FIETS magazine is organizing a cycling vacation for its readers in an area that is still unknown territory to many; namely Northern Portugal.
Starting in the beautiful and culturally rich town of Viana do Castelo we will offer the cyclists a beautiful environment with something for everyone. On this trip it is possible to ride a road bike, gravel bike and/or mountain bike. The area has a lot of possibilities.
Highlights:
- Fully catered trip to beautiful area in northern Portugal
- Stay in luxury modern accommodation near the city and beach
- Care along the way, mechanical support and sports massage included
- Be surprised by the beauty of Viana do Castelo in both sporting and cultural terms
A medical examination is advised prior to travel!
Make an appointment at Ancora Health. They have a Health studio in both Eindhoven and Amsterdam.
For this trip it is advisable to have a sports medical examination.
Our advice is to go for at least "Basic Plus" but we always advise to go for an extensive sports medical examination (USMO). Ancora is affiliated with SMI Federation and SCAS certified. This means that you can get money back from most Dutch health insurers for the Ancora packages. An average reimbursement is easily € 150, -. On the site of Ancora you can calculate your own reimbursement.
For years, theEvoc Bike travel bag pro bike case black has offered the solution for transporting almost any type of bike.
Cycle Travel offers this top bag for rent so your bike will arrive at its destination safe, secure and undamaged.
€9,95
€9,95
Details
FIETS magazine is organizing a cycling vacation for its readers in an area that is still unknown territory to many; namely Northern Portugal.
Starting in the beautiful and culturally rich town of Viana do Castelo we will offer the cyclists a beautiful environment with something for everyone. On this trip it is possible to ride a road bike, gravel bike and/or mountain bike. The area has a lot of possibilities.
Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Portugal. This city by the sea played an important role in the voyages of discovery and later in cod fishing.
Ciudad du Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is easily reached from Porto or from Valença, if you are coming from Spain. From the Monte de Santa Luzia mountain, you can see the privileged geographical location of the city by the sea and at the mouth of the Lima River. You can take this magnificent view and the Templo do Sagrado Coração de Jesus, a revivalist building by Ventura Terra from 1898, as a starting point for visiting the city.
Viana is rich in palaces, churches, monasteries and drinking fountains decorated with the arms of noble families, a cultural heritage that is well worth a visit. Many streets of the historic center lead to the Praça da República, the heart of the city. Here you will also find the buildingEdifício da Misericórdia and the drinking fountain, both from the 16th century, and the oldPaços do Concelho(the former town hall). Not far from here is the Romanesque cathedralSé, the mother church of Viana.
Praça da República, the heart of the city
The sea has always been the main reason for Viana's existence. In a baroque church not far from the sea, there is the statue ofSenhora da Agonia, who is venerated by the fishermen. Every year, on August 20, the statue is taken out of the church to bless the sea.
Indeed, Viana is also known for its embroidery with gold filigree and has kept its traditions alive, as you can see in the Museu do Traje (costumes and gold), the Museu de Arte e Arqueologia (with particular attention to the pottery from Viana exhibited here) or on the ship navio Gil Eanes. This ship built in the Estaleiros Navais (shipyard) of Viana do Castelo for cod fishing is anchored here again as a symbol of the city's traditional shipping and shipbuilding.
But Viana do Castelo is also considered the "Mecca for architecture" thanks to many important names in Portuguese contemporary architecture who have designed installations and buildings for this city. ThePraça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora, theBiblioteca Municipal by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the youth hostelPousada da Juventude by Carrilho da Graça, theHotel Axis by Jorge Albuquerque or theCentro Cultural de Viana do Castelo, by Souto Moura, are just a few examples.
Coliseo Viana do Castelo
In the surroundings of Viana you can make fantastic cycling trips. There are several bike paths along the coast or next to the river, or along one of the many marked trails. Because of the beautiful coast, the hilly terrain on the coast and more mountainous inland, the area is suitable for all sports; from racing, gravel to mountain bike. On the fine, golden sand beaches you can surf, windsurf or kitesurf and bodyboard. So diverse in terms of sports and culture in one area is truly unique.
Details of cycling vacations in northern Portugal near Viana do Castelo
The program includes several options and we will see per day what the best suited cycling program is. For gravel and mountain bike we have created custom routes. For road bikes we have listed all options below with several choices per day.
PROGRAM
Day 1 - Arrival
Arrival at Porto airport - transfer from airport to our location in Viana do Castelo
After check-in briefing for the program
Measurement and adjustment of the bikes
Evening: dinner with briefing for the trip of day 2
GRAVEL (days 2-3-4) Day Program Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Meet at rendezvous point hotel Departure 10:00 a.m. Routes custom with levels easy - average - advanced Lunch: on the go. 19:30 Dinner
Each day there is a custom route with our local guide. Because our gravel routes are also weather dependent, we choose the appropriate routes together with our guide.
