Discover the amazing, world-famous winemaking region in the Douro Valley, traditional food and drink, and the historic spa city of Chaves! The Douro Wine Region, first demarcated and controlled winemaking region in the world in 1756, proudly boasts its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Property. The bicycle tour begins in Chaves, a historic city in the North of Portugal, with a charming ancient city centre and its spa with the hottest thermal waters in Europe, acclaimed since Roman times. Cycle across the surrounding region and along the Tamega River, a highly diverse farming and forest area boasting 177 species of birds, varied shrubs, oak, chestnut and pine forests, as well as numerous wildflowers, mosses, lichens, ferns and mushrooms. From Chaves cycle leisurely along old railway tracks to discover the small spa towns of Vidago and Pedras Salgadas, the wonderful centennial parks, and the magnificent Vidago Palace, a gem from the Belle Epoque. From Vila Pouca de Aguiar, the capital of granite, onwards to the extraordinary Mateus Palace and then Sabrosa, doorway to the Douro Winemaking Region. Throughout your journey, the Douro Valley will envelop you with its magic, whether you are viewing the river from on high, cycling alongside it, or on a boat cruise. The Douro Wine Region is the oldest demarcated and controlled winemaking region worldwide. Unique man-made wine terraces cover the hillsides that rise on either side of the river valley. Many of the world-famous Port Wine estates are located around Pinhão, in the heart of the region, and around Peso da Régua, the capital of the district. The accommodations are chosen with the greatest care, and each in his own way offers you a taste of local life and traditions. A variety of small restaurants invite you to relish the excellent local cuisine and the quality of the produce. Optional programs will offer you the chance to visit a local olive oil producer, taste great Port and Douro wines, and to enjoy picnics in the wonderful parks of Vidago Palace and Mateus Palace parks, truly amazing experiences
Highlights
- Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Property, considered one of the 5 best winemaking regions worldwide
- Chaves, a city rich in monuments, traditions, and hot thermal waters
- Vidago and Pedras Salgadas, small spa towns with wonderful parks
- Magnificent Vidago Palace, a Belle Epoque gem with famous carbonated carbonated mineral water springs
- Cycle along former railways, terraced vineyards, and typical villages above the Douro River, with breathtaking landscapes
- Tastings of Port and Douro wines and locally produced olive oil
- Extraordinary Mateus Palace and its beautiful gardens
- Accommodation in charming and small hotels and on local wine producers’ estates (quintas)
- Delightful typical rabelo boat ride on the Douro River, the best way to enjoy the river and the surrounding landscape
- Traditional local cuisine and handcrafts
- Régua, International Capital of Wine and Vineyards, heart of the Douro wine region
- Transfer from the airport to the first accommodation and from the last accommodation to the airport, included
Itinerary
- Day 1: Chaves | Welcome to Porto and transfer to Chaves, a city rich in monuments and traditions
- Day 2: Tour of surrounding Chaves | Villages, farms, nature and the Roman spa in Chaves | 42km by bike
- Day 3: From Chaves to Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Former railway cycling path, thermal springs and great parks, and the capital of granite | 43km by bike
- Day 4: From Vila Pouca de Aguiar to Sabrosa | Doorway to the incredible Douro Valley and the extraordinary Mateus Palace | 61kmby bike
- Day 5: Touring around Sabrosa | The Douro Valley demarcated wine region, home of world-famous Port Wine | 46km by bike
- Day 6: From Sabrosa to Peso da Régua | Quintas, the traditional wine estates and the unique stone terraces planted with vines | 44m by bike
- Day 7: Departure or Extension
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Chaves | Welcome to Porto and transfer to Chaves, a city rich in monuments and traditions
Start your journey with a transfer from Porto to Chaves, a northern city full of history with a charming ancient city centre. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful landscape and lush green scenery. In ancient times, when Rome ruled Iberia, Chaves was called Aquae Flaviae, the name given by the emperor Flavio Vespasiano in recognition of the quality of the natural mineral and thermal waters present in Chaves. The hottest spa waters in Europe springing from the earth at 73ºC, are highly recommended treatments for many ailments. The city’s medieval heritage can be seen throughout the city: the fortified castle and walls, two fortresses, the Roman bridge, gothic Santa Maria church, and Misericórdia Church with exquisitely hand painted tiles depicting scenes from the Bible. Get ready to taste acclaimed gastronomical delicacies such the cured ham and smoked sausages, the typical folar (traditional Portuguese bread stuffed with smoked ham), the famous Pastéis de Chaves pastries, in addition to a rich and diverse cuisine in many restaurants and taverns.
The first cycling stage takes you from the city center of Chaves across the Roman bridge over the Tâmega River. Ride along the river on unpaved trails to a highly fertile plain, nine kilometers long, referred to as the veiga. Since the land can be irrigated with canals there is intensive farming of potatoes, corn, rye, hay, while vegetables from smaller plots are commonplace fare in the local market. There is some dairy farming, but few cows can be seen in the valley. After crossing to the right bank of the river, continue through a farming area, along some quiet cobblestone paths, past towns and villages featuring typical rustic granite houses, across a highly diverse farming and forested area with 177 species of birds, a variety of shrubs, oak, chestnut and pine forests, as well as numerous wildflowers, mosses, lichens, ferns and mushrooms. The tour around Chaves ends back in the city, on the veiga paths along the Tâmega River. Back in the city, visit the public water spring, where you can taste and enjoy the unique beneficial properties of Chaves spa, whose hot waters, the hottest in Europe, have been recommended since the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.
