Porto Coastal Cycling
Porto Coastal Cycling
Porto Coastal Cycling
8 Days Starting and ending in Porto, Portugal
Visiting: Porto, Aveiro, Praia de Mira
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07OP
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Porto Coastal Cycling adventure, a self-guided cycling tour through the stunning landscapes of Porto and Portugal's picturesque coastline. Experience the charm of coastal cycling routes featuring beaches, sand dunes, lighthouses, and colorful marinas. Delight in Porto's renowned wine cellars with an included wine tasting, and explore Aveiro's Venetian-style canals. Encounter diverse wildlife, including pink flamingos and kingfishers, as you pedal through coastal and lagoon habitats. Stay in luxurious 4-star hotels, from beachfront locations to historic city buildings, with select evening meals included. Enjoy the freedom of cycling at your own pace with provided bike hire and luggage transfers. This adventure promises a blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and relaxation, all while indulging in the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vila Gale
Arrive at your hotel where our agent will kit you out with your bike and run through the routes with you.
You stay at the Hotel Vila Gale
Day 2 : At Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vila Gale
Meals Included: Breakfast
An optional, return cycle route takes you north of Porto following cycle paths, first along the river and then the ocean. You'll pass beaches, restaurants, the 16th century castle of Sao Joao da Foz, the fishing village of Matosinhos and the Boa Nova Tea House of the famous Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, which belongs to Chef Rui Paula (from the Portuguese Masterchef). Alternatively, relax in Porto for the day, strolling along the narrow alleys and along the riverfront. Your evening meal has been left free so you can choose from one of the many restaurants on offer this evening.
You stay at the Hotel Vila Gale (breakfast included)
Day 3 : Porto To Furadouro
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: Furadouro Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take your time this morning, cycling along the south bank of the Douro River, where the rabelo boats line up along the quay. Perhaps stop for a tasting in one of the famous cellars before a glorious waterfront cycle path leads you from the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary, with its birdwatching hides, to the Atlantic coast. You exchange bays for beaches for the rest of the day, with many seafront restaurants to stop at for lunch. Relax on the sands at Espinho before hopping on the train (13 mins) to Ovar. For the longer route, continue cycling from Espinho to Ovar, making sure to visit the Parque de Bucaquinho. It's then flat cycling to your beachfront hotel at nearby Furadouro.
You stay at the Furadouro Boutique Hotel (breakfast included)
Day 4 : Furodouro To Aveiro (Estarreja)
Location: Aveiro
Accommodation Name: Hotel Moliceiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Furadouro, pedal south along the protected Aveiro Lagoon past rickety pontoons, where plover and sandpiper tiptoe amid golden wattle and parrot feather in search of lunch. Hop on the train from Estarreja (14 mins, pay locally) or Salreu (another nearly 10km further on for those looking for a longer cycle) to the heart of Aveiro and your luxury mansion hotel. For dinner tonight you're free to choose from one of the many famous fish restaurants nearby.
You stay at the Hotel Moliceiro (breakfast included)
Day 5 : At Aveiro
Location: Aveiro
Accommodation Name: Hotel Moliceiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aveiro is known as 'Portugal's Venice'. Alleyways are lined with churrasquerias for lunch, and gondola-style boats cruise below swaying palms on the latticework canals. The noisy fish market is a daily event, and the excellent museum is set in a beautifully preserved Augustinian convent. A short bus trip (30 mins) leads to neighbouring Costa Nova; streets of wooden houses are squeezed between the beach and the lagoon, painted in candy floss pink, summer yellow and sailor-blue stripes. (Staying at the Hotel Moliceiro, Breakfast Only)
Day 6 : Aveiro To Praia De Mira
Location: Aveiro
Accommodation Name: Macarico Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The Aveiro Lagoon narrows as you cycle south today. Vista Alegre is Portugal's oldest fine porcelain producer and has a fascinating museum and factory in Ilhavo. Head for lunch in Costa Nova (extends the day's route by a round-trip cycle of 12km) if you wish. Next, cross the lagoon to meet the ocean again in Vagueira where oxen were once used to pull fishing nets up the beach. You then turn inland, pedalling past pears, lemon orchards and strawberry fields to your beachfront hotel at Praia de Mira with its inviting rooftop pool.
You stay at the Macarico Beach Hotel (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 7 : At Praia De Mira
Location: Praia de Mira
Accommodation Name: Macarico Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A leafy trail leads east into lagoons and acacia forest this morning, and sun-dappled routes cross timber, New England-style, covered bridges spanning clear-water canals. Kingfisher and blue heron are common here, and bright cistus and iris splash colour along the route leading past several perfect picnic spots. Have lunch by the sea and enjoy a final paddle before dinner back at your hotel.
You stay at the Macarico Beach Hotel (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 8 : Leave Praia De Mira
Location: Praia de Mira
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast in Praia de Mira.
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Enjoy all continental breakfasts and two evening meals included in your holiday package.
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Bike Hire
Bike hire is included for the duration of your cycling tour.
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Luggage transfers between hotels
Luggage transfers between hotels are provided for your convenience.
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Port wine-tasting day 2
Experience a port wine-tasting session on the second day of your tour.
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Airport transfer to the hotel in Porto
An airport transfer to your hotel in Porto is included.
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Transfer the last day from Praia de Mira to Aveiro train station
A transfer from Praia de Mira to Aveiro train station is included on the last day.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Local Tourist Taxes
Local tourist taxes are not included and may be payable locally.
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Single accommodation is not included but can be requested for an additional supplement.
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
A solo traveller supplement applies if only one person is travelling on a departure date.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and should be arranged independently if required.
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 historic buildings in Porto and Aveiro; a design hotel in Praia de Mira with a rooftop pool boasting fabulous ocean views, and a stylish spa hotel in Furadouro. We've included three 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.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes airport transfer to the hotel in Porto and a transfer on the last day from Praia de Mira to Aveiro train station. Luggage transfers between hotels are also provided, and there are options for short train rides to cover certain parts of the journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
You will stay in luxury 4-star hotels, including historic buildings in Porto and Aveiro, a design hotel in Praia de Mira with a rooftop pool, and a stylish spa hotel in Furadouro.
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Are meals included in the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
All continental breakfasts and two evening meals are included. You are free to choose from local restaurants for other meals, with three evening meals provided during the holiday.
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Is bike hire included in the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
Yes, bike hire is included as part of the tour package.
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What wildlife might I see during the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
You may encounter coastal and lagoon wildlife such as pink flamingos, purple herons, kingfishers, and sandpipers.
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Is there a wine tasting experience included in the tour?
Yes, a port wine-tasting experience is included on the second day of the tour.
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How is luggage handled during the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
Luggage transfers between hotels are included, so you don't have to worry about carrying your luggage while cycling.
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What is the starting and ending location of the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
The tour starts and ends in Porto, Portugal.
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Are there any transfers included in the Porto Coastal Cycling tour?
Yes, there is an airport transfer to the hotel in Porto and a transfer on the last day from Praia de Mira to Aveiro train station.
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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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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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