MOUNTAINBIKE (days 2-3-4) Day Program Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Meet at rendezvous point hotel Departure 10:00 a.m. Routes custom with levels easy - average - advanced Lunch: on the go. 19:30 Dinner
Every day there is a custom route with our local guide. Because our mountain bike routes are also weather dependent, we choose the appropriate routes together with our guide.
RACE (days 2-3-4) Day Program Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
Collect at rendezvous point hotel
Departure 10:00
Routes easy - intermediate - advanced
Lunch: en route from the follow car
19:30 Dinner
Choices for the road bike program: FAST
1-Upto Ancora - 47km - 400hm
Easy route via National Road 302, one of the most picturesque national roads of the municipality of Viana do Castelo, with beautiful scenery and mountainous surroundings. Short but very varied route. For those who want to combine cycling and conviviality, we recommend a stop at one of the beautiful terraces of Vila Praia de Âncora, at the mouth of the Âncora River, one of the purest rivers in the country.
2-Through the forests to Montaria - 55km - 532hm
If you want to stop and eat some local pork "rojões" for lunch or a delicious roasted baby goat, accompanied by a good "champarrião" or vinho verde, this is the route you choose, in São Lourenço da Montaria. The entire tour is conducted in forest areas, surrounded by oaks and pines, and there are several opportunities to eat and drink along the way. If you prefer to take a "siesta" after your meal, we will take care of it and arrange a transfer for you and your bike.
3-Round the Facha "Solares" - 60.5km - 473hm
Today we drive through the southern bank of the Lima River, along the Facha road and observe some of the most emblematic "Solares" (kind of country houses) of the Minho region, important cultural heritage with years of history and tradition. This is a good suggestion for an easy route, always in the countryside, ending the tour along the north coast of Ecovia, from Vila Nova de Anha.
MAIN
4-Climbto Caminha - 72km - 624hm
Caminha is a border town at the mouth of the Minho River. One of the most picturesque towns in the region, with numerous places of interest. The route to Caminha is on roads that cross forest areas, which requires some physical preparation. The return route is made along the coast, past the famous beach of Moledo.
5-Exploration of Ponte Lima - 79km - 690hm
The municipality of Ponte de Lima is very diverse and rich landscape. In this tour you will explore some of this diversity. You will see the fields with the Vinho Verde vineyards, the pastures with cattle and the rich granite country houses, so typical of the region. This route is carried out on secondary roads, with few vehicles. It is a pleasant and relaxing experience, with time to enjoy the scenery and breathe in the rural air.
6-Round to Arcos de Valdevez - 95km - 760hm
The cities of Lima have a unique beauty because of their history, architecture, gastronomy and traditions. This route allows you to visit the three cities and explore the roads that connect them. We leave Viana do Castelo towards Ponte de Lima and then go up the Lima until Ponte da Barca to end at Arcos de Valdevez. The return trip is made along the northern bank of the Lima. It is a long ride, but it does not require intense effort, in a route that winds through fields and mountains, with low climbs and always close to the Lima River.
ADVANCED
7-PedrasFinas - 103km - 900hm
One of the most spectacular and also demanding routes, of about 100 km, through the landscapes of the deep Minho region. Pedras Finas, an area known for granite exploration, has an average climb of 4 to 5% over 8 km, the most complicated part of the route. However, the reward comes with less demanding sections and spectacular scenery, such as the 25 km that runs along the banks of the Coura and the mountains of the Serra d'Arga to Caminha. The return route is by the sea and what is certain is ... you will definitely enjoy a well-deserved rest afterwards.
8-Refoios - 105km - 1413hm
The roads in Minho are fun for the eyes, but sometimes demanding for the legs. Secondary roads with immaculate surfaces take us from Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima and from there to the top of Boalhosa. Rest and enjoy the view. Go all the way down through the vineyards to Ponte da Barca. In Refoios, pass the monastery (current agricultural school) and continue winding along the green Minho. Via Estorãos, Lanheses we drive to Viana do Castelo.
9-Where the Lima River enters Portugal - 164km - 1888m
This is the longest route of the suggested mountain treks - but that does not make it the most difficult. Starting on the banks of the Lima, climb to Vacaria and explore the mountains on the southern bank of the river. The views of the Lima River are breathtaking for much of the route that goes half uphill, ending with the descent to Ponte de Lima at the chapel of São Cipriano. The tour ends with the return to Viana do Castelo along the northern bank of the Lima River.
Day 5 - Return trip
06:00 Breakfast
06:45 Departure to Porto
08:30h Return flight Porto - Amsterdam
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is included?
-Staying on full board basis
-Transfer airport
-Flight ticket
-Complete care on the way with the guide or support vehicle
-Bike wash of the bikes
-Sportmassage (1x)
-Sport food package
-Mechanical support
-Use of facilities on complex like wellness, fitness room, swimming pool.
