Portugal Central Portugal Cycle Tour 2018 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights

Transcription

1 Portugal Central Portugal Cycle Tour 2018 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights Great bike tours between Costa Prata and the foothills of Serra de Estrela. You cycle through green and hilly landscape, with many rivers, streams, lakes and fantastic views, named Miradouros. In this area, which is named Pinhal Interior because of its many pines, yellow boxes, cork and durmast oaks, citrus fruits, olives and small vineyards are growing. In spring plenty mimosas put forth here. A farmer with donkey is in this surrounding not uncommon. Many inhabitants are living from their harvest. Centuries old Quintas (farm houses) and country estates are restored in authentic style, in parts you stay overnight in such houses. You travel along the coast with its wild and high waves and homelike fisher villages as Praia de Mira. To make a long story short: it is a diversified bike tour which offers Portuguese silence, space and authenticity. Of course you can visit also Coimbra: the cultural pearl with great old city, beautiful parks, river Mondego and ancient University in Manuelino architectural style. The students are wearing still their traditional capas negras (black cape). This is the city, where the Fado is sung by men only and where it sounds more adorable and more charming as in Lisboa. Tired from all those impressions you rest in a café at the Igreja Santa Cruz on square 8 de Maio where you think of all efforts which the mountain villages along the Serra de Lousã caused.

2 Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Arrival to Vila Nova de Poiares You will be welcomed in Quinta no Pinhal. This Quinta is located on the brink of the forest and a little bit outside of village Vila Nova de Poiares. Possibility to try your bike. Day 2: Vila Nova de Poiares km Today you get to know the landscape of Beira Litoral: slightly hilly terrain, a lot of green and a lot of water. You cycle along Barrier Lake Barragem das Fronhas, one of many barrier lakes in Portugal. At the end of this tour you can try your climbing skills in Moura Morta. Overnight stay in Quinta no Pinhal. Day 3: Vila Nova de Poiares - Lousã 50 km You cycle from Vila Nova de Poiares to Ceiro dos Vales. Mostly you follow Rio Ceiro. Along the route possibility to take a bath in the river in Casal de Ermio/Praia Fluvial. You continue to Lousã which is located at the foothills of Serra de Lousã. This area offers green mountain landscapes, many trees, a lot of water and a palace from 10th century which is surrounded by small chapels. When you enter the villages you can visit Casa de Cima and Casa de Quinto do Cano, two luxury manor houses from 17th and 18th century. Overnight stay in Além do Ribeiro. Day 4: Lousã km Today you can choose between two routes. You can go along a short route of 15 to 20 km to a nature bath near a fortress. Or you take a longer tour of 60 km into Serra da Lousã up to an elevation of 1,200 m, where you can enjoy pure silence and a clear view onto Central Portugal, from the Atlantic Sea to Serra da Estrela. A tour which leads along lonesome mountain villages with old houses and offers beautiful views. The descent leads along unpaved roads back onto the road of Goís-Lousã. Overnight stay in Além do Ribeiro. Day 5: Lousã - São Laurenco de Bairro 60 km This tour leads from Ceira dos Vales to São Laurenco de Bairro. You pass village Penacova, which is located high above Rio Mondego and continue to the national park of Buçaco. Along your way see numerous springs, many villages, olive groves, fruit orchards and stone pines. In Serra do Buçaco you will find Mata do Buçaco, a forest with a size of 105 hectares. It is fenced by a wall with a length of five kilometers and 11 gates. From Luso, a health resort which is wellknown for its healthy water you cycle through the wine region of Bairrada. Goal of today is Quinta de São Lourenço.

3 Day 6: São Laurenco de Bairro 70 km Today you cycle via Mira to Praia de Mira, broad sandy beaches and a wild sea. In between broad pinewoods are located. As variety you cycle along flat roads today. In Praia de Mira, which was named Palheiros de Mira in former times due to its typical built houses you can watch some fishermen during their work. In summer this is a popular lido. Overnight stay in São Laurenco de Bairro. Day 7: São Laurenco de Bairro - Vila Nova de Poiares km Optional: you take the train to the thousand year old University City Coimbra and go on by bike (25 km) through the valley of Mondego to Quinta no Pinhal. Or you go by bike to Coimbra (about 45 km) through old villages, some of them are already deserted, and along paddy fields at Gandara. Day 8: Departure or extension After breakfast your bike tour ends or you enjoy some additional nights in Coimbra!!

4 Route Route Characteristics: Tour Profile: Flat coastal roads and hilly sections. Also climbs, but easier alternatives are available. Asphalted roads. Sometimes a little bit exhausting, but it is worth it! Distance: km Travel Dates: Departure daily March 1 - August 10 and September 1 - October 31, 2018 Season 1: March 1 March 31 and October 1 October 31 Season 2: April 1 June 30 and September 1 September 30 Season 3: July 1 August 10

5 Price per Person: Season 1 Double Occupancy Season 2 Double Occupancy Season 3 Double Occupancy Season 1 Supplement Single Room Season 2 Supplement Single Room Season 3 Supplement Single Room Surcharge Half Board Surcharge Single Traveler Bike rental (21-gears) Rental electro assisted bike Accommodation: Quintas (lovely restored former country houses and estates) with pool Included: Overnight stays as mentioned (all hotels with WLAN) Breakfast 6 x lunch package for en route Well elaborated route Detailed travel documents (maps, route description, places of interest) Luggage transfer Tour guidance on spot Service hotline GPS Tracks available on request Not Included: Visitors taxes if applicable

6 Bikes Hybrid Bike Unisex frame 21-gears with free wheel sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedaling brake sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm Men s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "slopping" cm (note: a reservation is necessary!) Also includes Saddle bag (water-repellent), handlebar bag (waterrepellent), service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube, pump and combination lock Electric Bike A Pedelec is an electro bike which assists with electric support only when pedaling. Composed on basis of KTM-bikes, adequate for our missions. The bike is easy to handle as you have a good weight distribution and a low balance point. Overall weight amounts to approx. 23 kg. An illuminated LCD display, a computer and a wattage display add to the comfort. Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free Local TICO Ontario Registration No: