Northern Portugal

Portugal’s northernmost reaches lie well off the well-worn tourist pathways, which makes this region ideally suited for a cycling tour in the Ciclismo style! Ride though fabulous landscapes and far-reaching history starting from Spain and crossing the border with Portugal, to enter Lima and Douro River valleys with experienced leaders pointing out the “local’s Portugal” that you’d otherwise miss. And throughout your itinerary, you can look forward to sampling the wines of this beautiful land, from vinho verde, to the nation’s signature tipple, port. You can also indulge on the locally-harvested cod, sardines, octopus, and seafood cooked following traditional and simple recipes that emphasize the freshness of the ingredients or savor the numerous dishes featuring different types of meats: lamb, goat, quail, beef, chicken, and game like venison or wild boar.

On our way to Porto we’ll explore the town of Guimaraes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porto is one of the highlights of the tour and the best place to end our unforgettable discovery of Portugal. It’s located along the Douro River estuary and was an outpost of the Roman Empire, It was also registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. It represents the Portuguese spirit that will surprise you with its colors, art, nightlife and modern infrastructures: Bem-vindo a Portugal!