-Washing service for clothes
What is not included?
-Surcharge for bicycle suitcase
-Tourist tax p.p.
-Alcoholic beverages after dinner
Additional services to be booked;
-Professional bike fit on location
-Additional sports massages at €59.95 per session
-Hire of racing bike, gravel bike or (e-)mountain bike for the whole week €35,- p/day (Normal rate €45,- p/day)
Location: Viana do Castelo, Feel Viana (Portugal)
Portugal is a dream place for those looking for adventure vacations in Europe. FeelViana Sport Hotel, located in the north of Portugal, the pearl, Viana do Castelo, overlooks the pine forest of Cabedelo beach. FeelViana is a sustainable four-star superior hotel, all made of wood and perfectly framed in the surrounding landscape.
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Explanation sports level
MTB:
1star: beginner 50km2star : above beginner 60km3star : average 70km4star : advanced 100km5star : pro 160km
Road bike:
1star: beginner 50km2star : above beginner 60km3star : average 70km4star : advanced 100km5star : pro 160km
Level 1: Starter-Beginner; You are just starting out in this sport, have no experience nor background as an athlete
Level 2: Beginner-Medium; You are just starting with this sport, however you already have experience with other sports so you start with a good basic condition. You cycle 1 or 2 times a week.
Level 3: Average; You are a sporty person, don't shy away from a challenge, exercise at least 2 to 4 per week, you can also already make some altitude gains and ride at higher averages.
Level 4: Advanced; You are a trained athlete, you are looking for a challenge in sports, you are active at least 3 to 5 times a week, altitude meters and a higher average are not a problem
Level 5: Advanced/Performance oriented; You train towards goals, challenges and also leave something for it you do not mind, you are driven and several times longer sport per week are no exception, you are performance oriented
Level 6: Advanced Plus; As a highly trained person, you want to really test yourself to your limits, you seek challenges and are also willing to live for them, exercising is a part of your daily life.
Explanation luxury level
Level 0-1.5: Tour without overnight stay.
Level 2-2.5: Cycle Travel provides an overnight stay in a 2-star accommodation.
Level 3-3.5: Tour with overnight stays in the better bed and breakfast or 3-star hotel, hostel accommodations. Overnight stays on a half-board basis are a 3.5 rating.
Level 4-4.5: Cycle Travel provides a 4-star accommodation or boutique bed & breakfast. Optional full board booking (upgrade to level 4,5 appreciation).
Level 5-5.5: Cycle Travel will provide a more luxurious 4-star or 5-star accommodation or boutique hotel. We can upgrade the level of lunch, on-road catering or dinner to 5.5.
Level 6: Cycle Travel will provide a more luxurious 5-star accommodation, boutique hotel or luxury pop-up location. We can upgrade the level of lunch, on-road catering or dinner to 6+ level if required.
Explanation guidance level
Our team of passionate guides is always there for you. For any type of trip, event or clinic, Cycle Travel will provide the right accompaniment. We have an excellent network of professionals.
With the ranking from 1 to 6, we indicate to what extent the guidance is provided on a trip. Interested in an upgrade? Please let us know! Then we will gladly look for a suitable solution.
Level 0-1: a self-guided tour without guidance. Cycle Travel provides the routes on GPX.
Level 2-2.5: a self-guided tour without guidance including routes on GPX and tips for the road. Cycle Travel has a goody bag or contact person at the locations visited that you will receive as a traveler.
Level 3-3.5: a self-guided tour without guidance including routes on GPX and tips along the way. Cycle Travel has accommodation on the basis of a 3-star hotel or bed & breakfast. There is someone on site who is familiar with our clients and will be there for you personally (level 3,5)
Level 4-4.5: a guided tour including routes on GPX and tour guide on the bike or in a support car.Cycle Travel has accommodation based on a 4-star hotel, hostel or bed & breakfast. During a guided tour it is optional to book a mechanic and masseur. (The rating then comes to 4.5)
Level 5-5.5: A fully catered vacation with a complete support team consisting of tour guide, mechanic and masseur. There is provision for a support car including care en route during the rides. Accommodation will be in luxury chalets, hotels or boutique bed and breakfasts.
Level 6: The ultimate luxury cycling vacation with top locations and carefully selected accommodations. Only the very best counts for us and you as our client! Get carried away on a next level cycling vacation.
Explanation gravity level
We determine the heaviness of a trip broadly based on a variety of circumstances. Heaviness can be determined by distances or by the altimeters in distances. In addition, you already experience a ride on a gravel or mountain bike as "heavier" than a road bike ride.
Per category this is approximately what you may think of. Always negotiable with us are alternatives or adapted routes which also influence the heaviness.