Notes: - Lodging: Comfort (3-4 star inns and mid-scale properties) - Activity level: Easy (daily average: distance 25-45 km/ 15-28 mi) - Total distance: 200,3 km/124,4 mi, Total climbing: 1221 m/4000 ft, - Shortest day: 24,3 km/15 mi, Longest day: 58 km/36 mi. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Porto Arrival and transfer to hotel. The hilly city of Porto presents a mingle of styles and eras that will enchant you. The region has been continuously inhabited since at least the 4th Century, when the Romans referred to it as Portus Calle. Its historical center, Ribeira district, is a UNESCO World Heritage zone, and a good staring point to explore the city. From here you can see the Port Wine Cellars, in Ribeira de Gaia, a place you can’t miss! Lodging: Hotel Internacional Porto. Day 2: Porto | Espinho (24,3 km / 15 mi) Today, you will ride along Douro River until its estuary. Then you will head south along the coast, mostly on bike paths, with beautiful sandy beaches on our right. During this ride you’ll have plenty of places to stop and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal or just to have a drink looking at the Atlantic Ocean! At Espinho, a cosmopolitan holiday resort with beaches and a Casino, you will take the train to Ovar. The train station in Ovar is 5 min from the hotel. Lodging: Aquahotel in Ovar. Day 3: Ovar | Barra | Praia de Mira (58 km / 36 mi) Today’s bike ride will take you along the Aveiro lagoon. The lagoon is the result of the sea’s retreat in the 16th century, originating land stripes that imprisoned the water. The lagoon is one of the most important and beautiful hydrographic landscapes in the Portuguese coast. It extends parallel to the ocean by 47 km (29 mi) and is 11 km (7 mi) width. On the beach of San Jacinto you will cross by ferry to Barra Beach, located on the south side of the lagoon. You will then continue along the Ria de Aveiro and find the bike path that will take you to your hotel in Praia de Mira. Mira Beach is characterized by the traditional beach tents, often brightly coloured and decorated with stripes, and a small lagoon where you can take a relaxing walk. Lodging: Mira Villas Aparthotel Day 4: Praia do Pedrogão | Nazaré (45 km / 27,9 mi) Today´s destination is the fishing village of Nazaré, the place to go for fresh seafood. The cycling route to Nazaré is always on a bike path along the Atlantic coast and through some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Vieira Beach is a colorful fishing village known for having developed the “Arte Xávega” - a traditional way of catching sardine, using nets and a large group of row-boats. São Pedro de Moel Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in the Portuguese coast with a shell shape and surrounded by small houses and the immense pine tree forest of Leiria. The beach is small, limited on the northern side by steep cliffs and on the southern side by a small streamlet. S. Pedro de Moel still has an aristocratic and cosmopolitan feel, given by the rich people who lived here between the 16th and 17th centuries. The last stop of the day will be Sítio, Nazaré highest point. Here you can find, without doubt, the best viewpoint of the area. Nearby is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, built in the 18th Century. The fishing village of Nazaré, once a big fishing town, is nowadays a busy beach resort, where side by side with tourists, you can still find people selling fish on the streets and “carapaus” (horse mackerel) laid out to dry. Nazaré people strong connection with the sea is reflected in the local handcrafts, in particular the nets, buoys, baskets and traditional puppets dressed in the typical costume with seven skirts. Lodging: Albergaria Mar Bravo Day 5 - Optional loop to Alcobaça or explore Nazaré (30,5 km / 18,9 mi) In this 5th day of riding you can choose to make a loop ride to Alcobaça or enjoy Nazaré beach. Alcobaça is known for its Monastery or Royal Abbey of “Santa Maria de Alcobaça (St. Mary of Alcobaça). The monastery was founded in 1178 by the Cistercian monks to fulfill a vow made by the 1st Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques, before the conquest of Santarém to the Moors. Alcobaça’s Monastery, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, in 1989, is a reproduction of the French Abbey of Clairvaux. The Cistercian monks were responsible for bringing people into the area and for introducing new farming techniques, which made this an important agricultural region until nowadays. Its main products are fruits like Casa Nova apple, Rocha pear and peaches. Lodging: Albergaria Mar Bravo Day 6: Nazaré | Óbidos (42,5 km / 24,4 mi) This ride along the Atlantic coast will take us to beautiful places. S. Martinho do Porto is one of those places with warm waters ringed by sandy beaches and a beautiful bay, known for its shell shape. Also Lagoa de Óbidos, known as a very good fishing spot, is a Natural Protected Area where you can see a large variety of sea-birds who find shelter in the surrounding forests. The last stop will be the delightful town of Óbidos, with white houses adorned with bougainvilleas and honeysuckle. The medieval village was captured from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, D.Afonso Henriques, in 1148. D. Dinis later presented it to his wife, Queen Santa Isabel. From then until the 19th century, the town of Óbidos and the surrounding land was always the property of the queens of Portugal whose influence translated itself in benefits to the city, like the aqueduct or the water fountains. Encircled by a ring of medieval walls, Óbidos is one of the most perfect examples of a Portuguese medieval fortress. Lodging: Casas de S. Thiago do Castelo. Day 7: Lisbon or Optional 2 days extention: Óbidos | Ericeira (64 km/ 39.8 mi) In this seventh day of the program you can choose to end your vacations and we will transfer you to Lisbon, or to go further south to Ericeira beach along the Atlantic Coast where you´ll pass by some of the best Portuguese surf beaches: Areia Branca, Santa Rita, Ribamar, Santa Cruz and finally Ericeira. Morning transfer to Lisbons Airport (approx. 60 min.) Optional: If you choose to ride in this day Morning transfer to Peniche (approx. 30 min.) Since ancient times Peniche has been an important fishing harbor, but over the last decade it became very well known by its waves for surfing. Speaking of surfing, at the end of the day you will arrive to Ericeira, a worldwide known surfing spot. The hospitality of its people and the harmony of the “”old village”” with its narrow cobblestone streets, characteristic housing, singular monuments, the cuisine and the bold Atlantic views are highlights you will not miss. Lodging: Hotel Vila Galé Day 8: Optional Ericeira | Cascais (53 km/ 32.9 mi) Today you will pass by Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of both mainland Portugal and Europe. The ride ends in Cascais, a picturesque village used as a summer retreat by the nobility for centuries. Cascais and the nearby village of Estoril were also the havens of many kings and aristocrats exiled during the 20th century. Lodging: Dolce Cascais Guest House Day 9: Lisbon Morning transfer to the airport. Notes: - Price guided tour: 1440€ (minimum 5 persons) 
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