Portugal's history - the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. Each of Lisbon's neighbourhoods tells its own story, portrays a period and characterises its population. All of them sung by the poets and fado singers who chose Lisbon as their muse. The city of the seven hills combines the traditional with the contemporary; alongside historic and well-preserved buildings you'll find spots of modern art that in perfect harmony reveal a city that is both typical and cosmopolitan. For the evening you can book a unique experience with dinner in a fado house, tasting the most typical Portuguese tapas to the sound of the "national song", Fado, classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2011.

Day 8 – Transfer Out

Transfer to Lisbon airport.

End of the tour.

Special Wine & Dine. Featuring:

One dinner in a local restaurant, where in a relaxed atmosphere you will enjoy authentic and welcoming dishes that celebrate regional flavours, and dinner in a fado house, where you will taste typical dishes to the sound of fado, a unique sensory experience that combines food and music in an unforgettable way.

Picnic package. Featuring:

5 light meals to carry on bike in riding days

E-Bike for 5 stages (subject to availability due to the limited number of E-Bikes)

Note: All additional activities, including wine tastings, shall be scheduled to take place at the end of the day, after cyclists arrive at their destination.

Organization of the grogram
Daily post-ride messages
Accommodation, 7 nights BB, in double standard room
Luggage transfer daily
Porto airport transfers to the start and from the ending points of the programs in a car, van, or minibus
Shared transfer from Mira to Figueira da Foz
Shared transfer from Óbidos to Lisbon
Per person: Standard Touring bicycle, cargo rack, 1 pannier bike bag, handlebar bag, 1 spare inner tube.
Per group/reservation: GPS loaded with the tracks, toolkit, first aid kit, puncture repair kit, pump, lock (one per two bicycles)
Overnight storage of bicycles at the hotels
Login access to the app where the route is published in digital support, including map, points of interest androute details; the client must download it beforehand to its own smartphone, using it online/offline to guide himself during the journey

Day 1

Included private transfer from Porto Airport to the hotel in Porto

Departure time: There is no specific time; however, if the customers want to enjoy our Wine and Food experiences, they must arrive until 15h00 CET-1

Day 3

Transfer by ferry in the route from São Jacinto to Barra: not included in the price package

Time: Several times along the day. The schedule is available on spot and it is also available in the roadbook. The ticket is not included in the tour package and it has to be paid on spot.

Day 4

Transfer from Praia de Mira at the end of the track to the hotel in Figueira da Foz

Time: 15h00 CET-1

Day 5

Transfer from your cccommodation in Figueira da Foz to the starting point of the tour

Hour: 09h00 CET-1

Day 7

Transfer from the hotel in Óbidos to the hotel in Lisbon

Time: 11h00 CET-1

Day 8

Included private transfer from the hotel in Lisbon to Lisbon Airport

Departure time: according to the customers needs.

Porto to Lisbon