Porto to Coimbra Cycling
Porto to Coimbra Cycling
Porto to Coimbra Cycling
10 Days Starting and ending in Porto
Visiting: Portugal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C09OP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
You begin in UNESCO-recognised Porto, a beautiful mix of winding, mediaeval streets, impressive architecture and the serene Douro River, packed with brightly coloured rabelo sailing boats - it's also home to some world-famous wine cellars and we've included a port tasting for you in the afternoon. From here you'll head south, past sandy bays and beaches, to your luxury hotel in Furadouro right on the beachfront, before heading via the Aveiro Lagoon, to 'Portugal's Venice', Aveiro.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Porto
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at your hotel in Porto. After a briefing with our agent you can enjoy dinner on the Douro riverfront.
You stay at the Hotel Vila Gale (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal included in a local restaurant)
Day 2 : At Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you could opt for a return cycle ride, taking you north of Porto and along both the Douro River and the ocean front, passing glorious beaches, the 16th century castle of Sao Joao da Foz, Matosinhos - with some great seafood restaurants - and the Boa Nova Tea House which belongs to the Portuguese Masterchef's Rui Paula. If you'd rather spend the day exploring Porto, why not enjoy a stroll along the riverfront, wander the narrow, winding streets or explore the historic Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For dinner this evening you can choose from a number of fine local restaurants.
You stay at the Hotel Vila Gale (breakfast included)
Day 3 : Porto To Furadouro
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, enjoy a relaxed ride along the Douro River's south bank, full of brightly coloured rabelo boats. You could stop for a tasting in one of the famous port wine caves before following an idyllic waterfront path from the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary - a great spot for birdwatching - to the Atlantic coast. Heading onwards, you'll pass some beautiful sandy beaches - perhaps stop for lunch in one of the seafront restaurants and relax on Espinho's gorgeous golden sands - before following a cycle path through pine forest to your beachfront hotel in Furadouro.
You stay at the Furadouro Boutique Hotel (breakfast included)
Day 4 : Furadouro To Aveiro (Estarreja)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head south from Furadouro along the protected Aveiro Lagoon, one of Europe's last pristine coastal marshes and a haven for many bird species including plover and sandpiper - you can discover more about the area by joining the canal and paying a visit to the BioRia Interpretation Centre. It's then on to Salreu where you'll take a short train journey (10 mins - pay locally) to Aveiro, your home for the next two nights. There are plenty of good fish restaurants to choose from for dinner, within easy reach of your luxury hotel.
You stay at the Hotel Moliceiro (breakfast included)
Day 5 : At Aveiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aveiro is known as 'Portugal's Venice', with a picturesque network of canals weaving their way through the city, lined with grand buildings and former fishermen's houses and filled with gondola-style boats making their way leisurely along the water. Charming alleyways are lined with churrasquerias for lunch, while a bustling fish market takes place every day. Visit the impressive Jesus Monastery and Aveiro Museum, along with the beautiful cathedral which dominates the town square.
You stay at the Hotel Moliceiro (breakfast included)
Day 6 : Aveiro To Praia De Mira
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cycle southwards today and visit the factory and museum of Vista Alegre, Portugal's oldest fine porcelain producer, based in Ilhavo, before crossing the Aveiro Lagoon to meet the ocean again in Vagueira. From here you head north to Costa Nova, home to a lovely sandy beach lined by colourful candy-striped houses, before cycling back to Vagueira and along the coast. Turning inland, you'll make your way to your 4 star beachfront hotel at Praia de Mira, passing fields of pears, lemons and strawberries en route.
You stay at the Macarico Beach Hotel (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal in a local restaurant)
Day 7 : At Praia De Mira
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Perhaps take it easy today and enjoy a day at a beach, relaxing on Praia de Mira's silky sands dotted with brightly coloured fishing boats and several beach cafes. Alternatively, follow a trail eastwards into lagoons and acacia forest, crossing the canals over New England-style bridges. This is a lovely route lined by iris and bright cistus and you're likely to spot kingfisher and blue heron, along with several good picnic spots!
You stay at the Macarico Beach Hotel (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal in a local restaurant)
Day 8 : Praia De Mira To Curia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave the coast behind and follow a cycle path inland through acacia forest, before passing farms and small villages on your way to the vineyards of the Bairrada region. Stop for a spot of wine tasting at the Quinta do Encontro before a short ride brings you to Curia and your 'Palace Hotel' set in 14 acres of gardens and parkland.
You stay at the Curia Palace (breakfast and evening meal)
Day 9 : Curia To Coimbra
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your final day takes you through vineyards to the Mondego River Valley. You'll cycle alongside farms and rice fields, following the river, with a final stretch through the Choupal Forest to arrive in Coimbra. There's so much to discover in this beautiful riverfront city, including the historic university with its spectacular Baroque library, the Museo de Castro, whose art collection in the Bishop's Palace is one of the finest in Portugal, not to mention the interest-packed streets and leafy plazas just perfect for exploring. We recommend spending extra nights here so you can enjoy the city to the full, including the markets, restaurants and lively fado bars!
You stay at the Hotel Vila Gale Coimbra (breakfast included)
Day 10 : Leave Coimbra
The tour ends after breakfast in Coimbra.
What's Included
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High quality bikes
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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All accommodation
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All continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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GPS Route directions and maps
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 5 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Supplement for single traveller (includes single accommodation supplement)
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (compulsory supplement)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Food
Portuguese cuisine is wholesome, hearty, and rarely fancy and relies heavily
on the use of different herbs and spices due to its Moorish influence. Fish
dishes are more predominant in the south, although northern regions often
offer delicious freshwater fish dishes.The region is also famous for sticky
desserts that use egg yolk. During the Golden Age (15C and 16C), the area was
very rich because of all the treasures that were brought back from the
discoveries of the New World. These riches paid for many convents. The nuns
needed egg whites to starch their habits so they used the egg yolks in many
gooey desserts that have curious names like monk’s breast and nun’s
stomach.The Alentejo is also a highly respected wine region. The Romans were
the first to start cultivating vines here. You’ll find a whole range of
different vintages to try en route, the best known ones include Roupeiro,
Rabo do Ovelha and Antão Vaz (white) and Periquita, Trincadeira and Aragonez
(reds), although many small family run vineyards produce their own versions
as well. The majority of the wines served in Portugal come from this region.
If you enjoy a very young wine, try Vinho Verde from the North. Calcos do
Tanha from the Douro region is a good red wine as are Cozinha Velha, Esporão
and Ma Partilha from Terra do Sado. Try one of the many excellent ports as a
digestif.
Accommodation
We've picked some rather special accommodation for you including luxury 4-star hotels in art-deco and historic buildings in Porto and Aveiro respectively; a design hotel in Praia de Mira with a rooftop pool boasting fabulous ocean views, stylish spa hotels in Furadouro and Coimbra and a restored Belle Epoque hotel in Curia, set in 14 acres of private gardens and parkland. We've included four evening meals for you on this holiday and you're free to choose from some great local restaurants in Porto (night two), Furadouro and also in Aveiro and Coimbra.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4-star hotels
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.