Day 3: From Chaves to Vila Pouca de Aguiar | Former railway cycling path, thermal springs and great parks, and the capital of granite | 43 km by bike
Time to bid farewell to Chaves. Today’s tour takes you on a trail along a former railway line, past forests and villages, across fields and vineyards, a typical agricultural landscape and a few scattered woods. On the way, we pass Vidago spa, famous for the medicinal properties of its naturally carbonated mineral water, that was discovered by chance by a local shepherd in the 19th century. It was not until the latter part of the 19th century that both Vidago and Pedras Salgadas, small spa towns south of Chaves, became focal points of grand thermal baths. Luxury establishments were constructed to curry favour with the Portuguese high society, combining thermal baths with extensive gardens / parks and high-class wining and dining. The magnificent Vidago Palace Hotel, commissioned by the royal family, nowadays offers a grand sophisticated setting imbued with the charm and romanticism of the Belle Époque. Stop your ride, park your bike at the main gate, and go for a stroll through the centennial Vidago Palace park. You cannot remain indifferent to the impressive blooms of grandiflora magnolia, the gigantic camellia japonica trees and the superb lines of platanus hispanica… The optional picnic package includes a picnic lunch box prepared by the Vidago Palace, that you can enjoy in this magical park with extraordinary scents, flowers and lakes! In a pretty spring housed in an ornate Belle Epoque pavilion in the park, pop in and taste the natural mineral water that can be sampled in small amounts. It has an exceptionally high mineral content, particularly of iron. The final part of the journey, cycling on the former railway, rises smoothly to Vila Pouca de Aguiar, your final destination today. A peaceful town, it is considered the capital of granite, due to the great variety and beauty of the granite that exists in its subsoil, is visible in several outcrops, is widely used as a natural building material for its monuments and houses.
Day 4: From Vila Pouca de Aguiar to Sabrosa | Doorway to the incredible Douro Valley and the extraordinary Mateus Palace | 49 km by bike
Today’s ride takes you to the Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage property and home of the excellent Port and Douro wines. The first part of this stage of your trip begins with the trail the length of the former railway line then along one of the centuries-old pilgrims’ ways in the interior of Portugal, on their way to Santiago de Compostela. We arrive to the doorway of the incredible valley of the Douro, through Vila Real, the location of the extraordinary Mateus Palace, with its beautiful gardens and elegant rococco manor house, world famous on the Mateus Rosé wine label. The guided tour emphacizes the architecture of the palace and the impact of the baroque building on the landscape of the region. Inside, the palace boasts several intricately carved wood ceilings, furniture from several periods, 17th and 18th century paintings, silverware, ceramics and a library. The optional picnic package includes a picnic lunch box prepared in the Palace, that you can enjoy in the park, together with a stroll through the elegant French-style gardens. Continue cycling through narrow village streets, a climbing of 300 metres over 3 kilometres, following a country road along forest, olive and almond groves until you reach your accommodation in or around Sabrosa. This small town is famous as the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan, the first navigator to circumnavigate the globe. Discover the natural beauty of Sabrosa surrounded by vineyards, one of the gates to the demarcated Douro Wine Region. The vineyards that form the background and the peace and quiet of this town are a sample of what you will expect to enjoy during the rest of your journey
Day 5: Touring around Sabrosa | The Douro Valley demarcated wine region, home of world-famous Port Wine | 29 km by bike
Today you'll cycle to the River Douro. Along the way, you'll pass several farms and wine estates. Enjoy the landscape so characteristic of this region, the calm of the famous terraces of the Douro Wine Region, an image of the efforts of man who, with his own hands, created unique conditions for agricultural production on arid land. This is where you'll find the estates that produce wine, both the famous port wine and its award-winning reds. When you arrive in Pinhão, take the opportunity to discover this picturesque village. You can't miss a visit to the railway station, built at the end of the 19th century and decorated with beautiful hand-painted tiles depicting life in the region. At the river pier, board a typical Rabelo boat for a trip to and from Pinhão. The optional tasting program offers a visit and tasting of the exceptional wines produced in one of Pinhão's fascinating wineries.
Day 6: From Sabrosa to Peso da Régua | Quintas, the traditional wine estates and the unique stone terraces planted with vines | 36 km by bike
The last stage of your biking holiday begins with a trail that takes you along the back roads of the Douro valley, followed by a gentle ride back to the riverside with views that are nothing less than breath-taking, as if the Douro Valley wants to ensure that you will never forget its magic after you leave. Your goal is either Cambres, a town surrounded by a green blanket of vineyards, or nearby Régua, the capital city of the Douro Wine Region. Enjoy this last day in your itinerary to the fullest, one that will live on as memorable for the most fantastic landscapes and wines that Portugal has to offer! The optional tasting program offers an opportunity to appreciate the more human and authentic nature of the production of olive oil, with a welcoming visit to the press and a tasting at a small local producer’s installations. As an option, you may choose to visit and taste Port and Douro wines in one of the most famous wineries in the region, dating from the 16th century.
Day 7: Departure or Extension
- Total Distance: 196 km
- Daily Distance: 29-49km
- Starting day: Monday
This tour is available between March 1st and November 30
